Feral Introductions
If I was drinking something I’d spit it out, and the sparks jumping from Starla’s fingers tell me she feels the same.
“A god? As in … the moon, or fire, or whatever different shifters beseech for help?” Starla asks.
“And they’re real? And we’re just going to ring one up and ask for a favor? And we expect them to answer?” I add.
Jackal is laughing behind his hand, and Exos grins.
“I can think of two of them who could potentially help in this situation, actually,” Exos says.
Jackal puts his hand down.
“True, although I know for a fact that one of them is busy at the moment. That leaves Feral.”
I’m still staring, wide-eyed, at the trio of men.
“Y’all have me more confused than a tourist who’s mixed up Austria and Australia and landed in the wrong airport. Someone should clarify.” Starla’s statement is funny, but the glare she levels at the men is one step short of a growl.
Feral may be the name of this supposed god, but if someone doesn’t put Starla in the know pretty quick, she’ll embody the quality herself.
Ji-hwan holds a hand up, his palms out.
“Feral is a vampire, but also a god. The god of wisdom, to be precise. He’s a reasonable individual, and despite what his name suggests, he is tough to rattle. But, as his name suggests, he is a formidable foe. He’d be a good asset to have.”
“And I trust him for this,” Jackal adds.
Starla’s eyes are still flashing.
“Fine. Call him. I’m not meaning to sound ungrateful. I’m just overwhelmed. Gods? This has gotten a lot bigger than I anticipated.”
I can’t help but agree. I’m fighting off thoughts of exactly what could happen if we involve an actual deity, not to mention what the consequences could be if we upset a god. But Jackal hasn’t shown a single sign of worry, and I try to lean on that.
“I’ll reach out to him,” Ji-hwan volunteers.
“Um, how exactly does one contact a god?” I ask.
I picture a summoning circle, or a sacrifice, or something. Instead, Ji-hwan pulls his cell phone out of his pocket.
“I’ve got his number, so I don’t think it’ll be that hard.”
My mouth pops open.
The Were steps into the darkness, returning just a few minutes later.
“He’s agreed to help, and he wants to come in person,” he says.
Starla goes back to pacing.
“How is that going to work? We’ve got tomorrow and part of the day after, and that’s it. We need to make use of every minute.”
Jackal rubs the back of his neck.
“Feral doesn’t necessarily have to travel like the rest of us. He certainly can, but as a deity he has a few other options open to him.”
“What do you mean?” I spin on the spot, waiting for a lightning strike or something loud and distinctive. That seems like the type of entrance a god would make.
“I gave him our coordinates, and he shouldn’t take long,” Ji-hwan says but doesn’t bother explaining more.
“Jumping Jehoshaphat!” Starla leaps backward, reaching for Exos with one hand while sending sparks showering down with the other.
A man has entered the clearing, and a glimmering portal shuts behind him. The man smiles, revealing a row of dazzling white teeth. Judging by the lack of smile lines on his face, and the fact that the expression doesn’t reach his bright green eyes, I’d guess he doesn’t use the expression often.
Ji-hwan, Jackal, and Exos approach the man. Feral, they called him.
I’d guess the newcomer’s age to be somewhere in his thirties, but with supernaturals it is impossible to tell. And I can only imagine a god would be ancient.
“It’s good to see you again, mate,” Jackal says, shaking the new arrival’s hand. Exos and Ji-hwan give similar greetings, and I note that Feral apparently isn’t a hugger. Overall, he gives off the same reserved, high-brow air as many of Councilman Taylor’s guests.
That could be a bad sign. Just how trustworthy is he?
I sigh, allowing the worry to exist and then flow down the river in my mind that is full of concerns.
“We appreciate you taking the time. I see you’re able to conjure portals now,” Ji-hwan says.
Feral shakes his head. His black hair has a loose, wavy curl to it, and he swipes a strand back behind his ear.
“Borrowed a portable portal from Danger. She does love her inventions. That valkywolf really is something.”
Starla perks up.
“Valkywolf? Like, valkyrie/wolf-shifter hybrid? And she can make portals? Bring her along! We could always use more tough ladies in the group.”
All four men freeze and come up with various excuses.
“No! We really don’t need—”
“—quite busy and she can’t—”
“Wouldn’t want to bother her, you know.”
Jackal waits for the others to stop and then responds.
“Danger is a lovely individual, but she’s also a bit chaotic. Very chatty. Very bubbly. Very hyper.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Starla challenges. “Being bubbly and nice doesn’t mean she’s not capable.”
Feral addresses the witch. “I was led to believe your problem might benefit from a more subdued method? It’s not her style.”
Starla pouts for a moment, and I can see why. If this valkywolf is as engaging as she sounds, she would have been a fun addition, but Feral is right.
Go figure.
God of wisdom and all.
“Yes,” I say. “We have a few problems that need solving but a limited timeline, not to mention a few familial complications. Ji-hwan suggested you might be able to provide us some guidance.”
Feral adjusts the sleeve of the suit he’s got on, expertly tailored to accentuate his frame.
“I’d be happy to hear more about the situation and see what I can do.”
Jackal leads us back over to the garden chairs, managing to find another foldable one in his sister’s shed. Once seated, we fill Feral in on the situation.
“Per Grammy Pearl, all the answers we need are at this event. But we’re admittedly a bit dizzy just from thinking of all the answers we need, and the myriad ways we might go about getting them,” I say.
“More confused than a fly in a mirror maze,” Starla confirms.
Feral tilts his head at the witch.
“Flies have so many lenses in their eyes that a maze of mirrors would provide an untold number of reflections, confusing and overwhelming the creatures.”
“Yep, that’s what I said.” She turns and whispers to me, “He’s going to be a bag of fun, isn’t he?”
“Give me just a moment,” the god says, as if he hasn’t heard the witch. Perhaps he hasn’t, or perhaps he just doesn’t care.
He begins to pace, and I don’t point out to my witchy friend that she was doing the very same thing earlier.
As he moves, I can see the edges of his form go a bit shimmery. It’s as if the deity has the option of looking like the rest of us, but when he’s focused on something else his edges don’t look fully solid.
“He’s somewhat closed off, but he’s dependable.
And if his help does involve sticking around, he’s also useful in a fight,” Jackal whispers, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on the top of my head.
I lean into him, my muscles unclenching just a bit as I luxuriate in his warmth and comfort.
“Because he’s a god? Is his power limitless?”
“Gods are incredibly powerful but not unbeatable. His specific ability from even before that is feral.”
“I thought he was Feral. As in, that’s his name.”
“It is. But that’s also his ability. It’s tricky to explain. Just know that if he unleashes it, most in the vicinity will be frozen in fear. And he’d be able to tear through them faster than a rampaging Were with an anger problem.”
I chuckle, even though the imagery his words invoke is frightening.
“Don’t tell Never. She’s got competition.”
“Oh, they’re well acquainted with one another.”
That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
Feral snaps his fingers.
“All right. I’ve got it. I mentally sorted through all your different priorities and obstacles, and then layered Coven Leader Pearl’s advice over top, since everything the seer told you would be laced with hints. And I have a suggestion on how to proceed.”
The rest of us crowd around him.
“We need to do exactly what you’re already doing,” he says.
I slump back in disappointment.
Starla’s fingers spark.
“Huh? You mean we need to just go along with all my father’s ridiculous, controlling demands?”
“Yes. But I am going to be by your side as well. The coven leader instructed you to make use of friends, and if I’ve been pulled into the situation, removing myself would go against her instructions.
Plus, having someone else there keeping an eye and ear open for gossip and clues shared by your father’s guests only makes sense.
And I won’t be someone he’s looking for.
It is my belief that this will tilt the situation in our favor.
A small detail here and there can make the difference between victory and defeat. ”
“True,” Jackal says, nodding along, “but you also aren’t invited. Just how are you expecting to land an invitation?”
Feral shoots the hyena a flat expression.
“Simple. I’m going to bribe him, compliment him, and insult him, all while elevating my own importance. A lethal combination that is bound to work.”
Starla grimaces.
“Look, I’m not trying to question the god of wisdom here, but you don’t know Councilman Azriel Taylor. He does not respond well to insults. He responds to getting his way immediately and without question. Expanding his guest list will not count as getting his way.”
“Allow me to demonstrate?” Feral asks.
“Fine.” Starla doesn’t look convinced.
Feral points to Ji-hwan.
“You be whoever Councilman Taylor has working the door.”
Ji-hwan steps into place.
Feral takes a few steps back and then begins a fake approach.
At once, his demeanor changes. If I thought he was formal before, it’s nothing to this.
His entire bearing is straight and regal, and he moves with grace that suggests he’s a king from times gone by, not a modern aristocrat in a suit.
Although being a devastatingly handsome supernatural in a fitted suit probably won’t hurt his cause.
When he reaches Ji-hwan, he doesn’t even glance at him.
“Inform Councilman Taylor that Founder Feral has arrived.”
Starla sighs.
“Yes, yes. Very pompous. But I’m here to tell you that either he’ll ignore your request, or stomp out piping mad at your presumptuousness.”
Feral flashes her a half-smile, his vampiric fangs showing.
“He will come out. Have you all ever heard of Founding vampires?”
Starla and I shake our heads.
“I can guarantee Councilman Taylor has. From everything you’ve described, he’s too in the know on important supernatural lineages not to be aware. We are the original vampires who started all others. And we’re a dwindling breed. He’ll be intrigued enough to come.”
“And when he does?” Starla asks.
Jackal jumps up from behind me, throwing an arm into the air.
“Let me be Councilman Taylor, please? I’ve got his countenance down to a T.”
Feral dips his chin, and Jackal’s mischievous expression shifts to one of haughty disapproval as he slinks out from behind me and over to the god.
“Founder Feral. While I am honored by your visit, this is unfortunately an inopportune time. As you can see, I am hosting a private event.”
The way Feral’s expression shifts is expert. Just a minor change in the way he holds his mouth, and the lift of his eyebrows, displays his faux displeasure.
“That is indeed unfortunate. I was led to believe by a few of my associates that you would be the one to consider for an upcoming partnership, but perhaps I misunderstood their praise of you. Someone described as a keen businessman with a mind for intricate and lucrative deals doesn’t often turn away an esteemed supernatural from the gates.
Particularly not one who has information of the kind I had intended to relay. ”
Starla’s leaning forward, and I find even I am curious, until I remember the entire exchange is fake.
Feral turns back to us.
“What do you think? Enough to garner his interest?”
Starla smirks.
“It will get you in the door. He’ll be dying of curiosity. But what will you tell him? There’s no actual deal, right?”
“Correct. That’s when I’ll continue to play on his view of himself as a classy host. Such an individual would never ignore all his other guests, and in particular not the daughter and suitors he’s trying to micromanage.
He’ll be forced by good manners to offer me a room and extend me an invitation for the remainder of the weekend so he can find a time for us to meet privately. And I will graciously accept.”
“He said he was out of rooms,” Exos says.
“A lie,” Jackal responds without missing a beat. “He just doesn’t like us.”
“It’s genius,” Starla remarks.
“Nearly foolproof,” Ji-hwan admits.
“Not bad, mate,” Jackal adds.
“How will it get us more answers?” Months ago, I would never have posed the question. I would have let my anxieties over speaking out against someone as powerful as a god stop me.
But everything is on the line if we don’t break this curse and shut down Leon’s operation fully. The weekend may feel lower-stakes, but it’s all tied to something larger.
Feral looks at me.
“Fate will handle that, I have no doubt. I am here at your discretion. I will also dig for details that some might only give to a supernatural they view as having higher standing. What do you think?”
My thoughts rise like a tidal wave, ready to remind me of all the ways this could still go wrong.
But I can’t let that stop me from trying.
“I think I’m on board.”
With a god on our side, we might just stand a chance.