The Final Calling

by Angela Colsin

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she laid her cheek back on his chest and grumbled, “Son of a bitch, why is it so hard to say?”

  Grinning, he answered, “Because you actually love me and you're still denying it.”

  “Shut it.”

  Isaac chuckled, stroking her back. “Alright, but if you wanna know the truth, I've had orgasms during full on sex that weren't as good as the one you just gave me.”

  Edith tilted her head up as if to gauge his expression. “No horseshit?”

  “No horseshit.”

  A momentary smile lifted her lips, but then she sighed. “I'm glad, and I don't regret this, but … ”

  She thoughtfully trailed, prompting him to ask, “What's wrong, angel?”

  “I … I'm not sure,” she whispered, finally returning her gaze to his. “Things are different between us now, aren't they? You know I've never been intimate with anyone, and it might not seem like much, but to me, this was—”

  “Edith,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “I don't take anything with you for granted, but I don't think exchanging a few orgasms means you've committed. Otherwise I'd ask you to release me from my oath.”

  At that, she exhaled slowly, and her gaze drifted away. “Okay, but I'm not just worried you think I've signed on for the long haul. I also … I don't feel like I did it for the right reasons, and I led you on.”

  “How?”

  Groaning, Edith turned away to sit up at the edge of the mattress. After a brief pause for thought, she asked, “You know how I was so isolated as a teenager?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I wanted to go out, make friends, and just … not feel so lonely. So I keep thinking the only reason I did this is because I'm finally getting attention from someone, like I'm just using you.”

  “You can use me anytime,” he drew out in an attempt at humor. But apparently, Edith didn't think it was funny.

  “No, Isaac!” she shot back, standing from the bed to take several steps away before turning to face him near a few stacks of boxes. “That's not fair to either of us. I don't wanna be with you just because I was thinking it was a sure thing. And you deserve someone who wants you because she wants you, not because she's so desperate she'll settle for the first guy that shows an interest.”

  Isaac could think of a million things to say in response to that, but settled on a simple, “Oh?”

  “Yes! Don't you think you deserve that?”

  “Okay, let me get this straight,” he began, sitting at the edge of the mattress with his arms draped over his knees. “You think you're a bad person because you didn't mess around with me for any other reason than the need to satisfy an emotional yearning for attention. You also care about me enough to think I deserve better than someone who'd use me to get it.”

  Edith's expression softened as she considered it. “Well … yeah.”

  He scoffed. “If that makes you a bad person, angel, you've got about as much worrying to do for your soul as a saint handing out food to beggars on the street. You didn't fucking use me.”

  “I did, too! Just like I only let you help on my Calling because I knew you were skilled.”

  “Edith, there's an asshole ruling a demon empire who wants you dead. Sounds like you could use the help to me,” he retorted, standing to approach her. “What you did was natural. You wanted to be close to someone, and so what if you knew I wouldn't turn it down? You know how long I've waited and how much I want you.”

  Intending to get within arm's reach of her, Isaac suddenly found himself stopping mid step as a compulsion of his oath held him back—it'd already kicked back in.

  Grumbling, he gave Edith a pointed look, and she seemed a little surprised that he was being restrained from getting closer so quickly. But she didn't hesitate in nodding to allow it.

  Finally coming to stand within a foot of her, he added sincerely, “So as far as I'm concerned, today's been the best fucking day of my life. You are perfect, Edith, and if you're ever curious about anything, especially sex,” he grinned deviously, “all you gotta do is ask.”

  “But it's more complicated than that. I mean, isn't it? Or am I putting too much stock on sexual intimacy?”

  Isaac shrugged. “Put as much stock into it as you want. Means a lot to most people. But if you feel like messing around with me was too soon, we won't do it again until you're ready. Simple as that.”

  Knowingly, she pointed out, “Right, like that wouldn't annoy you.”

  “Edith,” he muttered, thinking of another way to explain things. “Okay. Yes, I want you. I'm ready to throw you back on that mattress right now, rip your clothes off, then bury my cock so deep between your legs you'd think I couldn't pull it out again.”

  She looked overwhelmed by his description, and Isaac's shaft hardened at the mere thought of his mate's excitement, making it difficult to focus.

  Still, he added, “But let me put it this way. Let's say you agreed, got on the bed and said do me, Isaac—”

  “Do me, Isaac?” she echoed in amused disbelief.

  He waved a hand, “You know what I mean. Point is, if we had sex and you realized you weren't ready for more, then that's that. You need to do shit however you're comfortable with doing it, and it doesn't have to mean we're an item.”

  “Even though you see me as your mate?”

  “That just means I need to give you whatever you need, and that I'm not giving up.”

  She looked down contemplatively, then nodded. “I think I see what you mean. Guess I'm just being difficult.”

  “Nah, you're just figuring shit out,” he shrugged, knowing she was smart enough to work through her troubles with ease.

  And all he wanted was to come along for the ride.

  Still, Edith seemed uncertain, her brows drawing together over her eyes. “I thought you'd be angry about this.”

  “Why should I be angry?”

  “I don't know, because I'm not just bending over for you—no pun intended,” she rushed out, “so don't go there.”

  “Too easy,” he grinned, “and I've got no reason to be angry, angel. At most, I'm annoyed by that damned vow you made me take, but I've got eternity to win you over.”

  “Yeah, and I don't, not yet,” she muttered as if her mortality was an issue for her, then thoughtfully waved a hand, adding, “But maybe I should—oh.”

  Isaac wanted her to finish her statement, the concern in her voice making him wonder if she feared failing her Calling and eventually leaving him behind. But as she'd spoken, Edith's hand accidentally smacked against the stack of boxes settled nearby, jostling them.

  As a result, a clank sounded against the floor, and they looked down to spy a pendant made of two wyvern's claws that had fallen from the top.

  Isaac easily identified it as an old gift from Dalris, and Edith leaned to pick it up with a lot more interest in her eyes than he thought the necklace warranted.

  Unless she'd just found a new sign.

  “What's this?” she asked curiously.

  “Wyvern claw,” he answered. “Dalris gave it to me. Not sure if you remember him or not.”

  “I do. He fed me blood when I was a daywalker.”

  Isaac nodded—and he hadn't forgotten that incident. Just before Edith started training as a mage, she'd been turned into a daywalker by a vampire who'd been hunting Charlotte. But thankfully, vampire blood and draconian blood didn't mix, so Dalris fed her some of his to reverse the process.

  Otherwise Edith would've eventually transformed into a ghoul.

  “That reminds me, I owe him a drink,” he pointed out.

  Edith smirked, “If you owe him a drink for that, then I owe him a whole pub. I saw a few ghouls in Ithelyon, and … ,” she shivered in disgust, quickly changing the subject. “Anyway, about this claw, is it just an accessory?”

  “Sort of. Draconians give them to outsiders as a sign of trust, like you're extended family. Why? Do you need one for your staff?”

  “Not
exactly,” she shook her head. “But I know I need some kind of claw.”

  “Maybe it's related to a wyvern, then,” he suggested. “Like a drake, or a dragon?”

  “A dragon,” Edith repeated, though she looked hesitant, as if that wasn't quite it. “I think there's something more. It's not a dragon claw, it's a … ”

  As she trailed, Isaac supplied, “A Great Dragon's claw?”

  “Yes! That's it exactly!” she announced excitedly, leaning up to impulsively kiss him in gratitude.

  Under normal circumstances, Isaac would've grinned and grabbed her for a more thorough kiss. But his mind had seized on something altogether different, and a stone of dread settled in the pit of his stomach—there weren't any Great Dragons in Terra, and he couldn't follow her to another realm without breaking his binding.

  Not that a new binding couldn't be forged, but it was still a risk. Rothario had his summoning crystal, and sometimes, Isaac felt a pull, as if being called away, evoking the overwhelming urge to answer despite his conscious desire to remain in Terra. It hadn't happened in a while now, but that didn't mean it wouldn't, and if he was summoned and thrown back in the Pit, there was no way of knowing when or if he'd get out again.

  As if she'd just realized the same thing, or at least a part of it, Edith asked, “So where am I supposed to get a Great Dragon claw? Do you think Ulric's family has one here?”

  “Not sure,” Isaac admitted, though he truly hoped that was the case. Fucking binding.

  “I guess we'll have to go ask,” Edith qualified, adding seriously, “and I'll teleport this time. So, do you need to change clothes first?”

  “Nah, I can clean up at Ulric's,” he returned, deciding against reminding her of his binding until they knew for certain she'd be realm hopping.

  But as Edith gathered her coat and gloves from the floor, all he could think about was the fact that she might be on the verge of leaving him.

  Again.

  Fifteen

  • • •

  Edith wasn't sure why, but Isaac didn't say more than a few words after they arrived in the Cayman Islands. He merely took her coat and gloves, told her to find Ulric while he got a shower, then teleported into the house before she could agree.

  Something was bothering him, and Edith could only guess it was their earlier talk. He hadn't seemed disappointed, and if waiting for her to figure things out was actually a problem, she knew Isaac was too direct not to say so.

  But what else could it be?

  Still, and whatever the reason for his disgruntled demeanor, their discussion had brought her to an important decision regarding their relationship. It was one she knew would please him, but there simply hadn't been a chance to mention it before she'd found his wyvern claw pendant.

  So Edith didn't let his clipped behavior bother her. If Isaac was still out of sorts by the time his shower was done, she knew exactly how to change his tune, and put the matter out of her mind while walking up the porch steps.

  Intending on ringing the bell instead of teleporting inside like she owned the place, Edith stopped herself short when someone she hadn't expected to see rounded the corner at the left end of the porch.

  “Liam?” she asked.

  The draconian turned his gaze in her direction, looking mildly confused. The expression made her wonder if he even remembered her, but he then asked her name in return, and she grinned.

  Liam was the second oldest of Ulric's nine siblings, and ten months ago during her brief stint as a daywalker, he'd safely delivered her to Dalris' estate in time to be saved from life as a ghoul.

  A seasoned warrior, Liam was stoic. Even now, his expression was impassive. But that didn't stop her from calling, “Hey! Long time no see!”

  If he was surprised to see her, he didn't show it, nodding in a cordial manner. “How are you, Edith?”

  “Good,” she answered, walking over to join him. “I was actually looking for Ulric to ask him a question. Is he around?”

  “No, but he should return any minute. Charlotte wanted to check on an elephant she'd heard was being abused at some zoo and release it back into the wild if it needed to be done.”

  Edith grinned, wondering if this was something her friend did on a regular basis now. Even before Charlotte's transition from human to fae, she was an animal lover. So being able to communicate with them was probably helpful when it came to causes concerning their welfare.

  But their absence didn't truly matter. All Edith needed to know was how to get her hands on the claw of a Great Dragon, and Liam would have just as much information as Ulric.

  Yet she didn't quite get the chance to ask before a loud shriek sounded nearby. Following it, a blue wyvern appeared over the trees, flying at a swift pace. It reminded Edith of Liam's baby wyvern, Rozdra, a graceful animal she'd seen only once while staying at Dalris' estate.

  But that wyvern could fit in the crook of someone's arm, and as this one circled around toward the porch at an arc, she could see it was closer to the size of a Great Dane with a wingspan of about seven feet—not fully grown, but definitely no baby.

  “Is that Rozdra?” Edith asked in surprise as the wyvern landed on the railing with her clawed feet clutching the wooden beams.

  Liam nodded. “She's growing fast, and eats twice as much as she used to. I'm here because Charlotte wants to see her again before I return her to Ithelyon now that she's getting too big to hide.”

  He petted Rozdra's back as the wyvern shook herself off much the way a cat would, folding her wings down at her sides with a low purr.

  Additionally, the animal's horns were giving Edith a clear sign for another piece of her staff—apparently, she needed one of those, too. But when she considered a dragon's horns specifically, she knew that wasn't it. And another mystery emerges.

  Still, figuring out the type of horn could wait. For now, Edith was more interested in how convenient it was that Liam was going back to his home realm to return Rozdra when there was a chance she'd have to travel there as well, asking, “When are you leaving for Ithelyon?”

  “Today.”

  Definitely convenient.

  At the thought, Liam lifted his head, mentioning, “And there's Charlotte and Ulric now.”

  Turning around to face the front door, she spotted the couple just as Charlotte asked in greeting, “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  Smiling, Edith explained, “Well, Isaac's inside taking a shower, and I'm here because of my Calling. Seems I need a draconian's help with the next piece for my staff.”

  “Oh?” Ulric asked curiously, taking a moment to stroke Rozdra's neck. “What is it?”

  Unsure what type of response she'd get, Edith admitted hesitantly, “Actually, I need the claw of a Great Dragon, and I was wondering if it's possible some might be here in this realm, or if I'll have to go to Ithelyon.”

  Without pause, he answered, “You'd have to go to Ithelyon. The only way a claw from one of the Greats would make it here is if it was valuable to the owner, and they wouldn't be so willing to part with it.”

  The explanation knocked some of the wind out of Edith's sails. “Then their claws are meaningful to draconians?”

  “More like symbolic, a sign of the dragon's strength. They're not sacred exactly, but still valuable.”

  “Then what would I have to do?”

  Ulric looked between her and Charlotte, mentioning, “Charlotte's my mate, and you're important to her. So you're not an outsider to Dra'Kai's House, and it wouldn't be difficult to take you to his lair.”

  Dra'Kai was one of the five Great Dragons, the same that Ulric's House revered, and Edith nodded. “Guess I'll be visiting him specifically then. But would I … have to cut the claw from his body, or … ?”

  “No, they shed claws like any animal, so you might find some just lying around his lair, that is, saying he's still hibernating when you get there.”

  “He might not be?”

  Liam was the one who explained, “He's due to awaken any t
ime, which also means it'll take longer to gain passage to his temple.”

  As he spoke, Charlotte hoisted herself onto the railing of the porch to sit next to Rozdra. The wyvern wasted no time laying her head in the fae's lap while she asked, “Why will it take longer?”

  “There's a week long festival held when it's time for one of the Greats to awaken from slumber,” Liam answered. “It's called Resurgence, and most draconians will be too caught up in the revelry to man an escort.”

  “Man an escort?” Edith returned. “Couldn't we just teleport?”

  “No, each lair and the adjoining temple is warded against teleportation. Too many enemies would take advantage of a sleeping dragon otherwise. So you'd have to either travel upriver through Fog Canyon to reach Dra'Kai's lair inside the mountain, which takes about a day, or charter a flight to his temple on the mountaintop above it with the Skyriders.”

  Edith knew the Skyriders was a group of draconian warriors trained to ride drakes in defense of their cities and territories—though they sometimes took odd jobs if the price was right.

  “I'm not very fond of heights,” Edith mentioned, “so I'd rather take the river to his canyon lair. But where would we go for a ship? Fog Canyon is close to Nalona, isn't it?”

  “Right,” Ulric confirmed. “We'd be traveling from the city to reach it.”

  Curiously, Charlotte inquired, “Isn't Nalona where you were born, Yules?”

  “Yeah, it's the seat of House Dra'Kai located in the mountains around Lake Vestya several miles from the lair's entrance.”

  Edith had never visited Lake Vestya or Nalona. But she knew both were located in the same mountain range as Mystikkar, separated by several hundred miles and fairly harsh terrains.

  “Okay,” she summarized, “so we'll go to Nalona, book passage on a ship to Dra'Kai's lair in Fog Canyon, and it might take a week because of the festival and the traveling.”

  Ulric nodded in confirmation, and it sounded simple enough, leaving her with only one question that she put on the table for either draconian to answer.