At Risk

by Gayle Parness

  “I do not have to tell you anything.” The male was an idiot.

  “You will tell me everything,” Farrell snarled.

  As I packed our things, Farrell interrogated the male, using techniques I might have balked at in the past, but couldn’t give a rat’s ass about now that my lifemate was in the hands of a group of venal vamps. We loaded everything onto one of those luggage racks they have in hotels, including our hostage, and took the lines to Liam’s house.

  Kellaine raced outside, already sensing we were in trouble. “What do you need? Where is Garrett?”

  “Can we talk inside?” We stored the rack with the luggage in their garage, locked the hostage in a basement room, and collapsed into a couple of kitchen chairs.

  “What did you find out?” I asked Farrell.

  “Gregory sent him. He’s someone they were willing to sacrifice.”

  “Not hostage material.”

  I remembered my promise. “Will you get Elle, Farrell? I know you’re tired, but I need to talk to Kellie.”

  “Isn’t she watching the lords and lady?”

  That’s what he called the dogs. “I’ll call the dog sitters.”

  I took care of that call first, then gave Kellie the lowdown. Liam was at the school, making sure everything was shut down properly and that the students would be notified regarding the extended closure. He appeared a moment later, in time to hear most of the tale.

  His first thought was the logical one. “You must call François.” Liam and Garrett had been close for over a hundred years. François was Garrett’s best hope for a quick release.

  “My next call.” I rose to get a pot of coffee going, but Liam waved his hand and a carafe appeared on the table along with milk, sugar and mugs. “Thank you.”

  Farrell arrived with Elle. He must have given her a quick explanation because she trembled slightly. I pulled her down onto the chair next to mine, my hand over one of hers on the table.

  “Did they hurt you?” she asked.

  “No. I’m fine. And we don’t know that Garrett, Rick or Sash will be hurt either. Dane said they had rooms set aside.”

  Elle straightened in her chair. “We shall remain calm and ask the Balance to keep them safe.”

  “I’m going to call François, his grandsire, and then maybe Kostas Appellas.”

  Liam greeted Elle then turned to me. “Kostas is over five thousand years old.”

  “Exactly. No four hundred-year-old vampire can compete with that lineage.”

  “If anyone contacts the ancient Greek, it must be François,” Liam argued. “Kostas is a solitary creature and does not use modern machinery.” Liam pointed to my phone. “Kostas will have no trouble reaching Garrett mind to mind after François contacts him.”

  I opened my laptop, pulled up the encrypted files, entered the complicated password, and wrote down the two phone numbers. “He has a phone.”

  “He may, but it might infuriate him to have to use it. And do you speak ancient Greek?” Liam asked, his irritation evident.

  “Doesn’t he speak English by now?” I regretted my words almost immediately. The world did not revolve around English speaking citizens.

  “He may speak any number of languages. French, Italian, perhaps even Fae,” Farrell offered hopefully.

  Liam shook his head. “Grandsire or not, François may feel it’s unnecessary to take his life into his hands and contact the most powerful vampire on the planet. Kostas could probably snap him like a willow wisp.”

  “Garrett’s grandsire is not a coward.” Although he was a practical male. Liam’s point was a good one. Calling the boogeyman to save Garrett from a bloodsucking cockroach might be a little over the top.

  Liam was also a practical male. “You know how this goes. We’ve been through it before. Garrett will survive as will the others.”

  “This is Naberia’s doing.” Elle’s tone rose with fury. “She wants to divide us. It is working, is it not?”

  “Garrett senses it too. Charlie is off gathering a larger army because the Fae suddenly don’t trust him. Garrett is now a prisoner. I’m back in Crescent City with our few remaining allies.” My bottom lip started to tremble as tears stung my eyes.

  “Don’t discount Aaron, Kyle, and Ethan.” Liam squeezed my shoulder.

  “I would never. They’re… They’re amazing team members.”

  “Or the fae who will support you.” Kellie handed me a box of tissues.

  Elle wrapped her arms around me as she began to weep as well. “They will survive. I know it. We must try to be strong.” But the tears came harder.

  Kellie crouched beside us. “You’re staying here tonight. Both of you. You can’t go back to empty homes.” She rose and Liam wrapped an arm around her waist, giving her a sweet kiss on the cheek.

  “You all must stay.” He smiled. “I’ll make a quick meal.”

  “Thank you.” I said, wiping my face with two or three tissues. Elle only managed to nod to her fae friends.

  “You don’t have to stay,” Kellie informed her brother.

  “I’m afraid I can’t leave, sis. Garrett has placed me on guard duty.” Farrell winked at me, knowing I hated the idea of being guarded. Still, if anyone was going to do it, why not a sweet, adorable fae warrior? ‘Course calling him adorable was kind of strange as he was fifty years older than me, but Farrell was very young compared to most fae.

  I hugged my friends who always seemed to know how to do or say exactly the right thing. I’d held back the stress and the fear for as long as possible but holding on to fear and hurt takes a lot more energy than letting it out.

  Liam was the first fae I’d ever met. He’d welcomed me into Garrett’s home with a smile and an occasional stern lecture when I was being particularly bratty. Liam saved my life when he allowed me to use his ancient dagger in my duel against Antoine. The amazing friend who helped me through some of my very toughest times, Liam taught me to get back on my feet and keep moving forward.

  He kissed my cheek. “Food. You need food and perhaps a glass of wine. Then sleep. Would you like me to call François? He and I are old friends.”

  “No, but thank you.”

  I made the call. He answered immediately, promised to gather a group and travel to Montreal at dusk the next day, and also to let Kostas know about the NAVA situation. The wonderful meal with friends revived me and Elle and I slept a full seven hours, rising early to face whatever came next.

  13

  Charlie

  “Charles.”

  My name wasn’t said in anger or surprise. Khent had turned it into an expression of extreme exasperation. He’d always managed to make it sound like it had two syllables instead of one, which added to the effect.

  We’d landed as a large mound of bodies on a colorful carpet and not the stone floor, thank the gods. I disentangled myself and rose quickly, bowing demon style and hoping my form of address would soothe the irritation forming on his features. “Majesty.”

  The self-proclaimed King of the Unseelie or Goblin King as he was also referred to, was a goblin himself, although much larger and stronger than the goblins who worked as servants all over the DR. The size of an average human female, his body was round like a melon, his eyes a dark copper when he was calm, turning black when he angered, as I’d learned the hard way. I’d always been amazed by his mouth, wide and very active when he spoke, twisting to the side at times. The rhythm of his speech was slower than most creatures and he had a habit of drawing out some of his words to make a point, usually the last word in a sentence.

  What fascinated me most about the unseelie king were the magically powerful tats that covered his arms and legs and even the soles of his feet. The unfamiliar symbols were drawn in rich reds and purples, and his sundown colored aura sang with power. It was clear why he’d risen to power.

  Khent adjusted his crown, then took a moment to scan our battle-ready outfits, his wide gaze moving from me to Isaiah and back to me. “Has the war begun? If so, I w
as under the impression you would be contacting me using the appropriate channels. Not collapsing in a heap on my expensive rug like a group of poorly trained thieves.”

  Khent’s gaze passed over Isaiah, his eyes growing wider as he recognized each species. “Besides the royal worm, you’ve brought a shifter, a fae, and a dragon to my door?” Only Vantor, who was already standing, received a greeting, a slight nod. “Is the tall fellow a gift, Charles? Most dragons feel my territory is too populated for their tastes.” His head turned in my direction once more. “Perhaps I should put off your execution for a few days.”

  “I apologize humbly in the hope you’ll forgive me for the unexpected entrance of my team and will listen to my explanation.”

  “Isaiah may leave. Instantly. if not sooner.”

  “Oh, but I’m part of the package. An added bonus.” Isaiah beamed at Khent.

  “A prize booby.” The king scowled.

  Isaiah stood, brushed off his pants and offered his hand to Brina. She hopped up without accepting and offered her hand to me. I smiled and took it, kissing her knuckles.

  The king stared at Jay, who was, of course, still stretched out on the rug. I gestured for him to stand. He brushed himself off, then bowed. “Nice rug, your majesty.”

  “Thank you. What sort of shifter are you?”

  Jay sighed. “I’m a grizzly shifter.” He let his claws pop out. “Awesome fighter, by the way.”

  “Awesome,” the king repeated sarcastically before moving to Brina.

  I introduced Brina to Khent.

  “Lady, you grace the Unseelie Realm with your presence. Perhaps I might show you my gallery?” He offered his arm. “There are several pictures of me at various stages. I was such an adorable child.”

  Brina’s brows knit together as she surveyed the royal nut case from her almost six-foot height. “You are truly the King of the Unseelie?”

  “I am, lovely lady.” He straightened a bit.

  “Do you wield a sword?”

  “A dagger.” He lifted his hand and summoned one of the three daggers created for creatures of the unseelie territory by the same craftsman who’d created my fae blade and Mom and Isaiah’s DR daggers. The hilt hit his palm with a slap and he closed his fingers around it.

  “Good.” She drew her magnificently crafted fae sword, swishing it around in the air for show. “Galleries hold no interest for me. Shall we spar?”

  His grin was ear to ear. “Perhaps later, Lady Brina.” The king circled Vantor. “Quite extraordinary. Striking. Does he shift on command?” he asked me.

  Vantor countered the king’s movements. He licked his lips, a wisp of smoke escaping from his nostrils as his eyes spun in multicolored strands. They stopped circling at the same moment. “I’ve never tasted this breed of goblin. Are they stringy or succulent? I find royalty to be a gourmet delight when in my natural form. If heated properly, kings and queens, lords and ladies, are crispy on the outside with juicy bits that drip down my chin, but never stain my scales.”

  Khent turned to me, completely nonplussed by Vantor’s threat. “You brought me another smartass. Wonderful. You can all leave now.” He turned his back on the dangerous dragon and walked toward a gold-plated double door. “I rule over a kingdom of smartasses. More than enough.”

  “Could we talk? As a favor?” I caught up to him in two strides. He was barefoot as usual, and his strides were short.

  “Do I owe you a favor?” He stopped.

  “You owe me more. You made an oath.”

  After blowing a strand of dark hair out of his eyes, he nodded, walked up to the doors, and waited.

  Two guards of the goblin variety I was more familiar with opened the doors, then bowed as their king passed by. One of Khent’s servants kneeled before the throne and Khent used him as a step, then seated his wide body on the ornate chair.

  Naberia claimed the unseelie realm as part of the Demon Realm, so when most people spoke of the three realms—mortal, fae and demon—the unseelie territory was included with the DR. But I’d learned over the last few years if you wanted someone’s cooperation, respect was key.

  I’d continue to refer to the Unseelie Realm as a separate kingdom whenever I was in the presence of the King of the Unseelie.

  No one put out chairs for us. Vantor gave me an irritated look. Before I could ask for chairs, Isaiah grunted, waved a hand and gave all of us chairs identical to Khent’s, only without the fancy jewels. We’d still be seated below him at floor level, so Khent shouldn’t complain too loudly. Fingers crossed.

  Vantor seemed pleased. He whipped back his tailcoat and sat like a character from a Jane Austen book. Hadn’t he been wearing a standard tunic when we’d arrived? Isaiah laughed and did the same, only his tailcoat was much more ornate. Jay, also now in fancy attire, pounced into his large chair as if he were a cub instead of an adult shifter.

  I closed my eyes and took in a cleansing breath. I was surrounded by smartasses too.

  Brina patted my hand as she lowered her lovely body into the chair beside mine. “Your uncle tried to put me in a gown.”

  I peeked. She was still in her tunic and leggings. A practical outfit that somehow managed to show off all her curves. I closed my eyes again, smiling. “Please don’t behead him until after the war.”

  “A difficult chore. You will win King Khent over faster if you speak to him with your eyes open.”

  “I suppose.” I took her advice.

  Vantor nodded in my direction, folded his arms, lifted his chin and settled in as if we were his minions speaking on his behalf. In the presence of the ruler of another territory, he’d transitioned into a representative of his people, taking on that role one hundred percent. Wyn would be proud.

  “Khent is waiting for you to start,” Brina said.

  “I’m mulling over my options.”

  “He made an oath.”

  “Talk,” Khent demanded. Khent was rarely chatty in these situations.

  I began with explaining how Naberia had flipped the alliance on its ear by asking that I be turned over in exchange for a thousand human years of peace.

  Khent laughed. “You’re not seriously thinking of sacrificing yourself, are you?”

  “Not lately.”

  “You considered it?”

  “If I thought she could be trusted, then yeah. How is my life more important than all the citizens of Faerie? And you can stop looking at me as if I’m about to explode. We can’t trust her. End of story.”

  Khent glanced at Isaiah. “Looks like our boy grew a brain.”

  “Our boy?” Isaiah placed a hand on his heart. “You can’t take credit for how he’s turned out. I’ve been his mentor since he was four years old.”

  “But he learned to take charge of his magic while he was here with me,” Khent argued

  “Sitting right here, guys.” I waved a hand in the air.

  “Although he should have conjured the chairs right away.” Isaiah gave me a disapproving glance.

  “What was he waiting for?” Khent plastered on a puzzled expression.

  “Young males aren’t what they used to be.” Isaiah adjusted his cravat.

  I stood. “Done yet?”

  “We’re just getting started.” Isaiah’s smile was way too smirky for my liking.

  “I. Am. Bored,” Vantor bellowed, drawing out each word.

  Except for Jay’s muffled laughter, silence reigned for a few moments.

  Brina stood and held out her hand to me. “I am not bored. I am discouraged. These supposed leaders are ignoring our presence and making jokes when the three realms are in danger.”

  I joined her. “There’s a great little pub half a click from here. My team will take a stroll while you two discuss the rest of my faults. Let’s go.”

  “Tough audience,” Isaiah grumbled.

  Khent settled back on the throne. “You may talk.” He swept his hand around in a grand gesture.

  “So you’re done mocking me?”

  “I
did not say that. Other opportunities may come along. But I am finished for now.” Khent’s smile didn’t garner the response he wanted. I was still pissed.

  “Fine.” I remained standing, placing my hand on the hilt of my dagger. “Order your army to muster. You’ll be accompanying us to my realm and then possibly to Faerie.”

  “To Faerie? Do you have any idea what those pompous blowhards will do if the Unseelie King shows up in their pristine realm?”

  “What do you think will happen?” I asked.

  “No idea, but I cannot travel to Faerie.”

  Anger simmered in my belly. “You took an oath and you owe me. You owe your people too. Do you think Naberia will leave you and the citizens you say you care for alone forever? Right now she’s busy, focusing on how she can use other species to win her war. It won’t be long before she’s compelling your goblins and rills and all the others to fight for the wrong side.”

  “My barriers will keep her out.”

  “You’re in Mother’s territory. She won’t have any problem getting past your magic. We got through them without a scratch.” Isaiah stalked to the window. “Take a look outside. This will disappear in a heartbeat if you don’t help us defeat her.”

  “I’ve talked you up to Finvarra. Ensured you a place in the battle, a chance to show the realms you’re more than a placeholder in a forgotten territory,” I said.

  “Why should I care what Faerie or the residents of your home realm think of me?”

  “The dragons call you a coward. You are the subject of many jokes.” Vantor polished the claws of one hand with a cloth, ignoring Khent’s angry expression.

  “When was the last time you fought for the rights of your people?” I asked.

  “I’ve protected my people since the day I took the throne. Even before that.”

  “You think so? All of them?”

  “Yes. Every unseelie.”

  “Are the unseelie living inside the Demon Realm your subjects?” I asked. This was a subject that had haunted me since I’d traveled the roads in the DR. Too many were mistreated. Hungry. Forced to bargain away the little magic they had to feed their families.