Parker

I watch quietly as Felix spreads ashes on the boundaries of the pack land. This is the sixth spot he's chosen. He explained that he is finding the focal points of the pack lands. His explanation had to do with ley lines.

I decide to follow him and watch. It is confusing. Faust is grooming me to know about ley lines and protection rituals. He seems to believe I'm the second coming for the magical world. His insistence that I become the master of magic has become a source of contention for the Ashwoods.

While it's true that being the descendant of Hecate makes me more than magically inclined, I don't ache to be the God of Magic. I doubt Hecate would like that comparison. I've asked about other Gods, specifically Hecate, and Felix is cagey on the topic. He doesn't seem to regard Gods with the same reverence he does with me.

A groan behind me informs me that Cassie is becoming increasingly more frustrated. Kohl wanted to come with us but the Elders called an emergency meeting. Kohl sent Gaius as a proxy along with Cassie and Mickey. The Ashwoods are impatient with the protective spell. I can relate to them.

"How long is this going to take?" Cassie asks with annoyance.

Felix laughs as he spreads the ashes of a just man on the ground, "The boundaries of your pack lands have been desecrated. Vampires were born from Necromancy by a very vain Goddess." His tone grows bitter.

"Are you talking about the Moon Goddess? Our Goddess?" Cassie asks.

"Selene is the Goddess of the night. She created vampires. She created a great many things, all of which history remembers quite differently." Felix says unemotionally, "Gods are like any other beings. They were born, they live and, like all things, they end. It's just harder for them to die."

"Your distaste for the Gods is disturbing." Gaius says with a confused tone.

"I've never met a God that didn't believe himself to be above all others, especially lesser Gods. To keep this balance and order, Gods have moved in secret and destroy all of those who could destroy them." Felix is focused on spreading the ashes. He takes a deep breath before exhaling, "Why do you think there are not more Demi-Gods?"

"So, the original Gods killed Demi-Gods?" I ask.

"It's nature. We kill to survive." Mickey says.

Felix dusts off his hands before smiling over to Mickey, "Yes, we do. All of us. To varying degrees."

"That's not true." Cassie argues.

"Have you never killed a spider? One that could bite and envenomate you? What of a scorpion? We survive or die. A wolf should know such a thing. Your Father does as does your Brothers. The sooner you learn this lesson, the safer you'll be." Felix says with a frown, "The vampires will come back. I cannot promise the spell will keep you safe in the way you would like. My spells are powerful but they have limits."

"What kind of limits, Copperfield?" Mickey asks.

"A squadron of vampires pressing on my shield would be like an elephant sitting on saran wrap."

"Is there anything else we can do?" Gaius asks.

"Pray. I hear vampires hate prayer."

"Funny." Gaius says with a sigh, "Faust, we do appreciate what you're doing for us. We ask more of you than we deserve."

"Yes, you do but we both get something out of it."

"And that is?" Mickey asks.

"Do you know how long it took to find a true-blue Demi-God? One with the power of the Goddess of my people? And when in the Hell was the last time anyone saw, let alone met, a vampire?"

"It's not the feel-good time you're thinking." I say with a shiver, "Are we done here?"

"Yes." Felix says with a nod, "Your pack is protected...theoretically."

"Theoretically?" Gaius asks.

"Again, it has its limits." Felix says with a smirk, "It might be worth it if you started to learn more about your gifts. Could come in handy."

"It'd help if I knew what powers I actually have."

"I'd guess you have some magical potential, given your source of power." Felix says, "I can train with you but first, I need a drink."

I watch as he calmly begins to walk back towards the pack lands. I can't help notice Felix's odd distaste for Gods mixed with an utterly astounding amount of reverence for me. I never stopped to ask about his life beyond what I already know. I get the feeling there is more to him than we know.

It's startling.