CHAPTER SEVEN

S aphir was on his way to Bazil's office when Roan stopped him and asked to speak. He pulled him off to the side and into a small sitting room. "What is it?" Saphir asked, concerned by the look of alarm on Roan's face.

Before he could say anything a sudden awareness took him over and he sniffed at Saphir it was subtle but still obvious. “You smell different.” He said and then caught himself. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business really.” His confusion brought a half smile to Saphir’s face. “What is it?” Roan then began to push.

"The fox shifter Ashton Jennings is my Fated mate," Saphir announced. "I discovered it yesterday when I went to speak with him and his brother. You and Bazil are the only ones who know, so I'd appreciate it if you kept it to yourself for now." Roan nodded his agreement.

“So, they’re staying?” Roan enquired.

“We haven’t worked everything out as yet, but yes, Ashton will be staying. Will, I assume, will return home when he has fully recovered."

“Good, good.” Roan was definitely piquing Saphir’s interest. “We discovered that the two men who set the traps were hired by John Palmer. He’s a fox shifter from Pittsburgh and the father of Ally Palmer, Ashton’s former fiancé.”

“And their orders . . .?” Saphir prompted.

"They were paid ten thousand apiece to kill Ashton Jennings and make it look like an accident. Will was just collateral damage, it would seem." Saphir had the sudden, overwhelming urge to run back to Ashton. It was instinct and a need to protect, but Ashton was safe. He was in the den of the Allegheny Dragon Circle, and no one could touch him there. He took a deep breath and calmed his dragon.

“I assume you sent agents to deal with them.” Saphir stated and Roan gave a brief nod.

"They're dead." And before Saphir could comment, Roan continued with a shake of his head. "They were already dead when our agents found them. They were cougar shifters from Centerville, just a couple of hired thugs. We disposed of their remains, and our people discovered an essence of dark magic had been close to them."

“What does that mean.” Saphir was growing more agitated by the second.

"Whoever killed them used dark magic, and we believe that it was John Palmer who killed them." Roan paused, and Saphir interjected.

"They live in Pittsburgh, and there is no way that they could be dealing with dark magic in Pittsburgh and go unnoticed. Master Hadden has skilled people everywhere, and they eliminate all threats no matter how small."

"The Palmer family does not live in Pittsburgh. They live in a suburb called McCandless, a town about twenty miles to the west. The remains of the cougars were found in a ravine just outside of McCandless." This was looking very bad.

“Has the dark magic been identified?”

“It’s not the same as what infected the forest it is a different strain and thankfully less potent but still dangerous.” Saphir agreed all dark magic was dangerous and the practitioners rarely understood the full weight of what they were getting involved with.

“Do you have a location for John Palmer and is he the only member of the family involved. It is my understanding that Ally had brothers.” Saphir enquired.

"I don't know if anyone else is implicated, and we have not located John Palmer yet."

"Give the report to Bazil and meet me at the south portico in one hour," Saphir instructed.

“Are we going after this guy?” Roan cocked an eyebrow.

“We’re going after this guy.” Saphir wasn’t going to abide anyone threatening his mate.

“I’ll meet you in one-hour Saphir.” Roan stated as he headed out of the room and then turned back. “Congratulations Saphir.” He smiled warmly.

“Thanks.”

Saphir spoke briefly with the agents searching for Palmer and got an idea of where he may be hiding out. He was also informed that it looked like the entire family was involved and not just John. He was the source of the dark magic, but the others were practicing under him and that included Ally who used it to further her career.

His sweet, innocent mate got out in the nick of time. There is no telling what that group would have made him suffer. The mere thought made his stomach tighten with unease. His mate would have been put through hell, and that was probably their goal.

Ashton would have never gone along with whatever darkness they were dabbling in, so his presence was for another purpose. If he kept thinking about it, he would end up in a full-on rage, so he tamped it down for later when he had more information. His mate didn’t need to see him in such a state.

He entered the apartment and saw Ashton seated on the edge of his brother’s bed. Will was sitting up and they were talking and smiling, and they seemed happy and at ease and he was loath to kill that vibe, but he had to tell them the truth. Saphir loved the way Ashton lit up when he entered the bedroom and came to stand beside him. “Hello sweetheart.” He said and dropped a quick kiss to his upturned lips.

“I glad you’re back.” Ashton remained seated and kept glancing up at him and the expressions were priceless. If it were possible Saphir would take him back to his quarters and finish this day out in bed but there were things to attend to first and then all his time would belong to Ashton.

Will did not speak but he was looking Saphir over in a way that was signaling judgement to come but all he did was smile softly and then looked at his brother. He was happy for Ashton, and he also seemed relieved. Saphir found that touching and his regard for Will increased.

"I have some unpleasant news to share with you both." He cut to the point, and both men instantly gave him their full attention. "The men who set the traps have been found. They were cougar shifters hired to kill you, Ashton, and were ordered to make it look like an accident."

“They were cougar shifters.” Will caught the past tense and questioned.

“They’re both dead probably because they fucked it up so badly and, in the end, caught you instead of Ashton." Saphir clarified. Ashton looked stunned, even though he told Saphir that he had a gut feeling the traps had been set for him.

"Who?" It was almost a whisper, and Ashton waited. Saphir put his arm around him and pulled him close.

"John Palmer hired the cougars and, I'm assuming, had them killed."

“Ally’s father?” Ashton burst with eyes wide.

"I knew that guy was bad news." Will pipped in. "He always looked shifty, like he was planning something no one was aware of, and it excited him. Always unsettled me when I was around him."

“And for good reason.” Saphir cut in. “He’s also involved with dark magic. The remains of the cougars were covered in it.” He then looked at Ashton pointedly. “His family is also involved with it in varying degrees.”

“Ally tried to have Ashton killed?” Will’s voice kept rising with each word, and he sat up straighter, reached for Ashton's hand, and held it.

"They're all involved with the dark magic. John is the leader or the source, and the family members bleed their magic off of him. They may use it for a variety of things such as attractiveness, career, health, wealth, power, you name it. John bartered for the power, and he controls it. The others barter with him."

“This sounds really creepy.” Ashton leaned into him but also held tight to Will’s hand. “What about Will?”

“He wasn’t the target, but they didn’t care who got hurt as long as you were killed. Collateral damage meant nothing to them.”

"Why, why the fuck would they want to kill me? I broke off the engagement and canceled the wedding, but do you really kill somebody for that." He laid his head on Saphir's chest. He could feel Ashton's upset, and he held him close, channeling comfort and safety into his mind and emotions.

“Magic comes at a cost and I’m assuming your life was going to be payment it’s how dark magic works.” Saphir tried to be careful with his words, but he wasn’t going to lie to them.

"This is so fucked up, but you make me feel so safe, Saphir." He mumbled.

“But you’re not safe Ashton and you won’t be until that family is dealt with.” Will stated his tone dripping with both anger and fear.

“They will be dealt with.” Saphir said and reached out and patted Will on the upper arm. “No one will hurt him you have my promise on that.”

"I don't understand how Mr. Palmer would get messed up in this. All magic is expressly forbidden in the fox culture. It's our most important law. The punishment for using magic is banishment, complete and total exile, and they have to leave with nothing. He and his family will be ruined.” Ashton enlightened him on some of the fox laws.

"It's addictive, and no one believes they will ever be caught. They see themselves as too clever." Saphir told him.

"This is so terrible." Will expressed his feelings on the subject and then laid down and closed his eyes, clearly still weak from the effects of the poison. Saphir motioned toward the door, and he led Ashton out into the living room.

"I'm going with Roan to investigate these reports and deal with those responsible. I may be gone for a while, but please feel free to go to my quarters and relax or read or grab a bite to eat. Treat it like your own home because it is. When I get back, we'll meet with my brother, King Bazil, and introduce you. We have an exciting life ahead of us." He bent and kissed him hard. Saphir wanted to impress him with the ardor that he was feeling and the love that was catching fire in his heart.

“Be careful Saphir they may be just foxes, but Mr. Palmer is shifty just like Will said. He cheats and he’s underhanded he and his family are high in the social status of our troop but only because he is wealthy and controls a good share of the business in our area. Don’t trust anything he says or does.” Ashton held him and spoke with determination.

“I will be careful don’t worry and when I return I’m claiming you and placing my mark upon you, so everyone knows who you belong to. He placed his hand on Ashton’s chest signaling, where he planned to place the mark.

"I'll be waiting." With that, Saphir left and met up with Roan, who was waiting for him.

Ashton went back to the apartment Will was occupying and sat down with a cup of coffee to sort through all the information he'd been given. It was overwhelming, to say the least, and was going to take him a minute to process. He had so many questions and so much confusion over it all.

Will was still asleep, so Ashton decided to talk with him later. He might be able to give him some perspective. The fact Mr. Palmer, a man he never really liked and never trusted, would want him dead really hit him hard. The marriage never seemed that important to him and never seemed that important to anyone in that family until he called it off.

He wished he’d never met Ally Palmer she came into his life and twisted it all up and now he was stuck trying to set things back to right. He glanced at his phone and to his shock and delight there was a message from Harley. It was exactly what he needed right now.

He opened the message and saw that Harley had read all his messages and accepted his apologies. They texted back and forth for a few minutes and then agreed to get together when Harley returned home from his honeymoon. Ashton hadn't shared that he, too, had found his mate. He'd save that for when they met in person.

He sat and drank his coffee, and although things were a little crazy, he also had good things happen to him. Will was recovering, Harley forgave him, and that god of a dragon shifter, Saphir, wanted to bond with him. Life was not all bad.

“Ashton, bring me some coffee, please. I can smell it, and it smells wonderful.” Ashton chuckled and poured a cup and headed into the bedroom. Will sat up and Ashton arranged the pillows behind him and made sure he was comfortable before taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

Will took a long sip and smiled. “That is wonderful.” He said and then took another sip. “I’m feeling quite good actually. Whatever that poison was it seems to finally be out of my system.”

“The doctor said it was some high-powered pesticide.”

"The Palmers would have access to pesticides," Will said and then added. "They own several farms."

“I have to admit that was hard to hear but I trust the dragons to do their research so if they say it was John Palmer then I believe them.” Ashton also trusted his mate completely.

"It's hard to think of you as the dragon's mate, but it was obvious that Saphir adores you, brother," Will spoke up with a teasing glint in his eye.

“That’s good because I adore him too.” Ashton returned with a quick smile. “I’m so glad I got out of that situation with Ally and had the opportunity to meet Saphir.”

"Never settle for anyone other than your true mate; nothing compares to that love and that perfect lifetime connection." Will was driving home once again with the warning that he'd given him before. It was the warning that had helped him make the right choice.

“Did you ever suspect that family of being involved with magics?” Will asked and took another long sip of his coffee.

"Never the man was an unscrupulous cheat, but I would have never thought he'd stoop to dark magic." He said, then rethought it and added, "I was curious as to why Mr. Palmer received absolute obedience from every member of his family. No one ever questioned him, and there was never discussion, only statements and orders. It was a sort of control that seemed stiff and out of place."

"That is odd, but it makes sense now."

"Ally said it was easier just to let him have his way, and she didn't like drama."

"A non-explanation is what she gave you, and that girl loved drama. It was her life's blood."

"I agree," Ashton told him. "He tried to boss me around, but I just nodded and kept going, not giving him too much attention or deference. I was able to, I thought, ride the fence between obedience and going my own way. I'm so glad I'm out of there."

"Their lives are about to drastically change between the dragons and fox law, and the family is going down." Will finished his coffee and set the cup aside. He noticed Ashton checking his phone and asked him who he was expecting. Ashton shared with him the fact that Harley had texted him and had accepted all of his apologies.

"I'm so glad, Ashton; you two have been friends too long to allow bullshit like Ally and the Palmers to come between you." Will patted his arm.

“I’m lucky he forgave me.”

“Yes, you are."

They talked about everything Harley, the Palmers, the dragons and how the family was going to react to Ashton mating with a powerful dragon they left nothing out. Will was clearly back to himself again and he had an opinion on everything as usual.

"I'm going to shower and put on these sweats that someone brought into me, and then maybe you can show me Saphir's quarters." He bounced his eyebrows and smiled.

"He lives rather simply, and his furnishings are basic and not the least bit pretentious. He's a good man Will, and I am so damn lucky, although I still believe that at some point, I'm going to wake up, and it will all be a dream." It was a genuine fear, and he was anxious to complete their bond and get their lives together. He wasn't sure how it was all going to work, but it didn't matter as long as he had Saphir; nothing else mattered, really.

Ashton scrolled on his phone while waiting for Will to get ready, and then suddenly, it rang. He thought it was probably Saphir or a family call, but the number was unfamiliar. Normally, he would have ignored it, but his curiosity got the best of him, and he answered. "Hello, who is this?"

“I have your father.”

“What?”

“Shut up and listen very carefully.” The tone knifed through him, and he fell immediately silent.

"You're not so stupid as to not know what is going on so don't play stupid with me." The caller began and Ashton stayed silent. "You know who this is, and you know what I am capable of and now with that out of the way I'm giving you a choice Ashton. You can come and present yourself to me and we can have a long and meaningful exchange, or I will kill your father."

“Where are you?” Ashton kept it brief. He knew who he was talking to, even as the veneer of culture and society had vanished beneath his true nature. He was nothing but a goon and a criminal.

“I know that you’re hiding in the forest like the coward that you are.”

"I'm the coward?!" He burst out, unable to contain his anger. "You're the one who hires people to do your dirty work. You're the coward in this, not me."

"Shut up!" he screamed. "One more word from you, and your father's dead." There was a pause, and silence fell, but the anger and hatred pumping through the air was deafening.

"Meet me at the large clearing by the river where we perform our autumn rituals. You know the place. Be there before dark, or don't bother coming. If you dare tell anyone or bring anyone with you, your father will be dead when you find him." With that, he closed the call. He didn't give him much time, considering the distance Ashton needed to cover.

He wrote a brief note to Will and left his phone on the bed. It was useless where he was going. Once he left the dragon's den, there was no service until you reached the main path, and that was not his destination. Palmer was directing him into the heart of the most desolate part of the forest. The only redeeming aspect was the fresh, clean river that ran beside the clearing. It was a beautiful area, but Palmer didn't choose it for its beauty. He chose it because there was natural earth magic there.