An Absence of Truth

An Absence of Truth Chapter 5

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An Absence of Truth

Chapter Five

My breath was steady and even as my feet pounded the pavement. New rays of light were slowly making itself known as the sun crawled across the sky. There was a pause, as if the world held its breath in expectation. The animals sensed what was about to happen and then as the first rays of light touched me, an unadulterated song washed over and through me. Like the rays were musical notes within a symphony.

All around, the birds, the trees, the insects sang a harmonious note of their own. Pure and simplistic, yet as each flora or fauna the sun touched, their simplistic note added texture and complexity to the symphony that was the song of creation. It was a revelation, bringing in a new day. I had never heard such a thing before and I stared up at the birds as they continued with their daily chores as if singing with the suns rays was an every day occurrence for them. It was a phenomenon that made me appreciate the beauty that was our world. An insight that I realised humans had lost touch of.

Was this something that Rakau experienced every day in his world? If so, then I wanted to see if I could share this wonder with nana and perhaps Sean. Hell, the joy and wonder that flowed through me was like an aphrodisiac. 

My first intention when I went for a run was to scope the old neighbourhood. Ever since the explosion of power last night I was unduly protective of my old stomping grounds and the people that lived here. I felt a connection and it was steadily growing. Mana flowed from everywhere around me. Similar to the sensation I'd felt in Pirongia forest. My conclusion; I'd established a Domain. An area of influence where, in my case, converted emotions from those around me turned into mana. Freely given, easily absorbed and under my control. I'd heard of this phenomena, only because Aidan made sure I knew aspects of our past as meta's. With the way I gathered and stored mana he suspected I would eventually have something like this.  Today, metas required a connection to a dimensional plane we called aether. This dimensional plane was filled with undiluted mana, the type of mana that could be shaped and used by any meta. Without this connection meta were like any other human. 

According to historical documents, mana was once a free flowing source that our ancestors tapped into. Mana flowed through leylines beneath the Earth's surface. Over time powerful metas, or alphas as they were once called, started to shape the mana around them. Their influence left an imprint upon the areas these alphas lived in, shaping the environment and the people that resided there.  An imprint that only responded to the alphas and their descendants. A Domain. 

The Greek pantheon were renown for their Domains. Aphrodite, the Alpha Domain of love drew her power from lust and love in equal parts, similar to how I drew from emotions. Ares required war and battle to draw power from, a harvest when thousands fought in wars with his name on their lips. Due to their fickle and callous nature, the downfall of the Alpha metas come not from outside, but within their own Domains. 

Humans and the alphas own children were tired of being pawns for the Alpha's amusements. Three Greek philosophers called the Socratic society discovered a way to block access to Domains. Two were sons of Athena, Alpha of wisdom and strategy, the last was grandchild to Ares and Aphrodite. Hiding as human to avoid the wrath of their alphas, they created an underground society that gathered momentum with the humans. Over time, one by one, the alphas fell. When it was discovered the three founding members were metas too, a witch hunt ensured. Without access to Domains, metas were slaughtered in droves. In a final ditch attempt to save innocent lives the three founding members of the Socratic society created a portal to the Aether plane. Connecting the portal to the leylines beneath earths surface allowed any meta near a leyline access to the Aether realm and most took the opportunity to escape. However they were never heard of before, and all attempts to send in a search party resulted the same way. They never returned. 

The worst was yet to come. By using leylines to create a permanent portal to the aether, earths mana was being siphoned to another realm. The creatures and environments that required the use of mana died from mana starvation. 

At this discovery an exodus occurred. Meta and magical creatures great and small fled toward Aether. Earths magical wonders that couldn't be moved or refused began to fade. Structures powered by mana crumbled and a golden age of civilisation fell into obscurity. History described the fall of that era and what proceeded it as the dark ages. 

As generations passed, metas lost the ability to open portals big enough to gain entry. It was hypothesised the barrier between Earth and Aether hardened like a cocoon, allowing only the smallest of pinpricks to pierce it. Most meta's agreed they could sense a type of sentience guarding the barrier and repairing the damage, even learning from the process. From what I've been told by aether manipulators, whenever they open a channel to aether, the sensation of being watched is ever present. That sounded creepy as fuck, I was glad I had my own way to harness mana. Then again with this new influx of power, I was considered an alpha come to power. I sighed loudly, wiping the sweat from my face. This would get me noticed and not in a good way. Unless I could find a way of switching it off or obscuring my rising power, infiltration work was out. This would seriously impact team dynamics.  

Trying to push my thoughts away from the heavy topic I increased my pace. The few people out and about this early had a glow. Content and replete smiles drew a knowing smirk from my own. Watching them go about their day eased a small knot of tension within.

It was as I was on the last stretch of my run I sensed metas enter my Domain. Territorial anger seared my chest with a snarl rumbling through my lips. Rakau stirred sensing my concern. He hissed when he felt the other meta's approaching. As a guardian of the forest he was as territorial as I was and I approved.

Aidan, my boss, knew better than to send people in without warning. Furthermore, whoever these meta were, I didn't recognise their energy signatures. It was most likely the metas Rakau and I brushed up against last night. Before heading to bed I'd contacted Aidan to inform him briefly what had gone down. He'd reassured me he'd explain the situation to New Zealand and their higher ups and I'd left it at that.

I pulled out my phone contacting CSK. The dial tone changed letting me know I was being connected to my fellow team-mate and cybernetic meta hacker, Daniel.

The phone answered and I spoke just as nana's house came into view.  

"Daniel, tell me the people entering my old neighbourhood are our people, and Aidan never got around to telling me?"

"These aren't our peeps Hemi, you would have been contacted." He growled as he continued his search parameters, "it's none of our official channels either."

I sighed deeply, "Get me back up asap, bud."

"Already on it my friend. And stay frosty."

I snorted, "What movie are you watching now, you dork!"

"Do you wanna build a snow maaaan" He sang, before hanging up. 

I shook my head, smiling at my team-mate's antics. In this line of work, if you didn't find humour in the mundane you didn't last long. My team joked and enjoyed pranks during down time, but became as serious as a heart attack while on a mission.

Three cars in cliched black sedans turned the corner at the end of the street. 

The stubborn old woman opened the front door, Rakau half a step behind her. 

"Stop crowding me boy," she grumped, "Or you'll feel the sharp end of my stick."

Rakau hastily moved back, "Sorry nana."

Her walking stick thumped steadily as she strode down the driveway. I moved to intercept. She glared in warning, raising her hand to stop my movement. Mana flowed through my body, enhancing and strengthening. We both knew I could be by her side in moments. Out of respect, I slowed, but I continued toward her regardless. It was the only concession she was getting and she knew it. Like the wily woman she was, she utilised that time by picking her pace up to stop by the curb for the first car to arrive.

A woman followed by two men hopped out of the first car. The woman raised her right hand to the other two cars and they parked up behind hers and waited. They remained inside.

"Kia Ora, Kaitiake Wahine," the woman said. 

A dark charcoal suit with business skirt and practical shoes, made this woman appear ordinary, but she was far from that. I sensed the power coming off her like heatwaves. She hadn't opened the aether yet, so I knew she wasn't about to attack. Instead, I sensed defensive spells layered neatly around her. A preemptive measure to indicate she was ready for any attack. Judging by the heatwave sensation, her defensive spells were powerful although a little too flashy for my tastes. I narrowed my eyes and activated my psychic talent, the Sight, to study her defences further. Judging by the spell work, her shields and buffs looked like a group effort. Now that was impressive.

Combined group spells were training intensive. It required the meta's to work with one mind, will and a similar level of aether manipulation. Under the Sight, there were four energy signatures, and their work was evenly spaced and linked with machine precision. It was too perfect. One or more of the metas must use cybernetics to enhance their psychic talents and mental faculties. Therefore I was dealing with dual wielders, like myself.  

With the birth and introduction of cybernetics, 15% of the human population discovered a psychic talent. The ramifications of the discovery created two trains of thought that split nations. Furious debate among academics and activist rights swamped media platforms. Some people believed humans were evolving with the times and utilised human only psychics as their response to a meta threat. Others believed human psychics to be a new subspecies of meta. The debate for both sides of the argument stemmed from one simple fact. Psychics didn't need to open aether to perform skills, while spells used by metas did. To muddy the waters, many meta used psychic talents too. The argument claiming it was their human lineage giving them access to such abilities. The world nearly ended in chaos over the debate. Well it would have ended without help from the very psychics and metas world nations were screaming about. In a concerted effort, mind control, memory erasing and spells designed to remove all traces of cybernetics associated with psychic talent activated on a global scale the likes of which had never been seen in human history. The fallout turned many psychics and metas into destructive or dangerous people. Walk into the original meta facilities for the dangerous and unstable, and you'd find the people intimately involved in what was euphemistically called, the world wide wipe.

I bet you're wondering how the fuck a grunt like me knew something this dangerous. The answer was simple. Aidan Mantuk, my boss, was the creator of the cybernetics industry. I'd been inside his head, knew his inner demons and fears. Heck I was considered a potential security breach. Yet, he'd kept my secret and in return I kept many of his. 

However these guys were obviously using psychic enhancement cybernetics. It couldn't be one of ours, all our models and software were encrypted, encoded and monitored with tracking devices. ADAMA would have reported if any of our cybernetics was missing. That left two possibilities.  Someone had reverse engineered our product and created their own. Or Aidan was supplying New Zealand with our products and therefore politics were heavily involved. I prayed it was the former, but suspected the latter. Fucking Aidan and his politics!  

Either way I looked at it, I was dealing with highly proficient experts and I would do well to treat them with caution. 

I must have been staring too long, lost in thought, for a pair of grey eyes were sizing me up. It was the woman in black. Her dark hair was cut in a bob that danced along her chin. Full lips were tight with suspicion and her pointed chin made me think words like pixie and elfin. However those eyes, they spoke of unyielding determination and unwavering drive. But beneath that I saw more. She was a predator, just like me. 

I felt myself switching modes from grandson on vacation to the executioner. It must have shown on my face, for I saw fear skitter through those grey orbs. I loved the taste of fear. Excitement filled me and I inhaled the sweet and sour scent.

Cold washed over me and something hit between my eyes. My head ricocheted back from the impact. When I righted myself ready to attack, nana was staring up at me. Her face like chiselled marble and unbending. The force of her personality shining through her eyes daring me to try anything.

"Back down, Grandson, there is more going on here than you realise and it is best I take care of this."

I sensed a psychic probe from the woman and a feral growl crawled from my mouth, my Domain reacting to my emotions. Nana's head swirled around, and the same way my head was knocked backwards, an invisible force hit the woman and she stumbled backward too.

"Alicia, test my patience and my hospitality one more time and I will nullify our pact."

The two guys beside the woman were now staring at me. From the other cars, they were positioned with guns ready and one was calling for back up. They had sensed my Domain, mana flowing around us all, untouchable to those without my permission. 

I sensed some of them attempt to open a channel to aether and my Domain ruthlessly closed it down. They would not get any help while within my area of influence, like hell. 

I sensed Rakau glide up beside me. His power billowed against my back and just like that, mana from Pirongia forest offered itself with Rakau as the conduit. The metas shuddered and one even rubbed his arms. Guns covered both of us. Rakau hissed, his body tensing, through our imprint he knew what weapons were. Our union last night had changed him. There was an otherworldly awareness made more apparent with the sun highlighting the green tint beneath the darker tones of his skin. I felt the earth move and shift beneath my feet, responding to Rakau's anger. Budding violence had a scent on the wind. Copper and churning dark soil. There was the potential to turn that violence into death and these metas sensed that.

Nana placed herself between the pointing guns and the two of us. Both hands on her walking stick. My heart stopped as I stared at the stubborn back of this woman. She may be frail, but she had the courage of a lioness. 

"Nana," I growled. "Get the hell out of the way."

"Besides," I snorted, "I'm much taller than you and they still have a clear shot."

"Alicia," Nan warned, "Tell your men to stand down, or I will make them."

The woman, Alicia, grimaced before turning towards her men.

"Stand the fuck down, or you will answer to me." 

There was reluctance, but they obeyed. I could see the confusion in the eyes of her men as they sensed the mana swirling around them, heading directly toward me. They had questions, it was clear as day I wasn't connecting to aether to create mana.

"I apologise, Mrs Nui," Alicia said. I could tell she was struggling not to turn in my direction.

My gaze was burning in to Nanas back. She had a lot of explaining to do too. Not to mention, I felt like I was a puppet on a string and Nana was one of the puppeteers pulling my strings. I almost felt guilty for that thought, but there were a lot of things Nana had never told me. 

"The block head behind me," Nana drawled sardonically, "Is my grandson and you will treat him with respect."

Alicia glared, those hard grey eyes glacial in their examination. I'd seen worse. She'd need to do better to intimidate me. I arched an eyebrow, a smirk set in place.

"He is my successor," Nana added. 

WTF? Yup, we needed a serious chat. It sounded like she wanted me to settle down, and after knowing that my wonderful spirit dog, Toa could act as a personal teleporter, I figured I had options which didn't include staying in one place. 

"How can I help you, Alicia?" Nan asked. 

Alicia gave one final look before staring back at Nan. "Mrs Nui, last night there was a fluctuation storm, the likes that we have never seen before and upper brass wanted us to investigate." She paused, almost debating about what she would say next, "We were told to apprehend the cause of the phenomena and bring it in for questioning if it was a meta." She glanced my way, "If it was something else, we were told to capture it for further study, and if it was too dangerous, then eliminate it."

I was surprised at how candid she was. Judging by Alicia's sullen frown it was something she wouldn't have openly admitted. Looking at the way her men shifted and moved, they too were resigned and uncomfortable. Whatever this pact my grandmother had over this woman and her team was something powerful to force Alicia to speak as she had. Normally a flaw like that in any pact with the Government favoured them over the meta. Hell this pact seemed one sided on the outset in favour of nana, that I wondered what the hell the Government had gained. After all, telling truths like what Alicia admitted to was considered an internal security breach for those who truly ran the governments. 

My phone rang and I raised it to my ear while I pondered these questions. 

"Your backup will be arriving in 5 minutes, and yes I hacked your phone to listen to everything," Daniel said, "The woman speaking to your grandmother is Alicia Middleton, New Zealand's first line defence against paranormal terrorism. Their Government wanted a reactionary force that was loyal to them. It's still in its infancy and under the radar."

Alicia scowled moving towards me. "Who are you talking to?"

"One sec Dan, Alice here is getting antsy."

"It's Alicia," she growled.

I smirked, "I'm a member of CSK, I have team mates arriving to give you my credentials." I stepped back a little more, she didn't look happy.

"I need you to put your phone down now," She said.

I deliberately turned my back on her, raising the phone to my ear once again, "Are you able to get any stats on her?"

Daniel paused and then sounded impressed when he replied, "Nope, their security is shut tighter than a nuns legs. Whoever they have in charge of firewalls is a genius, or another meta on par with ADAMA, who coincidentally is currently enjoying the challenge." 

Now that was impressive, considering ADAMA was recognised as the progenitor of AI's. 

"So how were you able to get her name?" 

I could almost see Daniel roll his eyes when he commented, "Government channels bruh, they're the easiest thing to hack. Their Prime Minister has a speech ready for when they introduce her to the world stage. Everything is digital these days. The world wide web is a hackers oyster."

"You have one final warning," Alicia shouted, "And I will be forced to confiscate your phone and apprehend you with force if necessary."

I sensed two of my team-mates, The twins, Elise and Lucas Bishop above me. I looked up as one of CSK's updated hover cars removed its camouflage cloak. 

Alicia's hands glowed and the men raised guns or glowing hands towards the hovering car. I snarled and my Domain yanked closed Aether. Glowing hands faded around me.

In broad gold strokes, our logo for CSK, an open book on a bed of thorns flashed and scrolled across the doors of the car. The hologram blinked and three bell tones echoed before the logo glided off the car. It hovered directly above me. Spinning in a 3D representation it shrank and rotated around my head like an orbiting moon.  

"CSK has no jurisdiction here!" Alicia barked. 

I shrugged, "I suggest you talk to your higher ups. I work directly under the CSK founder Aidan Mantuk and your Government really cant afford to piss us off, besides I have diplomatic immunity." I pointed to the glowing gold symbol, my credentials, with a smirk.

Alicia grit her teeth, before her eyes lit up. "What about the meta standing behind you."

Nana stomped her cane, "His name is Rakau, he is family and he is under my protection. Have a care where you tread young lady, what was given to you and your people in trust, can be taken back."

Alicia baulked, "Mrs Nui, these people are dangerous, the level of mana I sense from your grandson and Rakau alone is enough to put them in the Meta facilities for unstable Metas. How they can hold that much mana without an open Aether channel is also of concern."

Anger flared inside me, "Try and put Rakau in one of those facilities and see what happens to you and anyone who lays a hand on him."

"Are you threatening an officer?" Her smile was sharp, "I could have you up on charges for that alone."

A smooth contralto voice rippled over us. Interrupting our tirade. There were faint traces of the same musical orchestra and symphony I'd heard this morning on my run. The song of creation and the greeting of a new day. Those notes wound effortlessly through her voice.

Yet, there were undertones of the ocean, her waves pounding the shore like a bass tempo and an insistent beat.  Intertwined within this constant rhythm, the call of sex and lust stirred the blood. There were lighter tones of confidence, and bulwark earthy tones of self belief that she knew her place in this world. I'd heard this voice many times, but never this nuanced.

"Your presence will not be necessary." Elise Bishop said, she held her phone out towards Alicia, "I suggest you take this call, it appears your boss does not like to be kept waiting."

Alicia blinked before she took the phone. Her demeanour began to change. Lips thinned she kept nodding and saying yes sir. She handed the phone back. Turning around she rotated her hand in the air and the men all piled back in the cars. She gave one final look towards us before she too hopped back in and drove away. 

"You sure love making an entrance." Elise stated.

I shrugged, unrepentant. "You made a bigger statement than I did, and besides, the bitch had it coming."

"Watch your tongue, grandson."

I sighed, "Sorry nana. However," I gazed at her. "I think you need to tell me what's going on. I feel like a pawn in a game I don't understand the rules to." Towards the end, my tone turned accusatory. 

Nana's eyes were sharp and penetrating. It was like the world held its breath. My Domain trembled beneath her dark gaze. "Are you insinuating that I am intentionally trying to hurt or put you in deliberate danger?"

I grit my teeth. "No," I growled, "But it would be nice to know before hand what I'm getting myself into before I run in blindly. So far, you have secrets within secrets and some of those secrets involve me. I deserve to know the truth."

She exhaled, and the world sighed out with her. Here was my grandmother, but her presence was more. I had never seen this aspect of her growing up and my foundation was less certain. She had always been one of the most important people in my life and I believed I knew pretty much everything there was about her. This person, this powerful meta was not someone I knew.

She cut through my jumbled thoughts with a tired sigh of her own. "There were hints and potential signs you would become our next chief. But only the possibility." She raised her head and stared me down. "I told you this was your path, that you needed to discover it for yourself. No one told you to walk into Pirongia. I wasn't even sure the korowai would recognise you. I didn't want to influence your decisions because whether you like it or not, grandson, you made a decision and a choice and it was why you wear the korowai."

"You could have told me all of this before I left." I shouted. I was angry, the sensation of being trapped and led down a path I wouldn't have willingly chose filling me. Frustration and beneath it fear pushing me. Urging me to blame someone. Fear, yeah that was the real driving force beneath my anger. Fear that I'd lose what I had recently gained. Rakau, Toa, the Patupaiarehu, and even my family. I was afraid I'd fuck up and lose them all. There was also fear that what I felt for Rakau was only the power I'd gained from our connection, that none of what we shared would last because it was built upon a magical connection and not about getting to know each other the old fashioned way. The imprint made understanding each other easier. But if this was going to be my first proper steady relationship, shouldn't we have gotten to know each other and build from there? Did I want a long term relationship? 

"Grandson, lets go inside and talk."

She tugged on my arm and led me in the direction of the house. However, I was still angry, I wasn't going to budge. I stopped and glared at her.

"Why did you never fucking tell me I was a meta, or that you were one too?"

Cold anger smashed into me like a hurricane of noise. I crumbled to the ground under the onslaught. My Domain shattered like glass. Dimly I felt everyone else drop beneath the cold power swirling around us.

"I have suffered and sacrificed for this family and our people for more years than you can count." She threw her stick down, bending over to lift my chin. I stared into her eyes.

Her brown eyes turned black as jet beads. There was a pull to them. They felt like black holes with the gravity to suck you inside and devour your soul. Her grey hair changed, turned black and shiny while the wrinkles and years faded from her face. "I never wanted this life for you, Hemi. When you were born, I locked your power away so you could grow up to be a normal boy, live a normal life. I did not want the burden of my mantle to pass onto you. I would rather save you from that and endure it by myself." Her fingers tightened. "However, you chose to unlock your power. That is all on you. You came home asking about your ancestry, searching for answers, asking for my help. So when I did what you asked, you have the audacity to get pissy at me?"

There was nothing I could say to that. She was right. As usual. She jerked my face away as she stood, picking her walking stick back up. The years started to pile upon her face, her shoulders rounding and body slumping. Weariness covered her like a cloak. The cold energy dissipating. 

"I'm...I'm sorry nana." I whispered hoarsely. 

Elise blinked in amazement, her brow raised in surprise, before she turned to nana, gracefully rising to her feet. "I want to be you when I grow up. Can you teach me how to do that?"

Nana snorted before turning back towards the house. Just like that, I felt the sun shine upon me, the world resumed and my Domain rebuilt itself. "If you want lessons, start by calling me nana. You obviously work with Hemi, and I can tell he sees you as family. Which by extension, makes you part of my family. That includes your brother over there."

Lucas blinked, he didn't look anything like his sister. "How'd you know we were related?" 

"You get to be as old as me, you pick up a few tricks."

Lucas snorted. "No shit." He muttered under his breath. 

My grandmother paused at the front door, mock glaring at everyone. "Take your shoes off before you enter."

Elise glided after nana, "Thank you...nana!"

"Quit kissing her ass," I grumbled.

"She's my nana, too now." Elise said, poking her tongue out and skipping towards the door. 

I'm not sure nana did it intentionally, but I could tell Elise was pleased to be considered family and have a stand-in grandmother. Her and Lucas did not have an easy childhood, or family that wanted to claim them. 

Lucas prowled beside me, the right side of his full lips tilted in a permanent smirk. This man was as graceful as a hunting cat. Limber muscles and predatory gait. He was an equal opportunist when it came to his sexual partners. Male or female, they were easy prey to his masculine charms and physicality. As graceful as he was on land, his true element was water and he swam through it like liquid grace as fast as any minnow. 

When we first met, we both knew we'd either fight each other or become best of friends. Ironically both occurred. We took a punch at each other and became fast friends afterwards.The two of us were competitive and recognised alphas. As handsome as he was he'd never submit to me and vice versa.

However, being the horn dogs we were both known to be, our competitive natures and antics started a betting pool amongst our team and allies. The bets varied and wasn't solely related, or involved with sex, but the majority of them were.

The Current tally had Lucas beating me on number of bed partners by two. However our second betting pool involved orgasms. Considering the amount of people I'd mind fucked at the Night club as well as all the people from last night, I'd knocked it out of the stratosphere for both current betting pools. The time limit for these bets was two weeks. My time to balance things and winning the pot was coming to a close by the end of this week.

A smile crawled across my face. As competitive as we were, our personal code and honour ensured we were honest with our tallies.

However it didn't hurt to use Elis's talent to confirm my tally, particularly since it would sound outrageous coming from anyone else.

"Elise!" I shouted before she entered the house, she turned to look at me.

"I've had three sexual partners and 674 people had orgasms in the last two days, thanks to me." I stated rather proudly. 

Her eyes widened, then narrowed with annoyance. "Confirmed." she said. 

I guess she hadn't bet on me, rather backing her twin. 

Rakau spoke up behind me. "Who were these other two sexual partners you speak of?"

Fuck, I'd shoved my foot so far down my throat, I was gagging. I turned to placate Rakau, only to see the glint of mischief in his eyes and a wicked smirk on his face.

The little shit was jerking my chain. He patted me on the shoulder leaning close. "As much as I enjoy teasing you, we're imprinted. I know you've had many sexual encounters. But I am a part of you just as you are a part of me. Our imprint grows stronger every second. I do not fear those of your past, nor anyone in the future." He placed his hand on my forehead and then chest. "We are linked forever." He smiled and followed Elise inside.

Lucas guffawed and shook his head in disbelief. "Mate you're batting way above your grade with that one. He's like a fucking eleven and you're, well you're just...you."

I flipped my best friend the middle finger. The fucking asshole.

He merely smiled before continuing. "Seriously dude, how are you able to affect that many people? I know you have that incubus power or it's equivalent, but damn...no man no matter how good can do that many people in such a short window of time." 

I sensed Rakau's quiet pleasure through our connection. He was rather proud of my ability to send pleasure out to others while he was the recipient of my ardent attention. 

It made me puff my chest out before I answered Lucas. "I'm a lucky bastard and I've hit a new power plateau."

He snorted, "No shit Sherlock. You've obviously been a busy boy." 

On that note I tugged Lucas into a head lock and dragged him inside with me. 

Nana refused to answer any questions until after we'd eaten and cleaned up. She'd also put as all to work, including her newest grandchildren. Elise seemed pleased to be included, her twin, not so much, but he followed instructions so I'd take that as a win. After Nana's display, he realised he wasn't the biggest alpha here.

I poked my tongue at Elise while I was busily washing pots. We'd cajoled and bantered among ourselves, including Sean and Rakau within our silly antics. That almost started a water fight. Until Nana warned us she'd tan all our hides if we made a mess of her floors. Elise's snicker was as elegant as her voice. 

If Lucas was sex on legs, Elise would be our siren. No, she literally was a siren. Her voice could capture a person's heart and soul and bind them to her will. The soul bind skill was why she was our lie detector, only my ability to sense or scent emotion a match to her skill.  

However, her siren call, well, that was scary and powerful. Since Patupaiarehu were considered a from of faery, my magic gave partial immunity to her siren call. Lucas as her twin was the only person entirely immune to her call. Her power when it was first developing caused many issues and problems. Sexual misconduct in the orphanage being one of them. Enough to draw the attention of Aidan. They were at the tender age of eight when he took them away. 

The twins were fraternal. It's why they were rarely recognised as siblings let alone twins. At twenty four, Lucas stood at six foot four with sea green eyes and dark brown hair. Where I was ruggedly handsome, he was beautiful, refined and far too good-looking. He'd broken many a guy and girls heart.    

Due to Elise's childhood and the constant sexual harassment, she was our ice queen. She may exude sex, but she preferred to use other talents to win her battles. Although not afraid to use her sexuality as a tool when necessary, it went only as far as flirting or hand holding. Any that tried to take it further were in for a nasty surprise. She always carried knives upon her body. 

There was no denying she was a rare beauty. Shorter than her brother at five foot eight, her auburn hair was burnished gold with red highlights. A silky cascade of curly locks that fell to the middle of her back. Curves and silky toned skin that glowed with an inner light. She would have made the perfect honey pot trap, but she was no one's honey. 

However it was her eyes that drew people in, second only to her voice. Forest green with molten gold streaks, surrounded by thick dark lashes. Due to her dark lashes and brows I had wondered if her auburn hair matched the hair between her legs or if they were as dark as her brows and lashes proclaimed. Naturally I was even more curious when I was told that the hair on her head was all natural, as were her eyebrows. The dichotomy was too much for my poor brain.

I would never dare ask her, she may have been our beauty queen, but the power that swirled around her and the danger that emanated from her when riled was not something anyone trifled with. Even her brother backed down when Elise became angry. So watching the look she gave my grandmother, to me, it made sense she'd be in awe of nana. Here was a strong independent female meta who took names and kicked ass. The kind of woman she wanted to be.

I'd noticed Elise withdrawing from us of late. I knew it bugged her that her power was too flashy to allow her to go on covert ops. This was the most animated I'd seen from her in some time and Lucas noticed too. His smile looking more genuine. In a firefight she was the girl to have at your back and she was our most powerful aether manipulator on the team. In fact she was recorded for holding open an aether channel for over three hours. A prodigy of our era. 

As a way to make her feel integral for the running of our team, She was our front woman when dealing with politics and internal affairs. She despised the role even though she understood the necessity of it. We wouldn't be half as successful at what we did without her help. The red tape and bullshit hoops we had to jump through to cover our asses made me shudder, but Elise walked that perilous road like the Queen we all fondly called her. Thinking about her power levels made me realise I may end up in the same boat. 

There was a small chance with time and practice I could control the output level or disguise what I did, but I had a sinking feeling my power level was beyond that. Before levelling up, my mana storage was dispersed through the many strands of my hair. It was why I kept it so long. My hair could cloak, hide and store mana without anyone the wiser. Since I couldn't open aether, my spells and skills went unnoticed by most aether manipulators. My attack and defensive spells were hidden within my hair and ready at all times.  Thus the reason I was normally assigned to sneak in and out of areas specifically targeted to detect metas.   

Now, with the amount of mana Rakau and I could generate, the constant stream from my Domain and also from the Korowai, my strands of hair were starting to feel like vibrating live wires. So far my hair was greedily lapping up the mana, like a pig in a pen. 

But I couldn't hide what it was doing. That was a worry. Something about rising to this level of power had altered me in ways I was still trying to figure out. This would affect my job, I was the primary covert specialist for our team. Fuck! 

Nana finally sat down at the table to serve us. Sean and Elise also bringing out more piping hot food beside her. She smiled at the faces, joy clear in her eyes. She'd always loved having people and family around. Loved to cook and feed those she cared about. I was glad to see that even with all these changes, some things were still the same. Make no doubt, nana was the biggest enigma among us. Without bragging, according to CSK records, the amount of mana at my disposal would make me the most powerful meta in over four hundred years. Yet, how had this small woman shut me down so easily?

My churning thoughts faded into the background as I piled food upon my plate. A home cooked meal by nana was always the best and I'd missed her cooking. I wasn't going to spoil her delicious food. With a mental click, I shoved my worries into a compartment, a technique taught to me when on missions, to enjoy my meal. There would be time to figure this out later. Right now it was time to eat with people I cared about. 

We all sat around the table, hot mugs of coffee or tea in our hands, our stomachs replete. Everything was cleared away. Elise was on the phone. Her face was animated and excited.  The discovery of such a powerful meta like nana would definitely perk the interest of CSK and many of the other powers out in the world. This could get complicated and for the first time, the thought of having to protect my grandmother and those now under my care was starting to sink in.  

To the side of me, Lucas was eye fucking Rakau so hard I was surprised he hadn't gotten a nose bleed from his salacious stares. It would have bugged the fuck out of me, but my connection to Rakau told me he found the attention hilarious. He wasn't remotely interested. I could scent and sense the truth from him. He thought Lucas was not man enough for him. Which in turn amused and inflated my ego. As long as Rakau wasn't uncomfortable by it all, I'd let it slide and just smirked at Lucas's situation. I don't think he was used to someone deliberately ignoring him or paying him the least amount of attention from the people around the table.

Watching my Patupaiarehu talk animatedly to Sean beside him caused butterflies to churn in my stomach. Due to my job, there were no long term relationships. I wouldn't even know how to go about having a healthy sustainable one. I'd only known him for a few days, but we were bound, tighter than a couple who'd seen 30 years of marriage. I couldn't deny what we felt for each other was real. It may have been induced by magic, but for me, the way I moved and travelled, this opportunity to know another soul this intimately would never have come to pass. I would take it for what it was. I hoped my Patupaiarehu understood what he was getting into. Hell I hoped I did too. 

I'd had an epiphany outside. I was scared what we shared wasn't real, just created from our imprint, but I wasn't going to let him get away. He knew me, dark parts and all and he was absolutely fine with it.

Some of my thoughts must have passed through our link because he paused and smiled towards me, a tilt to his head in question. I didn't know how to put in words how I was feeling and just showed him with emotions and jumbled thoughts in tow. His smile grew wide and feral and then gentle with the a promise that I'd be claiming him soon enough.

That look was all it took to sooth the aggressive beast within. My need to dominate, to claim was an aspect of my personality I'd long come to terms with. It was a trait today's modern views frowned upon, but it was heavily tied to how my power fed on emotions. Besides, I'd never truly had any complaints. According to the head shrink, it was an aspect of my personality she encouraged. Secretly she always wanted a man to dominate her. I'd read her deepest desires the first time we met. Had I been of a different persuasion I would have given her the time of her life. 

"Nana," Elise began, "Our boss, Aidan, would love to be a part of this chat, do you mind if he can join us?"

Nana leaned back in her chair, her wrinkled frown almost hiding her eyes. "I'm curious to put a face to the man that has been training my boy, there is darkness to Hemi's wairua," she looked at the confused looks before explaining, "his spirit or soul has a taint that wasn't there when he left." Her frown lessened, grew warmer as she glanced towards Rakau, "Luckily he has found a light to act as his anchor." Her gaze rounded on the rest of the room. "Whatever you do for this Aidan Mantuk, it has left scars on all of you." Her gaze stopped at Elise. "Unlike my grandson, you have not found an anchor of any kind to help you hold onto your humanity."

She raised her hand at the look of protest from Elise the weight behind her eyes considering and penetrating. "An anchor doesn't necessarily denote a person. It can be a concept or ideal that gives you the ability to center and focus who you perceive yourself to be and hold it close." 

Elise seemed transfixed. "Out of those in this room, I sense you are barely holding onto any concept to say that you too are part of humanity," Nana continued, "I will take you on as my student. We will begin tomorrow bright and early. Don't be late, I don't like tardy people."

Elise's eyes filled with excitement before she bowed. "Thank you master."

Nana banged the table. "None of that rubbish. Call me nana, this master bullshit is for idiotic insecure men."

A pang of jealousy shot through me. "What about me? Why can't I be your student too?"

Nana rolled her eyes. "What I have to teach is for women. There will be teachers for you soon enough. I'll make sure of it. Besides, you haven't completed your journey, grandson."

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked.

"There's a lot that I know you and you don't. But it's time you went in search of your father's people and the knowledge they hold for you."

Elise's phone dinged, indicating a message. "Aidan will be here in two minutes."

I snorted, "How long has he been hovering above us?" 

Elise refused to answer as I chuckled. 

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I opened the door. Aidan was dressed in an Armani suit, charcoal grey. Rolex on his wrist and polished shoes. 

I shook my head, "Boss man, Nana is gonna call you a preening peacock."

He looked down at himself and then up. "I was hoping to make a good impression." 

His hazel eyes were earnest and self deprecating. I smirked, "Save that look for my grandmother, your puppy dog eyes don't work on me." I ushered him in.

"Actually you better not." I whispered. "She'd see right through your bullshit. Just be honest and jeans and tee shirt would have helped you blend better." I patted him on the back.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Nui. My name is Aidan Mantuk, I'm the CEO for CSK." His smile was perfect and white, "if I'm not being so bold, I have to say if half the things Elise has said about you is true then I hope we can come to a..." 

Nana raised her hand bringing Aidan to a stuttering halt. "Cut the pretty words and bullshit."

Confusion spread on his face, hazel eyes blinking owlishly. "I beg your pardon?"

I shook my head, Aidan the idiot hadn't taken my warnings to heart. I got comfy in my seat. The fireworks were about to start. 

She stared at Aidan, her head cocked to the side. "You're older than your physical appearance. Older than me at any rate." That had everyone's eyebrows rising. According to any data and records, Aidan was in his early 60's. A well kept man who was mistaken for his 40's, but I knew nana's real age and that would mean Aidan was definitely well maintained. I guess having an AI inside your head was beneficial in covering up a digital trail.

Aidan tilted his head, his expression remaining polite but his eyes hardening. "I may not have the abilities you possess, madam, but I'm sure I could research your background and find things you wouldn't appreciate being aired so candidly."

Oh touche Aidan, touche. 

Nana smiled, although it didn't reach her yes. "I'm sure your 'hail fellow man' cheer has helped broker many deals.  I'm an old woman who has no patience to listen to your bullshit. Tell it to me straight and we'll get along fine." 

"May I sit?" Aidan asked.

"Make yourself comfy." She placed her cup in her saucer and leaned back in her chair. 

Aidan glanced around his eyes staying on Rakau the longest before returning back to Nana. 

"Should I be here?" Sean whispered to me, about to get up.

I patted him on the shoulder, urging him to remain seated. "Yes, the guy who just got told off by nana," I nodded my head in Aidan's direction, a wicked smile on my face, "will be helping fund you while you decide what you want to do." Sean looked a little overwhelmed. "Don't worry, if you're not sure what you want to do, we have a catalogue of ideas and suggestions. However since you're so young, we will probably send you to school with an extra tutor to bring you up to par with the rest of your classes."

Aidan added, a warm smile directed at Sean. "Think carefully on what career you want to do and we can make it happen. But you need to be absolutely sure, there will be no re-do's and if at any time you don't meet the requirements of your chosen profession your funding can be taken away."

Sean looked at Aidan and his lips tightened. "I've been told that if something is too good to be true, it usually is. What's the catch?"

I grinned at Sean, I liked his spunk. "Let me answer that," I said to Aidan before turning back to Sean. "I asked Aidan the same thing when he approached me. Nana didn't raise no fool."

"So what convinced you?" Sean asked.

"My power was unlocked when we met. It was a mistake on Aidan's part because a wave of uncontrolled lust spread throughout the facility. I was considered ground zero and Aidan was there along with me."

I looked Aidan's way to see him squirming a little in his chair. I chuckled as I continued, "Suffice to say, I read Aidan's mind and his emotions during my meta awakening. I knew his intentions were sincere when he offered me a similar opportunity as the one he's offering you." I could see the wheels turning in the kids head. Good he was taking this seriously.      

I turned to Aidan, "Sean may not be a meta, but he has potential and I know how much you hate wasted potential. Furthermore, he definitely qualifies for the hardship for teens fund."

Aidan folded his hands under his chin. Sean fidgeted under the scrutiny. "Hemi is right, I do encourage youth to pursue their dreams and each year I select 500 candidates to give them the funding to establish themselves in their chosen industry. The only catch, as you put it, is that you will work for CSK, utilising your talents for our benefit. In regards to the hardship fund for teens, you will need to file for emancipation from your parents if you haven't done so already, and we will need to get in touch with them." He raised his hands in a placating manner when he saw fear in Sean's eyes. "My lawyers can do all the hard work and a support person of your choosing will be with you at all times."

Nana spoke up then, grabbing Sean's hand. "Do you want me there with you for the whole process?" Sean nodded, squeezing her hand gratefully.

"I'm not sure I deserve this." Sean said quietly, staring down at the table. 

"Kid," Lucas said, "Take it from a punk like me. What Aidan is offering is a great opportunity, but you have to put the effort in. If Hemi believes you've got what it takes, then you got this. You just gotta grab this opportunity by the balls," He paused and glanced at Nana, "Sorry ma'am, I mean you gotta grab this opportunity and create something with it. My sister and I came from nothing. But we made something of ourselves and you can too."

Sean glanced my way. He swallowed nervously before his shoulders straightened. "If I do this, can I...um join your tribe?"

Why the heck was the kid asking me that? I looked at Nana for guidance. If anything this question should have been directed her way. Besides, I had no idea if he could become a true tribe member. That didn't mean he couldn't be adopted into our clan. Our culture had a tendency of raising children that weren't biologically ours and claiming them as our own. I had uncles and aunts that nana raised over the years with no blood ties, yet to this day I still call them aunts or uncles.  

Understanding my confusion, nana explained. "Rakau has been filling Sean's head up with your exploits. In his eyes, you are chief of chiefs. That title came with a responsibility. To the Patupaiarehu and the taonga you wear on your chest." She pointed to the tattoo of the feathers, "You are recognised as the Chief of Pirongia Forest, specifically of the Patupaiarehu. You represent their interests in this world." 

I blinked slowly, trying to process all of this. Everyone stared at nana and then me with wide eyes. Rakau moved up beside me, his eyes pleading. The damn man had amazing eyes. I was a sucker for such pretty eyes.

"What exactly is being asking from me and I need to understand what my responsibilities are." I directed my question to nana.

Relief flashed so fast through her eyes. Perhaps my words earlier had affected her more than she let on. Guilt filled me. I loved my grandmother and I didn't like knowing I was the cause of such...doubt. Particularly when it came to family responsibility. That was one trait she drilled into all of us growing up. It was part of the reason I was as protective of my team as I was. I saw them as family.

"I need to give you a history lesson first to explain everything. The true history not written in any books." I could see Aidan's eyes focused upon Nana, obviously storing and recording this. "Under the treaty established centuries ago," Nana continued, "The Patupaiarehu were once recognised as the true sovereigns of the land. Back then, New Zealand was called Aotearoa.

In order to protect them from what was being called the Calamity, our ancestor Chief Tu Heitia, claimed the land near Pirongia Forest as his. The Chief's seers and shamans foresaw a time of great upheaval and if we didn't protect the Patupaiarehu they would die and so would our lands. Without Patupaiarehu, our connection to mother earth and to our ancestors before us would be no more. Chiefs across New Zealand took up the call and more Patupaiarehu tribes were included into the human clans. The least human of the Patupaiarehu disappearing into forests, seas or mist in preparation of the great calamity."

I interrupted, not able to help myself. "How did the Patupaiarehu feel about having to give up their Sovereignty to human Chiefs for their own protection?"

"You forget, grandson, Patupaiarehu are powerful seers. They foresaw their downfall too. Besides, who do you think taught our people how to use Sight, or talk with wairua the way we do? Intermingling was common back then."

I nodded my head in understanding. "Where was I?" she added, "Oh yes, that's right. When the English arrived they thought their weaponry and technology would wipe us out. We didn't have the technology for guns on our side, but we made up the difference with mana. Our seers knew it was only a matter of attrition and time before our people would be worn down. To prevent more bloodshed on both sides we created an agreement with Queen Victoria. In a binding contract created by us, she agreed to protect and ensure no one ever discovered who or what the Patupaiarehu were. It was bound to her bloodline and each King or Queen afterwards must abide by the rules placed within it. In return we turned our country over to her care for a 150 years and until the Chief of Chiefs was born. Once he or she was recognised by the Patupaiarehu with the markings of the tui feathers on their skin and the cloak of chiefs, that person would be recognised as our Sovereign and the contract fulfilled." 

Aidan gasped. "You're saying the Treaty of Waitangi was an actual binding geas and Queen Victoria agreed to it?"

Nana nodded. "I'm told the original copy is within their vault. The only way to break the contract is if the entire English royal bloodline dies, or if the contract has been fulfilled."

Everyone's faces turned back to look at me once more. I'm sure I looked like a deer in headlights. I unbuttoned my shirt to expose the tattoos fully. "You're saying that this tamoko and the korowai make me the ruler of New Zealand?"

"No, Grandson, it makes you the ruler of Aotearoa."

I rubbed my face with frustration. "I'm not in the mood for riddles.  Aotearoa is the name for New Zealand." I stated.

Nana reached over and touched my hand. "Aotearoa is the home of the Patupaiarehu. Pirongia Forest held the first parts of your regalia. You need to find the children of the mists, who I suspect is where your father is from. Once you regain the Patu and Taiaha, Aotearoa will open fully."

Rakau nudged my shoulder. "I am sorry Hemi, I thought you knew all of this through our imprint."

I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. I'd done this to myself. My mind was a mental fortress. I'd designed it to ensure no one could enter without a substantial amount of effort and even if they did, they would get lost within the labyrinthine paths. In order to create such a complex labyrinth I'd learned to compartmentalise and shove thoughts, feelings and different parts of my life into these boxes and place them within secret rooms hidden throughout the labyrinth.

To prevent feeling overwhelmed, I'd shoved the knowledge I gained from the imprint into one of these compartments and left it there. With the upgrade in mana, my fortress had fed off that power and strengthened compartments and walls to restrict my sub conscious mind from accessing it. Heck even small warnings like that had been blocked while I dealt with crisis after crisis. Now that I was putting conscious effort into taking a proper look at my fortress, I'd instantly recognised the issues. The only reason a small part of the imprint got through the first time was because of Rakau. I trusted him and my mental fortress recognised he was becoming a part of me even if I hadn't realised it at the time.

I opened my eyes and squeezed Nana's hand across the table before I pulled Hemi tight to my side. I turned towards Sean on my right and clapped him on the shoulder before I drew him gently towards me in a one armed hug. "Yeah you can be part of my clan. But there are no slackers in our clan. I expect you to attend all your classes, and try your best no matter what. As long as you put effort in, and I see that you're trying to reach your potential, I will always support you. However, if you slack off, give lip to those who are there to help you in anyway. I'll tan your backside, give you a hug, remind you that we are family in this clan and work you harder, push you harder. If you can abide by those rules, then you will always be part of my clan and my family." I leaned closer kissing the side of his head, my arm pulling him close, "If you change your mind later on because I'm bossy and interfering in your life and anyone you like, that's just too bad. You asked to become part of my family and clan, so you and any potential partner or friends will have to deal with it."

"He means it too," Lucas said sourly. 

There was laughter around the table. But more importantly, I saw family. Furthermore, I would need all these people to help me. There was no way I could run a successful clan, teach Patupaiarehu about modern society and deal with the political ramifications of having land filled with untapped mana like Aotearoa at my beck and call, once I found the rest of my regalia that is. Fucking hell, I needed a holiday away from my current holiday. 

End of Chapter Five.

I hope you are enjoying my story, if so I would love feedback and appreciate all comments. Thanks to those who have already sent emails encouraging me to continue writing. It is through your efforts I have continued with this story. 

You can contact me on monkurchakar@yahoo.com.au

Monkur