Legend Has It Book II ~ Complete

Chapter 12 Fire

DR. LOCKWOOD

Miss Phoebe and I sat in the library pouring over a mound of information Anne Simons had prepared for us. Descendants of Silver Moon from all over had submitted information regarding their ancestors. There were books and heirlooms and random photos.

I was grateful for the young lady’s help as much of the ancient text was in Hebrew and Gaelic. Miss Phoebe was almost as proficient as I in translating.

“Check out this page, Doc. It’s a copy of a letter from Alpha Frederick Triplett to Alpha Leonard McClaran:”

I am eternally grateful to you and the O’ Cleirighs for your assistance in eliminating my rogue wolf. I don’t know how much longer I could have kept the evil beast suppressed. I have passed the Alpha role onto my son and plan to live out my years hidden amongst the Tuatha de Danaan where I believe I will be best guarded from causing more harm. This is not goodbye, my dear friend, but until next time.

“How does one eliminate a rogue wolf? Are you not one with your wolves? And aren’t Frederick and Leonard mentioned several centuries later?” I wondered out loud.

“I have never witnessed the ritual—I don’t even think there’s been one recorded in several centuries. It’s part of an Alpha family’s required Knowledge, though. There weren't often any survivors of the ritual, but back when there were no restrictions on Mating, a lot more monsters were created so I imagine the ritual was necessary. As far as the names, we used to live a lot longer, same as yourself, doc. But names were also carried on by the first born sons more traditionally.”

“Ahh. I thought only Mages lived for centuries.”

“Some of us have Mage blood. Gen definitely does,” Phoebe reminded me. “I wonder if Mage blood is the same as having blood of The Fey.”

“That is a good question. I think perhaps it’s time to stop for the day. Information overload and you have a dinner invite with friends.”

“Thank you, Doc. Before I go, I’m suddenly thinking my brother may have had the wolf removal ritual performed on him. Let’s pick back up at the same time and place tomorrow.”

“Do you think we should bring your family in?”

“Let me think on that. I don’t want to worry them prematurely.”

I couldn’t argue with a young lady who made so much sense. I also had to be careful around her sharp senses. I was embarrassed at my confusion moments ago, but I didn’t want Phoebe to know I was distracted, as I had a dinner invite myself, with the lovely Esther.

{~>*•*Bhaint Mac Tire—wolf removal—ritual. Except—

As Gen told the story, their wolves were finally free and she seemed to see it as having come full circle. She didn’t have her wolf anymore, either. Doc was probably right. I needed to update the family.

That could wait until tomorrow after my volunteer shift at the Armory. Tonight was for enjoying myself. I wondered if I could talk the three others into a little bonfire. Sometimes, I could stare into a fire and get answers.

I chose to dress for a bonfire—hoodie, thick leggings and boots. If no one wanted to join me, I knew quite well how to start my own fire.

Dan noticed my bonfire attire right away when I caught up with him and Chance at the old Dodge.

“Fancying a bonfire tonight, I see. Needing some answers?” Dan briefly looked Chance’s way with just his eyes.

“Yes. I may have found something important with Doc today.”

Dan arched an eyebrow. He wasn’t expecting this to be more serious than how to proceed with a boy. Er, man. As if I’d seek a fire for those kinds of answers with said man attending.

“I’m lost,” Chance scratched his. “How does a hoodie say bonfire?”

“That’s just what Phebes wears to one,” Dan shrugged.

“What about answers? Does a fire give you answers?”

“Sometimes—I, uh—“ I feel awkward now.

“I’m sorry, Phoebe,” Chance stopped what he was doing. “Didn’t mean to make you feel weird.”

“It’s ok. I just don’t know how to describe it really.”

There weren’t many wolves with powers, at least not in this Realm, anymore. We didn’t know if I actually needed the fire to receive answers, or if I just enjoyed staring into its fiery heat. It could be another year before many things were answered.

“Where do you usually build your bonfires?” Chance asked.

“Depends on if you want grownups around or not,” Dan laughed. “There’s lots of fire pits around the grounds and several places the kids hang out. Usually for drinking and making out.”

“I’m up for building one wherever. The one at Parker’s birthday is the only one I’ve seen since I came here,” Chance offered.

::Do you want a chaperone?:: Dan MindLinked.

::You’re welcome to join if that’s what you want to know. Doc and I really did come across something pretty interesting today. Maybe I should invite Philip and Parker, too.::

::Oh you were serious about that. Ok, I’ll get the ball rolling.::

I could’ve very easily invited my brothers myself, but Dan offered. They were more likely to accept an invite from him anyway.

“They’ll let us know after a while what they decide but Parker is up for it.”

“You invited your brothers?” Chance asked.

“Oh yeah—you can’t hear our MindLinks,” Dan laughed and filled Chance in.

After Natalie’s delicious fried chicken dinner, followed by pumpkin pie with lots of cream, Parker invited us to join him at the pond down the hill.

“Are tailgates a thing here? Or do we walk?” Chance asked.

“We can totally tailgate,” I said a bit too quickly—I had ulterior motives.

I knew some of the girls Parker hung out with and did not want them getting any ideas about Chance. If he took his truck, odds were, he’d want to hold his own tailgate down and as his passenger, I would have first dibs on the seat next to him.

I realized that if another girl there happened to be Chance’s Mate, my dibs wouldn’t mean a thing. He deserved better, though. There was a reason Parker wasn’t serious about any of the girls he sometimes hung out with.

I hadn’t factored in Dan and Natalie catching a ride, but it had me seated right up against Chance when the four of us piled in the cab.

“Do you know how to shift a manual?” Chance asked.

“Yes, why?”

“Because, the gear shift is in an inconvenient spot and I’d rather not have one of your brothers challenge me,” he laughed.

Oooohhhh. With me smooshed up against Chance and Natalie on Dan’s lap smooshing up to me, that left the shifter right between my legs.

“I’ll shift it.”

I did a fine job, too. I felt the RPMs rev and watched for Chance’s foot to press the clutch. He nodded and smiled when the shift went smoothly.

Dan and Natalie were completely engrossed in each other. I decided to shoot my shot.

“So, I wanted to ask you something, Chance.”

“What’s that?”

“Would you be interested in escorting me to the Halloween party?”

Chance laughed nervously and I thought for sure I had crossed the invisible boundaries of our friendship. I started to apologize.

“Hey, don’t apologize,” Chance interrupted me. “I wasn’t laughing for the reasons you are probably thinking. It’s, uh, it’s a bit of a nervous habit I have sometimes.” He cleared his throat. “I, uh, I was planning to ask you. I just hadn’t felt like the moment was right, yet. Dan actually invited us on a double date.”

Now it was my turn to laugh inappropriately.

“Do we have the same character malfunction?” He grinned.

“Seems so. See the cars down there? That’s where we’re going.”

“Ok, time to downshift.” Chance was still grinning. “Is that Gen and Phoenix?”

It was, along with mom, dad, and some of Gen’s adult side of the family.

“My dad’s here, too. Your fire reputation must be strong.”

“That, or they’re all sick of being cooped up.”

There was only one girl I didn’t quite recognize and she was seated by Parker. It took a minute for me to remember she was somehow related to Alpha Silla of Snow Moon.

::Not a word, Sis.:: Parker MindLinked after Chance backed the truck up next to his dad’s. ::She’s not quite eighteen so I don’t know if she’s my Mate or not.::

::Understood, brother. May the odds be in your favor.::

::Same for you with Chance. I won’t say a word.::

::Thank you!::

Not one person said a word about me being with Chance as everyone hugged or shook hands, though Phoenix did wink at me. That could have meant anything, coming from him.

I took the empty spot on the tailgate next to Chance, who had laid a pad out on on the hard metal surface.

“Someone should send for Esther and tell her to bring Doc,” I sighed. “He can explain.”

I had been looking forward to more of a night with friends, but I didn’t mind that it was family and no unmated females.

While more pressure was now on me, this could be very important for my brother. “I think Esther and Al had a secret date tonight, but I pretended not to notice,” I added.

“Kaya and I will go,” Parker volunteered. “We forgot her sweatshirt anyway.”

As everyone went back to the conversations they were having before we arrived, Chance leaned over.

“Too far to MindLink?” He asked.

“Yeah. For another year.”

We fell into easy conversation while we waited. The men took turns keeping the flames high but talking to Chance helped me refrain from staring into it yet. I didn’t want to zone out on him yet.

“Do you want me to hush so you can think?” He asked quietly.

“I’m waiting on Esther and Doc.”

“They’re here.”

“Oh.” I could hear their voices across the fire. I shivered more from embarrassment than cold. Had I been zoning out and didn’t realize it?

“Are you cold? Here, I brought a blanket—I hoped to share it with you,” he admittedly quietly when I started to protest. “Your family won’t freak out will they?”

“I’m right here in front of them, so I don’t see why they would.”

I caught my brother’s eyes across the fire as Doc began to explain.

“I hope you’re ready for a possible trance,” I whispered to Chance.

“I got you,” he promised. “There was someone back home that used to stare into a fire. I only ever heard stories though.”

I had never snuggled with a man and scolded myself for nearly turning this down. He was warm and smelled like minty soap. I rested my head on his shoulder and let the flames do their trick.

{~>*•*When the other moon returns.

“What?” I surely didn’t hear that right. “What other moon?”

“No one said anything about another moon, love.” Gen looked at me concerned.

“You weren’t forced to r**e someone to within an inch of her life, either.”