Quickly fixing his surprised expression, Fabian clumsily nodded. “Y-Yes.”
Lanias wondered why he was so nervous and looked Roni over. Upon closer observation of him she realized that he did look impressive. Maybe she’d grown insensitive to men, because she’d been surrounded by some powerful Beings of late. To her anyone compared to Alek would pale in comparison.
She covered her smile, “I think I’ll leave him to you. He wants to become the Jet Li of magic users.”
“Lanias.” Fabian groaned.
Turning around, she walked slowly heading back into the Manor. It would be good for the kid and Roni to work together. It was best to be taught by his own kind. She did everything as the Witch she’d become for most of her life. So, while she was perfectly fine with teaching him some things, it would be better if he learned from those closer to him.
As she walked around the manor toward the front, she paused when she saw a large SUV. Instantly she felt an ominous sensation on her neck. Glancing over her shoulder, she didn’t see anything. Shaking it off, she made her way inside only to stop at the sight at her least favorite people.
She found Alek talking to Tiller and Raijin. This explained her sudden feeling of trepidation. “So, I’m guessing with the arrival of you two it’s time to go back.”
Tiller and Raijin turned around to face her; Tiller's expression immediately soured. She wanted to blow him a kiss but held back the taunt. Walking past the two she went into Alek’s arms. She rose on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before turning to face the other two.
Tiller looked from her to Alek before he released a pained groan. “I should have never allowed my Jackals near your club.”
She chuckled, “Now, now, that’s not how you should talk to an old friend.”
“Old…friend?” The mixture of incredulity and annoyance that twisted Tillers face, made her laugh.
Raijin cleared his throat, “We have decided it would be best if we held a meeting at the building. We’re going bring the women to meet you, alone.”
“So, you want me to die.” Lanias deadpanned. “You’re going to leave me alone with a berserk Witch, a grey Witch and my clone.”
At the clone bit both Raijin and Tiller looked at each other in confusion. While Lanias launched into a tangent. “You couldn’t just tell them the ‘shocking’ news so they could get through the anger first.”
“Malcolm said you should lay in the bed you made,” Raijin answered, she could smell the smugness in his voice. “I agreed, once they are able to calm down then we can have a full conversation on what we’ll do about the enemy.”
Lanias bit her lip, her first instinct was to blast the two annoying men in front of her through a wall. But they had a point, she was the one who’d insisted on “dying” it wasn’t anyone else’s job to tell her family the truth.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Good, then we’ll expect you tomorrow at Jackal HQ.” Tiller smirked.
“Sure thing.” She mockingly saluted Tiller, her black eyes twinkling. “Just don’t complain when a wall goes missing. I am not responsible for the damage.”
Alek turned her gently toward him. “Are you sure you should do this?”
She patted his hand, “Who else will do it?” She glanced at Tiller and Raijin, who avoided her eyes. “They shouldn’t have to deal with my mess. My biggest worry is that those damn True Ones take advantage of them thinking they can hurt someone I love to get to me. It’s better to get this over with.”
“Well, is that all you guys needed?” she asked, looking at the two.
Tiller shook his head, focusing his gaze on Alek. “We need to discuss the weapons you used. Raijin said you were able to harm the one who was chasing after Lanias.”
Alek nodded, “Yes. My son learned a way to smith weapons using magic stones. The effect hardened the metal till it could penetrate both magical and non-magical material. The bodies the true ones inhabit are like a costume. If you cut them what leaks out is their very soul.”
“And how affective has it been?” Tiller asked.
“Very,” Alek answered moving so that his sword appeared in his hand. The shine of the metal drew their eyes. And they could feel the power that radiated off it. “The metal itself has yet to grow weak, or brittle as most magically altered weapons do.”
Lanias released a whistle, she reached out and brushed a light finger along the edge. “I wonder if Oye could manipulate this like she does the metal inside her.”
“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow. Won’t we?” Raijin said, taking the sword when Alek handed it over for him to look at.
Lanias mentally groaned, that’s right she was going to face death tomorrow. She wasn’t looking forward to it. Though she was happy to see her family again, even if it was under the possibility of death.
Surprise
