le-ni-ent

lēnēənt

adjective

(of punishment or a person in authority) permissive, merciful, or tolerant

synonyms: clement, forbearing, forgiving, charitable, indulgent, humane, magnanimous

By the time the sun began filtering through the leaves, revealing lush pine and fir trees surrounding the clearing, I was trembling with the cold. I huddled up on the soft moss, feeling the damp creeping through my jeans. I had my fingers tucked into my armpits, and my legs curled up to try and conserve as much warmth as possible around my torso.

The warmth of the morning sun against my skin, meager though it was, felt like a blessing from on high, and I uncurled my body, groaning as my stiff fingers began to regain circulation. Pain. Lots of pain.

I hadn't slept, and the hours had felt like years, listening to the hooting of owls, rustling of bushes, and the wind sighing through the trees. It had granted me a lot of time to think, and I'd spent the time attempting to make connections. If my conclusions were correct, this Alcide person must be based on the legend of Hercules. I didn't have enough information yet to place the others, though I had a strong suspicion that Maggie was really Artemis from the legend. Goddess of nature, the hunt, animals. It made sense. Well, as much sense as any of this was making.

There was a rustle in the bushes behind me and I jumped, hoping it would be Liam. No. He couldn't get here that fast. He would have to take a plane, which from Spain would take... What, twelve hours? Besides, if he decided to bring Alcide back in exchange for me, how long would that take?

The thought of how many hours of waiting might lay before me had me leaping to my feet, stretching my cramped muscles out, and beginning a light jog in place, hopping up and down to warm myself. The movement prompted a sudden and desperate need to pee, and I was just beginning to consider using a nearby bush when I heard Maggie's cheery, clear voice from behind me.

"Practicing your bunny hop? I do that sometimes."

I turned to see her tall form striding through the trees towards the garden, hair an even wilder mess of twigs now, and hazel eyes bright in the sunshine. She had her hands shoved in her sweatpants pockets, and was strolling amongst bushes and underbrush with a nonchalance that suggested years of familiarity with the terrain.

"Yeah, I'm prepping for the annual rabbit races," I replied dryly. "Would you be insulted if I peed in your garden? I'm about to burst."

Maggie approached closer and gave me a wide smile. "Sister kept you out here all night, did she? What a bitch." She shook her head, then turned towards her cottage and started up the path, gesturing for me to follow. "Come on. Two leggers can use the toilet."

Two legger. That sounded almost like an insult, but it was said in such a friendly tone, I couldn't take it as one. Besides, she was offering me a bathroom, and a respite from the crisp forest air. She could call me whatever she wanted.

"Thanks. Sorry to intrude," I said to her back, then winced. I should not be apologizing to the person who had a hand in kidnapping me, for god's sake.

"It's okay," she replied with a shrug, tugging open the rickety wooden door of the cottage. "Truth be told, I feel a bit guilty. I forgot about you, or I would have let you in before I left."

"Oh." I let out a small huff of laughter, unable to really be insulted when it was clear this woman intended no deliberate harm. Also, the wave of heated air that washed over my chilled skin had me thinking much more charitably. "Why did you call me two legger? Don't some animals have two legs, too?"

She laughed and shook her head. "The wolves call you that. Does it hurt you in the feelings?"

"Hurt my feelings, no it doesn't." I smiled, then started a squirmy little dance. "Uh, sorry..."

"Bathroom is that way." She pointed down a narrow hallway.

"Thanks." I scurried down without really looking around, too desperate for the facilities. The bathroom was small, but clean, with wooden fixtures that were polished and gleaming in the lamplight. I relieved myself quickly and washed my hands, then splashed warm water over my face. It felt so good I groaned and held my frozen fingers under the hot water until they began tingling painfully.

Finally I emerged from the bathroom, drying my hands on my pants, and came back down the hallway into the front room. I peered around and my eyes widened. The whole place had the feel and appearance of a den, of sorts. It was composed completely of wood, with wooden furniture carved into the wall itself, and dim lighting provided by small lamps lining the ceiling. It smelled like sandalwood and some musky, earthy scent that was quite soothing. The chairs and long couch were covered in animal skins, what looked like a giant fluffy bearskin rug, and possibly a deer or two. In the center of the room, there was a spiral staircase leading directly up to an open skylight. At the top of the staircase was a narrow stool perched rather precariously. It looked as if a person seated on the stool would have most of their body emerging into the open air on the roof.

I wondered idly how she kept it dry when it rained, but the bustling sounds from the next room distracted me. I carefully made my way over the rough stone floor to a small, brightly lit kitchen, scrubbed clean and meticulously organized. Maggie was moving about, pouring hot water into two mugs, and popping bread into a toaster.

"Feel better?" she asked without turning her head.

"Yeah, thanks." I eyed the single stool near the counter and decided to stand. Everything looked worn in here. Clean, but possibly falling apart.

"I'm accomplishing breakfast."

"Accomplishing it?" 

"Yeah, aren't you hungry enough to consume horseflesh?" Maggie pinned me with a look so earnest, I had to swallow back a laugh.

"As long as you're not about to literally feed me horse, then yes. I'm starving."

"I don't eat horse. It's just a saying. Strange two legger." Maggie gave another twinkly-eyed smile at me and planted a plate of dry toasted bread in front of me on the counter.

"I don't suppose you have any butter or anything?" I asked wistfully. Then my stomach grumbled, and I picked up a piece, glad enough to have something to fill me up.

She carried over the two mugs of tea, and a large plate for herself, on which rested an enormous chunk of roasted meat.

"Of course I do. I didn't know what you wanted." She twisted around, the kitchen small enough that she could reach into the refrigerator without getting up from the stool. Pulling out a pat of butter, she placed it in front of me, then turned her attention to her meat. She began tearing voraciously at it with her fingers and shoving large pieces into her mouth.

I stared for a long moment, then shook my head to clear it. I guess running around all night gave her a big appetite. I eyed the butter, and decided to follow her example, swiping my finger over it to scoop off a chunk, then spreading it over the toast with my fingertip. I crammed it into my mouth and moaned gratefully, then took a long swallow of the hot tea.

"Thank you so much," I said after a few moments of mutual munching.

"Least I can do. Kidnapping and all."

"If you don't mind me asking, what's with all the animal skins? You were friends with that fox, and your tattoos of animals are beautiful. I'd think you would be against killing them." I traced my eyes curiously over her tattoos now that it was light and she was sitting still. They really were beautiful, clearly all done by the same hand.

She paused in her eating and looked over at me, tongue flicking out to catch a stray crumb. "I love them. We are alike. I am a predator. I like to use all the parts of my prey, and their fur is soft." She sank her teeth into the chunk of meat again, tearing off a bite and chewing. I noticed at that moment, her canine teeth were abnormally long and sharp. "I only hunt when there is plenty for everyone."

"Ah." I had a lot more questions, but I didn't want to risk offending her. I knew too little about her, and she was so unique. If she really was as animalistic in her thinking as it seemed, I didn't want to risk triggering the predator side of her and have it directed at myself. I chose a safer topic. "So where is Roger?"

She blinked owlishly at me. "At home, in his den. He has a family, you know."

"Oh. I just assumed... I don't know what I assumed," I admitted.

"I saved him from an eagle, so now he's always coming around and whining for treats," she said with a little roll of her eyes. "Thinks he owns me."

"That's cute," I offered, then crunched on another bite of toast.

"You are okay, for a two-legger." She tilted her head to the side, and her smile spread into a devilish grin. "Oh. Trouble is coming."

I studied her expression nervously. "And why exactly does that make you so happy?"

"Trouble is fun." She spoke with the confidence of one who is usually the cause of whatever trouble was occurring.

"What is it?" I frowned, feeling my muscles tensing back up. The hot tea had been helping to finally relax and uncramp me, but no longer.

"We should go outside. Might be fighting, and I like my house." She gripped my arm, slender fingers surprisingly strong, and tugged me behind her.

I followed her, breaking into a light jog due to her long legged stride. We burst out the front door into the dappled sunlight spilling across her lush green garden, and were greeted by the sight of Dana, striding up the path. Her long white robe swept out behind her in the breeze, and I swallowed a nervous laugh.

"Drama queen," I muttered in a sing song tone.

Maggie flashed me a knowing smile and dropped a wink, then turned back to face her sister. "Hi Dana. Back so soon?"

Dana came to a halt a few yards away, and her hands clenched into fists. "Indeed, sister mine."

In the empty space to her right, the dark skinned musician popped into existence. The one Maggie had called Polly, although I had serious doubts that was his actual name. On her left, Percy appeared almost simultaneously, looking grim, and deliberately avoiding my gaze.

Oh, hell no. "Hiya, Percy. Feeling traitorous today?"

He shifted his stance, still looking at Dana instead of me.

"Be silent, human child," Dana commanded imperiously. "Come here."

I lifted my chin belligerently. "Why?"

"Percival." Dana glanced at him, then back to me.

He nodded, then disappeared. I felt two strong hands gripping my arms, and a hazy sensation as the world fuzzed in front of me. My view shifted, and abruptly I was next to Dana, being pinned against Percy's body, and staring up at Maggie, who was looking put out.

"What'd you do that for?" Maggie asked indignantly. "No fair using strength against her. She is only weak prey."

I fought down the urge to curse viciously, and forced myself to hold still in Percy's grip. Maybe, if I relaxed long enough, I could get him to loosen his hold. And then what? I huffed out an irritated breath.

"I am surprised you do not know by now, sister," Dana said mockingly. "Liam is coming."

"Yes, but she can't run. She won't get far." Maggie shrugged. "You don't need to squeeze her."

"I do not trust Liam, even if my sources tell me he has Alcide." Dana crossed her arms. "Surely you, of all of us, have not become a human sympathizer?"

Maggie only smirked. "They are strange animals, but still animals. I like to understand them."

"You would think after this many centuries, you'd have at least some desire to be civilized," Dana snipped.

"If Liam is coming, why hasn't he just appeared already?" I asked, trying to interrupt their quibbling. "And how did he get here so fast?"

"He likely transported himself here from Spain, and had not the strength to do it again so soon, even this short distance." 

"Yes, he's close now, but on foot," Maggie replied, cocking her head to the side again. "Hear him trample?"

I didn't at first, but as a tense silence fell over the garden, I began to hear it, the gentle rustling, growing louder and louder, into a rhythmic, heavy step. Maggie winced with each one, and her mouth twisted into an annoyed frown. "He is like a drunken moose."

"Sorry," I whispered from Percy's vice-like grip. I couldn't have Maggie turning against me, too, if this went bad. I had no idea how Liam was going to react to this whole situation.

Maggie's frown vanished as if it had never been, and she shrugged. "I like moose."

There was no time for more words, now. We all turned, and it felt as if we were collectively holding our breath as the noise approached, louder and closer, until an enraged Liam burst into the clearing. His face was red, and he was dressed only in suit pants and a white button down shirt. His clothes were ripped in several places, with areas where he had clearly sustained scratches and cuts which were already healed. His hair was mussed and slick with sweat, and draped over his back and shoulders was the body of a man.

As he burst into the clearing, his eyes darted around wildly until they found me, and they melted into a relieved smile. I thought I saw them swim briefly with liquid, but I knew I had to be imagining that. Liam, crying... it just wasn't plausible. Then his gaze flicked down to Percy's hands gripping me, and his features darkened again into as black a scowl as he was capable of mustering.

"Dana." His voice was so rough, it was difficult to understand. Every word emerged like a deep, vicious snarl. "Your pet pretty boy." With that, he lifted the man's body over his head and unceremoniously tossed him at Dana's feet.

We all stared down at the crumpled heap on the ground for a long moment. It was clearly a man, but so emaciated that his formerly strong build had dwindled to skin and bones. His frame was large, but he was slumped, unconscious, and looked almost small on the cobblestones. His face was covered with a wild growth of beard, and his hair was a long, dirty tangle to his waist.

"Alcide." Dana's voice was choked, and she was hardly able to mask her shock.

Maggie sniffed and wrinkled her nose. "That is one wounded pup, sister."

Dana glanced sharply at the musician, who nodded, leaned down to touch the emaciated man's arm, and they both disappeared. "He will be fine," she said, squaring her shoulders and pushing the emotion from her face. "Ajax has grown more cruel than I anticipated, Liam Cerberus."

Again, Liam's voice held little semblance of humanity, emerging as a full growl. "Release her or die."

Percy quailed in the face of that, and glanced at Dana, who nodded. His hands released their bruising grip on my arms, and I stumbled forward, feeling a tightness in my chest that I knew would release in a torrent of tears at the nearest opportunity.

Liam darted forward and pulled me tightly into his arms, wrapping them both around me and supporting me as I heaved in a shuddery breath, breathing in his scent, not caring about the sweat or the dirt or my suspicions. He was doing the same to me, sniffing me over, his hands feeling me, petting every inch.

When he finally lifted his head, his voice rumbled through his chest, sounding much more like his normal self. "You do not know the trouble you have caused, Dana. I thought you wise, once."

"And I thought you reasonable. You are in the company of fools, and Ajax king among them." Jesus, Dana just didn't know when to shut up.

"Watch your mouth," Liam said sharply. "We must go as swiftly as possible, to escape him. He will be after you, next, when he finds his prisoner gone."

"I can transport you," Percy offered, his voice shaky.

"Do so," Dana ordered. "I must tend to Alcide." She paused, and her cold green eyes found mine even as I buried myself against Liam's chest. "Remember what I told you, child."

Ugh. I'd had enough of that bitch. I turned to Maggie, and nodded politely. "Thank you for your hospitality."

She gave a wave. "You're welcome back any time."

"We must hurry," Liam said impatiently.

Percy strode over to us, clamped a hand on both our shoulders, and the world faded away yet again. This time I was prepared, and closed my eyes so I wouldn't get so dizzy, clutching at Liam. I felt familiar, solid ground under my bare toes. A carpet. My own, smudged, faded carpet. Halle-freaking-lujah.

When I blinked my eyes open again, Percy was gone, and Liam was gazing down at me, stroking my face tenderly.

"My Jacqueline. It is good to see your face. Are you well? They have not harmed you?"

"No, I'm fine." I sniffled, feeling the tension beginning to release from that knot in my chest, and my eyes began stinging. "Don't let me cry. We don't have time."

"Yes. You are right, of course." Liam's own voice was hoarse as he continued watching my face for a long moment. Then he whirled around and strode towards my bedroom, clutching my hand to pull me with him. "We must gather your things, as swiftly as possible. Anything you cannot leave behind. There is not much hope, and not much time."

"What?" I panted as we arrived in my bedroom at a run, and he began rifling through my closet. "Liam, slow down. What are you talking about?"

"Ajax. He will find out what I have done at any moment. He may still be able to find us, but if we are quick enough, we can perhaps disappear. I must gather my strength." Liam pulled out a suitcase and tossed it onto my bed.

"Liam. We can't run."

"Not unless you hurry," Liam bit out, whirling around, his eyes a blaze of fury. "Why do you not listen, you never listen. You stubborn foolish beautiful woman. He will kill you. You will not die, I have said this."

"Liam. We can't run away. You know it will make it worse for us when he finds us. And he will find us. You have a blood bond with him, don't you?"

Liam vibrated with tension for another long moment. "I do not know what to do," he confessed tightly. 

"We have to explain things to him." My body was trembling with the effort of holding myself together, but I was determined to be the strong one. "We'll calm him down, and make him understand."

"Make me understand... What, exactly?"

The cool voice from behind me made my muscles freeze up, and absolute terror flooded my body. I honestly thought I might pee my pants in that moment. I turned around, and Liam pulled me behind his body protectively. I peeked around and eyed Ajax, who had appeared in the doorway of my room, and was looking... uh oh. Amused, but in that creepy angry way of his.

"Make me understand how my right hand man has stolen my prize prisoner and given him over to my enemy? Make me understand how yet again, you have gone behind my back for the sake of this small human? Make me understand how you sought to abandon me and your brothers? Yes, by all means." Ajax leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, expression never wavering. "Make me understand. But I should warn you. I believe I understand perfectly."

"Dana sent me with a message for you." I meant my voice to sound strong, but it came out as more of a peep, as Liam was crushing me back between the wall and his body.

"Dana. So that is the name she goes by these days." Liam studied me, his eyes white hot twin flames. His whole body began to glow with the same, unearthly heat, and the temperature began to rise. The lamp's bulbs shattered with a sputter of electricity, and where his shoulder met the wooden frame of my door, it began to smoulder and blacken.

"Yes? I guess?" I cleared my throat, forcing back the tremble. "Anyway... she, uh - Ajax, you're setting my house on fire - she said the... the Vassals are getting out of control."

"Yes?" Ajax leaned forward, fire bright gaze burning into mine. "May I borrow a phrase from you humans and say, no shit, Sherlock? Liam. My former right hand man, Liam. Was handling it."

"Not just in Spain. The whole world," I insisted, breath coming in short pants as adrenaline pumped through me. "China, and... she named a bunch. Um. She said she needed Alcide back. And that you've had him for a thousand years. And isn't that long enough?" I looked imploringly up at Liam.

Liam grunted in agreement, keeping me pinned behind his back, his hands at his sides, clenching and unclenching. "The Spanish Vassals were insubordinate, Ajax. I did not have time to report, but the final meeting did not go well. My brothers will need to make examples of a few in an attempt to restore order." He hesitated. "There have been reports of other, more widespread occurrences. I wished to ensure their accuracy before bringing it to your attention."

"Nobody's saying you and your people can't handle it," I said, peeking from behind Liam again. Sweat was trickling down my back as heat pumped from Ajax, shimmering the air between us. "But wouldn't you like help?"

"You are a traitor," Ajax hissed to Liam, ignoring me. "You could have come to me with this."

"There was no time. They had her," Liam said harshly. "If it was Persephone? What would you have done?"

Flame like lightning blasted into the wall opposite my bed, and Ajax rose to his full height, fire flickering over his hair, down his arms to his fingertips. "You dare mention her name?"

"Hey!" I heard my voice emerge as if from someone else, and my brain receded into the background. My mouth kept speaking without my consent, and I pushed out in front of Liam, determined. "Listen up, you enormous vampire king bully asshole. This is about more than you and your petty grudges. This is about more than Liam going through a bad experience thousands of years ago that he barely remembers. For god's sake, you've had this Alcide dude locked up and tortured for so many years, he's a fucking broken man! Have you seen him lately? He looks like total crap. He looks like a caveman, and I don't mean one that's alive, I mean one that's been buried and fossilized and just now discovered by anthropologists. I'm sure his mind is totally cracked by now. Isn't that enough? How freaking long do you need to hold something against somebody? There has to be a point where you let it the hell go and pay attention to the things that matter, like your crazy little Vassal people running rampant over the world and killing everybody!"

In the silence after my speech, I continued panting, dragging in and forcing out deep breaths. Through my words, Ajax's eyes had cooled, incrementally at first, then by the end, all at once. The fires that had been kindling and spreading along my wall and door frame extinguished, and curls of smoke began filling the room. I coughed as the smoke filled my lungs, and the fire alarm began beeping, high, obnoxious sounds that broke the tension.

Ajax let out a long chuckle as his eyes resumed their glowing-ember appearance, and his muscles relaxed. He glanced at Liam and raised his brows.

"I have not been screamed at in so shrill a manner for many a century," he said, eyes twinkling. "I have forgotten what it was to be under the sway of such a woman."

"I am not shrill," I protested indignantly, but in my panic, it did come out a little shrill. 

Liam pulled me back behind him, standing between me and the terrifying fire demon that was Ajax. "I understand if you wish to promote one of my brothers to take my place. I will take whatever punishment you need inflict. I only did what I felt the situation warranted, and betrayal was never my intent."

"Hm, I understand." Ajax waved his fingers idly, and the beeping of my fire alarm cut off in an explosion of electricity and wires. "I require a full report before any such decisions can be made."

"Stop breaking my stuff," I mumbled at Liam's back.

"Of course," he replied to Ajax with a warning scowl at me. "I will report to Underworld immediately, sir."

Ajax cast me a glance, and a smile of real amusement crossed his face this time. "I suppose you had better keep this one around, Liam. While her body is still young, anyway."

He disappeared in a little swirl of smoke, and I stared at the area where he'd been, feeling all the energy and adrenaline drain from me in an abrupt whoosh.

"Holy shit," I breathed into the silence. "We're alive."