The door closed with a heavy clang.
His cell phone rang.
And something flashed silver in the air behind them. Kristofer spun to see Fae warriors stepping through the slice they’d made between realms. It was right at the foot of the stairs, and he could see the wide staircase through the shimmering silver. Two warriors had seized Bree, though she was fighting and on the cusp of change.
“Give them the book and run!” Kristofer shouted.
“Not without my sister!”
Kristofer thought she was going to shift but the Fae warriors were faster. They bound her with red string, then one of them triumphantly tugged the book from her grasp. Bree fought like a tigress, kicking and biting, but like Kristofer, she couldn’t shift shape.
Kristofer had already lunged forward to help her. Two more Fae warriors fell on him and bound his arms against his body with that wicked red string. One held his wrist so tightly that he dropped his ringing phone. It clattered on the floor and stopped ringing, as if it had broken.
But they had bigger problems. The Fae warriors had already dragged Bree through the slit, shoving her into the other realm.
“Not fair! She did what you asked!” Kristofer shouted, even as he was hurled through the same gap, and fell onto the grass beside Bree. He struggled to his feet but the last warrior closed the gap, like pulling up a zipper. Silver light flashed, then was extinguished, leaving only the glow of the firestorm between them.
“What if I picked the wrong book?” Kristofer whispered.
“What if the real book wasn’t even on the table?” Bree replied. “Sebastian might have left one name off the list of those who wanted the book.”
Kristofer met her steady gaze. “Himself.”
Bree nodded. “That’s why he wouldn’t let Sylvia go. He still has the real book.”
“Shit,” Kristofer muttered, which summed up the situation perfectly.
Bree wondered if things could get any worse, then Maeve appeared in the distance. The Dark Queen was scowling as she strode toward them, which wasn’t a good sign. Bree had to wonder whether either of them would survive.
To her surprise, Kris defended her. “Why is Bree captive?” he demanded of the Dark Queen. “She did what you asked and she did it twice.”
It was startling to have anyone take her side. Bree was surprised by how much she liked it.
Maeve ignored his question, though. She took the book from her Fae warrior, who bowed deeply before her as he presented it. “Efficient as always, Bryant,” she said warmly and he smiled.
Bree dared to hope her suspicions were wrong.
She tried not to think about what would happen to Kris.
Then Maeve’s expression darkened like thunder. She tore the book in half and cast it to the ground, then glared at Bree.
Her heart sank.
“Did you really think you could fool me?” Maeve demanded.
“There were three and I chose. They all looked the same,” Kris said, placing himself between Maeve and Bree. “If you want a specific book, you should make it unique or give it a title. Maybe a mark on the cover.”
Gods, but he was fearless. Bree felt a curious pride in him.
“That’s how it got stolen,” Maeve snarled, then considered them both. “Why did you choose?” she asked Kris. “Retrieving the book is her quest.”
“We worked together,” he said with pride. “The firestorm means that we’re partners.”
Maeve smiled as she eyed the light of the firestorm. “Of course,” she purred. “But it didn’t change anything, did it? You will lead the rest of your fellow Pyr into Fae all the same.”
“The rest?” Kris asked.
Maeve moved her hands and there was a flurry of red sparks, then a glass bowl appeared before her. It was round, like a big fishbowl, and there were two salamanders at the bottom. They weren’t moving, but Bree thought they were breathing.
She didn’t understand, but Kris caught his breath in obvious recognition. “Rhys and Hadrian,” he murmured. “What happened to them?”
“A little magick to keep them quiet while we await the others.”
“Are they dead?”
“Not yet.”
“Where’s Kara?” Bree asked.
“She’s fine. I like to have a little something for everyone.” Maeve surveyed Kris, amusement lighting her dark eyes. “I’ll guess that you know what Brianna agreed to do for me.”
“To lead me into Fae,” he said without hesitation. “She believes the firestorm is fake, but it’s not. I’m glad I followed it, and I know...”
“Such touching and undeserved faith in destiny.” Maeve stepped closer.
“At least I keep my word. You changed the deal after I was here, sending her after your book, too.”
Bree tried to warn him with a glance. Annoying Maeve wasn’t going to help them.
Kris didn’t look at her, though. “What’s so important about a little book?” he demanded.
“I’ll tell you why my little book is important,” Maeve said, steel in her tone. “First of all, it’s mine and it was stolen, and I have every right to want it back. Secondly, it’s an inventory of all the creatures in the world who are abominations.”
“Abominations?” Bree echoed.
“Impure creatures. Tainted beings.” Maeve bit out the words. “Violations of all that is good.”
“I don’t understand,” Kris said slowly.
“There is Fae,” Maeve said with vicious precision, making a gesture with her hand to her left. “Immortal, soulless, eternally young, beautiful. Perfect.” She nodded once. “There is human,” she continued, gesturing to the right, and it was clear she saw these two kinds as polar opposites. “Mortal, feeble, overwrought by their emotions, and generally much less beautiful. Imperfect. Yet we co-exist. Our worlds intersect and overlap but are distinct. We don’t have to interact if we choose not to do so. And the magick remains in the jurisdiction of Fae. The world of mortals is mundane and dull, ruled by logic and physical constraints.”
Bree held her tongue, but knew it hadn’t always been that way.
“How do the Pyr fit in?” Kris asked.
“You don’t. You are one of the species that is an abomination. Half human, half mythological creature.” She sneered. “You are flawed beyond redemption.”
“Some of our kind argue that dragons were real.”
Bree could have argued that herself, but instead she just listened.
“Half beast then,” Maeve said, widening her eyes slightly. “It’s scarcely better. You aren’t one or the other, neither fish nor fowl, as mortals say.”
“We shift shape.”
“It is not a natural talent among mortals,” Maeve insisted. “Shifting shape is the mark of the divine, also claimed by the Fae now that the gods are fading away. You have no right to seize that ability...”
“I was born this way,” Kristofer protested.
“Which does not make your existence right. You will die this way,” she said with heat. “And when I have obliterated the Pyr from the surface of the earth, from the realm of mortals and the dominion of Fae, I will stroke your kind out of my book and consider the world to be a better place. A purer place.” She leaned closer and spat her next words. “I will put a date on the page, after I have put a line through the name of every member of your kind from my itemized list of your population. I will hunt you all down, and see you extinct.”
Kris looked shaken by her vehemence. “I won’t lead my fellow Pyr to their destruction.”
“You don’t have to,” Maeve said with a smile. She indicated the salamanders. “They will come to save you. They will follow the light of the firestorm to their doom.” The prospect obviously gave her pleasure.
“No!” Kristofer shouted and struggled against his bonds again.
“Oh, yes,” Maeve said, then turned her attention upon Bree.
Bree held the Dark Queen’s gaze unflinchingly. “And how does my kind fit into y
our scheme?” she asked, hiding her anger. Fury was an effective weapon and she’d prefer to keep the magnitude of hers a surprise.
It wasn’t the only surprise she meant to hide from Maeve. Sooner or later, there had to be a strategic moment, one she could use to advantage.
“You don’t. Creatures of the divine, pets of the gods, you’re not mortal or Fae. You straddle the line, immortal but not always beautiful and certainly not soulless.”
“So we get to live.”
Maeve chuckled. “It doesn’t matter. Your existence is bound to that of your ruling deity and we know the old man is fading quickly. It’s the problem with divinities, you know: they need to be worshipped. It’s the reason for their existence, so when they fail to be worshipped because times change and other deities take ascendance in the hearts and minds of mortals...” Maeve snapped her fingers, her implication clear.
Bree would have liked to have argued that with her, but she’d seen the old man just the year before. And her other twenty-five sisters had abandoned the realm of mortals to remain in Valhalla. She knew that times changed—and she was realizing in Kris’s presence that immortality wasn’t what it used to be.
It was lonely, and a bit boring. She hadn’t felt so vital in almost a thousand years.
“Why do you think there are only two of you left in the world?” Maeve demanded. “Natural attrition will do the work for me.”
“You lied,” Bree said.
“No. I told you a partial truth and you failed to realize as much.”
“Word games,” Kris said hotly. “You’re cheating Bree of her freedom.”
Maeve eyed him for a long moment. “What curious creatures you Pyr are,” she mused. “You and all your kind are going to die. Your fellows are already captive and you are bound helpless to await your fate, yet you are concerned with the value of my word, not to mention this Valkyrie’s future. You do recall that she’s the one who tempted you into Fae in the first place?”
“It’s not her fault. It’s the firestorm, and it’s always right,” Kris insisted, his eyes blazing. He was fighting hard against his bonds again, apparently oblivious to the welts and cuts that red string was making on his skin. “She’s my destined mate, whatever her nature, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to defend her.”
Maeve fluttered a hand over her heart. “Do you really believe such nonsense?” She leaned forward and caught Kris’s jaw in her hand. He tried to tug away but her grip was too strong. Her gaze bored into his and he clenched his teeth, shaking his head.
“Get out of my mind!” he muttered, but Maeve didn’t move.
In fact, her manner became even more intense.
Kris made a little groan, then tried to shake her off with obvious revulsion. Maeve persisted and he shuddered suddenly from head to toe, and passed out.
“He does believe it all,” Maeve said with apparent surprise. “How very...noble. Or is it misguided?” She laughed and the Fae warriors, two holding Kris upright, laughed along with her.
Bree kept her gaze fixed on the ground, not wanting to the subjected to the same interrogation. She had too much to hide. Let Maeve think her complacent.
She heard Maeve’s heels as the Dark Queen walked around them. “We still have a problem, Sigrdrifa,” Maeve said and Bree braced herself. “Your sister remains my captive. The Pyr do seem to be responding predictably, so it could be argued that you kept your word, but I still don’t have my book.” She pivoted in front of Bree, turning to face her. “I could release you, but you might warn the Others of my plan.”
Bree didn’t argue that they might already know of it, if any of them had looked inside the book, but she said nothing and kept her eyes downcast. “What do you want me to do?” she asked, trying to sound submissive.
Kris stirred and Maeve smiled. “I want to see him learn the truth about this so-called firestorm. I don’t want to miss that part of the show.”
“I told him already,” Bree insisted. “He didn’t believe me.”
“Then you’ll stay until you convince him.”
“There’s only one way—” Bree began and then she fell silent.
Maeve must have read or guessed her thought because she laughed again. “Oh, I would like to watch that.”
“You’re changing the deal again!”
“I am.” Maeve agreed easily. “I like things in threes. Three captives. Three conditions for your release.” She tipped her head to study Bree, her eyes gleaming. “Shall we say sex three times with your destined mate before the entire Fae court? We like sex, whether we’re having it or watching others have it. Although I should warn you that some might feel compelled to join in.”
“No!” Bree protested. “No! I won’t be put on display like an animal for your entertainment!” It was disgusting and degenerate, undignified, and insulting to both her and Kris.
“Then I’ll have to think of something else.” Maeve turned to walk away. “Lock them away,” she commanded, tossing the words over her shoulder. “I have a party to attend.”
Bree took a breath, intending to recite the charm she’d been given, but before she could utter a sound, the Fae warrior smacked her on the head from behind. The ancient words died on her lips as consciousness slipped away.
Her heart filled with the conviction that she and Kara would never be free of Fae again—but her last realization was that Kris wouldn’t either.
Never mind that his predicament was all her fault.
Six
Kristofer awakened in his human form, his hands bound over his head. He didn’t know how much time had passed: he was surrounded by the sizzling golden glow of the firestorm and couldn’t see anything but darkness beyond it. He was pulled taut to his full height and shivered at the recollection of Maeve’s fingers in his mind, poking through his thoughts. Even the memory made him feel violated and unsettled. He’d be happy never to experience that again.
The air was cool but not cold. Kristofer tugged instinctively on his bound wrists, then tipped his head back. That red string was tied around them, looking insubstantial and weak, but he still couldn’t break it. He tried to shift and failed, just like before, and swore softly that there was consistency in Fae.
He felt as if he’d missed something important in the muddle of things said in his presence since he’d arrived in New York, and it wasn’t just because Maeve had left his thoughts all jumbled.
Red string. Where had he seen a red string before going through that portal?
There was something else, too.
There was someone behind him, bound the same way, and the golden light told Kristofer that it was Bree. At least they were still together. He inhaled her sweet scent and smiled at the heat that filled him, flooding from every point they touched. She bumped against him a little, but didn’t catch her breath or move away.
He turned slightly to get a better look at her face and saw that she had passed out. She was hanging from her bonds, her body limp. He wondered if she was faking it, then looked up and saw that her hands were turning white from lack of circulation.
Nobody would fake that.
Just the sight make him grimace in recollection.
Even if they were doomed, Kristofer had to do something to help her. He caught her between his knees and tossed her up, trying to catch her legs between his so that her feet were off the ground. It took him three times to manage it, thanks to her smooth leather boots, but then he had her. Bree’s toes dangled above the ground and he held the lean strength of her captive between his thighs. There was slack in the cord over her head and he heard her sigh.
The firestorm heated to a brighter shade of yellow and Kristofer had to agree that it was pretty hot holding his mate like this. Bree’s curves were pressed against his chest and her thighs were trapped between his own. Best of all, her face was level with his and he took the chance to study her again. She was beautiful but he was more impressed with her fighting skills than her looks. He liked her persistence, too. She was smart—
and that talking to the dead thing was very cool. He thought of her in her Valkyrie form and his heart skipped a beat that she should be his mate.
He couldn’t figure out why she kept trying to convince him otherwise. As far as he could see, they were perfect together.
Her lashes fluttered and she leaned her cheek against his. He saw her hands move as she rotated them, trying to restore the feeling. Her sleeve slipped down toward her elbow and he saw that tattoo on her forearm again.
He wondered again what it meant. He had to think it was some kind of symbol of being a Valkyrie, kind of like the dragon tattoo on his own chest.
More common ground.
When he glanced at her again, she was watching him through her lashes. He could feel her heart beating so close against his own and was filled with incredible contentment.
If this was to be his last moment, it was a pretty good one.
He refused to believe this would be the end. There had to be a way to escape.
“Why’d you do that?” she asked in a whisper.
“What?”
“Lift me up. You don’t have to. You can put me down.”
Kristofer smiled slowly, liking how she watched his mouth and blushed a little. “I kind of like it,” he murmured.
Bree lifted a brow. “A last wish?”
Kristofer chuckled. “Not exactly. I don’t think we’re going to die.”
She raised her brows, apparently not sharing his view.
“It was your hands. I couldn’t stand the sight of them. It just looked painful.”
She lifted her head and tossed back her hair. Kristofer was sure he’d never seen a more beautiful woman, much less had one trapped between his knees. She was forthright, too. He liked that she didn’t flinch from the awkward bits. “But I tempted you into Fae and now you and your kind are all going to die. You must remember that part.”
“I also remember having my hands burned once. It drove me crazy not being able to use them or do anything when they were all bandaged up. I can’t stand them being cold or numb, even now, and I couldn’t bear the look of yours. Call it a weakness.”
Dragon's Kiss (The DragonFate Novels Book 2) Page 13
