My first post for Flash Fiction Friday. It is m/m. Also, please check out my partners in FFF. NightTempest http://nighttempest.blogspot.com/, Elaina http://www.elainamroberts.com/, and Winter http://purplesnowstorms.blogspot.com/.
The Arcanists
Stumbling through the door, Steven was shocked by the chaos in his apartment. The furniture was overturned and books were scattered everywhere. He could see broken dishes through the kitchen door. Surveying the damage, he muttered “Oh crap! First a double shift and now burglars.” Pulling out his cell, Steven saw that it was almost dead. He headed toward the bedroom to survey that damage and to call 911.
His bedroom was like an oasis. His unmade bed looked so inviting. Everything looked normal until he got close to the bed near the nightstand. Concealed by the bedcovers, there was a dagger skewering a tarot card and a note. “I will bleed you dry during the festival of Yahirala.” Staring in shock at the note, Steven dialed his father’s number. Listening to the phone ring, Steven thought he heard another phone ring close by.
“Steven! What the hell? Steven! Where are you? Are you all right?” several voices ask at once.
“I’m in here. Dad, you have to see this.” Steven looked up to see his father and three others from the council. They were all well armed. He showed them the note, knife and card. Removing the dagger from the card, they saw that it depicted a proud youth involved in a search near a lake, It was bordered by mountains. The back of the card was bronze with an ear of corn in a repeating pattern. It was bordered by unknown glyphs.
“Why is someone threatening me? What is the festival of Yahirila? And why are all of you here?”
“Several wizards have gone missing. As for Yahirala, we will need to ask the historian. Let’s get you some place safe. You look exhausted.” his dad Carl replied. Steven stuffed clothes in his backpack and grabbed his laptop as his father emailed images of the dagger, note and card to the historian. They were all watchful and cautious as the left the building with Steven between them. Climbing into the SUV, Steven was surprised to see it was sunrise already. Several hours later, the group arrived at the council safe house. Two of the wizards walked the perimeter and checked the wards then headed inside to check while Steve remained in the SUV with his dad and a guard. Finally given the all clear, everyone headed inside. Going to one of the bedrooms, Steven fell on the bed and curled up into a ball. Turning the events over in his mind, he finally slept.
Walking toward the living room, Steven heard a voice. It was very monotone. Looking inside, Steven saw that it was his father’s laptop talking. According to the historian, Yahirala is the God of Mayhem and Discord. A cult calling themselves the Rala are followers of Yahirala. They have vowed to resurrect Yahirala. About 2000 years ago the Rala slit the throats and bled the wizard Anne, the Alpha wolf Damien and their daughter Catherine dry in an attempt to resurrect Yahirala. Fortunately for the world they failed to do so.
A thousand years ago, they tried again. Seven wizards and wolves were sacrificed. Records from that time indicate, the cultists were sure they would succeed because they thought one of the youths was descended from Anne and Damien. He wasn’t and they failed once more.
Because of the dagger, card and note left in Steven’s apartment, the historian believes the cult is going to try again.
“David, we need to get Steven somewhere safe. He is definitely a target.”
“Carl, I have arranged for Steven’s protection. The five top wolf enforcers will arrive soon. Steven, Josh, and Mike will go with them. Aaron and the clean-up crew will arrive in about 20 minutes with extra guards. After Steven’s group leaves, Pat and Carl will return to the Council headquarters with some of the guards while Aaron and the rest decommission the safe house.”
“Why all the extra protection?” asked Pat.
“There are two wolves and five wizards missing. Be careful! We still don’t know if the disappearances are related to the threat on Steven. I will let you know as soon as we found out any more information.”
After eating breakfast and clearing up, the others played cards s Steven paced restlessly. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. After checking, Mike announced that it was the wolves and let them in. Looking at the door, Steven forgot to breath as a tall, broad shouldered man entered the room. He was so gorgeous that Steven barely registered the entrance of the other wolves. Steven went weak in the knees as a deep sexy voice announced “I am Julian Westmore.” Walking over to Steven, Julian looked him over. “You’re an Arcanist. You must .. Julian said just as Steven’s dad interrupted. “An Arcanist? Are you sure?
Still focused on Steven Julian said, “Yes. I am sure.” Smiling at Steven, he asked “You are Steven, correct?
