Chapter 35
“I’ll get it,” Carson said, jumping up. “That must be Mystia.”
“And I’ll reheat the water for tea,” added Remy, picking up the teapot, heading for the kitchen.
Pausing in front of the door, Carson gathered his thoughts, making sure he remembered all the questions he had. Then, opening the door, he gave Mystia a wide welcoming smile, stepping forward to hug her. “Thank you very much for protecting my family until I got here,” he murmured in her ear.
“Congratulations, mon petit loulou,” Mystia said, returning his smile. “I’m so happy for you and Remy.”
“Thanks,” Carson replied, ushering Mystia into the living room, “Remy’s in the kitchen. The boys are asleep so we’ll be able to talk without interruption.”
Sitting down, Mystia said, “As much as I’d like to see them again, it’s probably for the best, since we have much to cover tonight.”
Arriving with the hot teapot, Remy said, “Hi, Mystia, I’d appreciate all the help you can give. To be honest, I’m a bit overwhelmed by everything the Oracle told me.”
Taking the teapot from his mate, Carson set it down before sitting next to him. “So am I…especially since I haven’t talked to Remy about it, yet.”
“Then that’s where we should begin,” Mystia said. “Let’s start with your questions, Carson. What is your biggest concern?”
“Hmmm…well, I understand I can remove magic from someone, but what happens if I inadvertently do it to Remy?” asked Carson .
“You can’t,” Mystia said, “Remy is immune to your power so that can never happen.”
“Thank goodness,” replied Carson. “Next question, what happens to the magic I remove from someone? Where does it go? Do I keep it and if I do will I be able to use it?”
Giggling, Remy said, “Carsy, that’s more than one question.”
“Hey, they’re all connected,” Carson protested.
Smiling, Mystia said, “Any magic removed by you goes to Remy since he is the Keeper of All Magic. However, there are a number of ‘spells’ that you can do, but these are not spells in the same sense as mine…for instance, the anti-scent spell I cast on you and your brothers to keep Josiah from finding you. Your spells come from your anti-magic power and belong to you alone. No other magic user has the ability to do them.”
“Oracle said my power was for defensive purposes,” Carson said.
“In a way, yes,” Mystia replied, “first and foremost, you are the guardian of the Keeper. If anyone is foolish enough to attack or try to hurt Remy, you are responsible for protecting him and, in those cases, it becomes defensive. But your powers can also be wielded by the Keeper as punishment.”
“In what way?” asked Carson.
“Keeper of All Magic is only part of what Remy is,” Mystia said. “He is also Ruler of the Mystic Realm.”
“Oracle addressed me as that,” said Remy, “but I don’t know what it means.”
“Basically,” Mystia began to explain, “it means your decision is the final word for the mystic realm whether it’s what laws and rules magic users must adhere to, or punishments handed out to those who choose to disobey them…
and even what governing structure will be used.
For instance, the last Ruler of the Mystic Realm formed the Witches’ Governing Council, but you are under no obligation to keep it.
You can disband it, and rule yourself, or decide on a totally different structure.
“But getting back to Carson’s question, his power to remove a person’s magic can be used by the Ruler of the Mystic Realm as a punishment. In that case, it would not be considered defensive,” said Mystia.
“Whoa! That’s some heavy stuff,” Carson said. “Remy told me magic users fear that the most.”
“Yes, they do,” Mystia agreed. “It would be used for only the most serious crimes.”
“I’m not sure I could ever do that to another magic user,” Remy said, frowning. “Magic is part of who we are…to take that away…”
“Would probably be like me losing my wolf,” said Carson.
“Exactly!” exclaimed Remy. “I’m not sure I’m the right person to be Ruler of the Mystic Realm.”
“You are, mon chéri ! Never doubt it for a moment,” Mystia said.
“The Fates do not make mistakes. Punishments are rare in our world and that particular one is even rarer. Every magic user knows you have the power to do that, making it the best kind of deterrent there is…it has to be, otherwise, magic users wouldn’t have incentives to obey the laws governing the use of magic. ”
Frowning, Remy replied, “That makes sense and I agree with it but it doesn’t mitigate the pain I would cause if I ordered magic removed.”
Carson, sensing Remy’s discomfort, said, “Babe, maybe you should look at which infractions would warrant that kind of severe punishment. Maybe you would only use it if the magic user committed a crime like…like…I don’t know…
maybe like mass murder, like my uncle did.
I know he’s a wolf shifter, but magic users are probably capable of stuff just as bad. ”
“Carson has a good point,” Mystia agreed. “The practice of black magic would also be a high crime.”
“This is so overwhelming,” Remy murmured. “I don’t know much about the laws of the mystic realm because my chances of violating them, with the little magic I have…”
“Had, babe,” Carson corrected his mate.
“Right, had…was slim to none,” Remy said. “The only law my parents drummed into me was the prohibition of using magic in front of humans. And trust me, that was never going to happen.”
“Hey, maybe what you need is an assistant!” exclaimed Carson.” Someone who knows the laws inside out…like Adam.”
“Who’s Adam?” asked Remy. “Is he a mate to someone in your pack?”
“No,” Carson said, “Adam was sent by the gods to help David. He knows every law there is…probably even the ones of the Mystic Realm.”
“I’m sorry, Carsy…who is David again?” asked Remy .
“He’s Zane’s mate but he’s also the High Priest of the paranormal world…the moral compass who rules on the morality of different laws,” explained Carson.
“I’m confused. I thought that’s what I’m supposed to do as Ruler of the Mystic Realm,” Remy said.
“You are, but what if you weren’t and you objected to the laws regarding low-level magic users? Who could you appeal to who has the power to declare them illegal if the Witches’ Governing Council refused to listen to you?” asked Carson.
“Ahh, the High Priest,” Remy said.
“Yup. Anyway, Adam is David’s assistant…researches the laws and gives David help so he can make an informed decision,” Carson said.
“I need an Adam!” exclaimed Remy. “But how do I find one?”
“Mystia, any ideas?” asked Carson.
“I know someone who might be willing to assist,” Mystia mused. “I’ll ask them and let you know.”
“I would appreciate that greatly,” said Remy. “The Oracle told me about the laws regarding low-level magic users like me and that’s my first priority…getting rid of those and freeing those in bondage. But I need to know which laws should be targeted. After all, I don’t want…”
A whooshing sound interrupted the conversation as two men dressed in uniforms materialized in the living room. Before a word was said, Carson stood up, shielding Remy, his claws and fangs extended,
“Stand down, dog,” one of them ordered. “We’re here on orders by the Witches’ Governing Council and our business does not concern you. ”
“You have no right to invade our home,” Carson growled.
“Sorry for the intrusion,” the second guard said, quietly. “We are just following orders.”
Mystia rose, her eyes studying each guard before saying, “Who on the Governing Council issued this order?”
“I don’t know what you mean…the Governing Council issued the order…here see for yourself,” the second guard said, holding out a piece of paper.
Taking it, Carson read it, then passed it to Mystia, before saying, “Your order is worthless. The Governing Council has no authority over the Keeper of All Magic. You should know that, so why are you here?”
When no one answered his mate’s question, Remy finally spoke.
“I’m the Keeper of All Magic and my mate is correct.
As Ruler of the Mystic Realm, no one on the Governing Council has the power to order me to do anything…
and that includes taking me…unwillingly, I might add…
anyplace. Now, I order you to answer my mate’s question. ”
“Keeper,” answered the second guard, “we are never told the reason why an order is given to us…”
“Shut up, you fool,” the first guard snarled. “To be Keeper of All Magic he must have a mate…which he does not. He’s a fake.”
“Why do you say that?” asked Mystia.
“Who are you and by what authority do you have the right to interfere in the Council’s business?” asked the first guard, aggressively.
“Enough!” Remy ordered. “You will not speak to my guest in that manner. The Governing Council has already been informed I have claimed my Fated Mate so whoever issued the order demanding my appearance has insulted me and my Fated Mate.”
“Keeper? May I speak?” the second guard asked.
“Go ahead,” Remy said.
“I don’t know why we were given the order to take you to the Governing Council but it would seem that certain members don’t believe you are really the Keeper of All Magic.”
“How interesting,” replied Remy, “why would they doubt it?”
“Shut the fuck up,” muttered the first guard under his breath, shooting daggers at his fellow guard with his eyes.
“Keeper, may I?” asked Mystia.
“You may,” replied Remy.
Reciting a few incomprehensible words, Mystia waved her hands, silencing and paralyzing the first guard.
“Please answer my question,” Remy asked the second guard again, his voice deceptively calm.
Keeping his eyes on Mystia, the second guard said, “Uhm…the Council believes your claim to be false…uhm, because…uhm, because, you aren’t a low-level magic user so you cannot be the Keeper.”
“I thought so,” Remy said, his voice tinged with anger. “Do you believe I am the Keeper of All Magic?”
“I-I-I-don’t know,” the second guard replied, “I was told you didn’t have a Mystic Guardian…and that seems to be true because there isn’t another warlock here. ”