Taming the Rogue King

The Realm of Books

Liam

He stared at James, unable to understand what James was trying to say. What does he even mean by breaking into a book? For a change, Liam’s Lycan had also gone silent. Hopefully, the mystery will keep him quiet for a few hours. Liam thought wishfully as he ran a hand through his hair, the umpteenth time.

James continued talking. “You were right! She ‘IS’ an Etheral Witch. When you asked Kirra to explain that to the Pink Moon clan, I was a little skeptical. How did you know?”

Liam looked from James' green eyes to Kirra’s grey ones trying to read their expressions. He needed some bloody answers right now!.

Sarena cleared her throat and began, “I believe we all need to sit down. I owe y'all some explanations.”

“Finally!” said Liam and let out a breath that he had been holding.

Sarena directed Ben and Liam to the couch and conjured two more armchairs for Kirra and James. Liam looked at the armchairs in wonder as the colour and decor matched the couch he was sitting on.

Sarena had style!

Sarena sat on top of the desk facing them, while James waved his hand so one armchair disappeared. He sat down on the remaining one and pulled Kirra onto his lap. Kirra’s grey eyes sparkled as James said, “I want to be close to my mate. I am sure no one will mind.” He winked at Sarena and breathed in Kirra’s scent, running his nose at the side of his neck.

Liam’s Lycan whined, and Liam rolled his eyes, knowing what was going to come. ‘Don’t you start at me again! Once Ira is back, I am going to make sure that I make everything right this time!’ Liam warned his Lycan, who huffed and fell silent again.

They both agreed that the need for explanations was greater than the instinct to fight and berate each other.

“Now that everyone is calm…” Sarena spoke in a serious tone. “I had an inkling that Ira’s witch capabilities were buried in her consciousness because of the constant bullying. She was young at that time and her powers were nascent. She couldn’t have created any portals or done any magic, so her magic got suppressed. I also suspect an act of a powerful witch, but I might be wrong. Also, I was busy training James and Ira was left to herself." Sarena looked at everyone as if to check if they were listening.

"I spoke to Ira by connecting with her in a portal that she herself created. She is safe but confused. I detected traces of her ability when she shared her past. She would open portals when she was tired and her defences were low. Her mother could actually visit her dreams. Ira wasn’t aware that it wasn’t normal, so she disregarded it. She could also talk to books and hear books, but she believed it was just in her mind. So she ignored it!" Sarena paused.

James butted in. “Nana! She used to speak to me about it when she joked. I thought she was only being cheeky.”

This time, Sarena peered at James. “Have I taught you nothing? You aren’t supposed to doubt your instincts! You aren’t supposed to let your logic cloud your magic! Myra suspected Ira’s ability, so she shared it with me. We couldn’t have alerted Ira without knowing for sure the extent of the damage done by the two imbeciles, Jack and Alex. We couldn’t risk Ira getting dejected over things that were out of her control. But I promised Myra to keep an eye on Ira. I gave her a nudge in the right direction based on what I felt might work for her. And here we are! She has managed to create one of the most powerful portals by breaking into this book. Not under very favourable conditions, I might say,” she glanced at Liam to stress on the role his lie played in unlocking her magic, “but nonetheless, one of the most powerful stimuli that pulled her magic out of her.”

Sarena smiled and continued to stare at Liam. “Do you know why the words are illegible?”

Liam shook his head. He still wasn’t sure if he understood everything.

“It is because this is a history book. Her actions in the book will change the course of history.” Sarena’s words made Kirra gasp even as James continued to play with her hair. "Those words will become clear once Ira completes her actions in that time."

“This is all bat s**t!!” Liam bellowed, standing up. “I don’t believe this! How can someone enter a book? How can that change history? And you guys call yourself her family!” He pointed at Sarena, "You ignored her so you could support James!" He then gestured at James, "And you took her talk lightly when she shared her secrets with you! What kind of family does that?"

He paced around the library, trying to calm himself. His Lycan felt just as anxious as him. They were both trying to poke holes in the theory. If Ira were actually in the book, they wouldn't be able to pull her out. They felt weak, unable to save their mate.

What if the book got destroyed? What about the other copies of the book? Were they the same now? Liam’s thoughts continued to race as he walked around his warm library.

Sarena said in a soft motherly tone. “Settle down, my boy! Things happen for a reason. What I did was necessary at that time. What James did was also important. It wasn't the right time. I know this is a lot for you to take in. Please sit down and listen.” She gestured at Ben, who mind linked Liam.

‘Boss! We need to know what the old lady nana has to say. She knows Ira the best. Please settle down. We all want Ira back here!’ Ben pleaded, as his eyes implored Liam to keep his cool and Liam nodded.

Liam had to rein in his Lycan. Ben was right. No one here wanted Ira to disappear or die. So with great difficulty, he walked back towards the couch. His legs felt heavy, like lead. He wanted nothing more than action, but he had to stay put, not knowing what he was facing. He suddenly felt tired and drained.

Sarena nodded and continued. “So the world of books is similar to that of the mirrors. While all books can be opened up for portals, it isn’t easy. Some are more… malleable. Such books usually have a lesser reader base or have very few copies. These books also have one thing in common… They can trick people into believing that their language has changed, or the book is damaged. These could also be one of the editions of a famous and well read book, the only difference is that these editions would be rare so you will mostly find them in old, run down libraries and museums! Books are a world in themselves. What a writer thinks or writes creates a world in a parallel realm. As writers continue to think through different possibilities while writing, they also create numerous parallel worlds. These possibilities, however, remain hidden and inaccessible to the living beings. An Etheral witch can distort reality and make these possibilities real. Etheral witches have power over space and time.”

Liam squirmed in his seat as he started getting worried. The explanation sounded ominous.

Sarena continued to talk. “The problem isn't Ira’s power here, the problem is her inability to control her power. She has never trained for it and is as good as a toddler who has just realised her magic. She doesn't know how to use her power at will. She still needs an external catalyst to draw on her magic. The other issue is that her actions might impact history. If she dies in the book, gets married or gives birth to children, anything irreversible could alter history and change how we are living today. It is more terrible than a nuclear bomb! We may get wiped out if the course of history changes even a little. You see! This is the book that chronicles the ancient history of werewolves, and how they reached Australia and survived here! So yes…” She gulped. “We are in a soup!” She finished with a flourish.

Pin drop silence followed her sentence as everyone let Sarena’s words sink in. Even James had stopped playing with Kirra’s hair. He held her close to his body as if drawing comfort in the fact that his mate was with him. Ben looked pale and sick. The horror of the situation suddenly was as clear as day.

Again, Liam’s Lycan had gone all still. The sudden calmness felt like the start of a terrible storm. Liam hoped he could control, if his Lycan went demented, but he wasn’t sure if he could keep his own senses. His action had not only put Ira in mortal danger, but it had also endangered the entire wolf community of Australia. He felt like banging his head against the walls, like pulling down all books and destroying the library. Sudden repulsion against the ancient book took over, and he wanted to tear the book apart. But wouldn't that lock Ira in history forever?

Sarena exhaled audibly again, gathering everyone's attention. “I know you all are scared for her and concerned for the present. I have an idea which may or may not work. If it works, Ira would be here with us, if it doesn’t, well… who cares…” She shrugged, “we are doomed anyway. We will need to wait and watch.” She chuckled.

Liam listened to her with all his heart and soul. He would do anything to get his mate back! Anything to have her here in his arms. Even the erroneous chuckle did not make him feel like strangulating Sarena. It did not matter. Only Ira mattered!

‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ responded his Lycan, and they both heard out what Sarena had to say.

*****