Magic & Mystery

Chapter 4 Putting The Pieces Back Together

I awoke with my heart beating out of my chest. Minnie was under the covers asleep between my legs, she must have gotten cold during the night. I moved and she was instantly awake. She went to her food and water dish and got a drink while I got some clean clothes and went into my bathroom and took a shower. After that talk with my mom and gramma that I had to believe was real, I felt invigorated and ready to start pulling myself together although I knew it would take time and I would need Stephans help according to my gramma. I hope they are right that I can trust him.

Once I was showered and dressed I cracked the door open and saw the body guard standing in front of the door with his back to me. He turned around and smiled at me wishing me a good morning and stepped aside. He explained that King Stephan assigned him as my personal body guard along with a few others but they would remain out of sight unless they were needed. I bluntly stated "I can sense them right now. One is behind me by about 15 feet over by the large vase by the kings door. Another is actually somehow crawling on the ceiling above my head and the other is...'I laughed and continued' relieving himself in that potted plant over there."

They all froze in shock. The one who was relieving himself stopped midstream and I could swear he blushed before putting it away and stepping out. The big body guard said "Impressive, not many could so easily detect them. They use the shadows and other abilities to hide themselves. Anyways my name is Steve but the others wish to remain anonymous for now."

I smiled at each of them and said "I respect your need for privacy and expect privacy of my own as well. It's nice to meet you Steve."

Steve cleared his throat and said "You won't have much privacy aside from in your bedroom...mostly and nice to meet you too James."

I sighed and said "Let me guess, I have a fifth member of my little entourage that I missed last night in my grief who was in my room?"

Steve replied "Yes but he was sure not to look when you were changing or showering so you don't have to worry about that."

I rubbed my eyes and my temples and stepped back into the room and closed my eyes. I sensed him under my bed and used my magic to lift the bed off of him and held him in place while I walked over. The other guards watched in amazement. I looked down at the surprised and almost panicked eyes of the guard and said "From now on you stay on the balcony while I am in here or in the hall. If I want to close the terrace doors and have some privacy with curtains drawn I expect to have my privacy. Does everyone understand? I will go back to my apartment if I can't even sleep in peace without somebody watching me."

They all nodded in agreement and then I heard a chuckle from the doorway. As I turned to look I saw Stephan who smiled and said "Already taking command of some of my men and women I see."

I released the man who rolled away as the bed slowly came back to the ground. I walked over to Stephan with an almost evil smile on my face and said "I suppose I have. I hate peeping Toms."

Stephan chuckled and said "They are here for your protection. We have no idea what the werewolves have planned. How are you feeling today by the way?"

I frowned and a few tears started to fall as Steve handed me a tissue that I thanked him for. I wiped the tears and said "I spoke to them last night. They told me my brother is a werewolf and the leader of the ones who killed them. They told me to trust you and that I would have to restrain my brother but my heart wouldn't allow me to kill him so I would have to let you do it. If it is my brother though, it is my responsibility to destroy him myself once and for all."

Stephan put his hands on each side of my face and made me look him in the eyes and said "They were right, you couldn't live with killing your brother with your own two hands or even with your magic directly but I can do it for you. Please do as they say and let me do that for you when the time comes?"