Chapter 12

Heath took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. Panic wouldn't help find Kahn nor would it help to protect him from Josiah. Focusing on possible destinations his charge might have been headed for was a crap shoot, but he finally settled on Kahn's condo. If he was lucky, he'd find Kahn before Reeve found out he was missing; he shuddered to think about the consequences if he failed.

Heath strode over to Gunter. "I want a man at every door. Do not allow anyone to leave and I don't care if you have to nail every fucking opening shut, you do it…understood?"

"Yes sir."

"And if Kahn comes back while I'm out, call me immediately…and keep him here even if you have to handcuff him to something."

"Yes sir."

Giving a brief nod, Heath walked out the front door. and headed for his SUV. Reaching it, he unlocked it, climbed in and started it. He sat still for a moment, trying to quell the anger surging through him; it wouldn't do to unload it on Kahn when he finally found him. But he would find him—of that he was certain. Shifting the SUV into gear, he started down the driveway, turning right towards Kahn's condo when he reached the main road.

~/~/~/~/~

Lieutenant Duncan Steros sat frozen as he watched the taped proceedings of the last Witches' Council—the one he missed when Zohar had drugged him and the rest of the Council's guards with the intention of eventually killing them. "Thank the gods Zohar's dead," he muttered to himself.

During his time as a guard, he'd seen enough to conclude that Zohar was corrupt, but never in a million years would he have thought the magic user was capable of murder. But then there was the even more shocking piece of news about the disbanding of the Witches' Council. The new Ruler of the Mystic Realm had decreed it, along with abolishing the Courts with their crooked judges. According to the recording, everything was changing—all past laws and actions against the low-level magic users had ended and their rights had been restored. That was something he—and his parents—never could have imagined.

Those old, draconian laws had taken away his beloved, older brother and had motivated him to enlist as a Council guard. Although his parents were unhappy with his decision, they couldn't argue with his reasoning: to find his brother and bring him back home.

He'd spent hours of his free time studying the laws, looking for a loophole that might give his parents the right to reclaim their son, but he could find none. He couldn't even access the records to find out who had bought his brother—they were kept in a locked room which was off-limits to guards. Now, though, he'd be able to gain access to them, and his quest would hopefully be coming to an end.

The screen went black and Duncan blinked when the lights came back on. Around him, his fellow guards rose, quietly talking among themselves, but he didn't join in. His mind was too busy thinking about his parents and whether they'd heard the news that their son would soon be free. And what does that mean for me? His search finally over, he had to make a decision. There's no reason to stay in the Council's guards anymore…or is there?Or should I go back home?

Duncan knew without a doubt his parents would love to have both their sons home, but that thought didn't sit well with him. He went into the guards for one purpose only, but eventually discovered he loved it—or at least part of it. And now the part he didn't like had been exorcised by the new Ruler. It was a decision he'd have to make…

"Lieutenant Steros." When Duncan didn't respond, Dylan shook his shoulder. "Lieutenant Steros, the Ruler wishes to speak with you."

Looking up, Duncan blinked several times, trying to focus on the man who loomed over him. Then remembering who he was, he turned to face him and said, "Okay…I mean yes sir...uhmm…why does His Majesty wish to see me?"

Smiling, Dylon replied, "You'll have to ask him. Ready?"

Nodding, Duncan brushed off some imaginary lint on his uniform before following Dylon out of the guards' meeting room. He wished he could remember his previous encounters with the new Ruler but his memory of those had been wiped from his mind by order of Zohar, which now left him at a disadvantage. He tried to remember the protocol required when addressing the Ruler of the Mystic Realm but his mind was blank. He'll think I'm a damned moron. May you burn in hell, Zohar!

Dylon stopped at the Council room door and turned to the man behind him. Frowning slightly, he saw the worry on the lieutenant's face and made a guess as to what was causing it. "Hey, you okay?"

Surprised by the concern in the man's voice, Duncan paused, the tension inside him beginning to subside. "Yes sir."

"Good." Dylon pushed open the door, stepped aside and gestured for Duncan to enter.

Once inside, Duncan looked around, spying the Ruler sitting in a chair talking to a young man about his own age. Unsure about what to do, he decided to wait until he received instructions. Standing at attention, he heard laughter coming from the corner where the Ruler sat, and began to feel more at ease. At least there didn't seem to be any anger which, as he'd learned in the past with Zohar, could make for a very bad day.

Remy waited until Tade had finished giving his report before turning his head to look at the newcomer. Smiling, he murmured, "Tade, excuse me for a moment." Then rising, he walked over to the lieutenant, and stood face to face with him. "Lieutenant Steros, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Kneeling before the Ruler, Duncan bowed his head. "Your Majesty. It's an honor to serve you."

"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. Waving at 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 was getting 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 you will follow my orders."

"The hell I will…and I'm not in your custody either…unless you've charged me with a crime."

"Oh yeah…who told you that bullshit?"

"A lawyer friend, who also told me you have no reason to hold me."

"Fucking lawyers," Heath mumbled. Then hearing someone calling Kahn's name, he turned quickly, putting himself in front of Reeve's mate.

"Oh for pete's sake," Kahn growled, pushing Heath aside. "That's the gallery owner and, trust me, she has no intention of hurting her golden goose." Taking a few steps forward, he called, "Emilia, did I forget something?"

"No…" Emilia Miralles hesitated, looking fearfully at Heath. "I just wanted to make sure everything was all right."

Glancing over his left shoulder at Heath, he muttered, "Lose the attitude if you don't want her calling the cops." Then turning back to Emilia, Kahn smiled. "Everything's fine. My friend is going to give me a ride home. And as soon as I've finished the rest of the paintings, I'll give you a call."

"Okay…are you sure?" Emilia asked, still doubtful that everything was okay.

"Yup…talk to you soon." Kahn gave her a wave before turning around and muttering to Heath, "Get in the car, now."

Heath quickly pushed the button on his key fob, unlocking both doors. Climbing back in, he started the engine, waiting for Kahn to close his door before driving off. Keeping his eyes on the road, Heath remained silent, hoping his anger would soon abate.

Kahn turned his head sideways, studying his keeper, which was how he regarded him, and noticed the tic in his jaw. Heath was angry, though Kahn couldn't understand why. His lawyer friend had assured Kahn that if, at any time, he wanted out of protective custody, Heath and his boss couldn't force him to stay. Once he knew that, he'd left the safe house. So why the hell was Heath so furious? It was a mystery to him that he was determined to find out more about.