Chapter 23

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"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix

Chapter 23

Faith quickly shoved some of Jamie and Alex's clothes into a bag. They might be a little too big for the twins but they would work until proper clothes could be found. She had already packed a bag for her mother that held her own clothes as well as all the money she had on hand.

Axel and Dmitri had disappeared after dinner. Their hushed conversation accompanied by furtive glances doing nothing but showing their purpose.

Though Calix voiced support of the council, even he was wary of handing the two four year olds over. So with an exaggerated yawn, he had climbed the stairs to his room shortly after dinner, turning a blind eye to whatever plans were being made.

Zipping up the bag, Faith hurried to the bathroom where Ariadne was bathing the twins.

"Don't worry about us Faith. The goddess has seen us this far and she won't abandon us now."

"How can you say that Mom? We've already lost Fox, Creid, Joy, and Hope. How can you say that the goddess is protecting us. Do you think if they catch up to you, that you and Daddy will be left to live?

They will kill you guys Mom. They will kill you and take the twins so they can control them completely. And there is nothing that the goddess can do."

Tears of rage pooled in Faith's eyes as she thought about the councils duplicity. How could the body of people that were supposed to look to the welfare of all shifters be so callous and self serving?

Faith looked down at Harmony as she helped her into a warm sweater. Sad lavender eyes full of too much knowledge stared back at her. The grave face of her usually bubbly little sister caused the tears she had held at bay to slip down her cheek.

Lifting her small hand, Harmony caught the tear drop with the tip of her finger.

"Everything's going to be all right, Faith. We've already seen the end, we just have to get through the sad times so that we can enjoy it."

With one last all knowing glance Serenity and Harmony picked up the small bags of clothes and left the bathroom.

Dmitri, Gaius, Faith, and her family huddled together at the edge of the woods saying their last goodbyes. The plans were made and everyone was ready to go. Gaius would take the four to Valerius. There they could live semi-normal lives far from the councils reach.

A rustling in the underbrush caused them all to tense up as a large form moved into the moonlight. The team member that approached had hair as black as pitch with eyes that held the knowledge of ages. A thin, jagged scar circled his neck as if someone had once tried to behead him.

The male did not walk, he glided. Each movement so smooth it seemed effortless. As graceful as a gentle wind. Ariadne gasped in shock as the towering male joined them.

"A true child of nature? How are you with us?"

The male neither smiled or frowned. His whole countenance broadcasted an inner peace so deep that it calmed all around him. He glanced over the small group eyes resting briefly on the twins before settling upon Gaius.

"Brother," the males intoned in a deeply accented tone.."Be at peace. The journey you embark on is one of honor."

Grabbing for the pack he had slung over his shoulder, the male handed it over to Gauis.

"In here is an address and keys. It is a safe haven for you all to rest on your journey. The car is fully gassed and in good working order. Take what you need.  You should be able to stay at least one night before anyone can catch up to you.

          

Be safe brother. Protect these treasures and never come back."

Gauis stiffened at his fellow warrior's last order. He had always planned on returning. This was his home, his family.

"Warrior Henut, I plan on returning. This is my home and there is a fight to prepare for."

"You will do us no good dead. And that is what you will be the second you return.

The council will not let such insubordination go unpunished. They will come after you with everything they have. And once they ascertain the oracles whereabouts you will be nothing but ash in the wind."

Gauis wanted to deny Henut's words but knew that the male spoke true. If Calix did not turn him over the moment of his return then the council would send others. Others that would also have orders to punish those that had aided him.

With one last sad look around the encampment that had been his home for over sixty years, Gauis nodded his head in agreement.

"I understand. I would be of no use to anyone dead. Know though that I am still in this fight. Valerius and I will be waiting for our orders."

Dmitri pulled Gauis into a tight embrace. Their heads resting against each other. This would be the first time in hundreds of years that they had been apart.

"My brother, I will miss you. Take care and know that I could have never loved you more even if we had ties of blood." Dmitri's voice was soft and filled with sadness as he bade farewell to his longtime companion.

"Be at peace. Enjoy your mate and family. Protect them in these times of unrest. And know that you will all be in my heart and mind until we once again are joined."

After a moment of pain filled silence Gauis broke away from Dmitri's tight embrace. With one last glance, he gently took Serenity up into his arms and started their trek through the woods.

With hard hugs and soft fare the wells Axel and Ariadne followed the grieving warrior into the forest.

Dawn came much to soon and with it hungry warriors and children. Time did not stop for the grieving and so pushing through the pain of  their recent losses,Faith and Dmitri rose with the sun to prepare for the day.

Faith stood in the kitchen making breakfast with Jaden babbling away in his high chair. Dmitri had gone to help the rest of the pups get ready for the day while Alex had been let outside. His little kitten form romping through the snow drifts and chasing shadows.

Jumping as the sound of boots hit the entry, Faith turned hesitantly towards the doorway. Standing stiffly with a blank expression was Team Leader Ebon. Though showing no outward signs, his emotions were a roiling cauldron of hate, anger, fear, and sadness.

The confusion of his feelings were only amplified by the confusion of his thoughts. His mind a whirling storm of what ifs never settling, never calming.

Deciding to allow him to make the first move, Faith turned back to the stove and began to plate up the ham and pancakes. As she poured the egg and milk mixture into a skillet to scramble, Ebon made his first volley.

"You do know all this heartache is your fault. If you had stayed where you belong our Crèche would still be whole."

" I agree, Team Leader. If I had not come here this would not have happened." Faith calmly stirred the eggs before her as she continued. "But then again, I never asked to be brought here. The problems within your Crèche and our council were already present. They are what brought me here in the first place."

A great sadness spilled through the room as Ebon's emotions coalesced into one driving force. Grief. A bone deep sadness of the breakdown of his most valued purpose.

Turning off the stove Faith faced the warrior now sitting at the counter. His shoulders were slumped in dejection as he held his head in his hands.

"Answer me truthfully halfling. Are these problems real? Is the council really just using us as their paid mercenaries?"

Approaching the grieving male, Faith took his hand in her own. Gently she stroked her fingers across the scarred knuckles that were a testament to his life of violence.

"I can't attest to the council's thoughts Ebon. Only they know what is in their heads and hearts. I can only say that something isn't right.

What I said yesterday was all true. There are problems within all the packs. It's almost as if all that was once good in the packs is breaking down leaving only the bad behind.

I don't know how far it has traveled through the Crèches. Little things are starting. The young are no longer being taught the Ethos, payment is being taken, things like that. But it has not spread as quickly as in the packs.

There is much more. This has been going on a long time, but they are not my secrets to tell. We kept these back yesterday to protect the ones who have proof. When the time is right Dmitri and the others will reveal what they have learned. Until then Ebon we just go on doing what we know is right."

With a light kiss on his forehead Faith patted his hand a turned to the platters of food.

"Now enough of this gloom, take these to the table." Faith ordered.

Grabbing the plates from the little Fae, Ebon gave a small smile.

"I thought that you were supposed to be a submissive wolf? All I've heard from you since my arrival have been orders little slave girl." Ebon joked.

Laughing mischievously Faith grabbed the rest of the food and started for the dining room.

"Apparently my former Alpha was a bit of a liar. " Faith said over her shoulder. "With our mixture of blood we are not effected by pack dynamics. I'm whatever I want to be."

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