Chapter 5

As Thea finally neared Darius’ office, she paused and took in a deep breath. She hadn’t seen her grandfather in months. After her parents were killed, Darius was as close to a father as she knew. While she adored the man and would do just about anything for him, he also pushed every button some days.

Bracing herself for what she knew was going to be a long meeting, she started walking again. As she approached Darius’ assistant she said cheerfully, “Hiya Merie!”

“Hello Thea! He’s expecting you,” the older lady smiled at her.

Nodding, Thea approached the door to Darius’ office and knocked before she entered.

“Took you long enough. You do know that I'm your boss and could easily have you fired or worse right?” Darius growled at her. At 6’6”, Darius was an imposing figure. Well built, he was handsome with his dark brown hair and violet eyes. Being immortal, no one really knew how old he was. Thea just knew he hadn’t aged in all the years she knew him.

“Whatever, old man, you’d keep me around just to torture me,” she snarked with a roll of her eyes as she plopped herself in one of his chairs, her legs dangling over one of the arms. “Besides, you love and adore me. You know it and I know it.”

“That’s strictly depending on the day.”

“Liar,” Helen Deus said as she appeared in the room with a bright smile. “Hello, Theanna.” Helen was exactly what you’d think of when you thought of Helen of Troy; tall and beautiful with reddish-blonde hair and blue eyes, not to mention ageless.

“Helen! You are breathtaking as always,” Thea smiled as she stood up and hugged her.

“Sweet as always! How are you? It’s good you’re finally home!”

“Tired but glad to be home. I missed it here.”

“Well, we missed you, and don’t let him tell you differently. He grumbled the whole time you were away,” Helen smiled. “You look a lot better. It’s so good to see that beautiful smile again, even if it doesn't reach your eyes yet. Have Celia schedule us some time to get caught up, ok? I missed our chats!”

“As did I!”

Turning towards her husband, Helen smiled softly as she said, “Play nice now, Darius. Remember how glad you are to have her back.”

Darius grunted as he watched Helen leave. “I didn’t miss you that much.”

“I love you, too, ya know. By the way, I came bearing a gift from Damian.”

“A gift from Damian? What’s the catch?”

“No catch. Galena brought it to me last week. She comes to see me regularly and this time she brought something to me. Things have been less than calm in Ikisat lately and I think Damian wanted this safe in our hands,” Thea explained as she handed Darius a flash drive. “It’s a scan of every document, book and scroll in his library.”

“All of it?” Darius asked stunned. Clearing his throat to tamper down his excitement and replace the excited look on his face with one of stoicism, he continued, “I’ve been after access to his library for a while now. This will be a great source of information for us. You’ll probably have to be the lead in translating it. There are very few that are proficient in royal Daemoni.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

“How are you? Have you spoken to him at all?”

“I’m better...” Thea insisted as she fought the tears that still came way too easily. “I miss him, D. But the things I said, the pain we’ve suffered... how do we move forward from that? It’s been over a year since I saw him.”

Darius stood up and moved to Thea, pulling her up into his arms as he just hugged her. “Rumor has it that he’s suffering as much as you. As much as you say you’re better, your heart still aches deeply for him. Maybe it’s time the two of you actually talked. I could summon him...”

Wiping her eyes she shook her head no, “No. Maybe later but not yet.”

“Ok. But I’m here for you. I’ll support you, whatever you decide, ok? I love you, Thea-mia.”

“I know D. That love means everything to me.”

Heading back to his desk, Darius changed the subject as he said, “Now onto things here, we’ve gotten a bit backed up since you were gone. I’ve been having some of the newer Linguists working on the backlog but to be honest I’d prefer it if you verified their work.”

Thea nodded, “Will do. Lord knows I noticed mistakes in some of the reports I saw.”

“Agreed. We’re working on their training but unfortunately it’s been slow going.”

“The only problem I see in all of this is that pompous ass you have heading up the Linguist department.”

“That ‘pompous ass’ is only in charge because you refused the position.”

“You know I don’t do well being in charge of people on a daily basis. Periodic assignments I don’t mind. Every day... no, thank you.”

“You say that, but I think you’re actually amazing at management, but that's an argument for another day. Anyway, I’ve talked with him and he knows I want all the reports sent to you first. He shouldn’t give you any problems.”

“I’m sure he loved that,” Thea snorted.

Ignoring her, Darius moved on and became very business-like as he asked, “Remind me, how up to speed is your Arcadian?”

Thea tsked him, “Puhlease, you know the answer to that. Running D Corporation must have your brain muddled. Arcadian and Arcalean are cousin languages, Arcadian being the easier of the two. Arcalean on the other hand is the most beautiful. Arcalean may be my birth language but I learned Arcadian as a child as well.”

“So then you’re good. Have you been to the Medical Department yet for your checkup?”

“No, not yet. I’m planning on that lovely experience later today.”

Darius nodded as he made a note on his calendar.

Watching him, Thea asked, “Concerned about me or hoping for clearance to torture me some more with training?”

“Thea, I don’t want to ‘torture’ you. You know how important what you do is. I only want to further your training so that your talents reach their full potential. And yes, I want to make sure you aren’t showing any signs of residual issues after the last incident or since Ikisat. I may be your boss but I’m your grandfather as well. So sue me if I worry about you.”

Thea looked at him in surprise. “Either you really did miss me or you’ve taken a nice-pill. I haven’t heard you be that sappy in years. I really missed you, too, old man!”

Raising one eyebrow at her, Darius answered, “Be prepared when you do go, Averic Stanchek is back as the head doctor now. He's changed a bit since you last saw him, he's a lot more serious.”

“Oh joy. That’ll make things even more fun I'm sure.”

“I'm sure he'll be professional. Now, I have a couple of reports I want to go over with you about that information you sent to us. I think the findings may merit further investigation. I want to verify everything with you and get your thoughts, item by item.

“I also want to get you up to speed on all that is going on here. There are a few situations you need to be aware of. Also, we’ve a member of our Greece office joining us shortly who I want you to meet. So before he gets here, let’s get you up to speed.”

“Absolutely,” she replied as she and Darius stood up and moved to sit at the conference table in his office.

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the unicorns and Saalah.”

“Yeah... the Saalah appearance surprised me. We haven’t had a Saalah incident in years.”

“What details have you heard about the issues in Ikisat?”

“Not a whole lot but if Damian is sending us scans of his library it can’t be good. Do you think they’re connected?”

“I suspect that they are. The lead investigator connected Innara to the Saalah. His name is Keyx Sarris. He suspects Innara is up to something much bigger than just releasing rabid Daemoni.”

Just then, Merie knocked on the door and entered looking less than pleased. “Darius, the front desk just called. Filtairn is here and is insisting upon meeting with you and Thea. He says it’s urgent.”

“Send him up. If Mr. Sarris arrives, send him in. Might as well make it a party.”

“What on earth could be so urgent that Filtairn would show up unannounced?” Thea asked, surprised. “Hopefully this isn’t another looking for a mate for one of his sons.”

“Who the heck knows with Filtairn. Don’t worry, if I was going to barter you off I’d have done it when you were still young and not such a cynical pain in my ass,” Darius chuckled at her.

“Thanks, I think,” Thea rolled her eyes at him. Just then the office door opened to a very large man wearing a frown. Thea couldn't help but appreciate the man before her.

He was easily close to seven foot tall and gave off a handsome yet scruffy caveman feel. His dark brown hair was dusted with grey that matched his grey eyes. His loose clothing hid the fact that the man had not one ounce of fat on him. It also hid his scars from his many battles as a wolf.

“Filtairn, it's been a while," she greeted as she stood up.

Taking her hand and kissing it, Filtairn smiled and replied, "It's been too long! You’re truly beautiful, Theanna. You would be a perfect Alpha female in our pack."

Ever since she'd discovered a plot to destroy him and had stopped the attack before it happened, saving
his family and clan, he'd called her friend. He'd also spent many hours trying to convince her to mate into his pack. If she were to ever mate with a wolf it would’ve been with Ajax but she found herself not inclined to go down that path. Fur just wasn't for her.

"Thank you, but alas that’s not my destiny. Besides, your pack has an Alpha Female. I adore your mate and wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her."

"Ah, yes, but she’s such a sweet, wonderful woman who would rather be anything other than the Alpha Female."

“Well, there is also the whole situation with my hybrid genetics. We both know there are those in your clan that wouldn’t appreciate introducing those into the mix. Best to leave well enough alone.”

“Unfortunately, you’re probably right. Darius, you’re looking well,” Filtairn stated as he shook Darius’ hand.

“As are you. How are the clan and family?”

“They’re well.”

“Good. Good. Now, how may we help you this morning?" Darius asked as they all sat down.

Filtairn looked briefly at Darius, and then at Thea, "I was informed this morning that one of our Oracles received a prophecy about Theanna. This particular Oracle has rarely been wrong so I trust her above the others.”

“What did she say?” Thea asked.

“Protect the learned one with powerfully mixed blood, who can connect with days of old, for she is the one they need to succeed. She is the one they need to release the evil one.”

"Gotta love how cryptic Oracles always are," Thea sighed with a roll of her eyes. "I'm betting she didn't say who 'they' were."

"Unfortunately, no. But, to go along with the prophecy we've heard whisperings in the shadows of Innara and her quest to bring back Mordecai."

Thea went a bit pale at the mention of Mordecai. Looking sharply at Darius she asked in a panicked whisper, “Do you think that’s it?”

“I heard something similar. I was hoping it was only talk but now I’m not so sure.”

"I came to Darius to make sure you’re protected, little one. There may be those that don’t understand and thus fear your ‘genetics’, as you call it, but I know how truly special and valuable you’re to us all.”

"Thank you, Filtairn I appreciate the warning and your kind words,” Thea replied with a tight smile.

"Darius, if you wish, I can leave my personal guards to protect her," Filtairn offered.

"Thank you, but no. I’ll put the best of my Centurions on it. Please let us know if you discover anything new. Your wolves are excellent at finding out what the shadows know."

Filtairn nodded as he stood. Turning to Thea as she also stood up, he placed a necklace over her head and onto her. Looking at the charm, he said in Lycan, "May this talisman keep you ever safe, beautiful one." With a gentle caress of her cheek, he turned and left.

Thea stood stunned as she looked at the beautiful necklace.

"I do believe that wolf genuinely cares for you," Darius commented, his voice laced with a touch of surprise. "The only ones I've ever seen wear that talisman are his mate and daughter."