Endania

We got home we found Eric in the kitchen making dinner. “You didn’t have to do that,” I said.

Eric looked up. “I know but I wanted to.” He looked at Ash. “Did Nado tell you that I’m his friend?”

“Sadly, he did,” Ash grumbled.

“Ash,” I said warningly.

He glanced at me. “Sorry.”

“Eric, the Commanders and I decided to make you the Commander of the Humans,” I said.

“I thought you said you had to wait for everyone to trust me,” Eric said stirring the food.

“I did but they already trust you and loved the idea. So we made you a Commander sooner than expected.”

“You’ll have a house of your own once they fix it up a bit,” Dominic added.

I blinked. “The old human Commander’s house is still standing?”

“Of course. We always knew we were going to get another human Commander at some point. So we kept it standing. We just haven’t been cleaning it or fixing the pipes. So it’s pretty dirty, dusty, and a lot of the pipes are probably leaking.”

“Commander Nature is planning to do all that,” Ash added.

I sat at the table. “Nature seems to be the one who does all the construction and stuff around here.”

Ash and Dominic sat too. “Well, dragons are good at building things,” Dominic said. “Eric, what are you making?”

“Spaghetti. I just put the noodles in so it will be a while before it’s done,” Eric replied as he kept stirring.

“Dragons are good builders?” I asked returning to our conversation. “I thought they were good at collecting things.”

“Oh, they’re good at that too. But they enjoy building a bit more than collecting,” Ash said. “Eric, did your parents really leave you at your grandparents for a year when you were seven?”

I frowned. Ash and Dominic keep changing the subject. I wonder why. There’s nothing wrong with my questions. I still know nothing about this stuff so it’s only normal for me to ask, right?

“Yeah, Dad told me mom was weak and very upset that the baby had died. Dad said that it would be better if I stayed with my grandparents for a while,” Eric said.

“I wonder why they did that,” I said. If they were going to change the subject I might as well join the conversation. “They both didn’t know my real dad was a wolf and she sure as hell didn’t know I was a wolf until I was one.”

“Makes me wonder what they would have said if you hadn’t turned into a wolf,” Dominic said.

“It makes me wonder too,” I murmured.

“Probably would have told him that they adopted you,” Ash said.

“They did adopt a girl,” Eric said. “But she hates wolves too.”

“Did Mom tell her about me too?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to Lorna in years.”

“Lorna? That’s her name?”

“Yeah.”

Ash snorted. “One stupid name.”

I scowled. It’s not that bad of a name. “Yeah,” Eric agreed making me scowl at him too. “She had blue eyes and brown hair. Last I heard she had become a werewolf hunter.” He ate a noddle to see if the pasta was done.

Which reminds me. “Eric, what happened to the cook? She’s usually the one who makes the meals.” Well, she’s the cook and the housekeeper.

“Oh, I told her I wanted to make dinner for you to show how much I appreciate you for letting me stay here. She’s in her quarters now.” He paused. “And it’s done.” He poured the noodles into a strainer, put them back in the pan, added the sauce, and stirred. Then he scooped out four bowls and put them in front of us. Then he sat. “Dinner is served.”

I ate a spoonful. “Mm. This is good. But you don’t have to thank me for anything. We’re family and family looks out for each other.” I finished my food and was on my way to put it in the sink when I heard Lord Flame’s voice in my head.

~My brother didn’t look out for family and it doesn’t look like you are either.~

I dropped my bowl and gasped. The bowl shattered when it hit the floor. Ash and Dominic were up and by my side instantly. “Sylvia? What’s wrong?” Ash asked worriedly.

I held up a hand and got myself under control. ~My father looked after you for a long time, Lord Flame. You believe he betrayed you but he never did. Donna loved him. Not you.~

~You…~

~I’m doing my job and looking after Endania is that job.~ I interrupted him. ~You might be my uncle but there’s no way I’m going to let you destroy Endania.~ I looked at Dominic. “Lord Flame just spoke to…” I trailed off as he started speaking again. He has to be really close if he’s doing this. I just wish I knew why he chose now to speak to me instead of during the day. Oh, wait. He waited until now because it was easier for him to sneak in.

~You should have never become Endania’s Alpha. You made yourself into my enemy.~

~Funny because you became my enemy when I heard you killed my father. When you killed Donna you just made me hate you even more.~ I paused. ~Oh, and by the way, becoming a weredemon was the stupidest thing you could have done.~

~How did you…?~

~Know? I have my sources.~

~You will go the same way as your father and the Duchess. No, I’ll make your death ten times as painful.~

I couldn’t stop a snort from escaping me. Ash and Dominci both frowned at me. ~I was tortured for seventeen years, my dear uncle. I know what pain is and I know how to stay silent during it.~ Sort of. ~ Nothing you can do to me will make me scream.~ Yeah, I’m bluffing but I don’t want to let him think I’m weak.

~Oh, it will. It will.~

I waited but he didn’t say anything else. I turned to my guards. “Lord Flame now knows that I’m the Alpha of Endania,” I said. “So we need to be prepared for an attack.”

“He had to be close to talk to you,” Dominic said and I gave him a look that said, obviously. He ignored it and continued. “I’ll send out some guards to…”

I shook my head. “No. Just want everyone that there could be an attack soon.” I looked at Eric. “Eric, how good are you in combat?”

“I’m trained to fight,” he replied.

“Preferred weapon?”

“Gun.”

I looked at Dominic. “Tomorrow I want you to take Eric to the Training Hall and test him.”

“Okay,” Dominic said.

“I want everyone to carry a weapon from now on.” I paused. “Especially the humans.”

Dominic nodded. “I can do that tomorrow too.”

I nodded. “Good. Now let’s go get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow.” We went to our rooms. Except Dominic who shifted and laid down in front of my door. I think this is going to become a permanent arrangement. I grabbed my pajamas and changed in the bathroom. Then I crawled into bed and fell asleep.