Author: Suilan

Tani’s gaze shifted to the round room. It was a museum of sorts. One he started at a low moment in the years between cycles when he missed Dante the most. When Dante hurt him, he sometimes suffered constant episodes of wanting to bring it down, burn the contents, and restructure it. Yet, each time his beloved left him, he returned here, like a forlorn fool. Lost in memories and a love he could not forget, glancing at the elder leaf bracelets disguising his cuffs, nor a love he could discard.

He never thought to share this tower with the others, but this Dante felt infinitely different, with his determined gaze, and his raging firepower.

Sharing this tower felt like the best way to convince him they were doomed.

“Tani,” Dante said, his voice cajoling, his eyes pleading with Tani.

Tani was amazed by the fact that their doomed love story was having the opposite effect on Dante Arturo.

He met Dante’s gaze.

“I’ll give the time,” Tani said, after a moment, not missing Dante’s relieved sigh. “I always did, Dante.”

Dante held out his hand to Tani.

“Start by giving me your phone,” Dante said, when Tani frowned at him.

Tani reached into his pocket and got the black phone Tom gave him.

“Why do you need my phone?” Tani asked.

“So I can reach you when we’re apart,” Dante said. “In this century, a phone is just like having a personal messenger. I need to be able to reach you, Tani. You can’t imagine how frustrated I was with Tom when you left my house. He would not give me your phone number. I thought I was going to burn down the manor with frustration.”

“Sorry, I misplaced my other phone,” Tani said. “I think it was when I was in the vineyard.”

Dante took Tani’s phone and turned it on. Swiping the unlock button he grinned.

“Tani, you don’t even lock your phone.”

“I just got it,” Tani said, frowning.

Dante keyed in his number, then dialed. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he reached for it to save Tani’s number. He held out Tani’s phone back to him, and Tani stared at him, amused.

“Do you think I’ll remember to bring it along everywhere?” Tani asked, biting back a grin when panic filled Dante’s eyes.

“Should I help you remember?” Dante asked, his gaze shifting to the black smart phone on his palm. “I can spell it so that it finds you when you get a call.”

“Is that something you would do?” Tani asked, taking the phone from Dante before he actually spelled his phone. What a frustration that would be, hauling the gadget everywhere. He only carried it when he knew Hera or Tom would need to call him.

“Tani,” Dante stepped forward, looking into his eyes. “Don’t you want to reach me when you need to talk to me?”

Tani slipped his phone into his pocket and shrugged.

“I can always find you, Dante,” Tani said. “Have you forgotten? I followed you to your Viola’s house in the Americas.”

Dante smiled. It was a startling curve of his lips that had Tani staring. Dante’s smile was genuine, his eyes shined, his face lighting up, softening his face. Tani started to bring his hand up to touch the curve of Dante’s bottom lip. He stopped halfway when he looked up and found Dante watching him too.

“What did I say that made you smile?” Tani asked.

“You called the U.S. the Americas. Why are you calling it my Viola’s house?” Dante asked, his voice low, husky, teasing.

“I—,” Tani frowned. “She is though.”

“No, she is definitely not,” Dante said, taking a step closer, he gripped Tani’s right elbow. “She would snap at you for a full minute if she heard you call her mine. She’s the mother of my children. That’s it. She has a lover. Someone who makes her happy. Her loyalties are with him. I’m very sure she’ll be having a wedding soon.”

Tani’s heart skipped hard, violently squeezing in his chest, filling with more hope than he knew how to contain.

“I do want to be yours,” Dante said, his gaze so serious, Tani dropped his gaze to the collar of Dante’s white shirt.

“It will take me more than the minutes we have been standing here to digest your words,” Tani said, confessing his heart.

“I know,” Dante said, with an understanding nod. “How did you know to find me the first time?”

Tani grinned, and started to pull away from Dante, but he would not let go of his right arm.

“Tom has a great team of investigators. They gave found your address,” Tani said.

“Tani.” Dante narrowed his gaze at him.

“I’m a deviant Ekho,” Tani said with a sigh. “My powers are limited.”

Dante’s hand slid from his right elbow to his right wrist. His fingers circling Tani’s wrist. His thumb rubbing over the Elderwood leaf bracelet. Tani watched it with a sense of apprehension.

“I want to burn these off,” Dante said, his words sounding like they came from between gritted teeth. “It’s unfortunate they are placed here by someone more powerful than me. They make me ambitious.”

“Ambitious for what?” Tani asked.

“I want to be powerful enough to take these off you,” Dante said.

Tani chuckled.

“How often does your temper get you in trouble?” Tani asked.

“Often,” Dante said, and then winked. “But it’s always the best kind of trouble.”

Tani scoffed and was grateful when Dante’s phone started buzzing. He thought Dante would let go of his wrist, but he was only disappointed. Dante slipped his hand into his, tangling their fingers. He answered his phone after looking at the caller ID.

“Yes, Justina,” Dante said, looking at Tani.

“Where are you? You disappeared on us.” Tani heard Justina say on the other end of the call. “The food is ready. Hera and Tom are wondering—”

“I’ll be right there,” Dante said.

“Um, have you seen Mr. Ryuzo?” Justina asked. “Thomas has a few questions for him…”

“I’ll see if I can find him,” Dante said, smiling at Tani.

“Okay, hurry,” Justina said, then ended the call.

“She has a little crush on you,” Dante said. “Should I tell her I have dibs on you?”

“Do you?”

“I do, Tani,” Dante said, putting away his phone. “So, if you don’t always have your phone, tell me how else I can reach you.”

“Say my name,” Tani said.

“What? How?”

“Just say my name,” Tani said, holding out his hand to Dante. “Let’s go back before your students send out an SOS and start looking for you all over our fortress.”

Dante grinned and took Tani’s hand stepping in too close. So close, he filled the space between them with the scent of Jasmine.

Tani closed his eyes and started to step back, but Dante held his hand tighter, stopping his little escape.

Tani teleported out of the fourth tower and into the drawing room turned into a library. It was empty. He started to let go of Dante’s hand, but Dante still held on.

“Stop trying to escape me. I’m afraid if I let you go, I won’t get to see you again,” Dante said, his scowl deep.

“Where am I going? I’m right here,” Tani said, firmly letting go of Dante’s hand. He turned and headed to the door. “Come on, Fire Lord. For the record your temper needs help.”

Dante caught up with him just as Tani stepped out of the drawing room into the wide hallway.

Tani smiled when Dante kept pace with him, walking side by side. He opened the glass doors opposite the drawing room, and they entered the large courtyard. The Elderwood bushes were blooming. Tani cursed under his breath because Eren had clearly messed with his work. She was unable to curb her power. It was spilling all over.

“The Elderwood flowers are beautiful,” Dante said beside him, taking in the rectangular courtyard. “This would have been the center of life in the old days.”

“Yes,” Tani smiled, pointing to the square patch of grass on his right. “The weavers worked here on warm days. An all weather loom was mounted out here. Life was harsher then, but it was also simpler. The gardens at the back of this fortress were for crops. It was easier to grow our own food then.”

“I think it was a spectacular choice to protect the women here,” Dante said. “I would have loved to be part of it, Tani.”

“You were—”

Tani started to say Dante was part of it, but paused. They had just agreed to think of Dante as being different from the rest. Tani stopped on the path, in the middle of the courtyard and glanced at Dante. Making a conscious decision to make a fresh start. He smiled and reached up to press his left palm on Dante’s right cheek.

“I think you would have loved it,” Tani said, his smile widening when Dante stood very still staring at him. He dropped his hand away from Dante’s cheek. “I have an Ekho visitor who is making my Elderwood bushes bloom at will. She’s a bit of a headache.”

“Another Ekho?” Dante asked.

“Yes,” Tani said. “I seem surrounded by them of late.”

Tani continued on the path to the cafeteria doors. The construction crew was hard at work on the archway to Tani’s right. The doors leading into the front hall were accessible from the courtyard, just not now. Tani shared these little tidbits with Dante without prompt. He opened the glass doors and led the way into the warm cafeteria already packed with staff and the tour students. Hera met them, smiling at Dante as she led the way back to the table where Thomas and Justina sat.

***

Amu found his oldest sister working in her garden, her hands deep in the healthy soil. She was tending apple saplings. She was obsessed with growing them. Amu thought it an obsession because the only person he knew who loved apples was Tani. Anit knew Tani loved them, and in a strange twist, she poured her guilt and love into growing a massive number of apple trees. His gaze moved over the large spread of apple saplings filling the one-acre garden behind their family home and he bit back a smile.

“Anit, our fox clan log house is soon going to change its name to the Apple House,” Amu teased, leaning on the worktable where she kept her supplies. He folded his arms against his chest and smiled when Anit turned her gaze on him.

“What problem brings you here?”

“I also visit you when I don’t have problems to solve,” Amu said, with a slight frown.

“You came to see me days ago,” Anit said. “I gave you apple trees for my Tani’s born day. Did you give them to him?”

“I tried,” Amu said. “They are in our garden still in their growing bags. Tani is thinking on whether to plant them or leave them to me to plant.”

Anit let out a heavy sigh, and pulled out her hands from the fertile soil. Her abilities similar to Tani’s, she could nurture soil, turn it healthy. She sat back on her haunches where she knelt, and rested her hands on her bright green frock.

Anit gave all her attention to Amu.

Amu took her in. His sister had given Tani the shape of her face, though hers was infinitely feminine and delicate. She had also given Tani his red hair. Where Tani’s hair boasted shades of brown in the red, Anit’s was pure red, like ripe pomegranate seeds. Her eyes the color of the leaves of an apple tree. She was short, only four feet nine, but the power within her could destroy a planet. She was as old as Sunu, the Immortal Lord. Her most destructive trait to date was her ability to carry a grudge. Her biggest gift was the ability to give life, as Tani was her greatest creation.

“I need your help,” Amu said now, knowing her grudge against the Immortal Clan would make their conversation difficult. He held her green gaze. “Eren wants a meeting with you. She has a task that can only be completed with your approval.”

Anit let out a soft chuckle.

“It takes a special kind of man to walk into my domain and try to convince me to help the people who have imprisoned my son,” Anit said, barely taking a breath between her words. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Don’t say more if you hope to see me in the next decade.”

“Anit, our fox clan depends on you. You’ve made a vow to protect the mortal realm with our maker. You can’t shirk that duty just because you’ve closed the boundaries of our lands to the Immortal Clan,” Amu said. “I would not be here if it wasn’t important.”

“What so important you would ask me to help the Immortal Clan?”

Amu decided to use the one thing that always made Anit give in.

“Tani cleansed a massive invasion of Kara ot in the mortal realm. The cuffs on his wrist had to come off for him to do it,” Amu said.

Anit got up fast, scrambling to her feet; she wiped her hands on her skirts and crossed the distance to stand before Amu.

“How is he? Is he lucid? Should I help?”

Amu hid a smile at the pure concern in her eyes.

“He’s fine,” Amu said. “His beloved helped him endure the pain. Dante is a bloodborn warlock this cycle.”

‘Don’t talk to me about the mortal,” Anit said, her voice half a growl. “Where is Tani?”

“I left him at Elderwood. He looked in high spirits now that his beloved is close. He is still taking care of Deniz, Hera, and Tom.”

“The mortal children he’s adopted while he endures loneliness because of a human soul,” Anit closed her eyes. “I don’t understand my own son. What does Eren want with our fox clan?”

“The size of the Kara ot in the mortal realm is questionable,” Amu said. “She suspects someone carried it through the gates.”

“So, she’s not interested in the fox clan but the Inter Clan Court,” Anit said, with a deep frown.

“She wants to ask about the amount of kara ot in our lands,” Amu said.

“Those stuck up idiots in the Septum don’t believe anyone outside the immortal clan can cleanse black weed.”

Anit seethed for a moment, and then reached for a towel on the worktable. She wiped her hands and took in a deep breath.

“I’ll change into appropriate clothes. We’ll go to Elderwood. I need to have a good look at Tani before I listen to Eren’s immortal clan nonsense.”

“Tani might not want to see you,” Amu reminded her.

“I’m his mother. He can’t change that fact no matter how many mortals he loves. He has endured pain, which usually has him passed out for years. I will see his face.”

Anit shimmered away and Amu let out a sigh. He hoped Tani would be in a good mood after spending a day showing his beloved around the fortress. Otherwise, mother and son would only end up hurting each other again, and their last hurt had now lasted thousands of years.

****

“Thank you for the tour, it was fascinating and we learned so much,” Justina said, smiling at Tani. “Is it possible to visit the fortress again?”

“Perhaps, though the fortress is not open to visitors often. We made an exception for Mr. Arturo because he helped us with a dilemma,” Hera said. “We’ll have to keep in touch to see how tours would work out in the future.”

“I hope you consider it,” Justina said, seconded by Thomas.

The students each thanked Tani, Hera and Tom, and then they boarded the Arturo Vineyards staff bus.

“So,” Dante said, turning to Tani. “When do I see you again?”

Tani smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. “When do you want to see me?”

“This evening until I close my eyes,” Dante said with a slow smile. “Tomorrow morning when I open my eyes, all day…”

Tani chuckled.

“I don’t remember you being so clingy.”

Dante shrugged, reaching for Tani’s right hand. His fingers wrapping around Tani’s wrists, circling around the elder leaf bracelet.

Tani bit his bottom lip. He had both hoped for and dreaded this moment for days. The moment he chose to throw in his lot with Dante Arturo, regardless of their assured destruction. His heart squeezed tight as he met Dante’s gaze.

“Get your guests to the ferry,” Tani said, his voice soft, low, for Dante’s ears only. “See them off.”

Dante took in a sharp breath and he seemed to hold it in as he waited.

“Call me when you’re back at the vineyard,” Tani said, his tone full of promise. “I’ll come.”

Dante smiled wide, his eyes lighting up so beautifully, Tani pulled his hand out of Dante’s hold fast afraid he might kiss the man in front of all his students. Just because he was always in love with Dante’s soul, didn’t mean Dante loved him too. It would be too soon. Gods, he had no sense of self-preservation.

“I’ll hurry,” Dante said, not saying more. He waved goodbye to Tom and Hera, and then boarded the staff bus as fast as he could.

Tani bit back a chuckle as the driver started the bus and pulled out of his parking space.

“What was that?” Hera asked, coming to stand next to Tani.

“What?”

“That,” Hera nodded to the retreating bus. “You and Dante, making eyes at each other? Has the warlock enchanted you, given you some strong juju?”

Tani chuckled and shrugged. He smiled at the retreating bus and started to walk away from the fortress.

“Babu?” Hera called after him.

“I’ll be unavailable for a while,” Tani said.

“Where will you be?” Hera asked.

“Occupied by the strong juju,” Tani said, turning to wink at Hera. “Finish reading The Lightning Thief to Deniz for me.”

Hera let out a soft sigh and Tani was aware of Tom pulling her into a short hug before they headed back to the fortress.

Tani walked with brisk steps, taking the less traveled path back to his house behind the fortress. Once he was in a safe spot, he teleported into the living room, and immediately started to leave when he felt the strong energy in the room.

A powerful wall of energy wrapped around him and stopped his escape. Tani solidified in the middle of the room, his gaze on his mother who stood by the long comfortable couch Deniz and Hera loved to lounge on.

Anit looked every bit the fox goddess that she was, powerful, beautiful, and elegant. Her long hair looked like fire, and she had robbed the blue skies of color as her dress seemed alive with it. She started to cross the room to his side, and he gritted his teeth to greet her, hoping to stop her approach.

“Mother.”

Anit stopped a few inches away from him, her green eyes taking him in, there was a frown on her smooth forehead, and he scowled at the sight of it. She had no smiles for him, ever.

“Tani,” she said, her voice coming out in a soft breath, as she reached up to touch his left cheek.

He slapped her hand away and stepped back.

“What are you doing here?” Tani asked, hating how defensive he sounded.

“Amu came for me, something about Eren,” Anit said, with a negligent shrug. “I heard Cale took off the cuffs on your wrists. The last time it happened, you needed some help from me. You don’t like to hear it, but you did. Your mortal brings you so much misfortune…I-I worried.”

Tani closed his eyes, a soft chuckle coming out of him before he could stop it.

“What?” Anit asked a note of hurt in her voice. “Can’t I worry about my son?”

“Which son do you worry about?” Tani asked, opening his eyes to look at Anit. “The last time we stood face to face, you screamed me out of your study at the Fox Clan’s log house. You could not stand to look at me because my eyes remind you of my father. Amu, the only one who has ever wanted me in our family, brought me to this mortal realm to live with him. He is my parent. I ask again, which son do you worry about?”

Tani’s eyes burned with the faint power in his veins. Gold and amber shimmered in his eyes, and sure enough, Anit winced and stepped away from him, as though burned.

“See, you still can’t look at me,” Tani chuckled, hating the bitterness coloring his forced laugh.

“Is that why you have decided to torture yourself in the mortal realm? Why you live with the shadow of the power your parents gave you? It’s a disgrace to see the next Fox Lord live like this.”

“Then forget you had me,” Tani said. “Continue living as though I don’t exist.”

Anit slapped him, the force of her slap making him turn his head, his cheek exploded with pain but it could not compare to the pain in his heart.

Tani bit his lip to keep from crying out and turned away from his mother. He paused when he saw Amu standing at the entrance into the living room.

“You should not have brought her into our home without telling me first,” Tani said to Amu.

“You returned earlier than I thought,” Amu said. “Cale is on his way with Eren. They were busy in the conservancy as per your request.”

“Thank them for me. You know my mother and I can’t be in the same room,” Tani said. “I’ll stay at Artri House with Dante until you solve Eren’s issues. Find me when Elderwood is free of Eren, and The Fox Goddess.”

“Tani—” Anit started behind him.

Tani left his house not ready to hear her say his name again. It hurt too much when she never had good words for him to hear.

Thankfully, she let him leave. He teleported to the olive grove at the Arturo Vineyard and stood among the old olive trees taking in deep breaths. His chest ached…not with anger, but with longing. He brought his right hand to his cheek, still remembering the feel of his mother’s hand on his skin even as it was painful. It was the first touch in years. He could not remember what it felt like when she hugged him, or held him. That he wished for the memory pained him more.

Tears filled his eyes and he stared up at the sky wishing for rain to wash them away.

****

Dante was filled with impatience during the ride back to the vineyard. He wished he could get the driver to speed, but it was four o’clock. Even though the island was no city, there was mild traffic caused by people returning home from a full day of work in their small city. He was glad when they finally left the city center and took the open road to the vineyard.

Thunder rumbled in the sky, and Dante frowned when he felt power call to his. Heavy rain fell just as they entered the vineyard’s gates. Dante opened the window and held out his hand to the falling rain, and felt Tani’s power touch his.

He bit his lip, waiting to call Tani’s name. The bus driver brought them to a stop at the front of Artri House. Dante thanked the bus driver for spending the day with him. He then sent him off to park the bus and clock out.

Alone in the front yard, Dante spoke the words he had been holding in.

“Tani, I’m home.”

He stood in the front yard at Artri House, next to his mother’s favorite planting urns and waited in the rain. Hoping with all his heart that Tani had told him the truth, half-afraid Tani would ignore his call. His past lives made him feel insecure with Tani. Made him afraid Tani might not bother to give him a chance…he closed his eyes, when several minutes past.

“Tani,” Dante said, pleading. “You promised. Please.”

Dante felt a shift in the air, and then Tani stood before him shivering with cold: his clothes wet, his hair wet and sticking to his head, and his eyelashes clamped with water droplets.

Dante stepped forward and gripped Tani’s arms. He looked into closed off amber eyes, and for a moment, thought he saw tears mixed in with the raindrops. Tears or no, Tani was unhappy.

“What’s upset you?” Dante asked.

Tani gave the slightest smile, and shook his head.

“I wanted to spend time in your Artri House,” Tani said. “Now, I’m not sure it is appropriate.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I’m in a terrible mood. I’ll make for terrible company,” Tani said, looking up at the sky and the dark clouds above.

Dante noted that Tani was still in the white shirt and pants he had worn earlier for their tour. He had not changed, which meant, something had happened during their short separation.

“Keep your terrible mood,” Dante said, leaning in to press a kiss on Tani’s forehead. He reached for Tani’s right hand and tangled their fingers. “I’ll keep you.”

****

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“Dante, this place is epic,” Thomas said, folding his hands against his chest. “I can’t believe it is not on a roster at our department for visits.”

“They’re low key about visits,” Dante said, fighting the urge to pace with impatience.

They were in a waiting room. The eight students who had come along sat in the leather chairs around the room murmuring amongst themselves. They were all waiting for their guide.

“How did you find them again?” Justina asked.

“Professor Roberto from biology,” Dante said. “He said they have a lab that tests soils. Though he has not visited the conservancy, one of their researchers worked with Professor Roberto.”

“No wonder,” Thomas said. “If Roberto discovered this place, we would not have heard the end of it.”

Justina chuckled, and started to comment only to stop when the door opened.

Tom walked in first. Looking formal in his business suit. Hera followed, looking beautiful this morning in a navy blue dress. She smiled at Dante when their gazes met, giving him a short nod of recognition.

Then…Tani walked in.

Dante forgot all the reasons why he was here. His gaze riveted on Tani, taking him in from his red brown hair, to his amber eyes hidden behind reading glasses. He looked handsome in a white shirt and tailored dark trousers. He wore white slip-on Vans this time. Dante smiled as he realized Tani seemed to have a serious fixation with the brand.

Tani stood behind Hera and Tom, hands in his pockets. His gaze moving around the room.

Dante took in a breath, waiting…he breathed out when Tani finally looked at him and their gazes held. Time stopped, for a solid minute, and all he could do was look at Tani.

Then, Tom started talking and Tani broke their gaze. Dante sucked in air, feeling the loss of Tani’s gaze on him deep in his soul.

“I want to welcome you to The Elderwood Conservancy,” Tom was saying. “We have not had guests in a while, so we’re all excited to show off a bit of our fortress.”

“We hope you enjoy the tour and the stories you’ll learn about this fortress from one of our patrons,” Tom said. “Next to me, is Miss Hera. She helps manage our conservancy. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to approach her. Professor Arturo, you mentioned in your message that you want to look at the architecture of the building, and learn about the fortress’s history. Is that right?”

“Yes,” Dante said, nodding. “We’re learning how architecture from the different eras in history still influences modern architecture. Also, if we can get an explanation as to why the horrendous addition of modern walls at the front.”

The students laughed, and Tani shook his head at Dante for the mischief. Dante found he liked Tani’s censuring look.

“I’m sure you’ll discover the answer soon,” Tom said with a quick smile. “Allow me to introduce our patron, Mr. Tani Ryuzo. His family has supported and lived in this fortress since its commission in the fifteenth century.”

Tom clapped his hands, prompting the students to do the same.

Tani grinned at Tom’s short introduction, and took a step forward.

“Call me, Ryuzo,” Tani said, and then turned to Dante, Justina and Thomas. “And, I will take responsibility for the addition of modern walls at the front.”

Dante grinned, and Tani nodded, turning his attention to the students.

“Everyone keeps inviting you to The Elderwood Conservancy, so I’ll explain who we are,” Tani said. “We are an organization dedicated to creating a safe space for endangered wild animals and plants. We also run an environment research center where we work to discover new ways to protect and conserve our environment.”

“Are you saying the forests around the fortress belong to the conservancy?” One of the students asked.

“Yes, they are protected forests,” Tani said. “If you do go deeper, you’re likely to run into wild animals and discover rare plants which cannot be harvested.”

“Do the wild animals reach the fortress?”

“They can but they don’t,” Tani said. “But, we have mounted a perimeter fence about two hundred meters around the fortress to protect the mortals living here.”

Tom coughed, and Tani glanced at Dante who was hiding a grin at his use of the word mortals.

“I meant to say, we don’t want the wild animals finding our staff in their offices,” Tani said, gaining chuckles from the students. “We do get an occasional monkey stealing bananas from an unsuspecting staff member in the flower gardens, but the fortress grounds are secure.”

 “How do I work here?” A dark haired young man sitting at the front asked, looking quite serious and eager.

“Does it look like a fun place to work?” Tani asked.

“Yes, I love conservation science,” he said.

Tani grinned.

“Then, we would have to ask Tom and Hera,” Tani said. “They are the true heroes of our organization. They work at the helm of the conservancy, coordinating the massive effort it takes to navigate various government laws, keep researchers working, and keep our conservancy safe and secure. Talk to them on how to join,” Tani said. “Now, about the fortress….and the addition of modern walls…”

“You’re not going to let that go, are you?” Dante asked.

“No,” Tani said, making the students laugh again. “The building is steeped in ottoman architecture. The smaller tower at the entrance was used to control who entered the fortress. The rest of the building is what makes it a fortress with its four towers. It is square with three flours on each wing and a courtyard in the middle. Let’s not sit in here. If you’ll come with me, we’ll start with the front tower of the fortress and work our way in.”

Dante smiled as Tani led the way out of the waiting room.

Hera’s phone buzzed and she moved to the side to answer the call.

Thomas and Justina approached Tom, so it fell to Dante to herd their students after Tani. They left the waiting room and turned left.

Tani led them into a hidden stairwell right after the waiting room that led up to the smaller round front tower.

“As mentioned earlier, the fortress was commissioned in the Fifteenth Century. At the time, Ottoman Empire was enduring a great expansion, which meant war. A great shift of power began, and as is expected of war, the need for sanctuary grew. The fortress was commissioned for this purpose,” Tani said, as they climbed the stairs. “The wall on your right is part of the original build, constructed with natural stone and mortar. It was the busiest part of the fortress because it was the first point of contact. Suppliers left their wares here, messengers spoke to the fortress soldiers, and anyone who wanted sanctuary made their request in this tower.”

Dante ran his hands over the cold stone, and slowed down when for a full minute, he thought he saw the stairs turn to wood instead of the marble they were now. The walls covered with intricate wood beams, and an elegant balustrade running along on the side with glass. He stopped and blinked.

He looked up in time to see his students following Tani up the tower. His gaze lingered on the glass walls showing off the front of the building. He hurried up the steps, past his lingering students until he was behind Tani.

“Why was the tower rebuilt?” Dante asked, needing to know.

“In the seventeenth century, a great fire broke out in this tower,” Tani said. “The occupants of the fortress had a disagreement with a neighboring Sultan. The tower was built using wood between floors, on the stairs and the roofing. The fire left it severely damaged, the structure almost collapsed. We’re lucky the fire did not spread to the rest of the fortress.”

The stairs brought them to an open landing on the third floor. The glass wall built on their left showed off a stunning view of the fountain and the front of the fortress.

“When did the tower gain the glass view?” Justina asked, having reached them.

Tani’s attention was on a glass door at an open space to their right. He smiled when the door opened, and a tall man wearing a security uniform waved at him.

“This front tower stayed damaged for a time. We—it was rebuilt in the early nineteenth century as a reception area for visitors. As architecture modernized, and the fortress’s work changed, we redesigned this part of the tower to serve the needs of the conservancy. The fortress has always served as a sanctuary,” Tani said, leading them to the open glass doors and Dante was surprised to discover a very modern security room.

The room was packed with security officers monitoring screens filled with forests, and swamps.

“Wow,” Thomas said, as eager to discover as his students. “What is this?”

“As I said before, we’re responsible for the forests around us. These last few decades, it has become important to monitor the conservancy’s lands for poachers and raiders in the forests looking for precious trees and herbs. The men and women you see at work watch out for unusual movements like human encroachment into forests, poachers hunting our herd of precious Asian elephants,” Tani said. “If you want to work here, expect action-filled days when we chase poachers off the conservancy.”

“Do you ever allow public tours in the forests?” one of the students asked.

“No,” Tani said. “We only allow need-based tours for research scientists. The team of wildlife veterinarians we have on staff run the tours. They take care of any animals that absolutely need support. They also help us learn how to monitor, maintain and increase the numbers of the endangered animals.”

“How do you get a job here again?” Justina asked.

“Ask Hera or Tom,” the students told her in answer.

“Fred is going to show you a little movie the security staff prepared to show you the amazing creatures we have on our conservancy,” Tani said, nodding to the tall man who wore the security uniform.

Fred urged the students to follow him to a small sitting area with a screen mounted on the wall. Tani stayed back to allow the students to move closer. Some sat on the four chairs before the screen, the remaining stood behind their friends, with Thomas and Justina joining them.

Dante took the chance to finally stand next to Tani.

The moment he leaned on the wall next to Tani, Dante cursed under his breath at the mad urge to lean in closer to Tani and take in a deep breath. Tani smelled so good: apple and citrus teased his senses. He started to cave in to the urge, but he didn’t get a chance. Instead, he found himself staring into Tani’s amber eyes, still distracting even hidden behind reading glasses.

Tani watched him for a moment, and then smiled.

“What?”

“Why did this tower really burn down?” Dante asked, as Fred dimmed the lights near the screen and started his video.

Tani folded his arms against his chest and shifted on the wall to face Dante.

“Why do you want to know?” Tani asked in a low whisper, his amber eyes visible even in the dim light.

“I had a moment when we were coming up,” Dante said, matching Tani’s low whisper. “It felt like I was once here in this tower. The stairs were made of wood, so was the roof…”

Dante remembered the stories from his grandmother’s journal.

“I think the fortress was used to protect women who did not want to live as slaves at the time. They made dyes and wove carpets here in exchange for a place to live. I…”

“You were Dane. You helped bring those women here,” Tani said, his voice filled with nostalgia.

“Hm,” Dante nodded, and then added. “Dane is not me though, he just looked like me.”

Tani chuckled and nodded.

“I know. Dane was different. He was a soldier born of a Christian woman and stolen from her at birth. He grew up into a masked janissary under a powerful sultan. We met while I was saving women lost in the forest. He helped me fight off deadly mercenaries, and we fell in love,” Tani said. “He later fell in love with a woman in the castle where he worked. She discovered his visits to our fortress. She sent a troop to burn the place, and stop Dane from helping the women. This tower suffered the worst of the fire they set. We sent everyone away to our other sanctuaries and emptied the fortress for a period.”

“He should have chosen to stay and help you,” Dante said, angry at Dane’s love for a vengeful woman.

“You’re angry,” Tani said, studying him. “Don’t be. Dane helped the women because we were together, not because he thought I was doing the right thing. When the woman in the castle found out about the fortress, he ended our relationship in the only way he could. He returned to who he was and delayed the troops so that the women were able to escape. I—”

“Your heart was broken,” Dante cut in, his anger rising at Dane’s betrayal of Tani. “He broke it when he married the woman who burned down this tower. You watched the wedding in the square, and then left after bidding him goodbye.”

Tani exhaled and shrugged.

“It wasn’t the first time,” Tani said, his gaze shifting to the video on the large screen on the wall. “I wasn’t helpless as you know. The fortress endured. It was a cycle I had to get through.”

“Tani,” Dante started oddly upset about the last part of Tani’s comment. As though he was resigned to all of Dante’s predecessors hurting him now.

“Stop thinking about sad things. Watch the video,” Tani said. “I’m really quite proud of Hera and Tom’s work with the Asian elephants. They’ve managed to increase their numbers. I’m going to need to expand their territory somehow, maybe you can help.”

Dante studied Tani’s face in the dim light and wondered where Tani hid his hurt. Where he took the pain of centuries of betrayal. He wished—

“Don’t look at me like that,” Tani said.

“Like what?” Dante asked.

“Like you owe me,” Tani hissed at him. “It is the last thing I want from you, Dante Arturo.”

“Then what do you want?” Dante asked.

Tani shrugged and moved away from him.

Dante breathed out and returned his attention to the video his students were watching. The screen was filled with a Bengal tiger climbing a large tree. The tiger was magnificent, but all Dante could think of was the scent of apples and citrus filling his nose, and the picture of Tani watching Dane get married as written in the journal.

When the video ended, the students clapped, and asked Fred a few questions before they had to move on to the next part of the tour.

Tani was cordial with the students. He answered questions with patience as he took them to the fourth floor of the tower where they discovered the reason why all the glass. A glass dome covered the top, creating an observatory complete with a very professional telescope.

They each got a turn at the telescope, and then had to move on to the next part of the tour.

Tani walked them through magnificent hallways with high arches built with brick, and exotic wood, the walls adorned with colored stone and tiles. They all marveled at a drawing room turned library, whose walls were decorated with gold calligraphy.

Dante watched Tani through the tour, barely asking his questions, his thoughts preoccupied with the past and the present. He wondered what Dane had seen walking these halls with Tani. He wondered what that idiot had thought giving up on Tani so easily for a woman who would dare burn this place down. Thinking about it made Dante angry.

“You must be hungry,” Tani said, pausing at a wide grand staircase that would lead them back to the ground floor. “We have gone through three wings of the fortress. Due to privacy reasons, we cannot enter the fourth wing. It is a residential area, and is where our staff lives. We are left with the courtyard…”

Tani frowned, looking over Dante’s students to the back.

“Alas, we cannot enter the courtyard for legal reasons,” Tani said, pointing to Hera and Tom who were holding their hands up and shaking their heads. “Or so I’m told. There is a renovation crew working on the archway leading to the front hall. Our tour will now head to the cafeteria. Hera and Tom will guide the way and you can get a warm meal.”

“Aren’t you coming along?” One of the girls asked. “You’re not leaving us, are you?”

Tani met Dante’s gaze and then grinned at the girl.

“I’m not leaving yet. I’ll join you in the cafeteria in a few minutes,” Tani said.

Hera and Tom took over, guiding the students away.

Tani frowned when Dante remained standing at the landing just watching him.

“Why are you still looking so sad?” Tani asked, his hands at his sides. “Is it because of what I said about Dane earlier?”

“I can’t shake it off,” Dante said. “Any of it. I thought I could, but hearing you talk about it…I think this burden is too heavy. What do you do with the pain? None of them could burn it away. They were human, pure.”

Tani held out his right hand to Dante. He sighed when Dante did not make a move to take his hand. So, he closed the distance between them. Tani removed the reading glasses he wore, so that Dante could see his amber eyes.

“How much do you know of our past?” Tani asked.

“We’ve loved each other seven times that I know of, and two that are not quite clear to me,” Dante said, remembering the stories in the diary written by his grandmother, plus the dreams he had experienced. “Each time, I have disappointed you and you’ve walked away with a broken heart. How can you look at me as you are right now?”

“How do I look at you?”

“With interest,” Dante said, frowning.

“You are interesting, Dante,” Tani said. “How did you come to know of our past?”

“A journal written by my grandmother,” Dante said. “She worried I would disappoint you too. My mother gave it to me when you left the vineyard. I read it and wanted to see you. I wanted to…”

“To what?” Tani asked, cocking his head to the side.

“I don’t know,” Dante said, shaking his head. “Now that you’re standing in front of me, I don’t know what I should do.”

Tani studied him for a moment, and then held out his right hand again.

“Are you going to take my hand, or aren’t you?”

Dante’s gaze shifted to Tani’s right palm. His gaze fixating on the thin bracelets shaped like Elderwood leaves. The leaves a mirage, hiding the true shape of the gold cuffs Tani wore because of him.

“Tani,” Dante said, his voice a whisper, as he looked into amber eyes. “I’m afraid that if I hold your hand, I won’t want to let go. Do you think you can accept me? I—I want to try being with you. I’m not like the past me.”

Tani chuckled and shook his head.

“You were always different, never the same. Also, I’m the one offering my hand, Dante. Will you take it or not?” Tani asked.

Dante placed his left hand over Tani’s palm, and gasped when Tani clasped his fingers tight.

“Close your eyes,” Tani said.

It was the only warning he got, then they were in a burst of gold light. The landing faded away and then they were standing in a large round room. The domed ceiling filled with paintings of a floating citadel surrounded by waterfalls. The floating citadel was so exotic, Dante thought it a fantasy, including the man painted in a corner sitting on tall throne like chair. He looked like Tani, but wasn’t, the hair was wrong, it was dark and long.

“This is the fourth tower in the fortress. This room takes up the third and fourth floor. It is not accessible by anyone,” Tani said, looking at Dante. “You have to be Ekho to enter here. Not even Hera and Tom know about it because there is no door.”

Dante nodded in understanding, looking around the room. The windows were high and tall. They allowed more than enough light into the perfect round room. The light showed off painted portraits mounted in intervals on the natural stonewalls. The furniture looked antique, the shelves filled with books, and leather bound journals. There was a desk with two chairs set next to each other. A long comfortable couch arranged by what he assumed used to be a fireplace.

“There used to be a bed in the middle,” Tani said. “I got rid of it in a fit of anger after a bad night.”

“You have a temper,” Dante said.

“You do too,” Tani said, with a shrug. “This is—was my room until the last century. I—I—, um, since you know what we have been to each other, I want to share my memories of you, not what others have told you.”

Dante nodded in agreement.

Tani rewarded him with a small smile then clasped his hand tight and led him to a painting to their right. Dante sucked in air when he took a close look at the hanging portrait.

It was Durante. The first one of him. He was dressed in the white robes he wore the day he married, and broke Tani’s heart. The one who started Tani’s hell.

“I still remember the day I met you clear as day,” Tani said, his voice low. “Your scent drew me to you. The pack of wolves chased you, you didn’t shout because you were afraid your family would hear and come after you. So, you ran…and stumbled through the barriers I made right into my protected forest. I had no choice but to save you.”

“Barriers?”

“Yes,” Tani said, reaching out to run his palm over the frame of the portrait. The dust on the frame disappeared, and Tani dropped his hand away. “You ran right through, I suppose you were meant to.”

Dante studied the portrait. A fine gold mist surrounded Durante in the portrait. He had thought it dust at first, but now that Tani had cleared it away, the gold mist remained.

“What is this?” Dante asked, touching the gold mist aura, tightly wrapped around Durante.

“It is how I see you even now,” Tani said. “I took after my mother’s people more than my father imagined. Ekho’s believe in having one true beloved. When we meet them, we share part of ourselves with our beloved. A sacred bond that cannot be severed. When I first met you, I knew, you’re my beloved. I tried to ignore it for a time after you left the forest. You were human and I am Ekho. We were from different worlds, it was better to wait for another time, another meeting. It is what our people do. But then, you returned holding food and concern for me. I—”

“You tried to scare him,” Dante said, remembering Tani letting go of his glamour for Durante in his dream. “You showed him your eyes, and your claws thinking it would make him run.”

“He called me a fox,” Tani grinned. “I let him think so, because it was easiest. I didn’t know how to explain my kind. My heart would not let him be alone, so I loved him as the fox he thought I was.”

“He ended up breaking your heart,” Dante said, shaking his head, remembering the night Durante wedded and Tani wore his gold cuffs.

“He needed immortality,” Tani said, with a small shrug. “A mortal’s life is short; a blink of an eye and it’s over. So, mortals form bonds through family. Their children meant to succeed where their ancestors did not, meant to push the family to the next era, the next century. His decisions were rooted to the ways of a mortal. Without him, you would not exist. He made the right decision. Because I love him, I understood him.”

“I don’t,” Dante said, shaking his head. “If he loved you too, he should have been loyal to you.”

“Don’t judge him so harshly,” Tani said, turning to meet Dante’s gaze. “Durante’s bloodline has lived one thousand years, moving from century to century. It is the best magic he could have forged.”

“Still—”

“You have two children,” Tani said, his words coming out sharp. “Your bloodline will see the next generation, and the generation after and so on. Who are you to judge him?”

“I did not marry Viola,” Dante said, needing Tani to understand his failure with Viola. “She is not my beloved, Tani. I—”

“You what?”

“I was careless when I was younger. I stayed with Viola and let her believe in a future together when I felt nothing for her. We made Zach and April, but I could never offer her more than financial support. We separated, for her sake and the children. I am not tied to Viola and I regret the pain our relationship brought to her.”

“Don’t regret the children,” Tani said, shaking his head. “Don’t do that when they both love you so much.”

“I don’t regret Zach and April,” Dante said. “I am however, a bad parent to them.”

Tani stared at him for a moment, and then turned to the portraits on the walls. He moved to the second one and shrugged.

“I’ve come to realize that parents are also people who make mistakes. Their children must learn how to live with the mistakes they make,” Tani said, smiling at the second man he loved. “He was Dante like you. Simple man who only wanted a simple life. He didn’t know what I was, nor think me a fox. We were happy for a time.”

“Until his wife chased you out of the settlement,” Dante said.

“Violet has remained a steady force in your life with an astounding variation of her name,” Tani said letting out a soft chuckle. “I hated her for a while, in time my hate turned to tolerance. I suppose without her, you would not be here.”

“Tani.”

Tani moved to the next painting, placing his palm over the frame, his power wiping away the dust.

“This was Duante,” Tani said, studying the painting of a man dressed in white robes. “He was a scribe. Quite dedicated to his work at a magistrate’s office. We were together for a very short time before he married and promptly chased me away. He made me so angry, I left his town and traveled the world, determined to forget him.”

Dante held his tongue as Tani went down the line of four more versions of him, until he stopped at the portrait of a masked janissary, a red strip over his mask. Tani lingered on this one, his gaze complicated.

“We have the same portrait at Artri House,” Dante said. “He is holding the mask and his eyes are full of sorrow. Why is he different for you?”

“His Violet burned my tower,” Tani mused. “He loved me enough to hide the existence of this fortress from his Sultan. I just didn’t understand his ties to his family were tighter than the ones before. He almost made me believe he would stay with me, until Violet burned the fortress. It is lucky he cared enough for my causes to help the women who found sanctuary here. After him, I almost gave up.”

“One of Dane’s daughters found my great-grandfather,” Dante said.

“Yes,” Tani said. “Someone pushed her to find him for his bloodline. I knew nothing of it. The family was consistent with the name Durante for two more generations, which is probably why they named you Dante.”

“My grandmother knew the original story,” Dante said. “The patriarch of the family told her.”

“I figured as much,” Tani said, stopping at the last portrait.

In it, Durante was dressed in a dated suit, probably nineteen twenty. He stood tall and held a cane.

“I ran away to East Africa after surviving him,” Tani confessed. “Even though he married Violet early, he kept us longest. I was a secret he enjoyed having. We stayed together until he turned thirty. Then Violet wanted to move to the Americas, so they left. I would have followed, but he insisted on having a clean slate when they landed in New York. A branch of his family stayed here, and the other moved to New York.”

Tani sighed, and let go of Dante’s hand.

“So,” Tani said, indicating the nine portraits on the wall. “This is the size of the baggage I carry. I have tried my best to let it go, but…there are moments when it leaves me feeling broken. The cuffs on my wrist probably have a lot to do with that.”

Dante stood in the round room, his gaze moving from portrait to portrait. The faces on each one similar to his, but not quite. Their priorities certainly differed from his.

“Tani,” Dante said, facing the extraordinary man who had loved his soul for centuries. “Let’s agree on three facts.

“Okay,” Tani said. “What facts are these?”

“First, I am not them,” Dante said, pointing to the portraits. “Agreed?”

Tani folded his arms against his chest, and studied him for a moment.

“Agreed,” Tani said after a while. “You were never the same, ever.”

“Okay, this is good,” Dante said, taking a step toward Tani. “Two, I am truly interested in you. And when I say interested, I want to kiss you and make love with you. What about you?”

Tani smiled wide, studying him for another minute before he dropped his hands to his sides and nodded.

“I’ve always wanted you, Dante,” Tani said. “Our physical attraction has never been the problem.”

“That’s good to know,” Dante said, relieved, he took a step toward Tani.

“I’ve heard about us from my grandmother’s journal, then a warning from a grimoire in our home. All of them ask me not to disappoint you. As a result, I ran here to find you,” Dante said.

“I thought you wanted a tour for your students?” Tani asked.

“No, I was hoping to find you because I don’t have your phone number or know where you live. I have to tell you, it breaks my heart when I listen to you talk about us. It sounds like you’ve given up on me,” Dante said, taking another step forward, stopping only because Tani raised his right hand as though to stop him.

“You’ve judged my decision on all the others,” Dante said. “I’m not them.”

“No, you’re not,” Tani agreed. “Your warlock education has given you more information than the rest. I’m grateful that I don’t have to explain what an Ekho is to you.”

“My Grandmaster is a solid jerk who pushed me too hard and turned me into an overachiever. I even know there is a Septum in the Ekho Realm, and what it has done to you with those cuffs.”

“Sounds like a man who understands how to groom a fire warlock,” Tani said. “You have one thing right too. I have given up on proving my choice. I was not going to meet you this lifetime. , This time, I was going to ignore you existed and return to the Ekho Realm forever.”

Dante nodded, taking in the sting of Tani’s words. He stepped back.

“Why did you approach me?” Dante asked. “If you gave up on me, you should have let the kara ot ravage our vineyard.”

“I should have,” Tani said, his answer stinging more than it should. “But I can’t. It’s an Ekho’s job to make sure that blight does not spread in the mortal realm.”

“So, you came out of obligation?” Dante asked, oddly hurt by the thought.

“Yes,” Tani said. “No matter what’s happened between us, I can’t see you in danger.”

Dante took comfort in that statement and took a step forward.

“Then, Tani, are you willing to give me a chance?” Dante asked. “My number three is: How do I show you that I choose you this time?”

“You—”

Dante waved to the portraits around him.

“I understand from your perspective that the evidence is clearly not on my side,” Dante said, scowling at the men on the wall with his face. “I’ve never felt so attacked just as I’m thinking of hitting on a guy I like for a date. This is a lot of pressure. So, give me a chance, Tani.”

Tani stared at him for a full minute, and then chuckled.

“I just laid out our less than stellar past,” Tani said.

“I still want my chance,” Dante said, pointing to all the portraits. “Each of them got their chance. They fucked up. I want mine.”

“We might not have enough time,” Tani started, then bit his bottom lip as though to stop himself from talking.

“I don’t care,” Dante said, taking another step toward Tani. It brought him close enough to take in Tani’s scent again. “I want my chance with you. My time with you, Tani. Can you give me that?”

Amber eyes met Dante’s determined gaze.

<<Previous | Table of Contents | Next>>

A storm ravaged the island late Tuesday night, rain falling into the early hours of Wednesday.

A whispered ‘help’ woke Tani from a deep sleep. He sat up on his bed and listened to the raging rain. The trees in the forest around them broke most of it…

The plea for help came again, and he got out of bed.

Closing his eyes, he listened, and once it came again, he followed it, teleporting to the overflowing river in the middle of the conservancy. The waters had swelled and spilled over to the bank. Not caring that the rain was soaking him; he stood on a flat rock, searching until he saw the little red fox standing on the edge of the flooding river. It was pacing in distress, trying to reach a bobbing boulder caught between two large branches. The river water doing its best to take the boulder downstream.

Tani froze when he saw a second fox caught under the shifting boulder. The river water was racing down too fast. He didn’t stop to think. He simply teleported to the two large branches, reached down, and caught the drowning fox by its neck just as the boulder got loose of the branches and went racing downstream.

Cradling the soaking fox, he returned to the flat rock, and the little fox that had called for help ran after him.

“You poor things, your cave must have flooded,” Tani said, placing the drowned fox he held on the flat rock. The little fox leaned closer, peering at its friend. “Don’t worry. He’s just swallowed a lot of water.”

Tani pressed two fingers to the still fox’s stomach and pushed. Water came out of its mouth and it coughed. Tani rubbed its back, turning the tired fox to its side as it coughed out more water. When it was breathing easier, Tani smiled and pressed his palms on both sides to warm it up. The rain was still falling, so he looked around the thick forest. They needed shelter.

Taking the two foxes into his arms, he walked deeper into the forest until he found a hollowed-out tree. He lined the inside of the hollow with leaves and urged the little foxes into the space.

“You two, don’t wander close to the river until I can get it to calm down,” Tani said when they were settled. The little fox who had desperately called for help licked his hand, and he smiled at the affection. “Stay here until the rain stops.”

He spent a few minutes making sure the hollowed-out tree was safe and dry. When he was done, he returned to the burgeoning river.

Tani checked to see if there were any other animals caught in the fast sweep of water. He tried to calm the waters with his power, but it hurt to use too much. He was still raw from the vineyard so he stopped. Letting out a sigh, he decided he would need to talk to Uncle Amu in the morning. Returning home, Tani found himself standing in the middle of his bedroom, soaked to the bone.

Staring at his muddy feet, all he could think about was what Dante was doing at the same exact moment.

At six in the morning, Tani sat at the kitchen island table, reading a daily report from the conservancy on a tablet they kept in the kitchen.

There were damaged boundary fences, and broken cameras in the forest and the flooding river was making it difficult for the animals to cross it. It pained him that his power still felt too raw to use. If he were to take on the tending of the conservancy, it would take him all day.

Eren entered the kitchen and stopped when she saw him. She was in a long simple frock, her hair falling down her back. She was on bare feet, clearly not dressed for the day.

Eren started to turn away in a clear escape.

“Eren,” Tani said, remembering that she kept making his Elderwood bushes bloom. He could channel her excess power to the river.

“Little lordling,” Eren said, turning to face him, and looking around the sunny kitchen. “Lord Amu?”

“He’s not back yet,” Tani said.

“Hera and Tom?” Eren asked.

“They are at the fortress working,” Tani said, placing his tablet down, now studying Eren. She was clearly unwilling to be in the same room with him. Had to be his comment about disowning his father.

“And Cale?” Eren asked, going down the list of all the people she met last night.

Tani grinned as he realized Eren was hoping she would not have to deal with him alone.

“Cale we can find,” Tani said. “All we have to do is call for him.”

“You mean you call for him,” Erin said, bunching the skirts of her dress. “He won’t respond to me. I’ve tried.”

Tani blinked. He had always thought Cale responded to every call made to him.

“Cale?” Tani said and smiled when Cale appeared a few minutes later in a charcoal grey suit. His hair was brushed to perfection, he was busy adjusting his cuffs.

“You called, Little Lordling,” Cale said.

“Eren was asking about you,” Tani said, pushing the tablet toward Cale who stood a few feet away. He got up from his chair and went to the coffee maker in the corner. He didn’t feel like tea this morning. It was lucky someone in the house had felt the same at a point. There was coffee already made.

“Do you think you can help me with a bit of work?” Tani asked. “The river is flooding and it is causing trouble.”

“I will only make it get worse,” Cale said, picking up the tablet and reading the list made by Tom’s team.

“I don’t need you to fix it, take Eren,” Tani said, finding a mug, he poured himself a half cup and sipped the bitter liquid. “There were foxes in trouble last night. I tried to soothe the river last night, but I could not.”

He lifted his right wrist to show his cuffs.

“I overused at the vineyard,” Tani said, smiling at a panic-stricken Eren. “It happens after a big use. Eren, do you mind?”

“No,” Eren said, shaking her head. “I mean, yes, I will help.”

Tani smiled at her.

“Thank you.”

“Stop making her feel guilty this early in the morning,” Cale said, placing the tablet on the table. He moved to the coffee maker, checked the state of the coffee, and sighed. “Stop drinking stale coffee.”

Cale took the mug Tani held and the coffee pot to pour out the coffee and rinse at the sink. He was adding fresh water to the coffee pot when his cell phone buzzed.

Tani frowned, wondering where he had left his own. He had not seen it since the day he was at the Arturo vineyard.

“Hi Hera,” Cale said when he answered the call. “He’s right here. I’ll put you on speaker.”

Cale placed his phone on the island table and returned to making coffee.

“Babu,” Hera said. “Where did you take your phone?”

Tani chuckled and returned to his chair.

“I don’t know,” Tani said.

“Honestly,” Hera said, exasperation clear. “I’m going to find a cord to clip on the phone and have you wear it like a necklace. Uncle Amu won’t make it to the tour. We need you.”

“No.” Tani started to protest, gaining Cale’s undivided attention.

“Who is going to do it then?” Hera asked.

“You or Tom,” Tani said.

Hera sighed and would have started complaining but Cale stopped her.

“Just a sec, Hera,” Cale muted the call and turned to Tani.

“You promised to make an effort on this,” Cale said, glaring at Tani. “Running away is not helping you or him. Time keeps moving along.”

“Why do you care so much?”

“I’m not going to answer that,” Cale said, glancing at a fascinated Eren. “All I know is that you should do the tour today. If you don’t, Eren won’t help with the river, right Eren?”

Eren started to protest inclusion, but Cale glared at her and she sighed.

“Right?” she said, though it sounded more like a question.

Tani scoffed, looking at her for a moment, and then he turned to Cale.

“You’re enjoying this too much,” Tani said and reached for Cale’s phone. He unmuted the call. “Alright, Hera, what time should I be there?”

“Before ten o’clock, you can use Tom’s office. We’ll be waiting for you,” Hera said.

“See you,” Tani ended the call and studied Cale who was now making coffee. “You’re very invested in me and Dante.”

“I’m just tired of watching the colossal disasters that happen between you,” Cale said. “I miss my domain and a peaceful existence.”

“You can imagine how absurd that sounds from the Ekho god of calamity,” Tani pointed out.

“You’re full of good fortune, but you never make it work for you,” Cale said, pouring Tani a fresh cup of coffee when it was ready. He brought the mug to Tani, his right brow raised. “Who is more absurd?”

Tani drank his coffee in silence because he had no answer for Cale. He needed to deal with his indecisiveness. Right before ten o’clock, he teleported into Tom’s office after a hurried shower and a change of clothes.

Hera was visibly relieved to see him. She hurried to his side to adjust his shirt, while Tom watched them from behind his large desk.

“I am so glad you agreed to give this tour,” Hera said, arranging the mandarin collar on Tani’s white shirt. “Otherwise, Tom would have to, and he bores everyone to sleep.”

Tom chuckled and Tani winked at him.

Tani had left the top two buttons of the shirt open. Hera finished with the collar and brushed off lint from his shoulder. Tani tugged at the long sleeves of his shirt. He had used a bit of magic to turn the gold cuffs on his wrist into thin bracelets carved to look like a chain of Elderwood leaves.

Tani smoothed his left hand over the short part of his hair on the left side.

Hera made use of the comb she held to manage the long fringe of hair falling to the right side. She brushed his hair down his right side, straightening out red-brown curls into their cut, making sure his hair hid his right ear lobe. She used a finger to slide a few strands away from his forehead.

Tani grinned at the intent look on her face as she brushed his hair.

She was the one who had taken him to the salon. Hera and Deniz chose his hairstyle, turning it into a right undercut with his long hair brushed to one side to hide the gold Elderwood leaves on his right earlobe.

Hera stepped away from him when she was satisfied with her work. She placed the comb in a small bag on Tom’s desk, and then took him in.

They were anticipating the arrival of Dante’s students in a few minutes. Tom and Hera were handling the visit arrangements: clearing with the various departments, as well as the cafeteria.

Tani had been last to arrive at Tom’s office.

“How do I look?” Tani asked Hera.

“Like the patron of The Elderwood Conservancy,” Hera said with a satisfied nod. She handed Tani gold-rimmed reading glasses that would mute the otherness of his eyes. Tani wore them without protest. “Am I right, Tom?”

“Right,” Tom said, getting up from his chair behind the desk. “The alarm at the gate pinged my phone three minutes ago. They are here.”

Tani breathed in and moved to the windows showing off the front of the building.

His heart sped up when a few minutes later he saw a white staff bus driving up to the fortress’ front entrance. Despite the many hours Tani spent telling himself he should not get excited over Dante, his heart betrayed him when the man so much as appeared.

Just knowing Dante was on the bus was enough to get his heart speeding.

Tani let out a quiet sigh and slid his hands into his tailored black trousers. This was the start. He had no way to stop it, and he was afraid this time he was going to hurt too many people.

“Babu,” Tom said, coming to stand next to him. “Uncle Amu is sure you’ll not be as available after today. Should we be worried?”

Tani stared at the white bus, which had slowed down, navigating around the fountain at the front and coming to a stop at the front doors.

“The conservancy will continue,” Tani said. “You’re here. There is Uncle Amu, and Cale is around. Everything should run without a problem, the same way it has when I was away.”

“Okay,” Tom said with a soft sigh.

Tani looked behind him and was glad to see Hera on the phone.

“I will ask you to make an appointment with the conservancy’s law firm,” Tani said, giving Tom a small smile. “I need to clean up a few things.”

Tom studied him for a moment and then frowned.

“I hope you know that I’m as attached to you as Hera and Deniz,” Tom said. “I know you disappear on us, but it is okay because we all know you’re around. Easy to meet. Easy to call. I’m asking you now. Can you not go somewhere we can’t reach you?”

Tani turned to face Tom, unable to give him an answer. The look on Tom’s face reminded him of the first time he ran into Tom in this very fortress. It was a mix of challenge and determination.

When Tom was twelve, he had been very angry at the world. His family lived on the outskirts of a city on the mainland. They hid their abilities because they could not share them in a rapidly changing modern world. Tom rebelled against his parents’ ideas. He resented having to hide his true self.

He wanted to show his friends his gift of making the earth shift, making flowers bloom on notice, and whatever else he thought up to amuse himself. When they did not understand him, he ran along the beach on the mainland terrorizing anyone who dared pick on him for being a freak.

One evening, Amu got a message from one of his contacts to check out a strange boy at the beach. Amu arrived just as Tom was busy throwing balls of sand at three boys. Amu ended up with a solid ball of sand in his mouth and became one of Tom’s victims. Tom was eternally shocked when he too received a mouthful of sand in his face in retaliation. Amu always gave back as good as he got, it was the way of the fox clan.

Soon after, Amu brought Tom’s whole family to the fortress and gave them the task of taking care of The Elderwood Conservancy. Young Tom could play to his heart’s content in the forests surrounding the fortress. He met more people like him and made great friends who understood him.

Tani was living at their station in East Africa then, but he would stop by to manage issues that cropped up with the fortress. On one such visit, he ran into twelve-year-old Tom and almost ate dirt from the garden at the front of the fortress, before there was a fountain.

Tani grinned at the memory.

Tom followed him for a whole week to discover how Tani had evaded his ball of dirt. He could not remember how Tom got him to teach him how to shift dirt in midair. The kid was a ball of persistence. As time moved on, he became Tom’s teacher, helping him with his abilities.

Then Tom grew up. Their roles changed. Tani started relying on Tom to take care of the fortress, more and more. In a blink, here they were. Tom was all grown up.

“Do you remember throwing balls of soil at people when you were twelve?” Tani asked, grinning when Tom scowled at him.

“Why are you bringing up my dark days?” Tom asked, frowning at him.

Tani chuckled.

“You were such an angry kid,” Tani mused. “Looking at you now, who would believe it?”

“You,” Tom said with a grin. “Uncle Amu ate a lot of sand.”

“He did,” Tani agreed.

Tom looked handsome as always. His thick dark hair was in a neat cut and combed back. His brown eyes were kind and his smile was ready. He dressed in proper suits when he was at work. Today he was in a grey suit with a white shirt and a burgundy tie.

“I might not be able to give you the promise you want,” Tani said, his gaze shifting to Hera.

Hera was still busy writing down a note, as she listened to the person on the other end of the call. She looked classy today, dressed in a navy blue sheath dress and black heels. Her braids were in a tight ponytail, the length of them falling down her back.

Tani continued.

“I will, however, make sure you’re all—”

“Do not say ‘taken care of’,” Tom said, narrowing his gaze.

Tani smiled and met Tom’s gaze.

“It is the only thing I can say to you,” Tani said. “I have unfinished business…”

“Then finish it, and still return to us,” Tom said, ending the conversation. “I’ll call the lawyers, but only because Uncle Amu would want me to. I expect to see you at my lastborn’s tenth birthday party, Tani Ryuzo. I should warn you, my wife will give me five kids.”

Tani scoffed.

“You don’t even have a girlfriend.”

“Well, look at all that time we have together,” Tom grinned.

“They are signed in,” Hera said, ending her call. “Rachel has led them to the waiting room. Ready, Babu?”

“Yep,” Tani said, and pulled his hands out of his pockets, fighting off nerves.

“Here,” Tom said, holding out a black phone. “In case you leave the fortress and we need to call you.”

“Ok.”

Tani took the phone and slipped it into his trouser pocket, smiling at the determined look on Tom.

Tani rubbed his hands together, suddenly looking forward to the tour.

“We should start with the tower at the entrance,” Tani said. “I think they’ll get a kick out of the observatory, won’t they?”

“Cale was painting up there a month ago,” Hera said, picking up a folder from Tom’s desk. She led the way out of Tom’s office, with Tom bringing up the rear. “Something about helping the restoration crew.”

“Cale sure has a lot of time,” Tani said, shaking his head as he followed Hera. “He had better not have installed gargoyles on the roofs.”

Tom chuckled behind him, as he closed the office door. They headed to the waiting room at the reception together.

****

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Two days later, Dante paced his office at the manor, as he talked to Thomas and Justina on his cell phone. His laptop stood open on his desk, an email from Tom King open on the screen.

Hi Dante,

I’m writing to let you know you got special access permission to visit our fortress. You’re welcome to bring a small group. Ten students at the most. Please remember, The Elderwood Conservancy uses the fortress as a place of business and research. We will work at accommodating your visit, but understand there are sections of the fortress you might not be able to access.

If you agree to these terms, Tuesday or Wednesday is best if you want a guided tour from our patron. 10 am to 1 pm. We will arrange lunch for you and your students in our cafeteria. Forward me a list of allergies and dietary needs.

’Looking forward to your visit,

Tom.

“I’ve confirmed us for tomorrow, Wednesday,” Dante said, reading the days listed in the email to confirm with Justina and Thomas. “Set off early so you reach the island by nine o’clock. Call me when you arrive. I will have our vineyard staff bus driver give you guys a lift to Elderwood.”

“I’m so excited this came through,” Justina said on the other end. “How did you manage it?”

Dante thought about Tani standing in his kitchen and smiled. It would be difficult to explain he had helped an Ekho with pain and that was how he was getting a chance to tour the fortress. He could also say he was a warlock desperately in need of making things right with a rejected Ekho. Justina and Thomas would both think him in need of a good psychiatrist.

“It’s a secret,” he answered Justina. “Don’t forget to forward the list of students and any allergies for use at lunch. Our list should have at the most ten students.”

“Thankfully only eight have signed up for the tour. I’ll forward the list once I’ve confirmed dietary needs,” Justina promised. “Is there a fee?”

“No,” Dante said. “Elderwood has granted us special access. I’ll sort it out on my end.”

“Thank you, Dante,” Thomas said. “I’ll make sure to bring my camera for photos.”

“Then, I’ll see you guys in the morning,” Dante said and ended the call.

Alone, he walked around his desk to sit in his chair. He stared at Tom’s email for a minute, and then his gaze shifted to the leather journal his mother gave him. Reaching for it, he opened it to the lineage map showing the families leading up to him. One of Durante’s ancestors married into the Arturo warlock family. Making him.

The warning in the grimoire was apt. His past self was responsible for the gold cuffs on Tani’s wrists. It was not easy knowledge. Remembering the pain Tani endured when they were returned made him sick to the stomach. He wished there was an easy fix, but he did not even know how he could start repairing such long-term damage. He couldn’t even think about it.

Dante closed the journal and leaned back with a sigh. He needed to see Tani.

He could only hope Tani was willing to see him too.

***

On Wednesday morning, the day of the tour to Elderwood, Dante woke up early. He called the bus driver to confirm the time they would set off for the docks. After, he showered and dressed for the day, choosing a white cotton shirt, which he folded the sleeves to his elbows and a pair of navy blue slacks. He lingered at the mirror trimming his full beard.

For a moment, he wondered if he should shave it off, then shook his head with a quick grin. He hoped Tani liked it. Dante brushed his chin-length hair back, opting not to hold it today. He wanted to look his best when he met Tani.

Satisfied with his looks in the mirror, he left his bathroom. In his closet, he slipped his feet into dark side-zip leather boots, grabbed his wallet and phone from the bedside table, and left his room.

At seven o’clock, he was in the kitchen brewing tea when the backdoor opened and his grandmaster walked in.

Dante remembered that Nora had called him and Dante’s father to come to Artri House.

“Morning, Dante,” Landi Arturo said, dropping the duffel bag he carried by the door. He removed his jacket and placed it on the counter next to the door. He took three steps into the kitchen.

The backdoor closed, and Dante made sure it locked. The floor turned liquid silver under Landi. Liquid silver flooded around Landi’s black canvas shoes and then solidified into thick sharp spikes. They grew tall, a thick forest of them, thick, each wrapping around Landi, holding him in place. When they reached his thighs, one of them rose higher than the rest, its end as sharp as a dagger; it came to a stop at Landi’s throat.

Dante focused on brewing morning tea with the double teapot his mother liked for daily use. The water boiled in the bottom teapot. He added three large teaspoons of tea leaves to the top teapot. Picking up the bottom teapot, he added hot water to the tea leaves. He made sure the water was enough to make six glasses of brewed tea. Covering the top teapot, he placed it aside. He picked up the bottom teapot and added water. He returned it to the cooker and placed the top teapot back on top.

Only then did he give his grandmaster his attention.

Landi stood very still. He did not struggle. He only narrowed his gaze at Dante.

“Are we having a bad morning, Dante?” Landi asked.

“Are we?” Dante asked, moving to the cupboard where his mother kept the teacups.

He got three tulip-shaped tea glasses. He arranged them on saucers on the kitchen counter, before he leaned on it, waiting for the tea to brew.

“You are threatening to rip me up with liquid steel this early in the morning,” Landi said. “Artri House’s arsenal is growing thanks to you. How did you think this up?”

“Seeing you makes me hot with rage,” Dante said, narrowing his gaze at his grandmaster.

“How did I displease you?”

Landi tried to wiggle out of the spell, but the steel bands only tightened around him. He frowned when the sharp blade rose higher, almost touching his skin.

“Your power has grown,” Landi commented. “I’m worried you’re threatening to draw your grandmaster’s blood.”

Dante shrugged and returned his attention to the brewing tea on the gas range. He liked his tea dark, but his mother liked hers light. He was glad when he heard her coming down the hallway, her slippers dragging on the wood floors.

Nora entered the kitchen, still in her comfortable white pajamas, and stopped.

“Landi,” Nora said in greeting, running her fingers through her hair. She made no comment on the hardening steel rods wrapped around Landi. “It’s early in the morning for your arrival.”

“My flight landed earlier than we thought,” Landi said, his voice strained.

Dante got a cube of sugar and added it to the tea glass his mother would use. He placed a teaspoon on the saucer and turned off the fire on the double teapot. He poured dark brewed tea into his own glass, filling it up.

Dante then poured half of the same brewed tea into his mother’s with the sugar cube. He added hot water to fill her teacup, lightening the color.

Dante smiled when she came to take the tea glass with a grateful sigh. He leaned down to her height and grinned when she brushed a kiss on his left cheek. She smoothed her palm over his hair and sipped her tea.

Placing the double teapot back on the cooker, Dante turned to face Landi after a sip of his own tea.

“Why are you holding your grandmaster prisoner?” Nora asked, stirring her tea in lazy motion.

Dante took a second sip of his dark brewed tea, then a third. When he felt fortified enough, he placed the tea glass on the counter and moved closer to his grandmaster.

“Break the spell on my mother,” Dante said, looking into Landi’s dark brown gaze. “Now.”

“Dante—”

“I had to watch her struggle, afraid she would burn up if she spoke a word out of turn,” Dante hissed. “Break your archaic binding spell, now.”

“Is that why you’re holding me with liquid steel?” Landi asked. “Don’t you think this is deranged—?”

“You have no right to discuss deranged spells with me,” Dante said, pointing to Nora. “You’ve spelled my mother. She’s a member of this family. She is my mother and you’ve dared to put a spell on her. You’re lucky I didn’t pull you under this manor and bury you in liquid steel.”

Landi sighed when Dante’s glare turned threatening. He looked at Nora.

“Don’t turn to me,” Nora said, moving to sit at the island table. She let out a small yawn and sipped her tea. “You’re the one who trained him.”

“He’s from your fire blood,” Landi said, accusation in his tone.

“He’s only my blood when he has you at a disadvantage,” Nora said, shaking her head. “Other days, he’s Arturo warlock blood.”

Dante folded his arms against his chest.

“I have somewhere to be in an hour and a half,” Dante said. “You will break the spell on Mom before I leave this house.”

“Dante—”

“I will remind you. I am now the master of Artri House. You have stepped in here with your guard down. No one can save you, not even my father,” Dante said.

“You would not harm—”

“I thought so too until I watched Mom struggling to avoid burning from the inside out,” Dante said. “You broke trust first.”

“Nora, are you going to help here?” Landi asked.

“I’m the one spelled,” Nora said.

Landi sighed, and nodded, meeting Dante’s gaze.

“Fine, I’ll break it.”

“Now?” Dante asked.

“Yes, now,” Landi said.

“Mom, move closer,” Dante said, willing the steel rod to slide away from Landi’s neck, releasing Landi’s arms, and stopping at his knees.

“You’re mistreating an old man,” Nora said when she was standing next to Dante.

“He mistreated you first,” Dante said, meeting Landi’s gaze. He smirked. “No one mistreats my mother, Grandmaster Landi, not when I’m here.”

Nora chuckled next to him, and Landi let out a sigh.

“You’ve brought up a bully,” Landi said, placing his palms on Nora’s neck with gentle care, he closed his eyes and started a chant.

“Sözlerini serbest bırakıyorum, serbest bırakıyorum,” Landi spoke, breaking the spell on Nora. ‘I release your words, I release them.’

Landi repeated his chant until Nora let out a soft sigh, and Landi’s hands dropped away from her shoulders.

“It is done,” Landi said, turning to Dante.

“May it never happen again,” Dante warned, and released Landi from his liquid silver. Restoring the floor to its usual tiles. “Would you like some brewed tea? I made it dark this morning.”

Landi let out a tired sigh and shook his head.

“You just threatened me with a sharp steel rod,” Landi said. “Now you offer me tea?”

“Don’t want it? You can always heat it up on your own,” Dante said, taking up his tea glass. He sat at the island table next to his mother and focused on drinking tea. “Let me not hear you returned the spell on Mom because I left. Artri House will let me know.”

Landi frowned, studying Dante, his gaze critical.

Dante returned the study.

Landi was six feet tall. His dark hair was long turned gray and always messy on his head. He loved sweaters and had them in all colors. Nora made it a game to find a cashmere sweater color Landi did not own. Today, he was in a dark green one, dark slacks, and his favorite black converse shoes.

“Dante, despite your deadly threat, the manor feels happy. Are you in a good mood?” Landi asked.

Dante sipped his tea and reached for his phone because it buzzed in his pocket. He checked his messages and was glad to see one from Justina. Their students had arrived on time and they were now on the way to take the ferry.

It was good they were on the way.

He calculated time and sent the bus driver an alert to let him know they would leave Artri House in an hour.

“Dante received good news,” Nora was saying when he tuned back to the conversation.

Nora squeezed his left shoulder and got up to up to head to the fridge.

She got a container with a block of fresh white cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce. She placed the cheese container on the island table before Dante and handed Dante a knife and a chopping board to slice the cheese and tomatoes into palatable sizes.

Nora returned to the kitchen counter to get bread from its box, a jar with honey, and the grape jam she canned herself.

“Dante gets to take the students of his world history class at the Koc University for a special access tour at The Elderwood Conservancy,” Nora boasted. She got a second board and knife. She brought it to the island table and started slicing bread into bite-sized rectangular pieces. “There is someone he hopes to see at the conservancy.”

Landi took the opportunity to walk around the table to where Dante sat slicing fresh white cheese pieces. He placed his hand on Dante’s right wrist and pressed his fingers to Dante’s pulse.

“Something’s changed. You’re one cold idiot, but the punishment you just meted out on me screams of empathy for your mother. When did you start feeling empathy?” Landi asked, looking into Dante’s eyes. “There must have been a very big shift.”

“I’m—”

Dante frowned, his gaze dropping to where Landi held his right wrist.

“You can’t read me.”

“True,” Landi said, nodding. “But, I can tell the ice around your heart has melted or fractured. It was always there from when you were a boy. Your mother shares her empathy with you. It helped keep the house warm. Now, I can tell you’re the one fuelling the warmth in this manor, even as you threatened me. You seem…hopeful. What’s changed?”

“Nothing,” Dante said, thinking about the conduit spell he performed on Tani.

He had felt something shift in him that day. He could not define what, only that he desperately needed to see Tani again, for their shared past.

“Your mother mentioned Ryuzo was in this house,” Landi said, letting go of Dante’s wrist. “Tell me what happened, don’t leave out anything.”

Dante sipped his brewed tea and continued to slice white cheese into neat pieces, arranging them on the platter his mother brought him.

Nora narrated the events leading up to Tani entering the manor. She talked about the olive grove suffering nutrient loss, and Tani healing the soil, ridding it of kara ot.

“He was unconscious after,” Nora said, arranging a platter filled with sliced bread pieces, a bowl with black and green olives, sliced cucumbers, chopped sweet peppers, shredded lettuce, and cut peeled tomatoes.

“Landi, grab the plates from the shelf over the sink. I’ll brew more tea. Anyway, Cale, the Ekho god of calamity, brought the little lordling to Artri House. The manor would not let Cale in, so he could only stay in the front yard. He left soon after. Dante carried Tani inside and spent a few hours with him in the guest room performing a conduit spell.”

“You connected with an Ekho,” Landi said, returning to the island table with three plates, spoons, and forks. He sat opposite Dante, staring at him. “And you didn’t feel overwhelmed, or lose any part of your power?”

“No.” Dante shook his head. “I—I just wanted him to stay here. It felt important.”

Now that he had read the diary from his great-grandmother, he understood why.

“Hm,” Landi nodded. “Nora said Ryuzo teleported out at the end.”

“Yes,” Nora agreed. “Mr. Ryuzo asked me about any Ekhos who have visited the vineyard of late. I could not say the name without triggering the spell you cast on me.”

“A spell that should never have been cast,” Dante said, glaring at Landi.

“I broke it already,” Landi said, accepting the glass of brewed tea from Nora. He thanked her with a nod and turned to Dante.

“So, Mr. Ryuzo said he owed you a favor,” Landi noted, sipping his tea.

“I don’t want a favor from him,” Dante said. “I believe I might owe him more.”

Landi nodded and studied the platters on the table for a moment, thinking.

Nora got a frying pan and placed it on the cooker. She started the fire and got six eggs from the fridge. She got busy frying two each for them.

Dante took a slice of bread and arranged a slice of cheese, olives, and tomato. He took a bite and nodded as the combination of tastes burst in his mouth. Breakfast was always great with the family. A moment passed before Landi finally looked at Dante.

“Dante,” Landi said. “I hoped you would escape the warning in the grimoire. Your father did, and while I don’t know this Ekho Ryuzo—”

“I do,” Dante said, holding his grandmaster’s gaze. “I’ve met him. Seen him help us. What he did is worth more than Mom paid the conservancy. I don’t need the family to decide for me what I should do about Tani. I’ll make my own judgments and choices about him.”

Landi took in a deep breath and smirked.

“I figured I would hear such a statement from you. Fine, do what you think is right, but protect our Artri House through this encounter,” Landi said. “We still need to survive in the aftermath.”

“I’ll try my best,” Dante said. “Which reminds me, Mom told me about Aero. Do you think he would want our vineyard ruined?”

Landi’s gaze shifted to Nora who was busy plating the first plate of eggs and starting another. She ignored Landi’s piercing look and concentrated on frying eggs. Landi sighed.

“It still shocks me how the women of the manor embrace capitalism,” Landi said.

“Everyone has to survive somehow, it’s a true tragedy when white magik does not make money,” Nora said.

Landi shook his head and looked at Dante.

“Your father and I worked quite hard to identify Aero. We cornered him at an auction in Tokyo where he was trying to sell off one of the spelled pens your grandmother made for him,” Landi said, looking at Dante. “Aero is an Ekho from the dragon clan. He only agreed to tell us who he was after Christophe spelled a refilling goblet for him.”

Nora stopped cooking the last batch of eggs to look at Landi in surprise.

“He does not come close to the manor because he is afraid of the family’s patriarch,” Landi said.

Landi met Nora’s gaze then.

“Please tell me you didn’t think we would watch the wives of this manor deal with an Ekho and learn nothing about him?” Landi asked.

“Why did you lot act like you don’t know?” Nora asked.

“Christophe insisted he wanted a peaceful home. So did I,” Landi said with a shrug. “We all knew why you and Dante’s grandmother left to visit the beach beyond the grove. Let’s call it a badly kept secret.”

“How kind of you all,” Nora scoffed, burning the last batch of eggs. She moved the frying pan and shifted the teapot to the heat. She then plated the overdone eggs and brought them to Landi.

Dante hid a smile when Landi started to complain but stopped when she glared at him.

“Thanks for the food, Nora,” Landi said, picking up his fork.

Nora brought Dante his eggs and lingered over the brewing tea.

“Aero might know who would bring us the black weed,” Dante said. “We should talk to him.”

“I told you I will handle it, Dante.” Nora stated.

“Okay,” Landi said. “When you can’t, we’ll step in.”

“Fair enough,” Nora said with a nod.

Dante hid a smile, knowing his mother would make sure she got the information they needed from Aero, just to prove Landi wrong.

“When is Dad arriving?” Dante asked as they settled in for breakfast.

“Tomorrow,” Nora said, bringing Landi a glass of tea. She sat next to Dante again and reached for a plate to make a white cheese sandwich between two bread pieces. She took a bite and smiled at Dante. “It will be nice having the family home.”

“Yes. It’s good to have us all around, just in case,” Landi said, nodding.

Dante drank his tea and relaxed as breakfast progressed.

Nora gave Landi updates about the vineyard. They sat talking about plans for the wine factory until Dante’s phone buzzed with a message from the driver. He realized it was nine o’clock.

“I have to go,” Dante said, getting up from the table.

“Do you think you will meet Ryuzo today?” Nora asked.

Dante picked up his plate and the tulip-shaped tea glass with its saucer. He took them to the sink counter. He washed his hands and wiped the excess water with a napkin.

A tight feeling was growing in his chest, the anticipation and anxiety of going to the Elderwood Conservancy was catching up with him. He prayed and hoped Tani would be the one to give the tour. How many Ekhos could there be in an organization anyway? He doubted Cale had anything to do with Elderwood. Their kind of organization needed an abundance of goodwill, and Cale was full of the opposite.

Dante refused to entertain the idea that Tom King would be the one to give them a tour…

‘Fates,’ Dante thought. ‘Let it not be Tom.’

“Dante?” Landi called.

Dante bunched the used napkin into a ball and threw it into the trashcan under the sink.

He turned to his family and smiled.

“I’ll call you later,” Dante said, walking around the island table.

He picked up his phone from the table, kissed Nora’s right cheek, and turned to leave.

Landi spoke up when he got to the back door.

“Dante, you’re not responsible for righting past wrongs. You’re you,” Landi said. “You’re not your past reincarnations. Whatever might have happened, you’re only responsible for what you choose now.”

Dante paused to look at Landi, held his gaze for a moment, and then nodded his agreement. He smiled and unlocked the door, stepping out into the bright morning.

After spending hours reading his great-grandmother’s journal, all he knew was that he belonged with Tani. Tani had tried to show it to his past self. Those idiots must have been dimwitted. Now, it was up to him to prove Tani’s love true. He wanted a chance. He just hoped Tani would give it to him.

****

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“Lord Amu,” Eren said. “I would like to ask for your help. I want to visit the fox clan lands.”

“No.” Amu shook his head and crossed his arms against his chest.

“Are you not going to give me a chance to explain my request?” Eren asked.

“No.” Amu frowned. “The Septum is not the only entity with rules in the Ekho Realm. The Fox Clan is closed to the Immortal Clan. It is treason to allow one of you into our lands.”

“Treason?” Eren gaped. “Don’t you think it is extremely hostile of the fox goddess Anit? We do not refuse the members of your clan to visit our lands.”

“Have you seen one of ours in your lands these last thousand years?” Amu asked, narrowing his gaze at her.

Eren sat back in thought. After a moment, she shook her head, and Cale bit back a chuckle. He would have reminded her that foxes had a strange sense of loyalty. If they believed in a cause, no one could turn them away.

“Why doesn’t the fox clan enter the immortal lands?” Tom asked. “I thought the Ekho Realm was peaceful?”

“It is,” Amu said. “Mostly. We have our prejudices. The fox clan can hold long grudges. The deepest one is tied to the fact that the fox goddess’s son is held hostage in the mortal realm serving a thousand-year sentence for loving a mortal.”

“Babu doesn’t speak to his mother,” Tom said, helping Hera take plates to the sink.

“Just because they are estranged, doesn’t mean he is not a Fox Lord. He is her son. He is young and deserves to be in our ranks living his own life as he chooses. No one should punish him for his choices at his current age. Our fox clan wonders what will happen to him when he is as old as Sunu or Anit.”

“Loving a mortal is not why he is in the mortal realm,” Eren said. “Choosing to bind his soul to a fleeting life is the reason why. What if all Ekhos start doing the same? Do you understand the repercussions? We would have more Ekhos choosing to live here in the mortal realm. Changing fates of mortal lives—”

“Tani has followed the rules the Septum laid out,” Cale said. “He has made no effort to find a way to extend his beloved’s life beyond his natural cycle. He keeps the secrets of the Ekho Realm and bonded mates. You cannot accuse him of a crime he has not committed.”

“He might be innocent of my words, but others would not be so conscious of the rules,” Eren pointed out. “Thankfully, rumors of Tani’s punishment have controlled the Ekho population in the mortal realm better than any threats we ever gave. Even the fox clan has reduced its misdeeds. No one has bonded their soul to a human, except for Tani Ryuzo.”

“I understand your speech, but the fox clan will not forget the trial easily. Why do you want to enter our lands?” Amu asked.

“I cannot find the path the Kara ot used at the vineyard. There are concerns that there is a surge of black weed in the fox clan lands. The Kara ot may have used an unsuspecting fox with permissions from the inter-clan court to cross the Palladium Gates,” Eren said.

She glanced at Cale.

“The black weed is controlled in all the lands I can enter. I have no knowledge or the state of infestation in the fox clan lands. You must help me talk to the fox goddess Anit,” Eren said, her voice filled with urgency. “It will be helpful to know if the fox clan has an outbreak. Or if she has a clue as to who might have brought the black weed to the mortal realm.”

Cale nodded along to Eren’s words.

Eren’s entry into the fox clan would give him the perfect chance to snoop around the Inter Clan Court. Find out the identity of the culprit pretending to be from his Dark Fort. It would get the Sentinel off his back.

“The fox clan is relatively quiet,” Amu said. “I was there a few days ago. Anit did not mention any issues with black weed.”

“She might not mention it to you because you’re never at court,” Cale pointed out.

Amu narrowed his gaze at him.

“What would you know of my sister’s thoughts?” Amu asked.

“I know nothing of what Anit is thinking,” Cale said, reaching for his wine glass. He took a sip and sat back in his chair. “I’m only noting that she might not have mentioned a problem when you were visiting her.”

Amu sighed and shook his head.

“I’m surprised the god of calamity would want to help Eren,” Amu said. “After all she has contributed to Tani’s never-ending pain.”

Eren sighed.

“Lord Amu,” she started.

“I will not take you into the fox clan lands without my sister’s permission,” Amu said. “There are no secrets between us. We are not the immortal clan, Eren. Anit knows what I do and I know what she does for the sake of Tani. I’m not taking you into the fox clan lands.”

“Fine, I don’t have to step into the fox clan lands,” Eren said, lifting her hands in surrender. “Help me find a way to talk to fox goddess Anit then. Court to court. She’s in charge of the fox clan. I’m worried about the corruption of black weed spreading from the Ekho Realm to the mortal realm. Surely, we can meet on discreet terms to discuss an issue affecting our people.”

Amu studied her for a full minute before he shook his head and looked at Cale.

“Is this what you went to discuss with the Septum?” Amu asked. “To get me to convince Anit to talk to her?”

“Amu, you and I, have been at this for years. You will know not to take what I say next lightly,” Cale said.

Amu nodded and extended his right hand in invitation.

“There is something off,” Cale said, staring into his wine glass. “The black weed at the Arturo Vineyard was too large. The culprit who brought it to the vineyard knew Tani would need to get his cuffs removed to cleanse it. The corruption was one part of his or her goal. The second goal was the anticipation of what happens to Tani after I return his cuffs on him. Tani should have been down for months, almost a year after I returned the cuffs on him.”

Amu sat up.

“True,” Amu said. “The pain is usually too much. It takes him too long to recover. Which makes me wonder, how is he up?”

“His beloved is stronger than we thought,” Cale said. “Something about burning Tani’s pain away. Artri House has its secrets. Dante’s resourcefulness changes the field. We now have a chance to uncover a hidden game. Anit is crucial to Eren’s answers.”

‘And mine,’ Cale thought.

“She heads the Inter Court Clan,” Amu said.

“Yes.” Cale nodded in agreement. “Besides, Kara ot is not an easy matter. All Ekho agree it should never be allowed to grow unchecked in the Mortal Realm.”

“I’ll make a formal request to see Anit through the inter-clan court,” Amu said. “I have an appeal made by a minor fox that needs attention. I was going to ask her to meet me here to discuss it.”

Eren sucked in air, waiting.

“I’m not promising she will want to talk to you, Eren,” Amu continued. “However, I’ll make your case.”

“She comes here?” Eren asked, surprised.

“Yes,” Hera said, leaning over Cale for the platter holding the kebabs.

The platter was now empty. All the skewers were eaten.

Cale got up and took the platter for her. She smiled and patted his shoulder in thanks. Cale took the platter to the sink and washed it.

“She walks around the fortress,” Hera said to Eren, as she collected the blue placemats from the dining table. “Does her best to look mortal, but there is no hiding she is other. Regal, too beautiful thanks to the red hair, and her green eyes with slits like a fox. They call her the ghost of the fortress. She’s become a beloved myth.”

Cale returned to the table to get his wine glass. He drank the last of it, leaning on the edge of the table as he watched Hera finish wiping the table.

“She scares all the ladies on the third floor when she wanders into their bathrooms,” Tom said. “Uncle Amu, talk to her, please. Tell her to stop perpetuating the ghost of the fortress myth.”

Amu chuckled and winked at Eren.

“It’s work to keep a balance in our home,” Amu said. “Tom, you can blame the ghost of the fortress for the blooming elder bushes.”

“Great idea,” Tom said, with a sigh.

“I’ll visit Anit,” Amu said, pushing his chair back, he rose with a negligent roll of his shoulders. “It might take a few days. I’ll get back to you with her decision.”

“Thank you,” Eren said, giving him a formal nod.

“You’re welcome to stay,” Amu said. “Hera, show her where she can rest.”

“I will,” Hera said, taking the placemats to the kitchen counter.

“What about the tour Dante requested?” Tom asked.

Amu paused and looked up at the ceiling.

“Tani built it, he can be a great guide too,” Amu said, after a moment. “I could never interfere with their meeting. No matter what I did, they always got to spend their time together. Call Dante and grant him permission.”

Cale smiled in triumph and took his wine glass to the sink.

“Cale,” Amu said.

“Yes,” Cale said when he turned and found Amu watching him.

“Whatever you’re hiding from me, I hope it won’t hurt him,” Amu said. “Elderwood is open to you, only if you protect him.”

“I know,” Cale said.

Amu nodded and left the kitchen.

Cale placed his glass on the rack. When he turned to wipe his hands on the kitchen cloth, he found Hera standing next to him. She watched him with expectation.

“What is this vibe?” Hera asked. “You, Uncle Amu…Babu. Why is he looking so lost in thought? Is something going to happen to him?”

“No,” Cale said.

“Liar,” Hera said, looking into his dark eyes, unflinching. “Don’t answer so quickly when you’re lying, Cale. Tell me why you’re all in a state of finality.”

“It’s hard to explain,” Cale said, shrugging his shoulders. He rolled the sleeves of his shirt down and cuffed them. “Besides, it’s not my story to tell, dear Hera. Babu will tell you when he’s ready.”

Hera sighed and leaned on the kitchen sink counter. “Is it bad?”

Cale looked to Eren who was drinking water and sighed.

“It depends on perspective,” Cale said, then leaned in and brushed a kiss on Hera’s right cheek. “Don’t worry. Tani will always make sure you, Tom, and Deniz are taken care of.”

“Who will take care of Babu?” Hera asked.

“I’m hoping Dante will take up the job,” Cale said with a charming grin.

*****

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Tani served dinner at seven-thirty. The dining table in the kitchen was rectangular and could accommodate eight seats. On a usual night, they used six chairs but tonight the table felt packed with an additional chair. Amu sat at the head of the table, to his immediate right was Tom, then Cale, and Eren.

Tani sat to Amu’s immediate left, Deniz next to him, and then Hera.

Tani passed his uncle the platter with the kebabs and shifted to help Hera serve Deniz. He placed three meatballs for Deniz and watched Hera add the fresh tomato sauce, and a scoop of vegetable stew to Deniz’s plate.

“Aunt Eren, are you really like Babu and Uncle Cale?” Deniz asked, stabbing a meatball with her fork. Her bright eyes were intent on Eren across the table.

Tani arranged the napkin tucked into the neckline of her pink dress. Running his hand over soft thick braids with colorful tips. He sat back in his chair and looked at Eren, waiting.

“Who is Babu?” Eren asked Cale in a not-so-quiet whisper.

Eren stared at Deniz with wide eyes.

“Me,” Tani said, answering for Cale. He smiled at Deniz’s enthusiasm when she bit into her meatball. “Answer Deniz’s question, please.”

Eren nodded.

“I’m most like your Babu,” Erin said. “I don’t think your Uncle Cale—”

“Uncle Cale is awesome. He pushes me really high on the swing in the garden,” Deniz said with a wide smile. “I don’t get scared when he’s with me. I go really high.”

“You two have vowed to give me a heart attack,” Hera said, with a shudder. “Uncle Cale, stop making my daughter a daredevil.”

Cale chuckled and Eren gave him a wary glance.

“How can a mortal child dare to call you uncle?” Eren asked Cale, the shock in her voice clear. “What’s wrong with these mortals?”

“Deniz is not afraid of me,” Cale said to Eren.

“It’s very odd,” Eren said, shaking her head. “Lord Tani, how is it your ward and her daughter do not understand what Cale is?”

“We understand who Cale is just fine,” Hera said, narrowing her gaze at Eren. “He’s been good to us, to Babu. Why would we be afraid of him?”

“Your voice indicates I have somehow offended you,” Eren said.

“It’s not fun being talked about while I’m sitting right here,” Hera said. “I can answer any questions you have about Deniz and me.”

Eren looked to Tani, her gaze requesting help.

Tani shrugged and picked up his glass of wine. He took a lazy sip and nodded at Hera.

Eren turned to Cale, who concentrated on the food on his plate. Eren took in a deep breath and faced Hera.

“I apologize for being rude,” Eren said. “This is your home and I’m a guest.”

“You’re forgiven,” Hera said, reaching for the bowl with the lettuce salad. She served a healthy portion and focused on eating.

Tom chuckled next to Cale, and Hera winked at him.

“This house is very informal,” Eren said.

“We’re family. It should be informal,” Amu said, speaking for the first time. “What brings you to the mortal realm, Eren?”

“The Septum asked me to fortify the land Lord Tani cleansed today.”

“Stop calling me a Lord. I don’t live in the citadel,” Tani said.

“How can I address Lord Sunu’s son by his name?” Eren asked.

“I stopped being his son the moment you lot put these cuffs on me,” Tani said, showing her his right wrist. “Uncle Amu is my father.”

Eren gaped.

“Don’t look so shocked, Eren,” Tani said. “The Septum should have expected it the moment I wore these cuffs. If you didn’t, you’re all a bunch of idiots.”

“Tani,” Amu said, drawing Tani’s gaze. “Eren is a guest at our table. Don’t be impolite.”

Tani held Amu’s gaze for a moment, wanting to rebel against Amu’s censure. Amu’s gaze was kind when he looked at him, so he could only sigh and then turn to Eren.

“Please call me Tani,” he said, keeping his tone cordial.

Eren sighed.

“Lord Amu,” Eren said. “Your dining table is quite the experience.”

Amu chuckled and continued eating his food.

“Babu already cleaned the kara ot,” Tom said. “Why do you need to check the vineyard?”

“To understand the origin of the black weed,” Eren said. “I wanted to follow the path the black weed used to get to the vineyard.”

“So, did you find out?” Hera asked.

“No,” Eren said, glancing at Tani. “Lo—Tani’s work was thorough. He burned away the black weed and restored the soil. The vineyard will flourish for years; the soil is richer than it was. The olive grove is already looking very vibrant.”

“It would,” Cale said with a little chuckle. He winked when Tani looked at him. “The Arturo Vineyard is very important to someone.”

“Oh,” Eren said waiting for an explanation but getting none from Cale. “The mystery of who brought the black weed still needs to be solved. Such a large infestation in the mortal realm is cause for concern. I’m here to request a favor from Lord Amu.”

“Eren,” Amu said. “We are at the dinner table, having a family dinner. Any favors you want to ask me can wait until later. Please try the kebabs. Tani made them tonight. The meat is very well done.”

Tani nodded and scooped meatballs from the bowl before him. He added some onto his plate and met Deniz’s curious gaze.

“Babu, are you taking my meatballs?” Deniz asked.

“Don’t you want to share with me?” Tani asked, stabbing one with his fork, he brought it to his mouth and took a bite. “Mm, delicious. What about you?”

Deniz took the last bite of the meatball on her fork, and she nodded as she chewed.

“Mm, delicious,” she declared making Tani chuckle. “Babu, you make the best meatballs. I’ll share them only with you. I want to eat meatballs every day. Will you make them?”

“Of course,” Tani said.

“Does Mama get a vote on this plan?” Hera asked.

“No,” Tani and Deniz both said, making everyone laugh at the table.

Hera sighed and took a lettuce leaf, wrapped it around a meatball, and held it out to Deniz. Tani did the same with his meatball and made a show of eating the lettuce wrap. Deniz took hers with less enthusiasm but she ate the lettuce.

“Did the vineyard pay its dues?” Amu asked Tom. “After all, their soil is now restored.”

“I got a payment from Nora Arturo this afternoon,” Tom said. “Dante has also put in a request. He asks for permission to bring a class to tour the fortress.”

“We haven’t had such a request in a while,” Amu said, amused. “Should we let him?”

Tani frowned into his wine glass.

“When did he ask you for the tour?” Tani asked Tom.

“Late this afternoon,” Tom said. “He wanted to get your phone number, but I would not give it. So, he made a request to visit the Elderwood Conservancy fortress. He says there is a class at the Koc University he would like to bring for a tour.”

Tani bit back a smile and sipped his wine.

Did Nora reveal her secrets to Dante?

Tani wondered if the secrets had to do with Kinon. He had promised himself not to think of Dante until tomorrow. He sighed. It was impossible not to think about him.

“Should we allow him the tour?” Tom asked.

“Yes. I think it’s time I see what Dante is like this cycle,” Amu said. “I like talking about the fortress. Molding young minds can be quite entertaining.”

“Uncle Amu,” Tani chided.

“I promise to be gentle with them,” Amu said.

Tani met Tom’s gaze and grinned when Tom shuddered. Tom would have to accompany Uncle Amu. In case, Uncle Amu decides to show off his nine tails to the mortals. The last time he tried it, the government insisted on an audit of their research labs.

“I still have a matter to discuss,” Eren said, drawing Tani’s attention. Her expression was enough to tell him whatever request she wanted from Amu was not easy.

Deniz yawned and Tani returned his attention to her. She had eaten her meatballs and half the vegetables on her plate. She was now rubbing her eyes with her fists. Sleep was calling her.

Tani took his napkin and placed it on the table.

“Deniz, how about I read you a story tonight?” Tani asked, turning to the little girl Hera loved with all her heart.

Deniz turned light brown eyes on him and he smiled at the tomato sauce on the corner of her lips. Tani reached for his napkin and wiped the brown sauce from her golden brown skin. She nodded in approval and sent her thick braids dancing around her head. The colorful ribbons on the tips of the braids made him smile. He had helped tie them on.

Tani touched a red rubber band and wondered if he would get a chance to tie Deniz’s hair in the future. Would Deniz still like making thick braids and tying them with colorful rubber bands when she grew older?

In a strange twist of fate, he owed Dante for helping find this family. He would never have met Deniz if he weren’t tied to Dante, Tani thought.

Tani remembered the feel of Dante’s palms on his face, and he let go of Deniz’s hair. Dante’s smile filled his thoughts. The way he had looked as he wiped away the tears on Tani’s cheeks. Tani wished he had been courageous enough to kiss Dante at that moment, but it felt too soon. They might have met a long time ago, but today was their first time this cycle. Tani sighed and wiped a hand down his face.

“Are we going to finish reading The Lightning Thief?” Deniz asked, pulling him out of the melancholia settling over him.

“We’ll try,” Tani said, and then he glanced at Hera. She wrinkled her nose at him and he adjusted his promise. “We can get through one chapter. Mama wants you asleep soonest.”

“Two chapters,” Deniz negotiated.

“One and a quarter,” Hera said in answer, helping Deniz get off her chair. “Take your plate to the sink, baby.”

“Okay,” Deniz said, taking her plate and her fork. “One and a third.”

Tani grinned and got up too.

“One and a half,” Hera said. “That’s my final offer, kiddo.”

“Two chapters,” Deniz said and raced off to the kitchen sink.

Tani laughed.

“She wins for being audacious.”

“You’re training a terror,” Hera said, shaking her head.

Tani started to reach for his plate.

“Leave it,” Hera said. “You cooked. We’ll clean up. You get Deniz to bed.”

Tani nodded and held out his hand to Deniz when she returned to his side.

“Tell everyone goodnight,” Tani said.

“Goodnight everyone,” Deniz said.

“Goodnight, Deniz,” Cale, Amu, and Tom chorused.

“A very goodnight, Young Deniz,” Eren said last, amusement clear in her voice.

“I’ll stop by your room to check on you,” Hera said.

“Okay, Mama,” Deniz said and led Tani out of the kitchen.

Tani followed Deniz keeping to her pace. She was excited about continuing with Percy Jackson’s adventures.

Tani wanted to avoid dealing with Eren. The members of the Septum always had an agenda with their requests. He wanted to delay knowing why Eren was in his house as long as possible. If Amu could deal with it first, then all the better.

“Bathroom first?” Tani asked when they got upstairs.

“Brush our teeth,” Deniz agreed, showing him her pearly whites. “I don’t want to have cavities.”

“Good girl,” Tani said, opening the door to the suite Hera and Deniz used.

Deniz ran to the bathroom.

Tani closed the door when he heard Eren start talking downstairs.

****

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