Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 13~Scales~

Summer  

       I woke up with puffy eyes and a headache; partly because of my nightmares and partly because Royal howled all night. I was exhausted but duty calls. I dragged my tired body to the shower then got dressed. Thaddeus and Vincent said they would be waiting for me in my brother’s office.  

    I knocked on the door then entered. My mentors were seated comfortably on the large sofa, sipping away at some coffee. I plopped down in the armchair next to them. “What’s my mission?” I asked. “Well, good morning to you too, Ms. Frost. How did you sleep?” Vincent smiled. Ugh why was this guy always so f*****g cheery? 

       “I slept like s**t. What is my mission?” I repeated. Thaddeus cleared his throat, “As you may recall, the Council has strived to keep all supernaturals safe. One of our main challenges has been keeping mermaid scales off the black market.” He handed me a folder then continued, “For the past decade and a half, the purchase and procurement of scales has declined drastically.”     

      I flipped through the folder and read the statistics. According to the charts, about fifteen years ago thousands of mermaid scales were being sold but that number started to decrease. Last year there were only fifty scales reported. I flipped the page suddenly sick to my stomach. Vincent huffed, “As you can see, we’ve had a disturbing increase in reports of not only scales but in missing merfolk.” I shook my head, continuing to turn the pages. 

      Within the last seven months, mermaid scales were reported at the highest intake ever. “The black market switched up their game. Instead of stealing a few scales here and there, they are kidnapping merfolk by the dozens. Skinning them to the bone.” Thaddeus’s voice was murderous. I tossed the folder to the side, the images of what was left of their bodies burned into my memory.  

       “So, what do you want me to do?” I asked. “We’ve reached out to an agency that is mostly responsible for providing shelter and security during shedding season. It’s called Hell’s Shield. I believe your uncle is in charge of it.” Vincent informed me; I nodded my head. “We don’t know why there’s been such a high demand for scales but we want to put an end to it. Your mission is security. There will be a group of royals coming in to shed. Hell’s Shield has already promised a team but we need to be careful.” Thaddeus explained. 

    “With the recent rogue attacks, we want to be extra cautious. The scales are very powerful items and can be used for multiple things. We don't want them landing in the wrong hands.” Vincent finished. I frowned, what the hell did that mean? They were purposely withholding information. Why were they being this cautious? Who did they consider the ‘wrong hands’? 

      “Here is your ticket to Washington. We also rented a room for you in Bayliss. You will be stationed there until the Atlari Royals have completed their shedding and are safely back home. You leave tonight.” Thaddeus handed me an envelope then dismissed me. I walked back to my room to pack some last-minute items. Most of my things were at the dorms in Phoenix, but I’m sure I had enough clothes here to cover the mission. 

    I opened the door to see Autumn waiting on my bed. “Did you want me to wash your pillows?” she asked, referring to the ones that were stained. I nodded, thankful that she didn’t say anything about Aiden’s visit. I rummaged through my mostly bare closet. I growled in frustration, “Most of these clothes aren’t for hot weather. I’m going to freeze my ass off in Washington.”  

    “Is that where your mission is?” Autumn asked. “Yeah. I’m not sure how long I’ll be there, but it seems like the Council is trusting me with a pretty serious task.” I answered her, dragging out some clothes. I was able to find a pair of combat boots and sneakers, a few long sleeve shirts and fleece leggings in five different shades. I smiled triumphantly as I laid down two winter coats and a pair of thigh high boots. I’ll buy whatever else I need when I get there.   

       Autumn helped put my items into the duffle bags I had to borrow from Mom. “Are you sure you have to go?” Autumn asked quietly, I could feel her anxiousness. We’ve never been separated from each other like this before. “I can’t stay here Sis. I also can't go back to headquarters and pretend like I’m fine. Going to classes every day is going to drive me crazy. I need this.” I answered honestly. Autumn sighed, “I understand. I’m just worried.”   

      She stood up and folded the blanket that I slept with last night. She stuffed it inside my bag then closed it. “Are they at least keeping you in a nice hotel?” she joked. “Yeah, but I think I’m going to ask to stay at Black Pines. I don’t really want to be alone.” I confessed. Autumn gave me a tight hug, “I think that’s best. Our flight back to Phoenix is leaving before yours, so I gotta go before August has a fit.” I hugged her back, trying to get some last-minute strength. 

     “Be careful.” we said at the same time. Autumn gave me a bright smile before leaving.  I sat down on the bed and thought about everything my mentors said. They failed to mention how many royals I needed to protect and how many people would be on my team. I didn’t know how long the shedding process took or where it took place.   

     They also remained silent on what mermaid scales were actually used for. Why were they so special? A knot started to form in my stomach. There were too many things starting to happen in the supernatural world. What if the increase in mermaid poaching was related to the rogue attacks? Could the Fallen somehow be involved? What was his plan?  

    I wanted more information. I was getting nowhere with these unanswered questions. I needed more about mermaids and I needed more information on the Fallen. Uncle Titus deals directly with the kingdom of Atlari and Auntie Phoebe has dealt with the mysteries of the Fallen. They were the perfect people to help me. I pulled out my phone and smiled while Nova gave me a tearful greeting.      

Nova 

      I wiped my tears as I hung up the phone. Summer had tried to sound cheery when she called asking if she could stay with us while she carried out her mission for the Council. Mom had told me what happened to her the night she suddenly left. I wanted to help but I was still on lock down from the Silver Valley fiasco. My heart broke for my cousin. She had waited so long for her mate, but he had tossed her aside like she was nothing. I couldn’t wait to kick his ass.  

     My brother, Idris, knocked on my door. “Hey, weenie dog, Auntie Blair is looking for you.” he announced with a smirk. Idris was an exact replica of our dad; it was almost creepy. “Get out of my room before I turn you into a toad.” I growled. Idris frowned, “You can't do that, can you?” I studied his nervous posture; I was getting more annoyed.  

      Although we were both hybrids our traits were completely different. Maybe it was because he was our next Alpha, but Idris’s lycan genes were more dominant than his elf. He could still use magic but it was very weak. His training was more focused on his wolf traits. He was physically stronger than me, but could barely use his magic to light a small flame.   

       I, on the other hand, was an even split. So that meant that I had twice as much training. The punishment my parents promised me not only included more physical training but unsupervised training with Auntie Blair. She has almost killed me at least eight times! I was also being forced to work at Hell’s Shield. 

    Dad said that I needed to start learning now so that he can retire soon. I was excited at first but now I dreaded it. For two months, Dad dragged me to the office to do nothing but paperwork. When I demanded to learn something useful like going on a raid or assisting with the merfolk requests, he just laughed. “Bosses don’t get to do the fun stuff.” was his snarky reply. 

     “Hurry up, you lizard. You don't wanna make her wait for too long.” Idris reminded me. I tossed my pillow at him, “Get out, you damned hyena!” Idris caught the pillow and threw it back at me. I jumped off the bed with a pillow in each hand, ready to attack. He chuckled then disappeared down the hall. Idris never took me seriously when it came to a physical battle, saying I was too tiny to cause any real damage. 

         Now I was really annoyed. I stomped down stairs to Mom’s apothecary, wondering what fresh hell Auntie Blair had planned for today. Auntie Blair’s small frame came into view, her long gray hair pulled back. “Good morning, sweetheart! We’ve got a busy day ahead of us.” she cheered. The hairs on the back of my neck rose; this wasn’t a good sign. “What are we doing?” I questioned her suspiciously.  

    “I was thinking of letting you create your own spells and potions. I know you’ve been keeping a journal.” she said excitedly. I raised my eyebrow, “Yeah, but most of my ideas have never been done before. Attempting them could cause serious injury or death.” Auntie Blair clapped her hands, “I know! Isn’t it exciting!?” I frowned; how could my parents leave me alone with her? “Where’s Dimitri? Are we starting without him?” I tried to change the subject.   

      She waved her hands absently, “I have taught him to the best of my ability. His training will continue when he returns to the Underworld.” I bit my lip, Dimitri never mentions his future role as a Demon lord, but I knew he was afraid. “Come on, dear. Let’s flip through that book of yours.” Blair motioned for me to move closer. I pulled my notebook from off my work desk and sat down next to her. 

     She flipped through the book; her eyes wide. “Oh, this is interesting. Can you explain this?” she asked, pointing at a page. “This? It’s like a barrier spell but it’s meant to keep Magic users out of places unless they have permission to enter. It could be used over whole territories; no one would be able to warp in or to be summoned out.” I answered. “This must be inspired by your parents’ past.” Blair said as a matter of fact. 

      She was right. After hearing what my family went through because magic users had the upper hand, it made me sick. Dad’s company brings home dozens of lost lycans who are still being hunted in the Underworld. I wanted to stop that. No one deserved to be torn away from their homes to fill someone’s sick obsession. My spell would help keep people safe, one day I would make it real. 

     Blair continued to flip pages then suddenly giggled, “This! We’re doing this!” She held up the book, showing me her plan. I groaned, why did she want to start with the one spell that could blow us up?! “Voice activated magic item grenades that could be activated up to three miles away. This is very detailed! And it would be very helpful for the battle.” she murmured.  

       I shivered, I hated it when she mentioned wars. I didn’t want to be destined to fight a damned god. I just wanted a simple life, but here I was, about to create a bomb with my lunatic great aunt. Blair clapped her hands, “Let’s get started!” 

Aiden 

    I hid myself in the tree, careful not to let my presence known. I held my chest as I watched Summer embrace her family. My wolf, Mayhem, howled in pain. Summer’s sandy brown curly hair was put in a thick bun at the top of her head. Her hazel eyes were red from tears and her demeanor seemed fragile. Goddess, I hated how beautiful she was. I could smell her intoxicating apricot scent from here. It made me feel dizzy and disorientated.  

     She smiled up at her Dad, the dimple in her left cheek making an appearance. My chest seized again, the pain almost too much to bear. She turned her head in my direction, stilling my heart. She stared for a moment then got into the car. I was doing the right thing. She had every right to hate me, all of them did.