The Hybrid Mate

Chapter 8

“Queen?!” Izzy and Ezekiel echoed simultaneously, both stunned by the witch’s salutation.

“Please, come. Follow me.” Freya ignored them and passed through the beaded curtain doorway. She paused and turned to see both Izzy and Ezekiel glued to their spots.

“Aren’t you coming? I thought it was urgent?” Freya’s voice was musical, like chimes swayed by the wind.

As if removed from their dazed shock, Ezekiel and Izzy chased Freya as she led them down a circular metal staircase.

While walking through a cold and damp stone hallway, Ezekiel asked in a whisper, as if afraid anyone else could overhear, “Freya, why did you address Izzy as Queen?”

Freya immediately turned around and placed a finger against her lips, prompting him to “hush.”

Ezekiel complied and followed quietly behind Izzy and the witch until they reached a large metal door at the end of the hallway.

Freya raised her hand and uttered words too low for anyone to understand. The metal hinges squeaked and grated, and the large door unlocked, opening slightly. As soon as she ushered both Izzy and Ezekiel inside, Freya locked the door with a heavy metal bolt and uttered silent words again, sealing them inside.

Ezekiel was about to say something, but Freya put her finger against her mouth again, so he pressed his lips together and waited.

Freya lit all the candles in the room with a finger snap and walked over to a closet, removing a cloak from a hanger. She strolled back to where Izzy stood and draped the cloak over her shoulders and covered her head with the hood.

As soon as the cloak draped over her, Izzy could sense a rush of wind inside, engulfing her and settling down like energy hovering above her skin.

“Now, that’s settled, what did you want to say, Ezekiel? We are safe and concealed within these walls.” Freya glanced over at the half-demon and motioned for both to sit down.

Ezekiel raised his eyebrows, shocked by everything he witnessed and said, “Two questions, Freya. One, why did you call Izzy Queen? And two, is that it? The cloaking spell? Just wearing the cloak? I thought it would take longer.”

Freya smiled and said, “Technically, that’s over two questions, but to answer you, the cloak she’s wearing has cloaked her being, yes. You see her, but you will only see her as a human wearing a cloak. You will not detect her other bloodlines. I still have to do the actual cloaking spell when she has to remove the cloak. The hood is to help with her inability to block her mind link.”

Freya noticed Izzy shoot her a questioning glance and said, “Yes, I know you have not mastered control of the mind link yet. You’ll be able to hear and speak to Sebastian Stroud through the mind link, but no one else can. As long as the hood is on, no one can read or listen in to your thoughts, except for your mate. Yes, I know Stroud is your mate.” Freya added as she saw another reaction from Izzy, who had remained silent, sitting in a plush chair.

“You are freaking me out right now, Freya.” Ezekiel frowned as he commented.

“Sorry, Ezekiel. It’s a witch thing. So,” Freya stood and walked over to a cupboard at one end of the vast room. “Let’s get the cloaking spell started.”

“Madame Freya, how long will the spell last?” Izzy said in a small voice. She admitted feeling anxious around this witch, who just addressed her with a title that continued to disturb her.

“For as long as you need it to, my Queen. I will bottle that energy in a pendant, and it’s crucial to wear the necklace at all times as necessary. When you feel confident enough that you have mastered control of the mind link and cloaking yourself, then you are free to remove the necklace whenever you like.” Freya smiled, and with her musical voice, comfort and assurance descended around Izzy.

“There you go again!” Ezekiel exclaimed. “Why do you call Izzy, Queen?” He scratched his head in bewilderment.

“Oh, Ezekiel,” Freya started as she continued mixing herbs and other items in a mortar with a pestle.

“Is she not Sebastian Stroud’s mate?” Then continued after she saw him nod, “A dragon rules overall. So, I’m merely respectful of my place. I don’t want to upset the dragon in her.”

“How could you upset my dragon? I just met you.” Izzy declared quietly.

Freya walked back toward them and sat down with the concoction she made in the form of tea.

“She is more human than her demon or dragon, Freya. Believe me. She has suppressed them for years. I think they’re throwing a temper tantrum and refusing to surface.” Ezekiel announced with slight disappointment in his tone as he rolled his eyes.

“Now, now, Ezekiel. You don’t want her dragon or demon to surface too quickly after being, what did you say? Suppressed? If they did, you’ll wish you were dead.” Freya said as a matter of fact. Her calm voice betrayed a hint of warning.

“What are you saying? She’s deadly?” Ezekiel furrowed his brows in worry and slight fear.

“I can’t be! I’m just me!” Izzy protested as she glared at Ezekiel.

“Honestly?” Freya said and paused as she smiled toward Izzy. “Once she takes full control of her bloodlines’ strengths...” She trailed off, unwilling to complete what she saw inside Izzy’s aura.

“What?” Ezekiel questioned, insisting on an answer.

Freya sighed and said, “Let’s just say it is a blessing to have your mate by your side. Now, please drink the tea, and we shall start the spell.”

Ezekiel frowned, unsatisfied that the witch did not answer his query in full. But he watched with awe as Freya made Izzy drink the tea and mumbled incomprehensible words. He could not deny that he saw a glow of light surround Izzy as the witch muttered her enchantments. 

Suddenly, liquid boiled in the teacup that Izzy drank from, which turned to a golden hue. Freya reached for the cup and poured the liquid gold into a crystal orb where it hardened and the color perfectly matched Izzy’s amber eyes.

“Come, my Queen. Follow me.” Freya instructed and led Izzy to the middle of the room, where candles were lit in a circle, surrounding her.

“Ezekiel, when do you need her to return?” Freya asked the half-demon who sat with mouth agape, watching a ritual he had never witnessed before but only heard about it.

Ezekiel looked at his watch and said, “Unfortunately, if Gabriel timed it correctly, Jaden just arrived. I can’t seem to mind link him to inquire for sure.” He scrunched up his nose and frowned as if willing his mind link to work.

“That’s because you are in here. Several wards conceal this place.” Freya said and motioned Izzy to stay put. She turned and waved Ezekiel to follow her to the large metal door. Freya took one glance back at Izzy, making sure she had the cloak on her, then unlocked the door.

“Ezekiel, go to the market and buy fruit or vegetables or anything you can think of to bring back to the house. Pretend, you needed to get groceries. They need to mind link you or that council member will suspect something else is going on. This ritual will take another 15 minutes. Now go!” She instructed in a firm but musical voice.

Ezekiel dashed down the stone hallway and up the metal circular staircase. As soon as he got to the main floor of the novelty store, Gabriel mind linked him,

‘Where are you, Ezekiel? Jaden is asking.’

‘Tell her we needed groceries. I’ll get there as soon as I can.’ Ezekiel was already driving toward the nearest market.

‘OK. I’ll tell Sebastian about your plan.’ Gabriel shut the mind link down soon after.

As Ezekiel pulled up to the front of the supermarket, he quickly mind-linked Sebastian of a plan that he just cooked up in his head. But he wanted permission first from their squad leader. He knew Sebastian would not like it, but it was Plan B if the so-called grocery run would not pass under Jaden’s scrutiny.

It took a few minutes before he received Sebastian’s response. Ezekiel was picking up fresh green leafy vegetables when he heard Sebastian’s reluctant approval. Ezekiel chuckled and shook his head as he thought, ‘I guess it is true one gets very possessive of one’s mate.’

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Once the cloaking spell ritual ended, Izzy could feel refreshed or unburdened somehow. And when she touched the gold-filled pendant, a sense of calm befell her each time.

“Thank you, Madame Freya. I’ll remember this favor, for sure.” Izzy smiled. She could sense being able to control her mind more, the link and the sense of her bloodlines coursing through her veins.

Freya smiled and bowed deeply toward Izzy, “You’re always welcome to my services, my Queen. I’m confident you will hone your abilities soon with the help of that talisman.”

“Please, Madame Freya. Stop calling me Queen. You’re making me uncomfortable. Just call me Izzy.” Izzy rubbed her hands together as Freya led her back to the chairs where they sat before the ritual.

“But I must address you properly. You are the Queen. I’m being disobedient if I call you by your first name. But out of curiosity, is Izzy a nickname?” Freya questioned with raised eyebrows.

“Yes, it is.” Izzy replied, “My name is Izadora Barrett.”

Freya caught her breath and got off her seat and knelt on the ground before Izzy.

This action by the witch caught Izzy by surprise, and she reached out, grasping Freya’s hands as she made her get up and sit back in the chair. 

“What are you doing? Don’t do that! I’m just Izzy, OK?! More human than demon or dragon.” Izzy joggled her head, stunned by the witch’s reverence toward her.

“My dear Queen, you must know this. As soon as you stepped into my store, I sensed a dominant presence. A presence I had already felt 18 years ago, which surged a few years later, but then died away. I noticed that presence again when I met Sebastian Stroud in San Francisco when he and his team helped me out from the rubble following a massive earthquake. I sensed him as my King. But he was only carrying half of that presence. I felt a slight fiery disturbance recently, but it went away again. And now you are here before me. My dear Queen, maybe the gods inspired your parents to name you after the ancient Queen Izadora. You have the bloodlines of the ultimate power... just like Sebastian Stroud has. Both of you perfectly match. Both of you have powerful dragons, mighty demons, and while he is an Alpha wolf, you are his Luna. And then his warlock and your witch together can be dangerous, but when you wield the power for good, it will be tremendously beautiful. Both your energies are symbiotic but also are one whole. You must be careful of the Council. They are out to destroy your kind.”

This revelation frightened Izzy to the core. This witch unveiled bloodlines that Sebastian only just suspected about her scent earlier, and now the witch mentioned a royal responsibility that Izzy was not prepared for, nor could she even fathom. 

Izzy learned about Queen Izadora and King Sebastian in their history books. They were the most revered rulers of the land during ancient times. They brought peace and prosperity throughout until the war broke out, started by an evil source no one knew of its name. It infected people with greed and scorn. And because Queen Izadora was pregnant, she dared not use her powers for fear of affecting the fetus inside her. A deadly strike through her heart one night while King Sebastian was away fighting the war, cost her life. The King immediately perceived this loss, and somehow he did not want to live anymore and stopped fighting. A grotesque enemy decapitated the King, causing the fall of the kingdom that once ruled the earth.

“This cannot be! You are delusional, witch!” Izzy stood up and stepped backwards.

Freya swiftly stood up and approached Izzy with a gentle smile. “I know you’re frightened. OK. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll refrain from calling you Queen, even though you are one. I’ll call you Izadora as you wish.”

“Izzy. Only Sebastian can call me Izadora.” Izzy said abruptly but surprised herself of what she said.

“OK, Izzy.” Freya reached out and held Izzy’s hands in hers. “I sincerely apologize for scaring you, my Queen... er-Izzy.” She corrected herself upon seeing Izzy’s severe frown. Then continued, “I shall hide your secret. Just like I’m hiding Sebastian Stroud’s secret.”

Izzy glanced up toward the witch, lifting her eyebrows, perplexed by what she had said.

“Yes, Sebastian Stroud knows who he is and what he is. Especially now that he recently confirmed his wolf bloodline through a blood test.” Freya grinned as she watched mixed emotions flash through Izzy’s eyes.

“I know a lot, my Queen... oh, sorry, Izzy. I’m older than you think I am. You can trust me with your secrets, King Sebastian has since I met him the first time.” She pulled Izzy back to sit down and offered regular tea.

She added, “You can also trust his squad. They are very loyal to him. However, I would withhold the knowledge about your wolf and witch, as Sebastian Stroud has regarding his warlock and wolf. This knowledge might scare the demon, Gabriel. Ezekiel and Joshua will be more accepting once they find out. But to be safe, keep those two bloodlines a secret. The knowledge about your dragons is already enough to scare them... how do people call it nowadays? Ah-yes, scare them shitless.”

Izzy could not help chuckle at the slang word that came out of this witch who was older than she looked, as per her confession.

“Oh, Ezekiel is back,” Freya said after she looked up at the ceiling and gracefully stood. And appended, “Shall we get you back upstairs, my Queen.”  

She chuckled and shook her head, “I’m sorry, I mean Izzy. It took me a long time, too, to keep me from addressing King Sebastian as King. That’s probably why I call him by his full name. It doesn’t seem obedient to just address him or you by your first names.”

Izzy smiled and said while walking down the stone hallway, “Madame Freya, I truly appreciate all your help and effort. I’m sorry if I offended you earlier.” Izzy remembered accusing Freya of being delusional and addressing her witch instead of her name.

“It’s OK. It’s not every day one gets a rude awakening about their past life and future. Sometimes that’s the one thing annoying about me being a witch. Soon you’ll gain these powers, too, and then you’ll understand what I mean. Your power will even surpass mine, my Queen.” Freya said as they walked up the circular staircase.

Izzy thought of everything the witch had told her so far, and each one terrified her more. She could not accept being a direct descendant of the ancient Queen Izadora. She preferred being the orphaned baby adopted by a good witch mother and human father.

Once they reached the top, Izzy stopped Freya from opening the door to the main floor of the store. As the witch turned to look at her, Izzy whispered, “Is it OK if I come back here some other time and you can help me wake my other bloodlines? I remembered you telling Zeke that it could be dangerous if they all come to the surface too quickly.”

“Oh, of course, my Queen. Assisting you will honor me greatly. But Sebastian Stroud will be the better help with that, and with his encouragement, he will wake those bloodlines a lot quicker than I can. I’m pretty sure he would prefer being the one to reignite those bloodlines from his mate.” Freya winked at Izzy, which Izzy didn’t understand what she meant.

As they entered the main floor, Ezekiel was pacing back and forth, glancing at his watch.

“All set?” Ezekiel asked after seeing both Izzy and Freya walk through the beaded curtain doorway.

“Yes, she is. She can think of anything and no one but her mate can see or hear it if he was paying attention, that is. Remember, with the cloak on, they sense you to be human. But with the cloak off, they can detect the bit of demon in you but cloaked enough, not considered strong. My Queen... I mean, Izzy.” Freya shook her head and rolled her eyes as she corrected her mistake. 

“Once the cloak is off, your bloodlines are undetectable because of that necklace. Always wear it or at least keep the pendant on you at all times if you can. It is now your talisman... your good luck.” Freya curtsied once again, which made Izzy joggle her head. 

Izzy reached out and hugged the tall and friendly witch and said, “Thank you, Madame Freya.”

“You’re welcome, my Queen,” Freya whispered, and when she saw Ezekiel move to the door, she lightly placed her fingers on Izzy’s hood-covered head, and Izzy caught Freya’s thoughts as she warned, 

‘My Queen, remember to continue to keep your wolf and witch bloodlines a secret. Even if I told you, you can trust Sebastian Stroud’s squad, wait until King Sebastian tells you himself when it is OK to reveal it to them.’

Izzy nodded and smiled at Freya, who gave her a loving, motherly gaze and smile.

“Come on, Izzy. We’ve got some explaining to do when we get back.” Ezekiel was already out the door and held it open for Izzy.

After waving goodbye to Freya, Izzy gripped her seat again as Ezekiel floored the accelerator and raced through the narrow, windy streets back to the Stroud home.

Ezekiel chuckled and said, “I’ll be damned! That spell works! I can only smell your human side.” He shot a glance at Izzy before resuming his concentration on the road.

“This will buy me time to learn how to control that stupid mind link,” Izzy said and pursed her lips in a pout.

“That it will,” Ezekiel affirmed. After a sharp turn, he added, “Izzy, there is something we should do... like pretend to be once we get to the house. You won’t like it because I know Seb hates it. But he approved of it just so Jaden Thorne stays away from your case.”

Izzy did not like the sound of it already, but she asked cautiously, “What is it?”

Ezekiel slowly said, “You’ll have to pretend to be the housekeeper.”

Izzy shrugged and said, “That’s not too bad.”

“There’s something else as a Plan B.” Ezekiel furrowed his brows in worry. He was not too sure if Izzy would like to hear his Plan B.

“What?” Izzy could sense the anxiety in Ezekiel’s voice, so she prepared herself for whatever it was.

Ezekiel sighed and replied, “You must pretend to be my mate.”

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