by C E Johnson
Emily shook her head. “I can’t identify Droth anymore.” Her pulse was hammering away; she wasn’t sure how to help.
Dysis barked to her teams, “Choose your targets and trail Team Alpha.”
In the middle of the chaotic scene, Hadrian’s vehicle rumbled across the grass. “Are you okay?” His forehead was creased into deep furrows.
Xena bounded out of his vehicle, I should have been here with you.
I’m okay, Emily wrapped her arms around Xena’s neck. Her racing heart began to slow.
“We’re fine.” Dysis exchanged a hard glance with Hadrian. “Although at some point, you’re going to have to explain how a fourteen-year-old girl can spot criminals from so far away that I would need a telescope to see their faces.”
“I’ll fill you in soon, Dys, but Emily’s someone I’d trust with my life. Let’s go after these guys.” Hadrian chose to follow one of the vehicles heading east along Route 4. They entered Calvert County, aided by a helicopter, and eventually stopped the driver in a restaurant parking lot. Unfortunately, neither magician was in the car.
Darkness was in full force, and to make matters worse, a fog was rolling in off the bay clouding the vision of the helicopters and Coast Guard boats searching for the mercenaries. More agents were calling in reports from detained vehicles, but there was no sign of the leaders of the group. “It’s too late.” Hadrian unleashed a stream of curses, shaking his head in anger as he pounded his fist on the hood of his vehicle. “We lost Droth.”
C H A P T E R 7
Vacation
“What exactly is this event for?” Emily knew Hadrian had told her about the party, but he had been vague about the details. A valet opened her car door to let her and Xena out. They were at the Washington Hilton.
“This is a banquet to honor some public servants, such as myself.” Hadrian gave her a crooked grin as he walked to her side. He offered her his hand and they proceeded with linked arms toward the building. He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Did I tell you the President will be here.”
“You didn’t.” Emily felt breathless. She smoothed down her dress, feeling uncomfortable. There were swirls of tiny jewels glittering at the end of the wide sleeves in her green gown that brought out different hues of green in her eyes. Her hair was braided and held in a spiderweb of faint jewels that matched the color of her gown. This dress is so expensive, she thought, I should never have let Hadrian buy it for me.
You look beautiful, Xena assured her, padding silently at her side. Dr. D strode next to Xena.
“Are those dogs allowed in the banquet?” A burly secret service agent asked another guard as they approached the entryway to the hotel.
“They are,” Hadrian answered sharply. He showed the leader of the team his credentials. The man was broad-shouldered with a wide nose and dark eyes. His frowning expression changed to a gracious smile once he realized who Hadrian was. “Sir, let me personally take you and your guests in.” He guided them into a large room filled with government agents and dignitaries. Emily sat at a reserved table with her father on one side and her brother on the other. Xena and Duke sat on their haunches by their chairs.
“At least now we know a little more about Droth.” Her father moved his chair closer to Emily’s side. He was keeping his voice low. Over the last few days, while Hadrian worked with Dysis interrogating the men they had intercepted, Emily and Dr. D had sifted through the information the agents had assembled.
“Yes, now we have a face and aura signature to pair with his name,” Emily said in a low voice. She had shown them everything she had witnessed through a dream-link. A waiter came by and put several plates of appetizers on their table. There were boat-shaped endive lettuce slices topped with goat cheese, chives and parsley, along with salmon and cream placed on toasted sourdough bread. Emily shared her salmon with Xena.
“He’s coming,” Hadrian nodded toward a side hallway. They rose from their seats when the President was announced. Black magician, Emily’s ki spoke in her mind, just before the President entered the room. She could feel a sense of dread and panic rising in her chest. She whispered in a low voice, “There’s a magician here.” Her blood was turning cold and she studied the room.
Her father’s face darkened. Hadrian’s eyebrows were raised, and he fixed her with a grim look.
“A black magician’s approaching.” Emily’s pulse was rocketing upward, and her breath was coming fast. Is it Droth?
I don’t think so. Xena was up, circling their table and sniffing the air. A low growl came from the depths of her chest, sounding wonderfully dreadful to Emily. Cast your spell to lower your aura signature, Xena advised.
Emily complied, silently mouthing the words of concealing spells while preparing her shield spell. Dr. D and Hadrian followed suit.
With pomp and fanfare, the President entered with his family and several secret service agents. Emily gasped in amazement. “Do you see his aura?” she pointed toward the President’s son. “There’s a faint fringe of multi-colors around his black.”
“Malachi.” Her father was wide-eyed, staring at the young man. “He’s adopted, he must have elven blood from his biological parents.”
Emily was confused, and her mind was searching for answers to hundreds of questions that were forming. “Do you think he can see our auras?”
“I’m not sure.” Hadrian’s face was flushed. “I should have researched him sooner. He has power, but he’s untrained, raw.”
Emily leaned toward her father. “Are all elves good?” She could tell her father was evaluating Malachi’s aura just as she was. There were currents of power and intelligence, but there was also grief, secrets and mystery. The other guests at their table gave Emily disapproving gazes for her continued talking, and she felt color rise on her neck, but this was important.
“I’m not sure what his underlying intentions are or who he’s aligned with.” Her father continued to focus on Malachi. “I think we should keep our powers hidden from Malachi Hughes for the time being. Let Hadrian finish his research on him before we speak face-to-face.”
“I wonder who his birth parents are.” Emily was curious if Malachi even knew. Inside, she was dying to talk with him.
“Can you please be quiet.” An elderly lady at their table glared daggers at each of them. “The President is about to speak.”
* * *
The following day Emily sat down with her brother and father in Hadrian’s mansion for lunch. Hadrian set a sandwich and soup in front of her, along with a glass of water. Dr. D handed her a small file on Malachi. She opened the first page and studied the photograph of the President’s son. Cold shivers crept up her spine. She could almost see his aura radiating from the picture. “How many elves are black magicians?” She knew elves usually had blue or green auras.
“Not many.” Dr. D appeared apprehensive, his face was taut, his brow furrowed. “The only elven black magicians I’ve known have been in Shadoe’s family.” He hesitated. “Shadoe’s sister, Kelcey, was a black magician.”
“What do you know of her?” Hadrian asked. Emily grew silent, listening. She remembered parts of Kelcey’s history told to her by Pendon when she was on Acacia.
Dr. D sighed guiltily. “I feel somewhat responsible for her.” His eyes had a haunted look. “When your mother declined Shadoe’s offer of marriage in favor of marrying me, he went to the Dothan Forest with his allies, including his pregnant sister.” He dropped his voice lower, “Soon after she entered his new kingdom, she vanished.”
“Could she have found a portal and come here.” Emily took a bite of her sandwich, dreaming of the elves. She had only seen one elf on Acacia, and she wondered excitedly if there might be more on Earth.
“I haven’t found the traces of any elves on Earth.” Hadrian eyed her dubiously. “But then again, I didn’t find Malachi when he was right under my nose.” He flashed an embarrassed little smile. “I’ll try to arrange a meeting with Malachi soon, and I’ll see
what I can find out.”
“Meanwhile, it’s time for you to go back to Austin.” Dr. D fixed his gaze on Emily. “I’d like to keep our family together, but your parents, friends … and high school are all waiting for you.”
Emily loved the excitement around Hadrian, but she knew he was right. She missed her family. “Did you find any information on what Droth was doing?” She took a spoonful of her soup. There was flounder and beans along with saffron, herbs and spices in the broth.
Hadrian gave a frustrated shake of his head. “I’ve figured out a few clues, but not much. The meeting between the two groups was to finalize a deal between Droth and an arms dealer who has since gone into hiding.” His jaw was hard. His smile disappeared, and he pursed his lips. “I should be able to find out more soon.”
“I wonder how large Droth’s network is.” Dr. D steepled the tips of his fingers together, glancing out one of the soaring windows that looked over the woods.
“The bigger it is, the easier for me to start to unravel it.” Hadrian sounded confident. “They’re getting sloppy, exposing themselves. I’ll isolate them soon. For now, I agree with Father. You need to get back into school and lay low.” He fixed Emily with his piercing green eyes. “I’m flooding Austin with agents to protect you and to find Samil’s safe-house. It must be somewhere near Lake Travis.”
“Will Dysis be assigned to Austin?” Emily gave Hadrian a knowing smile.
“She’ll be there part of the time.” Hadrian shifted in his chair, he appeared suddenly uncomfortable. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Not as much as you seem to,” Emily teased. “Are you going to guard me also? I wouldn’t mind having my big brother watching over me.” She paused and set down her spoon, glancing at her father with a questioning look, “Which of us was born first?”
“Hadrian by a few minutes,” Dr. D chuckled. He brushed a loose strand of her hair back behind her pointed ear.
“I’ll visit often.” Hadrian flexed the fingers of his sword hand, letting the pale scars twist and dance. “I’ll be your personal guard as much as possible.”
I’ll keep you safe, Xena assured her.
Emily rubbed Xena behind her ears, moving her fingers until she found the exact spot that would give her bondsmate the most pleasure. “What about tracking Samil’s motorcycle?” She hoped her clue would be useful. She took half of her sandwich and broke it into pieces for Xena.
“I have a few leads on his Tomahawk. We’re getting closer.” Hadrian poured Emily more water from a pitcher filled with ice.
“I’ll go back to Austin to watch over Emily.” Dr. D rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I think we should also begin to discuss a coordinated return to Acacia. I want to take you both to your mother soon.”
Emily couldn’t imagine finally seeing her mother. Her heart was instantly in her throat. “I’d love that,” she had difficulty speaking.
A pack should be together, Xena spoke firmly.
Hadrian stood and went to a window. He spoke with his back to Emily and Dr. D. “I’ve been debating something.” He turned slowly to face them. “I want to take Dysis with us when we return to Acacia.” He took a slow, deep breath. “What do you think?”
Dr. D’s eyes glistened with emotion, “You two are getting serious.” He stood and went to Hadrian, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I like the thought of taking another true warrior, but I worry about how many people we should take across. We have no idea if our heightened powers will make the dragons feel threatened.”
Hadrian’s face was stoic. Emily couldn’t read his inner emotions. He coughed, clearing his throat. “I don’t think the dragons would regard Dysis as a threat, and I think she might be a valuable asset for us.” He looked to Emily, appearing to choose his words carefully, “I really like Dysis and I’d like to show her Acacia. I’m curious if she’ll accept it. I can’t advance our relationship if she isn’t open to our world.”
Emily could tell Hadrian was waiting for her opinion. She thought about friends and trust. “I believe it’s a good idea.” She spoke with honesty, from her heart. Her father dropped his hand from Hadrian’s shoulder and turned in her direction. She continued, “When I watched Dysis fighting on the Mall, I got the feeling that she might thrive on Acacia.” Her father and brother appeared startled by her conviction.
“Thanks, Em.” Hadrian inclined his head toward her.
Emily took a sip of her water. “While we’re talking about the power of friendship, I wanted to run something similar by both of you.” Her throat was instantly dry, and she took another sip. “I was hoping I could take a few friends to Acacia for one night.”
“Are you serious?” Hadrian ran his hand over his bald head. “Teenagers?”
I’m not sure if that would be safe, Xena spoke in a cautious tone in Emily’s mind.
Emily continued, unfazed by their initial concern, “Just for a night or even a few hours. A little camp-over.” She exchanged glances with her brother. “I don’t think we’re so different. I’d love to show the world to my friends, to my own little group of protectors, so they know who I really am and could be there to help me if I need it. Maybe it’s too dangerous for them, but I wanted to talk about it … to at least plant a seed.”
“Interesting thoughts from both of you.” Dr. D went back to his seat. His expression was neutral, but Emily could see a hint of a smile as she tried to gauge his emotions. “It may be risky. What if your friends talk about Acacia to others at school?”
“The same with Dysis.” Emily spoke quickly. “No one would believe them. We can blindfold them to get them to the portal, so they could never find it again.”
“I promise to think about it.” Hadrian had his own small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. “When exactly did you want to go on this secret mission?”
Emily knew he was close to giving in. “Next summer. You can interview and research each of my friends.” Her heart was racing with excitement. “I’ve already researched Dysis, and she has my vote.” She gave her brother a thumbs-up sign.
“Well, maybe you both could share the secret of the portal with your teams.” Dr. D stroked his chin thoughtfully. “The portal’s not my property, but I really like the idea that we should all evaluate each other’s candidates as a counsel of three with only a unanimous decision allowing a guest to pass. Now let’s get some sleep.” He rubbed Xena’s head. “I want to get back to my own bondsmate.”
C H A P T E R 8
Plans
Absently petting the strong, smooth scales of his bondsmate, Skyler, Samil was pensive. He was flying on dragon wings over Acacia away from the Island of Bashan. Even after all this time, the pain at the loss of his wife was nearly intolerable. Sometimes he felt as if a hole had opened in his heart. He woke nearly every morning, soaked in sweat, feeling as if his brain was bathed in acid.
I’m here for you, Skyler conveyed in words, along with a comforting blanket of warm emotions.
Samil sent his own loving thoughts across their mind-link. You’re the last dam preventing a horrible dark rage from coursing unabated through my body.
You’re my bondsmate. Skyler twisted his head around to peer at Samil with eyes filled with concern. I’ll keep you safe.
Samil rubbed Skyler between two scales in a location he knew his dragon loved, while looking at flashes of aura signatures below him as they flew. He had searched painstakingly for Emily, time and again, but there was still no sign of her. The presence of her Doberman bondsmate was his greatest clue. Since he had seen the dog both on Earth and Acacia, he knew there was a portal outside of his control.
Do you think Emily’s on Earth? Samil squinted his eyes as a rush of wind ran over his face and into his hair as Skyler dove toward the ground.
I think she is. Skyler stretched out his wings and glided just over the Acacean surface. I saw subtle motions in her that suggest a heightening.
Hopefully Droth will figure it out. Samil tried to breathe deeply to slow
the anger pulsing rapidly through his veins.
How was your last trip to Ater? Skyler asked, while soaring over timbered homes, farms, storehouses, and inns, so low, the clamor of people could be heard below. What does Drogor advise?
Drogor believes Emily will be a fly in the ointment. Samil felt flames writhing in his mind and heart as he thought over the girl. She might hinder my attempts at a full Acacean conquest. He closed his eyes, letting the wind wash over his body. Flying was therapeutic, a diversion which let him escape from the stress of life. He beat down the inner flames that threatened to consume him, and slowly opened his eyes. He tried to focus on the task at hand. An Oath-bound warrior had made a potential identification of one of Emily’s intimate friends close to Bashan. He and Skyler were going to check this out personally; he was going to have his revenge one way or another.
And how is Maaca? Skyler dipped a wing into a wide river that raced along a flat expanse between towns. Flecks of water coated Samil and he chuckled at Skyler’s antics. The sunlight glimmered on the surface in a flashing brightness of silver and gold. Spring wildflowers danced along the banks in blues, scarlets, garnets and orange.
She’s thriving in the Dothan Forest. Samil felt a sense of pride swell in his chest as he spoke of Maaca. He wiped the droplets of water from his face with the back of his hand. I’m sending another batch of half-dead warriors to her.
Why are you sending her so many fighters? Skyler sounded confused as he beat the air with his black leathery wings, gaining altitude. One mountain after another rose before them in a glory of mist and gray. Forests and hills rolled gently below them, ripening into a wondrous assortment of green hues in the powerful sun.
Samil studied the land far below him and the intentions deep in his soul. I want her strong enough to demolish Shadoe’s forces. Drogor wants me to eradicate the elves.
Do you think any half-deads will ever truly be able to challenge the elves? Skyler questioned as he leveled off, following the snake-like trail of the river winding like a young girl’s dark ribbon far beneath the clouds.
