The following week flew by. Each night when the training yard was empty Seth would return with Derrick and Midnight to meet up with Lorten. Each night was a crash course in how to connect with the planet and use that connection to his benefit. He wasn’t entirely surprised that the majority of his lessons were to do with battle. He wouldn’t have had it any other way, what with the demons that had come after him before unlikely to be a single occurrence. At least, if what little he’d gathered was true. Demons were scouring the surrounding areas in ways they’ve not done in recent years, and the assumption from the Council is that they are after Seth.

While Seth worked with Lorten, Derrick would go about his own training. The first night had been a welcome surprise when he saw that Derrick’s teacher would be his old sensei, back before his world fell apart. The familiar face was a welcome one and that first night he wasn’t alone. The others from the dojo had come with him, all as excited to see Seth as he was to see them. The reunion had been good, but it again had opened Seth’s eyes to just how much he’d been under the thumb of the Earthen for all this time.

After that night things had not gotten easier. While the others from the dojo group did their best to make him feel welcome, the rest of the Haven seemed set against his being there. He often overheard conversations, lifted just at a high enough volume so that he could barely hear, of how the other Earthen felt his presence was a disgrace, or any other number of unpleasant things. On top of that, he had his training with Lorten, nightly, and that drained him physically and mentally each time.

As Seth stood barefoot on the dirt during one of his training sessions, he finally built up the urge to ask a question of Lorten. “Why don’t any Earthen wear swords?” He reached for the Planet’s energy just in time to call up some vines from beneath the surface in order to intercept the ones Lorten had sent stabbing towards him. The old man didn’t hold back either. Seth had a number of punctures that had taken all of a day to heal in the past.

“Earth Menders use the Planet in their defense and have no need of weapons. If it’s something that requires brute force than your Guardian will be there to solve the issue.” Lorten was very no-nonsense. He spoke matter-of-factly and didn’t waste breath on much of anything that wasn’t his primary focus. And right this moment that wasn’t answering questions. Seth had a suspicion that it had to do with the focus required to accurately control the Planet. Unlike his own brute force attacks against Lyle the other night, he was learning much more delicate use that wouldn’t drain a person. But the balance required concentration. Trying to swing a sword at the same time wouldn’t be an easy task. But far be it for Lorten to admit to some kind of fault or weakness.

“Why don’t Guardians use guns,” Seth started to ask when he suddenly he felt an overwhelming sensation of wrongness. It made him want to throw up and he was about ready to when he realized that Lorten hadn’t stopped at seeing him hunch over. He stood and turned just in time to get caught in the stomach by a large branch that was swung from an unnaturally limber tree. It sent him sailing a good ten feet before he landed softly on…a grass bed that had sprung underneath him as if by itself.

“The Planet will do it’s best to protect you when you make foolish mistakes.” Lorten stood nearby, having walked over to where Seth had landed. While the grass may have softened his landing, the tree that hit him hadn’t been soft and he was sure he had at least one broken rib. But it’ll heal. Quickly, if it’s like other injuries he’s received. “It would take too many bullets to destroy enough of a Demon for it to return to where it came from. They are too small to receive the blessings of the Earthen that we instill in swords and arrows to draw out the Chaotic energy from a Demon, and the material isn’t as easy to bless.”

This was the first time Seth had heard of any kind of blessing on the weapons, but it made sense now why the Demons vanished when stabbed with the Guardian’s swords. It’s got some ability to draw out the power from them. Sending them back…where? There were still so many unanswered questions.

***

Seth and Chase had started to work like clockwork. Seth was out all-night training, so when he came home he made breakfast. When Chase got back from his own work, which seemed to vary between training and guarding and scouting. It was strange to think of that as work in a time when most of those things are hobbies rather than something required. At least in the outside world.

Arriving at the house Seth was surprised to see that Chase was already gone, well before his normal guard shift. Finding no indicator of where the other had gone Seth skipped making breakfast and instead went to shower and change into another set of clothes. The plan was to meet Derrick back at the training yard in an hour to work on their sword play. Yet another surprise awaited him when he walked out of the bathroom; Chase was there, waiting, a rather sadistic grin dancing across his features. “Hey.” Seth said as he went to grab his change of clothes, towel around his waist.

“Hey yourself,” came the reply followed by a moment of silence.

Seth grabbed the clothes he’d set aside before looking back at the other man. “Sorry about breakfast. You weren’t here so I figured you had business this morning.” A moment of hesitation passed over him as he thought of going back to the bathroom to get dressed. It passed quickly and he simply turned to face the wall before dropping the towel and slipping on the clothes. The week of constant exercise had helped Seth to drop some of his belly fat and he’d already had to have new clothing made to fit. He still felt self-conscious around Chase however, what with the other being toned and good looking. But then again, it’s not like Chase had to watch. It just raised some questions if he did.

“Don’t worry about it. I’d hoped to be back before you got home but my briefing took longer than expected.” Chase stood from the bed to go and fiddle with something in a closet like hole on the other side of the room.

Meanwhile Seth was frowning at the mention of a briefing. “Are they making you go somewhere?” While he had no control over most of his life at this point, one of the few things he’d grown accustomed to was seeing Chase daily. If they made him go somewhere else it would make Seth quite sad.

“On the contrary,” Chase turned to raise a hand that held two wooden practice swords, “they want me to help my brother train you.”

Seth was shocked as he turned to face Chase, pulling the shirt the rest of the way over his head before staring between the swords and the man holding them. “I don’t understand, how-“

“Lorten.” The name surprised Seth and he could hear Chase chuckle before explaining, “He sent word while he was teaching you last night that he wanted me to assist with weapons training. The Council agreed by making me swear to ‘keep an eye on you’ and your interactions within the Haven.” Chase smiled innocently with his last words and really, despite the fact that the Council wanted someone to spy on him, he was more than happy to have Chase along.

“So you get to spy on me and report back then?”

“They want me to. But they don’t need to worry about it and neither do you. They aren’t going to hear anything bad from me.” Chase walked over to hand one of the practice swords to Seth. “We all have secrets that we want kept.”

If that wasn’t the truth. Seth still had a big secret that made being around Chase so nice. Of course, there were some here that knew his secret, yet he suspected that those from the dojo would never spill the beans about their friend’s sexuality. “I’m surprised they asked you to help considering that I always see others looking down at UnLinked Guardians.”

“Lorten has always treated all Guardians the same. He’s one of the few Earthen that does.”

Fifteen minutes later the trio of Seth, Chase, and Derrick had made their way to the training yard. Unlike the night time emptiness the grounds were now packed with Guardians. A few classes of different age groups dotted the grounds while other older Guardians were in pairs sparring. Each different group of people seemed to keep to themselves as they went about their sparring or other forms of training. Surprisingly, even when the trio arrived, no one gave them a second look despite one of them not being a Guardian. A look around the outskirts of the yard told him why. Earthen sat or stood in various places, watching various Guardians like one might watch a child at play. It was odd to Seth, but then so was most everything in the Haven.

Chase and Derrick managed to corral a small area for their use, a small section of the hard packed earth ringed by a thin circle of grass. “This is normally a tournament area,” Chase explained, “but it’s also used for practice and the training of Guardians if the yard is too full.”

A shiver went down Seth’s spine as he moved into the circle and he turned to look at all the people gathered. None of them seemed to be looking his direction. But then why did he get the feeling that all eyes were on him. “They’re masters of looking without seeming to be looking,” Chase whispered softly, sensing Seth’s unease.

Well that was just great. So, they were all there to watch. Again. Seth moved to the center of the circle and brought his wooden sword up, ignoring the others as best he could as he turned to face Derrick. Which means he was rather surprised to see it was Chase that joined him. Derrick had also brought a wooden sword but he didn’t join the other two at this time. Something was different about this. Chase seemed like he might be better than his brother. “Why do I feel like I just stepped into a wolf’s den?”

“You have good instincts.” Chase seemed overly smug and perhaps a tinge apologetic as he spoke, tapping the wooden blade against his leg. “You had training from a Guardian at your dojos. You’ve been training now a few days with Derrick. Let’s find out where you’re at since you met with Lyle. Time isn’t on our side with the Council after all.”

Seth could only groan as he wondered what he got himself into.

came a sleepy voice in his head.

Everyone was sounding smug today.

“Alright.” It was the only reply that Seth could give at this point.

The two squared off against each other, wooden blades coming up to be at the ready. Chase started and after only three blows Chase’s sword snuck in and smacked Seth hard on the back. Pain shot through the half-breed at the impact and he let out a hiss of pain. Chase didn’t seem to notice as he motioned for the sword to be raised. “Again.” Three more clacks sound from the wooden swords before a new bruise is added to Seth’s arm. “Again.” This time Seth knew what to expect, holding back a little more as he expected Chase to do the same thing a third time. Instead the Guardian changed tactics and pushed his wooden sword further in to smack Seth on top of his head. No mercy, no rest. “Again.”

They continued on in this vain for almost fifteen minutes before Chase dropped the tip of his blade. The Guardian smiled, looking as calm as always and not even sweating despite the mini workout. Seth wasn’t so lucky as sweat dripped off his brow and his body hurt already. At last a break, Seth thought as he stood straight and dug the tip of his practice sword into the dirt.

“Don’t relax,” it wasn’t Chase that spoke this time, but Derrick. “We’re just switching so we can each watch and see where you need to work.” Seth was stunned. They were going to kill him at this rate. Still he raised his practice sword again and prepared. His peripheral vision told him that others were watching as well. From the sparring Guardians to the bored looking Earthen. Some had stopped what they were doing to watch, laughing or wincing each in their own way at Seth’s misfortune. It was becoming yet another public spectacle. Yet this time it was a training session, and not a beatdown. Not exactly at least.

The next round lasted a little longer at seven blows before Derrick found an opening. There was a large difference between the two Guardians that helped Seth to survive a little more. Whereas Chase and Lyle used speed to their advantage Derrick was more about strength in movement. Not to say Derrick was slow but he was a little easier to keep up with. Also Seth had sparred against Derrick enough to be able to read his movements a little easier, even if his friend had never shown his true ability until they were attacked by demons. Still Seth was no match in the end and another painful fifteen minutes passed before another switch. With Chase tagged back in they picked up again where they’d left off with the Guardian focusing on whichever of the many flaws Seth was sure he’d seen.

After nearly two hours Chase finally called a stop to the training. Seth’s entire body was shaking with exhaustion and the wooden sword he held seemed alive with how much his shaking hands made it move. By the end of the lesson Seth was not feeling very pleased with his performance nor the gauntlet he’d been put through. Not only was he fully exhausted but bruises were appearing all over him from head to toe where he’d been hit and he was now wondering how he would sleep if he couldn’t comfortably lay down. The few benefits didn’t seem to outweigh the pain; he had gotten as far as six attacks with Chase and eleven with Derrick.

“That’ll be good for today,” Chase was smiling in a way that seemed sympathetic but the coloring he could see on his forearms made him wonder just how sincere it was. “If you want to go wash up we need to talk to Lorten per his request.” Chase looked ready to say something else but Seth waved a shaky hand in farewell and turned to return to the house, the wooden sword barely kept from dragging on the ground. The walk back to the earth made house seemed to take hours instead of the few minutes it in reality took, but everything took longer when you were ready to collapse.

What was I thinking, trying to learn both sword work and about Earthen powers at the same time. There’s no way I can keep up this pace of training. I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to move tonight. Seth berated himself the whole way back to the house and the whole time he prepared for bed. His body protested everything from removing his clothes to standing in the shower to wash himself. As he suspected his body was covered in yellowing bruises that hurt more then the actual contact itself had. But even as he watched they seemed to start to fade away slowly. The Earthen’s increased healing was some benefit. By the time he made it to the bed he fell face forward on it and didn’t move. Seth quickly found that lying on his stomach was the least painful of positions and so he tried to make himself comfortable enough to sleep. Seth had only just gotten the pillow in a good position when he heard footsteps indicating Chase had returned.

“How are you feeling?” Chases voice had a tinge of concern in it, likely from seeing the damage that had been inflicted.

“Like I just spent two hours getting hit with wooden swords,” Seth grumbled from his position, not turning himself to look at Chase.

“Yeah, sorry about that. But you were wanting to practice more…”

“Practice, yes. Not get my ass handed to me on a platter.” There was a little heat in Seth’s voice and for once he was actually angry at Chase instead of…what. Infatuated? Well that was easy to look past now.

“I told Lorten that we wouldn’t be meeting with him today since you weren’t…feeling well.” Seth still wasn’t looking at Chase and the other man seemed to take the hint. “Anyways, I just want you to know that you did start doing better. It’s not like we didn’t try as hard in the end, but you still lasted longer, even being tired and worn down. If anything, you’re a quick learner.”

Seth just grunted again and buried his face in the pillow. The anger was subsiding but it was being replaced by a feeling of pride in hearing what Chase had to say about him. No, stay angry. He just beat you up for two god damned hours! But even as Chase left, so did the rest of the anger, making Seth more annoyed with himself than anything else.

***

The next few days Seth spent connecting with Midnight and Derrick, controlling the planet around him, calling to animals near and far, and even straight up sword play and fist fighting. Fighting a creature made of dirt and twigs that never tired was something he’d never thought he’d deal with.

Each night he would return to Chases dog tired, shower, and go to bed. Chase would either already be asleep or come in after he was. They awoke at different times as well. Chase was on night patrol, something Seth found out the second night. It made sense after he thought about it. Just like the other UnLinked Guardians.

The Council still hadn’t contacted him by the end of a week’s time, which he could only consider a good thing. At the end of his ‘lesson’ that night, Lorten informed him and Derrick that the next night was the full moon and the time of Linking for any newborns. It was considered a special day that all who could would attend with a feast afterwards to celebrate.

After a week of patrol Chase was only to help stand guard at the ceremony before he’d have a few days to rest. Seth wondered if he might be able to finagle a few more days of rest out of Lorten but he doubted it heavily. When Seth awoke the night of the ceremony he saw Chase had already left and laid out clothes for him which he did every day. He was beginning to feel overly spoiled, though it seemed Chase was trying to make up for their training sessions in small ways. As he dressed he realized that the clothes were different then what was usually left. It was one of the mottled green uniforms he’d seen warn by many around the Haven, and he could only guess he was supposed to dress the part tonight.

On the way to the area where the ceremony was being held he was joined by Midnight and Derrick, almost as if it’d been planned that way. “You look official.” Derrick chipped in when he joined them. Although it earned Derrick a glare, Seth was thinking the same thing. It certainly wasn’t something he’d wear on his own accord.

“I’d rather not be wearing it but I can only assume I’m supposed to look like I actually belong here tonight.”

“Well you do belong here, so I guess that’s a good thing.”

“At this point you’re the only one that thinks so.” Like normal most of the people within the Haven either stared, avoided looking, or completely avoided him. While it was nothing new it was beginning to become an annoyance. How could a people that were supposed to adapt to protect the planet be so closed-minded against a newcomer? “I think everyone else would prefer if I was gone.”

“Well you’re an Earthen, so they ca-“

“HALF Earthen, and you might want to be careful. I wouldn’t want you to say something stupid and get in trouble.” Seth was happy that Derrick was on his side, but at the same time it also worried him. What would his friends’ fate be if they decided to kick him out, or worse? Who knew what else they might do. He didn’t know what else they could do but he had a feeling that if his abilities could be blocked once they could probably be blocked again. “At least the people here have been treating you like a normal person.”

“I’ve been here before, that’s why. You remember how every year I went hunting for two weeks? I was really coming here.” Seth frowned and had to keep himself from getting angry. Derrick seemed to notice as he explained quickly, “I had to come. They made me. They had me doing super intense training and told me what was happening and what I had to look out for. It’s not like I wanted to leave you. I made sure they left the other Guardians to watch you when I left.” The dojo group, of course.

Midnights message was for Derrick, and Seth couldn’t help but smirk as he relayed that message. The wolf was surprisingly quirky and funny, and it was easy to tell they were connected. If there was one thing Midnight had inherited from Seth it was being sarcastic.

Derrick was red when Seth glanced at him which made Seth grin. “Shut up you mangy mutt. You’re one to talk.” Derrick huffed, not even looking at Midnight. The fact that it made Derrick so upset actually made Seth laugh and he quickly covered his mouth with an arm and coughed when Derrick glared at him.

“I’m sorry.” Seth forced himself to stop laughing and cleared his throat to keep it from coming back, making an effort to stop smiling. “But he’s right. You were being a suck up.” Which brought up a good point that Seth had been thinking about. “We need to talk about the past so I know what was happening. Then maybe I can stop thinking of wanting to break your nose when I see you.” He’d managed to act like nothing was wrong for the last week while they worked together. But it hadn’t been easy.

“I know.” Derricks reply was immediate and he sounded suddenly somber. “I was thinking after the ceremony we could skip the feast.”

The wolf had a detailed knowledge of the people and customs of the Haven. How? Seth had no idea. It seemed almost innate, though the wolf had been in the Haven for longer than either of the other two.

Well that figured. There was no easy way out. That seemed to be Seth’s life lately. “We’ll stop by the feast and make our appearance and then we’ll go talk.” It was decided and Derrick didn’t second guess or question him. It was part of the life here that the Guardians did what they were told, and though Seth didn’t entirely approve of it, it was nice that Derrick actually listened to him more.

They arrived at the ceremonial grounds, which was basically a space filled with small tables and tiered seating for around a hundred people to watch. The area had been dressed richly in whites while the glow bugs gave off a white glow instead of the normal blue. The white is for the full moon, Seth remembered Lorten saying. Each of these ceremonies occur when the moon is full, and every three months when there are children. Seth didn’t know why that specific time-frame unless there was some link between the Earthen and the moon he didn’t know about.

Midnight moved into the shadows before they stepped into the white light, disappearing like he normally did. Derrick followed behind Seth with a smile and nod to people he knew as they passed. They found two empty spots and sat, Seth remaining quiet for the time being while he simply observed those around him as well as those still filtering in. Before long other friendly faces appeared. Lyle was first, and he sat on the opposite side of Seth from Derrick, meaning he’d at least be surrounded by friends. Katy arrived with Jesse and one sat just in front while the other sat just behind, truly surrounding Seth. He shared a smile with them all, a show of his thanks. They all talked softly but Seth was far too distracted by the display.

The tables down on the floor level were covered in blankets of white and from this angle he could see that what he’d thought was a jumble of tables were actually neatly aligned tables. There was a split down the middle to separate one half from the other, each half having tables longwise and sideways sporadically. The design tickled at the back of Seth’s mind and he finally realized that the tables were a loose look of the moon as it appeared in the sky. The tables were placed where the surface was brightest, and where there were dark spots and divots were on the moon there was no table. The outside tables also helped form a circle.

While he was marveling at the design Seth caught sight of something familiar off to one side of the tables. It was Chase who was staring at him, and who smiled faintly when their eyes met. Seth smiled back as he looked Chase over, seeing how formally he was dressed. Sword and dagger were strapped on and he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, dressed in his Guardian night patrol black clothing. Seth thought it made him look quite stunning and mysterious in a good way.

“If you keep staring that intently you’re bound to get a headache. Or have your eyes pop out of your head.” Derrick was obviously amused by what he saw with the teasing tone of his voice.

Seth punched him in the arm. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

“You still got it.” When Seth punched his arm again Derrick rubbed where he hit. “Hey, stop it. You can’t blame someone for stating the obvious.”

“What’s so obvious? He’s been a very good host is all.” Seth eyed a small group of people that passed close by to find seats, though their own chatter would’ve overwhelmed any words that carried anyways. He wasn’t sure why this conversation had him on edge, but it did. The people here didn’t seem very open to anything different than their ways.

“Ohh what are we whispering about?” Jesse asked, leaning forward from his spot behind them. “Please let it be about how Seth is staring so intently and whoa!” Jesse cut off when Seth turned to try and punch him as well, but the angle was all wrong. It just made the Guardian laugh. “Easy there tiger.”

“I think you all need to learn how to mind your own business.” Seth felt like he should be grumpy, but he wasn’t. These were his friends, or at least as close as he had to them. Teasing was just a sign of that friendship, even if they had no idea what they were talking about. That’s what Seth kept telling himself at least.

The noise coming from the crowd started to die down suddenly and it took Seth a moment to realize that there was a line of people entering and setting down babies wrapped tightly in blankets, one per table. Earthen laid their child on one side while Guardians dressed in white as opposed to their normal black set their children on the other side. Once the babies were all laid down an old man stepped forward and started speaking.

“Tonight we Link together child to child, Earthen to Guardian, life mate to life mate.” The old man spoke in a soft voice that sounded rough, as if he used to yell a lot. “The full moon shines down on us and blesses each child with its touch. As these babes are baptized in moon light let them find their Linked and join together with them for all of time, through life and death.” Seth listened closely, intrigued, as the old man stepped back and raised his hands to the sky.

Seth couldn’t say for sure what happened then, but suddenly moonlight started shining into the grounds, moving quickly. Within seconds all the babes were aglow with moonlight and Seth stared in amazement. The Earthen children had a strange green glow about them while the Guardian children glowed in a soft yellow. As he watched, a wisp of the glow from each child pulled away towards the middle while remaining connected to the whole. The sight was amazing. As those between an Earthen and Guardian baby got close, they would touch and generally move on. It wasn’t until two or three touches in that two of the wisps intertwined and the connection was made. Where the connection was made whole the glow changed to a bright radiant orange like a sun before dying down to a soft glow of orange. Cries erupted from the babes when the connections were made, but Seth barely noticed it as his eyes had turned from the magic to look at Chase. He had a glow too, but it was a soft, pulsating gray, almost dead looking as it surrounded him. It wasn’t till then that Seth noticed everyone had their glow with their Linked, including himself and Derrick.

Seth couldn’t help but feel sorry for Chase who had taken on a military like stance, his face emotionless. His heart yearned for the man, but he knew in this society as it was there was nothing he could do. If only one of the babies would Link with him, Seth thought. But then, he knew that only babes Linked for whatever reason, or at least that’s what he’d been told.

A murmur started up in the crowd and Seth watched the babes, trying to see what was going on. Almost all of them had been paired up, and it looked like there were a few more Guardian children then Earthen. He couldn’t help but wonder if they did that on purpose, just to make sure every Earthen found a match. It wasn’t until Derrick poked his arm hard enough to hurt that Seth looked at him, “What?” He asked, more loudly then he’d intended. But then, the murmuring had grown louder. Was there something he was supposed to be doing?

“It’s Chase, look.” Derrick said quietly, and Seth leaned forward to look past Derrick to see Chase. His eyes widened and he held his breath. Chases glow had gone from the dead grey to a bright yellow. “I’ve never seen something like that before.”

“That’s amazing, is he going to Link with one of them?” Seth looked back to the babes to try and see if any of the wisps were going that way, but he didn’t see anything. His heart dropped. Would the planet be so evil as to give him hope and then not match him? “Do you see who it’s going to.” Seth asked, leaning forward over Katy who had a dumbstruck look on her face as she stared at Seth. “What?”

The words died on his lips as he saw his own glow already almost to Chase. How was that possible? They had told him only the children could Link. The murmuring of the crowd grew louder, and there was obviously a mixed reaction as everyone watched, restless, uneasy, intrigued, or even a few excited. Seth had a sudden sick feeling in his stomach. “Someone go to Chase, now. Protect him.”

“Prote-“ Derrick started to half ask, half protest, but Seth didn’t let him get that far.

“Now damn it. Go.” Lyle and Katy took up the call and leapt over the seats in front of them, running towards Chase. When the wisps touched, they connected immediately in a light brighter than any of the others had been. Seth had started to stand but then reeled backwards and fell heavily onto his seat as a pain unlike any other shoved its way into his head. It felt like someone had swung a pick axe and left it buried in his temple. Seth closed his eyes as he tried to recoup somewhat, but there was no escaping the pain.

It felt like an eternity before he was able to open his eyes again, but when he did nobody had really moved except for two he’d sent off. They were on the ground next to Chase who had collapsed the same as Seth but hadn’t recovered yet. The moon light was no longer as bright, and the glow around the children were gone. Parents took the babes out quickly as Earthen and Guardians gathered closer to Seth and Chase, some with swords drawn.

“A person with two Guardians? That’s impossible.” Said one of the Earthen.

“Unnatural!” Said another.

“No one can Link once past their first year.” A third commented.

Before Seth could say anything or even move towards Chase and Derrick, his mother appeared followed by six other older looking Earthen. A pin was stuck into the top of their tunics near the neck in the design of a large tree, yet the pin was fairly small itself. Enora pursed her lips as she stared at Seth, as if she was trying to peer into his very soul.

“It’s obvious this creature is some kind of demon. Take him and that Guardian into custody!” The words came from behind his mother, an older woman with long blonde hair. Riesha, he thought her name was. She stepped out as she was speaking and pointed at Seth, then away towards Chase.

“Nobody move,” Seth’s voice was loud and guttural quality to it. It was a surprising enough tone that it made the Guardians stop moving and uncertain looking. It also caused the pain in his head to spike. Lyle and Katy were positioned protectively over Chase as they’d been instructed, while Jesse and Derrick stood to either side of Seth.

“This is treason,” Riesha was getting angry. “I am a Council Member. Do as I say or I’ll have you all thrown into a cell.”

“If anyone touches Chase, they will answer to me.”

“And what do we have to fear from you that would stay our hand?” The Council Woman sneered.

Seth pointed at the woman wordlessly, causing her to take a step back as if she had expected him to shoot lightning. His finger then moved slightly to the side to point past her. The entire group turned to see what he pointed at. A woman screamed loudly while everyone else looked uncertain. Waiting behind them was a six foot tall wolf, hackles raised and teeth bared, muzzle dripping with fresh blood from whatever creature he’d just eaten. There was nothing quite so fierce as Midnight.

***

It had been a whirlwind of activity after Midnight came to their rescue. Chase was taken back home with Lyle and Katy watching over him. Two other Guardians were appointed to guard them from leaving Chases house. After ensuring that Chase would survive and was only unconscious he had followed after the Council, flanked by four uneasy Guardians. Midnight had started to come with him but he sent the wolf to guard Chase as well. The wolf had argued, but Seth had one.

Now Seth sat in the Council Room, a room with a curved table behind which sat the seven Council members. Enora sat off to one side while the center seat was taken by the head of the Council, an elderly man who looked ready to topple over at the slightest breeze. Yet he had walked here under his own power which led Seth to believe he was feigning some of the weakness. Either that or the Planet afforded him strength beyond his years. The other Council members all sat in one of the other chairs and currently they were arguing over him. Seth had asked for a seat as soon as they arrived in the room and sat heavily, his head still pounding and he feeling as if he’d run a double marathon before he’d gotten there. Behind each Council member was their Guardian, each of them staring at Seth. The other four Guardians stood by the door, two on either side, presumably to keep him from leaving. Jesse had been kept from entering, but Derrick stood next to Seth, standing over him like some kind of mother hen.

“…never happened before in all of history!” “It’s not even possible!” “They must all be demons. Did you see his Animal?” “Maybe times are changing…” “No, it’s not part of the Earthen way!” “Put all of them to death immediately!” The last statement came from the blonde-haired woman, Riesha, who was obviously his biggest fan. Almost entirely unsurprisingly, Jaysen stood behind one on the Council who was arguing with the others. He was obviously the youngest one there. Seth massaged his temple as they all continued to speak over each other. It wasn’t helping his headache in the slightest bit. It also didn’t seem to be going anywhere.

All of the Council members were speaking, including his mother who appeared to be trying to again protect him in her own way. The only one who didn’t speak was the old man in the middle of the table. Finally, the old man raised his hand up for silence and it fell over the room immediately. They have great respect for this man, Seth realized as he raised his eyes up to meet the old mans. They were gray and seemed to have an intelligence behind them that dwarfed everyone else’s in the room.

“Let us hear what the young man has to say.” The old man’s voice was soft yet it carried through the whole room as if he shouted. “Tell us young one, what do you know of what happened?”

“I don’t know anything of what happened.” Seth admitted tiredly. “I barely know anything about this place, about these people. All I know is that I was brought here when I was attacked, and since then I’ve been treated like an outcast, ignored and hated. I was told to go tonight instead of attend my normal training session and I did. Besides that I’m not really sure of anything.”

“Don’t you lie to us demon!” Riesha slammed her hands on the table as she stood up, “We all know what you really are and-“

“Enough.” The old man spoke the word and Riesha’s mouth clamped shut quickly. “You have made your point clear Riesha. Please sit down.” Once she was again sitting, albeit disgruntled, the old man spoke again. “Thank you. See how much nicer it is to talk instead of yell?” It was a figurative slap but Riesha didn’t seem to notice or care. “Young one, would you consent to us checking your blood for that of a demon.”

Seth was surprised at the question, but then he shook his head. “Do whatever you want to do.” A nod from the old man had a Guardian from the door step forward and stop next to Seth.

“Your hand.” The Guardians tone was on that expected the request to be followed. Seth gave the man his hand and before he could blink there was a dagger out and it cut a small slash across his palm. It surprised Seth so much that he didn’t notice the pain at first. Blood oozed out of the wound as the now dagger-less man pushed down next to it to cause more blood to flow out. It was then that Seth let out a gasp of pain, though he managed to limit it to that. Seconds passed as the blood flowed off his palm and onto the floor. Apparently that was all they needed to see as the Guardian had bandaging out next and wrapped Seth’s hand up to stop the bleeding.

“There you are Riesha, my son is not a demon. Unless you are trying to suggest I sleep with demons.” Enora snapped, unpleased with how things had gone so far insomuch that her displeasure showed plainly on her face.

“No one knows what you sleep with since you slept with a human to breed this little half-breed. Perhaps you should’ve killed him when he was born and it would’ve saved us all the trouble.” Riesha snapped back.

Again the old man had to hold up his hand to silence them, “He is not a demon, and he claims no knowledge of what happened. As he has been watched since he was a babe we know that his knowledge is limited in our ways and I feel as if he could not have known what happened, nor caused it in any way.” A pause as he looked around the table to see if anyone would argue with that, but there was only silence. “That being said, it is still something we have not seen before and it must be investigated. However, I feel that holding the boy will not help us in that cause. I believe he should be free to go as long as he promises to return to the Council if we call. Are there any arguments?” Again there was only silence from the others. “Alright then, that’s settled. Please see the young one to his friend’s home. Ensure there are always two people guarding the door for their protection.”

Seth doubted the guards were for their protection. More like an honor guard to protect the rest of the Haven. “I will come back if you ask. I’m not trying to make any enemies or do any harm.” He left it at that, turning and walking out of the door, standing tall as he left for a show of strength, even though his head was not pleased.

The walk to Chases house was quick, Seth taking large steps to get there as fast as possible. The quickened pace made his head pound harder but he was worried about Chase and was willing to deal with the pain. When he got to the house he went right in past the Guardians waiting outside. Let them tell each other what happened, he didn’t care about any of them. He only cared about one person right now. It was dark in the entryway but Seth knew where everything was. His night vision had also become better since he’d unlocked his Earthen abilities, although according to Lorten that wasn’t something that normally happened. But then Seth wasn’t very normal as anyone in the Haven would attest.

Lyle, Katy, and Midnight were with Chase in his room when Seth entered. One of the light bugs from outside had come in and was on the wall above Chases head so that he was visible to the others with a soft glow. Seth stopped in the doorway with his heart pounding as he looked on, immediately feeling guilty. It’s my fault, whatever is wrong with him, if I hadn’t come-.

Midnights voice shot into his mind like a bullet, surprising him. He hadn’t been trying to talk to Midnight. That means he knew what Seth always thought, and that unsettled Seth a little. At Midnights bidding Seth walked into the room and over to the bed, reaching a hand out to Katy’s shoulder and startling the Guardian.

“Oh, Seth, hey. Sorry I was just kind of lost in my own thoughts.” Katy smiled tiredly, like the happenings had sapped her mentally and physically. It was an event, obviously, and he can imagine making sure no-one interrupted Chase wasn’t an easy task what with all the people who’d seen what had happened.

“How did you know.” Lyle asked, his voice soft but full of curiosity. “How did you know that they would try and take you both?”

“I didn’t, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about how people react to things they don’t understand, it’s that they kill it or lock up first and ask questions second.” History was all the proof he needed in support of that. “I hoped reason and cooler heads would win and they did in the end, but it took a little force to move things in the right direction.” Seth put a hand to his throbbing head and closed his eyes, “Now I just wish I knew what the hell happened.”

“You Linked.” Derrick was stating the obvious from where he’d moved, standing near Chase to check on his brother. “I’m not sure why, or how you were able to Link with a second person, but you did. And for some reason Chase suffered more for it.”

Those words tugged at Seth and made him feel even more guilty. “Will he be alright?”

“Nobody knows. A group of Earthen healers came to see him, though I think they were more interested in figuring out how it happened than if he would be okay. Midnight helped convince them to help him now and figure it out later, but they didn’t know what to do. This has never happened in the history of the Earthen. Every test they did on him came back like he was completely healthy, but he’s still unconscious. They left not long ago and said they’d be back, but not when or what they were going to do.”

“I’m surprised they did anything at all.” Seth went for a change of clothing, removing everything and donning only a pair of shorts and a simple shirt before returning to the bed and sitting opposite Derrick. As soon as he sat a wave of exhaustion hit him so hard he almost passed out himself, but he managed to open his eyes again. His head rebuked him by pounding even more.

Midnight ordered in a gentle tone. Seth obeyed what his wolf and his body asked of him.

“Wake me up when he wakes up.” Seth told Derrick, knowing his friend wouldn’t be leaving any time soon. As for the others, they understood without words and quietly excused themselves with promises to return to check on them. As he drifted off, he could only pray Chase would be okay.