Chapter 30
Carson stood at the living room window, trying to figure out the source of unease that had settled in his gut.
At first, he wondered if he was nervous about the gift from the Fates that Oracle would soon tell him about, but the more he thought about it, he knew that wasn’t it.
Sighing, he shook his head slightly, disgusted at himself for not facing the truth.
My mate is in danger…even my wolf can feel it.
Admitting it, though, didn’t help ease his dread; instead it made it worse, causing Carson to fight with his wolf who was pushing for a shift.
Clenching his fists, Carson began pacing, hoping to clear his mind so he could focus on exactly what danger his mate might be in.
Entering the living room, Remy stopped abruptly when he found Carson, eyes down, wearing a path on the rug while mumbling to himself. Unable to make sense of what he was saying, he walked over, blocking his mate’s path. “What’s the matter? Is my mark hurting you?” he asked.
“Huh?” Carson said, looking up.
“I asked you if your back hurts.”
“No, well just a little bit but how come you didn’t warn me you were going to do that?” asked Carson.
“Because I didn’t know it would happen,” Remy replied, shrugging his shoulders. “I did some research this morning but I couldn’t find out anything.”
“Maybe it happened instead of a light sphere,” Carson mused. “I wonder if it will happen again…you’re sure you didn’t create a light sphere?”
“I’m confused…what will happen again…the light sphere or the marking?” asked Remy .
“Both I guess, although I’m not eager to experience the pain I felt last night too soon,” Carson said.
“I’m sorry,” Remy replied, “I wanted it to be special last night, but then it was ruined by your back being marked.”
“Hey, babe, no, don’t think that…trust me, it was amazing!” Carson said, taking his mate’s hands and kissing them. “I loved every moment of it. Besides, my brothers are going to be so jealous when they see it. I bet Zane will want one and knowing Kieran, he’ll also be pestering Logan for one.”
Giggling, Remy said, “Well, I refuse to do it to anyone else. This is for you, only.”
“Good,” Carson growled, “because I’d hate for my wolf to have to attack my brothers.”
“No, that wouldn’t be a good example for my brothers, either,” Remy smirked. “Now, what had you so agitated when I came in before?”
Frowning, Carson was torn between being honest versus protecting his mate by not causing him to worry.
Then remembering Jackson’s advice about being honest, he replied, “My wolf and I know you’re in danger but it’s driving us crazy that we don’t know what it is.
I can’t prepare…I’m wondering if I should ask my brothers for help…
but they’ll want to know what the problem is…
and frankly, I just don’t know what to do. ”
Leading his mate over to the sofa, Remy sat down, pulling Carson next to him. “Other than what I told you yesterday, I don’t know of anyone else who wants to hurt me. I’m having some problems at the winery and with some of the other businesses, but nothing that’d put me at risk of injury.”
“What kind? Employee problems?” asked Carson .
“No, not at all. There’ve been a number of incidents…vandalism mostly. They started after Artur’s death…small stuff that wasn’t even worth the time it took to investigate and document but the night before you arrived, seven vats of wine were ruined.”
“Ouch!”
“No kidding! That’s when I realized it was more than petty stuff. When Henri went to pick you up, I assembled all the data in a report for you and was shocked at the impact on the bottom line.”
“Do you suspect the same person is doing it?”
“Maybe…but I’m not sure because there wasn’t anything left at the scene, except for the last one, that would lead me to that conclusion.”
“What did you find at the last one…where the wine was spoiled?”
“Someone dropped bugs into the vats and…” Before Remy could finish, Hunter opened the front door and walked in with Fionn.
“Knock knock…hey, Carson,” Hunter said, smiling, “thanks for getting us the new accommodations. They’re perfect.”
“It is, because no one can hear us, right mate?” giggled Fionn, “Hi, I’m Fionn.
Are you Remy? I hope you don’t mind but I took a picture of your outfit yesterday and sent it to my friend Ki.
Now he wants to get a pair of pants like the ones you were wearing.
He said, and I quote, ‘my ass is going to be so hot in them.’ By the way, this here is my mate, Hunter. ”
“Hi, Remy, nice to meet you,” Hunter said. “I’m Carson’s cousin. Welcome to the pack. ”
Remy quickly stood. “Nice to meet you too, both of you. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll bring in some refreshments. Would you prefer coffee or tea?”
“Babe,” Carson rose, “let me help you.” Putting his hand on the small of his mate’s back, he gently steered Remy out of the living room and into the kitchen. Once the door was shut, he asked, “Are you okay? I’m sorry they barged in without knocking.”
Smirking, Remy replied, “He did say ‘knock, knock.’ But it’s fine. I didn’t expect them so soon, that’s all. I also didn’t expect Artur’s son to be so friendly. His father was never that way…well maybe with his brother.”
“Fionn is nothing like his father,” Carson said. “According to Jackson, his father nearly killed him and it was just by luck Kieran and Logan found him in time.”
“You’re joking,” Remy gasped. “I would have believed it of his brother Eideard, but Artur…I can’t say he was warm and fuzzy but he was good to me, especially when my parents died. He tried to kill his own son…why?”
“He wanted his son to marry a woman and Fionn refused because he’s gay.”
“So was his father. What’s the big deal?”
“No, he wasn’t,” insisted Carson. “He was married to Fionn’s mother.”
“I don’t know anything about that, but trust me, Artur was gay. Just about every weekend, he had his latest boy toy running around the chateau naked. I stayed away after accidentally coming upon them one time, doing the nasty.”
“No fucking way! ”
“Yeah, and after that, I also made sure to keep my brothers away from there on weekends, when no one was there except Artur.”
“Makes sense…I don’t think we should say anything to Fionn about his father,” Carson murmured.
“Does it matter anymore? Artur is dead.”
“You have a point there,” Carson agreed.
~/~/~/~/~
“Turn in here, please,” Oracle said, pointing to a slightly overgrown dirt lane.
Looking through the windshield, she watched as the low tree branches brushed the sides of the car as they traversed the rough road.
Glancing behind her, all she could see was greenery, concealing the car from anyone on the main road.
“Mrs. Valentin, how much further should I go?” asked Eddie, the driver.
“We’re nearly there,” Oracle murmured, peering through the deep shadows at the side of the lane.
Then, spying Mystia standing off to her left, she told her driver to stop.
“I will be back shortly, Eddie.” Not waiting for him to open the door for her, Oracle got out of the car and headed toward her friend, stepping carefully over the rough terrain.
“I’m glad you’re here, Oracle,” Mystia said, hugging her before stepping back and casting a sound-proof bubble around them.
“Yes, so am I. Have you sensed anyone else?”
“The Witches’ Governing Guards are searching this part of France but so far, Remy and his brothers have remained hidden from them,” Mystia replied.
“You met the brothers?” asked Oracle.
“Three darling young ones.”
“How long will your spell last?”
“Usually not this long, but Remy’s magic is giving it a boost…although I don’t think he knows that. There’s something else you should know…I found traces of black magic.”
“Any connection to the witches you’re searching for?” asked Oracle. “The ones who used black magic in Scotland?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“I have to go now,” Oracle said, then added, “Please tell Maximus what you found. I think it is more than coincidence.”
“I agree,” Mystia replied. “One other thing. Claiming has changed them both…the magic field surrounding Remy is very different from what it was previously.”
Saying nothing, Oracle smiled serenely, giving her friend a hug before walking back to the car.
~/~/~/~/~
Taking the tray from Remy, Carson carried it into the living room, setting it down on the coffee table before glancing at his cousin. “Have you heard from Oracle yet? I thought she’d be here by now.”
“No, but she’ll be along soon,” Hunter replied. “Are you sure you and Remy don’t mind if Fionn stays when Oracle talks to you?”
“Babe?” Carson looked at his mate who sat down next to him. “You sure it’s okay with you?”
“It is,” Remy said, pouring coffee into two mugs before handing them to their guests. “Carsy…coffee or tea? ”
“Tea is fine, babe,” Carson said, just as someone knocked. “I’ll get that.” Crossing the room to the front door, he opened it, finding Oracle smiling at him.
“Hello, Carson,” Oracle said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Barely able to murmur a return greeting, Carson suddenly felt his shyness return, confusing him.
For fuck’s sake, I know Oracle! What the hell is happening to me?
Standing there, he once again found himself frozen, unable to speak until he felt his mate’s hand caressing his back.
“Uhm, Oracle, I’d like you to meet my Fated Mate, Remy Marchant. ”
Dropping to her knees, Oracle bowed her head, “It is an honor to meet you, Great Warlock, Keeper of All Magic, Ruler of the Mystic Realm. I bring you greetings from the gods.”
Gob smacked, Remy stared at the Oracle kneeling before him. Shifting his eyes to his mate, he said, “I think she’s wrong. Can Oracles make mistakes?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Carson held out his hand. “Oracle, please get up.” After she rose, he asked, “What’s going on? I thought you were here to tell me if the Fates had a gift for me.”
“I am, but I also am here for your mate,” Oracle replied.
“Please come in,” Carson said, stepping out of the way. After Oracle passed, he seized his mate’s hand and whispered in his ear, “Are you still okay with Hunter and Fionn staying?”
“Yeah…what the hell is she talking about?” Remy mumbled.
“Not a fucking clue,” Carson answered. “C’mon, let’s go find out. ”
Entering the living room with his mate by his side, Remy saw Oracle sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs, pouring herself a cup of tea.
Leading his mate over to the sofa, he sat down, pulling Carson down with him.
He looked around. Surely this was a joke; soon, someone would jump out from a hiding place, yelling ‘Gotcha! Ha, ha, she’s not really an Oracle.
’ But when that didn’t happen, Remy was disturbed that an Oracle would mock his lack of magic. If she even is an Oracle!
Sensing how his mate felt, Carson squeezed Remy’s hand, hoping to reassure him everything would be all right. He waited until Oracle had taken a sip of her tea before saying, “Remy and I are confused by what just happened. Do the Fates have a gift for my mate, like they did for Dylon?”
Setting her cup down, Oracle smiled. “Thank you for the tea. After my long flight and the drive here, it is just what I needed.”
“You’re welcome,” Remy replied softly, moving closer to Carson.
“Before I begin, I must ask both of you if there are any objections to Hunter, and Fionn, hearing what I have to say.”
“No…no objections,” Carson said hurriedly.
“And what about you, Mr. Marchant?” asked Oracle.
Shaking his head, Remy murmured, “No… and call me Remy, please.”
“Very well,” Oracle replied. “To answer your question, Carson, I am here for you and Remy, but the Fates gave a gift only to you… the gift your mate received came from the gods. ”
“Received?” Remy asked. “I’m sorry, you’re mistaken. Trust me, I haven’t received anything at all.”
“Has Carson claimed you?” asked Oracle.
“Yes, he…”
“And, have you claimed Carson?” asked Oracle.
“Yes, but…”
“And when you did, did Carson receive your mark?” asked Oracle.
“What mark?” asked Hunter, scanning his cousin’s face.
“Are you referring to the angel wing tattoo on my back?” asked Carson.
“I am,” Oracle confirmed.
“You have a tattoo? Oh boy, now Ki’s gonna want one more than ever,” Fionn giggled.
“I don’t understand any of this,” Remy said. “How did I give my mate angel wings? What kind of magic did that? Is that the gift from the gods?”
“The wings are given to the one who guards you.
In this case, it is Carson…but I will get to that after I tell you about your gift.
It comes from Hecate, the goddess of all magic.
In the beginning, she gave the gift of magic to a few of her followers.
Eventually, Zeus learned of what she did and became very angry, condemning her to death.
He felt Hecate was misusing her magic in an attempt to alter the future of man, which only he had the right to do.
“When Hecate’s mother found out her daughter had angered Zeus, she sought out Athena, goddess of wisdom and begged her to save Hecate from Zeus’s wrath.
Agreeing to help, Athena met with Zeus and, after lengthy negotiations, a compromise was reached: Zeus would allow Hecate to live and in exchange, she would relinquish her magic to just one of her followers who would control the use of it on earth.
“There was another condition Zeus insisted on. The Fates would henceforth determine the selection of that follower—and all who came after. Bowing to Zeus’ demands, Hecate ceded her magic including her power of creating light spheres to the Fates—to be bestowed on those they chose to be Keepers—formidable magic allowed to no other magic user.
And when the life thread of a Keeper of All Magic nears the end, the Fates choose a successor. ”
Pausing to let what she said sink in, Oracle then turned to Remy and smiled. “You, Remy, are the chosen one.”