Chapter Two

When the screaming ended, Missy sighed and changed into her archmage garb. She walked back downstairs and had some more water.

"You are going out?" Tannic was petting Smoog at the kitchen table.

"Yes, they want to take turns shouting at me. I am the problem child, but they can't get rid of me. It's a conundrum." She smiled slightly.

"So, when you are smiling, there isn't anything behind it." He set the cat down. "I am coming with you."

"No, you are not. They will ask why you weren't with me, and they can and will punish you. I don't want that. I knew the likelihood of my being attacked after that meeting with Richard. He is not known for his self-control, plus some of the assassins can't be called off. This was one of them. I mean, he could have warned me, but he didn't, so here we are."

He frowned. "I don't like the idea of you facing the council."

"I am not a fan either, but I am more worried about you two being with me. You are basically hostages once we go to the council." She turned to where Smoog was lazing at the table. "Stay."

She took a deep breath and portalled to the council hall.

She looked at the wet assassin huddled on the ground. "Well, she's healing nicely. I think I have gotten the hang of the exposure time at the volcano."

The four council members took turns screaming at her for defiling their sacred pool. Missy waited, and when they were done, she tilted her head. "Richard wasn't able to call off his assassin. That's her."

They stared. She filled them in and then waited.

Sanctions, penalties, and house arrest were all thrown around. She stood still as a healer and restraints were ordered for the poor assassin.

Missy got a message and checked her phone. She smiled. There was an engagement party scheduled for her sister and Cassian. The warmth that she associated with happiness spread through her thoughts. She sent a reply to Atty asking about what she should wear.

I have something you can wear. Don't worry. So, tomorrow at seven?

Missy smiled again and sent the affirmative.

"Archmage! Are you listening?"

Missy looked up. "Yes, house arrest, sanctions, penalties, funds taken. The whole works. I am a horrible mage and a disgrace to the guild." She cocked her head. "Should I have let her kill me?" She smirked. "I could have let all my portal energy just disperse in a giant blast, making a crater that would have taken out ten square miles. I mean, that's still an option."

Yanith paled. "Are you threatening this council?"

"No. I am not going to blow, but if I don't have proper measures in place when I die, I am taking a lot of folks with me. We have discussed this. Oh, and I need a few days off for my sister's engagement stuff, so I will be off house arrest for that."

Yanith growled. "That isn't how house arrest works."

The rest of the council muttered, and Missy straightened, letting her eyes gleam bright as she looked them over. "This council signed my sibling, my only point of stability, over to Richard York's pack. They refused me counselling so that I would not spill council secrets while I recovered from weeks of torture. I was forced to take a familiar that was far beyond my level, and my control had to come hard and fast, or he would shatter into pieces. So, here I stand, and I am going to my sister's engagement party, I am going to her wedding, and when I am not trying to get in touch with my one living relative, I will be home and studying."

Yanith froze and looked at the council. "We need to discuss this. Will you return to your home?"

"Sure. Don't do anything stupid." She looked at them calmly. "You have spoken out against me getting help, correction, and proper assistance for my situation. You have not been operating in the best interest of a master and council member. So, I am going to keep as low a profile as I can manage, but if you think you are going to use my specialty before this house arrest is over, you are deluded."

Missy started showing off. A slow portal was something that only two percent of the master ranking could manage, and no one else could do it with a spiral of glitter slowly moving up their bodies. The last thing to disappear was the tip of her staff, and she was at home again.

Smoog bounded up to her on silent and awkward feet. She scooped him up and set him on her shoulder. "Hello. Meeting is all over. I am a disgrace to the uniform, the mage guild, etc."

Tannic frowned, and she felt the probing at her emotions. She created an icy ridge between her and her familiar.

She rubbed her cheek against Smoog then scooped him off and set him on the floor. "Right. I need a nap."

"Missy?"

"I just need some quiet safety. If there is an emergency, I will be in my closet."

Tannic stepped toward her. "Closet?"

"Since you seem to want to hang around, you probably need to know. This way." She walked past him, up the stairs, down the hall, and to her room.

Tannic looked around. "I thought it would be... different."

She snorted and walked to the closet, opening the door to show him her hiding spot. "This is where I sleep."

His eyes widened as he saw the super soft bed tucked in between the walls. Cushions, stuffed animals made of super squishy fabric and stuffing. The space was silent and soft.

"Okay, now this makes sense." Tannic respectfully remained outside. "You have been using this since the kidnapping?"

"Two years later, when I pulled this house out of a dimensional rift. I bought the property and did the same at several places around the globe." She smiled. "I used it as a rehab project to keep myself safe. Once this place was set, I felt less frightened."

"I can't imagine you being frightened."

She swallowed and let him feel the empty, swirling pain and loneliness that took up most of her soul.

Arms wrapped around her carefully, and he held her for a minute without saying anything. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, keeping her pulse steady. She waited until he let her go.

"I have run into two-by-fours more yielding than you." His hands rubbed her biceps.

"Yeilding is not in my personality definition." She eased away from him. "I need to rest, and I can only rest here."

"I will make dinner when you come down. Any preferences?"

"A jar of marshmallow fluff," she muttered, glancing at him.

He blinked and smiled at her. "For dessert, but you are eating something that will take some of the transparent cast from your skin."

"Well, aren't we fancy?" She went into her closet and closed the door softly.

She remained still until she felt him leaving then changed into her nightwear and crawled into her soft bedding, moving her stuffed animals to bring her eagle against her chest as she curled up. He was her favourite, but she kept him hidden for obvious reasons. Tannic would never let her live it down.

Missy breathed slowly and slept.

* * * *

Tannic video-called Cassian. "Hey, Cass. Is your mate around? I have questions about what happened to Artemis."

"I can answer most of them. We have had a long discussion while we waited." Cassian was seated at his desk.

"For what?"

Cassian chuckled on the other side of the call. "Never mind. What do you need to know?"

"Did she receive any PTSD assistance after she recovered from the kidnapping?" Tannic frowned. "There wasn't any mention of it."

"No. The guild was embarrassed that she had been taken under their noses. There is usually a protection protocol in place for folk with her magic levels, but they didn't bother because she is so abrasive."

Tannic sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "Aside from her neurodivergence, this actually makes a lot of things make sense. I am amazed that she hasn't gone on a murder spree."

Cassian nodded. "She has. She portals her victims into shrubs around the world."

Tannic blinked. "Right. So, I am looking in the wrong records."

"What?"

"The XIA has records of unusual findings. Do you know why they end up in shrubs?"

Cassian shook his head. "No. Athena isn't aware of the correlation either. Does Artemis have shrubs around her house?"

"No, we are shielded by trees."

"You have moved in?"

"I believe I have. The thought of leaving her makes me sick." Tannic felt a rub at his ankles and leaned over, lifting the kitten to the table. "She has to register this little fella as a secondary familiar, which will complete our little trio."

"So, you aren't tempted to go out and find some entertainment?"

Tannic grimaced. "No. Not since she took me on. She has no interest in sex, so that bled through."

Cassian stared and then laughed. "I don't think I have ever heard a more surprising statement."

"Shut up. Missy was bound to virginity by the prophecy, so she is a little touchy about it. My history is just that. I can't help it if I am attractive."

"Well, Athena is planning a helluva engagement party. We are having the first one tomorrow night. Will you attend?"

"Sure. I will leave the kitten at home." He smiled.

"Missy didn't mention it to you?"

"No, but she has been distracted today." Tannic grimaced. "She wasn't going to ask me to come with her, but her dancing is coming along."

"Her sister is rather accomplished in that area." Cassian smiled.

"I am aware. Missy lives to work, and her main enjoyment is using her magic to move people."

Cassian looked at him. "Do you know what kind of power you need to do that many transformations at once? Then, she set all the triggers. It's incredibly hard."

"Your point?"

"She's twenty-nine and has enough focus to reshape the world around her, but she only uses defensive magic. The self-control she has at her disposal is astonishing and horribly sad. I have taken several psych courses covering the results of violence, and she is not good. You are her familiar. What are you getting from her?"

"Flickers of amusement, but that is usually when she is making someone else uncomfortable."

Cassian asked casually, "How soon after the incident were you asked to be her familiar?"

"I thought it was a few years. Let me check." He got the file copy out and actually checked the dates. "Sonofabitch. Weeks. It was three weeks after she returned to the guild hall. Fuck. No wonder she was insisting she didn't need me near her. She was still recovering."

"So, why did you?"

"She looked like a lost little girl. I didn't know then that it was a perception spell. She looked young and helpless. I felt bad for her."

"She knew that. She felt bad for you being tied to her, so she kept her distance and worked toward your freedom." Cassian shrugged. "Apparently, your rescue of her at the pack home destroyed that plan of attack."

Tannic ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, and I am only pissed that I had no idea anything was happening until her life was draining away."

"This family is difficult."

Tannic laughed. "Yeah, I am beginning to understand that. Women used to be simple, but now I am enamoured of one who can launch me into a volcano with a wave of her fingers."

"Athena bound herself to me with her own blood when she thought I was a pile of rock. These ladies are tricky but fun." Cassian grinned. "I am looking forward to spending the foreseeable future with Athena."

"You are fortunate. You seem to have settled in quickly."

"She chose me over a decade ago. It has not been quick," Cassian said softly.

"What day were you chosen?"

Cassian rattled off the day and time. Tannic blinked. "That was the same time I became Artemis's familiar."

Cassian grinned. "You don't say. There was a lot of energy in the air around that time."

"The timing is strange."

"Well, the ladies have been confused at a distance before. Perhaps fate was trying to straighten things out."

Tannic paused and nodded. "Perhaps."

"Tannic, while I have you, I need a recommendation of where to get wedding bands. I have rings for Athena, but she wants to match, so I need to get a set made."

Tannic smiled. "Athena wants to match?"

"Fine. I want to match."

"I will send you some names. The XIA has links to some of the best artisans."

"Yes, I gathered that." Cassian nodded. "I will send you Athena's number, and you can call her for any details on her sister."

"Good. I think there might be things that your partner didn't share with you."

"Possibly. Where is Artemis now?"

"Sleeping in her closet that she has lined with pillows and soft fabrics and warded for safety. She's resting."

Cassian cocked his head. "That setup seems familiar. Do you remember the blue family? They ended up being royals."

Tannic focused and then nodded. "Oh, yes. Morn and Hazel are the younger generation. I believe they just had a child."

"Interesting. I should send a gift."

"Probably."

Cassian nodded. "I will contact Morn and see if I can get any information about that situation. It seems so familiar."

"Let me know what you find out. It seems like something I have heard of, but I can't quite remember it." He smiled. "I have access to a great library here. I might give that a whirl."

"Good. We will talk soon." Cassian chuckled. "This sudden activity after decades of the same old, same old."

"Terrifyingly fun." Tannic snorted. "Have a good day."

They ended the call, and Tannic looked at Smoog. "Let's go looking for that information. I am pretty sure that there is something in the library. Here's hoping that Artemis has one of those enchantments on her books that does the search for you. Now, which search terms should we use?"

He picked up the kitten and carried him to the library. He tried to think up search terms and tapped into the link with Artemis for it. He got more of her intelligence and looked around at the books. He started to call out, "Nest, soft, privacy, outworlder."

The books trembled on the shelf, and he took the hint from Smoog. "Nest."

A stack of books flew toward him and settled on the desk.

"Soft bedding."

Another stack of books and one from the original pile were now in front of him. He skipped privacy and said, "Outworlder."

The book that had hopped from the first pile to the second rose up and settled alone in front of him. He blinked. "Well, that is convenient."

He picked up the book and looked at the two piles still on the table. "I don't need you."

The books lifted and returned to the walls.

Tannic settled at the desk and opened the book. It was written in glyphs he didn't understand, but he reached out and tapped Artemis's mind and got the knowledge of the language that he was now understanding he had always had access to. Being a familiar had its perks.

Tannic looked at the book, and the words made sense to him. He nodded and got to work researching. Smoog chased a pile of fluff in the corner.

Two hours later, he sat up. There it was. If she had a closer link to the outworld, her sister would have the same adaptation, but there was obviously a generational span that had distanced them from whichever ancestor had crossed between worlds. He wished she was up so he could ask her if she had always sought out this kind of silence, but he could feel the restful nature of her sleep in his mind. She needed this.

Tannic sent Cassian a text with what he had found, and Cassian replied. That's it! I met one of them a few centuries ago.

Which one? Alpha or omega?

Male omega. He had a companion. They were both from the outworld. Their child was with them.

Let me guess, female child?

You are correct. So, probably, their line will be something that you need to keep in mind if you plan kids. And I will have to keep in mind. This is a delightful turn of affairs.

Easy to say from someone who has their mate agreeing to the union. Artemis is not as direct as her sister and is very direct in other ways. I am glad she made me more intelligent. I believe I will need it.

Well, your texting has improved. Go take care of your mage. I think she has been getting by for a while.

Tannic looked at the phone and set it down carefully. He really wanted to punch the bastard. The guilt he felt knowing what Artemis had been dealing with was all-consuming. She would hate that he felt that way, he was pretty sure.

Smoog was looking at him silently.

Tannic cocked his head. "Do you think she likes cupcakes?"

The kitten began to pounce around on all fours. Apparently, cupcakes were on the menu.

Tannic found a recipe, gathered ingredients, and smirked when Smoog brought a packet of edible sparkles out from somewhere. They got baking, and two hours later, they had the sparkliest cupcakes Tannic had ever seen. Pink, blue, and silvery glitter covered the purple icing.

"Those look good. Are they edible?" Missy's husky voice came from the doorway. She was rubbing a hand over her face. Her white braid had unravelled, but the silk robe printed with rubber ducks gave a conflicting signal to Tannic's body. Cute, stunning, and sexy were both occupying her space.

"I sincerely hope so. I stuck to the recipe." He lifted one. "Care to try them?"

"Sure. The scent managed to reach me." She looked at Smoog. "Thanks for that."

Tannic paused. "We can share senses?"

Missy walked up to him and took the cupcake. "Yes, we can. I am just used to keeping mine from interfering with you." She smiled smugly, and he felt the trickle of amusement in her emotional output.

When Tannic watched her rotate the cupcake edge on her tongue, he closed his eyes. She paused and looked at him through her lashes. She finished her swipe, swallowed, and said, "Sorry. I eat things weird."

He cleared his throat. "Don't stop on my account."

She chuckled and finished narrowing the overflowing icing with her tongue. "There. Now I can open the wrapper without getting my fingers all sticky." She smiled brightly and started to peel the cupcake.

Her phone chimed in her pocket, and she pulled it out and looked at it. Genuine enjoyment and anticipation flowed through her and into Tannic. "What's that, Missy?"

"Rehalla is on her way. She's bringing me a belated housewarming gift."

"Rehalla?"

"The elf of chaos. She works for the executioner branch of the mage guild. She and I have been friends for a while. We both went through basic instruction at the same time."

"Wait. Did you say elf of chaos?"

"Yes. She's only a partial elf but less human than she is elf. She's also known as The Hand of Dark Flame."

Tannic froze. "That is in your file."

"Yes. She provided me with the line back home. She brought me back with the dark flame."

Tannic could feel the happy excitement that had to be Missy's version of friendship joy. "How?"

"She linked to my study room and burned a hole through space to me, freeing me from confinement. After that, I did what I had to do and came home."

"It just mentions that she put out a tracer to you."

"Oh, that she did, but her fire burned off the restraints. That is the hand part of the hand of dark flame."

He smiled. "Does she know about me?"

"She does. She's my coffee buddy when she's in town." She finished her text and returned to the cupcake. "We satisfied the family need that we both had, as Rehalla's family is distant." She looked at him. "Can Rehalla have a cupcake?"

Tannic looked at the eleven left on the counter and smiled. "Yes, she can."

Tannic felt the same excitement that he had seen in school children when their friend was coming over to play. "Oh, boy."

The doorbell rang, and Missy sprinted to answer it. Apparently, the play date was about to begin.