“Thank you,” Remy said, smiling. “However the honor is all mine. I need people like you if I’m to succeed in my mission to return our world to the shining beacon of truth and justice it once was. Please rise, Duncan…is it all right if I call you Duncan?”
Use my first name?In his entire time with the guards, no one ever used his first name. In fact, he was sure none of his superior officers even knew it. “As you wish, Sire,” Duncan murmured, nodding.
“Come, I want you to meet someone who’ll be working with you.” Remy strode over to the corner where he’d been sitting. Wavingat the man with whom he’d been talking, he said, “Duncan, meet Tade. He’s now in charge of helping all the low-level magic users get the benefits due to them and reuniting them with their families.”
Bowing slightly, Duncan said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Giggling, Tade said, “No one has ever called me that before…I wouldn’t even know you were talking to me so I think my first name will be just fine.”
“Tade it is then…and you can call me Duncan.”
Smiling, Remy pointed to a man bringing over another chair. “Duncan, this is Carson, my mate and Mystic Guardian.”
Bowing, Duncan murmured, “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”
Placing the chair next to Tade’s, Carson said, “Have a seat, lieutenant.”
Reclaiming his seat, Remy said, “Now that we have the niceties sorted out, let’s get down to business. I’m making some personnel changes, starting with you, Duncan. From now on, you’ll be the head of the Council’s guards and will report directly to me. As the new Commander, I want you to give me a list of all the current guards who were loyal to Zohar. If you’re unsure of anyone, put the name on a separate list for me to interview personally. Tade knows the names of some guards who have consistently mistreated the low-level magic users, so please add those. I want you two to work together on this. Finally, you’ll need to form several teams of guards who can be trusted implicitly. They’ll handle the return of the low-level magic users after Tade has made sure that they have good homes to return to. Any questions so far?”
“No, Sire,” Duncan replied, a little dumbfounded
“Good,” Remy said before continuing. “I took the liberty of setting up quarters for both of you, as well as offices. If there’s anything else you need, just let me or Carson know. For now, so that all the low-level magic users can be protected, this building will be off-limits to any first, second, and third-tier magic users and also to any guards on the list you give me.”
Duncan glanced over at Tade who was smiling at him. Returning the smile, he turned back to Remy and asked, “Sire, may I give you a list of guards I believe should be promoted? And what do I do about the senior officers currently in command?”
“I’ve already stripped them of their authority and I believe Dylon has confined them in a warded room where their magic will be ineffectual. They’ll remain there until we know who can be trusted. In the meantime, Tade is going to talk to the rescued magic users and get the names of any other guards who’ve mistreated them.”
“That would be a big help, indeed, Sire,” Duncan replied.
“Yes, the sooner I can get to the bottom of this evil infecting the mystic realm, the better it will be for our world,” Remy said. “Any other questions?”
“One more, Sire,” Duncan said. “Who’ll be responsible for ejecting any unwanted visitors…such as previous Council members, or other magic users?”
Remy thought for a moment before answering. “According to my security team, the building is empty except for the rescued magic users and the guards. The spell I cast will prevent them from returning and once you select the guards who are to be fired, I’ll adjust the spell to include them. However, if anyone is foolish enough to try to breach my spell, they’ll lose their magic forever and be banished from the mystic realm.”
Duncan gulped. The Ruler wasn’t messing around. “That should act as an effective deterrent, Sire. I know all the rescued magic users will feel safer knowing they’re protected.”
“That’s my goal,” Remy replied. “They’ve suffered enough and while I’m committed to doing everything possible to right the wrongs of the past, I know they’ll need time to heal. Being in a safe environment will help.” Then, with a gentle wave of his hand toward Carson, Remy said, “My mate will show you to your offices so you can get started.” Rising, Remy headed to the door, but before opening it, said, “By the way, Tade, I’ve already done as you have suggested…each of the rescued magic users have been given living quarters, stocked with food, clothes and whatever other necessities they require.”
Jumping up, Tade rushed to Remy, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have no idea how much this means.”
Staring in disbelief at the scene before him, Duncan was astonished that the Ruler allowed such familiarity. While he’d never personally met the old Ruler, from what he’d heard, it wasn’t something anyone would ever dare to do. The fact that Tade felt free enough to embrace Remy showed Duncan—in a way nothing else could—that change for the good had, indeed, come to the mystic realm.
~/~/~/~/~
Failing to find Kahn at his condo, Heath returned to his SUV and headed for the next place he thought he might be at. Mentally crossing his fingers, he sped up; he’d have to find Reeve’s mate…and soon. Cutting in and out of traffic, he ignored the angry horn honks from other drivers. Pushing back on the fear that had overtaken him after finding Kahn gone from the safe house wasgetting more and more difficult; he knew his animal would soon force himself out—which would be disastrous if it happened in San Francisco—and explaining it to either Reeve or the High Council would be humiliating, not to mention the possible end of his career.
Turning sharply left around a corner, Heath frowned at the sound of his tires squealing, hoping there weren’t any cops nearby. That would be all he’d need to top off this day. Finally slowing down as he neared the art gallery, Heath picked a parking spot a few doors away from it, turned off the engine and sat for a moment while he searched the area. Finding no trace of Josiah, he slid out and headed for the building. He was about to pull its door open when it suddenly smacked into him, knocking him back a few steps. Growling as he regained his footing, Heath looked up at Kahn, standing in front of him.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Kahn asked.
“Looking for you, dumbshit,” Heath muttered, grabbing Kahn’s elbow and pulling him towards the SUV.
“Let me go!” Kahn snarled, tugging his arm free. “You have no right…”
“I have every right! Remember? You’re in my custody, therefore youwillfollow my orders.”
“The hell I will…and I’m not in your custody either…unless you’ve charged me with a crime.”
