Page 3 of Dybbuk's Detritus

Rurik 3.

“Rurik, has Chloe mentioned anything about this?” My father, the previous Aleph, asks with a concerned furrow to his strong brow. Gavril Rybak is a large man, with a larger personality. He’s fierce, protective, and one hell of an Aleph. His shoes are too big for me to fill in more ways than one. Though I try.

I sigh, sitting back in the armchair in his and my mother, Anastasia’s living room. He’s referring to another missive sent to us by a neighboring shifter pack, alerting us to be on the lookout for an unknown entity targeting shifters.

“She has.” I meet his eyes, when I recite her warning, “When darkness descends, the wings of the wind will show the way to bright prosperity.” I pick up my tablet and pull up the news page from Sheboygan about the latest attack. A young male tiger shifter, mummified, his front door broken down, his wife and infant missing. “I’m not sure what to do. She says that while the darkness will be troublesome, this is actually the beginning of many good things to come. It seems we will have an ice cream swirl kind of future here in the Rybak Family.”

He tilts his head to the side, “Is your blood sugar low?” I shake my head with a smile. “Forget about ice cream—” He ignores my gasp of outrage suggesting such a thing and continues, “is there an ETA for death and destruction? Have you notified the coven?”

“No ETA, it’d be so nice if the dark forces would file a flight plan.” Unable to sit still any longer, I stand up. “I have a meeting scheduled this afternoon with the council. Chloe relayed what she knew to Magnus. Hopefully, we can come up with a plan to protect the Family.”

“I know you’ve struggled these last few years as Aleph-Tav, but Rurik,” he stands, placing his hand on my shoulder in comfort, “I wouldn’t have retired and left you in charge if I wasn’t 110% confident in your abilities to lead.”

“It’s mathematically impossible to be more than 100% anything.” He chuffs when I roll my eyes.

“Don’t underestimate the pride a parent possesses for their child. All you can do is take the information you are given and do the best you can with it. No one can ask anymore of you than that.”

“Not even 110%?” He smacks my shoulder and I hold it, hissing at the pain.

“Oh, stop it. I didn’t hit you that hard.”

I step away from him, fighting the urge to smile. “I’m a delicate tav, a fragile omega, and you are a big, growly aleph.”

“I’ve seen you rip apart a rabbit and pick your teeth with the bones of a frog.” He deadpans, unamused at my attempt at guilt. I shake out my shoulder and pick up my tablet and papers off the coffee table.

“Tell mom I’m sorry I couldn’t stay to see her. Did you want to come with me to meet with the council?” I ask, already knowing he doesn’t want to.

“No thank you. I’m gonna grab lunch here and then go hunt down your mom for my dessert.”

“Gross.” I wave over my head as I leave their house. Walking down the path towards the center of our village, I find my feet venturing away from the Aleph House and straight to the Etz Chaim.

Dropping to my knees before the enormous Ash tree, I dig my fingers into the dirt at the base of its thick trunk. A vibration travels up my arms and cascades down my body to settle in my toes. There are thousands and thousands of ash trees around the world, but a select few are truly Trees of Life, connected by an intricate and mystical network of roots that bring comfort and rejuvenation to our kind around the world.

And as I rub my fingers along the roots, I feel that connection tethering me to the earth and reminding me that I am not alone. That no matter where I am, I am never far from those just like me, Supernatural, Paranormal, eccentric, and exquisite, seeking the same acceptance and guidance and love. A place to belong.

The Rybak Family has been one of those havens for nearly two hundred years, and I pray to the Fates that it lasts another two hundred at least. That anyone seeking refuge, or brethren, or community, or their sense of self, can find what they seek in our welcoming arms.

And I pray we can find a way to face down those who seek us harm and preserve our humanity in the process.

Opening my eyes, I stare up the grayish bark of the Etz Chaim, letting my eyes lose focus as I take in the branches that support life no matter the weather, stretching at least 50 feet in either direction, the trunk that extends at least 200 feet into the sky, so tall it seems impossible not to touch the clouds from its crest. Inhaling deeply, I open my lungs to accept what the tree has to offer its humble servant.

“Aleph-Tav!” Magnus, a warlock from the Family’s coven, yells for me. His thick chin-length gray hair flowing in the wind as he moves in my direction. He’s taller than me, though most people are, at about 5’9”, thin, but handsome in a silver fox kind of way. He’s kind and nurturing and has proven to be a blessing to all of us.

I squeeze my fingers in the dirt once more, offering a silent prayer of gratitude to Etz Chaim, God, and the Fates, before standing and dusting my fingers off on my jeans.

“What is it, Magnus?” His normally soft features are pinched in concern.

“An unknown vehicle has been spotted on Family land, heading to the village center. Chloe said she’s experiencing…” he pauses, and his lips turn down into a frown, “tingles.” I snort at the derision in that one word, knowing how much he despises Chloe’s colorful language and descriptions. He has often commented that he doesn’t require the use of sexual aids to divine what the Fates are telling him. Chloe usually just shrugs and implies maybe that’s because he already has that stick lodged firmly in his clenched ass.

“Her warning?” I ask, gathering my things and striding towards the village.

He nods, falling in step beside me, shortening his stride to match mine. “She believes so.”

“Are the guards on alert?”

“Yes, Aleph-Tav, they are following the vehicle as we speak, no reports of anyone else.” We are a peaceful community, many having animal counterparts or the use of the mystics to defend themselves. However, for the safety of everyone, we do keep a small guard around the perimeter for advanced warning.

“Well, then, let’s see who’s come for dinner.” I say with a smile, hoping to put Magnus, and myself, at ease. I highly doubt whatever is coming for us intending harm, would just drive up…in a minivan?

---