Chapter Forty-four
Gabriel stopped at the entrance of the old wood barn and looked back. He smiled as Soto, Elena and Remus walked off hand in hand. 'I am getting better at reading tarot,' Gabriel thought. 'Now I just have to find out who the mysterious person I will meet today is. I couldn't tell if this meeting will be good or not.' Shrugging he walked into the barn.
"Everyone," Oma called out, "this is Ann. Ann, this is everyone."
"Hello," said Ann, she had a soft soothing voice. Her golden-blonde hair was in a thick plait, which fell between her shoulder blades. Ann warmly shook hands with everyone. "You must be Gabriel," she said, her warm brown eyes sparkling, "where is your snake?"
"Ann is a vet," Becky explained.
"Aurora doesn't like horses, so she stayed in the tent. I can introduce you later," Gabriel answered.
"Wonderful, I am sorry I missed lunch, but I was needed in town. And I would say I will be at dinner, but Hecate, one of your mares is in labor and I don't know how long I will be here."
Becky rushed over to her stall. "I so wanted to be here for the birth, but we need to get Lucas."
"Mum, it's fine, I know the way. You stay here," Vincent said as he began to saddle up the horses they would need.
"If you are sure?"
Mudiwa smiled, "I promise to look after him."
"Oi! I can look after myself," Vincent said, pretending to be indignant. Becky and Mudiwa shared a significant look and snickered. Vincent muttered under his breath about mean mums and lovers who would be punished later as he finished getting their horses ready.
"It is nice to finally meet you, Ann," Gabriel said changing the focus of the conversation. "Oma has written a lot about you."
Ann's round cheeks blushed a pretty pink as she looked at Becky. Walking over, Becky took Ann's hand and turned to face her family. "Well, Ann has become very special to me and…" She stopped talking as Gabriel grinned widely and held out his hand to Adonis.
"Bloody brat," Adonis snapped as he pulled some money out of his pocket.
"When will you learn to not bet with him?" Ria asked shaking her head at Adonis's behavior.
"Sorry Oma, you were telling us about you and Ann." Gabriel asked his emerald green eyes wide as he tried to look innocent.
Becky snickered. "Apparently you all already know."
"How?" Ann asked.
"I have been studying divination, and to practice I have been asking questions about the people we're going to be seeing soon so I can check on the accuracy of my readings," Gabriel answered, twisting the hem of his tee shirt in nervousness.
"Well, then," Oma said, "I shall have to ask you to do a reading for me before you leave."
Gabriel grinned broadly. "I would love to. Oh and I think Hecate is going to have twins, a boy and a girl. You might want to have extra supplies ready."
He looked to Ann for verification, and she shrugged her shoulders. "I have seen no signs to indicate twins, but it isn't a big deal to make sure we have enough stuff ready to handle twins."
"Well, we're ready to go," Naveen said. "We are only go to ride around the fields and house, so if you need us just sound the dinner gong."
"Thank you," replied Ann sincerely.
"We need to be off, so we can make it back in time for dinner. What are you going to do, Adonis?" Mudiwa said.
"I think I will work on dinner and tea for those sticking around. I am guessing Lucas will bring several people with him, so there will need to be a lot of food ready." Turning to Becky he asked, "Do you have some dead animal for them or will I need to get something?"
Becky shook her head at Adonis. "I have a roast in the fridge. I'm grateful you're willing to make dinner. I will show you what I have planned and where everything is. The roast is large and will need to go into the oven soon."
Vincent looked at his watch, it was almost two; there and back would take three to four hours. "We should be back about six thirty if everything goes well."
"Try and make it sooner, it will be dark by then," Becky reminded them.
"Yes, mum," Vincent sing-songed and swung up onto his horse in a single fluid move. Mudiwa gave Gabriel a hand up, and then gracefully mounted his own horse.
The forest was much cooler than the open fields around Oma's farm and Gabriel was now grateful Baba had insisted on him wearing a jumper. Now that they were far enough away from the farm Gabriel asked, "So what do you think Remus' problem is?"
Vincent shook his head at his son's bluntness. "Well, one problem is someone who is used to everyone adoring him right away." Gabriel blushed lightly. "Honestly, Remus knows who you are. Your magic is blocking him from remembering, as it does with Mrs. Weasley and Professor Snape, but Remus can sense on a different level that you are family. That is what I am picking up from him."
"I hope he lets it go. I would like to get to know him, he seems really nice."
"Maybe Soto and Elena will provide him with enough distraction." Mudiwa offered chuckling.
Gabriel laughed, "I am sure he will be rather relaxed when we get back with Lucas." Not wanting the conversation to get any more detailed, Gabriel changed the subject. "When will we see Freja?"
Vincent thought for a moment then said, "We were supposed to arrive Saturday and I think everyone was going to come up for a party that night. I assume Freja is going to be there. We can call her when we get back to the house if you want to see her sooner."
"Yes, I really miss her, and she was going to teach me how to read runes while we are here."
"How are your studies going, Cherub?" Mudiwa asked.
"Good, I really like Healing Magic and I'm finding Mind Magics an interesting book. Aurora wants me to try lucid dreaming;* I think we are starting on it next week."
"Is Aurora able to help you enough?" Vincent asked a bit concerned.
"Yes, Dad, she's great. I mean she's as sarcastic as hell and doesn't tolerate mistakes, but when I do make a mistake she's able to reverse the magic. Thank goodness! I don't know if we could have explained a color-changing cat." Gabriel snickered, the poor cat had freaked out when its fur began going through all the colors of the rainbow. "Aurora won't tell me the extent of what she can do, and she won't let me do potions. She watches me when I cook and criticizes how I prepare the ingredients, so I can learn all the different ways ingredients are prepared for potions. She says she can't contain an exploding potion, or reverse the effects of a badly made potion, so that will have to wait until Hogwarts."
"I think that is for the best," Mudiwa said firmly. "The amount and complexity of the magic you are able to do is amazing and it's a bit nerve-racking knowing we lack the ability to help you if something should go wrong."
"Don't worry Baba, anything Aurora can't undo she simply doesn't let me try. I can read about it, and learn about it, but actually try it? No way."
Gabriel said that with such firmness, it made Vincent wonder. "Can she actually stop your magic?"
"I don't know. I haven't gone against her wishes. She helps me too much, and when she gets annoyed she can pout for days." All three laughed remembering the many times Aurora had decided she had been slighted somehow and slithered off, pointedly ignoring Gabriel for days.
"When is Dario coming back?" Gabriel asked suddenly.
"I believe he was planning on being here Friday afternoon, why?" Mudiwa asked, a bit surprised at the subject change.
"He said he would bring me a guitar," Gabriel said excitedly.
Mudiwa laughed, "And you need another instrument why?"
"I like the guitar," Gabriel defended.
"How many musical instruments do you have now?" Vincent asked.
"I only have ones I can play well and enjoy."
"How many?"
Gabriel sighed, "Six, not including the guitar. I have a violin, cello, flute, harp and two different drums."
"Are you going to need a new trunk?" Vincent asked curious as to where Gabriel was keeping all of his things.
"Yes, but I can buy it. I've saved most of the money from Professor Snape," Gabriel answered quickly.
Vincent sighed; some things still seemed to haunt their son even after five years. "Cherub, we're happy to get you the things you need." Gabriel ducked his head and blushed. "We can pick one up next month in Madrid. There's a craftsman who makes trunks for very specific purposes, including storing musical instruments."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Now, have you finished A Wizard of Earthsea**?" Mudiwa asked.
"Yes!" exclaimed Gabriel. The three spent the next hour of the journey discussing the book.
They had reached the village, and Vincent and Mudiwa were taking care of the horse and talking with friends, while Gabriel went to find Lucas. Using a spell he had learned recently he sent out his magic to find the alpha wolf. Smiling once he found him not far off, Gabriel began to stalk his friend hoping he could sneak up on the man.
Ten minutes later, Gabriel saw Lucas. He was standing behind a tree watching a small woman with blonde hair. Lucas slowly moved forward, and when the woman turned he sprinted and grabbed her waist swinging her around him.
"Lucas," Freja screeched. Gabriel's eyes widened as he saw them kiss passionately. Lucas let out a low growl, as Freja wrapped her jean clad legs around him. Normally Gabriel would just walk away when he found adults in amorous positions, which did happen quite often. However they really didn't have the time to wait, and Freja hadn't told him about Lucas, so a bit of payback was needed.
Quietly Gabriel stepped into the clearing, placed his hands over his face and yelled, "My eyes! My eyes! I am far too young to see such things!"
Lucas snarled, and Freja hopped down. "Cherub?"
"Yes," he said, grinning as he lowered his hands.
She ran over to him and hugged him tightly. "You aren't supposed to be here for four days! Why are you all the way out here anyway?"
"We ran into some werewolves being taken to Grayback, and brought them here." Turning to Lucas he said, "They need somewhere to spend the full moon, and the woman and her three kids needs a home."
Lucas walked over, each movement filled with power and grace. Picking up Gabriel he hugged him tight. "Hello, monster." Gabriel smiled and hugged Lucas back enjoying the wild energy of the alpha wolf around him. Pulling back, but not putting Gabriel down, he began to walk back to their village. "So, tell me all about these werewolves you have saved."
Gabriel told them what had happened, and had just finished as they entered the village. "I had heard that William Thornton's family had been turned, I bet that is who you have found. As for Remus Lupin, I have heard about him. He has been wandering from clan to clan all over Europe; he is looking for any strange happenings in the forest."
"Lucas, Freja, hello," called out Vincent. He and Mudiwa were sitting outside Lucas' house on the porch swing. Freja ran over and hugged them both. Lucas growled softly, as he watched them embrace.
Gabriel giggled. "I know it's close to the full moon, but really do try and control yourself."
Lucas narrowed his amber eyes and mock glared at Gabriel. "No one should be touching my woman!"
Gabriel laughed and tugged on Lucas' curly brown locks. "Oh, I bet she just loves being called 'your woman' and I don't remember hearing about a wedding, I don't see a ring on her finger."
Lucas sighed, "Yes, well I haven't got that far yet. We have only been romantically involved for six months, and it has been rather casual."
Gabriel's brow furrowed. "What do you mean casual? Are you both seeing other people?"
Lucas' voice became deeper and even more gravelly. "As far as I know we are not seeing other people." His amber eyes darkened, it was too close to the full moon for such jealousy.
"Cherub, what did you say to him?" Freja asked as she touched Lucas' free arm.
Lucas snarled and wrapped his free arm around her tiny waist. "Are you seeing anyone else?"
Ice blue eyes widened. "Certainly not!"
"Good," Lucas said then roughly bit down on Freja's neck marking her for all to see. Freja moaned and went limp against him.
Gabriel grinned, Freja had said she was seeing someone but she wasn't sure how serious the relationship was. Well, now she knew. Vincent's lavender eyes narrowed as he saw his son's rather pleased face. Behind him Mudiwa's strong arms enveloped him. "Your son is up to something," his husband's deep voice said in his ear, as he placed a kiss on his neck.
Vincent smiled and settled back into the strong body. "Why is he always my son when he's being sneaky?"
Mudiwa was about to answer, when a powerful rich voice said. "Lucas, are you going to introduce me to your guests? I didn't realize anyone was going to be visiting."
Lucas groaned and took a moment to gently lick the mark he had made on Freja's neck his arm still around her helping her stand. Pulling his head up he looked at the royal alpha. "Philip, these are our friends, Vincent, Mudiwa, and Gabriel. Gentlemen, this is Philip."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the new man. He had soft light brown skin, warm brown eyes, wavy brown hair that skimmed his shoulders, and a small goatee. As he said hello, Gabriel noticed a soft Turkish accent. The man was a bit shorter than his Dad. He walked with a similar grace and power that Lucas had, but it was more internal. The man believed in his own power, more than Lucas who felt he had to constantly maintain his 'alpha' posturing. Philip held out his hand to Gabriel who was still being held by Lucas. "Hello, Gabriel. I have heard a lot about you."
Gabriel tentatively took the hand; he could feel Philip's power thrumming within him. "Hello, it's nice to meet you."
Philip turned questioning eyes to Lucas, and the werewolf explained. "They found a woman, her children and Remus Lupin being held by some of Grayback's men. They rescued them and brought them here. I was going to go down to the farm and have dinner with them, and bring them back up here for the full moon."
Philip nodded, "I will come with you."
Gabriel wasn't sure he liked this man. "Who are you and why are you here?"
Philip smiled, "Do not worry; I am not here to take over this clan, or to harm anyone."
Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest. "That did not answer my question."
Philip laughed, it was deep and carefree. "No, it did not. However, exactly who I am is not something we usually tell humans."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed, "I will find out." Turning to Lucas and Freja he asked, "Do you trust him?"
Freja said, "Yes, Cherub, don't worry."
Lucas released his hold on Freja and hugged Gabriel tightly. "Cherub, thank you for being worried about me and my clan. We're fine."
Gabriel hugged him back. "I will trust you, but I'm still not sure about him."
Philip's eyes crinkled. "It has been a long time since someone has challenged me, it is rather refreshing. I think we are going to get along rather well."
Before Gabriel could argue with the new werewolf, Vincent said, "We do need to head back down the mountain. Adonis is cooking, and dinner is in two hours."
"Well, we can't be late for dinner," Philip said heading towards his horse.
"Wait," Gabriel called. "Lucas, do you have the fur for me?"
"Yes, I was going to collect some from tomorrow night also, should I bring you the lot on Saturday?"
"That would be perfect. I have your money in the saddle bag; I'll give it to you now."
"What fur?" Philip asked.
"I collect werewolf fur for Cherub. He sells potion ingredients to wizards during their travels. He also pays very well," Lucas said as he set Gabriel down.
"I pay fair market value," Gabriel informed him. Philip smiled, the rest of the council was going to be excited to hear that he had found the little angel the Founders had prophesied would come and heal their world.
A/N I got the idea for how Philip looks from watching a video of Baris Akarsu
*lucid dreaming is when you know you are dreaming and can control what happens.
** A Wizard of Earthsea is by Ursula K. Le Guin and a really great book, if you haven't read it.
