Meanwhile, far off in the mountains, a two days walk from the enchanted forest, Grigori was getting his instructions from the guardian council. The watchers of ancestral inceptors, like Grigori. They communicated with him the same way as always, through visions. Buried deep in the family line there were secrets. Dark and painful truths that lay dormant No matter the cost we are to protect those secrets. Generations have passed since the creation of a relic to keep these secrets .It's called the dark staff of infinite power.

 It was created and then hidden over the centuries. The council found out that one sorcerer had acquired it. The staff will only reveal it's power to a descendant of the family line. Another dark sorcerer owns it now, you are to watch him. Make sure he doesn't do anything foolish with it. Grigori bowed and nodded, the vision disappeared. He knew what his mission was, but needing to rest and refuel before the next vision, to see where the dark staff was located, and it's current owner. Grigori would find what he was looking for,  always did. He would wait and eventually he would find the staff of power.

Just days after finding out his current mission he found out who owned the dark staff. The guardian council was correct as usual. It was owned by a very powerful dark sorcerer. Powerful yes but Gigori had been around for a very long time. They had fought battles, magical and physical. He knew he would be able to watch over the staff . 

Like Veronia, Grigori could shapeshift into anything he wanted to be.. That week he watched over the sorcerer, in the form of birds, trees and small creatures that would blend in quite well. He was there unnoticed by he sorcerer and his companion. He saw the attraction she was a captivating beauty, a mysterious spark about this one.

One evening the Grogori decided to shift into a small mouse in hopes to get a better view. He recited the incantation, and prayed hat everything went smoothly.

That night Stergis was waiting for Ravenessa to return from one of the nearby villages. He walked the marble floor long hall way to his potion laboratory to summon the staff of power. For a few minutes he just stared at the relic, all the history it held within. Then he gently put it into a box and had a glass of wine. He smiled, knowing that she'll just love it. He thought as he spied at his wine goblet, proud of himself.

Grigori was hiding in a corner watching the sorcerer and over heard his plans with the staff. Quickly scurrying away, he knew that he would have to summon the guardian council. Once he contacted them he was frantic and nervous about the current situation. The guardian council told him to take it from the sorcerer. It is only to be possessed by blood relatives, preferably a first born son. It had been this way since the creation of the dark staff. They told him to take the staff and hide it. Do not fail the mission. Strength and courage be with you. Seconds later the vision was gone.

Grigori started planning for his next mission, to retrieve the dark staff. He wanted to get it before the sorcerer gives it to his companion, so time was limited. He knew that failure wouldn't be tolerated, this mission was of great importance. Grigori waited for the sorcerer and his mate to fall into a deep slumber. It was under a fort night until their arranged bonding ceremony. With complete stealth He  snuck into the castle and stole the dark staff. He didn't waste time, heading directly for his home in the mountains.

The next morning Stergis woke first, so he headed to the kitchen for coffee before he got to work on his potions and spells. When he got there he saw some of the servants, told them good morning. Joanna, one of the servants brought him a large mug of coffee. He accepted the cup thanking her with a smile even though he was barely awake. He said goodbye to her as he took his mug with him to the study, a very comfortable place for morning coffee and research. This morning it was quite peaceful and serene, a perfect morning to work.

 He settled in and got started right away. He had a few ideas for potions using rare herbs, also there were always things he needed to add to the spell book. His Ravenessa had been busy as well, mostly everything with the bonding ceremony. He couldn't wait for it either. He needed her like creatures needed air to breathe. Even though he enjoyed the stillness of the world being the first one up, he hoped Ravenessa would be awake soon. She would come and find him and have a cup with him, it was nice. A welcomed distraction from his work.

Minutes after Stergis finished his coffee, the servant brought him another one. He thanked her for being so thoughtful. Then he returned back to his work. He went over to the shelf to look through a few books. Both he and Ravenessa had tons of books on everything magical. He settled down with A Masters Guide to Conjuring. It was one of his old favorites. He had acquired the book during his teens, quite some time ago.

By the time he skimmed past the third chapter, she walked in to the study to join him. She had a steaming cup of coffee, setting it down she leaned over to kiss him good morning. He smiled at her then spoke.

"Have you any plans today my sweet?"

"Nothing that I'm aware of dear." She replied, still half awake.

"Good, I don't have any obligations, either."

The two of them spent the morning having coffee in the study, discussing the ceremony, a few of their friends. They also both agreed that Richard was a good for Veronia, a nice fellow and great protector. Stergis admitted that his sister had found someone that would be good for her. The dark sorcerer had a change of heart when it came to Richard as well as the brethren as a whole. Over the last few months he joined them for drinks a little more often. 

He like visiting with Daniel as well. Once this gorgeous creature entered his life, she had Changed him for the better, Ravenessa had helped him in more ways than she could ever imagine. He loved her, completely. He wished for her happiness above his own. He would live, breathe and if need be, die to protect her. Granted he knew she'd never let that happen. He knew that they couldn't live without each other.

By late afternoon the two of them had spent all their time in the study. All of the sudden Stergis got up, said he would be back in a few minutes. While he was gone she pulled out her book of shadows, writing out some of her hopes and dreams of her life with her love. Furiously writing her thoughts, she almost didn't hear the ruckus coming from the potions room. The first sound was a thud, then kicking. Then she could hear her mate, using the most foul language she'd heard in a long time. Sorcerer or human kicking and cursing wasn't a good sign.

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