by Donna Grant
Varek smiled at the pair. “I’m verra glad to see you.”
“What happened?” the man asked.
Varek shook his head. “It’s a verra long story, and we doona have time now. Dragons have been captured, and I’m going to free them. I could use some help.”
At the request, the woman quirked a brow. “I’m not averse to giving you aid, but I would ask why.”
Varek glanced in Jeyra’s direction before he said, “Inside the walls of the city, I’m unable to do magic. I can no’ shift either.”
“Bloody hell,” the man ground out.
Jeyra looked between the three. Obviously, the couple knew Varek, and she was unsure how they had gotten to her realm—or what they might do to her when they learned of her hand in Varek’s kidnapping.
“This is Jeyra,” Varek told them and held out his hand, motioning for her to join him.
Jeyra moved closer.
He wrapped an arm around her and said, “Jeyra, these are my friends. Erith, also known as Death. And her mate, Cael.”
Jeyra’s breath locked in her lungs. Death? This was Death? She wasn’t sure what to think or how to act.
“Are you sure the dragons are there?” Erith asked.
Varek nodded. “When we escaped yesterday, I heard them the minute I stepped beyond the gates.”
“Escaped?” Cael repeated, his gaze narrowed.
“Part of the long story,” Varek told them. “Right now, we need to free the dragons.”
Erith glanced at Cael. “How can we help?”
“I’m no’ sure. I need to be there to free them, but I willna be able to. I’d planned to send Jeyra in and use my magic to disguise her so she could go undetected.”
Jeyra’s head snapped to him. He wanted her to face the dragons?
Varek smiled at her. “They would be able to understand you. You just wouldn’t be able to understand them.”
Jeyra forced a smile she didn’t feel.
“What’s keeping you from having magic within the city?” Cael asked.
Varek shrugged and shook his head. “I doona know.”
All three turned their attention to her. Jeyra looked helplessly at them. “I don’t know either. I thought it was the chains Varek wore, but the council removed them, and he still wasn’t able to use magic.”
“These are your people?” Death asked.
Her voice was soft, but her gaze was hard. Jeyra lifted her chin. “They are.”
“And you don’t know the answer?”
“It isna her fault,” Varek replied. “Much is being kept from the residents.”
Cael ran his hand over his chin and blew out a breath. “I could attempt to enter the city and see if my magic works.”
“We both will,” Erith stated.
Jeyra held up her hand to stop them. “You’ll need attire that won’t make you stand out.”
“Like yours and Varek’s?” Cael asked.
Jeyra nodded. Almost instantly, Erith snapped her fingers and replaced their clothing with garments similar to hers, down to the armbands.
“Who do we avoid? What do we look for? Is there anything we need to do to get inside the city?” Cael asked.
Erith met his gaze. “Or out of it if our magic is bound?”
“The gates are open to all,” Jeyra told them. “Guards watch everything, but the only enemies anyone cares about are the dragons.”
Cael snorted. “Imagine that.”
Jeyra didn’t reply because there was nothing to say. She found a clear part near the river that had the least number of rocks and drew a map of the city in the sand as she had done for Varek. She explained the council, the warriors, and the difficulty they would have getting into the dungeon.
“If we’re unable to do magic, we won’t attempt anything,” Erith said.
Cael’s forehead furrowed. “Dungeon? Is that where the dragons are being held?”
“Aye. I was there, no’ far above them, and I couldna hear them.” Varek lowered his gaze to the ground, still upset about that.
Erith’s lavender eyes met Jeyra’s. “I think she should come with us. We might only get one shot at this. Varek, remain behind as you originally planned.”
“These are dragons,” he said.
Death bowed her head. “I understand that.”
Suddenly, Varek crossed the brook to stand on the other side of the border. Jeyra watched him, trying to figure out what he was doing. He then turned and smiled at her as he held out his hand and a rose appeared.
“I don’t understand,” Jeyra said. “How is that possible? You crossed the border.”
Varek shook his head, smiling. “I was so intent on crossing the brook yesterday that I didna pay attention to what I felt as I did. It’s an invisible barrier, verra similar to what we use at Dreagan.”
“Dreagan?” she asked with a frown.
Cael glanced her way. “The magic is something used by the Dragon Kings on Earth to keep humans and Dark Fae off their land. Dreagan.”
“It encompasses the land of the dragons?” Erith asked.
Varek’s smile grew. “I think it’s the other way around here. I think it surrounds the mortals’ land.”
“In other words, you can do magic everywhere but the city,” Jeyra said.
His lips twisted ruefully. “Aye, lass. I doona like that I willna be there to free the dragons, but I will be close. That will allow me to change your appearance.”
“Even if we can’t use our magic, with Jeyra there, we might be able to figure a way to get to the dragons,” Cael said.
“Shall we?” Death asked, looking pointedly at Jeyra.
Jeyra nodded and watched as Varek return to her side and took her hand. Her gaze was drawn to Cael as he touched her arm at the same time Erith touched Varek. A second later, Jeyra blinked and found herself by a grove of trees not far from the entrance to Orgate.
“Easy,” Varek said as he pulled her against him.
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to center herself. Then she looked up at him and nodded. So, that was what teleporting felt like. A little dizzying at first, but it was nice to be able to use magic in such a way.
Jeyra stepped back and held out her arms. “All my life, I’ve been told how evil magic is. It’s frowned upon by my people. Those who are born with it either find themselves hunted down and killed, or they take their chances over the border with the dragons.”
“Hunted?” Erith asked in a steely voice.
Jeyra nodded slowly. “It has been many, many years since a hunt has taken place. Most keep their magic to themselves and attempt to hide it. Others leave before they’re discovered.”
Cael and Erith exchanged a long look. Jeyra couldn’t discern what it was about, but the couple seemed deeply troubled.
“When this is over, I’d like to speak with both of you,” Varek told the couple.
Cael bowed his head. “We’ll make sure of it.”
Jeyra squared her shoulders. “I’m ready whenever you need to do whatever it is you’re going to do to change me.”
“It’s already done,” Varek said with a grin.
She glanced down to see that her clothes were cream instead of brown. Her armbands were thin and had swirls. Her skin was golden brown. “My hair?”
“Dark brown,” he replied. “And your eyes are blue.”
Jeyra wished she had a mirror. She’d always thought blue eyes were beautiful. Maybe she’d get a chance to see herself before this was over. She looked at Cael and Erith. “I’m ready.”
Before she walked away, Varek cupped her face and gave her a soft kiss. “Be safe,” he told her.
She was still smiling when she fell in step with Cael and Erith.
“You have the friendship of a Dragon King,” Death told her. “That is no easy feat.”
Jeyra glanced at the woman. “And he has mine. Which is no easy feat.”
“I like her,” Cael said with a grin.
Erith didn’t resp
ond to her mate. Instead, she asked Jeyra, “Why are you helping us against your people?”
“I tried to get answers about my past. When I started to dig, my life was threatened. Too much doesn’t make sense. Simple questions like when did the border go up, who did it, and why? I should be able to find out without fearing for my life.”
Cael grunted. “I’m in agreement.”
“Are you really Fae?” Jeyra blurted out.
“I was,” Cael replied. “I’m something…a little more now.”
Jeyra glanced at Erith. “And you?”
“I’m something much more than Fae.”
Their questions ceased as they approached the gate. Just as Jeyra said, no one stopped them. Once inside the city, she led the couple through the labyrinth of streets. She half expected more guards to be gathering, ready to set out to look for Varek, but there was nothing. Curious, she went by the training area where the warriors often gathered before setting out on missions, but nothing seemed amiss.
Either Rankin believed he could track her and Varek with the fifty warriors with him. Or the city wasn’t even aware of what had happened.
“What is it?” Cael said when she drew to a stop.
Jeyra moved closer and lowered her voice so no one could hear her and quickly filled them in on her thoughts. “In the past, when a dragon was on our side of the border, the city went into panic mode. They rushed home, guards were stationed around the city, and the warriors gathered to go out in tracking parties.”
“But none of that is happening,” Erith agreed. “I think you’re correct in believing that those in charge haven’t alerted the locals about you and Varek escaping.”
Cael’s lips twisted. “I’m not sure that’s such a good thing.”
“Me, either.” Jeyra motioned for them to follow her. “We’re going to the dungeons now. Varek is sure the dragons are there.”
“Are there many visitors to the dungeon?” Death asked.
Jeyra shook her head helplessly. “I couldn’t say. We could say we’re visiting a friend.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Erith replied. “Our magic works.”
Chapter Twenty-two
The waiting was the hardest. Varek wished he could be inside the city with the others. It grated on him that something could contain his magic the way it did. Only the Others had been able to block Dragon King magic before, but that was the power of Druids from Earth and another realm, combined with that of both Dark and Light Fae. Whatever was inside Orgate was something else entirely.
He felt better knowing that Erith and Cael were with Jeyra. But he would feel even better if Jeyra were the one waiting for him instead of the other way around. She could take care of herself, however.
Varek jerked when he heard his name in his head. He opened the mental link and was shocked to hear the male voice from yesterday. “I’m listening.”
“The mortals are venturing deeper into our territory, looking for you. I won’t allow them to go much farther.”
“Do what you must.”
There was a pause. “And you?”
“We’re in the process of trying to free the dragons.”
“We?”
The surprise in the male’s voice made Varek grin. “A mortal freed me. She’s aiding me now, but two other friends arrived.”
“Is that so?” the male asked in a tight voice.
Varek sighed wearily. “I doona know why you balk at anyone wanting to help.”
“We’ve done things on our own for a long time.”
“That doesna mean that’s how it has to continue.” The more he spoke to the male, the more Varek was sure this was one of the twins. “If you’re who I think you are, you can join me now. I’m outside the gates of Orgate in a grove of trees. I’ll never turn down help, especially when it’s to free dragons who are suffering horrendously.”
Silence was the only response. Varek flattened his lips, angry and a little irritated that any offspring of Constantine’s would act in such a way. Then again, he had to remember that while the children might have learned what had happened on Earth, it was much different than experiencing it themselves. On top of that, the twins had been dealing with their own things.
Varek remained hidden in the grove, though there was little need. The traffic in and out of the gates was light. Most everything happened inside the city. He had no way to contact Jeyra, Cael, or Erith to see if his magic continued to alter his mate’s appearance. His gaze had tracked the trio until they were swallowed up within the city, and now he was left waiting.
He used the time to get a look at the fortifications from his vantage point. The bolt thrower was somewhere. It would be heavy and bulky, and most likely stationed somewhere it could be put into place quickly. The city was situated far from the forest or mountains, giving the lookouts plenty of time to spot something in the air coming at them from all directions.
Regardless of the bolt thrower, Varek knew he wouldn’t hesitate to shift and use whatever magic was necessary to get the dragons safely away from Orgate. He was worried they might be too weak to fly. He could hear their agonized roars even now, though he had blocked them from filling his head.
What was being used to stop the dragons from being heard as well as binding anyone with magic who came into the city? And, more importantly, who was doing it?
He fisted his hands, anger simmering just beneath the surface. So many dragons had been brutally killed on Earth during the war. It was time for that to end—on both sides. If the humans and dragons couldn’t live together on this realm, then this time, the mortals should be the ones to leave. The dragons had already suffered too much.
“I hear you,” he told the tortured dragons. “I doona know if you can hear me, but salvation is coming. Hold on just a little longer. You’ll soon be freed. You have my word. One way or another, your torment ends today.”
* * * *
“Wait,” Erith said as they approached the dungeon.
Jeyra halted with Cael. “What is it?”
Death asked, “Do you have a weapon?”
“Not on me,” she said.
“What do you prefer?”
“A spear,” Jeyra answered without hesitation.
In the next heartbeat, the weapon was in her hand. She smiled at it and turned her head to thank Erith when Cael said, “Hold on.”
The words were barely past his lips before he teleported her into the dungeon. Jeyra managed to get her bearings much quicker this time. She gave a nod of thanks, then motioned for the two to follow her as she started down the tunnels.
Halfway down, a guard stepped into their path after exiting a side corridor. Jeyra quickly punched him in the face, snapping his head back to slam it into the rock wall, knocking him out.
“Nicely done,” Cael said.
Jeyra glanced at Erith to find the female staring at her with what looked a lot like admiration. After Cael moved the man out of the tunnel, they continued on, picking up the pace until they were running.
When she reached the section where Varek had been held, Jeyra glanced into the entrance. Her entire life had changed down here. She couldn’t think about that now. She had to focus on the dragons, because she had no idea what they would find.
The torches became scarcer as the incline grew steep enough that she had to slow down. Cael touched her arm to get her attention and moved in front of her. Jeyra didn’t get offended because whatever he and Erith were might be the only reason any of them survived. Jeyra glanced at Erith as they passed one of the torches, and she saw the female carrying what looked like a black sword.
The rattle of chains drew her up short. She tightened her grip on her spear as Erith moved ahead of her. Jeyra inwardly shook herself and began walking. Not too far ahead, the tunnel ended, and bright light could be seen within the opening of a cave.
Jeyra was barely cognizant of Cael and Erith using hand signals at each other. She was drawn to the light, unable to stop moving closer and closer. Th
e chains clanked again, this time louder. They dragged on stone, heavy and large. There had to be something immense within the cavern.
Her heart hammered, and all the old fears and hatred of dragons threatened once more. Then she was at the opening, and she peered inside. Her eyes clashed with huge white orbs belonging to a red dragon lying on the ground. It’s four legs, as well as its neck, were encased in massive shackles, keeping it from standing or moving more than a few inches.
The anguish and distress pouring from the beast brought tears to her eyes. The dragon silently pleaded with her for help. She blinked away the moisture in her eyes and gazed at the metallic scales that seemed to have lost their luster.
Jeyra walked toward the dragon. She couldn’t take her eyes from it, noting the many scars that crisscrossed its massive body. When she reached it, she was dwarfed by the animal, and still, she stretched out her hand and placed it on the dragon. She felt a tremor run through the massive body. A moment later, Jeyra felt something wet on her cheek as the first tear fell. She didn’t stop the others.
She heard more movement behind her and turned to see a pink dragon no bigger than a dog. It was in a tiny cage, barely able to even turn around. The petite dragon had no fight left. It didn’t even glance her way with its blue eyes.
She turned back to the red dragon. “We’re going to help you.”
“This is the last place you should be. And you will pay for your insolence.”
The sound of Arn’s voice behind her caused her blood to turn to ice. Jeyra slowly pivoted to the council leader. “How dare you? This city put their lives in your hands and look what you’ve done. The poor animals are dying!”
“It’s because of these poor animals, as you call them, that we remain safe.” He crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “Someone had to put a stop to the killings. I made sure it happened since no one else could.”
Jeyra was flabbergasted. “The dragons killed, but so did we. And I have a feeling they’ve come here to free the ones you captured.”
“No one cares why the dragons aren’t coming, only that they don’t have to fear for their lives anymore. The last dragon attack was your family. You can thank me for there not being more.”
