SEVENTEEN

Lark seethed all the way back to camp and he fought the instincts that were pushing him to turn around and permanently remove the threat to his family. But he continued on, finally coming out of his rage long enough to notice that the closer he got to camp, the darker the sky became. It was close to dark – despite the midday hour – when he pulled to a stop in the driveway. Stepping out of the car, he realised the shadowy veil was the result of a swirling sail of wind high above the house.

What the hell? he thought, staring in cautious wonder at the spectacle of the wind rushing feverishly some one hundred metres above his head. Looking around, he saw the ground and the trees were completely untouched by the fury of the air above it. It was almost like a reverse tornado.

“Well, this is new, even for Max,” he commented to himself.

‘It’s not me,’ was the quick rebuttal in his head.

‘No? Then what?’ he asked, only to catch on in the same breath, ‘Dex. This is Dex,’ he stated, cursing himself even as he bolted to the house.

How could he have been so stupid? Dex may not be in their Order and therefore unable to hear his thoughts, but his brother was and so was his fiancé. They would have divulged Carlos’s hateful words the moment they left his lips. He hadn’t thought to censor the link when he had been reading Carlos the riot act because he hadn’t been thinking at all. All he had seen was red. And that was precisely why he always strived to keep his shit together. He hadn’t just been blowing hot air back at the lodge – he was damn lethal.

Opening the back door and racing into the kitchen, he saw that the entire household was occupying the space … and so was one pissed off ex-warden in full-on chade mode. The black in Dex’s eyes had completely swallowed his irises and they were now bottomless pits of rage and anguish. His feet were hovering off the ground and Lark knew the spectacle outside was a direct reflection of the man’s inner turmoil. Searching the room, he quickly found Ivy in her usual casual pose against the wall. He was surprised to see the woman was weaponless. He would have thought the ranger would have grabbed her sickle at the first sign of any chade-like behaviour.

Sensing his scrutiny, she gave him a nod of acknowledgment. Feeling happy inside from that small token, despite the circumstances, he nodded back – adding in a small smile as a bonus. Moving cautiously closer to the action, he spoke; “Hi team. How’s it going?” His forced casualness worked for the most part, with the majority of his family looking in his direction.

“Oh, it’s just peachy here, man. Good job acting as bait-boy.”

Axel may have sounded flippant, but Lark knew he was anything but. There was a cold rage shimmering in the depths of his blue eyes. Looking around, he saw almost identical looks everywhere – except Cali’s. Hers just looked scared and worried.

“Calm down, Dex. Don’t make me kick your arse,” Ryker threatened. But they all knew it was an empty threat. Ryker was just as pissed as everyone else.

As for Dex, he merely snarled and flexed hands tipped with nails which looked alarmingly like claws. After seeing Dex in action when they had retrieved Knox, Lark knew and accepted that Dex still retained some of the more peculiar traits of the chades. But seeing him now, had him worried that maybe his new friend was regressing.

“Dex … please,” was all Cali said from where she was wrapped securely in her brother-in-law’s arms.

Dex seemed to soften when he looked at Cali but then he yelled; “He threatened our baby!” The words were practically roared out and although they vibrated with fury, they were also laced with fear.

Yes, Lark agreed silently, and in a spectacular fashion. It was why he had lost control of himself and revealed some of his true strength to all the gawkers back at the lodge. Thinking about the hateful words made him want to gut the son of a bitch;

“You think we don’t know about the abomination that whore of a paladin you live with is carrying? She’d best be careful, someone might do the world a favour and cut the little monster out.”

“I know he did,” Cali swallowed audibly, cradling her distinct baby bump with both hands. “But he won’t hurt our son – nobody will. Right?” she asked Max.

Surprisingly, Max was the only person in the room who didn’t look furious. She responded to Cali calmly but with confidence, “That’s right. Nobody.”

Lark felt the tension in the room drop by a few degrees. Max’s voice had resonated not just with determination but also with power. He felt his coat of arms heat on his skin and although it wasn’t moving, he saw his druid symbol flare to life with light.

Max moved around Ryker and Diana, who were partially blocking her from Dex. She simply walked up to the angry man and placed a hand on his forearm; “Dex … calm,” was all she said. But he deflated as if he were a balloon and Max had stuck a pin in him.

The lashing wind immediately ceased, Dex’s feet hit the floor, his eyes immediately lightened to their now dark hazel hue. He didn’t say anything to the custodian who had restored his light. He just walked to Cali and swept her into his arms. She buried her face in his neck and Lark felt a lump form in his throat; the two were perfect for each other. Dex had saved Cali just as much as she had saved him. And the life they had created was a true miracle. There was no other explanation for the little guy other than a greater power being involved as far as he was concerned. Looking around and seeing all the shiny eyes and clenched fists, he knew each and every person in the room would fight to the death to protect their little nephew.

“I would never let anyone hurt Hitch, Dex. I promise you,” Max repeated her words again and they were once more filled with power.

Dex took a deep breath, sitting down with Cali held firmly in his lap, “I know, Max. Thank you.” He looked around, a little sheepishly, “Ah, sorry about all that …”

“All what?” Ryker asked, patting the man on the back as he took his own seat at the table.

Dex smiled and Lark heard Cali give a happy little giggle before she finally raised her head. Her eyes were a little red but she looked relaxed once more as she proceeded to kiss the breath out of her fiancé.

Darius cleared his throat, looking pointedly away from the make-out session involving his brother, “Yes, well. How about we discuss what Lark kicked over?”

“I’d say we have confirmation about who the instigators and perpetuators are,” Lark volunteered, going to the fridge for a bottle of water. Emotional drama always left him thirsty. “Carlos and his Order – very likely his Warden, although Victoria wasn’t there; Hades and his paladins; the two paladins from the Order of Aquarius; three unbound paladins; and definitely Violet and her Order, although she didn’t say anything. The look on her face said it all. In fact, I’m pretty sure she and Carlos are lovers,” he added. He had seen the look in the earth warden’s eyes when Carlos started talking – pride and lust.

“That’s over a dozen, just in the one room,” Axel pointed out.

“I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong. Why don’t they like me?” Max asked, sounding like the vulnerable, sick young woman they had all met eight months ago instead of the powerful, strong goddess they had grown accustomed to.

“It’s not about you. It’s about their own insecurities. Get over yourself,” Ivy said in a bored tone.

Ryker, Axel, and Cali scowled at the ranger, while Beyden just rolled his eyes.

Max huffed at Ivy, “You get over yourself! Insensitive cow.”

Max’s words sounded a little pouty but she was smiling, all evidence of sadness and vulnerability gone and Lark knew Ivy had handled the situation perfectly – even if most of the others couldn’t see it. Comfort would have reinforced Max’s insecurities; facts grounded her in reality.

Lark cleared his throat, “Ivy’s right. Their opinions have nothing to do with you personally. They’re scared and easily manipulated. It’s the perfect combination for a mob.”

“Dangerous,” said Ivy, nodding her head at him.

“Very,” he confirmed, knowing they were on the same page.

“But there was also as many supporters,” Beyden pointed out, optimistically. “And some we didn’t know about. Those two new trainees for starters …”

“And Lake,” Lark told them.

“Lake? You sure?” Ryker asked, looking unconvinced.

Lark nodded, “I’m positive. He was revelling in the situation a little because he can’t help but thrive on drama. And he didn’t step up and put a stop to it but his frown was definitely directed at Carlos – not me.”

“That’s good, I guess. We need more wardens on our side,” Darius muttered, looking thoughtful. “Did I see Fawn hint at you about a brand maybe?”

Lark nodded, “Definitely. Her paladins too.”

“We’ll need to talk to them all eventually,” Dex pointed out. “But first, why does that Carlos guy have such a hard-on for you?”

Lark snorted out a laugh, “His brother hates me. Now that he’s in prison, I guess Carlos feels like it’s his duty to carry on the tradition.”

“Prison?” Dex’s wheels were obviously turning as he looked at Darius, “His brother is from the Order who almost killed you?” Dex demanded.

Darius nodded, “That’s him – great family. Though to be fair, he was aiming for Max.”

“Not funny. It’s not funny, Darius,” Dex scolded, “I can’t believe you’ve finally decided to get a sense of humour. It’s decidedly warped.”

“It’s the company he keeps,” Max smiled warmly at her Order.