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Striker

Day Five

“A lright,” Leli says as she stands. “Does anyone have any questions? We have a zero-tolerance policy on assault. Anyone, regardless of species, who is caught or accused of assault will be arrested until they can either be proven guilty or exonerated of wrongdoing.”

“I assure you, we will get control over the situation,” Kragen says.

“I know you will. We are coming out of not just a civil war but also the merging of countries. It’s a lot to take in. It will take time, but we will make an example of anyone who breaks the new laws,” Leli says.

“Any word from the witches?” Eldric asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “They told me that the evening before last she used a lot of magic over several hours, but they lost it before they could even try to start trying to track her. They are also not confident that they will even be able to track her. Her being a High Witch, she’s giving off different markers that they’ve never worked with before.”

“But she’s using her magic?” Dad asks me.

“Oh yeah. She’s been using it every day, multiple times a day. The signal they’re getting is stronger over time.”

“She’s getting a handle on her energy,” Dad says, and I nod.

“Gods help Zypher and Morwen when that little girl gets a full hold,” I say, and Vash chuckles.

“Can you imagine Leli with that much power?” Vash asks.

“Good Gods,” Dad laughs.

“I’m feeling attacked right now,” Leli laughs. “Let’s go home.”

“Woah,” I say. I stand up and walk over to Leli.

“What?” she asks. I put the back of my hand on her forehead.

“Just checking for a fever,” I say. She swats my hand away, and I laugh. “Vash isn’t giving you a choice, is he?”

“No,” she frowns at Vash.

“I threatened to tie her up and take her home if she didn’t go home willingly,” Vash grins proudly.

“Well, that’s hot,” Kira laughs.

“Oh yeah?” Volis asks, grabbing her and pulling her closer to him.

“Gross,” I say. “Get a room.”

We all walk outside and gather together by the cars. “Okay,” Dad says. “How is everyone doing?”

“Better now that I know she is using her magic,” Leli says.

“Same,” Volis says.

“Although… I have a feeling she’s healing herself. It’s the one thing she does the best because of the headaches. If she’s using a ton of magic while she’s with Zypher… She’s healing,” Leli says.

“Yeah,” Dad sighs. “But… she is a smart girl. She will figure it out.”

“Yeah,” I say. “She’ll figure it out. I have a good feeling... Well… A bad one with a good ending, at least.”

“Master,” I hear a woman squeal. Before we can turn to see who it is, she runs to Vash and hugs him. “I didn’t know you’d be in Woricsong.” Leli’s eyes instantly flash red. The second she moves, I grab her arm and pull her between Dad and I. Volis abandons Kira to move closer.

“Master?” Leli asks Vash, seething before turning to the woman. Leli steps to the side and I see the girl for the first time. She glances up at me, and my breath catches for a second. Leli turns to me and gets even more angry. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“I…” I begin to say, but I am sucked into this woman’s beauty.

“Mate,” she whispers, stepping toward me. Leli groans and watches her come closer to me. I reach out and cup her cheek, and the moment I make contact with her skin, it’s like a ball of tension inside me loosens. She leans into my touch and her eyes flutter closed for a moment.

“Hello? Who are you?” Leli asks impatiently. Vash is keeping his mouth shut. He’s a smart man. A woman just came up to him and called him Master in front of his emotionally compromised mate.

“My name is Maple Ganleya,” she says after tearing her eyes away from mine and looking at Leli. “I was Vash’s maiden.”

“What?” Leli growls.

“Oh shit,” Volis says.

“Leli,” Vash says softly.

“What?” She turns to him with bright red eyes. She is enraged, more than I’ve ever seen her.