Issue # 37- A Shattered Clasp

A Shattered Clasp

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“What the HELL do you mean it`s one of ours?!” Erick barks down at his cousin ignoring the soft rustle of onyx wings as Dante preens above them. Firelight dances over the four assembled in Mikel`s library throwing warm yellow light to the tomes spines.

“Did your little tryst fry your hearing as well as your manly fuzz?” Arapos inquires from a seat near the fire, her palms tight to her orb.”What words didn`t you comprehend?”

“You, old woman, shall keep your blasted obsession with voyeurism to my cousin!” Erick snarls across the wide room, “Why don`t you try using that sphere to tell us who`s behind this!?”

“She has attempted to numerous times,” Mikel informs his cousin tartly.”Her vision is blocked by powerful magic so leave the old one be Erick.”

“Mikel, this is a very serious accusation you`re making! Not to sound snobbish but your taking the word of a bestial is, well, it`s….”

“Pray continue Rayvenwing,” Gallo comments as he returns Dickens to its place amid the classics.”Finish that sentence so I can feast on your liver.”

“Enough both of you!” Mikel interjects from the sofa, his fingers rubbing his forehead as his elbow rests on the cool leather arm.”Gallo`s skills are legendary so yes I`m taking the word of a bestial. The most pressing matter we have now is who in the shadow realm would dare to go against the dictates of the Echelon?”

“Who wouldn`t you should be asking yourself guardian,” Gallo says padding silently past Erick who still stands before his cousin with shock and damp trousers.

“The bestial`s right,” Arapos comments gruffly from her chair,” Hiding your dark bloodlines behind frippery and bullshit cotillions doesn`t change who and what the shadow realm is.”

Gallo nods his wild gray head to the old woman with the mystical eye.

Mikel sighs deeply allowing his lashes to close as he massages a spot between his drawn brows.”She speaks the truth. There is not one in our realm that can claim untainted blood, or the desires that come with our lineages. Erick,” Mikel opens his silver eyes to find his cousin grappling to accept what he`s heard,” You must proceed with great caution. Take Dante back to Valravn manor and keep him with you at all times. He will be my link to you.”

“Very well,” Erick mutters lifting a hand to work the kinks now forming in his neck.”What do you propose to do here?”

The guardian gently lifts a tumbler of ice and clear vodka, his sight riveted on the trio of round cubes.”I`m going to do something that may well be the end of my short but illustrious career as gate keeper,” he replies before draining the Stolichnaya rapidly. Mikel raises his shimmering gaze to the ani-morph lounging with ease to his right.”I could use your assistance bestial.”

Gallo nods with a touch of pleasure reflected in his amber eyes.”We go in?”

“We go in,” the guardian answers with resignation.