Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
Nikodemus
The phone rang so many times I expected my call to go to voicemail. Keir’s harried voice finally answered before that could happen. “Warlock Holland?” He sounded a little breathless.
“Am I calling at a bad time?”
“Not at all.” Keir sounded a little better. “There’s just been—I’m sorry, our problems are our own. Now, what can I do for you?”
Once more I wondered if I should give Keir a head’s up regarding Helios’s possible interest. However, nothing had changed. Keir could do nothing to keep Helios out or to prepare for his arrival. Discussing the matter would only add another worry to shoulders already too heavily burdened.
Discussing Danzig’s possible intentions was not the same. This was an issue that could be met head-on. “I’m calling to discuss the letters you forwarded to me.”
“The letters from the Warlock Council?”
“Yes.” Hikaru shifted on my lap. His tails were wrapped around him, covering his face and eyes. His fur was silky soft and felt luxurious slipping through my fingers.
There was a quiet pause on the other end before Keir stated, “I’m not going to like what you have to say, am I?”
“No.” I saw no reason to sugarcoat my answer.
Keir already suspected something was amiss.
If he hadn’t, he never would have asked me to read through the letters.
A concern I hadn’t considered previously suddenly dawned.
“If you receive another letter, don’t open it.
Contact me first.” I considered telling Keir that Hikaru should examine the letter prior to opening it but I wasn’t certain how much Keir knew regarding the kitsune’s abilities.
“Why? What’s happened?” This time, there was no hesitation.
“Let’s just say that the Warlock Council has not been sticking to its own standards and rules. Their current tactics are dangerous.”
Keir inhaled and exhaled so loud I could hear it on my end. “Is Hikaru still with you?”
“Yes.” Again, I saw no reason to mince words.
“I’m glad. Especially if you’re getting magically dangerous missives. If I get another letter, I’ll be sure to contact you. Assuming Hikaru’s willing, he can pop over and analyze the letter to see if there’s any magical concern.”
Apparently, my earlier concerns regarding secrecy were unnecessary. “Then you know what the kitsune is capable of?”
“I do, though I may be the only one left that does. Well, me and now you. Not that I blame Hikaru for keeping his secrets. In fact, given recent events, I’d even call it wise.” Keir softly chuckled. “Don’t you dare tell Hikaru that. He’ll puff up like a peacock if he heard I’d called him wise.”
My lips quirked into a smirk. “You have my word. I rather like my kitsune full of mayhem and mischief.” Hikaru was sleeping soundly and didn’t so much as twitch.
“That’s…I’m pleased to hear you say that, Warlock Holland.” A wealth of fondness filled the spaces between Keir’s words. “Now, down to the bitter business behind this call. Tell me, what’s the Warlock Council’s angle?”
I spent the next few minutes rehashing my concerns. When Hikaru and I’d spoken earlier, I’d forgotten about the fourth, and possibly the most disturbing letter. I remembered now. “The fourth letter actually concerns me the most.”
“Hmm, interesting that you say that. I felt the same. It was the letter that prompted me to contact you. The tone was—”
“Bizarrely concerned.”
“Exactly. I hope you’ll forgive me when I say that I’ve never known warlocks to be overly empathetic toward other species and their concerns.”
I kept my loud scoff to myself so as not to disturb Hikaru. “They are hardly empathetic to their own, let alone others. You have not offended me in the least.”
“I’m glad we are on the same page, however, I am unsettled by what you’ve just implied.
The truth is, the Magical Usage Council is a mess.
That’s probably an exaggeration, but the sentiment is true enough.
There are so few of us left and those that are still here are worn thin physically and emotionally.
There are many in the magical community that haven’t heard about Tenzen’s betrayal.
Of course, the major councils know, but when you get down to scattered individuals, I’d say the vast majority are still in the dark.
Requests for aid are still arriving—cases that need attention.
The Magical Usage Council was stretched thin before.
Now we’re but a ghost of what we once were.
We’re still trying to address the direst cases, but even those are taxing us to the brink of collapse.
We need help. What we don’t need is the Warlock Council taking advantage of the situation to increase their reach.
“We all agree that Tenzen Huxley’s motives were at best, questionable.
What he did get right was that the lesser organized and numerous species need their own representation and support.
His reasons might have been shit, but the concept had merit.
It still does, maybe even more than it used to.
I’d feel the same if it were witches, shifters, or vampires vying to take over. ”
“As you should.” For as long as I lived, I would never understand the need for more. The need to better yourself and your skills—yes. The need to lord and push your viewpoint and agenda on others—no. It was a concept I neither wished to fathom nor understand.
This time, Keir’s sigh was long and deep. “I don’t suppose you know how Warlock Danzig will go about it.”
“Apologies, but I do not. I believe it is reasonable to assume that he is attempting to get dissenting warlocks—namely me—out of the picture prior to making his move. He is aware that I would not support such a venture. I will hardly be the only one he will go after. I don’t mean this as a boast, but Danzig is fully aware that my opinion carries weight and that I have the ability to back up any threat thrown my direction.
I may not be the oldest warlock, but I am arguably the most powerful, especially on the West Coast.” Typically, thoughts of Vander Kines made me scowl.
This time was different. “I am unsure if Danzig is aware, but he will have equal trouble on the East Coast.” When I considered Vander’s circle of friends and acquaintances, I reconsidered my statement.
“Actually, he will have more trouble there. Perhaps he is aware and that’s why he started with me instead of Kines. I am uncertain.”
“It’s always difficult getting into the mind of those who think contrary to your own mental workings. Believe me, I know. I’ve been trying to figure out all the shady little plots Tenzen had his clawed toes dipped in. I’m nauseous on a daily basis because of it.”
I did not envy Keir’s task. Hikaru’s back foot jolted before pulling back. I wasn’t certain if he was dreaming or not. Maybe he just had a cramp or twitch. Either way, he settled and snuffled his nose deeper into his tails. I didn’t even try and stop the fond smile lifting my lips.
“I will speak with Martin and the others, those of us that are left.” Keir sounded like he’d aged a century since answering his phone. “We’ll put our brains together and see what we can come up with.”
“If you desire my presence, I would be happy to phone conference in. I am uncertain what more I can offer at this point, but I can answer questions if needed.”
“I appreciate that. Is it too much to assume that I can count on you to let me know if anything new comes to light?”
“I will not hesitate to reach out.”
“That is a comforting thought in a time where such niceties are difficult to come by.” Keir cleared his throat.
“Speaking of comforts, how is Hikaru? I was very worried about him after he retrieved the bodies of our fallen brethren. The condition he found them in was…it was unfair to ask him to bring them home. If I’d had a better option, I would have taken it. ”
I stared at the peacefully sleeping kitsune, remembering the condition he’d returned after retrieving the bodies of his friends. My fingers dug a little deeper, scratching along Hikaru’s neck and shoulders. For an emotionally charged creature, Hikaru kept his true pain carefully concealed.
“He is well enough.” My answer sounded harsh. “We’ve been busy dealing with this Warlock Council idiocy. Hikaru’s attention is focused on the present, not the past. Perhaps that is a good thing.” Not that I’d be sending Danzig a thank you card anytime soon.
“I’m not sure I’d call that a good thing, but perhaps a bit of good can be found in this mess.
Could you please let him know that Alethia’s spirit is now at rest?
Tabitha was present when Alethia’s body was given its final rites of passage.
Hikaru’s actions allowed Alethia to rest in peace. That is no small thing.”
“No, it is not.” My necromancer son had taught me that lesson long ago. Tabitha was a medium, not a necromancer. She spoke with the lingering spirits of those who’d been unable to pass on. While her abilities differed from Erasmus’s, they both dealt with the dead.
“Alethia and Hikaru had a special relationship. She truly loved the kitsune and, if I’m not missing my mark, Hikaru loved Alethia too.
Alethia took to Hikaru right away, loving him like a son.
” Keir softly chuckled. “As a wind elemental, I think Alethia understood Hikaru in a way none of the rest of us could. Alethia would always say that just as the wind could not be tamed, neither could a curious kitsune.”
My chest ached softly. I was grateful Hikaru had had such an individual in his life and equally saddened that individual had been taken from him. I dearly wished I’d been able to meet Alethia.
Keir and I were both quiet, the peaceful sound far from awkward. Finally, he spoke. “Unfortunately, I have other catastrophes that require my attention. Thank you for the call and for your concern. Also, thank you for caring for Hikaru.”
“Your thanks are unnecessary, on all counts.”