Page 1 of True Calling

PROLOGUE

“Xolin? Xolin where are you?” Zotol called out wiping at his brow once again. Holy shit it was hot in Corrigan.

“Zotol is that you?” Xolin shouted from somewhere further left.

It took Zotol about another two minutes to find his mate, and when he did, all Zotol could do was blink in surprise. “Xolin, what are you doing?”

“I need to find something I need for a spell, and this was the best I could do.” Xolin muttered as he knelt on the ground with four blue candles surrounding him.

Knowing better than to disturb his mate when the man was in spell-speaking mode, Zotol stood and watched as his mate lifted a goblet, saying, “Let the water show the location of the Western Underground Orchid.” Over and over again.

Zotol shouldn’t have been surprised when a small dark cloud formed about fifty yards ahead of them and started raining, but he was. It seemed to be centered in a small section no larger than a two-foot circumference.

Xolin stood and smiled at Zotol, making him weak in the knees. Damn, his mate had an effect on him like no other. “I found it.”

Following his mate, Zotol asked, “What is it you’re looking for and why are you looking for it and more importantly why the hell are you looking for it in Corrigan Australia at the hottest damn time of the year?”

Not stopping Xolin said, “Remember the website we started for making wishes, dreams and fantasies come true?”

Did he remember? How could he forget that day? It was some of the best sex he had ever had. Well, he and Xolin always had great sex, but this day... well, let’s just say Xolin had been extremely creative and vocal the entire time, and all because he had helped his friend find his mate. Not that Zotol had been going for that at the time. No, he had been trying to do something to take the sadness of one man’s story from his mate’s beautiful lavender eyes. The man had gone through a tough time with his fight with cancer and had finally decided the fight was over. All he wanted to do was swim with the sharks, so Zotol had made that possible. Okay, not exactly how he had intended, but who could have predicted a giant wave knocking the poor guy into the Atlantic Ocean? Not Zotol, that was for damn sure. He had called on his longtime friend to come and save him and he hadn’t disappointed... it just so happened they turned out to be mates.

Xolin had been so taken with what he had done, that Xolin decided they needed to help more people and started a website for people to tell them their dreams, wishes, and fantasies. Zotol was at a complete loss as to what a website was, but from the bliss-filled night of the best sex of his life, he figured it was a great thing and he was completely on board with the entire thing.

“I was reading some of the people’s messages, and holy crap you wouldn’t believe how many asked to win the lottery. I mean, yes, people need money, I get that, but why don’t they understand that money doesn’t always bring happiness? It might make things a bit easier, but what really makes life easier and happier is having that one person to call your own. The one person to share your life with... you know what I mean?”

Zotol reluctantly shook himself out of his thoughts of sex, and tried to focus on what the hell his mate was talking about and then he remembered. “Yes, my love I know exactly what you mean.”

“I’ve never really had to worry about money, so maybe I just don’t understand those struggles the humans talk about, but even with that, I was just existing until you came into my life. I didn’t even realize how little I was living and then you came along, and I found myself able to share my deepest secrets, fears, and joys with you. I could walk a street and see the people and the stores and stuff, but, Zotol, the day I was walking hand and hand with you down that same street, things just seemed... more. Everything was brighter and vibrating with life. I truly felt alive for the first time. I want so many others to know what that’s like. I want them to feel what real love is.” Xolin said, getting back on his knees.

“I love you too, my mate. What are you doing?” Zotol asked, nervously looking around to make sure no one was watching.

“I need a flower for a spell I’m working on. It can only be found here.” Xolin explained as he began to dig in the earth.

Looking around more frantically, Zotol said, “You do realize that you are digging in a Natural Reserve... right?”

Nodding, Xolin replied, “Of course I know that.”

“Xolin, my love, it’s illegal to dig anything up in the Corrigan Natural Reserve.” Zotol warned.

Shrugging, Xolin said, “And I wouldn’t be doing it now if it wasn’t imperative that I have this flower.”

“What’s so important about the flower, and don’t they normally grow above ground?” Zotol asked in confusion.

“Normally, yes, but the flower I need is extremely rare. Its name is the Western Underground Orchid.” Xolin explained.

Sighing and trying not to get frustrated with his mate, Zotol said, “I realize we are working in your Druid self, right now, and as the son of Merlin, you aren’t used to explaining things, just doing them, but for this lowly ole Jinn, can you please explain why you need this plant and what it has to do with the Fantasy website?”

Gently, Xolin continued to dig as he explained, “Like I said, I was reading the messages sent to us on Fantasy and I came across this one that called out to me on such a deep level. I can’t explain it, Zotol. I just had to answer the call.”

“Okay, love, but if you’re caught digging in the Natural Reserve, you’re going to get arrested and won’t be able to help anyone.” Zotol stated firmly.

“I won’t get caught. I cast an invisibility spell. Besides, this wish is worth the risk.” Xolin quit digging long enough to pull his phone out, and after wiping the mud on his clothes, he did something and handed it to Zotol. “Read this.”

Zotol took the phone, hoping he didn’t have to do any of that swiping stuff his mate had done, and let out a long breath of relief when all he saw was a long message for him to read.

Dear Fantasy,

First let me start by saying that this isn’t a wish for ourselves. It’s for a great man named Garth Vanburon.