Page 9 of Becoming D'Vaire
Delaney embraced him back and smiled. He always enjoyed any time he was lucky enough to spend with Vadimas. With perfect clarity, he recalled the first time he met him and as he’d promised, Vadimas had been a friend to him for the last twelve years. Besides Greggory, he was the only other person Delaney confided in. Of course he never told him about the bullying or teasing he endured, but Delaney was not the type of person who complained.
“Thanks,” Delaney replied as Vadimas petted Greggory.
“And hello again to you, Greggory. You helped your wizard make history today. I’m so proud of you both. Now have a seat, Delaney. We have your future to figure out.”
Delaney chose one of the old padded guest chairs as Vadimas lowered himself right next to him.
“Yeah, I was just thinking about that upstairs. I should’ve been planning it for months now.”
“You needed to keep your head clear and focused on your projects as well as passing the magical test for your Master title. Now that you’ve graduated, we need to get you settled. I’d like to know your thoughts about it.”
Delaney shrugged. “I guess I’ll have to get a job, so I can afford an apartment. Maybe I could work in one of the Spectra Wizardry libraries or something. I think I’m probably too young to teach.”
“You certainly have the know-how to educate others, but it might be awkward for a sixteen-year-old to instruct older students.”
“I won’t have the time I do now, so it might slow down my rise to High Arcanist.”
“There’s no rush for that—you may take all the time you need. The responsibilities that come with that title are no small burden. Once you get there, you’ll be expected to assume your role as part of the Council of Sorcery and Shifters leadership.”
“I know, but it’s what I want. It’s what I’ve worked for since I was four years old. I want you to be proud of me. I want you to feel like you did the right thing by taking me out of that orphanage and bringing me here. You’ve overseen my education and have always made time to be my friend.”
Vadimas’s brown eyes grew serious. “Delaney, Iamproud of you. Look at what you’ve done. No one’s come close to graduating at sixteen. You’ve been breaking barriers since you were born, and you’ve done all of this within a population of people who are still adjusting to the idea of a dark wizard. If you decided right now to do nothing else with your life, I’d still be proud of you for the rest of your immortal existence. Do you understand?”
Delaney shifted uncomfortably on the ancient chair. “I still feel like I can do more,” he answered honestly.
“You have the potential to do so many amazing things. I love your drive to succeed, and I hope you never lose it. Inside of you is an incredible will to persevere. It’s to be commended.”
Growing increasingly embarrassed with Vadimas’s effusive praise, Delaney needed to return to their original topic. “Thanks, but you were saying about my future?”
“Trying to get me back on task. Very well, let’s discuss it. I don’t want delays in your education. I won’t have you punished for lacking the resources of many of your peers. I was considering keeping you here at the Academy, which wouldn’t have been too much of a big deal. Other students stay well into their twenties—they just haven’t reached the heights you have, but recently a new avenue has opened that I thought you might want to consider. I don’t want you to feel like you must do it, though. It’s only an idea.”
“You can’t dangle things in front of a person who can’t stand mystery,” Delaney said with a chuckle. “Tell me.”
“The Grand Warlock has recently been found. I’m sure you heard all about it on the news.”
“More like the Internet, but yeah. The Grand Warlock and the Grand Summoner are alive, and the Coven of Warlocks was reinstated in the Council. It’s awesome to know their entire race didn’t die out. Not only did their parents found the Council but all that magical knowledge. I hope someday when I’m High Arcanist I can meet them.”
“Grand Warlock Dra’Kaedan D’Vaire has also met his mate. He’s a dragon in Court D’Vaire. It’s a small court, and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. I found everyone very friendly, and I hope to spend time there in the future getting to know them better. The Grand Warlock went through a rather harrowing experience and without the intervention of a great many people would be dead. The reason I’m telling you all this is because the D’Vaire family has recently opened a sanctuary. The Council approved it as the first multi-race one, and I thought you might consider applying.”
Delaney was taken aback. A sanctuary had not once occurred to him as an avenue to explore since he assumed he’d wind up in a wizard-controlled refuge. He loved who he was and the type of magic he used. However, his people were—as Vadimas pointed out—still becoming accustomed to the idea of a dark caster in their midst. It left Delaney as an outsider. “Aren’t sanctuaries meant for people who have suffered abuse or have been victims of disasters or something?”
“Some of them, but this one is geared toward people who are outcasts. They’re seeking people who want to be a part of a family. That’s the priority in their home and as I mentioned, there aren’t a great many who live there. They share a house, have meals together, and that sort of thing. It would be a great refuge for you, and you’d be able to stay focused on your studies.”
“What happens when I become High Arcanist? I’m supposed to help you lead the Spectra Wizardry. I’d have to leave the sanctuary.”
“Why? It would be your home. Being High Arcanist doesn’t require you to give up your lifestyle or your family.”
Delaney’s mind became fixated on the word “family.” He secretly desired the unconditional love he’d always heard came from being in one. The only other avenue for love that existed in his life was that of a mate, but Delaney doubted Fate was ever going to match him up with anyone. Although she rewarded him as a powerful dark wizard, she’d made him a freak in the process. Delaney did not want to meet the person—whom he was mostly positive would be a guy, though he lacked any experience—that was supposed to be his other half, only to be rejected. It was far better to never meet him than to be spurned by the man. “Where’s the sanctuary?”
“Not far from Las Vegas at all. It’s in Arizona.”
“You really think I should apply?”
“I do. I think it would be a perfect place for you.”
The thought of family and finding somewhere that expected him to be a freak was too tantalizing to resist. “You haven’t steered me wrong before, Vadimas.”
“So you’ll apply?”
