Page 33 of Becoming One
CHAPTER 12
Orion stood next to Nelson, Ezra and Jewel as the Scions all walked into the musty room. Ezra nodded at the four men. “Thank you for coming. I know that this is unscheduled and a bit unorthodox, but it is of great importance that we meet, and no one know about it. I am going to ask you a question that may seem strange, but please answer without question. Once we have finished this test, then I shall explain everything.”
“Yes, Re,” all four men stated at once.
“How did we meet?” Ezra asked.
Enoch scoffed, “Your father called a gathering four hundred and three years ago. All the covens attended for your coming of age party. I found you hiding in the barn puking up your guts.”
Smiling, Ezra said, “I remember. I was puking because I was scared to death I was going to fuck something up. You said…”
“You can’t fuck up your birthday it already happened,” Enoch said with a laugh.
Killian replied, “We fought in the Summoning Ceremony on your one hundredth birthday. You kicked my ass in the Dire battles.”
“We met after your battle with Killian. You and I got drunk on Ale,” Heskel answered.
Ezra turned to Zaros. The man sighed. “I’m trying to remember, just give me a second.”
“Zaros, it’s imperative you answer the question,” Ezra stated firmly.
Snapping his finger, he said, “Two hundred and twenty-two years ago. You and I were playing on opposite ball teams. My coven won.”
“You wish,” Ezra said with a laugh.
“Yeah, well, we would have won if the ref hadn’t cheated,” Zaros said.
“The ref was my father,” Ezra argued.
“Exactly,” Zaros said with a snort.
Orion sighed. “Okay, do they pass the test?”
Nodding Ezra replied, “Yes they do.”
“Okay, now that we passed the test, what the fuck is going on?” Enoch asked.
“It’s Nicu,” Ezra replied, then turned to Orion. “I think you should be the one to explain.”
Orion felt Nelson place his hand on his arm. Nodding, Orion said, “When I was in the battle with Napal, he rose into the air.”
“I remember that. He levitated and started spinning,” Zaros said.
“Yes, and as he was doing this, his face began to contort. I saw Nicu during that time,” Orion stated.
“So, you think Napal was really Nicu? If what you say is true, that means the mage is far more powerful than any of us thought,” Enoch said in horrified awe.
Nodding, Orion replied, “Yes, and if he can make Nicu look like someone else, then he could do it again, this time as another. That puts everyone in danger. He could kill one of you and take over a coven.”
“He could kill the Re and take over all the covens,” Killian stated in understanding.
Jewel stepped forward. “I really don’t think that’s Nicu’s goal. It might be the mage’s, but I don’t think it’s Nicu’s.”
“What do you mean?” Killian asked.
Jewel looked at Ezra and he dipped his head in ascent. Jewel explained, “I knew Nicu better than most. Not the nice guy you all remember, but the evil prick he really is. With all the shit he put me through, he didn’t hate me near as much as he hated Orion. He was more than obsessed with him… it was as if he wanted tobehim.”
“You think he’s going to come after Orion?” Heskel asked.