Chapter 22 #2
Peeking over Niki’s shoulder, I got a good look at our newest guest. Helios was decked out in the same military style camo fatigues I’d last seen him in.
At least half a dozen dog tags dangled around his neck.
Tattoos covered every inch of visible skin, and his larger than average ears were pierced along the edge, numerous metal and jeweled pieces decorating their massive surface.
Hands on hips, Helios ignored Niki’s question in favor of gazing around Niki’s workspace.
His deep blue eyes looked bored to tears.
“This space is smaller than I imagined.” Helios walked toward a nearby shelf, fingering a piece of topaz.
“This is not as interesting as I had hoped.” He set the topaz back down as he walked the perimeter.
“Helios.” That singular name ground through Niki’s throat like broken glass. “Is there a reason you are here, criticizing my home?”
I ran what I hoped was a soothing hand down Niki’s side.
“Now, now, Niki. I don’t think the powerful djinn was criticizing…
exactly.” Honestly, I had no idea what Helios was doing, and that piqued my curiosity.
Poor Niki. He was about to not only have a potentially dangerous djinn on his hands, but a troublesome kitsune as well.
“Your offspring is concerned,” Helios answered with absolutely zero inflection.
A new type of worry filled Niki’s eyes. “You’ve been around Erasmus? Why?” Niki wasn’t fond of his son’s penchant for welcoming creatures that could snuff out his life with little more than a thought into his home. I can’t say that I necessarily blamed him.
Helios waved Niki off while leaning over to examine an empty amber vial.
“Unlike Aurelia, I have no interest in the necromancer.” Helios glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowed.
“I have warned Aurelia that her fascination isn’t healthy.
She does not care to heed my advice.” Helios’s narrowed eyes eased into a look of confusion.
“Aurelia says it is her choice.” Helios scoffed.
“As if djinn truly have choices in life.”
Tired of being pushed to the sidelines, no matter how chivalrous it was, I dissipated and reformed on top of Niki’s workbench.
Legs crossed and elbows planted on my knees, I ignored Niki’s grunt of either disapproval or concern.
“So, did your master order you to come here?” I had no idea why Peaches would do such a thing.
The growl was immediate. “The pixie did not.”
“Then it looks to me like you made a choice, all on your own.” I’m not sure why I felt the need to needle the powerful djinn. Only that I did. Having poor impulse control was one of my Achilles’ heels.
Helios’s large eyes blinked as his head tilted to the side. He didn’t appear angered by my statement. Perhaps more confused than anything else. “The pixie is…different.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know Peaches well enough to comment, but so far, he hasn’t struck me as an individual who relishes the kind of power he’s been given.
” I wouldn’t make a carte blanche statement about all pixies, but Peaches truly didn’t seem to be the type of pixie that wanted more.
Peaches was bonded to an apple orchard and was the Southeastern Vampire King’s beloved.
He was a perfectly content pixie in every way, shape, and form.
“He is a fool,” Helios confidently stated.
“Perhaps. Or he’s a genius.”
Niki scoffed. “Or maybe he’s just a simple pixie who’s found contentment and wants the same for those around him.”
Helios remained silent, evidently finished discussing the topic of his latest master. Or, so I thought.
“It is strange, not being given a directive. It is exceedingly boring.” Helios leaned against a nearby counter, legs crossed at the ankles and hands fisted on the tabletop.
“When I overheard the necromancer discussing Warlock Holland’s current…
predicament with Aurelia, I thought that it might be of interest. It appears I was mistaken.
” Helios sounded terribly disappointed by that notion.
“I won’t apologize for not providing sufficient entertainment.” Niki sounded livid.
“I did not expect you to,” Helios calmly answered.
“Does Erasmus know you’re listening in on his private conversations?” Niki asked.
“I have no idea.” Helios didn’t sound contrite in the least.
“Wonderful,” Niki huffed. “Peaches really needs to learn to reign in his djinn.”
Helios didn’t seem to have a response or perhaps he didn’t care to respond. Instead, his gaze focused in on me. “I’ve heard reference to something referred to as a Magic Council. You are a part of this, no?”
Was I? Martin had asked me that very same question. I found I had no more intention of answering today than I did then. I settled on responding with, “I am familiar with it.”
“It is my understanding that there is much chaos going on within its ranks.” Helios sounded a touch hopeful with a hint of excitement.
Niki and I shared an alarmed glance. “I wouldn’t exactly call it chaos.”
“But there is turmoil?” Helios leaned a bit forward, a single visible tattoo flaring to life.
“I…I’m not sure I’d call it that. There’s some debate regarding leadership and the Magical Usage Council’s role in future events.” Keir would be pleased by my diplomatic answer.
“That does not sound as promising as I had hoped, but still might be of interest. Perhaps I will check in on this Magic Council. They might prove interesting.” Before I could say a word, Helios disappeared.
I sat there, tails twitching and mind tumbling. Should I warn Keir that he might well have a djinn visitor soon? Would that even accomplish anything? There was nothing Keir could do to prepare to defend against Helios.
“Gaia, now there are two of them.” Niki sat heavily on his stool. “One was bad enough.”
Niki might be right. Aurelia seemed rather tame for a djinn.
I had no idea about Helios. “If excitement is what he’s looking for, then I think he’ll be even more disappointed with the Magical Usage Council.
Right now, they’re more interested in putting the known dead to rest and finding those who are still missing. ”
“Keir has a lot on his plate.” Niki’s voice held a wealth of empathy.
“I do not envy him his task. While he wasn’t responsible for Huxley’s actions, the fallout will still be felt decades from now.
I’m not even certain if the Magical Usage Council will hold any future weight, and I doubt I’m alone.
They’re probably getting a lot of questions from the various species. ”
“You’re most likely right.” I’d never wanted the authority Keir now found thrust upon his shoulders. I was a lot happier causing mischief and mayhem.
Niki scoffed. “What the Warlock Council has questioned Keir about is bad enough. If—” Niki’s words stopped cold and his body stiffened.
Dissipating, I reformed in Niki’s lap. His muscles were taut, and his dark eyes stared unseeing across his workroom. He appeared frozen. “Niki?” I cupped his cheeks between my hands, running my thumbs over his light scruff. “What’s wrong? What did you—”
“The Magical Usage Council.” Niki swallowed hard.
“What about it?” I cocked my head to the side, attempting to see what Niki did. It took a few seconds, but his distant eyes focused on me. I didn’t like the concern lighting them.
“What if… Keir was concerned about some letters he’s recently received from the Warlock Council.
He sent them to me to get my opinion. The first one sounded like something I would expect Danzig to send.
The second was a little bit odder and the third…
Danzig’s showing far more concern regarding the Magical Usage Council’s leadership than I’d expect. ”
I still wasn’t certain I was following. “You think Danzig is…what?”
“I’m not certain. Historically, the Warlock Council hasn’t had a lot of interest in the Magical Usage Council.
They’ve operated separately and independently of each other.
Warlocks police warlocks, just as witches do their own.
The same with most shifters and vampires.
The rest of the species, the ones not in as great of numbers, or those who never truly organized on their own, have relied more on the Magical Usage Council for oversight and justice.
Those individual groups might be smaller, but when gathered together, they form a significant and diverse part of the magical community. ”
Understanding crept into my brain on shaky legs. “You think Danzig is after the Magical Usage Council? You think he means to take it over? To what end?”
Niki shook his head. “I’m not certain. But can you think of a more opportune time to make a grab for more power than when the Magical Usage Council is weakened and uncertain of its own future?”
No, no I couldn’t. What’s more, I’m not sure any of us knew the extent of Tenzen’s machinations. Was Danzig aware of something the rest of us weren’t? Was he after something in particular, or simply more power and influence?
“Should we warn Keir?” I asked.
Niki’s lips thinned. “I’m uncertain. So far, this is simply speculation. However, he did ask for my advice concerning the letters Danzig sent.”
“Sounds like a good enough invitation to me.”
“Agreed.”
While Niki pulled out his phone, I took the opportunity to transform into my fox form. Niki didn’t bat an eye. He simply shifted to give me a little more lap room. Soon his fingers found their way into my fur, gently raking against my skin and lulling me to sleep.