24 AD

"He will help us." Helix answered Eslein's, over lunch inquiry, "And he thinks some of his men might be willing to come aboard as well."

"And Marcel?"

"Haven't talked to him yet. Ynyr asked me to wait until after he briefs him." Helix shrugged, taking a bite of bread.

"Do you really think you can make men, become like you?"

Eslein fiddled slightly with her spoon. Her eyes constantly darting around the dining room. There were more doors into this room then would ever be necessary. Twelve of them to be exact. One led into the kitchen, some led into a large foyer, others into various halls.

"Maybe. My bite does something to them. Or it did back in the forest."

Again the witches eyes wandered around the room, her expression tense.

"Eslein, is everything okay?" Helix asked softly.

Her blue eyes met his, "I know you trust your friends but..." she shoved a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "There is something about Ynyr you don't understand."

Helix arched an eyebrow.

"Remember I told you once that he is, other? Not a coven leader but someone even the coven leaders look like children next too?"

He nodded.

Shifting uncomfortably in her chair she swallowed and continued, voice strained, "Ynyr Kornel is said to be the first of our kind. An ancient with the ability to power to strip any witches abilities, for himself, and to take the life energy of whomever he kills. He is ancient because he kills. He is powerful because he kills witches."

Helix blinked trying to process what she was saying. In a way, it lined up neatly with what he already knew. In another way, it didn't quite make sense. "If he kills so many witches how are there so many of you still around?"

"Decuma made more after him." She shrugged, "We multiplied by her creation and by breeding. Many of us are born with the Gift now. I have only met a few Made witches. Most of us are Born witches. Made witches always tend to be stronger. Born witches vary depending on how much power is in our bloodlines."

"You think Ynyr will kill you?" Helix did not like that thought at all. He wanted to deny that was even a possibility but hadn't Ynyr just fought him? Just released deadly power aimed for killing? Unease snaked down his spine. Perhaps Eslein was right to distrust the commander.

"I think he could. But I worry more about what he might do to you." Eslein looked at her clenched hands, folded on the table before her. A red blush was spreading across her cheeks. "Not only do I want you to live because I... admire you, but I also fear what all your power and possible immortality could turn him into."

Helix felt the words she avoided warm his heart. Standing he walked around to her side of the table and knelt beside her chair. Reaching out he took one of her hands in his. With the other, he gently lifted her chin making her meet his eyes. "I will protect you. You, who have traveled so far with me. You, who have given me your help when you have no reason to do so. I promise I will not let Ynyr Kornel, or any other creature bring harm to you."

"And who will protect you?" She whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Who will protect you from the monsters Helix?"

Running a calloused thumb across her cheek he brushed her tears away then rose just enough to lean his forehead against hers. Still gently holding her head he whispered back, "You will. Because you love me."

Leaning closer, Helix pressed his lips into hers. She returned the kiss, her arms raising to wrap around his neck, hands tightening in his hair.

The sound of a door opening startled both of them to their feet. "What the- Marjani."

The healer stood in the doorway, a hand on her hip and a smirk on her face. "I approve. But there is a mighty ornery Marcel outside saying he must see ya once Helix."

"Marcel?" Helix felt his heart sore and ran for the front door, giving Marjani a quick squeeze on the arm as he passed.

Flinging open the door he was greeted by a blond hair and a sparkling bright smile, "You're alive and you don't even come see me?"

Helix threw his arms around his friend laughter bubbling out from deep in his chest. "Good to see you too! Come in. There is someone you must meet."

"Oh? Does this invite include hearing all about your adventures?"

"Of course!"

***

Marcel graciously accepted Eslein's hand in greeting with a warm, "Please to meet you."

Then he and Helix talked. They talked of the past, and of Helix's many adventures. Marcel's face grew somber as Helix delved into witches, seers and gods, not revealing everything but still saying enough to relay the bones of his adventure. His friend's expression was questioning, disbelieving even, but also curious.

"Show me?" Marcel asked during a lull in the story.

"Show you? You mean show you me becoming a wolf?"

Marcel leaned forward, "I want to see it."

"He doesn't believe you." Cinix strode into the sitting room they had chosen to talk in, a drink in one hand a scroll in the other. "Mortals have such closed minds. No offense, sweetheart." With that, he plopped into a cushion.

It wasn't quite clear if Cinix meant Eslein or Marcel with his last jab. The witch rolled her eyes.

Marcel bristled, his eyes flying over the immaculate, foreign clothes the Aos si had insisted on wearing, "What are you, the entertainment?"

Cinix glanced up from his scroll, a grin threatened to pull up the corners of his mouth. Before he could retort Helix cut in, "Marcel this is Cinix. Ignore his attitude. You get used to it."

Cinix hmmed and looked back at his scroll, "Getting used to me already, Helix? I'll have to try harder to surprise you."

"Please don't."

Marcel glared at the offensive, overdressed, male, "Of course I don't believe Helix can turn into a wolf. It's not feasible."

Helix sighed, understanding his friend's doubts, but was still annoyed. Before he could say anything Cinix grinned at Marcel letting his eyes glow and fangs flash. The soldier made a strangled choking sound, nearly flipping over his chair as he abruptly stood recoiling.

"What the fuck are you?"

Cinix chuckled, sipped his drink, then returned his attention to his scroll.

Standing Helix quietly entreated his friend, "Ignore him. Come on. I'll show you."

Marcel's wide eyes flicked to him, "You aren't lying are you." It was not a question.

"No. I'm not." For a long moment, everyone was quiet. As the silence stretched on, Helix decided he needed work on his explaining skills. Maybe humor would help? "I don't really want to destroy another set of clothes, so if you still want to see, come with me."

Slowly, hesitation in every step, Marcel followed Helix through the house to a bath chamber. Helix pulled his clothes free, tossing them into a pile in the corner, not meeting his friends stare. "Stand back a bit. It's rather... messy."

Marcel audibly ground his teeth but did as instructed. Satisfied, Helix focused as he forced the shift, pain ripping through his being. It still hurt, but he was definitely getting used to the feeling. His body pitched forward onto all fours, cracking bone and his own gasping filled the silence.

When it was done Marcel let out a list of profanity, "You really are a wolf."

Helix turned his glowing gold eyes on the man. "I speak too." Marcel was half pressed into the door. He looked ready to bolt, but he also looked curious. Helix pulled that thread of curiosity, "I know this is a lot to take in. And, believe it or not, it doesn't even scratch the surface of weird.

"I came back for a reason though. I need commander Ynyr's help, but I would like yours as well."

Marcel took a deep breath, "A talking wolf wants my help? This has to be a dream. It's just not possible." Reaching up he pulled a hand through his hair.

"It is. I know it is hard to understand, but it is real."

"What could you possibly need my help for?"

Helix considered his answer. The truth might be more than his friend could handle, but then, he'd come this far already. So that's what Helix did. He told the truth, "I plan to kill Zeus."

Marcel blinked once then slid to the floor, his eyes wide, "This is all some kind of bad dream."

***

Author Note:

This chapter turned out shorter. But where better to end a chapter?