“Yes I am.”
“Nice to meet you.” Scanning the wizards, Julian introduced the wolves and wizards to each other. Alexis and Josh walk then wards and let in Aaron and his team when they arrive. As soon as you return, we will go over the plan to get all of us where we need to be safely.”
As Alexis and Josh leave, Steven asks why Julian sent Alexis since she is not a wizard. “Alexis has the best nose of all my wolves. If anyone has been around she will know. The group exchanged small talk while awaiting the return of the others.
Suddenly, a petite red-head barrels into the room and launches herself at Julian. Steven glared at his best friend as Julian picked her up and swung her around. “Ivy-girl, you never change. What are you doing here? Where is Aaron’s group?”
Ivy replied “They were ambushed and David sent me to be backup till they get here and then I am to go with you and Steven when you….” Julian quickly covers her mouth. “They do not know the plan yet.” He dropped Ivy and raced for the door. As he moved, he touched the necklace at his throat. “We are under attack. Ivy, Pat, Thomas guard Steven. Everyone else with me.” Several of the wizards skidded to a stop when they realized Julian had not spoken out loud. His voice was in their head as he issued orders. “Mike and Niles go around the right side. Cole and Damien guard the front. Carl and I will go left with Morgan. Alexis says there are at least five attackers. Josh is out and Alexis is hurt” They all race off to follow his orders.
Pacing restlessly inside, Steven asks Ivy how she knows Julian. Thomas laughs and tells him that Julian is Fireball’s teacher and mentor. He shares a story of her childhood as a distraction. Fireball is a great nickname for the hot-tempered wizard.
Arriving around back, Julian flings spells at the attackers as everyone heads into the fray. When all are finally neutralized or knocked out, he starts checking the left wrist of each. He showed the group a tattoo that looked like an upside down mushroom in black and gold. “All of the Rala have this tattoo. This one is a high ranking member because his tat has gold in it. The rest are freelancers or mercs. They have no Ralan tats.
“How did they get through the wards? They were not broken?” asked Mike.
“Looks like some of the wards were rewoven to they would be easy to take down without alerting anyone.” Julian pointed at a white haired male and said, “Meet Vsevolod - he was a very talented wizard that disappeared 300 years ago before he could be executed for practicing black magic and human sacrifice.”
“How do you know this”, asked Josh.
“I was one of the council members who sentenced him” Julian replied. “Let’s move them to the garage. Aaron’s team have arrived. Let’s hope they bought the lockets.” Picking up the Leader and Vsevolod, Julian signaled Alexis, Damien and Niles to pick up the rest. As they moved toward the garage Alexis asked about the lockets.
Julian explained that the lockets have spells on them that will activate when placed on the criminals. They will be sent to the council house where they will be interrogated.
“Why do you call them criminals” asked Carl.
“I recognize everyone of them. Each one has broken many council and /or human laws. A couple of them were on death roll before they disappeared from prison. I bet we have Vsevolod to thank for that. After the council interrogates them, they will be turned over to the proper authorities to be dealt with appropriately.”
Arriving at the garage, Julian had lockets place on the prisoners who promptly disappeared. “Damien, Niles, Alexis and Morgan will stand guard around the house. The rest of us need to go inside where I can explain everything just once.”
Stepping inside, Julian touched his necklace and said, “Listen in deactivate.”
Steven realized he missed Julian’s voice in his head as the other wizards asked “You can cast spells?” in disbelief.
“Of course he can. He is an Arcanist” Ivy announced proudly as the phone rang.
“How can you be an Arcanist and a wolf? Carl’s strident voice demanded.
“Because he is the son of Anne and Damien - the founders of the Lycan Wizards Council. He is, also, the council head. So Julian, I have 13 bodies here. Eight of them ambushed Aaron’s team so I assume I have you to thank for all the rest of them?
Yes, I have sent you their names and mug shots so you will know who is who. Make sure you keep a lot of security on Vsevolod and the Ralan leader Marcos Xavier. They are the most dangerous of the lot.”
“I thought Vsevolod was dead” a new voice chimed in.
“No such luck. The twins are were lions. The council will turn the lions over to you after the interrogation Luke. David we need to check all the safe houses. The wards had been rewoven so that Vsevolod‘s group just had to tug on them to get a gap to move through. There was no alert from the wards. We would not have known they were here if Alexis had nor smelled them.”
“Julian, the group that attacked Aaron had two wizards, three weres, a Rala, and two other humans. According to the Rala, all of the abductions have occurred because of the Festival of Yahirila. They plan to continue abducting as many weres and wizards as possible until the festival. It happens in 5 nights. He did not know the location. His tat was black and white. The historian said he was probably too low in rank to know much.”
“Steven is an Arcanist and I need to assess his abilities to determine if our plan is feasible. Steven, May I touch you? Steven nodded and Julian placed his hand on the left side of Steven’s face. Steven felt his face redden as his dick harden.
“Excellent, you have the ability to teleport. Have you ever used it? Steven shakes his head no. “Wish yourself into the other room” Everyone exchanged shocked looks when Steven disappeared and they heard a thump from the other room. “Damn that hurt!”
Ivy calls out, “Steven are you hurt? as Julian vanishes.
There is a startled gasp and then “He is fine. He just needs to learn to land in an open space. Take my hand and I will show you how to do it without hurting yourself.” They reappear in the living room. “Arcanists have abilities like teleportation and invisibility. Unlike wizards, they do not need to use a spell. I will help you master your abilities if you want Steven, after we get the weres and wizards back from the Rala and stop the festival.”
Several voices spoke together. “You’re going after them? Do you know how to find them? I want to go.”
“Alexis tracked the abducted wolves to a small airfield in Virginia. It is under surveillance in case the Rala use it again. I know the Ralan high priest has a home there and the group have retreats in several states. We are going to teleport in and search them. We may find the missing at one of these places. If not, we may get information which we desperately need right now. For now, we will take care of the safe house. Make sure that there is nothing left to indicate weres or wizards were ever here. When that is done, Ivy will teleport Pat and Carl back to the council and I will teleport my group to my pack. Aaron make sure each of your team has a locket. If you are attacked on your way back , put on the locket and it will take you straight to the council house. David, please send all information from the interrogations as soon as possible. I will let you know when we decide to make our move.”
The group quickly cleaned up the safe house and all the weres stood guard as the wizards removed the wards. Once Aaron’s team drove off, Ivy and Julian disappeared with their groups.
