The Witch of the Western Gate: Dragon's Gift (16 page)

"I never met one before. So it's true that they bite and suck blood, and can gain power over people?"

"Yes, that is all true. Though they are not so powerful as popular culture makes out, and not glamourous at all. They are bottom-feeders. The cockroaches of the paranormal world," Brando said, with obvious distaste.

"It must also be true that wolven don't like them," observed Blue.

"That is true," said Brando, flatly. "We do not like them at all. Two large predators in the same area will always be competitors and will tend to dislike each other and to be territorial. But there are other reasons to dislike them. First of all they are undead, which is reason enough. That makes them disgusting. Secondly they feed off humans. The wolven are very much against killing humans, unless it absolutely cannot be avoided. It causes unwanted attention and is aesthetically displeasing to kill a race that is so closely related to our own, one with which we often interbreed. Vampires are not satisfied with the blood of lesser prey. Human blood is their main meal. Also, vampires are not courageous hunters. They are sneaky and manipulative and use their powers of glamour to charm their prey. Having a vampire in the area means trouble for the wolven. We don't like them living near us."

"Wow! I totally get it," said Blue. "No wonder wolven can't stand vampires. That is creepy about them killing humans and being undead. No getting around that."

"No," agreed Rafe, who had been silent up until then. "Absolutely no getting around that. Vampires don't like wolven either. They consider us to be unsophisticated and simple-minded."

Blue nodded in approval. The blunt, outspoken quality was something Blue liked about wolven. They did not hesitate to say what they thought and they just came right out with it. Plus no side-stepping when it came to moral issues. Killing and even feeding off humans was just plain wrong. Period. And the undead were disgusting. Lines were clearly drawn.

"Why do you think he's paying so much attention to me?" asked Blue. "He told me the first time we met that we would marry. Is that crazy,or what?"

Rafe glowered. Brando nudged him with his elbow and gave him an "I told you so" look.

"From a vampire's perspective it makes perfect sense," Rafe pointed.

“Huh?” Blue looked baffled.

"Look at it from Quantrill and his Aunt Zerelda Reynard's point of view. You are an Escarpment Witch and the only heir of the McChesney Clan. Everyone knows that the Escarpment Witches are uniquely powerful, and that the McChesney Clan is a wealthy and powerful druidic clan of sorcerers. If the Reynards could control you they then could gain control over the McChesney estate and try to learn the secrets of both the Escarpment Witches and the McChesney sorcerers. Even if they don't manage to learn the secrets, you would breed with the Reynards and they could control the power of your offspring."

"Dam! I knew he was up to something. I just didn't take him seriously. Vampires can, uh, actually breed?"

"Yes, unfortunately," replied Brando. “Vampires are like wolven in that the traits can either be hereditary or gained by bite. Hereditary wolven and vampires are usually the most powerful, since they are better trained. Those bitten need to be sheltered until they assimilate into the society of their kind and learn to control themselves and follow the rules. If they are not assimilated, then they tend to cause enormous amounts of trouble, slaughtering humans and such, so need to be put down. In both societies it is frowned upon to create others by bite. If it happens, then the new-bitten one becomes the responsibility of the biter to train, shelter, and protect. It's an enormous amount of work and hassle."

"Sounds like it," replied Blue.

"It is," agreed Brando. "So it's strongly discouraged and rarely done. Step outside with me so we can talk in private. Rafe, you watch the rink for me, OK?"

“Sure.”

Blue and Brando stepped outside and into Brando's car. He looked all around first and sniffed the air, as though looking for someone. Then turned the car on.

"The heat feels good," said Blue.

"Yes," replied Rafe. "Plus if that bloodsucker is still lurking around here, and I expect he is, it will be harder for him to hear us in a car with the motor running. We must keep our voices very low though. They have excellent hearing."

"Do you think Zerelda is also a vampire," asked Blue.

"No," replied Brando. "The Clan would have known if she was. But there are rumours about vampire blood in her family and now I can confirm that as true. She probably carries some vampire blood but not enough for physical effects."

"Still, it explains a lot about her," replied Blue, recalling how she had always disliked Zerelda Reynard and felt uncomfortable in her presence.

"There is another difference also that you should know, since Mr. Quantrill Reynard has chosen you for his special attentions. Vampires are not monogamous. They mate and even sometimes marry for fun or manipulation. The Wolven, on the other hand, we take after the wolf side of our nature where matings are concerned. The Wolven mate for life and are monogamous. Also we care deeply for our offspring, our families and our clans."

"I see," replied Blue. Why was he telling her this?

"Which reminds me, I asked Grandma Lily about the Raveen situation and she tells me that Talon is not the father and that Raven admitted as much to her. But she still has a thing for Talon and followed him here."

"Raveen is a little confused," replied Brando. "Talon did date her last year, but it never was serious. He never requested permission to court her. Their romance, if you can call it that, lasted less than two months."

"Uh, how did she become pregnant then?" asked Blue.

"Apparently she became involved with someone else after she and Talon broke up," replied Brando. "Obviously. He hesitated a few seconds.

"Talon met with Raveen and made it clear that she needs to move on. He's hoping she goes back to the baby's father. He's wolven also, and he did ask for and receive permission to court Raveen. Though it appears he did more than just court her…"

Why should she care about wolven courtship and marriage practices. Blue was feeling uncomfortable. This line of discussion was getting too close to the unanswered questions surrounding her and Rafe. Besides, if there was anything to discuss, Rafe should be the one doing it, not his big brother. "I had that impression from observing wolven over all these years, you know, my Grandpa Lou and Grandma Lily. They have been very happily married all these years."

"Yes," agreed Brando. "Mating with humans has always been done but is even more prevalent now."

"Why?" asked Blue.

"Well, there have always been more wolven males born than females. At one time the mortality rate was much higher for males than it is now. They'd do most of the dangerous jobs -- hunting and protecting while females took care of the young. Many died. So it sometimes was hard back then for a female wolven to find a mate. Now there is not so high of a male deathrate as there once was. We've become better at assimilating into society, and more careful about where we run in feral form, so as not to be shot. Male wolven still are born in higher numbers than females, and now die less often, so now there are too few female wolven."

"Is it considered better to have a wolven mate?" asked Blue, her mouth growing dry. She was afraid to hear the answer.

"Not really," replied Brando. "It’s an individual preference. Some wolven prefer a mate who can run with them. Most do not.”

“That’s good to hear. I wouldn’t want someone choosing me just because there aren’t enough females to go around. That would make me feel like second best.”

“If and when Rafe claims you, it will because you are the one who makes his heart sing.”

Blue said nothing, but her discomfort was palpable. Brando had brought out into the open the issue between her and Rafe. Brando glanced over at her.

“It’s a very big deal for a wolven to engage in courtship with a female. It means far more than it does for a human, or a vampire. So it’s scary. Plus Rafe is young and idiotic. He’ll come around and claim you, eventually. I’d be surprised if he didn’t.”

“Well, he better not assume that I’m just sitting here at his feet waiting!” Blue squirmed angrily in the seat and glowered out the window.

Brando laughed, and continued. “Only an idiot would assume that! Then again, only an idiot would care about whether or not their mate could transform, more than they care about other qualities. What can I say…Rafe is an idiot. I just hope he grows out of it. The best thing is to choose the one who makes your heart sing!"

Blue recalled the melodic howling chorus wolves make when together, singing their hearts out at the moon.

"The only advantage to choosing a wolven mate is knowing that with both parents being wolven the offspring will be also. But that is merely a convenience, all children are a blessing, and choosing the mate of one's heart is the most important thing. Usually the offspring will take after the parent with their same gender, but not always. You never know how much wolven blood lies lurking since wolven have been mating with humans for centuries. Often there are suprises."

"What about the children who don't inherit all the cool wolven talents? Don't they feel left out?"

"Maybe, but they all are raised the same until age 16. Even those who are not genetically predisposed to bodily transformation still have inner traits of the wolven, and are Clan members. They often marry other wolven too, either one like themselves or one who can transform."

"What happens at age sixteen?" asked Blue.

"Those who transform bodily to wolven undergo the Rite of the Rabbit Moon and they join the Hunters of the Clan and hone their feral wolf abilities. Those who do not transform undergo the Rite of the Owl Moon and they join the Protectors of the Clan. They train their minds and gain positions in the human world from which they can best protect their Clanmates. Anytime a wolven desires to marry an outsider, this outsider must be approved by the Clan. For one to learn about us is to endanger us. Non-wolven mates also undergo the Rite of the Owl Moon and become Protectors."

"So protecting the Iron Wolf Clan is what my Uncle Basil does?" asked Blue.

"Yes," replied Brando, "In addition to running a highly profitable law business for himself. The Clan sent him to college and law school. He became a business attorney and advises the Clan on finance-related legal matters, along with all his other mundane clients of course. Thanks to your Uncle, the Clans avoided this last big economic downturn."

"Wow! I had no idea that Uncle Basil was so involved with the Iron Wolf Clan." That makes sense, Blue thought, since Grandma Lily and Grandpa Lou would never have had enough money to help put Uncle Basil through college and law school.

"Yes, he is most discrete, and one of our closest brothers," replied Brando. "There are many more like him. The Protectors are devoted to their Clans. There is a reason why I tell you all this, Blue."

"There is?"

"Yes," replied Brando. "You have been raised in the Iron Wolf Clan, as much as anyone can be who doesn't transform. Doesn't transform all the way," he hastily corrected. For like her Uncle Basil, Blue could transform one hand at will.

"I guess that's true," replied Blue, who hadn't given it much thought up to now.

"Your Grandpa Lou proposed your name at the Council Meeting last month, as one to undergo the Rite of the Owl Moon, and be admitted to the Order of the Protectors. You were unanimously accepted. He chose me to be your mentor, so I have the privilege of telling you. Do you accept?"

"Why, yes! Of course I accept!, replied Blue. "I'm not sure how I could ever help wolven, you are so much more powerful than I, but certainly it is an honor and I would do anything I could."

"Excellent!" replied Brando, smiling broadly. "Your grandparents and your father will be most pleased."

"They know?," asked Blue.

"Of course," replied Brando. "It would be disrespectful were your father not asked, and your grandmother would have been displeased had she not been consulted."

"No one would want to cross Grandma Lily," said Blue.

“ Or Cormac McChesney,” added Brando.

"I'm surprised I was invited though," said Blue. "Because I'm only the granddaughter of a Wolven, not a daughter."

"That was brought up in the Council's discussion, but you have the ability to transform your hand into a wolf's paw. That makes it automatic. It would be foolish to turn down someone who can partially change. Plus you've been raised side-by-side with Clanmates and in the care of your Grandpa Lou much of the time. So you already know much about our ways."

"My hand helped? I thought that was just a weird trick."

"Yes. A partial transformation carries a lot of weight. It gives you powers beyond the ordinary. Also, if an outsider were to find out, the Wolven would be in danger of exposure."

“Don’t worry, I’ve never used it as a party trick,” joked Blue.

"Oh my god! If The Paranormal Council ever knew about my hand, and about me becoming a Protector, they would croak. Because then I have another talent to add to my repetoire. Quantrill and Zerelda would bust a gut too," Blue giggled.

"They never will find out," said Brando. "The Paranormal Council does not run the wolven. We have our own ways. Yes, we send a representative to their meetings, and we work with them at times, but they do not run our packs. Identities Protectors of the Order are kept secret from all outsiders. You will meet other Protectors at your initiation ceremony and I can guarantee you will be surprised."

"When will it take place?" asked Blue.

"The Rite of the Owl is performed during a blue moon and they don’t happen often. I can fill you in more on the details later. It must be kept secret, even from Stella. We better get back to the party now before anyone misses us."

Chapter 15

Blue followed Brando back into the Roll-A-Rama. She scanned the room. Quantrill was gone. Rafe was talking to some kids he knew. Talon and Stella were finally leaving the rink floor after their long skate. Talon headed toward the refreshment stand and Stella sat down with Blue in a booth.