Chapter 167

[ 1,506 words ]

Barric

Aria is upstairs giving Lowden a bath and getting him ready for the day as we all gather around the table.

Kade, Ronan and Liam got home early this morning with a wind Sypher named Xochitl.

With the missing juvenile in the Nightbane pack and the video of the shifter gore video going around all of the packs are on high alert.

“Thomas is coming over to collect the samples Aria got last night,” Theo says, his voice tight.

As much as we weren’t happy with her midnight rendezvous, we can’t be upset at the results.

“Good, the more we know the better,” Ronan says. “Low is going to start his training today so he will be with Xochitl.”

I study the male. His long sleek hair and casual loose clothes give him the vibe of someone who doesn’t quite belong in this era.

There are rings on his fingers as well as thick bracelets and several chains.

“Thank you for coming even at the height of this mess,” I say.

His cat-like brown eyes settle on me. “As I told Ronan, no is the best time. Especially if the targets are taking such a wide scope. They won’t be able to get your son if they’re struggling to breathe.”

“Do that often?” Kade asks curiously.

“When the occasion calls for it.”

“So what should we expect from your training,” Theo asks.

At least one of you is practical, my wolf snort.

Hey, I don’t see you asking questions.

“Right now we’re just working on control. How to access it and shut it down. Later we’ll develop force,” Xochitl says.

“How did you learn to master your element?” I ask. “There are so few of you left I can’t imagine that would have been easy.”

“We are all connected on some level. So I’m that sense it can be done, however learning from a master of your element is usually preferred. We also have texts passed down through generations.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “I was fortunate enough to learn from my grandfather. He passed us before Rick made his plea for our resurfacing.”

The impact of his statement becomes clear to me. Lowden is going to be one of the rare few who will get training from a master in his element.

I can feel how pleased this makes Ronan through the bond.

“Slow down,” Aria calls as Low crashes into the room with wide eyes looking around.

The land on Xochitl.

“Are you my new teacher?”

“Yes.”

“Can you fly?”

“I’m not a bird,” Xochitl says.

He crosses his arms “But I can fly.”

“You can use the air to push yourself. When you get stronger you’ll be able to ride the wind.”

Lowden scrunches up his face. “Like a surfer.”

“That’s a good way to think of it.”

“I’m Lowden.”

“I’m Xochitl.”

He slows down the pronunciation of his name so Lowden can follow it.

“Sow-Chee,” Lowden repeats, slowing down the phonetics.

“Xo is also good,” Xochitl says.

With that established, Low takes his seat at the table and starts to eat his breakfast giving Xochitl the occasional glance throughout his meal.

“Hows the old man?” Aria asks Xochitl, running her hands through Ronan’s hair.

“Stressed, but happy. He enjoys not having to sit still though he prefers this whole ordeal to be over.”

Ronan kisses the palm of her hand before she moves on to Kade.

“Sounds like him. And you won’t be needed while you’re here?”

“He’ll live. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

A knock comes at the door and Thomas walks in.

He glances around the room, taking a brief pause on Xochitl.

“This is Thomas our head healer,” Aria says, “and this Xochitl, he will be staying with us and training Low.”

Xochitl inclines his head at Thomas.

The healer, unsurprisingly, gives a cursory nod before focusing on his task.

“I’ve come to collect the sample.”

“Don’t mind him,” Aria says “Thomas is not the best at social etiquette.”

Xochitl just smirks but doesn’t comment as Aria goes to grab the glass jar and gives it to Thomas.

“I’ll send you my results my this afternoon,”

“I appreciate it,” she says.

Thomas leaves without another word.

“Someone got to do something about him,” Kade says. “He’s more prickly than a cactus.”

“Leave him alone,” Ronan warns. “Or I won’t be the one to save you next time you need a healer.”

“I’m finished,” Low yells.

Xochitl stands and Aria goes with him. “I’ll take you guys to the field. There is lots of space there.”

“Good. The less things to bump into the better,” Xochitl says.

“I’m going to go do my rounds,” I tell Ronan. “ I’m also meeting with Marcus about the video. If there is anyone who can track the source down, it’s him.”

“Tell him the video tale priority.”

I don’t waste time going to his house. Instead I head to the kitchens where Marcus is most likely bothering Eliza.

Just as I suspected, he is holding his hand to his chest while Eliza glares at him when I enter.

“If you’re gonna be hovering in here all day you’re going to work, don’t give me more work,” she orders.

“It’s just one pie,” he complains. “Oh, hey Barric,” he says when he senses me.

“Thank the moon,” Eliza sighs, holding up her hands. “Please tell me you have something for him to do?”

“I do.”

Marcus clown grin instantly levels out and the enforcer in him takes over as he crosses to me.

“Did we have any more problems?”

“A few. Come walk with me.”

He kisses Eliza farewell and we start walking towards the enforcer building.

“Ronan needs you to track something for us. I’m going to warn you now it’s graphic.”

Marcus licks his teeth. “Is it going to puss me off?”

“Yeah.”

“And I’m guessing Ronan wants the information ASAP.”

“The faster you get it the better. It might be connected to the missing juvenile.”

We reach the building and walk into his research lab.

Marcus takes a seat and I upload the video.

I have to give it to the male, you’d never guess how disgusted he is just from his face.

He immediately starts typing a string of commands on his second screen, looking for things I can’t begin to understand.

“It’s going to take some time to get past these firewalls.”

“Do you think you can do it?”

“Does a bear shit in the woods?”

I know that look on his face, the hyper fixated twinge in his eye.

“I’ll make sure someone sends food to you periodically.” I say patting his shoulder.

“Not Eliza,” he says before I step out of the room, “I don’t want her to have to see this shit.”

“Got it.”

I understand the feeling. If Aria wasn’t Luna I wouldn’t have wanted her to see the video either. That stuff sticks with you, creeps up on you when you least expect it.

It creates a tale of horrors all its own as you start to go down the rabbit hole of what if.

I check on a few pack mates as I make my rounds, careful to pick up on anyone’s emotional state being out of the ordinary.

Looking up into the tree I scan the sky for the large black birds that could be working as spies.

We still have to find a way to combat them.

Killing them feels wrong. It’s not the animals fault they are being used.

Sebastian comes up to me just as I’m headed to go check on Low and his lessons.

“The guest cabin for the Sypher is all set up,” Sebastian says.

“Why are you making that face?”

“Did you have to choose that pretty male to tutor Low?”

“Who? Xochitl?”

“Who else?” he grumbles. “The females, and Felix are lowering around the lessons.”

“Are you sure they aren’t just curious about the training,” I try.

He gives me a dubious look. “Go see for yourself.”

I smirk and sure enough when we get to the open field Quinnie is among the small group of females.

Xochitl has all his attention on Low as they sit in the grass facing each other.

His long hair has been plaited in a thick braid down his back.

I walk up to Aria. “What are they doing?”

She glances at me and smiles before turning back to them. “He’s having Low practice moving a leaf to him.”

“And how’s our pup fairing.”

“Very well actually. Xo says he wants to speak with us after they are finished.”

“And what about all our females?”

“They’re just enjoying the view,” Quinnie says.

Sebastian growls.

“What, I’m not blind. He’s objectively beautiful.”

Sebastian puts a possessive hand around her waist.

“I don’t want him.” Quinnie states flippantly and I laugh.

At least until Aria says, “Yeah, not many men who look like him around.”

My wolf bares his teeth at the male not liking our mate taking an impartial view of him.

“Oh hush,” Aria pats my chest. “I have my hand filled with males, I’m not looking for another.”

Sebastian looks at me over the female’s head in a ‘See what I mean’ gesture.

I grunt because what the hell am I supposed to say.

He is the only wind Sypher and I won’t make my son suffer because I’m feeling a little petty jealousy.

A large gust of wind rattles the grass and the trees before it’s cut off like someone would flick out a light.

When I look at Felix Low is giving Xochitl, who is covered in grass and leaves, a sheepish look.

“Let’s try that again,” Xochitl says in a patient voice.

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