Page 36 of Father of the Wolf

“Yes, that’s convenient.”

“If you plan to help me without getting hurt, you must know more about our abilities. The rain was not simply convenient. We can control the weather. Rath most likely brought the storm to add to the confusion and allow the three of us to escape.”

She could have gone a lifetime without learning there were people with the power to control the weather like a stupid TV remote. She glared at him for bringing such bizarre knowledge into her peaceful life.

But she understood that what he planned would amount to sacrifice. It would be his way. He was a predator, but also a protector. The problem was that she was a protector, too.

“I need to have control over my magic. As long as my powers continue to fluctuate, they will act like a beacon to the others. It is only a matter of time until they track me to your door. Probably no more than a few days.”

She had to help him. It was like an overwhelming urge to ensure his safety, yet she didn’t have a single guess as to how to go about it. “What would your family do to help you?”

There was a long hesitation before he answered. “We use healing ceremonies that may be able to help re-balance my magic. There are also many natural remedies that can help.”

“Maybe I can help you with the ceremony. What kinds of natural things do you need? Granny has quite a collection of herbs and such.” She stepped back into the kitchen and went to a corner cabinet against the far wall, which held candles, incense, and dried herbs of every kind.

He directed her to take out certain candles and herbs. “If we are going to attempt this, we should use a spacious room.”

She led him to the sunken den across from the kitchen. “Will this room do?” He stepped past her with a gentle brush against her side. His thick coat tickled her hand and she ached to sink her fingers into his lush pelt.

“It’s perfect.” He directed her to set the candles around the room, light them, and sprinkle a mixture of specific ingredients over the candles. As she did so with each candle, he whispered a soft chant into her mind. She sensed it was a protective ward for her. After the third candle, she repeated it with him for the remaining ones. As she added her voice, each candle flared brightly and began to issue scented plumes of smoke.

Both were surprised by that. “Why did that happen?” she asked.

“I don’t know. You must have some magic about you, besides your empathy.”

“Right.” She snorted in disbelief. And just maybe she would use her handy remote tomorrow to insure a sunny day.

“I did not expect this either, but you do have power in your voice. Nothing else explains what you see happening. And perhaps because of those powers, this ritual will have more benefit than I expected.”

The room slowly became hazy with the healing candle smoke. Athair continued to direct Hope on how to arrange the furniture. Then he positioned himself in the center of the room. “I will need to meditate for a short while. Will you turn off the lights?”

“Do you want me to leave?” She flipped the switch, leaving the room in the shallow glow of the candles.

“No, please stay. I may need you.”

Somehow, those simple words warmed her and made all this craziness make more sense. She settled into the deep cushions of a chair in the corner and watched Athair begin his ritual of healing. The flickering light and soothing scent of candles added an aura of peacefulness to the shadowy room. Athair’s heavy wolf body sat statue still with his head up and his eyes closed. He began a rhythmic chant that flowed into her mind.

The ceremony went on and on in an endless cycle. Athair never moved so much as an eyelash, yet the strength of his power built. The room seemed to vibrate with his energy.

Without conscious thought, Hope closed her eyes and joined in the chant. Her quiet voice stumbled over the foreign words at first, until she found the pattern and her voice became steady and certain.

She opened her eyes and saw that Athair was barely visible in his central position. The air surrounding him shimmered and crackled. Like the tides, it poured away from him, and then was pulled back. The candle light over these waves of energy made it appear that the air itself was dancing over him. As the wave patterns intensified, she could no longer see his wolf form at all.

She suddenly felt weak. Wondering if perhaps it was her energy that flowed around him, she closed her eyes and relaxed back into her chair.

Hope quieted as the chant changed. The difference was subtle, and she soon found the words again. The ceremony was beautiful. She hoped that later he would tell her the meaning of the soothing words.

Her eyes flew open in surprise when a deep male voice joined the chant. Athair’s voice was soft and smooth, with a strong accent. She had never noticed an accent in his ‘mind voice’. This voice was masculine and tingled across her skin in a peculiar, comforting way.

His voice changed the rhythm of the chant again. Hope fell silent, unable to find the new words. She sat and watched as the energy slowed its tidal motion and seemed to withdraw into Athair. As it did, he became more visible.

He was no longer a wolf.

Athair was a man. A large, very attractive man. He was well over six feet tall, and he stood with his back to her.

And what a back! His hair, which was the same varied brown shade of his former pelt, fell neatly over shoulders that were broad and well-muscled. His back and waist were trim and hard. And the man had a rear that made her suck in her breath in appreciation.

She knew she would pass out if he turned around. Unless of course, he had a face like Marmaduke. Surely not. Well, regardless. That beautiful back left her panting.

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