Fire Born

by Rayanne Haines

  She'd seen a few werewolves at one end of the bow, but they kept to themselves. Wolves were notoriously aloof with other immortals. Most of the crossing was spent in her car, counting down the minutes. Once docked, she'd peeled off the deck as quickly as possible and made it from the docks to the office in under forty minutes. She was sure there’d be at least one speeding ticket in her mailbox the next day.

  She parked her Nissan Murano and hastily made her way through the crowds of hipsters lounging along the streets of Gastown. She'd never fit in this part of the city. Was as far from hipster as one could get. Quinn looked like she was in her late-thirties. When she’d found Alex, it’d been necessary to allow her body to age to fit the human timeline of being her aunt.

  Elementals typically came into their immortality in their mid-twenties and then only aged one year for every hundred they lived. She'd allowed her aging to speed up a bit. Then discovered she enjoyed ageing. Liked sensible clothing that fit her well. Liked her skin and the laugh lines that appeared around her eyes. She stopped wearing makeup. Her style was uncomplicated and practical, the way she liked her life.

  Her attempt to flirt with Lachon that morning had been ridiculous. Quinn didn't flirt. Didn't use her body to try and entice men. Her body wasn't her strength. Her mind was.

  Her sister had been stunning beyond words. Lithe and delicate looking, with a fire that roared above the surface. There was no mistaking Gray’s wildness. Alex, was even more tremendous. Her untamed beauty drew looks to her like moths to a flame. But it was her off-beat humor and intelligence that made her special.

  She pushed through a group of twenty somethings on the sidewalk, her stomach re-coiling at what she’d done. The Law of the Elementals was currently asleep and vulnerable on a pillow in her kitchen. Most of their kind feared his name with good reason. Lachon never faltered in his vow to uphold the law of his people. She muttered a series of swear words under her breath at the front door of the office.

  Inside the building, she walked quickly and without ceremony through the reception area. Most of the staff saw her sparingly. She traveled or worked from her home office at least three quarters of the month. After Alex came into her life it’d been necessary to keep her away from Vancouver.

  No one commented on her brisk walk through the lobby. She wasn't known for small talk. She made sure the history of their race was intact. Had no need to be friends with her staff. She shut the door to her office, started up her computer, linked to the company network, and downloaded all the files on Taurin and Ealian. Then erased any personal documents that might mention Gray’s pregnancy from both her computer and any external hard drives. She took all the photos from her desk and threw them in her briefcase along with her laptop. Once that was done she composed herself and headed to the archives room.

  A few senior staff members greeted her warmly as she wandered through the office. At the door to the archive room, she hesitated a fraction of a second before swiping her electronic key to gain entry. There was no going back now. Hell, there was no going back after she'd shot Lachon Findel. The lock slid open. Quinn walked through the doors determined to change her family’s destiny.

  ~ ~ ~

  Inside the room, the air was cool and dry. The temperature strictly regulated. Most of the documents were sealed in plastic sheets. There were thousands of years of archived materials in here. The staff was careful not to let any of the papers become damaged. The sweeping changes Quinn herself instituted over two hundred years ago, were the reason most of their history remained intact. Everything in this room had been scanned and saved on triplicate hard drives so that even if the papers themselves were lost, the information would be safe.

  Quinn deleted what she needed. Only a few Elementals on earth had access like she did. Domhall used to, until he went nuts. A couple of judges had more limited access. In the end, they’d all know the youngest keeper they'd ever had, betrayed them.

  It took less than sixty seconds to locate the files needed. No one who knew this room like she did. She’d designed it after the previous archives room had failed to live up to her exacting specifications. She shoved the files into her briefcase and picked up the file on Lachon the Law as well. No matter what Domhall thought, she was damn well going to be prepared if she had to fight him. She exited the room, refused to look back. The archives were in her past now.

  Three minutes later, waving a polite goodbye to the front receptionist, she entered the elevator. It had taken her less than an hour to destroy the very foundation of her life.

  “Have a great night, Ms. Taleisin,” said the young girl at reception.

  Her name was Brie. Quinn had handpicked her to join the team. Brie was short, and round, with shining, intelligent eyes. Quinn broke a little inside. Her goddamn family was ruining everything. If it weren’t for Alex, she'd let them rot.

  Back on the street she pushed her way through a throng of hipsters nursing fifteen-dollar bottles of beer. On the dash of her Murano was tucked a perfectly printed out parking ticket.

  “Are you kidding me? Goddamn.” She looked around for the meter maid, kicked the tires of her car.

  A couple young ladies smirked at her. She happily gave them the finger before ripping up the ticket, climbing into her car, and driving away from her life.

  It took over an hour to reach the airport. Traffic was always shitty on the number One Highway. That afternoon it crawled at a standstill. She was sure building security was right behind her, or that Lachon had somehow freed himself and would reach her, but no one came.

  When she finally reached the airport Domhall was waiting for her at stall four-thirty-four. Neither of them said anything. When she climbed out the car with bags in tow, he hugged her. For the first time in twenty-five years she gave herself a minute to let her dad hold her and make her feel safe.

  He used his magic to get them through the airport and customs. Within minutes they were on his plane, headed to Greece and to her sister. Quinn held her breath until they were in the air.

  “You did well, darling. Thank you.”

  “Go to hell. I didn't do it for you. The only one I care about in this is Alex. You and Gray can re-disappear for all I care.” She laughed, loathing herself. “Do you even care that my entire future is over? For your golden daughter. I can't believe I did this. I left a man drugged in my kitchen. I betrayed all the people I work with, people I hired. Any chance I had at a normal life with my niece is gone thanks to you.”

  Domhall leaned back in his seat, scrolled through his iPod and put his headphones on before replying, “None of that matters. Destinies are at stake.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The plane landed on a private runway on Hydra Island eleven hours later. Quin hadn’t slept. They drove through the villages on the island, both aware many eyes followed them. It seemed her nephew had been busy fortifying his corner of the world. They parked at the port. Domhall led her to a small speed boat, ready and waiting to take off.

  “How did you arrange all this?” Quinn asked.

  Several men and women slid back into the shadows, the minute they stepped on the boat deck.

  “I'm a man of many talents child.” Domhall grinned. “I have a few good people that help support our needs. Now sit back. This sucker has kick.” He nodded to the driver of the boat. “Home Jeeves.”

  Ten minutes into the ride across the ocean, the hair on her skin tensed. The air around them calmed. The winds ceased and a ripple in the fabric of the earth opened, allowing them entry to Neeren's kingdom. As they passed the threshold, a large island appeared. The driver released the throttle, dropped their speed and easily made his way up to a shining silver dock lined with black panthers.

  Domhall faced her, grinning like a teenager. “They brought out the welcoming party.”

  Quinn gripped her satchel, scanned the dock for Alex. A lon
e man stood at the front of the group. He acknowledged her with a slight smile before calmly turning to Domhall.

  “Welcome, Grandfather. We have been expecting you.”

  “Hey, kid. I noticed the silent escort through Hydra. Assumed you’d be waiting.”

  “Well,” he replied, “I cannot have you sneak on the island like the first time, can I?”

  Chapter 36

  Quinn climbed off the boat, openly studying this stranger that was her nephew. Domhall’s voice interrupted her analysis.

  “Neeren, may I present Quinn, your aunt. Quinn this is Neeren, King of the Parthen and your nephew.”

  She continued to stare at him. Found herself memorizing his face . . . just in case. She wanted to say something, but the words stuck somewhere in her chest. And then the young man, in front of his people, bowed to her before dropping to one knee.

  “I have waited far too long to meet you. Mother has told me many stories about your youth. Thank you for protecting my sister for so many years. You forever have my loyalty and gratitude.” He grasped her hand and kissed it before rising.

  Quinn squeezed her eyes shut a moment. He meant it, she realized, even if it was too practiced, to feel completely genuine. He was a man who understood perception and diplomacy. Still, she was willing to give it a try if he was. It was why she’d come. To meet her blood, the boy she'd never known.

  That boy stood before her as still and silent as a piece of marble. He held his lean muscles deceptively taught. Bare feet peeked out from beneath tan slacks. She released the breath she hadn’t realized she held. Looked down at the hand still holding hers. Squeezed.

  “Neeren, we have a lot of lost time to make up, don’t we? I’m sorry this happened to us. I have to admit I'm still in a bit of shock, but I can't wait to know you now and to build the relationship we should have always had.”

  He reached out, trapped her in his arms for a bear hug that took her off her feet, and whispered in her ear, “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your nephew.”

  He put her down slowly, took her hand, raised his voice so the rest of the assembled group could hear. “Come. I think it is time we all joined Mother and Alex at the house. They've been waiting most impatiently.”

  Together they walked down the dock. A tribe of panthers followed. Quinn could see that Neeren was no fool. This was his kingdom and he would have his display of power mixed with his happy reunion.

  It was in her nature to absorb all she saw and catalogue it for dissection later. She noticed animals watching them from the tree-line, with more along the edges of the cliffs above. The sun poured down on her as they climbed. Neeren easily matched his pace to hers. Seemed quite content to do so.

  “We're almost there,” he said. “Alex was very excited to hear you were coming. So was Mother. You'll find she has changed much from the woman you knew.”

  She recognized the subtle protective quality to his tone. “I suspect none of us are quite the same.”

  He nodded, a slightly ironic smile on his lips. “Touché.”

  Quinn decided the sizing up of each other was complete. It was time to be family. She linked her arm with his. “This is heaven.”

  He clasped her arm with his other hand. “Indeed.”

  As they reached the top of the cliff Quinn had her first good look at the estate. Every inch of his castle glistened in the light. And it was a castle, make no mistake. Hundreds of Parthen men and women stood waiting to greet them.

  Alex stood in the centre of the group dressed in a violet silk sheath that clung to her curves and fell just below her knees. Her hair flew untamed, the ends burning in the sun. Quinn could see the fully formed flame tattoo wound around her flesh. It had only been a week, yet her niece stood before her fully evolved and more beautiful than she could have imagined.

  Alex broke free of the group and ran to her.

  “See, didn't I tell you everything would be okay,” Quinn said as she dashed away tears of joy.

  “You did. Good thing I listened to you,” Alex replied. “My mother is here. Come on, you have to see her.”

  Alex led her back to the group. Quinn searched for her warrior sister in the crowd. When Gray stepped forward she gaped at the vulnerable woman standing before her. Surely, this woman couldn't be Gray? Surely Neeren had been wrong? She couldn't have changed that much. This woman was cut from glass not born of earth. Her white hair held no light. Her shoulders held no strength. She was a delicate doll, not the fighter Quinn knew.

  She offered her hand, “Hello, Quinn. Thank you for protecting Alexedria and for collecting the information for father to help us. You didn't have too. But I thank you for being there when I couldn't be.”

  Quinn stared at her for a minute longer then reached out and slapped her across the face. “Are you kidding me. That’s the hello I get? Who the fuck do you think you are, and where is my sister?”

  Her sister responded by hurling herself at Quinn. By swearing and hitting her. Quinn took it all. Held nothing back in response. Years of anger, frustration, and loss exploded out of her, directed at the only other person on the planet who could take it all and forgive—a sister.

  Domhall restrained Alex. Neeren held his hand up to his people to stop any of them from interfering.

  Quinn met her sister punch for punch, sob for sob. Until, slowly the anger that had been rotting in her gut turned to something else. Grief, confusion, curiosity. Gratitude that her sister lived. She wiped the tears off Gray’s face. Held her tightly and stared into her eyes. The pain and loss was obvious for anyone to see.

  “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

  “I swear. Never again,” Gray replied.

  Eventually, they used each other to get up, pushing each other to the ground while standing. They were covered in sand and grass.

  “Look at what you did to my dress,” Gray scolded as she shot her a mischievous look.

  “Thank God. Since when did you start dressing like a dead doll anyway? Now take me to your closet so I can throw everything out.”

  They ignored everyone and made their way into the castle arm and arm, letting the rest follow at their own pace.

  Chapter 37

  Collum called ahead to ensure everything was ready when they reached Athens. His staff in Greece met them at the airport and delivered them straight to his home. Mar gave him a surprised look when they drove up to a modest, white washed apartment building on the edge of the city.

  “I don't need to call attention to myself,” Collum told her when she turned questioning eyes on him.

  “Patience, Mi Amigo,” Mar replied. “I've never been to Athens. Couldn't we be tourists for a teeny, tiny bit?”

  “We aren’t here for vacation. You told me to get you to Greece. I did. Now, you get me to Alex.”

  He pushed open the door to his home, showing her that what looked like an apartment building from the outside was instead, one massive house.

  “I'm not an idiot either, Mar.” He grinned at her accusatory look. “I don't share my living space with strangers. Dragons don't live with roommates.”

  Her lips twitched. “There's the archaic dragon we all know and love.” She pushed through the doors into the wide-open entrance hall. Ancient artifacts lined the room. “Some of these pieces must be five hundred years old. Does the Greek government know you have a museum of ancient treasures in the middle of a suburb?”

  “Of course, they do. Who do you think is better at protecting history? A two-thousand-year-old dragon or a twenty-five-year-old soldier, fresh out of basic training, suffering from quick finger trigger syndrome?”

  “Riiiight, point taken, Beast of the Realm. Makes sense. Look, can you point me to the bathroom? I stink like airplane and I need to wash up. Also, I don't suppose you brought any of Glenny's c
offee with you. I could use a cup.”

  Collum signaled the maid waiting in the wings. “Sorry, Glenn doesn't share his coffee. If you want to sample it again, you'll have to come back to England for a visit.”

  “Is that an invitation? I thought you didn't like my obnoxious witch ways.”

  “You were right it seems. You grow on people.”

  “Damn right, big boy.”

  Collum smirked, and turned to the young woman waiting. “Show the lady to a room in the East Wing.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Downstairs in his den, Collum paced. They’d been there an hour. The sun had set. He lit candles rather than turning on lights. Greece reminded him of ancient times. When he’d been less tame. When he’d taken whatever he wanted. Played with the Gods and Goddesses of the ancient world.

  He was preparing to go over financials when Mar rushed into his den, covered in bubbles, hair dripping soap into her eyes. A towel wrapped haphazardly around her torso, barely covered her breasts.

  “You might want to get a robe on before . . .”

  “Oh, shut up,” she interrupted. “I figured it out. I know how we can use the portal. Now, sit down and find someone to make me a Bloody Mary. If I'm not able to sleep my jet lag off, then I'm damn well going to drink through it.”

  “Catalina,” he bellowed.

  The girl ran in the room, nearly colliding with the witch dripping water on his marble floor.

  “Get her a Bloody Mary and a robe,” he shouted at the maid.

  She took off out of the room at another run.

  “Now, tell me what you know. And keep a tight goddamn grip on that towel.”

  “Yeah, I know, God forbid you see another woman’s assets.” She flopped her dripping wetness on to the cream leather love seat and pulled a throw from the back of it over her lap.