Coven of Wolves (26 page)

Astonished, Damon says to me, "Your fighting style completely matches traditional Synoro combat techniques. Each pack has their own way of fighting. Nicholas is one of the Synoro's most fiercest warriors. You took to fighting him as if you two had been trained in sparring your entire lives."

Ignoring his words, I tell Damon, "They'll be expecting you for the trials soon. I need to know exactly what an Enopo is."

Damon looks at his mother, unsure of what to say.

"Please!", I continue.

It's Gabriella that ends up answering my question. "As you seem to know, your father's clan is called the Synoro. They rule over all of the Americas. I come from a different clan in Europe. We are called the Basque Clan. There are others, mostly based in Europe, each claiming territory all across the world. We don't generally interact with each other. Over the years, the various clans have formed figurative walls against one another. Normally, no clan is allowed to enter another's territory and most especially no wolves are allowed to have children with members of other packs."

Confused, I say, "But Damon..."

Gabriella continues saying, "I said 'normally'. There are occasionally a few exceptions to the rule. When one clan is close to starting a war with another, usually over territory or hired contracts, the Archons of those clans will typically meet to try to resolve the matter.

If an immediate solution can't be found, the Archons can then designate their clan's ambassadors to create an Enopo. Once the Enopo is born, neither clan can act against the other until a resolution to the problem can be found."

"What does Enopo mean?", I ask.

My father says, "In our language it means 'The Unifier'. Among our kind, Enopos and their parents can spend their entire lives acting as a good will ambassadors to both clans, establishing treaties and creating new internal laws to help strengthen the clans peacefully."

Damon then says, "We're born with bi-colored fur, representing the colors of both tribes. My father's clan color is black, whereas my mother's clan is red. I guess that makes me unique." He smiles. "But once both clans are at peace, I'm only allowed to live until my 18th birthday. For me, that day has arrived."

"But I don't understand.", I plead. "So your own clans get rid of you once you're done saving their skins?"

My father tells me, "It's not that simple. The various clans are constantly afraid the other ones will grow more powerful than them and will want to take over. In their eyes, allowing an Enopo to live into adulthood shows that a hidden alliance has been made between the clans. If an Enopo is allowed to live beyond their original purpose, it could create a war among all of the clans. That's why the trials exist, to see that any long term pact among the clans ends. Archon representatives from each of the packs are always present to make sure that the trials are thorough."

"It's like I told you.", Damon tells me. "Nothing you have in mind will be able to change the outcome of the trials. I've completed my assignment. The Synoro and Basque clans are at peace with one another. My life will end so that countless others will be able to live on."

"That's NOT gonna happen!", I passionately say. "There's GOT to be some other way! Has an Enopo ever survived the trials?"

With a very sad look on her face, Gabriella says, "Not one."

I turn to my father and say, "Say we break the mold and Damon does survive the trials. What do your laws say will happen to him?"

Perplexed, he says, "If an Enopo survives the trials, then he or she is allowed to live in the clan of their choice. But Devin, in the thousands of years werewolves have existed, that's never happened. The Archons see to it that no one ever makes it through the trials. They will see the survival of an Enopo as an oncoming to war."

I can hear the sound of footsteps marching down the hallway outside. I immediately bend down to Fenrus' level and say to him, "Is it possible for you to merge with me, but not summon the wolf form?"

In my head I hear him answer, "Yes."

"Good.", I say. "Let's do it then. They'll be here any moment."

At that, Fenrus jumps into the air, seemingly to enter my arms. Instead, he mystically phases into my body, filling my soul with his strength and power. I can physically feel myself grow several inches taller. My muscles grow larger, causing my once loose clothing to become anything but. I then close my eyes and concentrate on a form. In my mind I see myself wearing standard Synoro battle gear. I will the image in my mind to become reality. When I open my eyes I see that the spell has worked.

Astonished, my father says, "Devin, that's amazing."

I then look at all three of them and say, "I know none of you want to lose Damon any more than I do. I don't want your people at war either. Help me get to the arena with Damon and I'll see to it that we can get Damon and peace between your clans at the same time."

The three of them nod their heads as the door to the room opens. In walks my grandfather, Jason, and a small team of Synoro warriors. He looks around and says, "I just saw Nicholas and he said that you might be needing assistance. Has anything happened?"

My father looks at Jason with contempt in his eyes and says, "No, we're fine. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to escort my son to meet the trials."

Jason says, "Of course. Everyone is taking their places." Jason then walks over to Damon and tells him, "We are so proud of you Damon. You've resolved the conflicts between your parent's packs. I'll make sure you are held in high honor within our clan."

Damon bows slightly toward Jason in respect. An unspoken fury breaks out on my father's face, but he keeps his cool. He takes Damon in one arm as Gabriella takes the other. I follow closely behind as they walk out of the door and into a long narrow passageway. A light at the end of the hall tells me that we are making our way up from underground. I become nervous as Jason and the troop of soldiers walk just behind me. Will they be able to see through my glamour spell? Damn, and what about my scent marking? Will they notice that too? I keep in mind that there is nothing I can do if they can, so I continue walking behind Damon, hoping no one will catch on to what is really happening.

When we reach surface, I see that we are in a formal holding area. Just ahead are wooden gates leading off to the center of an arena. Even from here I can see that the seats are completely filled, mostly with soldiers dressed in Synoro battle gear. From my vantage point I can also see three grand window boxes, each with a set of official looking people sitting in them. I imagine a fourth window box to be right above us.

Jason then stands in front of Damon, pointing to the various window boxes, and says, "As you can see, the Archons from the different clans are all here to see you."

Just then a very official looking older gentleman with red hair and wearing a variation of Gabriella's green uniform approaches us. He has a small team of wolves following behind him, also wearing the green battle garb. Jason smiles, offering his hand to him. The green clad Archon extends his hand as well, and they each grab each other's forearm in compliance.

Jason says, "Gregoire, it is an honor to meet with you again. I trust the other Archons from your clan are comfortable?"

The red haired Archon releases his hold and replies, "Yes, we are all fine."

Gregoire then turns to Gabriella and kisses her on the cheek. Afterward he turns to Adam and locks hands with him similar to how he greeted Jason. Gabriella then tells the Archon, "Thank you for coming papa. It means a lot to Damon that he can see his grandfather one more time."

Gregoire looks into Damon's face and says in a French accent, "It is a big day for you Damon. I'm sure you will make us all very proud in the trials. Your spirit will always live on among us."

I'm sickened to my stomach. How can the leaders of his own people look Damon in the face without any guilt what-so-ever and tell him that they are proud that he is going to die? And not just any leaders, but members of his own family! Don't they care that the same blood that runs through their veins are in his? Instead of being filled with remorse, they are completely content to send someone so young off to slaughter. Goddess, please steady my emotions so that I don't do or say something I'll regret later.

Devon smiles back lovingly at the Archon and says, "Thank you Grandpapa. I'll put up a good fight until the end."

Inside myself I can feel Fenrus soothing me, keeping me calm. My father sees the expression on my face and politely says to the two Archons. "Thank you both for coming. Now if you'll excuse us, Devon's mother and I will escort him to the arena. I'm sure the other clan Archons are ready for the trials to begin." He then turns to me and says in front of them. "You, come with us. We can use your assistance."

I nod in response as the Archons turn and leave, taking their mini troops of body guards with them. In the corner of my eye I can see Nicholas standing back in the shadows, watching us from a distance. Damon notices him too and walks over to him. With my heightened hearing, I hear Damon tell Nicholas, "I'm going to miss you cousin Nicholas. You've been like a second father to me. I'll always treasure our lessons, even into the afterlife."

Nicholas then surprises me with what he does next. He breaks his cold hard persona and gives in to emotion. He sweeps Damon into his arms and whispers to him, "You are the son I never had. You take my heart with you."

Damon holds Nicholas equally as strong, not breaking the circle for several moments. I look back at my father and Gabriella and see they are now silently crying. They interlock hands, not taking their eyes off of Damon for one moment. Finally Nicholas releases Damon, who returns to join us.

I tell Damon and his parents to hold on a moment. I run over to Nicholas, who changes his demeanor back to it's usual emotionless state. I put aside all animosity and tell him, "I know I'm the last person you want to see right now, but I need you to know that I intend to save my brother." The agitation returns to Nicholas' face but I stop him from saying anything else. Instead, I continue saying, "You might think it's a hopeless cause, but I've got to try. You hate me, I know. But please, don't let that get in the way of what I'm about to do."

Again, Nicholas looks deep into my eyes, as if he is searching my soul. I send back to him feelings of the upmost sincerity and care. He then says, "I don't hate you. I don't know what I feel towards you, but it's not hate. You do what you have to. I'm not going to stop you. But if you do die in the trials, as I suspect you will, I just want you to know one thing. I had nothing to do with your mother's kidnapping. That was entirely done without my knowledge, at your grandfather's behest."

I'm surprised by his words. "Thank you.", I tell him. At that, Nicholas turns away and disappears into the darkness.

I return to the trio waiting for me. Gabriella then says, "I notice you only have one sword. All emissary wolves always carry two."

"I'm not an emissary.", I respond. "The only reason why I have this one is because Nicholas dropped it. Technically, it's not even officially mine."

Gabriella says, "That sword is most definitely yours. You handle it as if it were made for you." She then removes one of her own sword and scabbards and offers them to me. "Here. Take it. You'll need two swords if you're really going to do what I think you are."

Except for the green handle and different marked etchings, Gabriella's sword looks identical to my Synoro sword. I look at Gabriella and ask, "Are you sure?"

She answers by taking the new tools and adjusting them onto my back to match the standard way the various other wolves station their own weapons. As she does, I look over and notice that Damon has one black handled sword and one green handled sword as well. She then takes my face into her hands and says, "You are a complete stranger to both Damon and I, yet here you are, willing to put your own life at risk in the hopes that my son will live through the trials. The stories your father told us of you were that of a small child. As a man, I see a lot of your father in you. You have his same kefi, or spirit. No matter what happens, you have earned my respect Devin."

Gabriella then turns to Damon and embraces him one last time. When she is done, my father goes over to Damon and kisses him on the forehead and tells him, "I love you son." Adam then comes over to me and says, "I'm so sorry about everything that's happened. If there were any way I could've stayed with you..."

I stop him by saying, "It's okay dad. I know what happened. You did what you had to do to save our family. Now it's my turn."

My father says, "You don't have to do this Devin. Those are trained killers out there with years of experience. You still have a chance to walk away from this."

As kindly as I can, I tell him, "I might be able to walk away, but Damon can't. He'd be hunted just like I am. If I can give him even the slightest chance at survival, I'm definitely going to try. I only ask one thing in return."

Gabriella says, "If it's within our power, ask and we'll see it done."

I tell them, "If I don't make it through the trials, promise me you'll help my friends destroy the coven chasing after us. My friends are in way over their heads and are going to need your help. You could make it look like one of your assassination assignments. Do this and consider everything between us squared away."

My father says, "I promise."

He holds me one last time as the sound of a war horn can be heard. In the open arena before us, a set of doors opens on the opposite end. Out marches a team of 3 Synoro wolves, dressed in their black assassin garb. Behind them are three more similarly dressed teams of 3, one dressed in the green Basque colors, another dressed in light grey, and the last dressed in brown. Suddenly I understand why no Enopo has ever survived the trials. Damon is definitely outnumbered.

"12 to 1?", I say under my breath. "That's not fair."

My father hears me and says, "No, it's not."

Remembering Tobias' words just before we walked into The Cauldron, I say to myself, "Here goes everything."