Chapter 100 The Buffer's History
MAGNUS
I'm old. Seventy-three years as a wolf. Fifty of those years packless.
I've seen extermination attempts before. This isn't Parliament's first time trying to eliminate organized resistance.
The young wolves in the shelter don't know. They think this is new. Unprecedented. Special.
It's not.
"Listen," I tell the gathered crew. They're having final meeting before tomorrow's battle. "I need to tell you something. History you should know."
Callum nods. "Go ahead, Magnus."
"Twenty years ago, Parliament tried this exact thing. Different location. Camden instead of Rookeries. But same situation. Packless wolves organizing. Providing mutual aid. Building community." I sit down. My joints ache. "Parliament declared them threat. Sent hunters. Over a hundred vampires and mercenaries."
"What happened?" Valentina asks.
"They failed."
Everyone stops. Attention laser-focused on me.
"Failed how?" Callum leans forward.
"The fae intervened." I pull out an old photo. Shows Camden's packless community. Fifty wolves. All dead now from age or violence. "London's Seelie Court hated Parliamentary overreach. Vampires were claiming too much territory. Killing too many supernaturals. The fae decided enough was enough."
"So they helped?"
"They sent warriors. Thirty Seelie knights. Changed the odds completely. Parliament hunters expected easy slaughter. Instead they faced fae army. Lost forty hunters in the first hour. Retreated within three."
"Why didn't Parliament just send more hunters?"
"Because the fae made it clear: continue the attack, face full Seelie Court intervention. That means thousands of fae warriors. Parliament backed down. Claimed victory anyway but actually negotiated ceasefire." I set the photo down. "Camden's packless community survived another five years before natural dissolution."
"Why are you telling us this?" Isla asks.
"Because you should ask the fae for help. Again."
"We did," Callum says quietly. "I already owe them six years service for two tasks. Can't ask for more."
"Actually..." Tom speaks up. "You could. The fae respect boldness. Ask for army support. Offer extended service. They might accept."
"How much extended service?"
"Decades, probably."
"I can't bind myself for decades. These wolves need leadership now, not after I'm released from fae slavery."
I stand. My decision is made.
"Then I'll go."
Everyone stares at me.
"Magnus, you can't..." Callum starts.
"I'm seventy-three. I've got maybe ten years left. Twenty if I'm lucky." I grab my coat. "You've got fifty, sixty years ahead. Your service is worth more. Mine's expendable."
"Nobody's expendable."
"Everyone's expendable if the alternative is extinction." I head for the door. "I'll go to the Seelie Court. Offer my service. Seven years times ten. Seventy years total. In exchange for military intervention tomorrow."
"Seventy years is longer than you'll live."
"Then my service continues after death. The fae collect souls. They know this. They'll accept the terms."
"Magnus, this is too much."
"It's survival." I look at Callum. At Isla. At all eighty-three wolves who chose community over isolation. "You built something here. Something worth preserving. My seventy years buys your future. Good trade."
Valentina stands. "Let me come with you. Negotiate better terms."
"No. You're needed here." I open the door. "Besides, the fae respect solo sacrifice more than group negotiation. Shows commitment."
"How do you even know they'll see you?"
"I was there twenty years ago. Camden extermination. I know the fae who intervened. Know how to contact them." I smile. "Old wolves have long memories. And connections."
I leave before anyone can stop me.
The walk to Blackfriars Bridge takes forty minutes. The between-space where fae gather. Where reality thins.
They're waiting when I arrive. Like they knew I was coming.
Silver-hair. Flower-hair. Ancient-driftwood. The same three from Callum's negotiations.
"Magnus Thorpe." Silver-hair's voice is amused. "Survivor of Camden. Last wolf standing from that generation."
"You remember me."
"We remember everyone we've helped. And everyone we've failed." They circle me. "Why are you here?"
"Same reason as Camden. Parliament's attempting extermination. Over a hundred hunters attacking at dawn. Eighty-three wolves will die unless you intervene."
"We intervened last time. Regretted it. Those wolves dissolved their community within five years. Wasted our effort."
"These wolves are different. They're building something permanent. Something that challenges London's power structure."
"All the more reason not to help. Permanent threats to established order bring permanent consequences." Silver-hair sits on the bridge railing. "Why should we risk fae lives for wolves?"
"Because you hate vampire overreach. Just like you did twenty years ago." I move closer. "Parliament's consolidating power. Controlling packs. Eliminating alternatives. Soon they'll own all of London's supernatural community."
"Including fae territories?"
"Eventually." I'm gambling here. "The Rookeries wolves are your buffer. Your proof that vampires don't control everything. Let them die, you're next."
The three fae exchange glances.
"Interesting argument," Silver-hair admits. "But insufficient. We need more than strategic reasoning."
"Then take me instead."
"Instead of what?"
"Callum Brennan owes you six years for two services. Debt transferable upon death. I'll take that debt. Pay his six years plus seventy more. Seventy-six years total. In exchange for military intervention tomorrow."
"Seventy-six years is longer than your remaining life."
"I know. My soul continues paying after death. The fae collect souls. You know this."
They're intrigued now. I can see it.
"Seventy-six years of service," flower-hair muses. "That's substantial. What would you do for us?"
"Whatever you ask. Within my capabilities. Until the debt is paid or my soul is exhausted."
"And Callum Brennan's debt?"
"Voided. Completely. He owes you nothing."
The ancient fae speaks. "This is permanent binding. No escape. No negotiation. No mercy. Seventy-six years means seventy-six years."
"I understand."
"Your soul will serve beyond death. Could be centuries before you're released."
"I understand."
Silver-hair stands. Approaches me. Studies my face.
"Why?" they ask simply.
"Because I'm old. I'm tired. And I've seen too many packless wolves die alone." I meet their eyes. "These eighty-three wolves chose community. Chose each other. Chose to build something better. That's worth my seventy-six years."
"You're trading everything for people you barely know."
"I'm trading everything for people who deserve a future." I extend my hand. "Do we have a deal?"
Silver-hair looks at the other two. Some silent communication.
Then they take my hand.
"We have a deal. Magnus Thorpe. Seventy-six years service. Callum Brennan's debt voided. In exchange, thirty Seelie warriors will intervene tomorrow at dawn."
The magic burns. Worse than anything I've felt. Silver-hair's grip is iron. The binding wraps around my soul like chains.
Seventy-six years. Pledged. Permanent.
"When do I start serving?" I gasp.
"After tomorrow's battle. Assuming you survive." Silver-hair releases me. "Our warriors will arrive at dawn. They'll fight beside your wolves. Turn the odds."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank us. You just enslaved yourself for wolves who might still die." They start to fade. "But we respect the sacrifice. So we'll fight hard. Make your seventy-six years worth it."
They disappear.
I'm alone on the bridge. The binding still burning in my soul.
Seventy-six years. Maybe centuries of service after death.
But tomorrow, Callum's crew gets thirty fae warriors.
Tomorrow, the odds change.
Tomorrow, they might survive.
Worth it.