"Absolutely not!" A large man's voice shouted from inside a worn shack situated along the banks of a small river. The water quivered with the volume of his words. "Laini, I swear to all creation--! You ALWAYS disregard the works of others, claiming that it's for some greater good. How many times do we have to have this argument!?"
"Oh, Stieger..." Laini leaned back in her chair, comfortably gazing into the angry man's face, "I do not need your permission to act as I see fit. I am merely letting you know as a courtesy so you don't destroy my people over some stupid treaty with a most unreliable vampire."
Mihr, who sat to one side of Laini, let out a barely audible groan when she uttered these words. He braced himself for what was to come.
"You're subverting me!?" Stieger's broad shoulders tensed and his blue eyes grew even more furious. "I worked for years to procure that treaty, and you spit in my face and that of those who gave their lives to ensure some measure of peace."
"Questionable peace..."
"PEACE nonetheless!" Stieger slammed his fist on the table with Mihr and another man that looked very much like Mihr, gave the slightest of jumps. Laini did not move. "Well!?"
Mihr cleared his throat.
"If I might interject?" He tapped the top of the table with a finger, his eyes still fixed upon the man across from him. Laini waved her hand, giving him permission to speak. Stieger stood up straighter, folding his arms in front of his chest. Mihr took in a deep breath when he thought the moment was safe. "I understand you and a few other of our kin have been concentrating on more worldly creatures: vampires, werewolves, ghosts...but there are other enemies besides these. I know I don't need to remind you of this."
"Why would I ever forget? Are you saying that we can't handle a few demons or angels should the occasion arise?" Stieger demanded.
"No, Stieger. Please..." Mihr sighed. "I'm saying that is where your focus has been; what you are good at. And for years we have not bothered you on this fact...you have shown a great aptitude for the things that are born of this world and we are not trying to undermine your desire to keep some measure of peace and balance among them."
Stieger and the other man continued to listen.
"Now, Laini and I have been fighting the bigger threats since our beginning. Demons, angels, gods, and whatever may try to wiggle its way into this realm without permission. We've made it our priority...," He situated himself in his chair. "We are simply concerned for the kinds of demons that we have been battling of late, and it doesn't appear as if any of our kin have taken up arms against them so far. These things...the ones that have been leaving the most grievous of wounds in recent years have not been of this world or even of this sphere."
The other man cocked his head, an eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"
"These creatures, if they could even be considered demons at all, have appeared apparently out of nowhere and are sewing dangerous and powerful malignance even among mortals. Because they are not from here, they are under no obligation to follow the laws of this sphere. What's more troubling is that we have yet to ascertain if they are falling through randomly or are being placed here on purpose."
Stieger straightened up.
"How long has this been going on?" The other man inquired, furrowing his brow.
"A few years...five give or take," Laini replied.
"Why didn't you say anything before now? You don't think we are competent enough to help?" Stieger asked, the sudden calm in his voice indicating interest.
"We considered it but, to be frank, we were handling it just fine until about six months ago," Mihr leaned onto the table. "It wasn't until our own demons and elemental energies began to act strangely. We think they are being influenced by whatever is happening beyond these boundaries and, before you ask, yes. We've already contacted our superiors but they have yet to acknowledge the situation as an actual problem for which to intervene."
"If there are creatures from other worlds here..." The other man also leaned in, as if to really stare into Mihr's eyes.
"That's what I said." Mihr stammered, "But, again, they didn't think it merited their interference."
"On our own, huh?" He leaned back with a defeated thud against the chair. "Typical."
"Hold your tongue, Aster!" Mihr glared at him. "We may disagree, but it is not for us to question."
Aster raised his shoulders in a defiant shrug, Stieger giving a slight huff in approval.
"I take it you believe him, Aster?" Stieger asked. Aster leaned in again to face Mihr, cocking an eyebrow as if to study him. This man looked nearly identical to Mihr, except his hair was longer and eyes appeared slightly darker. His mouth contorted to one side in thought. Mihr only glared back at him, a look that gave him all assurances.
Aster knew Mihr wouldn't lie about something like this.
"Yes. I think we can take a break from vampires and whatnot for a little while. Besides!" Aster punched the air in front of him," When's the last time we got to lay waste to demonkind, eh'? Could be fun."
"And!" Laini interjected with a hand in the air, "If Octavia protests, invite her along. I know she grows bored with chasing her darling baby brother all over creation. It'll be good for everyone, I think, to get a little exercise."
Stieger stared for a few moments as he thought on what was being said, his expression unreadable. Finally, before anyone could ask, he slowly walked around the table, his eyes staring directly into Laini's. Glaring, he leaned on the table, Aster trying to move away from him.
"I guess I am the only dissenting voice." He said.
"Appears so," Laini replied. He paused with a raised eyebrow.
"Fine. I won't interfere...however."
"However?"
"I will be keeping a very close eye on you and these people you intend to awaken, never allowing you to forget the last time you thought we needed more people."
"That is enough!" Mihr jumped out of his seat, knocking it back with a loud crash against the wall. His whole body shook with anger as Stieger stood up straight to meet him. Aster, also now on his feet threw an arm in front of Stieger, ready to defend him.
"Mihr! Brother!" Aster pleaded," Calm down, please!"
"Don't you dare suggest that anyone has forgotten that...THAT--!" Mihr yelled, his fists clenched. His attention was suddenly on Laini who gave a slight chuckle and with a gentle smile, urged him down with a wave of her hand.
"Stieger, you antagonize my guardian..." She mused. "Perhaps not the wisest choice."
"Just as long as you understand my position," Stieger replied as he rounded on Aster. "Let's get out of here."
Aster sighed in annoyance but complied whilst following Stieger out of the house, but not before looking into Mihr's still angry face. The two exchanged looks, Aster nodding his acknowledgment. He then stepped out with his companion.
When Laini thought it safe, she stretched her arms above her head and let them fall onto the table with a thud and a very long and heavy sigh.
"OH, sometimes I forget why I awakened that man. He's incredibly insufferable on the best of days."
"A lot worse now since he's abandoned the fight against demonkind," Mihr replied flatly, still very upset.
"You know, my dearest," Laini smiled with a furrowed brow at her guardian," I hate politics. Always have! Even as I've watched it evolve over the centuries, it never really changes. Men only out for themselves...that's all I ever see."
Laini stood, turned to face another table where lay a cloth draped over the top. She removed it gently, revealing a number of ancient artifacts. A beautiful African pot, a scroll hailing from Greece, a Roman plate, a European goblet among others. Most of all, though, were several Egyptian keepsakes that she seemed to slowly smile at. She lifted a small golden statue of a smiling cat and gave the head a loving caress.
"Now that we have Stieger's grudging support, I suppose we should get to work gathering names," Mihr said, walking over to watch her stare at the cat. His gaze slightly changing to worry.
"I have one already." Laini placed this little statue back among her other possessions. She glanced over her shoulder to meet Mihr's inquisitive expression.
"Her name is Celeste..." Laini smiled wide," And she is perfect."