Zora's Dawn (Defender Book 1) (17 page)

Zora
interjected. “I’m really sorry to interrupt, but what do you mean by made wolves?”

“Sorry
Zora, I mean simply people that have been bitten and turned, as opposed to
those of us born wolves.”

Zora
nodded, “Ok, sorry, I should have realised.”

“That’s ok
Zora, you have a lot to learn in a short space of time. Anyway, there are some
factions of wolves that believe the made wolves are not proper werewolves, and
should be destroyed. We have had problems with this attitude before and have
been able to bring it under control. In contrast, some of the made wolves feel
that their human part should no longer exist. They wish to be a wolf only and
never change back to human. The power can be intoxicating to those not brought
up with it.”

Zora
started as she remembered Powers telling her much the same thing. Rusty was
still talking so she pushed her thoughts away and concentrated on what he was
saying.

“Lately,
there have been a high number of made wolves – which is a concern in itself - and
we have not been able to keep track of them all. I don’t know if they are all
still alive even.” He addressed his next comment to Zora. “Sadly, some of them
do not survive the first change.”

She nodded
her understanding, thankful that Powers had given her more information earlier.

Rusty continued,
“We have had no reports of any of our number missing, so we have believed this
rogue to be a made wolf that we have no information on. But as I said, at this
point in time there are several we know to have dropped out of sight, and that
has not happened for many years. The last time it happened was when a group of
wolves came together. They attempted to enforce their belief that werewolves
should be allowed to prey on whatever they wished, humankind included.”

“That’s
right, it was a bad time but we were able to eradicate that threat.” Marcus was
looking very serious. “Are you saying that you believe that this is another
group of wolves?”

Rusty
nodded. “We hoped not, we hoped it was all just coincidence, but Shax here is
making me think that perhaps we have another renegade group.”

Axel
interrupted. “It still doesn’t explain witchcraft. Made or born, a wolf can’t
do magic.”

Jake spoke
up. “True Axel, and it worries me because if that is the case the wolves have a
magic wielder helping.”

Shax stopped
her pacing. “That’s not good, not good at all. If someone versed in the dark
arts is assisting a group of wolves with a grudge it has to be for something
big. That’s why the spell hasn’t worked yet, it needs exact ingredients with
exact properties. It could take some time to perfect which gives us time to
catch them.”

“And gives
them time to kill many innocent people too,” Axel said in a dry tone.

Shax
looked a bit sick. “And that too,” she agreed.

Sunny
spoke for the first time. “So where does all this leave us? What should we do?”

Zora had
been wondering that too.

Axel
shrugged. “For right now, we will have dinner and get an early night. Tomorrow
we will go to Melbourne. Rusty, Jake, would you care to join us for dinner?”

Both
wolves agreed with alacrity, neither wishing to brave the storm raging outside Zora
surmised. Or was that just because she was thinking of them as wolves which
were like dogs and so probably didn’t like storms? That was politically
incorrect. She panicked slightly, afraid the wolves would see what she was
thinking. However Axel was grinning, and waved her off with a wink. Zora hoped
that meant he wouldn’t tell them her convoluted thoughts.

Everyone
except Axel and the wolves began to disperse, Zora going to her room. She was
relieved to see that Powers was not there. Shax and Sunny had walked off
together, she guessed they had a lot to talk about. Sinking down into one of
the wing chairs Zora tried to put together all that had happened that afternoon.

Shax
seemed to know Axel very well, there must be some sort of history there. Or perhaps
Shax was from another family that came under the umbrella of the fairies. Then
there was Frenchie and Sabrina - who knew a witch’s familiar was a real thing and
could mind speak to its chosen human companion? And yet Sabrina could mind
speak to Shax and possibly to her as well. Did that mean they could choose who
they talked to, or did there have to be some kind of connection?  Zora sighed,
it seemed the more she learned about the supernatural community the less she
knew.

Her
thoughts shifted to the two werewolves, Rusty and Jake. Her initial fear had
faded but she still felt anxious about them. They were both large and strong
men, with an air of impatience about them, as though they did not usually spend
much time staying still. She wondered if that was due to the wolf in them. They
seemed so much more unpredictable than Powers, yet he had a similar ability.
What had he said about the differences between shifters and wolves? Oh yes,
wolves were tied to the moon and shifters were not. So maybe that was why
Powers seemed more solid and dependable than the two wolves.

Zora
snorted in disbelief at the direction of her own thoughts. Since when had she
believed Powers to be either solid or dependable? Her mind flashed to her
disturbing reactions to him. Was that attraction, or was it a result of their
bond? Since she had not felt any sort of attraction to him before this started,
it seemed reasonable to assume it was a result of the bond which meant it was
not a real attraction. She needed to remember that and not become involved any
further than she already was.

Abandoning
her line of thought she focused on the main issue, the rogue werewolf. It had
been frightening enough when she thought they were dealing only with one, but
if there were more how were they going to be able to deal with them without
more lives lost and without humankind learning about the supernatural
population? She hoped Axel was making good use of his centuries old brain
because she was fresh out of ideas.

And now
Axel had decided they would go to Melbourne, instead of onto Sydney. Zora
worried about that too, wondering why he had made the decision. Perhaps he knew
more than he was letting on? Powers had said the fairies sometimes withheld
information. She sighed again, her life was so complicated now with all these
problems. Just for a while she allowed herself the indulgence of wishing her
life was just as it was a few days ago. Then all she had to worry about was
remembering to meet Sunny for coffee and she was quite happy to ignore Powers
for long stretches of time. It was certainly much better for her equilibrium.

As though
she had summoned him Powers chose that moment to walk through the door. He
smiled on seeing her and threw himself into the chair opposite. “I’m really
pleased we have Rusty and Jake, they are good men.”

Zora
shrugged. “They seem to be, but I don’t know them yet. Did Axel say anything to
you about why we are going to Melbourne instead of Sydney?”

Powers
shook his head. “No, but I assume it is because of what we have learned. The
situation is far more serious than we at first thought. Axel probably thinks
there is nothing more to be learned from going to Sydney and wants to be more
proactive.”

“Well I
guess he’s right. It’s getting pretty serious now isn’t it? Has there been
anything like this before?”

Powers
shook his head again. “There have been times when groups of rogue wolves banded
together but we have always been able to control the problem. But if there is
magic involved that’s a whole new level of trouble.”

Zora
sighed. “Yay me, I get to be in the middle of a busload of trouble.”

Leaning
forward Powers caught and held her gaze. “Zora, you are far stronger than you
think. And you are not alone, we all have our parts to play and dangerous
though it will be, we will find a way together to win this.”

“You’re
not making me feel any better Powers. Isn’t that part of your guardian job?”

Powers
just grinned. “I believe I’m to protect you and keep you alive for as long as
possible. Telling you fairy stories, as it were, is not in the handbook. Don’t
worry Zora, we have a real fairy on our side!”

Zora
sighed, conceded that they did indeed have a fairy and maybe that would prove
as good as the Avengers having The Hulk.

Dinner,
with five fairy guard, a fairy prince, two witches, a shapeshifter, a vampire,
two werewolves, a dog and a cat was a lively evening. Zora supposed she should
have expected it, with the variety of – what did one call different types of
supernaturals, were they species? – anyway whatever they were called it was a
variety of types at the dinner table. They all seemed to know each other pretty
well, even the fairy guard appeared to be acquainted with the two werewolves.

She and
Sunny were the only newcomers it seemed. By the look of uncertainty on Sunny’s
face Zora felt reassured she was not the only one feeling a little out of
place. But at least Sunny had the comfort of Sabrina who was curled up in her
lap and moved only to raise a paw to snaffle a particularly choice looking
morsel every now and then. Frenchie was sitting under the table in front of
Shax – Zora was pretty sure Shax was feeding him her vegetables.

The
conversation flowed easily, friendly chat almost like at any dinner table,
except of course for the frequent references to topics no ordinary human would
even think to talk about. The wolves questioned Marcus about where he was
getting his ‘red wine’ and Marcus indicated Sunny with a flourish of his glass
(of white wine). Sunny smiled and launched into an abbreviated explanation of
her family. This led to the wolves asking about her being a witch, a topic
which was of great interest to everyone there.

Sunny
looked anxious to be put on the spot, but Shax leaned forward and captured their
attention. “We did a little bit this afternoon, really this is not the time to
be going into anything in depth. However Sunny is a natural and very strong
witch. I don’t know why she thinks she is a dud. Give her a little time and she
is going to be an amazing witch!”

“We have
two newbies, I believe Zora is also new to her abilities as a defender?” Rusty
speared a chunk of steak and chewed it with relish as he stared assessingly at
Zora.

Zora
cringed internally but tried to keep her expression neutral.

It was
Axel who came to her rescue. “It’s true little Zora is new, but she is the
strongest defender I have ever seen. Although she has only recently had her
abilities unlocked by me, she has all the skill she needs. When the time comes
she will prove worthy, I have no doubts about her.”

Rusty
swallowed his mouthful, gave her a hard stare and then smiled. “If Axel says
you’ll do, then you’ll do Zora. Right Jake?”

Jake did
not look quite so convinced, but agreed. Zora couldn’t blame him. What sane
person would want someone who had no idea what she was doing as a member of a
group such as this?

The
conversation stayed on lighter topics from then on, interspersed with
werewolf/shifter barbs between the wolves and Powers. Men, thought Zora. They
were the same whatever the species. She relaxed as the evening went on,
enjoying the humour but staying mostly silent.

Over
coffee Axel broached the subject of the upcoming trip to Melbourne. “Little
Zora, in light of what we have learned from Rusty and Jake, and the disturbing
theory Shax has come up with, I feel that it is imperative we try to find this
werewolf. If, as the boys suspect, she is a part of a larger group it is
possible the other members are based in Melbourne. It is possible she has not
yet killed because they are attempting a spell, or perhaps because they are
deciding on their next move. In any case, we can check with the defenders who
live there. So we leave tomorrow. Sunny, regretfully for you we will travel
again by mist travel. Hopefully you will be reassured to know that we will
arrive at the Melbourne residence of my mother the Queen, and will definitely
not become merged with a tram or some such.” 

Rusty and
Jake looked confused, Rusty asking, “Mist travel?”

Shax
answered. “You know, that freaky way the fairies and vampires have of getting
around. Zora called it ‘mist travel’ and it would appear the name has stuck.”

Rusty and
Jake still looked perplexed so Marcus explained how Zora was able to see the
mist of the fairies and the vampires, and also the beginnings of the change of
shifters. This caused Jake to look concerned instead of perplexed. “You mean
she can see we will change before we do?”

Axel
answered, “She could see which animal Powers chose before Marcus could see
anything. I have no doubt she will be able to see you boys too, and you as well
Shax. Don’t ever think of using magic on her without her knowledge.”

Shax
snorted. “As if! But that is very useful, because if there is a magic wielder
with the rogue group – if the theory is correct – she will know before he or
she tries to use magic against us.”

Zora held
up a hand. “Wait a minute, I thought magic doesn’t work on other supes? Wasn’t
that what you said Axel?”

“I did
little Zora, but the dark arts are a different matter. They go outside the
normal rules.”

“So in
that case what is to stop a werewolf performing a dark art spell?” Every head
in the room swung to Zora, an expression of shock on the face of each one.

It was
Axel who voiced what they were all thinking. “You may be right little Zora. And
if you are, that is a very worrying prospect indeed.”

The mood
of the room changed, the energy draining out of them all as they processed this
new possibility. Not surprisingly, the two werewolves made their excuses
shortly after. Axel rose to see them out and the rest of the group began to
disperse.
Wow,
Zora thought,
way to be a mood killer Zora.

Since it
was clear the evening was ended she began to make her way back to her room,
less than pleased when Powers fell into step beside her. “You want first
shower?”

She swung
her gaze to him. “Oh that’s right, I have a companion for the night. It just
keeps on getting better.”

“Oh come
on Zora, it’s not that big a deal. I think you have bigger things to worry
about than me.”

“Well
thanks for that cheerful thought.” Zora stomped off, trying to get ahead of
Powers but he easily caught up with her and matched his pace to hers.

At the
bedroom he reached out to open the door, allowing her to precede him into the
room. “It’s nothing but the truth. Go have a shower, hopefully it will improve
your disposition.”

Back stiff
with indignation Zora stalked over to her bag to search for something to wear.
There was no way she was going to come out of the shower dressed in the night
clothes she had brought with her.

“Relax,
I’m not going to jump on you if you wear those cute purple pyjamas, just go
shower so I can have one, I’m tired.”

Zora
hesitated, Powers really did sound exhausted. He was under pressure just like
they all were, and he was taking his role of guardian seriously even now when
she was sure they were well protected. She supposed she was acting a little
foolishly considering everything else that was going on.

Sighing
heavily she picked up her pyjamas and headed into the shower. It had a huge
shower head with multiple functions and plenty of water pressure. Zora spent a
lot of time messing about with all the settings and more time just enjoying the
feel of the water beating down on her back. It was possible to forget the whole
world in a good shower, and she felt much more relaxed when she finally turned
off the taps and reached for the huge fluffy towel.

She made
use of the deliciously scented toiletries provided and was feeling pampered as
she teased out the tangles in her hair in front of the bathroom mirror. That
job done and pyjamas on she had no other reason to put off exiting the
bathroom, but still hesitated, feeling self-conscious about going into the room
even though all the necessary bits were covered. It just seemed too intimate
for Powers to see her in her night clothes. Why hadn’t she brought a robe? Of
course to bring one it was necessary to own one and she didn’t. Why didn’t she
own a robe?

At that
ridiculous point in her thoughts Powers banged on the door. “I’m just going to
talk to Axel about a few things, I’ll be back in about half an hour, ok?”

A wave of
relief washing over her Zora called back, “Sure, no worries, take your time.”

Powers
snorted and a few seconds later she heard the door close. Wasting no time Zora
dashed out of the bathroom and climbed into her bed. Thanking the air conditioning
that kept the room cool she pulled the bed covers up to her chin and tried to go
straight to sleep. Of course, since she was so anxious to be asleep before
Powers returned she instead lay in bed wide awake, her mind going over the
day’s events. She really didn’t want to, it was all too much and she needed a
break from thoughts of werewolves and dark magic and eviscerated victims. It
was like a horror movie and she had never been a fan of that genre.

Zora
searched her mind for a less worrying subject, something to lull her to sleep.
Maybe cute fluffy kittens - that was a safe topic. She settled into her pillow
- really this was a fabulous bed - and began to imagine a basket full of
kittens. That was nice, fluffy kittens with gorgeous yellow eyes that matched
their coats, and a liberal sprinkling of black spots to set off the black eyeliner
around their eyes. Wait a minute, what was she imagining? Cute kittens yes, but
they were cheetah cubs. Rolling her eyes mentally Zora deleted the image, she
didn’t want to imagine cheetah cubs, it was like a basket full of baby Powers.
Come on Zora, get it together, white kittens with blue eyes, nothing like
Powers at all.

Her eyes
popped open and she groaned in disbelief at herself. Cheetah cubs were so
adorable, there was nothing wrong with imagining them. How did her mind make
the leap from a basket full of cheetah cubs to Powers reclining on the bed next
to her wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts. Wait, what? Where had
that image come from? She was thinking about kittens dammit, not some hot
shifter in his underwear smelling so good and looking even better. Zora smacked
herself in the head. Yes she wanted to think of something other than the
current events but not Powers! That was guaranteed to keep her awake. Her
resolved to not become further involved was already being tested.

She needed
to think of something different, like puppies. No, too close to the werewolves.
So, not animals at all. Flowers, a garden full of lovely flowers. Happy with
her choice Zora began to construct a curved garden bed, filling the back of it
with a long hedge. She was selecting plants for the middle section when Axel’s
face formed in the middle of her hedge. Zora shook her head to dislodge the
picture and held in a scream of frustration. What was wrong with her? She was
thinking about
flowers,
not
fairies.
Restless and anxious she
threw back the covers, thinking to get a glass of water but at that moment
Powers came back to the room.

Zora
couldn’t help herself, as the door opened she flipped the covers back over
herself and up to her chin mentally cursing herself since it was dark and she
was pretty sure even Powers couldn’t see in the dark. She watched his
silhouette as he entered and closed the door behind him. She was sure she heard
a snicker but he said nothing, simply rummaged about in his bag, using his
phone as a torch. After a few minutes he stood and moved towards the bathroom.

Zora
squeaked in surprise when he stopped beside the bed. “Trouble sleeping? I’ve
been known to have that effect.”

“Yeesh,
you wish. I’m just trying not to think about everything, that’s all.”

“Oh right,
so no thoughts of me in my black boxers?”

“No! That
was an accident, I mean I didn’t mean to think that, I mean I was thinking of
cheetah cubs and you know, you change into a cheetah and so then it was you but
that was all. I mean, I don’t want to see you in your boxers!”

Powers
snickered again. “Whatever you reckon. I’ll go shower now, you lie there and
think about that hmmmm?”

Zora
compressed her lips and refused to answer as Powers closed the shower door, his
laugh lingering in the bedroom.

She could
hear him moving around in there, her imagination obliging her with images of
him half naked. She reminded herself again that it was only the effects of the
bond and tried to block out the disturbing mental images.  It was harder than
it should have been, surely it would even out once she got used to the bond.
Hoping that would be the case she turned her back to the bathroom door and
resolutely closed her eyes. When Powers emerged from the shower in a warm cloud
of citrus and man she steeled herself for a snarky comment, but he said
nothing.