Chapter Four Realization Blooms
Deverick
As Maci struggled to make sense of the hospital, on Isle D’Asile, Dev stared at Dalton. “How did I not realize that I was going to save my mate? Is that why Xavier freaked out?”
“How would you have known? You’ve never felt those stirrings before that only a mate can arouse.
And as far as the commander, I have nothing.
No idea why it was such a big deal. When I thought I found my mate, no one had to call an Elder meeting.
” Dalton had been wrong, and the girl had broken his heart.
It had taken him a long time to recover, but he had yet to find his one.
“Tokys was so adamant about not interacting with anyone. He’s the Justice Elder. He had to have known that I’d meet my mate.” He snapped his finger. “Or better yet, if they knew she was my mate, why didn’t they send you instead of letting me go?”
Dalton chewed on his lip. “That is strange because you’re right. She wouldn’t have been my mate. But the Elders don’t normally interfere. Maybe that’s what your meeting is about?”
A shiver ran through Dev. “I have a bad feeling about that meeting. Commander wouldn’t give me any idea.” He narrowed his eyes on his brother. “But I wouldn’t change anything. She was going to die if I hadn’t interfered, orders or not.”
“You did what you had to do,” Dalton agreed.
“And, technically, she never saw me. The nurses at the hospital saw me for a split second but I left before they could speak to me.”
Dalton shrugged. “Well, now that you know she’s your mate, I don’t know what they can do about it. They know how that works.”
Dev hissed. “I don’t even know how she is right now. I left. I just dropped her and left.”
A knock made them both turn. Xavier stared at Dev. “They’re ready to see you.”
He glanced at Dalton before he followed his commanding officer. The little hairs on the back of his neck stood up as they entered the chamber.
Tokys wasted no time. “Deverick Striar. You disobeyed a direct order. Explain yourself.”
“Bullshit. You said not to speak to anyone, and I didn’t.” Anger washed through him. “Besides, she was going to die. Do you understand that? She was moments from dying. I am sworn to protect; how could I just allow her to burn to death?”
“We are aware of the circumstances. We were aware before we allowed you to assist with that one caveat, which you disregarded.”
Disgust ran deep. “You knew she would die? Yet, you still issued the order.”
Xavier poked him in the back. “Tread lightly.”
Dev’s temper exploded. “No. Screw that. I am not going to tread lightly over bullshit orders.” He pointed at Tokys. “Not only were you prepared to let her die, I’m assuming you knew that she’s my mate.”
“We are aware of much, but it changes nothing.”
“She’s...she’s…” His voice rose with his anger. “My mate. And you expected me to just watch her die?”
“Deverick Striar, you are hereby banished from Isle d’Asile. You have brought danger to all of us, and you must leave within the week.” Tokys’ voice echoed around the room.
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Excuse me? Danger? What danger?”
Tokys stared at him but refused to speak.
“Am I hearing you correctly?” Dev shook his head.
“You’re banishing me from my home because I saved my mate?
After you allowed me to go to her? Why didn’t you send Dalton?
He was right here. He’d have saved her, too, but I wouldn’t have known that she was my one.
” He stepped toward the Justice Elder and yanked his arm away as Xavier tried to stop him. “Explain yourself.”
“My ruling stands. You have one week to get your affairs in order, and that is only if you stay here. The next time you leave this island, your banishment begins immediately.” Tokys motioned and the rest of the Elders followed him out a side door.
Dev spun on Xavier. “Just like that? No explanation, no common sense, I’m just supposed to leave quietly? What the hell is going on?”
“I’m sorry, son. There’s nothing I can do.” He turned and disappeared out the door.
Dalton was just as shocked. “They did what?”
“I have no idea. But when I leave, I will try to get some answers. I need to check on her, anyhow. I need you to watch over the rest of the family for me. I have to tell Mom, but I can’t handle any tears right now.”
“Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”
“I do. But you also know that I have no choice but to leave. If I don’t, they may banish our entire clan.”
“Of course.” Dalton embraced him. “We’ll figure this out.”
Dev pulled back. “Don’t get yourself banished trying to defend me. You need to take care of our family here. But if you hear anything, let me know?”
“Consider it done.”
He spent the next few days cleaning out his living quarters and saying goodbye.
On the last day, he headed to the beach.
He wanted to say his final goodbye to the island and pay his respects to the land that had been his own.
He was surprised to see Xavier standing at the water's edge, apparently waiting for him. He hadn’t seen his commander since he’d been banished.
“This conversation never happened.”
Dev nodded. “Understood.”
“I mean it. I’m one of the Elders. My punishment would not simply be banishment for crossing Tokys’ decision.”
“Just tell me. What did I do wrong? And I should be clear that I regret nothing. Even knowing about my banishment would not change my mind if I had it to do over again. I will always save her.”
Xavier sighed. “It’s not what you did. The situation predates long before you. You’re just getting caught up in a bad memory.”
“And that tells me nothing, Commander.”
“This island was founded because of a danger to our clans, a darkness that wanted to wipe us out, and would have had we not escaped here and managed to keep the island secret. The owners of the Kahika Resort, Malo and Kalina Kapuni, are aware of us. Unlike most, they can identify us, as can a small group of humans. They were allies of our clan during peaceful times, and their ties to us can be detected.”
“And you left them behind?”
“When we founded this Isle, we were forced to sever our ties with them for their safety as well as ours. We have always avoided interfering in anything on their part of the mainland to keep that parting of ways permanent.”
“But why?”
“The Kupanis would be slaughtered for their knowledge. Their daughter was murdered because of their connection to us. We are not normally traceable by the common man, which is why we can assist with our firefighting skills. However, as I said, we can be found via the Kahika connection.”
“Who wants to destroy us? Why?”
“Power. A power struggle that we could not afford to lose, so we didn’t engage. Now we are hunted.”
“And the girl I saved?”
Xavier pursed his lips. “Their granddaughter, Maci Moynahan. She was only a baby the last time I saw her.”
“She’s beautiful,” Dev remembered. “Even blackened with soot and ash, she had a beauty all her own. I could sense her strength as I carried her. My soul touched hers.”
“That’s how you know your mate. I think Tokys feared the connection, which is why he forbade you to come in contact with them.
It’s also the reason he could not forbid you from going.
Even the Elders can’t interfere with true mates, even if they try to change the circumstances.
For myself, I thank you for saving her, even if I can never allow anyone else to hear me say that. ”
“I’m going back to her.” Of that, Dev was certain.
Xavier nodded. “I figured. Which is why you cannot return here.”
“How does this put everyone in danger?”
“You have renewed the connection between us and them. We must not be discovered, and those that wish us harm will use anyone necessary to find us. Not only are we at risk, but Maci and her grandparents are also.”
“What about her parents?”
“It was her mother who was killed soon after she was born. With her death, we knew that we needed to disappear until the danger passed. The fire you put out was not one of natural phenomena. It was intentional to try and call us out.”
“That must be the smell I couldn’t identify.”
“Black magic. It’s what Tokys feared. It’s why you’re banished. The magic can be traced here if the signature grows too strong from trips back and forth, and it must not be.”
Things were starting to make sense. “I’m leaving. My family is here, too. I don’t want anything to happen to them.”
Xavier grabbed his shoulder. “Be safe, son. I’ll come to you when I can. Protect Maci.”
“Why are you risking yourself for me right now?”
“I’m not.” Xavier stared deep into Dev’s eyes. “I’m doing it for Maci.”
Dev frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“You only know me as Xavier,” his lips hardened, “but in a distant life, decades ago, I was known as Xavier Moynahan.”
Dev’s eyes widened as the words started to make sense.
“It was not only her mother who was murdered. She was also my wife.” Xavier nodded. “Maci is my daughter.”