by Linsey Hall
Fate of Fire
Dragon’s Gift The Forbidden Fae Book 2
Linsey Hall
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Thank You!
Acknowledgments
Author’s Note
About Linsey
Copyright
1
“How the hell am I supposed to kill a demon when I have no magic?” I muttered, squinting down into the darkened alley from my perch on the rooftop.
Puka looked at me, little fox eyes glinting in the night, bright with bloodlust. Chop his head off, dummy.
I pursed my lips and nodded. “It’s really my only option.”
Puka huffed. I can’t believe I have to tell you these things.
“You’re a smart dude, Puka.”
I’m a girl today.
“Cool.” The fox could change its gender at will, along with its color. She was the best magical sidekick a girl could ask for.
I grinned at her, then gripped my largest bronze ax and leaned over the rooftop, watching the demon in the narrow alley below. He was huge—at least nine feet tall, with hulking muscles and massive claws. His horns protruded from his head and appeared to be tipped with poison.
I rubbed a weary hand over my face and tried to ignore the empty nausea turning in my stomach. Powering through was the only option.
It’d been just two days since I’d given my all of my magic to save Iain and the Sea Fae of Cornwall. I was still feeling the emptiness. I always would, if I couldn’t find a way to get my magic back.
After the horrifying event, my brother Connor and I had immediately started visiting seers to try to find a way to get my magic back. So far, no luck.
Then the Order of the Magica had called with a job. Since I was a mercenary who took out the worst types of demons, I couldn’t turn it down or this monster would continue to roam free. The supernatural government had no idea that I was powerless, and I planned to keep it that way. No one should know, other than the few who already did.
Anyway. I was a survivor by nature. And I had a damned big ax. Of course I could get through this. If I could successfully dodge Iain’s attempts to contact me—which I had—I could do this.
One step at a time. Kill the demon to keep the Order off my back, recover my missing magic, then find the SoulStone once I was strong enough.
I glanced at Puka. “Can you block the end of the alley?”
I’d be delighted. The fox licked her lips. She wasn’t into eating demon—she had a distinct preference for beef jerky—but she did like a fight.
“Let’s do this.” I gripped the ax and leapt over the edge of the roof, wishing I had my Fae wings as I braced myself for the landing.
I hit the ground in a crouch—mostly graceful—and landed right behind the demon. He spun around, his lips drawn back in a grimace that revealed long fangs. They dripped, making my stomach lurch.
His skin gleamed a burnished red beneath the glow of the streetlamps, and he growled low in his throat as he raised a claw-tipped hand. Each one was at least eight inches long, sharp as a blade.
“What’s up, Freddy?” I straightened and raised my ax.
He tilted his head, confused.
“You know, like Freddy Krueger?” I nodded to his claws.
He growled again and stepped toward me.
“Not the sharpest fang on the vampire, are you?” I lunged toward him, swinging my ax.
He darted right, surprisingly quick for such a big demon. My blade sliced into his arm, and he howled, swiping out with his claws. I darted backward, narrowly avoiding them as they whistled past my face.
“You’re trying to make this fun.” I grinned widely.
“You’re weak.”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t deny it. My magic was all gone. Of course I was weak. “But I’m pissed off and good with an ax.”
I charged him. I had a lot of aggression to let out, and this guy was the perfect target. He ate babies for fun and needed to be sent back to the hell from which he’d come.
He saw something in me that he didn’t like—join the club, buddy—and turned to run.
Puka charged him from the other end of the alley, leaping up onto his chest with her fangs bared. He swatted at her, and I went for his neck with my ax, taking his head off in one clean swoop.
Blood spurted, and Puka shouted, Hey!
The fox leapt down as the head tumbled to the ground, narrowly avoiding the red spray on her white fur.
“Gotta be quick, Puka.” I grinned at the fox as the demon’s body thudded to the ground. Over the next few minutes, his body would disappear and he’d wake up in whatever hell he’d crawled out of and immediately try to get back to earth. If he showed up in Magic’s Bend again, I’d be ready for him.
Puka glared at me. I had that situation under control.
“I know. But I’m in a foul mood. I needed that.”
Feel better?
“A bit.” I stashed the ax back in the ether. Since the ability to store things in the ether was a bit of magic I’d purchased from an Ether Welder, I hadn’t lost it when I’d given all my power to save the Sea Fae.
Well, you’ve had a hard couple of days. Maybe we can find you another demon to kill.
“You’re a good friend, Puka. You really get me.”
Just two murderous babes, out on the hunt.
Okay, that was a little nerdy but I liked it. Puka had been trying out slang the last couple days and it only sometimes landed.
Do you think the Order will send you another job soon?
“If they don’t, I might have to go rogue and find one.”
I like how you think.
The truth was, it was wishful thinking. I’d done this job to keep the Order from figuring out something was wrong with me. But I needed to make some headway getting my magic back so I could find the SoulStone, or I’d be in even bigger trouble.
The last two days, I’d been dodging Iain by keeping busy with my hunt for answers about my missing magic, rarely showing up at my apartment or Potions & Pastilles. Leaving town wasn’t an option because that would be basically running away, and I wasn’t a runner. It wasn’t like Iain was out for my death like he had been last time.
Anyway, I needed to be available in case the Court of the Fire Fae needed me, which they probably would. I’d lost the SoulStone of our people, after all. There would be consequences. I wasn’t sure if they’d figured out yet that I’d stolen it, but they would. Soon, most likely.
With any luck, I’d have my magic back by the time they found me.
I knelt by the demon’s body and patted through the pockets, looking for any valuable charms or weapons. There was nothing, so I stood. His body had already started to disappear, and would be gone entirely soon. It made my job a heck of a lot more convenient.
I looked down at Puka. “Let’s head home.”
No can do, sis. I’ve got places to be.
“You just show up for the fighting, huh?”
And the snacks. She gave me a serious look.
“Of course. I wouldn’t dream of forgetting.” I dug into my jacket pocket and pulled out a small bag of beef jerky. I handed her a particularly big piece, which she nipped out of my hand. “See you later.”
She made a weird noise in her throat as acknowledgment, then trotted off, her white tail held high, waving like a feather duster.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and strode out of the alley. Time to get home, at least for a short while. Connor got tetchy if I didn’t check in.
I found my bike where I’d left it and climbed on. The Harley was an old one, and if I were handier with a wrench or more organized about repairs, it might run a little better. As it was, the thing sounded like a groaning old man as I turned it on.
“You’ll be okay.” I patted it. Both me and the Harley were in a bad way, and it made me feel a bit guilty about the bike. I patted it again. “I’ll take better care of you.”
The bike didn’t answer, but whatever. I was a weirdo who talked to my motorcycle. It was the least of my flaws.
I pulled away from the curb and joined the sparse traffic through Magic’s Bend. I’d killed the demon in Darklane, the part of Magic’s Bend where the dark magic users lived. This part of town seemed to be clouded in perpetual fog, the tall Victorian buildings coated with a thin layer of dark magic. The soot-like substance covered the once vibrant paints of the ornate houses that were pressed up against each other. It was all like some kind of dark fairytale.
My bike rumbled as I rode past Mordaca and Aerdeca’s house. My two friends sat on their front steps, each wearing their usual outfits—Aerdeca in a sleek white pantsuit, her silky blond hair flowing over her shoulder, and Mordaca in a plunging black dress and bouffant that made her look like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. They were the most powerful supernaturals in Darklane, two blood sorceresses, though Mordaca was also half Fae.
Each held a tiny cocktail glass that I knew was full of straight booze, maybe with a splash of vermouth. No Appletinis for those ladies. They were dry martini and Manhattan types. In another era they’d have been surrounded by clouds of cigarette smoke in some swanky speakeasy. Now, they hung out on their steps and glared at passersby. Except me—they waved as I passed, then went back to their gossip. It was hard not to feel like I’d been chosen by the cool kids.
On the way home, I swerved through the light traffic, passing through the Historic District—which looked a lot like Darklane but without the black magic stains everywhere—and the Business District. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to get back to Factory Row. The long brick buildings were shrouded in shadow, but lights gleamed from many of the large windows. The four-story buildings had been built over a hundred years ago, but had recently been renovated for shops and apartments.
Potions & Pastilles was lit with a golden glow from within, the brightest and most welcoming of the bunch. I spotted Connor behind the counter, pouring whiskey into a short glass.
Affection twinged in my chest, filling it slightly and driving away a bit of the emptiness. I’d almost lost him in Iain’s kingdom when the ice had gotten to him.
Irritation surged inside me.
The Fae king and I hadn’t spent much time together—but it had been intense. I’d developed feelings for him, but now that I was away and out of that crazy situation, I was starting to think there might have been a bit of Stockholm Syndrome going on.
After all, he’d hunted me my whole life and planned to sacrifice me.
It was definitely not normal to like a guy like that, no matter how attractive and powerful. Sure, he’d had a change of heart. It had been partially driven by the love potion I’d given him—which he was sure to be pissed about. But I’d done it to save my own life. Despite it, I’d noticed that he wasn’t the cold, unfeeling monster I’d thought he was. Just a king duty-bound to his court.
And we were now mated, the ceremony complete.
Which meant he was coming for me.
I shook my head to drive away the thoughts and climbed off the bike. I didn’t want to spend long here, just in case he showed up. But Connor would be worried if I didn’t check in, and I needed a change of clothes. Not to mention, some dinner.
I strode into Potions & Pastilles. The scent of savory Cornish pasties made my stomach grumble.
Connor smiled at me, his dark hair gleaming under the light of hanging mason jar lamps. The interior of P&P was done up in warm woods, with local art on the walls and Connor’s carefully curated music playing through the speakers.
It was our home away from home, and I didn’t know if I’d be able to leave it when the time came to face my fate back in the Fae Court that had once been mine.
There were only a few people in the bar—the FireSouls included. Nix, Cass, and Del all sat in their favorite corner. They waved. I nodded at them and managed a smile, but headed straight for the counter.
Connor leaned on it, propping his elbows on the wood as his green eyes glinted with good humor. “So, what’s it to be?”
I pursed my lips and eyed the selection of Cornish pasties in the glass case. The golden crusts of the half-moon-shaped pastries gleamed under the light, and I pointed to the cheese and onion. “The usual.”
“Coming right up.” He grabbed it out of the case and went to heat it up.
I skirted around the bar and got to work at the espresso machine, making myself a double. I rarely did shifts at P&P, but I’d mastered all the equipment. As the machine steamed away, I looked longingly at the tap containing Jail Ale. It was a traditional Dartmoor real ale, carefully kept at cellar temperature to keep the yeast inside it alive, and it was my favorite. We went to a hell of a lot of work to keep the cellar system up and running for it, but now wasn’t the time. I needed my wits about me, and as much energy as I could get.
Connor returned as I finished my espresso and handed me the warm pasty. I grabbed it so fast that he raised his hands and stepped back. “I’ll back away slowly. No need to get violent.”
“I’m just hungry.” But the comment made me smile before I bit into the savory treat.
“Any luck with the seers?” he asked.
The question made the food turn to dust in my mouth, which was really saying something, considering how much I liked my cheese and onion. I chewed and swallowed, then shook my head. “Struck out with the last one, then killed a demon to let off some steam.”
He pointed to my clothes. “That explains the blood.”
I looked down, realizing that I was splattered with demon blood. “Damn it, that must have happened when I beheaded him.”
A little old lady sitting near the bar turned around to stare at me, her coffee forgotten in front of her.
“The customers.” Connor gave me an admonishing look.
“Don’t mind me, dear. I killed a lot of demons in my day.”
“Still, you’re retired. You’re trying to relax. Sorry.” I smiled at the woman, then chomped down on a huge bite of pasty, figuring it was better to keep my mouth full so I wouldn’t talk.
Connor lowered his voice. “Well, you’re not going to like hearing that Iain showed up again.”
“Did he come in?”
“Nope. Just appeared on the sidewalk, looked at your apartment for a few seconds, then left.”
“He can sense I’m not in there.”
“Could he always do that?”
“No, I think it’s part of the mate bond from the ceremony.” Along with all the hot dreams. I could feel a pull to him, and he could feel it to me. Frankly, it was weird, having all the connections of matehood before my heart caught up.
A chiming noise sounded from the back kitchen, and Connor’s head whipped toward it. “Potion is done.”
“The one that was trying to contact the last seer on our list?” My heart skipped a beat. Given my poor luck, Connor’s potion was one of my last chances.
“Yeah.” Connor looked toward the FireSouls. “Can one of you watch the front?”
The three of them turned toward Connor.
“Sure,” Cass said. “But I’ll warn you that I make shit coffee.”
“It’s beer o’clock anyway,” Connor said. “You’ll be fine.”
“Then I’m on it.” She stood and
brushed her hands off on her jeans, her red hair glinting in the light.
I followed Connor back through our narrow kitchen to his tiny potions room at the very rear of our building. The small room was cluttered with every variety of potion ingredient—many of them probably illegal. He was the best potions master I’d ever met, and I wasn't just saying that because he was my brother.
Supernaturals came from all over the world to buy potions from him. He liked running P&P because he was good with people, but it also served as a front for his valuable potions business. Most of it was on the up and up with the law, but not all of it. Hence, P&P.
I stepped into the room, which wasn’t as small as it looked. It was just stuffed so full that it looked tiny, and there was a secret area that was kept out of sight. All the good stuff was back there.
On the table across from the door, a cauldron smoked, purple plumes curling toward the ceiling.
Connor hurried to it and grabbed a pair of tongs from the cluttered table. A crisp white parchment the size of my palm floated on the surface.
“That potion really sent that parchment through the ether?” I asked. It was a rare thing, to be able to send objects through the ether. It wasn’t so hard to send a person, but that was because a person could think about where they wanted to go. An object couldn’t. Therefore, it needed a bit more help getting to its destination.
He arched a brow. “You doubt my brilliance?”
“Never!” Despite the hollowness in my chest, I managed to crack a smile.
He shot me a grin, then fished the parchment out.
“Wow.”
Connor held the paper out to me. “You do the honors.”
My heartbeat thundered in my hollow chest as I took the paper from him. It was still warm from the potion.
This was it.
I’d already asked every seer I knew about how to recover my lost magic. This was my last chance. The last seer, and the most powerful besides the Rowan Seer.
