Chapter 5

Austin was shocked when Dex led them to Central Park West and to two trees that looked of no importance. He assumed the Elven Sentinel would have an ounce of knowledge but he guessed he was wrong.

Beside him Bryony shivered in the September night, unaware that they were possibly in even more danger here out in the open than they were at her home. He drew off his coat and wrapped it securely around her, ignoring her bright-eyed stare when she looked up at him.

Dex rubbed his hands together then thrust them out in front of him. His hands got stuck in something then started glowing. He fisted them then turned them as if he were turning a car in traffic. The trees started to shudder before the light faded and a large boulder rolled to the left. The light the boulder had been concealing suddenly burst forth. Dex smiled and walked through, leaving them to follow him.

Austin looked at Paycen and nodded. The trigger-happy redhead went in first. Austin gave Bryony a gentle push and followed her in. Emery brought up the rear.

"Welcome to Caldecari, the hidden realm of the Elves," Dex said as he waited for them. Here his skin was glowing softly and his ears were more pronounced. He truly looked to be an Elf.

"Hey, Boss, did you know this place was here?" Paycen asked as they followed the Elven emissary towards an impressive open-air villa.

The auburn haired leader shook his head. "No. I've heard rumors of the Elves going underground when Man decided they could face the world alone. That was centuries ago."

"You would be correct, Thunder Bearer," Dex replied. "Centuries ago we warned normal humans that there would come a time when they would need our help living hand in hand with super humans. That generation did not heed our warning and the first son of your people was born. He was a powerful man, one who was able to see the future. He knew when things were going to happen before they did and people called him a witch. He was burned at the stake, but not before he begot twelve sons and a daughter of his own."

Austin nodded. "We have been recovering records of our ancestors. The first one dates back to the 4th Century."

"Can you tell us who is descended from those who first came in contact with?" Emery asked.

Dex smiled as he mounted the last step and turned to them with his hand already on the handle of the door. "They are your ruling class now, the most powerful children ever born."

Paycen's mouth fell open, something that rarely happened. "Mikey and Aiden?"

Austin nudged his right hand man as the Elf leading them took a step forward into the chamber. All talking ceased as the group walked in. The leader of the small group lifted his head. There were four beings standing on a dais looking down at them. The darker haired of the four stood.

"Welcome, Austin Somme, to Caldecari or in your tongue the Living Wood. I am Leothain, ruler of these lands," he said.

Being true to his upbringing even though it pained him so, Austin bowed low in his waist. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am Austin Somme. These are my men, Emery Stile and Paycen Alear. The woman is Bryony Parker. We come seeking refuge."

"I understand what you seek, young Thunder Bearer, and I can give you what you want, but you must explain to the young woman before she faints. She looks pale I fear."

Austin turned and looked at Bryony. Finding what the Elven lord said to be true, he pulled her to him. "May we rest before we discuss any matters concerning this woman?"

"You wish to explain to her before she freaks out?" another Elf asked from the dais. When Austin looked up at him, he stood and inclined his head. "My apologies. I am Lacain, the younger brother of Leothain."

Leothain held up his hand against his brother. "Peace, brother. Allow our guests to rest before you start making your inquiries. Dexlin, please take our guests to their rooms."

Austin pressed his lips together as he bowed, trying his hardest not to laugh. He guided Bryony through the open corridors behind Dex, noting the way the Elf moved in his natural environment.

"Tell me, Dex," Emery said as he walked beside Paycen. "Who gave you your name?"

The Elf turned his gaze to his companions. His eyebrows were quirked up in humor. "My father. Why do you ask?"

He nodded towards Austin. "Because the all mighty Thunder Bearer here is about to make fun of your name. I was just wondering who named you so he doesn't go too far."

Dex turned his head just in time to see Austin's laughter bubble up until he was laughing heartily. He tilted his head in amusement that such a powerful man could find humor in someone's name.

His eyes then went to Bryony. She looked helpless surrounded by four men who could kill a man with their bare hands, but she didn't seem too shocked. Nervous, but not shocked. Her eyes would dart around, taking in everything around her. Shaking his head, he turned and led them down the hall where two bedchambers were set up.

"I would give the lady her own chamber but I know you would simply refuse."

The jab was aimed for Austin and he replied in kind. "Damn skippy I would. She's my charge so she stays with me."

Dex didn't say a word as he turned to the others. "Your room is across the hall. My Lord wishes his guests to join him for his evening meal. I will knock on your doors when the time comes. Please make yourselves at home."

Once he left, Paycen and Emery settled down a bit. Austin watched as his third in command tossed the bag on the bed and stretched his back. They all watched Bryony as she walked around the room then disappeared into the washroom.

"Go to your room. We should be fine. Get some rest. I know the Elves are people of their word but I don't trust them just yet. If I need you, I will call," he said after a few moments.

Emery nodded. "I understand, but remember. These Elves know far more than we do. We can earn some brownie points with them if we sit and listen before we make our inquiries."

"I understand. Go rest."

Once they were out of the room and the door was shut behind them, Austin began to strip down. Weapons came from every crevice he could possibly fit them. He tossed a loaded Glock 9mm onto the bed. It was followed by two knives from his boots, a couple more guns from his pockets, and ammunition galore. He stripped off his shirt and tossed it in the corner then toed off his boots and shimmied out of his pants.

"Oh, God!"

He turned in the process of pulling fresh clothes from his bag at Bryony's exclamation. She was covering her face with her hands. Shaking his head, he turned back to his task.

"No need to be shy. I know you've seen a man without his clothes on before," he said as he slid one leg into his jeans.

"Not in the same room with me I haven't! Put some clothes on," she retorted.

Rolling his eyes, he said, "If you would care to look, you would notice I have my pants on." When she did, he held his arms out for inspection and turned in a slow circle. "See? I'm completely covered." He felt a bolt of lightning shoot up his spine when she suddenly touched his arm and turned him around. "What is it?

He felt her fingers tracing his back alongside his spine. "What are these? They are very beautiful."

"They're called Marks. Paycen and Emery have them as well."

"What are they for?" She watched him as he sighed then pulled away so he could pull a white t-shirt over his head. It fit along his sculpted torso quite nicely. "Austin?"

Very gently, Austin sat her down on the edge of the bed. He pulled up the chair that was in the corner then sat in it. He rubbed his hands together briefly. "I'm a supernatural human, a member of the Silver Court. We're our own people. The Marks along my back tell of my power. Officially I am an electrokinetic, but according to the people, I'm a Thunder Bearer. I can harness the power electricity or summon lightning, but I only do that in dire times. It tires me out too quickly."

Bryony took her time to allow that to sink in. She kind of figured something like that was going on. She had seen Dex do some crazy things in the last few weeks when Brad was being an even bigger pain in the ass than he normally was. It must have been because he knew Austin was coming in.

"What about the other two?" she asked finally.

"Paycen's a Healer and Emery can drown you if he sees fit. He can cause a tidal wave that I have never seen before. There are two others on our team, cousins Petey and Carter. Petey is a whiz with technology and Carter can teleport. We can all use the shadows to get from one place to another that we've seen but Carter can go anywhere."

"Was he the blond watching my apartment tonight?"

"Yes, he was there with Paycen tonight. Once they told me Brad was at your doorstep, I had him meet up with Petey and watch the movement of our enemies."

"So Brad's my enemy?" He nodded. "How? He always seemed so nice."

Austin leaned back in his chair. "He was paid to be nice. The old boss paid him handsomely to keep an eye on you. Your older brother owes ten thousand dollars to the mob and the only way to get him to pay was to get you in their grasp. Once they did that, it would be easy pickings."

He stopped and looked at her closely. She was sitting with her back straight and her hands folded in her lap. No ounce of terror or annoyance was written on her face. That was slightly concerning. "You're taking this very well."

She shrugged. "There's really no point in getting upset about it. It is what it is and I can't change it." She paused and canted her head. "Have you killed people?"

"Only when I couldn't disarm them or if it was a sanctioned hit."

"Another question."

"Another answer."

She smiled at his cheeky reply. "When we were walking into this place, you were talking about the origins of your people. Dex said that your leaders are the most powerful to ever be in existence. Do I know your leaders?"

"Yes, you do. Our leaders are Aiden and Mikey Jenks. Aiden leads the Silver Faction or the Silver Court, which the three of us are a part of, and Mikey leads the Gold Faction or the Gold Court."

"Then why doesn't Aiden come save me?"

"This is my Sector. Plus the Queen is in a very delicate situation and her husband won't let her leave. Not to mention it's my job to get us as many alliances as I can in this area. We are few and far between and we have many enemies that come at our doorstep."

Finally he stood and patted her knee. "Get some rest. We'll be dining with Leothain tonight and we don't want to be falling asleep in the middle of it."

Bryony watched him situate himself in his chair in the corner with a book. He was engulfed in it when she finally fell asleep thinking about everything he had just told her. But she knew there was a lot more to the story than he could tell her in five minutes.