by E. G. Foley
Jake’s jaw dropped. He looked at Maddox in astonishment. “That’s your mother?”
“Birth mother,” Maddox said through gritted teeth, managing to regain his composure enough then to check the gaping wound on her side.
“I thought you were the son of a blacksmith—”
“Adopted!” Maddox barked at him. “Not that it’s any of your business!”
Jake blinked. “Well, don’t just stand there! Take her in to the doctors!”
“It’s not protocol,” Maddox answered in a strangled voice. He moved back toward the man. “I must see to the Lightrider—”
“Are you daft? Hang protocol! She’s your mother, man! Go!” Jake ordered him with all the lordly authority he possessed. “I’ll see to the Lightrider,” he added, even though he feared the poor sod was already dead.
At the very least, on death’s door.
Maddox glanced from one bloodied victim to the other as though he didn’t know what to do. Instinct visibly warred with duty on his square face.
“Take her in,” Jake ordered fiercely. “What’s wrong with you? You can’t let your own mother die! Go!”
“A-all right.” Still looking shaken, Maddox bent down and gently picked her up, lifting her into his arms. She moaned, her head hanging back. “You have to get him, though.”
“On it!” While Maddox strode off carrying his mother, Jake marched over to the Lightrider and started trying to wake him up with a few light taps on his cheek. “Sir, sir, can you hear me? We have to move you, all right? This might hurt, but we need to get you inside.”
No response.
“Blast it!” Jake whispered. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as strong as Maddox and could not lift a grown man in a dead-weight state. All he could do was hook his arms under the Lightrider’s armpits and start dragging him backward toward the palace.
When the man groaned in pain at the movement, Jake suddenly remembered he had telekinesis.
He cursed at himself for forgetting his ability and smacked himself in the forehead. Why did that always happen whenever he got flustered? Would he never get used to having magical powers?
He let the Lightrider lie flat on the grass again, took a deep breath, and used his telekinesis to levitate the wounded man gently off the ground.
Just then, a troop of gnomes came rushing out to help. Maddox had been yelling for them as he sped toward the palace carrying his mother, and they had finally heard him once he neared the front doors of Merlin Hall.
Two gnomes held the doors open for him; Maddox disappeared inside. The rest trundled out in formation to retrieve the second victim.
“Oh, thank you.” Jake stepped back in relief and let them take over from there. It was what Sir Peter had done, after all, when Tex had arrived.
Jake watched them anxiously, but it was hard to read their wizened little faces. They barely reacted to anything and didn’t say a word, simply did what needed to be done.
He couldn’t help wondering if they showed no surprise because maybe this sort of thing happened to Lightriders all the time.
In short order, they hefted the unconscious Lightrider up onto their shoulders and glided him away toward the palace, all their little legs going like a caterpillar.
“Red,” he said to himself with a sudden inspiration. While the gnomes hurried their patient inside, Jake turned around and raced back toward the zoo.
Even though Red’s molting process was not yet complete, surely one scarlet feather on his wings must be grown in enough by now to have been infused with its usual healing powers.
Barely three minutes had passed since the portal had opened, and as Jake pounded toward the entrance of the zoo, Isabelle and Dani were only now catching up.
“Jake! What’s happening?” he heard the carrot yell in the distance, but he did not linger to explain.
There was no time, not with these people’s lives at stake.
Desperate to reach the Gryphon’s aerie, Jake raced on, ignoring all the strange and dangerous animals roaring at him as he passed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Calm before the Storm
An hour later, the one perfect feather Red had offered up had worked to close the Guardian woman’s gaping wound.
Her name was Ravyn Vambrace according to her son, who paced continually outside her room. A pair of Elders and an old, grizzled, Guardian were in there with her now, asking questions about what exactly had occurred.
As for the Lightrider in the adjacent bedchamber, the Gryphon magic had brought him back from the brink of death, but he remained in a coma-like state, stable but unresponsive—the result, they feared, of some new Dark Druid magic.
Jake sat fidgeting on a bench in the hallway, waiting with Maddox as a gesture of moral support. After all, his own mother had died violently at the hands of an evil man: Uncle Waldrick.
Somehow, this made it all the more important to him to make sure the other boy’s mother lived. The doctors had informed Maddox she’d survive, but he waited, wanting to see her for himself, however briefly.
Jake watched him pacing. “Would you sit still? You’re making me dizzy.”
“Can’t.”
Jake pondered for a moment. “I see the resemblance but I still can’t believe she’s your mum.”
“No,” Maddox corrected him a prickly tone. “She’s my mother. Not my mum. My Mum is at home right now, getting ready for bed after cleaning up the supper she would’ve cooked as usual for my Pop, got it? Ravyn might’ve given birth to me, and for that, I’m grateful. But that is the extent of our connection.”
Jake winced. “Kind of cold if you ask me,” he muttered. He couldn’t even imagine how it would be to have two mothers in one’s life when he had never known one.
Maddox sent him a warning look that said he did not wish to discuss it further, and then he changed the subject. “We found the Headless Highlander and Nuckalavee, both where you said they’d be. So, we should be all set when the time comes.”
It wouldn’t be long now. Jake nodded. “Good.”
They fell silent for a minute. He tried not to pry. He really did. He wasn’t Dani, after all. But he could not shut up about it.
“Did you always know you were adopted?” he ventured. “When did you find out? Was it a shock?”
Maddox glared at him.
“Hey, if anyone knows how you feel, it would be me. I spent most of my childhood in an orphanage, you know. Always wondered what it was like for those lucky kids who got picked.”
This rather pitiful admission made Maddox frown but relent. “I was never in an orphanage,” he mumbled. “She gave me up at birth. I was taken to my new family straightaway.”
“Why didn’t she keep you?”
“So I could have a better life! You think she’d want to drag around a baby on her missions, idiot?”
“Easy!” Jake chided. “I know you’re upset, but she’s going to live because of my Gryphon, so you don’t have to bite my head off.”
“Sorry,” he grumbled. “I do appreciate it. I just… Seeing her is never easy.”
Jake paused until, once more, curiosity got the better of him. “So, who’s your real father, then, if not the blacksmith?”
“You really don’t know when to quit, do you?” Maddox exclaimed.
“Not really, no. Aw, come on, you can tell me. I mean…” He almost couldn’t bring himself to ask. “It isn’t Derek, is it?”
“What?”
“Well, he obviously thinks you hung the moon, so—”
“As if Guardian Stone would ever father a son and then refuse to marry the mother! He could never do something that dishonorable—obviously!” Maddox snarled, very much like how Guardian Vambrace had snarled at him outside.
“Then who?” Jake persisted, well aware he was being a pain.
“Not that it is any of your business,” Maddox finally said, “but let’s just say…that my father outranks yours.”
“But my father was an earl. Hold on!�
�� Jake suddenly gasped and shot up from his chair. “Is it the vampire prince?”
“Oh, please. He and Ravyn were only friends. They served on Derek’s team on small group missions for a few years. And by the way, Janos isn’t a real prince.”
“He’s not?”
“No!” Maddox scoffed. “He was just a normal Guardian who got fed up with his lot. Ask me, he’s nothing but a deserter and deserves to go before the firing squad. Again,” he added firmly.
“Again?” Jake echoed.
Maddox seemed glad to talk about Janos rather than discussing his own story. “Years ago, the three of them were out on a mission when they strayed into vampire territory. Little did they know, the vampires needed males. Their men kept getting killed by mobs of angry villagers. So, the vampire queen offered Derek the chance to join them. When he said no, she went after Janos, his right-hand man. Janos took the devil’s bargain, even though he knew that deserting his post would mean the firing squad.”
“Why would he do such a thing?”
Maddox shrugged. “He couldn’t resist the temptation. Stay young and strong and live off vampire riches forever? Never die, after years of risking his neck to protect VIPs who half the time don’t even bother to learn a Guardian’s name?
“He also must have realized that the vampires’ immortality would help him to survive any punishment the Order tried to give him. So, would you believe he had the nerve to come back to Merlin Hall and turn himself in once he had undergone the change?”
“Really?”
“That’s why everybody hates him. He’s the most arrogant bloody creature on the earth. Once the vampire queen had turned him into one of the undead, he came back here to resign and offer his insincere apologies. The Elders had him clapped in irons, but all he did was smirk. Then they tied the blindfold and marched him up against the wall.”
“For the firing squad?”
“Aye. He knew exactly what he was doing, too, that smart aleck. He stood there and let them shoot him. But, of course, he didn’t die. Imagine the Elders’ dismay when the bullet holes immediately healed and Janos walked away unscathed. In his mind, he had paid his debt, as per the rules. The Elders were flummoxed, but what else could they do? He had gone before the firing squad. He offered to let them hang him, too, if it would make them feel better.”
Jake grinned at the audacity of this bloke, even though Derek didn’t like him.
“The Old Yew interviewed Janos privately and became convinced that it was in the Order’s best interest to let him go. I guess the Father Tree and enough of the Elders believed Janos when he said he wasn’t going to cause any trouble, and that he could actually be useful there among the vampires. As a long-term spy or something, deep undercover.”
“Seems he kept his word about that much,” Jake said. “So if he started out as just an ordinary fellow, how come he calls himself a prince?”
“The vampire queen made him one, gave him a big chunk of territory to reign over for her.” Maddox looked away and hesitated. “My birth father…” he added in a low tone, “now, he’s the real thing.”
“What did you say?” He stared at him in shock. “You have royal blood?”
“Don’t tell Isabelle!” he said fiercely.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m illegitimate, Jake!” Maddox exclaimed, his cheeks flushing. “‘Bastard’ son of a foreign prince. Do you know what that’s like?”
“No,” Jake said wonderingly.
Maddox looked away. “Seventeen years ago, Ravyn was assigned to protect the royal egomaniac. They had a whirlwind romance, then went their separate ways. Nine months later, I was born. You see, that’s why Guardians are not supposed to dally in romantic affairs! I wish your cousin could understand that. And if you tell her any of this, I will thrash you. I mean it.”
“I’m not going to! But, er, she is an empath. She’ll know I’m hiding something. Why can’t she read you, anyway?”
He shrugged. “No idea, but I have to say, I’m glad. I wouldn’t want any girl poking around in my head.”
“So…did you ever get to meet him? Your birth father?”
Maddox sighed. “Every few years he sends this whole elaborate escort with a pompous line of horses and carriages out to Pop’s forge to come and pick me up. Real discreet.” He rolled his eyes. “His lackeys take me to His Royal Highness so he can inspect me, see how I’m coming along. It’s a long trip. Across the Channel. It’s just a tiny kingdom in the Alps.”
“Is he nice?”
Maddox shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s not too bad. Kind of a fool. But I guess he means well.”
“Does he spoil you? Does he give you lots of stuff? I mean, if he’s royalty—come on!”
Maddox just looked at him.
“Well, you know how adults are when they feel guilty, and he must feel at least a little guilty about you! Giving you away and all.”
“Hey, I’m happy with the parents I got. I could not have asked for better. But…actually, he offered to make me a duke. I refused.”
“What? You refused?”
“I’m a Guardian, Jake! What would I do with a dukedom? It would just weigh me down. Besides, I don’t want his money or his power. I don’t want anything from him. I have everything I need already. My Mum and Pop, be they ever so humble, gave me more than a prince ever could. They loved me from the first day Derek brought me to their door. All they ever wanted was a son.”
Jake pondered this for a moment.
“Anyway,” Maddox said with a shrug, “His Highness would have had me raised in the castle. Lord knows they have enough rooms. But Ravyn wouldn’t let him.”
“Why not?”
“She was afraid that, when the Kinderveil lifted, I’d become a target and a pawn in court intrigues. I mean, once my Guardian abilities started coming out, I might outshine my birth father’s legitimate sons, and that would have got me into trouble. It’s not healthy to outshine a royal prince. More importantly, Ravyn just wanted me to have a simple, normal life for as long as I could. And I have. I’m grateful for her choice! Still, it’s kind of awkward when I see her. I’m just glad she survived.” Maddox paused and turned away, his expression darkening. “But I’ll tell you what, I’m going to find out who did this to her.”
Voices on the other side of the chamber door alerted them that Ravyn’s interview with the Elders was ending. A moment later, the adults came out, Maddox went in, and Jake was left sitting all alone.
He watched the Elders and the old Guardian stride down the hallway, off to plan the Order’s response to this shocking provocation.
Unable to shake off the conviction that all of this was his fault, Jake got up, filled with restlessness, and went in search of the others.
He found his friends having snacks in the inglenook of a huge, drafty parlor at the far end of the hallway. Og sat on the floor, too big to fit on the benches built around the great baroque fireplace. As he joined them, he reported the latest developments and told them Maddox would be along shortly. Then they could get down to business dealing with the Bugganes.
He had just helped himself to a slice of cheese off the snack tray when Gladwin fluttered in to see them.
“Gladwin!” Dani seemed particularly glad when she swept across the room and hovered nearby.
“Sorry. I only came to say goodbye,” she said hastily. “All the royal garden fairies are being sent out to deliver messages to Lightriders everywhere to warn them to be extra-careful. More Guardians are being dispatched, too. That’s why I came to find you.” Gladwin turned to Jake with a sad look on her tiny face. “Derek is leaving. I thought you’d want to know so you could see him off.”
Jake paled. “They’re sending Derek out?”
Gladwin nodded. “You’d better hurry,” she added, so they did.
Maddox caught up just in time to go rushing outside with them. Out on the still-bloodied lawn near the waypoint, Derek stood with Tex, who was waiting to escort him through t
he Grid to heaven-knew where.
A third person joined them—a scantily-clad djinni. She had kohl-lined eyes full of a devious sparkle and a belt of silver coins around her bare waist that tinkled when she walked. She carried the colorful glass bottle that was her home on a strap over her shoulder, and both men looked quite glad that she was there.
Jake wondered what sort of powers she might have.
Miss Helena came running out, apparently having also just heard the news that Derek had to go. Henry was a few steps behind her, no doubt knowing how upset his twin would be to learn that her beau would be the first heading off into danger.
No doubt Derek had volunteered.
Jake and the other children stood out of the way, rather distraught, but they could hear Derek and Helena’s exchange.
“Where are they sending you?” she asked anxiously.
“We’re going to scout out the ground around the Black Fortress—at least, where it was last seen. They’ve probably moved it by now, but we’ve got to track it down.”
Jake did not know what that was, but Helena paled at his reply. “Let me come with you. You know I can help—”
“Yes, you probably could, but I don’t want you anywhere near there. Besides,” he murmured, “you have to stay here. Keep your claws sharp in case anybody comes near them.” Derek nodded toward the kids—and spotted Jake watching them.
Their beloved governess looked heartbroken, but Miss Helena lowered her head, accepting his answer with a nod of resolve. “Very well. But you had better come back to me unscathed!”
Derek kissed her on the forehead. Helena hugged him, then looked at Tex and the djinni, who waited nearby. “Take care of him for me.”
Tex grinned and tipped his hat. “Will do, ma’am.”
The djinni merely tapped her bare toes on the ground, obviously impatient to get underway.
Then came the hard part. Derek turned to the kids to say goodbye. As soon as he looked at them, they all rushed forward and swamped the big man, hugging him from all sides.
Laughing softly, he put his arms around them all. “Now, now, I’ll be back before you know it.”
