Chapter 19

Ajax stood off to the side, leaning against the wall as he watched Avalina and Sophia baking cookies with Alia. A soft smile played on his lips as his eyes lingered on Lina. The desire to make sure they were safe burned bright in his heart.

This whole situation was insane. It frustrated him that both the Lycans and Daemoni didn't have nearly the amount of information they needed on the Titans. He wasn't a warrior in the traditional sense but he was very good at gathering Intel. His might kept going over how he could solve that problem and in the early dawn hours he'd come up with the craziest of ideas.

He needed to talk to Filtairn and Thea though. Standing up straight, he decided there was no time like the present. Turning around to head to Filtairn's office, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he found Filtairn standing literally inches from him. “OH SHIT! Don't do that, boss!”

“Feeling guilty?” Filtairn chuckled.

“Always!” Ajax laughed as he shook his head. “Can we talk in your office? I have an idea I want to run by you.”

Filtairn studied him for a moment as if reading him. “Lead the way,” he finally said as he showed the way with his hand. Ajax was an interesting Lycan and Filtairn knew the future held big things for him.

As they settled in Filtairn's office he asked Ajax, “Ok, what's going on?”

“So you know my specialty is Intel. Not only do we not know nearly enough about the Titans, we don't know where they're holding those that they captured. So, I have this crazy idea I wanted to get your thoughts on before I took it Thea.”

Filtairn raised an eyebrow at him as he said, “If you're calling it a crazy idea, it must be interesting indeed.”

Ajax chuckled before getting serious. “What if I allowed myself to be taken? I would be able to gather the information we'd need.”

“No one has returned. How would you get that information back to us?”

“That's the crazy part... if I allow myself to be possessed by a Daemoni, they'd be able to relay the information back to Thea.” Ajax watched as Filtairn looked at him with eyebrows raised but then the idea started to take root.

“As crazy as it sounds, it's actually a really interesting idea. The Daemoni would also be able to make sure you were okay. It would need to be one that’s loyal to Theanna and wouldn't do any permanent damage with the possession. Hmmm... yes, definitely crazy but in a diabolically ingenious way. They definitely would never expect it especially with the rocky history that the Daemoni have with Lycans. We'd need to keep this between us so that if any other Lycans are taken they couldn't be forced to give up information about it. That includes Avalina,” Filtairn added as he looked at Ajax.

“I agree. I don't want her to worry and inadvertently say something that could get back to the Titans. Please, swear to me that she and Sophia will be well protected even if that means that they're sent to Theanna to stay at her palace.”

“Absolutely! To that I swear on my life. After all of this is finished, I'm hoping they decide to stay with us. They'd be fine additions to our clan, and... I would give my blessing to your union with Avalina. I think the two of you are a good match,” Filtairn smirked.

“She makes my wolf purr of all things. I've never experienced anything like it.”

“Our wolves only purr for our soul mates. They're a rare find indeed and one that many in our clan have been blessed with, including myself. We don't have fated mates as those born from the Magic Consortium Realm do but we do have our soulmates out there. Not finding that wolf doesn't mean we’ll never feel love, it just means that love is even more special.”

Ajax nodded as he thought about this. Shaking his head slightly he said, “Let's not think about all of that just yet. We have a war to get through.”

“Too true. Let me call Thea and set up a meeting with her,” Filtairn said as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Thea's number.

Suddenly without warning Thea appeared before them. She laughed at the look of shock on their faces. “You... rang?” she gasped out between giggles. “Oh your faces are absolutely priceless.”

Ajax and Filtairn chuckled at her laughter as she sat down with them. “Just had to scare us when there are Titans going crazy didn't you?” Ajax asked with a shake of his head.

“Of course. If I didn't find a reason to laugh some of the time, I'd go nuts and we all know that me going nuts is a scary thing,” Thea smirked.

“Indeed! How are things on your end? You seem.... dare I say, happy?” Filtairn asked with a smile.

“More like loopy from overthinking but tomato/tomahto. Things are progressing how I'd hoped at this point. I refuse to count my chickens yet, though. So, how can I help you handsome men today?”

“Ajax has a crazy idea that's actually quite brilliant.”

Thea blinked as she looked at Ajax in surprise. “Oh, do tell me more!”

“Wow! You both act like I rarely make smart decisions.” As Thea smirked at him knowingly he murmured. “Yeah, yeah... ok... fine. To move on... you know my expertise is in intelligence gathering. Well, the one thing we don't know is where the Lycans that they captured have been taken are or what is happening to them. In general, our Intel on the Titans is rather lacking. If I allowed myself to be taken then I could gather this information that we need.”

“Interesting, and just how would you get this Intel back to us? It does us no good to lose you if we can't even get this information,” Thea commented, not thrilled with the idea so far.

“That's where one of your Daemoni comes into play. I'd allow myself to be possessed as a way to not only ensure my survival but also to relay the information back to you.” Ajax watched Thea's reaction. He knew she could be rather protective of her friends, of whom he was proud to say he was one.

After several long moments, Thea finally said, “Interesting, indeed. Hezin, come before me.”

With that simple command Hezin immediately appeared before her on bended knee. “My Queen, how may I serve you?”

“Wow! Now that’s a handy ability to have,” Filtairn chuckled.

“Indeed it is. Hezin, Ajax has a rather interesting idea for gathering information on the Titans. Please know I won't require this of you, this is purely your decision. Please have a seat and let's discuss this idea and go from there.”

“Of course, my Queen,” Hezin said as he sat down in the chair next to her.

“Hezin, this is Ajax Rollin and Filtairn Marrok, the clan Lord. Both are good friends of mine. Filtairn, Ajax, this is Hezin, a Commander in my Royal Guard. I trust him with my life.”

Hezin nodded at Ajax and Filtairn. He'd never been summoned to be introduced to his Queen's friends before. He was intrigued. “It's nice to meet you. How can I be of help?”

“So as you know, we've been struggling to get reliable Intel on the Titans. Ajax here came up with an idea that just might work. The Titans have been kidnapping any Lycans that leave the compound... what they're doing with them and where they're taking them are all things we don't know.”

“I was thinking that if I allowed myself to be kidnapped then I could gather that information. The problem is that no one has escaped so I don't even know if I'd be able to return with the information. So, my crazy idea is if you or another Daemoni were to possess me at the time of my kidnapping, I could get that Intel back through you,” Ajax explained.

“I could also make sure you're kept well during your kidnapping which might be important since we don't know what they are doing with they Lycans,” Hezin added.

“Exactly. So, what are your thoughts on his idea?” Theanna asked.

“I actually think it's a pretty ingenious idea. My type of possession won't leave lasting damage on Ajax. My only concern, my Queen, is that type of possession will make it impossible for me to fulfill my duties as part of your Royal Guard.”

“That's fine. Between Damian and the remaining Guard, I'll be ok. I'm not so breakable these days, and this is more important. Not only do I want to defeat Reniac once and for all, I want to return all of the Lycans he took. They're all important to me and I won't leave any behind. Filtairn, you've been quiet. Thoughts?” Theanna asked him.

“As long as Ajax won't be permanently harmed and if we can return all of the taken Lycan, I’m all for it. Ajax does worry over Avalina and of course her sister.”

“If it comes to it, we'll bring them to my palace where they’d be extremely protected by even the palace itself. I'm glad to see that your wolf has found a female it likes. It makes me happy, Ajax,” Thea smiled at him. “Now how do we want to make this all work?”

“So I was thinking I could head to 'work' at Mythos and linger outside the compound borders messing with my bike until they take the bait. What do you need to do to possess me?” Ajax asked Hezin.

“I'd need to do it now but it wouldn't be anything more than a light tether until you're taken and then I would open the link fully. There is no way for it to be detected so unless you make the stupid mistake of talking with your mouth instead of your mind, they'll never know we're linked. Once we have what we need, I'll return the link to a light tether until you're rescued and I can break the hold,” Hezin stated as Thea listened and Filtairn nodded his head.

“Let's do it then,” Ajax said as he stood up and moved to stand in front of Hezin.

Hezin stood up and reached out, closing his eyes, and touched Ajax on his forehead and muttered in Daemoni the incantation for possession. Opening his eyes he dropped his hand and said, “It's done. You should feel only a light, quiet connection to me.”

Ajax closed his eyes and said, “Yes, I can feel it. It's like my connection to Janik, my brother. That sort of familial type bond.”

“This is what it feels like when it is active,” Hezin said as he closed his eyes.

Suddenly Ajax gasped and then he calmed. 'Can you hear me?' he heard in his mind.

'I can,' he responded. With a sudden intake of air, he blinked several times as he felt the connection settle back down into the inactive mode. “Will that link remain until you remove it?”

“Yes, unless someone like my Queen removes it, it'll remain and be undetectable. It doesn't matter which realm you're in either. I'll be able to see what you see, think what you think, and feel what you feel. Our connection will also allow me to heal you as if you and I were the same. While inactive I’m much more limited BUT I can feel your emotions and you can talk to me to let me know you've been taken,” Hezin explained.

“As a Daemoni in my direct service, Hezin is able to contact both myself and Damian directly so he'll be able to pass information on to us. Filtairn, I'll let you know when I hear from Hezin. Ajax, when do you expect to leave the compound?” Theanna asked.

“I was planning on trying to go to Mythos this evening so when I do I'll make sure to be 'vulnerable'.”

“Perfect! Filtairn, thoughts?” Thea asked with a smile.

“That works for me. I'm going to make sure the guards allow him out and no Lycans approach him so that he appears to be alone. The more they think he's alone the better it is. We don't want them to think it's anything but a Lycan sneaking off the compound,” Filtairn smirked.

“Well, now that we have that in place, I have to get back to the Dark Realms. Although, I am tempted to have lunch at Mythos. It's been so long. Come my ever-present guardian. Let's go pick up lunch at Mythos.”

“Of course, my Queen.”

“Filtairn, I'll talk to you soon. Ajax, be SAFE!” Thea ordered.

“Yes, my Queen,” Ajax smirked with an over-exaggerated bow.

“Brat!” she mumbled with a smile before vanishing with Hezin.

“Well, that solves that,” Filtairn chuckled while shaking his head.