Learning For All

"Miz Luna?" Anna peaks into the kitchen while I'm baking some tomato basil tarts for tea time.

"Anna! Come in and help, will you? Wash your hands first." Her smile brightens, letting me know that she is looking for a chance to help. "How are you and your brothers doing?" The three previously incarcerated teens decided to become siblings under the name "Sanders," similar to my maiden name in the human world. Natalie has been keeping track of their studies and actually sharing their lessons on the magical world taught by Andrew Cross.

"Mr. Andrew and Miss Natalie said that you and Alpha Canis have markings that mean a whole lot. I wuz wondering if I kin set with y'all and your families to find out what it means?" Her words throw me for a loop. As I continue to show Anna how to cut the basil and place the peeled slice of tomato on top, I ponder.

"Yes, Anna. In fact, how well can you set up a camera for a video chat? We will need a few cameras in several homes." I can have the Druids and the Lycans in Edward's office without feeling cramped or feeling like one side will jump start a fight with the other. The tension between them was starting to fray my nerves. "Let's get this done quickly. I have some phone calls to make."

....

Public speaking was never one of my strengths until now. I find it fascinating that the saying is true: "Necessity is the Mother of Invention," or in this case, re-invention of self. I guess I had to reinvent myself, since I found out that I am Aubrey Anna Wrynn Gilhoughley. Finding this whole new person has made me feel more complete. Now it was time to let this whole new person shine.

"Okay, everyone. Thank you for joining us. This is something that affects all of us. Thank you to the Families of my ancestors, the Primallupas and the Gilhoughleys. Thank you and welcome to the Council of Magical Beings East of the Mississippi. I have emailed you all detailed photos of the markings on myself and Edward and how they blend with one another." I gave everyone a moment to look at the photos. Several people, poised in several locations before video cameras in living rooms, offices and board rooms pass around the photos before returning their attention to me.

"Zeez are as beautiful as zey are significant," Councillor Greengrass held up the picture of the hands holding the world.

"That they are," the male vampire, Councillor Thibedeau came forward. "The Celtic vine connects you to the Primallupa family which allegedly has blood ties to Saint Christopher of Ireland. After all, in Eastern culture, there are depictions of Saint Christopher with the head of a dog."

"This is true." Tiberius nods his head. "Christopher, born Reprobus, was put to death in the third century in the Roman Empire. The guards had added wolfsbane to the water they gave him to make him weak. They had to dip the ax in silver to behead him. It was not swift, and it was very painful."

"I'm sorry for having you relive such a painful memory," Councillor Thibedeau showed true contrition in his expression.

"I'm glad that I have to keep up with only one life! No offense." Councillor Rhonda White shows her personality.

"None taken, powerful human." Tiberius acknowledges my favorite Mage Councillor.

"So the Saint of Travelers was Lycan?!?" The eldest Gilhoughley, "call me Doug," stood from the couch. "Saints preserve us, how many of our heroes are magical non-human?"

"Yes," said Councillor Woodvine, "According to our Archives, most of the Saints that you asked to preserve you. Otherwise, they could not preserve you."

"Not helping, but thank you, Arborous." My grandmother can't help the smile on her lips. Councillor Jamirul Mao tries to cover his laughter with a fake cough. Rhonda smokes a cigarillo and the vampires exchange a look before rolling their eyes. Councillor Greengrass smiles gently, oblivious of the faux pas by her counterpart.

"Now to the markings Edward and I, they have meaning by themselves, correct?" I try to get the conversation back on track. "The link to Saint Christopher is interesting, but all our Original Families were travelers, right?"

"Which, we believe, is the reason behind the world on your shared tattoo. You, Brianna, have a link to two Original Families. You, Edward, have a link to another Original Family out of Germany. Add to that your friendship with, well, all of the Council members, you two will have an impact on the whole world."

"We will have to contact the Dragons and Unicorns." Councillor Woodvine continues to be helpful.

"We are recording this to the Cloud to share with as many beings as often as necessary." I'm glad that I thought to include that option on this chat.

"What is the Legend of the Leader and the Heart?" Edward's patience is beginning to wane.

"The Leader with sadness lately re-finds his Heart./Once they are together, these two cannot part./She, not without strife, is leading a secret life./Their families entwined, sure will the World bind./No power above the other, all listen to this powerful Mother./Peace throughout the land, held in their gentle hands." Andrew finishes reading with wide eyes, as if an epiphany just slapped him. I didn't even need a hand to reach him.

Beside him, in their living room, Blaire bristles, "THAT is why people, magical and not, want to fuck with you. They want your power, your influence and your input." Her face gets more intense and I see where Jenny gets her ferocity. Jenny's mother was Blaire's sister. Female warriors from Lousiana, the Laurent family are known for their strategy and skill. "I swear by my Sisters, none shall harm you, my Luna." Her power radiates off the screen.

"Thank you, my Gamma. I am safe with your protection." I quickly accepted her precious gift. She is no longer fragile. Her power and purpose have returned. Hell, it's the first time I've heard her swear! Andrew sits taller, proud of his mate.

"So the entire world will listen to you?" Rhonda chimes in. "That just means that you are intelligent and helpful. Why would that be a BAD thing?"

"Jesus was intelligent and helpful, too. Regardless of the religious background behind it, he was smart and gave those in power something to think about - the less fortunate. He had a lot going for him and he was still put to death." Jamirul points out. "Say what you will about Jesus, but he was a smart do-gooder whether you believe he was a Son of God or not. His influence has changed the world."

"That's not to say that you will change the world as grandly as Jesus, himself," inserts Grandmother, "but that is an exaggeration of what your influence could be. Knowing you, as I do now, you will be more like the inventors of the wheel - not remembered, but exponentially helpful."

"What about the Leader and the Heart? Edward is the Leader, or Alpha, of the Adhara Hill Pack. Does this indicate that he will be the Leader of more?

"I am the Heart. This means that I, what? love others? show others what love is?" I am still confused in our roles in this whole scenario.

Catarina clears her throat. "Edward will lead all the world in loving you. That is the role of Mate. You are the Heart that influences those around you, and you by them. That is why you were able to communicate with your mind link on instinct. You feel the hearts of others and you touch and heal them. That is your Lycan Power."

"Hell's Balls," groans Doug Gilhoughley. "You have a double whammy. Being the first and only born of a seventh of seven, you have inherited all his magical strength. Do you grow and use your own herbs?"

"Yes, I do. I cook with them."

"They say that 'the way to a man's heart is through the stomach.' That's not all bollocks. The stomach is in close contact with the heart. That's why sometimes you get 'heartburn,' which is really a stomach ailment. Anyone you have fed with your herbs grown with your own hands, has a direct link to your heart."

Edward starts to laugh. "How many of you ate the chili at the wedding?" Edward laughs harder and harder as each hand goes up, including the Lycan Archivist who left directly after dinner.

"Ho, boy!" I sigh.