* * * * * *
From the other side of the portal Wicus stared in disbelief.
That was impossible.
Yet the readings were clear. Furious. He witnessed the release of the rubescent particles rising from Emily and mingling with the champagne hued ones emanating from David. The magical matter swirling skyward undetected by either human as he gawked at them. The event alarm ceased its deafening call.
The world growing perceptibly better, brighter, full of added promise -- by the dispersal of the mystical fragments.
"NO!" he roared. His skin flushed with the anger he felt.
"It's done," responded Ozel calmly. His fiery eyes intent on Wicus.
Waxine's flames were burning high, indicating that her anxiety level was up there. Confusion etched on her face.
His felt frazzled.
He’d spent so much time retrofitting Josh and Charlie, all that work now appeared to be in vain. His mind wanted to reject the notion, but he couldn’t deny what he saw. Magic was released. That was a soul mate match.
"How did this happen? He's not supposed to be... he was unmated, the locks... there's no way to change his soul," Wicus’ dissection halted, bewildered. It was rare that anything interfered with his plans. This didn’t make sense.
"He's part immortal Wicus," said Ozel.
"I know that...What does that matter?"
"What matters is that his first soul mate's heart was still beating when they met."
"They never looked into each other's eyes... never spoke," argued Wicus stubbornly. Thinking that his former mentor had lost touch with how soul mating works. No doubt the old Paragon’s gone daft. Not finding any humor in the situation.
"He held her hand."
"That's not enough!" Wicus said with a glare. For once not bothering to shield his expression, showing what he thought of the elder’s deduction.
"Immortals have always been tricky for us."
“But it’s a recessive gene,” Wicus insisted, confused.
The candelabra’s face suddenly blanched. A look of suspicion contorted her features.
Wicus noticed with growing concern, “What?”
“I-I…oh you…you,” she sputtered, leveling a look of pure hatred at Ozel. Clearly struggling to give voice to the realization that seized her. She blew out a heated breath and tried again, voicing her evident conclusions very quickly, "You knew about this? That's why you came here. Did you do this?" an indictment plain in Waxine’s tone.
"Waxine, he would not do this," Wicus defended his former mentor. It was bad manners to make such assertions against his old friend. They’d had their ups and downs through the years but Ozel had shown him the ropes. Trained him.
“Let him speak for himself,” Waxine huffed, metallic eyes glaring at the room’s other occupant.
When Ozel did not immediately deny the accusation on his own, Wicus stared at him in shock. Despite their differences over the centuries, he had considered the senior Paragon a valuable friend. A knot formed in his stomach.
"You're not the only one who can alter a soul Wicus."
A number of emotions washed over Wicus; lost trust, doubt, indignation and anger -- before he marshaled himself again -- trying to contain his temper. It wouldn’t sit well with anyone if he killed the elder Paragon with his bare hands right now. He balled his fists, attempting to maintain control.
"Do you think I won't challenge this with the council?"
Ozel frowned at him.
"You can't un-mate soul mates Wicus," cautioned the elder Paragon, but there was a look of worry on his face. Slowly, he took a step back. Wary.
They stared at each other for the space of a few heartbeats. The silence was filled with tension. Wicus found it nearly intolerable. His self-control was being tested, stretched to the breaking point. He didn’t understand, his thoughts obstinate. He’d never done anything to deserve this.
“Explain yourself!” Wicus sputtered with barely suppressed fury. Jerking his fists by his sides. His body nearly shaking with choler.
“How dare you address me so! I am a member of the Council of Nine,” Ozel heaved in an obvious fit of pique as though he were the injured party here.
It didn’t help matters. The atmosphere was so thick with anger, Wicus wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to cool off. He took a step forward.
A vague look of dread seized Ozel’s expression. His red-orange gaze darting about the room. He took another step back. Clearly fearful.
He should be, Wicus thought, shifting his shoulders to a more menacing stance. Drawing himself up to his full height. Normally he disliked confrontations, at this moment he didn’t mind so much.
There was a flash of something that startled Wicus, he jumped back from it instinctively, temporarily blinded by the burst of bright light.
Waxine pulled back with a surprised shriek. Her eyes shut against the glare.
It was some time before he could see the room again. When his vision cleared Waxine was still there. The other occupant had vanished. Ozel must have portaled back to the Great Hall. Coward.
Shaking with the worst kind of rage he’d ever known, it quivered inside him like a distinct appendage. The sensation was nauseating. Was he about to vomit? Discomposed as he was, Wicus couldn’t think straight. He felt betrayed.
What was there to do? Could he really un-mate soul mates? He puzzled. He was very paternal over Emily, had embraced such high expectations about what the future held for the girl. David’s not her true soul mate.
He was at a loss as he glanced back through the open portal to the human world. Doubt tinging his judgment.