“Yes, but let me start from the beginning,” Maximus said. “When I was a child, I loved reading Mystia’s books about myths and legends. She and I spent so much time reading and discussing each story that in a very short time, I knew each one by heart. Later, when I was older,we would go on hunts, trying to prove or disprove the truth of each story…”
“I’m guessing David was one of those stories,” said Steel.
“Yes, but that wasn’t the one we were researching the day a seer in Italy pulled me aside and told me about David…that his story was true because he had envisioned him in the future. As you can imagine, I was very excited and wanted to share it with Mystia, but before I could, the seer told me I was tasked with saving the world from David. As soon as he made that pronouncement, he died, right before my eyes, his body crumbling into a pile of dust at my feet.”
Jackson glanced at his mate, then looked back at Maximus, and asked, “What did the seer mean when he said you were supposed to ‘save the world from David’?”
“We don’t know,” Maximus said, gravely. “After that, we concentrated all our efforts on finding out more about the myth. Throughout the years, we’d find bits and pieces, but never enough for us to identify who David was. We hoped to find him when he was a pup, so we could raise him to make sure evil didn’t take root in his soul. Last month Mystia discovered the date and location of his birth, so we knew we’d missed the chance to raise him.”
“Why are you so certain David is the one you’ve been looking for?” asked Jackson.
“The seer told me I should look for an Italian wolf that could disappear and had facial markings of which I knew,” Maximus replied.
A look of puzzlement came over Jackson’s face. “I don’t understand. How would you know what David’s tattoos looked like if you’d never seen him?” asked Jackson.
Placing Mystia’s book on Jackson’s desk, Maximus opened it to the page that pertained to David. Turning it around so Jackson could see the beautiful, hand-drawn likeness of David, he placed a photo of David next to it, and said, quietly, “See for yourself.”
Jackson took his time scrutinizing the drawing. Then, comparing the picture Logan had sent him of David, gave a low whistle when he saw they were a perfect match. “May I read the story?” he asked.
“Certainly,” Maximus said.
Jackson moved the book so Steel could read along with him. The more he read, the worse it became, until Jackson could only focus on what would happen to his youngest brother—the brother who always had a fierce determination to protect someone weaker than he, the brother whose moral compass was pure, the brother who felt everything to the depths of his soul.What would he do when faced with the evil described in the myth?When he finished, Jackson leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Sadness seeped through him as he contemplated the pain his brother was about to face.What can I do to help him through this? Is it even possible to survive this?Jackson found himself on Steel’s lap, wrapped in his mate’s arms, holding him tight so he could inhale Steel’s scent, hoping it would infuse him with the strength he needed to figure out what to do.
Can I order my brother’s Fated Mate killed just so the world can be saved? What about the rest of our group in Scotland? Are they safe?Jackson sifted through histhoughts then, sitting up said, “Does David have all the powers listed in the story?”
“We don’t know,” Maximus said.
“Jackson,” Mystia said, “these stories have been told by many generations of families until they are finally recorded in a book. Others are from seers who have seen the future, but maybe not all of it. The stories can be a mixture of truth and fiction. Which category David’s story falls into is unknown as yet or how much of it is true.”
“He may or may not have all the powers described, is that correct?” asked Steel.
“Yes,” Maximus answered. “Just like we don’t know if the evil resides in him…yet. If it doesn’t, and if we’ve found him before it has taken hold, then we have a real possibility to save him. And Zane would play a major role in doing so.”
“In what way?” asked Jackson.
“They are Fated Mates,” Mystia said, “therefore, David couldn’t…”
“Cause Zane to suffer,” Steel finished.
“Exactly,” said Maximus.
“Does Oracle know who David is?” Jackson asked.
Shaking his head, Maximus replied, “I don’t know what the Fates have told her about him. I never ask because she always tells me if she can.”
“Right,” mused Jackson, pondering what steps he should take and whether he should even do anything until he had more information.Would doing nothing put Zane andeveryone else at greater risk? That’s what I have to decide. Fuck, fuck, fuck.“When will Oracle arrive in Scotland?” he asked.
“In twelve hours,” answered Steel.
“Mystia, what are your thoughts about David?” asked Jackson.
“I think we need more information…like what happened during his childhood and what he’s been doing since he became an adult. Knowing those answers will tell us more about who he is today,” Mystia said.
“Before you ask me,” Maximus said, “I agree with Mystia. Once we have that information, it will be easier to decide what action to take.”
“I agree with them,” Steel said. “I think we owe it to Zane to advise him to move very carefully since it will affect him the most. And I have one other thing to add…send Cody and Dylon back to Scotland to handle the investigation.”
Chapter 11
