"Well, since you can both siphon energy, I'm hoping we might be able to use that," Daimon said.
"That's what I figured. But it might not work you know," Caro said.
"I think you would find a way to make it work," he replied with a little smile.
"I don't want to help the Irod either, but I do like this idea," Elan said.
Caro scowled at her brother but didn't protest. "I suppose we can go meet the queen, see what she has to say."
Elan nodded. "We need to make the most of it, learn all we can about them and where they hold our people."
"It's agreed then, we'll go meet their queen tomorrow," Daimon said, and stood. "In the meantime, let’s follow Irum and his soldiers and see where they went."
In seconds Daimon shifted with the saddle and gear on his back. The twins climbed up with ease, and then they took to the air.
"How are we going to keep them from seeing us?" Caro asked.
"Well, you do know that dragons can cloak themselves, right?" Daimon asked.
"I forgot, but yeah," Elan said.
"That doesn't help us, though," Caro said.
"You don't think the demons would see two kids riding the air and think it’s just their imagination gone wild?" Daimon asked.
“They might, but are you going to heal us when we’re shot full of arrows?” Caro asked.
“Good point,” Daimon said. "Can the two of you tap into my energy, and pull my cloaking around all of us?"
"You do know that asking us to do that could be dangerous, right?" Caro asked.
"I think I’d rather take my chances on the demons’ arrows than fall from the sky again," Elan said, teasingly.
"Be brave,” Daimon said. “I trust you both with my life.”
"Your folly then." Caro snorted.
“It’s not working,” she said a few minutes later.
“Well, make it work, we’re getting close to the city,” Daimon said.
“Yes, Mr. dragon, bossy pants!” she said with exasperation in her tone. But not a second later Daimon felt an internal tug. "I think it worked.”
Daimon smiled inwardly.
"How do we tell if we're invisible?" Elan asked.
"I guess we'll know when the demons start shooting at us," Daimon said.
"That is so not reassuring," Elan said. "By the way, where did Irum and the others go, I can no longer see them."
"This way," Daimon answered.
"How do you know?" Caro asked.
"Dragons have enhanced senses."
"You mean that you can smell them?" Caro asked.
"I can, yes."
"And that's not at all disturbing," she muttered.
It only took a few minutes before they spotted the demons.
No one looked up, yelled, or shot anything whatsoever at them.
"I think we're good," Daimon said, as the Irod led them back to what remained of their devastated city.
They passed the entrance to the tunnel where they'd originally exited, and continued on, deeper into the heart of the place. All around, there were Demons coming and going. Soldiers, civilians, families and children that the adults kept close. Amid all of that, they spotted the odd human.
Daimon committed as much of the city to memory, knowing that when they came back this way they'd be on foot, and he wanted to know his way around.
Of course, it didn't help that an itch in the base of his skull had started up once again, the same one that told him there was someone tracking them.
Chapter 16
Irod Queen
The next morning Irum was waiting for them on the outside of their warding, while the rest of his soldiers stood down below on the ground. The person in the blue cape was nowhere in sight.
"We've decided to hear what your queen has to say," Daimon spoke for the three of them.
"Good, then follow us," Irum said.
Daimon thought of saying they'd meet him there, then decided against it. If the witch who'd been monitoring them the day before, as they tracked the demons back to the Irod city, hadn't revealed that little fact, then Daimon wasn't about to say anything.
Irum scrambled back down the wall, and Daimon shifted into his dragon. Then the twins climbed aboard. This time they flew in full sight.
The three of them kept their eyes peeled for other Ilyium witches, and Daimon noted that when they did spot any, they were stationed one or two with a squadron of Irod soldiers.
Daimon shifted into his human form once they got to the city, and then they followed Irum and his men down one street, then another, before entering a tunnel that led well underground.
They arrived in front of a set of double doors and waited as two Irod servants opened them, then stepped back for them to enter.
They were led into a room large enough to be a ballroom.
Irod soldiers were stationed every few feet along the walls just in front of long tables.
Civilian demons, shorter and slighter in stature than the fighters, but dressed in attire suitable for a ball, stood in groups around the room, either whispering or chatting quietly. Here and there among them Daimon spotted the odd human.
Daimon and the twins were led down the room to the far end where the Irod queen sat waiting upon a raised dais.
Attired in a shimmery black sheath of a gown, she perched upon a black marble throne with thin gold striations. To her left stood a human male with golden hair who appeared to be about Daimon's age. He wore nothing but a pair of loose black pants sashed at the waist, and judging by his toned body and oiled chest, was here for the queen's pleasure. Irod guards surrounded the queen and her human male.
Irum led the way, while more soldiers joined them, flanking Daimon and the twins.
They were stopped about twenty feet from the queen's dais and their guards moved back just enough to give them space, but also close enough to jump into action if needed.
Behind them the double doors closed with a loud thump that echoed through the room.
Daimon studied the queen. She was smaller than her soldiers, with bright red skin and dainty golden horns. She appeared every inch a leader, though also very young. Still, looks could be deceiving, especially for those who weren't human and didn't age as such. Yet he didn't think he was too far wrong this time. He pegged her about thirty at the most.
Aware that the spelled bomb he'd detonated in the portal would have sucked away all the Irod queen's energy, Daimon hadn't expected to see her sitting so straight and regal.
"My queen," Irum said, and gave a quick bow before taking up a position on her right.
She acknowledged him, then surveyed Daimon and the twins with black eyes that glittered gold. "I finally get to meet the ones who've caused so much trouble for me."
Daimon was about to object and say that they had also tried to help warm her people when the red fog rolled in, that they had in fact saved a small demon boy who would have died if not for him, but then decided to hold his tongue.
"I know Irum has told you of my request for your help," the queen said.
Who was Irum to her, an advisor? A trusted confidant? Her general? Whatever position the demon held, it was obviously close to his queen.
"He has," Caro said. "And we haven't decided if we want to help you yet or not."
The queen raised one black eyebrow.
Daimon wondered if her reaction was surprise over Caro speaking and not Daimon, or at what Caro had said.
Daimon pretended not to notice as he inspected everyone around them.
The double doors behind them opened, and silence fell. It was a different silence than when the queen had spoken. This was one of held breaths, or as he looked around, Daimon wondered if it was fear. The faces all around them held differing expressions. Some fear, some curiosity, but most were tense and disdainful. Who could cause such a reaction?
He looked back, and his pulse began to race.
It was her. The dark-haired female—the warrior he'd seen on the battlefield.
/> Adorned in her black battle leathers, and filled with a quiet confidence, she didn't look at anyone as she strode purposefully up to the queen.
They spoke for a moment, then she went to stand beside Irum.
A ripple went through the room, and tensions eased slightly, though Daimon heart continued to pound. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
As if she sensed his interest, pale blue eyes finally met his gaze.
Daimon felt as if a bomb had detonated in his heart, one that ruptured and sealed him back together all at once, leaving it beating stronger, faster, harder. Out of control. He fought not to rub his chest as he felt her searching him, questioning, a light touch on his mind that swept all the air left from his lungs. Her magic was a warm breath consuming him.
And then he knew.
She was the one he'd felt watching them, most likely the one to lead Irum and his demons to their cave the day before. But he didn't sense any malice, just a curiosity and an almost fae wildness about her.
Mesmerized, he couldn't break free. He wanted to go to her, to hear her voice, learn everything about her.
As if satisfied, the female warrior broke contact and focused on the queen.
Daimon tried to as well, but had a hard time doing so with all the questions running through his mind. Who was she? She appeared around twenty years of age, and she was obviously working with the Irod. But he didn't think she was Ilyium.
"I could force you to help us," the queen said, drawing Daimon’s attention back to her.
"You already tried that, how'd that work for you?" Caro asked, chin raised defiantly as she purposely eyed all the civilians in the room before looking back at the queen.
Around them the soldiers tensed.
"You dare to threaten me and mine in my home?" she asked. "There are other ways to gain cooperation."
Caro shrugged. "You threatened us first."
The queen narrowed her gaze on the three of them for a long moment, then seemed to come to a decision. She waved her fingers at her soldiers, and they relaxed. Then she focused back on them. "Irum has informed me of your opinions on how you and the other witches came to be here. However, you must understand, as queen, it's my duty to see to the survival of my people, no matter what it takes, and the Rhapaskiru is destroying us, just like they destroyed our city."
"How is that our problem?" Caro asked.
"Maybe it's not, but what if the three of you can help save my people from annihilation?"
Caro and Elan shared a glance, then looked up at Daimon.
"We have questions about this war. When did it start, and why?" Caro asked.
"That is not important, what is, is whether you'll join our fight and help us survive. I know you and your brother are very powerful witches. I have a feeling your talents would be invaluable." She looked at Daimon. "And having a dragon on our side could also be a good thing. Maybe even turn the tide on our situation."
"If we agreed, and that's a big if," Daimon said, feeling the dark-haired female's eyes on him once again, and fought her pull. He couldn't afford to be sidetracked. "The twins and I won't be separated. We fight together as a team."
Beside him Caro and Elan nodded their agreement.
Irum shook his head and spoke to his queen. "It would be more beneficial to us if their talents were spread out over three squads."
"Not happening," Daimon said.
The queen studied him, then simply nodded. "I imagine you do make a good team." Irum went to speak again, but the queen raised her hand and he shut his mouth. "Now, what else is stopping you from joining us?"
"We require food of course, but after we help you win this war, we want to be sent back to our world," Daimon said.
"Yes, Irum mentioned that. He also said you have an idea of how to make such a thing happen sooner rather than later. I'm curious to hear this idea," the queen said.
Daimon spoke telepathically to the twins. "Do I tell her about your unique gift that might help her gain the power needed to open a portal?"
"I'd rather not, but if we join them, they are likely to find out," Caro said, and Elan agreed with her.
"If we help you, then that is what we want, and not just for the three of us, but for all the humans you've kidnapped and brought here," Daimon amended.
The queen's black clawed fingers tightened ever so slightly on the arms of her throne. "Fine. The ones who wish to return through the portal will be allowed to do so when we open it."
There were many gasps, but as the queen swept her court with a raised eyebrow, everyone quieted. Irum exchanged a glance with the female warrior at his side.
Curious. Daimon wondered what he'd missed, but then decided to examine it later.
"Wish to return is a very interesting choice of words, don't you think?" Caro said.
"Yes," Elan said.
"I agree." Daimon then addressed the queen. "We will give you our answer tomorrow." He was ready to leave, well, not really, what he wanted more than anything was to talk to the dark-haired female. But they needed to depart this place, and he imagined the twins were ready to be gone as well so that they could discuss everything in private.
"Very well," the queen said. The doors behind them opened, and a herd of servants entered carrying platters piled with food. "Now, it would please me if you'd stay and enjoy the feast that I've had prepared."
"Do we have a choice?" Daimon muttered under his breath so only Caro and Elan could hear.
Chapter 17
Isla
As the food was laid out on top of tables along the walls, the queen stood. Her human companion came up beside her, and she linked her arm through his. Then they descended the dais toward Daimon and the twins. Her guards followed close behind. "I imagine you have questions, feel free to mingle and ask those questions."
"Are we really going to mingle?" Caro asked sarcastically as the queen went to chat with some of her subjects.
"It might be a good way to get some answers," Daimon said, keeping an eye on the one single warrior he was most eager to meet. She and Irum were in a deep conversation at the moment.
"And eat," Elan said.
As they made their way over to the tables, a couple soldiers fell in behind them, while the others kept their eyes on them. They filled some plates and were busy trying not to moan over all the delicious food, when Irum came over to them.
"I am here to answer your questions," he said.
"Who are you to the queen?" Daimon asked.
"I am her general, I command her army," Irum said.
"When did this war start, and why?" Caro asked.
"About ten years ago," Irum said.
Daimon gazed around, his eyes lighting on some of the humans in the room who were obviously companions for the Irod. "I take it they are the humans and Ilyium witches that you kidnapped at that time?"
Irum followed his gaze. "They are not, and never were forced. In fact, each are always given the choice in whether they want to take one of us as mate or not."
"As mate?" That surprised him.
"What did you expect, that they were our slaves?" Irum asked.
Well, yeah. "What kind of choice exactly is it that they are offered?" Daimon asked, looking into the black eyes of the demon in front of him.
"I do not understand."
"It's really not that hard," Caro said. "If they chose not to mate one of you, what would happen to them then?"
"I see. Well in that case they are offered work in various places, and if they have any magical ability, they are honored even more in their position," the queen's general said.
"So is he—" Daimon indicated the queen's human companion. "The queen's mate then?"
"Caspian, no," Irum said. "He is merely her lover."
"What do the MB's want?" Daimon asked.
"MB's?" Irum asked.
"Yes, remember, that’s what we call the mutant butterflies, what you call the Rhapaskiru," Elan said.
"Yes, right. As for what they want, we are rea
lly not sure. We've failed at all communications with them. We don't know if they can't understand us, or if they just choose not to converse."
"Kind of like you guys did when the Ilyium and my father tried to open communications with you on Tartaria," Daimon said, unable to hide his anger.
Things could have gone so differently if they'd come to some agreement.
"I already told you, we spoke with Herasa, she refused to help us," Irum said.
Caro's eyes darkened, and her mouth opened as if she was going to argue, but Daimon cut in. "Still, my father tried to open negotiations with you, and you refused. Things would have been so much better if you had. Anyway, what about the mutant flying spiders? We saw them picking up your dead and wounded and carrying them away."
"You may be right, but there is nothing to do about the past now,” Irum said. “As for the spiders, again, we don't know why they do what they do. They and the Rhapaskiru like to take anyone they can capture, including our children."
"Have you ever followed them to see why, or to learn where they go?" Elan asked, reminding Daimon of the Celtylight and the spiders.
"We've tried numerous times, but each attempt to discover these things failed. We were never able to keep up. They don't always fly away in the same direction."
Daimon traded glances with Elan and Caro. "I'd say it's a pretty good guess Elan was right about what was in those cocoons hanging all over Celtylight."
"Celtylight?" Elan said.
"What the heck is that?" Caro questioned.
"You know, the lightning tree in creepy spider-land," Daimon said, one eye on the female he had such a reaction too.
"Why are you calling it Celtylight?" Caro asked.
"Uhm, cause that's what it's called." The female Daimon itched to meet was finally alone and headed over to the tables.
"How do you know this?" Elan asked, popping a piece of food into his mouth and chewing.
"What?" Daimon realized he'd never told them about the energy inside him. "I just know." Then he switched to verbal speech and looked at Irum. "Why did it surprise everyone when the queen agreed to our terms?"
Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology Page 78
