Page 6 of Dybbuk's Detritus

Rurik 5.

My fated mate, that’s right, I have a fated mate, and I step into the council room. I note that all the members are present, including Magnus and Chloe, so we may begin promptly. I usually don’t mind a little chit-chat before we start, but I have plans for after the meeting…intimate plans.

I am gonna have sexy sex with my fated mate. In case that wasn’t clear. Or even if it was, it bore repeating.

“Esteemed council members, I’d like to introduce my fated mate, Theodore Adler.” A few murmurs go around the room, before they break out in applause, shouting their congrats. To find one’s fated mate is a gift beyond measure. To explain the connection would be to describe the color red to someone who cannot see, they are only able to grasp the concept in the vaguest sense. I bring Theo’s hand to my mouth and kiss his knuckles, a proud smile stretching my lips. “Theo, these are the council members of the Rybak Family. From left to right, we have Magnus and Chloe who represent the coven, Senka the fae, Darya the water creatures, Rafe the carnivorous mammals, Javaid the vampires, Tanith the reptiles, Sorin the birds, Epona the herbivorous mammals, and Bronimir the Family guard.”

My poor Theo is looking a little shell-shocked. Chloe breaks the silence, punching him in the arm. “Don’t worry, the quiz isn’t until tomorrow, plenty of time to memorize everyone who lives here, their designation, their job, and their Family lineage.”

Thankfully, Magnus wraps his arm around her, his hand covering her mouth before I have a chance to snap at her. “Ignore her, Aleph, she only had imaginary friends growing up, she hasn’t mastered the art of peopling yet.”

Theo offers a small smile to the room, “I’m sure in time, I will come to love her just as much as the rest of you. I came here seeking asylum for myself and the woman and child I brought with me, and to find assistance in eradicating the dybbuk. I did not expect to find my fated mate, my forever home. Please bear with me during the unavoidable growing pains.”

“Dybbuk?” Javaid asks with a concerned crease in his strong brow. “I…well, fuck.” He sits back in his seat, drawing everyone’s attention. Theo and I sit down, our hands still joined. I’m unable to let go of him, I need to touch him in some way. He doesn’t seem to mind. “I haven’t thought of one of those in decades.”

Theo nods solemnly. “My people and I have reason to believe this is the same dybbuk from over a century ago. My grandfather was unable to defeat it, however, he wounded it. The mystics he used were interrupted. We think it was recuperating somewhere remote, where its crimes would go unnoticed. At full strength now, it has wreaked havoc across the continents. The latest victim was Anthony, a tiger shifter in Sheboygan, yesterday. I bring his wife and daughter for protection, though I do not believe they are its intended targets.”

Magnus clears his throat, drawing a notepad from his pocket and a pen. “What mystics did your grandfather use?”

I squeeze Theo’s hand for encouragement, laying my head on his shoulder. “Something to bind it to this plane, then to secure it in a box until stronger mystics could be performed to kill it. It was during the binding that my grandfather was injured, an ingredient he used caused a small explosion, and the dybbuk was stunned and fled. While my grandfather recovered, our people searched for the dybbuk, ultimately unable to locate it again.”

“Is your grandfather still alive?” Chloe blurts out, the council groaning at her lack of tact.

Theo seems unfazed by her bluntness, “He is, he is unable to fly any longer, though.”

“Can he be reached by phone? Email?”

“Yes, I can give you his phone number.”

“Chloe, what are you thinking?” I ask, leaning one elbow on the table to peer around Theo to meet her eyes.

“I’m not sure. I just think Magnus and I might need to speak to him and see what ingredients he used, if nothing else, so we don’t blow ourselves up like he did. I’m too pretty to explode.”

Bronimir clears his throat, meeting my eyes. “Aleph-Tav, Aleph, is there anything I can do to ready the guard? To prepare for an attack. I assume, Aleph, that you came here not only for protection, but because you believe we are its next destination?”

Theo nods, “That is correct. The Etz Chaim is a mystical convergence most are unable to ignore, especially one that feeds off the souls of the Paranormal. Pardon me, but the Rybak Family is a veritable smorgasbord, ripe for the taking for something like the dybbuk.”

“No offense taken, Aleph, we are a tasty bunch.” Senka offers softly. She’s sweet as pie, and ethereally beautiful to boot.

“So, I ask again, is there anything the guard and I can do to protect the Family?” Bronimir glances between me and Theo. Before we can respond, Magnus chimes in.

“The coven will cast a net over the village and its inhabitants tonight. It should buy us time to come up with a more permanent solution. Theo, excuse me, Aleph, your grandfather’s number would be most helpful.”

Theo motions for Magnus to pass his paper and pen, jotting down the name and number of his grandfather. “I’ve also added the number for our shaman. We live in Alaska, so be aware they are four hours behind you.” He drops his golden eyes to me, crinkling at the corner as his mouth tips up. “I guess it isn’t ‘we’ anymore, now, is it? This is my home.”

I nod emphatically, not even trying to hide my excitement at his words. “Yup.”

“Aleph-Tav, Aleph.” Rafe says in his deep voice, always on the verge of a growl in its tone. “Might I suggest, Magnus look into corporealizing the dybbuk? If its body is solid, it can be killed, right?”

The room is silent for a beat before Sorin and Epona begin bowing to him, chanting “We’re not worthy.” Soon, the whole room has joined in and Rafe is growling for real now.

“Thank you, Rafe, that is an excellent idea and I think I know a few things we can try to make that happen.” Magnus then turns to me. “May Chloe and I be excused so we may begin on the net and our other tasks?”

“You have quite a bit to do, would you like help from anyone? Theo and I—”

Magnus holds up his hand to stop me. “Perhaps Senka could accompany us. Respectfully, Aleph-Tav, you two need…”

“To fuck.” Chloe finishes for him, earning her an eye roll and a huff of frustration.

“I was going to say time to bond properly.”

Chloe shrugs unfazed, “Like I said, fuck.” She and Magnus stand up and I’m momentarily relieved that she hasn’t crossed any lines yet. Of course, that’s when she pats Theo on the shoulder and grins mischievously. “Rurik really likes it when you pinch his nipples and be forewarned, he’s a screamer.”

“Meeting adjourned.” I mumble, dropping my head to the table like a gavel to dismiss everyone.

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