The Gift of the Winds...

[Jason Hiller]

Jason reluctantly sat down before his knees could give out from sheer worry. He buried his face in his hands as he fought against the rising tide of panic that threatened to overwhelm him, coupled with his anger at his own helplessness. What if Zeph was in trouble, and he, Jason was just sitting here, unable to do anything about it? He choked back a sob, trying not to imagine what sort of danger Zeph might be in.

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

Aritha looked at him with distress, then quickly ran out. No one had seen Zeph since he'd left Aritha's tent... She bit her lip as her search continued to be fruitless. She got Jason's and Zeph's things from the hotel room, knowing Zeph had paid for only as long as they'd planned to stay in town. Hurrying back to her wagon, she put the bags down, looking at Jason.

Was he okay?

[Jason Hiller]

Jason looked up as Aritha returned and set his and Zeph's luggage down. His voice was strained from trying not to cry when he spoke. "Any luck? H-has anyone seen him?"

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

Aritha shook her head slowly, biting her lip until it almost felt like it was going to bleed. "No... Jason, I'm sorry. No one's seen him since we did."

Her heart sank... Zeph was really in trouble, and she had no idea where he was... no one knew. "Jason... maybe we should get you back to the island."

[Jason Hiller]

"I can't just leave him!" Jason cried, jumping to his feet. "Not after everything we've been through already! I have to do something! I have to help him! He'd do the same for me if our places were exchanged!"

He didn't care that he was shouting; he felt he had a perfectly good reason to. His boyfriend was out there somewhere, alone, maybe injured, and here he was, helpless to help him.

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

"Jason, you can't be of any use here!" Aritha shouted back, then covered her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of where Zeph might be. There were so many places... and so very few of them would have a happy ending.

"He'd want to know you're safe, Jason. The safest place around here is that island," Aritha's father said, pushing his chair to better face Jason. "You should go there and let the people who know what they are doing do their jobs. You'll just get in the way."

[Jason Hiller]

"How do you know it's safe?" Jason looked down at Aritha's father, his voice shaking. "If someone's kidnapped Zeph, who's to say they won't go after the rest of his family next?"

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

"...You didn't see the security on that island, did you?" the vampire held up a hand, counting as he went. "One, it is an island, that requires either a boat or a helicopter to get to. Two, anyone not invited can be shot. It's an implied "Trespassers will be shot" sign that is well established with the law around here. Three, you WILL be the next target if they know anything about Zephyros, which means his family will want to keep you safe. You'll be their last link to him."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason felt the blood running out of his face as Aritha's father's words set in. He sank into his chair again, his mind reeling. This was beyond anything he had faced before... and he had faced some unspeakable horrors.

"Tell me what I need to do," he whispered.

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

"You need to go with Aritha to the dock, and go back to the island. Aritha will explain what is going on, she'll go with you to face his parents. Jason, they will probably blame you... you were with him. Don't let them hurt you... you have enough to deal with and they'll be stressed and saying things they don't mean."

He looked at Aritha and said a few things to her quickly. She nodded, "Yes, Papa. Then I'll come back and help you."

"I can take care of myself, Bianca. At least for a few hours. Stay with Jason," he told her, looking at Jason's white face. "Until he's settled at least."

She nodded again, putting a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Come on... I'll help you against his parents. I might end up threatening to bite them though..."

[Jason Hiller]

Somehow or other Jason managed to vocalize a laugh, low and throaty. He drew a slow breath and got to his feet again, moving closer to Aritha and bending down to pick up his bags. A part of him refused to believe this was happening... maybe it was all a nightmare, and he'd wake up in the hotel room in Zeph's arms, both of them safe and well.

He mentally shook himself. This was real, not a dream. It would not just go away when morning came. He swallowed, looking out at the darkness beyond the wagon, and whispered a prayer to the winds. Maybe they would blow him some good fortune.

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

Aritha smiled when Jason responded to her joke, grabbing Zeph's things. She put a hand on Jason's arm, then led him to a waiting cab. She pulled out a cell phone, calling Zeph's home. They'd been told what had happened, and the first thing she heard was a blistering diatribe, insulting her intelligence at letting something like this happen to Dawn's precious son. She finally got a word in edgewise, and nodded.

"They're sending the yacht to get us. Dawn's about yelled herself out, so hopefully you'll be spared the worst of her tongue," Aritha told Jason, a hand over the phone. She was still listening to Dawn... sort of. Finally, Mr. Aetai came on the line, far more calm. Aritha told him everything she knew, nodding. "Yes sir. I'm bringing Jason back now."

She looked at the werewolf next to her, patting his arm. "It's going to be okay, Jason."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason met her eyes and nodded, wanting desperately to believe her, but his heart kept wavering. He fidgeted absently with his seatbelt, not wanting to think about what the morning would bring. His head was starting to hurt from crying and fear and tiredness, and he shut his eyes. He knew he'd never be able to fall asleep--that would be too much to ask for. He concentrated on breathing, feeling his heart beating, and remembering that wherever Zeph was, he knew that Jason would never give up on him, never abandon him. Even unto death.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Zephyros looked up hazily. It had to have been hours since he’d been beaten, but the pain made the time seem to pass so much slower… His head was jerked back and his mouth forced open as he fought them, struggling to get a hand free or something to stop them. A tube was pushed down his throat and the men made sure it was in his stomach before they started pouring… something down it. Zeph kept gagging, trying to get rid of it. He couldn’t see… it was too dark, and one eye had swollen shut from the beating he’d received. He bucked against the chair, anything to get rid of what was down his throat. The men who weren’t controlling the tube held him still, keeping him from moving.

It hurt… Zeph kept trying to gag, kept trying to clear his throat. Finally to his great relief, it was pulled free and he gasped desperately, filling his lungs gratefully. His throat hurt, his stomach hurt… all of his injuries hurt.

<That should settle him down… he got enough water there to last for a while, and the drugs should keep him quiet,> he heard. Already everything was starting to swim around him and he let his head hang again.

<When do you think they’ll get the video, boss?>

<Soon enough. Tomorrow in the mail, probably. We’ll call them tomorrow night.>

Zeph’s heart sang. Tomorrow night! He might get a chance to talk to his family as proof he was alive! He could talk to Jason! The men continued to speak over his head, but he was fading too quickly… it must have been the drugs they’d given him. At least they’d given him water too. Were they going somewhere that they wanted to keep him silent until they got back?

Tomorrow… I… w-will talk… to… to him… tom-m-orrow… he thought, the words wavering as his consciousness… and the pain, slipped away.

[Zephyros Aetai]

- - -

Mr. Aetai held the tape in trembling hands, fearing to see what was on it. The entire family was there... with police and Jason off to the side. He put the tape in the player slowly, then hit play. It took a moment, but the film started.

<You will pay two million American into an account we will tell you about. You will pay it in one lump sum, three days from now if you ever want to see him again.> A chill voice said. The only thing that could be seen was a barely conscious Zeph... his head pulled up by his hair and his eyes unfocused. They snapped suddenly into focus as he looked into the camera, in surprise. He looked as if his head hurt, and as if he had no idea of what was going on. The tape was short... it ended almost as soon as the man was finished speaking. Suddenly everything disappeared into snow.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason sat stunned, staring into the snow on the screen as he tried to remember how to breathe. His worst fears were true. Zeph was in danger--real danger--and Jason had no way of helping him.

His hands were shaking in his lap, and his eyes were burning with impending tears. He squeezed his eyes shut and balled his hands into fists. Now was not the time for crying. Zeph would want him to be strong. He drew in a shaky breath, looking around at Zeph's brothers and parents. He felt sick to his stomach, knowing how much greater their fear for Zeph must be.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Dawn was crying into her husband's shoulder, while he sat looking stunned. Euros had an uncharacteristic rage on his face. He stood and walked out of the room for a moment, and the sound of wood shattering came back to the room. Greek, what had to be very nasty cursing followed the sound, and Euros came back, his face back to its regular empty expression.

"They'll be calling soon. We should have it recorded.... and isn't there a way to trace phone calls?" Euros asked, looking at the police. They nodded, going to get it set up. He looked at Jason... and his face softened. "Are you okay?"

[Jason Hiller]

Jason drew another breath, let it out, and shook his head. His voice shook and rose quickly in volume as he answered him.

"No... I'm scared, Euros, how do you think I am?! You saw the tape too! We don't know what's going to happen, to Zeph or to any of us! You know how much I love him, how badly I need him! And now he needs me, and I can't help him!"

Tears ran down Jason's face as he shouted at the younger boy. He sucked in a breath, his fists tightening, nails digging painfully into his palms. He was grateful for the anger that boiled up inside him, for it masked the fear churning deep beneath it. He relaxed his hands before they could start to bleed, knowing he must be visibly shaking.

Every muscle in him was fired up with adrenaline. He wanted to move, wanted to run, wanted to turn wolf and tear something to pieces -- but he knew that would accomplish nothing. He needed all of his energy to help Zeph, however he could. And no-one short of the gods themselves was going to keep him from getting to Zeph if he was to get on the scent.

The scent... Jason's body went suddenly stiff as an idea came to him. If he could return to the place he'd last seen Zeph, maybe he could follow Zeph's scent to where he'd been taken, catch the scents of his kidnappers, and use them to find Zeph!

No, sighed some calm, cautious other part of his brain. The trails would be cold by now. He clenched his teeth in frustration, feeling more tears welling up but refusing to let them fall. He began pacing restlessly around the room, his eyes on the floor, his mind seething with a thousand thoughts. He needed to do something, was willing to do anything, knew he risked losing everything... and knew, deep down, that alone, he could do nothing.

[Zephyros Aetai]

Euros watched him calmly, watched him pace. Jason's yelling had no affect on him; he felt much the same way, but he didn't need Zeph the way Jason seemed to. They were brothers... but Jason and Zeph were lovers, and had been through a lot. He reached out, putting a hand on Jason's shoulder. "Maybe you should do something to distract yourself. There is nothing you can do until they call... you'll definitely be there for the call, I'll make sure of it."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason looked at Euros, not seeming to comprehend him for a moment. How would keeping his mind away from Zeph be of any help to Zeph? He needed to do something! He wanted to help!

Though... maybe Euros was right. Distancing himself from this for awhile would help him come back and look at it with a clear mind. He could try to get some sleep, or email his friends back home, or catch up with others from Dunehelden, like Ian--

A flash of sudden, blessed insight blazed across his mind, and Jason gasped aloud. IAN! He had a relative who was a police officer! If he could get in contact with them, they could HELP! He bolted from the living room, raced down the hall and skidded to a halt inside his bedroom. Lunging over to his laptop, he flipped it open and turned it on. It could never start up fast enough...

He opened an Internet browser window, logging quickly into Facebook. He wondered what time it was in wherever the heck Ian came from... would he even be awake?

Jason quickly went to compose a message, his fingers fumbling over the keyboard as he typed. Ian, I need you to help me NOW. I need to get in contact with Professor Harris. Get her to email me: [e-mail] This is URGENT!!!

He hit Send, his heart pounding and palms sweating. Now all he could do was wait for an answer.

[ianharris]

Ian's eyebrows went up about as far as they could go. Sitting in the bed in his hotel room with his laptop balanced on his knees, the boy had been on facebook for the sole purpose of checking for a message from Natalie, who was visiting her family in London. Instead of Natalie, however, Ian had found a message from Jason. As he read the short message, his heart began to race and his hands began to shake.

Something was very wrong. Ian reached for the phone and dialed the number for Paula's cell. Although the two were in the same hotel, Ian had no desire to walk down to her room, as she was probably asleep and he was in his pajamas. Nice green pajamas that he had bought with his own money and was very proud of.

After a quick conversation with Paula and quicker conversation with Natalie, Ian sat down and typed out a response message.

Jason, I talked to Paula. We're in a hotel in Paris right now. Paula can tell something is wrong and since we're in Europe anyway she's going to fly down there personally. I am going to fly to London to visit Natalie and her family so I'll have a place to go, and Paula doesn't want me in Paris by myself, and because I want an excuse to meet her parents. Paula is going to fly to Greece tomorrow morning. She would like you and anyone from Dunehelden, particularly Zeph and Aritha if she's in the area, to meet her in the coffee shop that is just past customs. And she would prefer to stay in the Aetai house (she knows you're with Zeph this summer) if that is at all possible, but that is not a requirement for her. She says that she'll help any way she can, and to tell you that she's bringing her famous gun with her.

She also assumes that due to your urgency, something has happened to Zeph or a member of Zeph's family. I don't disagree with her logic. When all this is resolved, please let me know everything's alright.

And as a side note, now that you know she's coming, I don't think she particularly enjoys being called a "police officer" for reasons she won't share with me. She likes being a "detective". Just so you know. I assume you remember what happened to that freshman that told her she was a beat cop? Just kidding... I know you're smarter than that.

I would ask how you've been but your message seems to get the point across. Do send me a message when everything is resolved. I'd love to come down and visit you and Zeph.

~Ian

[Jason Hiller]

Jason lifted his eyes to the ceiling and whimpered a soft "thank you!" to whatever deities were listening. He jumped up from his chair and grabbed his cellphone, calling up Aritha.

"Come on, come on, answer me..." he muttered to himself as Aritha's phone rang in his ear. He jumped a little as she picked up.

"Aritha!" he cried. "It's Jason. Really bad news. Zeph's been kidnapped. They want two million American dollars in three days or they'll kill him. I talked to Ian and he said Professor Harris is on her way. She said we need to meet her tomorrow morning in a coffeeshop in the airport, the one just past customs. Got all that? O-okay. Good. I'll go let Zeph's family know what's going on. Okay. Goodnight, Try to get some sleep if you can, okay? I will too. See you tomorrow. 'Bye."

[Aritha Bianca Kairavi]

"Kidnapped? What do you mean, kidnapped? Two MILLION?" Aritha was having trouble keeping up with Jason... he was giving her barely long enough to hear what he said, let alone reply. "Tomorrow at the airport.... yeah, yeah. I got it. You worry about yourself. See you then. 'Bye."

She closed her cell and threw herself at her father, burying her face into his arms as she managed to tell him everything. "And it's my fault! I shouldn't have let him go alone, he didn't know for sure where our wagon was! I just assumed he could find it without even thinking of telling him what direction it was in! And now he's going to die and it's all my fault!"

Her father pet her hair lightly, kissing her cheek. "Oh honey... it's not your fault. You were tired, and Zeph usually is more than capable of taking care of himself... He'll be okay. Sshh. You are going to meet Jason tomorrow... that's plenty of time to find him."

She nodded, clinging to her father still. Her tears slowed and stopped and she pulled away, hiccuping. "You really think so?"

"I know so. Go to bed, honey. You have a few shows tonight.... and it will help take your mind of Zeph."

She nodded, kissing her father's forehead and moving to the small walled-off corner that was her room. After a moment, she was fast asleep.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason hung up the phone, dropping it onto his bed and bolting back to the living room.

"I've just spoken with a friend of mine from school, Ian Harris. His cousin Paula -- Professor Harris -- is a detective, and she wants to help. She's flying into Greece tomorrow morning, and Aritha and I need to meet her in the airport. I'll explain everything to her there. I just finished telling Aritha, too."

He looked at Zeph's parents, knowing too well how much fear and pain they were in. "I want you to know that I am willing to do anything in my power to see Zeph returned to you alive and well. And I do mean anything."

[Zephyros Aetai]

Astraios nodded, still comforting Dawn. "We thank you, Jason. I know how much he means to you..."

Euros wasn't in the room... but the wind outside was sounding like the brothers were all trying not to start a storm. Instinctive magic could be dangerous... Zeph had shown that at school a number of times, and now three such mages were in the kind of distress that would have led Zeph to create a hurricane. And Zeph had always considered himself the weakest of the four Aetai brothers.