Page 118 of The Seeker
“Tell us more about Bozidar,” Damien said. “What has prompted this move?”
“I don’t know anything for certain, but Roch—one of the scribes in the haven—has been getting reports from various scribes scattered around this area. There are quite a few brothers not attached to either the Houston or the New Orleans house, and they’ve been noticing growing activity for a few weeks. Which, according to Meera, was right around the time Vasu found her here in the US.”
“If this is some conflict between two Fallen, why are we getting involved?” Damien asked.
“Because we don’t know for certain if that’s the reason,” Rhys said. “Bozidar might simply see an opportunity. A city with no real watcher and a rich hunting ground of tourists. It’s to the New Orleans scribes’ credit that the city has been peaceful so far. They don’t get many attacks.”
“Or do they and they’re simply not noticed?” Sari asked. “New Orleans has had several natural disasters in the past twenty years, has it not?”
“That’s a good point. The city has a large tourist and transient population.”
“So this problem may have been growing for some time, just going unnoticed by human authorities.”
“Anything is possible, but activity has definitely ratcheted up in the past few weeks, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
“You always were a suspicious one.” Damien tapped him on the shoulder. “Causing problems wherever you go.”
“If my watchers would give me more peaceable assignments, I might take a vacation.” Rhys glanced in the rearview mirror. “Why did you send me here, Damien? Was it to find the Wolf, or was this an elaborate matchmaking scheme?”
“Are you complaining about the results of either?” Sari asked. “As far as I can tell, you’ve found a legendary warrior with a trove of Irina martial magic, discovered yourreshon, and will probably kill an angel before this is all finished.” She clapped his shoulder in a friendly pat worthy of a heavyweight wrestler. “All in all, one of the most successful missions we’ve ever orchestrated.”
“That did not answer my question.” Rhys glanced in the rearview mirror, but Damien had his eyes on Sari, watching her with a smile.
“Take us to meet your woman,” he said. “We’ll plan for battle in the morning, but tonight we should celebrate.”
Maarut had driveninto the city to take Meera out to the haven, so Rhys drove Damien and Sari to the edges of the wards, passing the old house at the bend of the river. The old man was gone, but a dog perched on the edge of the porch. His tongue hung down and his tail wagged as Rhys’s car drove past.
Patiala greeted them at the edge of the wards with a wave from the back of a small four-wheeled vehicle they used on the farm.
“Sari.” She dismounted from the four-wheeler and walked over to embrace the taller woman. “Gabriel’s fist, it’s so good to finally meet you in person.”
“My friend, I am full of joy for you and Maarut.”
Patiala smiled at Rhys. “It was a good recommendation. I knew they would be suited from what you said, but to be herreshon… It was far more than we could hope for.”
“Well, that settles that.” Damien nodded. “You and Meera were definitely set up.”
“So you’re feigning ignorance of this?” The corner of Rhys’s mouth turned up. “I can’t be angry. Could you?”
“Considering how many matings my mother tried to arrange for me, I want to say yes, but she’s yourreshon, brother. There is no greater happiness on this earth.”
Sari climbed back in the car after a quiet exchange with Patiala, then with a softly whispered spell, they drove into the haven, Rhys shrugging off the now-familiar feel of old earth magic that guarded the property.
They drove under the oak trees, now even more decorated with colorful banners and flowers. Someone had created a spell that made tiny gold petals fall from the trees on either side of the alley.
“What joyful magic,” Sari said with a smile. “Rhys, this is stunning.”
“Are you regretting our quiet mating in Norway, my love? It was nothing like this.” Damien chuckled. “Had we gone back to Rekaves—”
“There would have been ceremonies for days,” Sari said. “Rhys, one of thesabetesfound her mate last fall. She was the eldest instructor and Katalin insisted on a full mating celebration for her.”
“The castle and village were partying for a week,” Damien said.
“Over a week,” Sari added. “Nine days for the formal celebration.”
“It was fun.”
“It was a lot of work,” Sari said. “And all the children had special dances during the feast.”
