Balt

 

The next day came all too soon.

Piper and I were stoic as we walked down the stairs to meet with Roy and Herrod, as well as video conference with the Heads of Shifters of Anubis. Glancing over at her, I went to speak and she shot me a dark look.

“Don’t even suggest it, Baltsaros. Or do it,” she ordered.

“But, Piper – the Weslark name,” I started to say. We don’t both have to get kicked out.

“Is no more or less than the Kazan.” Piper’s hand grabbed mine. “We face this together.” At the door, I went to pull free and she held on tighter, glaring at me. “Together.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, squeezing her hand.

Inside the room, Roy was lounging against the wall, doing his best James Dean impression. His eyebrows rose as he saw our hands and he stood up straight, opening and shutting his mouth.

Piper gave him a look and a reluctant smile spread across his face. At that, she looked surprised, but before she could react, Herrod was greeting us gruffly.

Roy was the one thing Piper and Kai had always agreed on. They’d never gotten along, finding Roy too aloof and quiet. But I’d always felt a little bad for the kid, overshadowed by Piper’s radiance and Kai’s quickness. He hadn’t grown up in our ragtag Malibu pack and visits were often strained as Roy hadn’t known what to make of his American cousins – his time was mainly split between Iceland and Russia. Further, I knew the hard-bitten Zima family had strict standards for their off-spring, forcing Roy to impossible standards and disdaining his academic interests.

Indeed, I saw the slight sneer that Ivan Zima, shot his younger cousin as Roy said a polite hello and began to ask questions. Faye noticed as well and when our eyes met, she made a face.

Finally, Roy nodded and shrugged. “It all adds up to what Enele, Faye, and Ivan said."

“Good job, little cousin,” Ivan said in a heavy Russian accent and I saw Roy flinch.

Piper did too and her lips thinned. She had no patience for the heavy-handedness and militant correctness of the Zima family. But they were an important family of shifters, so she stayed quiet, but I saw the glint in her eyes that promised Ivan would pay for that comment.

For while Piper and Kai might not get along with their Weslark cousins as they did their Lafi ones, they were still loyal to the last ditch. Something I wasn’t sure Roy even realized.

At that moment, there was a ping and Faye walked over to the desk, hitting a button that projected an image on the blank wall at the end of the room. Several paintings were lined up on the floor and I eyed them, hoping whoever took them down would have the gumption to put them back.

The image was fuzzy at first and then became clear in an eyeblink. The Heads were arranged behind a table, straight-backed and impassive looking. At least most of them.

Drax was white to the lips, while Mirois and Lhambo looked hugely amused.

Piper glanced at Herrod, who was ruffling up his mustache and glaring at the ceiling. When he didn’t speak, she glanced at me and I shrugged. The silence was overwhelming and per the Order’s rules, Herrod was supposed to speak first.

“Are you feeling alright, Director Herrod?” Mirois finally asked and he made a harrumph sound. “Quite a nasty bruise you’ve got there.”

From the glint in her eyes, I knew that Mirois knew exactly whose fist had caused it and so did Herrod. I also saw Roy duck his head and a small smirk spread across his face. Surprised, I blinked at him. He must have contacted the HQ late last night. But why? For Piper?

Roy was a runner. An agent within Shifters of Anubis who did the bidding of all the Heads, though usually was assigned to just one. While I didn’t know who exactly was Roy’s, I’d always suspected it was Mirois. It was an auspicious position, but a hard and wearing one. And isolated.

For a loner like Roy, I’d thought he’d like it. It was impossible to tell, however. And Elias had once told me his brother and Roy often argued about his role in SoA. Per the family gossip, Roy had only taken it to please the Zima side. And even that didn’t work.

Shaking my head as Herrod muttered something under his breath, I watched Mirois’s gaze become frosty. “Could you speak up?” she asked dryly. “The connection is poor.”

“Piper Weslark took matters into her own hands last night,” he harrumphed. “As usual, she showed little regard for proper protocol or me, for that matter.” A studied pause. “But, in retrospect, she made the right call, though I didn’t care for how she did it.”

Nodding, the Heads began to ask us questions. Drax said nothing the entire time, glowering. When we’d finished, they glanced at each other and Stalissa leaned forward.

“Could everyone please vacate the room except for Piper and Balt?” she asked.

Unease gripped me and I took a deep breath. Faye shot us a sympathetic look as she filed out after Herrod, Ivan, and Roy. I didn't want to look at Piper.

This wasn’t right – they could punish her for my family’s mistakes. But she’d also told me about the Decem last night and how she’d agreed to this, no matter the consequences.

I had to respect that.

“As you might have guessed, this was a test – of both your capabilities and your teamwork,” Lhambo said and we both nodded. “While it got off to a rocky start, we can’t argue with results.”

“I can,” Drax muttered, speaking for the first time.

“Drax,” said an older wolf, looking irritated. “Enough.”

“She used my name to co-opt Herrod’s team!” he barked out. “Never mind she had four non-SoA people running around last night and witnessing everything. Including her brother Kai and Isla Deluca, who was part of this case! It’s madness! How can you overlook any of that?”

“Easily,” Stalissa commented with a shrug.

“Piper, Balt, you’ve done wonderfully,” Mirois said as though she hadn’t heard Drax and I smothered a smile. “You found out Altair Kazan has been conspiring with the TLO and the Kazan family has identified the other defectors who are now in our custody. You also have repaired the rift between Shifters of Anubis and the Kazan family immensely.” She paused. “This morning, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Zena Kazan, complimenting you both. And as such, when you return home, we will be assigning you your new positions.”

Piper let out a slow breath. “I see. Thank you.”

“You’re going to be heading up a new special ops team to combat the TLO,” Lhambo said. “Smaller, more mobile and with your pick of who is on it. You will coordinate with the team you’ve left behind here at HQ.” He smiled at her. “Thank you for your hard work, Director Weslark.”

We glanced at each other and Piper smiled. “And Balt?” she asked.

Several Heads raised their eyebrows and Mirois said, “He’ll be with you, of course. Where else would he be?”

Tilting her chin, Piper nodded. “Thank you so much. We’ll see you all in three weeks.”

“Three weeks?” Drax spluttered.

“I think Balt and I have earned ourselves a vacation. However, we will take that time to start thinking about the first steps of my new team and who I want on it.”

At that, I laughed out loud. “You’re going to let me help?”

“Maybe,” she said coyly. “Got anyone in mind?”

Roy and Faye popped into my mind, as well as Kesari. “Yeah, but I’m guessing you already got there first, huh?” I grinned at her. “You usually do.”

“Are you two flirting in front of us?” an outraged Drax demanded.

Piper tossed her head. “Yes. Well, we are together. This is our official notice of that.” Laughter and exclamations came from the Heads as Piper walked to the desk. “Have a good day,” she called out merrily, hitting the button on the computer.

“Wait a minute, Weslark! You can’t–”

Drax’s voice was cut off and I whistled. “You’re getting more and more reckless.”

Walking over to me, Piper grinned. “Maybe a little. I think it’s good to branch out.”

“So, vacation?” I teased. “More branching out or…?”

“Where do you wanna go?” Piper interrupted.

Smiling at her, I said, “I’ve got a place in mind.”

 

Later that day, I came across Isla with Kyría, Ritsa, Athena, Angele, and my Aunt Kali. Several children were also around, some of them running by, with a few sitting on laps, Electra included.

Surprised, I stopped and watched them. There was a photo album open on Isla’s lap and they were taking turns telling her stories about Kyros as a child.

“He’d be delighted to know you are an artist, dear. Kyros loved art,” Kali was telling her.

My heart softened and I chastised myself for wanting to keep Isla far away from this family. Maybe if I’d reached out sooner, none of the events of yesterday would have taken place.

But then again, who knew?

Kyría, especially, seemed to have a great weight lifted off her shoulders and her expression was gentle as she gazed at Isla. Then she raised her head and saw me. Waving me over, she smiled.

This was a different grandmother than I’d known. While I knew our relationship wouldn’t be repaired overnight, I had to try. We’d both lost enough in our lives.

Walking over, I was greeted with enthusiasm and Kali made a space for me to sit next to Isla. She was smiling happily and I gave her a squeeze around the shoulders.

"Look at this, Balt," Isla said, pointing to a black and white photo of three kids hamming at the camera. "It makes me think of you, Piper and Kai. It's my dad, your dad, and Kali."

“History repeats itself,” I said absently.

“Hopefully not,” Ritsa boomed and I laughed.

“Baltsaros, I’m glad you’re here,” Aunt Kali said, drawing my attention away from Isla. “We have something to give to you. I’ll be right back.”

“Something for me?” I exclaimed. “I don’t need anything.”

“No, no, we all talked and agreed you should have it,” Kyría said and I glanced at her. She gave me a tremulous smile. “Not only is it yours by right…”

“But you’ll be needing it soon!” Ritsa chimed in with a chuckle.

Isla leaned forward, interested. “Oh, what is it?”

An eyebrow raised, I watched Kali leave the pavilion and looked around to see the secretive smiles of my female relations. “What are you all up to now?”

“You’ll see,” Angele said with a laugh and Athena nodded.

Looking at Athena, who I hadn’t seen since last night, I asked, “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” she said. “It was a shock, but I’m free. You’re free.” She gazed around at her family and sighed. “Every mark has been either wiped away or turned to gold.”

“Kesari was up all night helping them,” Isla said softly. “She’s wonderful, isn’t she?”

“A bit high-strung to be drinking triple espressos at twenty-six, if you ask me,” Ritsa said with a shake of her head. “I thought the Doctor was going to spiral off into the atmosphere.”

As everyone laughed, Kali returned, breathless and beaming. I stood up as she gestured me over, conscious of everyone’s eyes on me. Hunching my shoulders, I held out my hand for the small box and then my eyes went wide as I saw the smaller one inside.

“It belonged to your mother,” Kali said and I looked up at her.

Opening the box, a dazzle hit my eyes at the cluster of diamonds on the white gold band. It had both an old-fashioned charm to it and an elegant beauty. I stared from the ring to Kali.

Isla was suddenly at my elbow and she squealed. “Oh, it’s lovely.”

The rest of my female relations bobbed around me, asking questions about when I was going ask the question. Giving me advice on asking. My face was burning as I gently closed it and stashed it in a pocket. Electra was demanding to be the flower girl.

“Is this a bad time?” With a start, I looked up to see Elias standing in the doorway, glancing around the group and nodding at us. “Hello everyone.”

"I don't think there could be a better time," Ritsa said slyly and I winced.

“Elias!” Isla exclaimed, running forward and embracing him. “Why are you here?”

“Shifters of Anubis business. I’m to meet with Zena and well, it’s nothing you need worry about,” he told her and then he looked at me. “But first – Balt, I just came from Piper. Could we talk?”

Nodding, I excused myself, as Elias and I exited the porch and headed out across the grounds. I could feel the eyes of my aunts and cousins boring into the back of my head.

“What did I just walk into there?” Elias asked with a chuckle. “You looked cornered.”

“I was, but in a good way,” I said distractedly. Here was the man who’d taken me in, raised me and always looked out for me. “Elias – I should have, we should have – I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Elias stopped and gave me a measured look. “Balt, I’ve never seen Piper quite like this. So content and full of joy.” He gripped my forearms. “She healed you?”

I nodded and we stood in silence for a moment.

When Elias spoke again, his voice was gruff. “For a shifter to lose part of their connection to the more metaphysical aspects of shifting – and then to get it back.” He was silent. “I didn’t think it was possible. But with my daughter, I should have known better. Could never resist the impossible.”

“And doesn’t like hearing no,” I added.

Elias clapped me on the shoulder and we began to walk. “Hakedo will see you both when you get back, though young Dr. Iyer insists you’re both fine.” We walked in a comfortable silence for a while and I felt myself relaxing. “Thank you, Baltsaros.”

I stopped in surprise and stared at him. “What did I do?” I asked, honestly puzzled.

“Balt, you are one of the most selfless and extraordinary men I’ve ever met. Both your uncle and your father would be proud of you." I ducked my head in embarrassment. "And you've supported my family – our family – through some difficult times. You've been the best kind of friend to Piper and a brother to Kai." Elias shook his head. "And a good son to me. I know you worried about taking up space in our lives, but you should never have."

“Thank you, Elias,” I murmured, overcome.

“Now,” he said gruffly, the light glinting off his glasses as he gave me a knowing smile. “Wasn’t there something you needed to ask me?” Elias watched as I spluttered and my fingers brushed along the box in my pocket. “Out with it, Balt. I don’t have all day. Anyway, I’m sure you know the answer.” He winked. “From both of us.”