Green shadow, p.20
Green Shadow, page 20
“Most of the lower class aren’t, but they don’t have any power, and you know the nobles, Lucan.” Toban echoed Saber’s earlier words. “Most of them are happy to follow the next trend. Those who don’t, well, they keep their heads down. No sense rocking the boat.”
I couldn’t speak. I was tired, the bond draining my strength day by day, and the future looked ever more hopeless. I just wanted to rest. But I had to keep fighting. For Mackenzie, for my Tribe.
“I tried to steer Deacon when he came on, since the kid didn’t get a chance to shadow you. Show him his responsibilities, you know?” He looked away from me and out into the square. His eyes were not focusing on anything in particular. “But Jasper took him under his wing, praised him for turning a blind eye. He’s molding the kid to be the opposite of a Protector, Luc. And worst of all, the kid knows it’s wrong. He’s withering.”
I nodded. I knew better than most what that meant. Protectors and Enforcers might be identified young and taken from their families as teens. But not just anyone could take up the position. Protectors had the instinct to protect and often helped the elderly or did small jobs for their neighbors. Enforcers were born goody-goodies. They tattled on other children who broke the rules and tended to gravitate towards games like Wardens and Rogues. Protectors and Enforcers were born, not made.
“That’s not all,” Toban said when I froze. “Jasper knows that Deacon won’t last. It’s plain as day. The Head has tripled the number of Protector candidates. He’s preparing to go through them like candy.” A growl punctuated the last part of his statement, and his eyes blazed turquoise as his dragon made himself known. Toban’s family abandoned him to the trainers. I don’t think he’s spoken to them since.
Anguish threatened to crush me, and I could easily imagine what Deacon was going through. After all, I was starting to view the other supernatural factions with contempt before I met Mackenzie. The time I stepped in when a group in Dracos territory was harassing her was the first time I’d helped someone who wasn’t a dragon in months. And I only stepped in then because she was a prospective mate.
It wasn’t until now, hearing what Deacon was going through, that I realized how insidious Jasper’s subtle whispers were. How much I paid attention to his idea of who was and wasn’t worthy of my care.
“Shit, Toban.” I put a hand on my head, my body swaying.
The Enforcer nodded. “Luc, you know what needs doing. Jasper needs to go.”
“But how? He’s endorsing the Purity Movement, and they’ve gained so much ground. Are there enough dragons, drakes, and wyverns left who aren’t brainwashed to mount a coup?” My head snapped up. “How the hell have you resisted Jasper’s suggestions?”
Toban was telekinetic. He could move objects with his mind. That gave him zero resistance to Jasper’s mental attacks.
“I’ll answer the first part of your question in a second. As for how I keep Jasper out of my head, it’s with this.” I watched as he pulled a junky-looking amulet from beneath his shirt. A snort escaped me. Like hell, that cheap-ass necklace is more potent than Jasper’s mental abilities.
I didn’t try to hide my disbelief. Toban gave me a toothy smile and put his index finger to the side of his nose.
Pulling me into a space between two buildings, he said. “I was given the name of a local hedgewitch. You know how people dismiss their power because they only have one ability?” Hedgewitches were mages who only had an active or passive talent. They were considered the lower class of mage society.
“Well, this old bitty has a knack for charms, and she’s managed to find a way to use a person’s natural magical strength to make her charms more powerful. It’s ingenious.” Toban’s eyes had a childlike excitement, one I thought he’d lost years ago.
“Anyway, she was able to make me a mind-shielding amulet. It’s as strong as if I’d made it myself. The initial drain left me tired for a few hours, but I don’t even notice the trickle of magic it takes to maintain the thing now.”
Impressed despite my initial reaction, I decided it was worth investigating. “What’s the witch’s name?”
“Ethyl. She lives on the edge of New City along Shale Ave, just before the territorial line between New City and Stone territory.”
A plan began to percolate in the back of my mind. We could fight back if there were a way to protect people from Jasper’s manipulations.
“Back to your first question. There are more people unhappy with the Purity Movement than let on. Jasper only uses his manipulations on people who actively fight him and are influential. A bunch of us are playing along for now. If we can start organizing the rebels, we might have a shot at taking Jasper down.”
“What good will that do? GreenRiver isn’t the only city with the movement going strong.” I said.
Toban nodded at my statement. “That’s the thing. We think Jasper’s active talent isn’t related to his telepathy. Whatever he’s doing, under the right conditions, it spreads.”
My eyes widened, and I went to speak.
Toban held up a hand and kept going. “Over the last six months, Jasper has met with Dracos Tribe leaders from all over the country. I figure he’s been doing whatever he does to the leaders, and then they infect the minds of those who even mildly consider it. The best we can discover is that it passes through touch. That’s why it was slow to start but rapidly gained speed.”
Shock slammed through me, and the blood drained from my face.
“Will people snap out of it if we take Jasper out?” I asked.
Toban shrugged. “No idea, but I’m testing another theory. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
The Enforcer’s hands started to fidget, and he looked at a spot on the wall over my shoulder. “Listen, we have to do something. I’ve gotten us as far as I can. But, you know I’m not smart enough to spearhead this thing.”
I shook my head, one eyebrow raised. The man was selling himself short. Toban had done far more than I could have ever imagined.
Seeing my reaction, he gave me a grin. “No, it’s true. People are looking to me for answers that I don’t have. We need you, Lucan. We need someone we can trust to see this through. So think about it, okay.”
I nodded. Toban was stubborn enough not to let me leave until I at least agreed to think about his proposal. Dragging me out of our spot and back to the main entrance, Toban’s bearing changed with every step we took. He was standing tall, a stern look dominating his face and a slight frown on his lips. Toban was no longer my quasi-friend and all Dragon Enforcer.
Head bowed, hands clenched in front of me, I tried to play my part.
Finally, at the entrance, he shoved me forward, and I turned to leave. I’d taken half a step when Toban called out, “Hey, Luc.”
Turning back to him, I expected some word of caution or maybe a contrite look in his eye. It was neither. Instead, I regained my senses flat on my back, sharp pain radiating up my face.
My eyes blurred.
“What the hell, man?” The jackass had socked me in the jaw.
“Gotta make it look good.” Toban’s smile held way too much glee.
Flipping him the bird, I pushed myself up off the ground. A coughing chuff of noise came from my right as I dusted the dirt and debris off my pants. Saber was enjoying the show.
Irritated that I hadn’t accomplished my goal but aware that Toban’s cover was more important, I held a hand to my face and stumbled quickly out of Unity Square. I didn’t drop the charade until Saber joined me a few blocks later. Glancing to the side, I met his gaze.
“Both of you are assholes.”
My statement caused another round of laughter from my feline companion. I could feel my dragon rise, my eyes heated, and scales began to shimmer on my skin. Jasper had better watch out. I was coming for my former Head, and I wouldn’t rest until I took him down.
Chapter 23
Lucan
This is the right place. I thought as I stared at the home in front of me. Ethyl’s house was a green oasis surrounded by massive ugly buildings. It held a quaint, quirky vibe. Opening the white gate, I stared at the attached white picket fence, just as Toban described.
People have those things?
Wandering up the path, Tyr and I passed an herb garden, overrun and wild. On the other side, a hedge with thorns the size of my pinky, separated the property from its neighbor. Protection? Or a hint that visitors weren’t welcome? A curl of smoke drifted out from the brick chimney.
Beside me, Tyr shifted his weight. “Why are we here again?” An undertone of growl echoed in his voice. Guardian, Tyr’s other nature, had been hovering just below the surface since Mackenzie’s disappearance, just waiting for shit to hit the fan so he could take over and protect everyone.
“Because this hedgewitch can make a charm to protect people against Jasper. Until we oust him from power, his abilities threaten everyone.” I may not have wanted to be the one to topple the evil dictator from his throne, but I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
Toban’s words had bothered me to the point I’d tossed and turned last night. But, in the end, my nature won. If no one else would protect those shifters who wanted to mate with other species, I would.
“Are you boys going to stand there all day, or are you going to come in and have a cup of tea?” An elderly woman called from the doorway. Tyr and I turned to see a wizened old crone, bent with age, with a cane held firmly in one hand. Ethyl cocked an eye and let out a witchy cackle. Tyr and I glanced at each other, then walked up the path.
The inside of Ethyl’s home was as eccentric as the outside was homey. The floral patterns of her sofa and chairs matched the vibe of the house, but the zebra-printed lines painted on the walls and the bright green rug made the place look like some drug-induced safari.
The old lady sat on the couch, a pot of tea resting on the coffee table. Then, with one hand, she ushered us to the tall, wingback chairs across from her.
“What is it I can do for the ex-Protector?” Her eyes twinkled with a wickedly playful glint, and her voice held the undertone of her cackle.
“Are you Ethyl?” I asked, unconvinced this was the woman Toban mentioned.
“Depends on who’s asking, dearie.” She stared at me.
“My name is Lucan, and this is Tyr. An acquaintance gave me your name and suggested you could help us.” I sat in the chair and motioned for Tyr to do the same.
“Is it an acquaintance of mine or yours?” she asked, the glint growing stronger. She was playing mind games.
I scowled. I didn’t have time for games. And I was sure as hell not going to play them with her.
“Now, don’t be like that, dearie. You’ve worked around gryphons for years. Have you learned nothing?” She tapped the end of her cane on the floor with a thump. “If you’re going to wrestle your Tribe back from that nasty snake, you must learn to ask the right questions.” Ethyl looked close to spitting. Tyr smiled at the insult to Jasper.
Startled that she knew the purpose of my visit, I took a moment to pull my thoughts together and frame my statement better. “A client of yours gave me your name. He had a charm that protected his mind from manipulation. I need more of those, enough to start a rebellion. Can you help me?”
Ethyl tapped her long fingernail on her lip. “Better. But next time, leave out why you want the charms until you know if you can trust me. Don’t give that shit away for free, Protector. Make people earn it.”
I resisted the urge to bury my face in my hands. That’s it. I quit. Someone else can save the shifter race.
“You can’t quit now, boyo. What would your lovely mate think?”
The mention of Mackenzie had my head snapping up towards the crone. A bolt of pain arced through my chest.
“Yes, I know her.” She looked at Tyr. “I know you too, dearie.”
Tyr stared at her, a puzzled look on his face. She cackled, and he schooled his emotions. Then, reaching out across the distance between us, she tapped a finger on Tyr’s chest. “Who do you think made that fancy dampening charm you’re wearing?”
Tyr surged out of his seat. A rapid move for the usually reserved fire mage. Ethyl just smiled at him.
Kneeling at her feet, Tyr kissed her gnarled hand. “Kenzie refused to tell us who made them no matter how hard we pestered. Thank you.”
Ethyl’s smile softened. “Your sister takes the phrase ‘a secret shared is no secret’ to the extreme. She doesn’t know how to let others share her load.” Ethyl’s eyes softened. A fond smile formed on her lips. “It took me two and a half years to even learn she had given them to her siblings. She wouldn’t tell me your names, ages, or genders. Your sister’s walls are so high. It’s amazing she can see any light at all.”
Tyr bowed his head. When it rose again, there was sadness but also a smile. “We teased her about her paranoia more times than we could count, but she was right in the end.”
Ethyl’s smile grew strained, and she reached out and laid a hand on Tyr’s cheek. “Do you really think it would have been so easy to take her if she had called on her friends? If she had trusted them to support her, as she supports them?”
Tyr bowed his head and averted his eyes. Ethyl was right. If Mackenzie had shown up in that clearing with the might of Catch and Release at her back, things might have gone drastically different. I’d been there, but not because she asked me. It stung less to know she didn’t ask anyone for help, not even the guild she loved. But it also made me sad.
“I’m not sure it would have changed things, grandmother.” The endearment rang with respect. “Our enemies will hurt anyone in their way to get the weapons they want. I’ve seen it.”
Ethyl moved her hand to stroked Tyr’s hair, speaking softly. “What’s your name, child?”
“Tyr, Grandmother.”
“Well, Tyr, what do you say we start a little rebellion? We’ll make it a welcome home present for your sister, eh.” She winked, “Our little secret.”
“Ethyl sounds like quite the character,” Alec said as he set down a bowl of chicken in front of the twins. “From what you said, I’m glad she’s on our side.”
“She was excited at the prospect of using her powers in a new way,” I said as I ate a slice of bread slathered in butter. “Normally, she has to tie her pendants to a person’s power.”
“Not everyone you need to save will have the personal power to counter Jaspers.” He ran a loving hand over Grace’s hair.
“I agree. That’s why I asked Ethyl to find a way to fuel the charms using the magic of a strong mage or shifter. Once the initial charge absorbs into the talisman, from what Toban described, even the weakest can maintain the draw.” Tyr and I had left when Ethyl had gone to her basement, muttering about power loops and such.
“Can she do it?” Alec walked over to the sink.
“Ethyl is adamant that it is possible. She’ll reach out to Tyr when she needs a guinea pig.” I leaned against the counter. “They let him go from the Firehall in Dracos territory yesterday. He put feelers out to the other halls, but it will take time for them to get back to him. He will have a lot of time on his hands until they do.” I smiled as the kids devoured their meal.
“After Ethyl works out the kinks, it will take time to build up a stock. I don’t know how to erase the mental suggestions yet, but I’m hoping that people who are naturally stronger or resistant to mental attacks will be able to shake off Jasper’s suggestions given a little space.” I looked at the ceiling. “We’re stalled until we can free and protect the people we need to save.”
The impending snail’s pace was frustrating now that I’d decided on my course of action.
Brooke looked at me from across the table. “Toban said the process drained him for a couple of hours but didn’t affect Ethyl much, right? So, if this new process follows the same pattern, then all you need are a couple more powerful beings to help you ramp up production.” She fed a piece of chicken to Saber, who lounged next to her.
I glared at Brooke, already seeing where this was going. “No!” I started, vainly attempting to head her off.
Brooke ignored me, of course, and kept going. “Quinn.” She pointed at her brother-in-law. “You and I should help, I can go after school on the days I’m not working at the guild, and you can go on the others. If Lucan and Tyr fit in a few days, we can make around ten to twelve talismans weekly.”
She gave me a big smile as Quinn began to nod. As much as I grumbled to her face, I was happy to see more of the outgoing teen her brothers had described and less of the angry girl I’d been living with for the last few months. It was refreshing.
“What about me?” Connor pouted, then pointed to Alec. “Or Alec. Do I have to be offended on his behalf?”
Brooke scoffed. “Alec can’t do it because his healing is more important, and none of us want him drained when it matters. Duh!” The boys exchanged relieved looks at her eye roll. “And when are you going to have time, Connor? You already spend every free second at Master Aeral’s forge. This is the first time I’ve seen you all week.”
My protectors’ instincts prickled at the warble in her tone. So I decided on a new family rule on the fly. “Sunday nights are now going to be family supper,” I spoke up, and seven heads swiveled in my direction.
“What?” Came from multiple sources.
“You’ve all told me how your sister forced you to sit and have a family meal whenever possible. We’ve let that tradition lapse. So, I want us to make a point of getting together every Sunday and having a meal.”
I sat back with my arms crossed as they argued about why it wasn’t possible. I quickly noticed that there was another person who was watching.
Alec spoke into the chaos. He didn’t need to raise his voice for the others to quiet down and listen. “I understand that delegating it to one night is impossible. Too many of us have unpredictable schedules, but Lucan’s right. We’ve let family meals falter. So, here’s what we’re going to do.”
The next few minutes consisted of Alec laying out a plan. Every Sunday, everyone would submit their schedules for the upcoming week to him, and he would inform the group of not one but two family meals in which attendance was mandatory.
