Book 2: Chapter 109
John
My mate was still sleeping when I left for LapisMoon. I figured that was good, especially since I had the intention of seeing my father in person. My wolf would rather it be the other way around, that he see us since she was still recovering, but we both were too busy to play phone tag, or wait for a visit.
I figured that it would be best not to speak with him over the phone about this anyway… seeing as how she’d been asleep 3 days now. That was normal, I think anyway. She’d summoned a demon so grand he didn’t have a rank according to Hellinia. It took them a day and a half to recover, but it took her double the time.
They told me that since she had no demon, her powers were halved. That demon was more than just a battery and protection when I wasn’t around…. He was also a catalyst, holding demonic energy, and using them makes it easier to summon Hell’s fire.
The drive over there was uneventful, and when I pulled in the garage, my father was already up. He was sparring with Betta Isaac, while Beta Dion watched the moves they were teaching him. I was a little glad for that, since I’d been busy at the border. Regardless of what Gulteer did, our packs were still a target, and we now tended to attract more humans than usual…
Wolves too. Bad people are drawn to bad things…. It would only make sense that more Rogues would subconsciously be pulled here, meaning no good.
“Come over here.” Waved Beta Isaac, and I got out.
“Is Luna up yet? “Asked Dion.
“No, but I believe she will today.” I said shaking his wrist. He felt stronger, so our plan was working… he was a pack wolf before all this, so training him up to be the Beta he needed to be was imperative.
“Good… still sorry about that.” Said Dion, bowing a little, and I returned it with a nod.
“It’ll work out.” I said optimistically for his sake. “I actually came to talk to my father about it.”
“I need to talk to you too.” Said my father, who ushered me to follow him. He didn’t say a word until we got in his office. He turned on music on his laptop, something he’d never done before.
“This is going to be something I Really don’t want to hear, isn’t it?” I asked.
“… Son ready yourself.” He said motioning the chair on the other side of his desk. “I mean that. Hold your wolf.
“Wow. Alright.” I said shushing him. He was already amped from the night before…
My father cleared his throat. “Brutus has petitioned your validity to be my heir.” He grumbled. “But what’s Worse is he dragged Heidi into this.”
“The King himself pardoned all Dark Witches.” I said drawing blood from my clenched fist. I could see Why he told me to sit first… My wolf wanted Out. He wanted Brutus in my teeth, and it was hard to ignore such viciousness.
“But not the Worship of the Horned One… unfortunately, even I Agree that that should remain.” He said pulling some papers out his desk and sliding them to me. “If you read all the charges, all were dropped except the worship and threat to the public, but a video call will suffice.”
“I hope you don’t expect me to hand her over if that goes sour.” I growled. He laughed.
“You wield the Gauntlets and hold our Goddess’s Direct favor. You’d probably win if you tried with that kind of motivation… I wanted to tell you so you know what’s happening. You Need to get a handle on Terracotta.” He warned. “Next session, he Will bring this up after our Zoomie meeting, and all eyes are going to be on You sitting next to me. Her words will mean Nothing if she is on trial and you’re acting an ass. You Must have control to stand up for her.”
“Then I will do what I have to.” I said firmly.
“I know you will. She is the King’s adopted grandpup, but more importantly, she’s a good person. Everyone on the council knows and disagrees with Brutus’s actions, even Jang. You Know he has to be in the wrong if Even Jang likes her.”
“She doesn’t even have her demon… there’s no way you can prove someone is worshiping the Horned One without them coming here, and taking pictures. Or at the Very least, some kind of Horned One related paraphernalia, which I don’t think she has any. Their people wear his love on their hearts.”
“I already sent that. As far as they know, Gulteer was here. Just his name in the docket is enough to throw out her charges.” He said truthfully. “If ever there was a man from the war besides the Tyrant King…. Gulteer was likely the second most ruthless…”
“I didn’t even think of that…” I admitted.
“That knowledge comes with age and having a calm wolf. How many times have you seen Ubumba?” He asked. I’d never actually heard his wolf’s name, but it was kinda cool. I wouldn’t let him know that though. “I also know you came for more than just news from me.” He said firmly, but he did smile.
“I did.” It made him lean in a little bit. “I said I would make her a demon if I had to… but I was wondering…. Is that even possible?”
He turned the music up on his computer, and put it by the door. It was some random live station on WeTube, but the way he looked at me told me that he knew something.
“…. Yes, but making something like that would require A Lot.” He mumbled low. “It’s something I Can’t share with you, but I won’t stop if you try, little Earthen One…. It’s something I shouldn’t have even acknowledged that I knew but I don’t want you asking such a question to the wrong person… but you Mustn’t Tell a Soul.” He hissed.
“So I assume that the solution is known by the council…” I mumbled.
“I can’t bear seeing you asking Brutus about this… I won’t lose another son to his antics...”
“Is it That forbidden?” I asked.
“What do you know of magic son?” He asked.
“We can’t really do it, but for those that can, they have the ability to make nearly any task convenient.” I said factually.
“Yes, but how does one create for example, a magical fireball, heal the wounded… erase minds?” He asked.
“They just can… I don’t know.” I admitted.
“Their gods give them that power.” He said firmly. “For those who have powerful deities, and have favor, they can do about anything in their specialization…. But for a child of the Horned One, their potential is only limited by the flesh they reside in….”
“But is it Possible to at least make a band aid?” I asked.
“It is…, and there is only one man who can help you…” He hesitated a long time. He genuinely debated telling me. His eyes glassed a moment in remembrance… this was bad. “… it is flesh magic…..” He whispered. “… something taboo… something only someone who lived during the War would know today. All other practitioners were Delt With.” He said tapping his desk where he keeps the Key…. and my eyes grew wide.
He was speaking about the Beast Prince… a man locked away for siding with the Destroyer.
“Then I guess I should go see a man about a horse.” I said getting up, but he grabbed my hand.
“Even though the door is locked, remember he is still an Old One. A Cunning Old One…. He cannot die, you cannot mar even a papercut on his skin…. Do not get Close. He may not be as strong as the demigods the Adversary’s son employed, but he is strong Enough…. Give him this.”
He pulled a book out of his dresser. It was about advanced mathematical techniques, and there was a workbook in the back. It was wrapped in plastic with shipping labels still attached, so I knew there were no hidden messages or anything inside. He gave me 8 in total. They ranged from scientific theories to history… all of these were from some ivy league college or another.
“Why the books?” I asked.
“Because those are the reasons he stays down there... and you poking around asking about something like this is going to spark his curiosity.” He mumbled. “Gods forbit he gets internet access…”
“You’re worried he’s going to escape.” I said getting up, and putting all the thick textbooks in a bag he gave me… it was magic like Heidi’s….
“I’m worried he’s going to hold a grudge. The steed he rides nearly rivals the Tyrant King’s in ability, though Thankfully it’s still trapped. Originally, the first Crown Prince was tasked with watching it, but his highness is Much Too Young to deal with something like that alone.” He took a breath. “Though he seems adamant about waiting for his master…. Casually bring that up if you get a chance to remind him of why he’s ‘contained’.” He said in air quotes.
“I will. I won’t do anything stupid, and I don’t have the key to get him out.” I said leaving.
“He only needs to key to undo the Fae Queen’s magic. I’m pretty sure he’s already figured out the puzzle lock, however, he isn’t magically strong enough to break the barrier to the basement door.” He grumbled before I left.
That grumbled warning also meant that if I said something disrespectful, or upsetting in any way, he’d open the door to his cell and kill me…..
And for my father to relent and tell me what I needed showed how desperate he was to keep me away from that Snake Brutus.
That was a risk I’d take for her smile… it was gone. I hadn’t seen it in so long I forgot what it looked like.
/Stop being dramatic./ Said Terracotta.
/Stop interrupting me./ I retorted.
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