A Beast Among Gods (The Mac Tire Chronicles) by Garnet Davenport (big screen ebook reader txt) 📗

are separate in every other way. If you were to take each of you and put you all in a room together, you would all be completely different beings. Just because you are connected by a mystic soul doesn’t mean that you are the same. Conall fell in love with Jamie. He was his mate.”

“Mate?”

“Yes, mac tires have mates. Conall chose Jamie as his mate. Their souls fit together as perfectly as yin and yang.”

“What about…” I cleared my throat, not wanting to hear the possible truth, “Lucy?”

Alvar tilted his head, his ear wiggled, and then he straightened back up.

“That was rude,” he mumbled.

“I’m sorry?”

“Your ogre. Ruari. He’s rude.”

“Ro-ree?”

“Your ogre is disrespectful. I don’t like him,” he said in a snip. He tilted his head, and his ears wiggled again. “Fine.” He sighed. “Ruari wants me to tell you that he also liked Jamie. Ruari and Conall both cared for Jamie, and they both cared for Lucy. And they loved Taylor. They would have both died for her.”

“I didn’t know. I don’t really talk with him.”

He laughed. “No, I guess you wouldn’t. You only talk to him when you need something from him. He’s pushing you away.”

“Wait, so what you’re telling me is that my wolf and my ogre are separate from me?”

Alvar froze in place for only a moment. Then he walked over and brought a tea cup that looked like a flower in front of me.

“Separate but together,” he said and then moved over to the other side of his table and sat down with his own cup. “You can have singular wants and needs that each of you feel at exactly the same time.”

“How is that possible?” I asked.

“It’s mystics not science. Don’t overthink it.”

“So what exactly is Ruari wanting from me? He’s part of my world that doesn’t accept me, and I don’t accept it.”

Alvar tilted his head again, and then his ears wiggled.

“He wants peace. He is saying that Conall found his mate and you found yours, but he hasn’t gotten to because you don’t trust him.”

“Why should I trust him? Everything from that side is dark.”

“You’re not. He’s not. You need to come to terms with Ruari. He is part of you, and he is not a dark soul.”

I remained silent, thinking about Ruari. Thinking about how, whenever I ask for his help—his anger and strength—I never give thanks for any of it. I never thought to do so.

“Do all elves have your ability of talking to the mystics?”

His ears giggled, and then he laughed.

“What?” I asked.

“I’ve been around for a very long time. Two hundred and fifty-six years this June. I’ve met sorcerers, selkies, gods, merfolk, leprechauns, mac tires, banshees and ogres. There are mystics all throughout our history. Mythology and folklore reek of fairies. Pesky little bugs if you ask me.”

I chuckled. “Fairies is where you draw the line?”

“Everyone should. They cause mischief, and you know where karma came from, right?”

“No.”

“Yep, they’re always fluttering around, getting into everyone else’s business. Speaking of fluttering, I once came across this leprechaun who had gotten ahold of a music box. It had been enchanted by a sorcerer, and you know how, with normal music boxes, there is a little ballerina that twirls when you open it?” He used his pointer finger to make circles and then continued, “When you opened the box, there was a horse.”

“Yeah? I’ve seen several things inside music boxes. It doesn’t have to be a ballerina.”

“But this was a magical horse. His name was Enbarr. Beautiful pegasus. Brightest pure white feathered wings. And his aura was so white that it could blind those without fear or faith.”

“I didn’t know pegasus were real.”

“They’re not… well, not anymore. But Enbarr was special. He has a purpose. Just as you have your purpose,” he said and then tilted his head and wiggled his ears.

“What?”

“I have a purpose in your life,” he said, taking a sip of tea.

“What is your purpose?” I asked.

“I am here to introduce Conall and Ruari to you. You will now need to find your peace with them.”

“How am I supposed to do that when I’m so angry?”

“I have a friend in Tibet. His name is Gabriel.”

“Gabriel what?”

“Just Gabriel. He has been alive longer than any of us. He has been cursed with a god’s life without being a god.”

I nodded. “How will I find him?”

“Go to the city’s center. He will find you. Anytime a beast is close, he knows.”

“And how will he know I’m not there to hurt him?” I asked.

“He will read your soul. It will protect you.” He sighed. “How about you stay for the night?”

“Sure. Thank you.”

➣ Chapter 25

I Am A Needle In A Haystack

When the plane touched down in Tibet, I felt an overwhelming pull. I embraced it as I walked through the city. I came across a market where they were selling fruits, vegetables, rice, and seafoods. There were men and women cooking up and down each side, colors and colors of fabrics and rugs, baskets and souvenirs. There was a rush of air from behind me. I jolted around to see what or who it was, but there was no one there. I turned back to continue walking, but there was a figure clocked in front of me.

“Holy crap,” I said, jumping back.

“There’s nothing holy between the two of us,” he said. “What are you doing in my city?”

“Are you Gabriel?”

He narrowed his eyes on me. “You’re the beast with the split soul.”

“Yeah, that’d be me.”

“Come. Let’s get some food. What are you in the mood for?” he asked, turning and starting to walk away from me.

“I don’t know. Whatever is fine,” I replied, rushing to catch up with him.

“Whatever isn’t a good way to live your life. You have to know what you want.”

“I want everyone back that I’ve lost.”

He stopped and turned to me. “You lose people because they were meant to leave you. I’ve lived long enough to see several generations of