Moonlit Shadows

To Meet The King

Jaci pondered his answer and her eyes widened as she realized the implications of it. "Are you...perhaps..."

"A werewolf? Yes, I am." Aydan's eyes glowed an icy blue as he met her gaze in the mirror.

Jaci wasn't sure if she felt relieved at being with a familiar being or more nervous because she was alone and vulnerable if he decided to turn on her. "I see."

"Not a lot of people come to see Lord Zephyr. It's been a rather long time since the last person came with questions. In fact, not many know about him at all."

"Why? Does he live in obscurity for a reason?"

Aydan smiled and shrugged. "That's for him to answer. We'll be at our destination soon. A word to the wise - Lord Zephyr is a very discreet person. Show him respect by using the same discretion. Also, you're walking into a pub filled with supernatural beings. Don't make eye contact and go right to the table. I'll be escorting you inside, but you won't see me again until it's time to go home. Understand?"

Jaci nodded, feeling her mouth go dry as the car slowed and stopped in front of a rather classy looking bar. This wasn't the atmosphere she really expected.

Aydan appeared on her side of the car and opened her door for her. After closing it, he held out his arm for her to take and she laced her arm through his after a moment's hesitation.

Aydan grinned and leaned down to her ear. "I'm the one you need to fear the least, small one."

His whisper sent shivers down her spine and she wondered just what she was walking into.

He led her not to the front of the building, but to the side and to a set of stairs that led to an underground level. Jaci hesitated at the top of the stairs and Aydan looked over at her.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he said softly, urging her forward.

Jaci decided to trust that statement and walked with him down the stone steps.

As the metal entry door was opened, she was met with an onslaught of loud music, the smell of alcohol, and the scent of sweat. Aydan never faltered and kept the two of them moving forward.

No one paid them much attention, except for a few women seated at the bar. Their heavily shadowed eyes scrutinized Jaci closely. But Jaci kept her eyes straight ahead, only noticing them out of her peripheral vision.

"Aydan! Who's the woman?" one of them called. "Is she why you never called me?"

Aydan completely ignored her brassy calls, and Jaci was amazed at his stoicism.

He led her around several corners and finally they reached the back of the pub, or was it a club at this point? Jaci was certainly confused. Several glass bottles were shattering from the direction they just came from, and it startled Jaci.

Aydan patted her arm with his other hand. "It's okay. Relax. I'll be nearby. Don't worry."

He slowly untangled their arms and gestured towards the last booth on the left wall. Jaci slowly approached it and as she rounded the corner of the booth, she saw an incredibly handsome man.

He seemed tall, was blond, and Jaci felt like she was looking at an angel, though she certainly knew otherwise. The small hints of gray at his temples were the only betrayer of his maturity. His eyes, though blue and bright, were sporting slight crinkles at the corners, indicating the often recurrence of smiles and laughs.

She looked past the booth as she sat down, but Aydan had completely disappeared.

"Miss Aigle, it's my pleasure to welcome you to my fair city," said Zephyr, his voice low with a bit of huskiness to it.