T HE ODYSSEY RAIDED- JIM JOHNSON
UNDERCOVER
Liam snickered at the headline in the paper. He'd
seen Johnson at the club the night before dancing with
his shirt off, high on E. Twice the man had let himself
be dragged into the backroom. It was when he was in
there the last time, the police raided the club to close
the room where so much fun could be had. Imagine
their surprise when they found their Premier, pants
around his ankles, bent over and taking it up the ass.
Liam about had a seizure laughing when he heard.
"Did you see this, apparently Johnson was
undercover last night." Liam waved the paper at
Aiden.
"I heard." Aiden removed his suit coat and threw
it on the back of the sofa rather than hanging it up
right away. He was tired from his day dealing with the
repercussions of Johnson's little walk on the wild side.
Not that he hadn't been expecting it; he did, after all,
wield the spell that put the man there.
436 Magical Moonlight
"How long is Johnson going to be gay?" Liam
asked. He kind of enjoyed the way Aiden had turned
the human's deeply hidden fears against him. It was
rather ironic that what Johnson feared the most was
what he was now. He was lucky he hadn't feared
spiders or rats.
"He's always been gay. He just repressed it."
Aiden shrugged. "It makes things rather interesting
don't you think, considering his stance on all things
even slightly rainbow colored."
"Interesting is good." Liam agreed. He stood up
to wrap his arms around Aiden. "You look kind of
down."
"I resigned."
"You resigned what?" Liam was confused.
"I resigned from Vancity." Aiden rubbed his
fingers through Liam's hair before tipping up the red
head's chin to kiss him on the end of his nose. It was
something he did often when he wanted comfort rather
than passion. But it was just as much a turn on to
Liam as the most passionate of kisses might have
been.
"Okay." Liam replied, not actually sure what he
was supposed to say to those words. "Uh, what did
your boss say?"
"Not much." Aiden sighed and held Liam a bit
closer. "It was time Liam, to leave there. I couldn't be
the man I was meant to be, working for such a large
corporation. It was good while it lasted and hell, I've
made a lot of money. I'm good at what I do without
ER Bryant 437
having to resort to any Wahjee ways. It was important
to me to know I could succeed without them."
"Okay." Liam said again. "I guess that means
we'll have more time together." He looked up at
Aiden and smiled.
"Or not, Witch Boy." Aiden walked over to his
desk. "I've been thinking about this for awhile. I'm
going to start my own business. We're going to start a
business."
"We?" Liam looked confused. "I'm a school boy
remember?"
"You're a Wahjee school boy. You can multi
task. Look at this. We can set up our own mortgage
brokerage."
"And I want to do this why?" Liam wasn't really
interested in working at anything other than his
schoolwork.
"Because you're my love slave." Aiden snickered
"And you need to redeem yourself for shrinking
Frances."
"Hey, that wasn't just me." Liam leaned into
Aiden. "You kind of helped."
"I'm not sure how you rationalized that, but what
ever floats your boat." Aiden indicated his computer
monitor. "Now look at this; what do you think?"
"I think the name sucks and the logo needs
work." Liam sat down and began to work the laptop
keypad. "There, what do you think of that?" On the
screen were the words Mac Ruaidhri & Associates in
a deep blue.
438 Magical Moonlight
"I like it." Aiden grinned. He knew he could get
Liam involved if he put his mind to it.
"Yes, it has a good ring to it. I'll design some
business cards and stationary. You should think about
having the name registered and buy the domain.
You'll need a website." Aiden retired to the bedroom
where he changed before throwing himself on the bed
to relax. The day had been filled with stress. But now
Liam had things under control and Aiden could relax.
He could hear Liam clicking away in the other
room, deeply involved in designing a website. He was
sure by now that the kid had bought the domain and
registered the company. It was amazing what he could
do on a computer. Hands behind his head, the older
man let his mind relax while he thought about what
the next few months were going to bring the Mac
Ruaidhri Taylor household.
His relaxation was short lived because with a loud
and very audible pop, Morgan Taylor was in his
bedroom, hands on hips and standing beside her was
his mother, Margaret Mac Ruaidhri. Aiden opened
one eye and stared at the two very pissed women.
"Where is he?" Morgan managed to get out.
"Well, he's not here." Aiden could tell that Liam
must have somehow managed to pop himself
anywhere but here, leaving him to face the mothers.
"We are aware that he left rather suddenly Aiden.
Neither of us are amateurs." His mother's voice was
clipped. "I can not believe that you allowed him to
make Zyndaix."
ER Bryant 439
"Uh moms, I don't have control over the lad. He's
Wahjee and a Wahjee Prince on top of everything. It's
not too damn likely he's going to listen to me." Aiden
sat up; he didn't like the feeling of the women
standing over him. "Besides, check your history. He's
only doing what's been foretold."
"What has been foretold is a story, a legend. He
didn't have to make it happen. You didn't have to
make it happen." Morgan glared at him. Ty jumped on
the bed and faced her, his fur at full bristle. Killer
slowly crept up the stairs, fangs showing, a low growl
in his throat.
"Seamus is my responsibility. And frankly, I
didn't give it much thought at the time. I didn't plan
on making Zyndaix. I'm not even sure it was all my
doing. I've thought about it a lot and I'm sure there
was some other hand in the whole Zyndaix thing."
"Aiden, only you could have done it. It isn't a
group participation thing." Morgan smiled. "I would
have thought that Liam might have mentioned that
little part."
"Liam and I deliberately worked Zyndaix on his
child." Aiden admitted. "It was apparent to both of us
that Shay was and we knew the legends. He needs a
partner."
"You're taking a risk making a female partner."
Margaret said quietly. "I mean you and Liam wouldn't
appreciate it if either one of you were female."
"Shay wanted a sister. Who were we to argue
with him. You know how powerful the boy is." Aiden
440 Magical Moonlight
took a chance and moved past the mothers to get to
the kitchen. He needed something to drink.
"Aiden, don't you run away. We need to discuss
how these Zyndaix children are going to be supervised
as they grow. You know that the High Council will be
doing what they can to euthanize them."
Aiden turned and faced the women. Ty was on his
shoulder and Killer by his side., all of them glaring.
"MARK MY WORDS NOW, NO ONE, NOT
WAHJEE OR HUMAN WILL THREATEN MY
CHILD OR MY PARTNER'S CHILD." He slapped
his hands together, forming a ball of energy. "There
will be no easy life as a six inch tall doll, they will be
gone from this planet." The ball of energy expanded
until Aiden released it through an open window, a
falling star for the uninitiated.
"There was no need for theatrics Aiden." His
mother chided, her voice soft. "We were merely
relaying what we know to be true. Your child, your
children will be in danger until they are able to control
the power that is part of them. And even then, danger
will stalk them the rest of their lives." She nodded at
Morgan, who continued.
"I'm not sure the world is ready for these two yet.
But yes, we both, as mothers, knew with your own
births that the path leading to this point had been set."
Morgan paused. "It isn't something a mother wants
for her child. Children live longer, quieter, easier lives
when they stay under the radar of those with a hunger
for power."
ER Bryant 441
"Aiden, Morgan and I will be doing what we can
to have your Zyndaix children remain cloaked from
the views of those who mean them harm, and from
those who will wish to latch onto their coat tails as it
were, for Zyndaix children are mighty."
"There hasn't been any in centuries, surely it's
been forgotten. Legends are just stories your
grandparents tell you before bedtime. They are
supposed to be true. They were never supposed to be
true. When Shay was born and I held him in my
hands, it was only then I knew that he was special,
that he was different and that he had nothing human in
him. It was only then the legends came rushing into
my mind and I knew in that instant that he was
Zyndaix. I racked my brain for indications that I had
said the words, done the ceremony when he was
conceived, but damned if I can remember doing
anything other than jacking off in a cup."
When Liam had popped out of the loft he hadn't
had any particular destination in mind. Instead he let
his heart take him wherever it would and ended up in
front of Vanessa's house. Shrugging, he walked up to
the door and rang the bell. "Hey Vans." He said with
what he hoped was an engaging grin, "just thought I'd
stop by and say hi."
"I shouldn't be surprised." Vanessa laughed.
"Shay said you'd be tucking him into bed tonight. I
think he may be psychic."
"Nah, little kids get ideas, though I heard they're
kind of in tune to people they love. It wears off as they
442 Magical Moonlight
grow up." Liam followed Vanessa inside the house.
"Where's Rosalie?"
"She's laying down. This pregnancy is having a
rather calming effect on her. I really don't understand
it and I never actually thought it would happen." She
smiled. "Shay, Liam is here."
"Liam." Shay tottered over to Liam and grabbed
him around the knees. Doug, sitting on the back of the
sofa watched the boy, an indulgent smile on the small
cat's face. "Gramma's mad at Da." He giggled.
"They aren't too happy with me either." Liam
whispered to the boy as he picked him up for a hug.
"Mamma sleeping." Shay settled on Liam's lap.
Doug draped herself over Liam's shoulder. "Phoebe
says Mamma needs to rest. So mamma rests."
"Phoebe?" Liam looked up at Vanessa who had
come into the living room with a tray of drinks and
cookies.
"Yes, Shay insists the baby's name is Phoebe."
She laughed. "If Rosalie does have a girl, no doubt
we'll call her Morgan Rebecca to honor your mother
and Rosalie's. We could call her MR for short or
maybe Becca."
"Mom would be pleased." Liam beamed.
"Phoebe says no." Shay shook his head. "Phoebe
likes Phoebe." He smiled his winning smile so much
like his father's. "Liam is Liam, Daddy, is Daddy,
Mommy is Mommy, Momma is Momma, and Phoebe
is Phoebe. Me is Seamus." He tried to get his mother
to understand.
ER Bryant 443
"Hey Lil' Guy, let's just wait for the baby to
hatch." Liam grinned. "We'll decide then."
"The decision has been made." Vanessa's voice
was firm. "Much as I love Shay's input, it's really
Rosalie's decision as to the baby's name. Besides, it
could be a boy just as easily as a girl. I can't imagine a
boy answering to Phoebe." She laughed.
"Seriously, how is Rosalie doing?" Liam asked.
"Not bad." Vanessa smiled. "It's her first child
and she is over thirty, there's always a risk. But it's
early and she has good prenatal care."
"Phoebe will watch her." Shay whispered in
Liam's ear. "Don't worry."
"Seamus, you know whispering isn't polite."
Vanessa admonished. "If you have something to say,
you can say it out loud or keep it to yourself."
"Yes Mommy." The boy said but he didn't
volunteer to tell her what he'd whispered to Liam.
Later that night when the house was quiet and
everyone was sleeping, well the adults were sleeping,
Shay and Doug quietly crept out the bedroom window
and onto the roof of the back porch. Slowly the boy
crawled toward the big oak tree with branches that lay
against the top of the porch. He'd done it before and
he found each time it was easier to do. Doug led the
way, for he was a Wah cat after all and had no
problem seeing the way. Shay, who by now was
almost three, didn't hesitate to make his way deep into
the heart of the oak, losing himself among the
branches and leaves.
444 Magical Moonlight
Only when he was satisfied that he was hidden
from the view of anyone who might for some
unknown reason glance in the back yard of his home
did the boy relax. Liam had, without realizing it,
placed his spell without making it clear that Shay
should be restricted in his magic anywhere, not just
the house. It was a loophole that the boy used to his
advantage whenever possible. Holding Doug close to
his chest, Shay popped himself to the roof of the
Bradley building. He landed as he always did, in the
center of the small deck Liam had built. Ty and Killer,
who had been sitting to the side waiting, quickly
joined the other Wah cat and his person.
"The fire fur one is preparing for bed, master is
closing down the box with sound." Killer volunteered.
"Then we're just in time." Shay was satisfied. His
father and his father's partner were powerful in
different ways, but more powerful than most, if any,
other Wahjee. When they combined that influence
during the moments before sleep, when they wrestled
on the bed, it increased by ten, sometimes even more,
forming a power point cone exactly where he sat now.
Ty had told him about it more than a year before. The
other Wah cat had often come to visit him in his room.
Or perhaps to visit Doug who was a rather beautiful
female Wah cat. "Phoebe has my father's protection
and that of her own father, but she fears it won't be
enough. Too many know of us and that we are
Zyndaix."
"Young one, only your fathers and the mothers of
your fathers know you both are Zyndaix." Ty said. "It
ER Bryant 445
is a small circle and one that is protected by their very
lives." The large orange cat wound his way around the
child, joined by Doug who did the same, their noses
meeting in the front, their tails in the rear of the boy
who sat cross legged and stiff backed in a pose that
radiated his inborn power and majesty.
"Phoebe requests this spell." It was all that was
necessary to say. For in a matriarchal society, the
word of a highborn priestess, even one in the womb,
was something to take note of and obey when
possible.
Killer, sitting on guard at the edge of the small
deck, tried not to whine, but a small sound escaped
from his throat. He hoped the cats didn't notice. Being
the dog and just a regular canine occasionally put him
at a disadvantage in their company. But not now, not
at night when the smells of the city could come up to
this secret lair without hindrance and the sounds, even
that of the smallest mouse, were easy to detect. No
cat, Wah cat or otherwise, had a better security system
than Killer's big black nose or his floppy ears covered
in black curls. He was rather proud of this.
Shay stood up in one fluid motion that belayed his
age. The cats remained in place only now if looking
down from above, one could see how the furred
creatures formed a circle of protection around the
small child. He raised his hands to the sky and moved
them as if wiping the shadows from the moon and
allowing the moonlight to wash down on him,
spotlighting his performance.
446 Magical Moonlight
Words in a language that hadn't been heard in a
thousand years were whispered in the night sky.
Killer's hackles stood on end as he felt forces from
above and below as well as each side, move to the
child, enveloping him in a soft glow of energy. The
amulet, its black jade carvings alive with movement,
appeared in Shay's upheld hands from where it had
been hidden by Liam. Killer could hear sounds
matching what the child whispered, coming from the
scary thing and he wanted desperately to cower, but
didn't, because he was dog and he took his duties as
dog seriously.
Colors fluoresced and pulsated until gradually,
one by one they came together, eventually fading from
view. Shay sank back down in his former cross-legged
pose, the amulet returned to where it usually rested,
his hands on the heads of both Wah cats, fingers
kneading their fur. It was then that Killer noticed the
purrs of the cats matched the child's heartbeat and he
realized that his heartbeat as one as well. His tongue
lolled as he grinned, happy to be part of this wondrous
group who allowed dog to be dog and accepted him
for that.
"You did well young one." Ty said with a
merrorow. "Your fathers and Phoebe will be safe from
those who wish them harm at this time."
"The one with red head fur is coming." Killer
warned.
Shay blew Killer a kiss and with a pop, he and
Doug were back in the oak tree.
ER Bryant 447
Killer lay down where the boy had been and
began to roll around on his back, the better to dissipate
the slight smell of ozone that would betray the recent
magic. By the time Liam cleared the top step, Killer's
head was on his front paws in an imitation of rest. Ty
sat on the edge of the roof, a red gold pillow of
watching fur. "Hey guys, you can't stay up here all
night. We want to lock up now."
Liam looked around, something seemed different,
but he wasn't sure what. "What have the two of you
been doing?" he asked, not really expecting an
answer, before turning and heading down to the loft
and Aiden's arms.
Back home, Shay and Doug made their way back
to his room. He had only just crawled under the covers
and shut his eyes, when his mother looked into his
room. She tiptoed over and closed the window and
then pulled the duvet up over his shoulders.
"Was he sleeping?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes, but I closed the window. I really don't like
to leave it open even if we are on the second story. It's
dangerous with a small child."
"I don't think Seamus can even reach it." Rosalie
patted Vanessa's hand. "I miss the days when we had
the monitor in there."
"I do too. I can't understand why they keep
breaking. We'll have to find a better quality one when
the baby comes." Vanessa snuggled into Rosalie's
arms, one hand protectively over the growing child.
"It's funny, for some reason tonight I feel so safe and
448 Magical Moonlight
loved. I mean more than usual. It must be the nice
weather we're having."
In Aiden's apartment, Liam crawled into bed with
his lover, snuggling close.
"Fuck Liam, I was just about asleep. Your feet are
like ice. Where did you go?"
"I was checking