Dragonfire: Freedom in Flames (Secrets of the Makai Book 3)

by Toni Kerr

  “What information, the gem locations?”

  “No, we already have that.” Tristan gulped. He probably should have asked for something else, like where all the hidden stashes of loot were, so he could finance this whole ‘save the world’ campaign without relying on Donovan’s resources. Donovan gripped his shoulders and gave him a firm squeeze, pressuring him to finish. “Names, histories, where they live...please let me go.”

  Donovan took a step back, releasing his hold. “You aren’t referring to the races, who and where, are you?”

  “See? That would have been so much smarter. But I wasn’t thinking. I was worried about Jacques. I’m sure there were a million better questions I could have asked...but now it’s too late.”

  “Tristan!” Donovan hissed. “Whatever you asked for, it felt right at the time and what’s done is done.”

  Tristan nodded, rubbing his arms. But the last thing they needed were more out-of-control dragons running around. They had a hard enough time keeping one under control.

  “You are alpha, Tristan. Maybe you could have fooled the council in some clever way, but you can’t fool intelligent predators in the wild. What did you ask for?”

  He longed to fly alone in the moonlight, not on a desperate mission, but to find peace in his heart. How quickly he’d reverted to helpless victim, begging for help and handouts, clueless on how to precede. He clenched his burning shoulder and swallowed again, unable to face any of the people who’d already given up so much for him. “More dragons.”

  “There are more of you?” asked Oliver sternly. “Did I hear that right?”

  Tristan nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  “How many are there?” Landon asked. “Where?”

  “Thirty-four. The oldest died about a week ago in a motorcycle accident. He was in his twenties, trying to race a train through an intersection.”

  “Doesn’t sound very intelligent,” Victor said, then shrugged when Landon gave him a harsh look.

  “It gets worse,” Tristan added. “He was robbing a bank and had stolen the motorcycle.”

  “Is that the typical behavior we’ll be seeing?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s not our mission right now.”

  “Really?” Alvi said. “You aren’t even curious? It wouldn’t be that hard to—”

  “No,” Donovan said sharply. “We will keep all of our attention focused on the current operation. When there is time to do it properly, we will add such things.”

  “It’s more of a personal quest, anyway,” Tristan said. “You don’t have to be involved at all.”

  “That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard from you, Tristan,” said Oliver. “Because if that man tries to recruit someone and they say no, they’re as good as dead.”

  “Last I checked, you were still breathing.” Donovan turned from Oliver and barked out orders. “We’ll meet at the castle at 7am. I’ll take Jacques with me and we’ll keep him with Samara. Tristan, you have approximately ten hours to fly, but do not run yourself down any more than you have. Tomorrow is the day.”

  “For the Forest of Darkness?” They couldn’t possibly be ready. Maybe they should wait for Jacques to be fully recovered. “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes. And find something to eat. Quickly.”

  “Got it!” Victor vanished, followed by a grinning Alvi.

  “I’ll gather some things, too,” said Dorian, heading for her cabin.

  “No, wait.” Tristan glanced at Donovan. How much do Oliver, Eric, and Philip know?

  About what? We all have personal business.

  Releasing the gems, what they are, and what we plan to do with them.

  I don’t believe they know everything, said Donovan.

  Good. The fewer the better, I think, but the reason I was coming here in the first place was to ask Dorian about letting us use the island as a temporary shelter for the gems we don’t know anything about—the ones the slayers took. Just until we can figure out what continent they belong on. Tristan glanced at Oliver the same time Donovan did. It was clear to everyone that they were talking privately, but it couldn’t be helped. It’s neutral territory, it’s already hidden, and the plants come from all over the world...they might know historical—

  I have no objections.

  Really? But so many things could go wrong.

  Things could go wrong anywhere, and there are advantages to using this particular island—the biggest being that it is not neutral territory. You’ve already claimed it as your own.

  “What?” Tristan shook his head, as if to scramble his thoughts and make them land where they were supposed to. Donovan wasn’t the type to joke around about these things. “I never—”

  Oliver cleared his throat and stood with his arms crossed. Eric scratched his scalp and walked away. Dorian sat and Philip stood directly behind her, mimicking Oliver.

  You marked the entire perimeter when you first arrived by sea.

  I did not. I didn’t even know any of this, so how could I— His jaw hung open farther as he recalled the three days it took to circle the entire island. He burst into laughter, covering his mouth as tears sprang to his eyes. And more laughter. He laughed so hard, he doubled over and squeezed his eyes shut. Dorian’s going to kill me.

  “Borders on rude, don’t you think?” Dorian said casually to Landon.

  “Yeah, but I kind of like seeing him laugh for a change. The concern is, Donovan isn’t a funny man. So I’m guessing it’s emotional instability with all the stress.”

  Dorian nodded, making a show of evaluating his behavior—probably to be equally as rude in return.

  “That’s all we need,” added Philip. “More unstable behavior.”

  Tristan sobered at the thought.

  I would advise you to do the same thing tonight after you’ve eaten, but with intent. Think of it not as taking possession of the island from her, but as a warning to all who step upon the land: an Alpha Dragon has laid claim.

  “How long did you expect us to wait?” asked Oliver. “I, for one, do not intend to stay.”

  “I—” Tristan stared at Donovan. His advice was so simple, and not. He turned and walked toward Oliver, wiping at his cheeks with a sandy arm. He tucked his wings in and cradled his bad arm to his chest. Suddenly, he felt exhausted and a bit dizzy, the strength to keep his left wing off the ground was faltering. He’d already decided he wouldn’t look Oliver in the eyes. He would present himself like the tiny female coyote: brave enough to stick around, but too inconsequential to be a threat.

  “For goodness sake, Tristan,” said Dorian, offering her chair next to Landon. “Just sit down already.”

  Philip stepped up from behind her and put a hand on her shoulder.

  “In a minute.” His lower back ached, and though he tried to straighten a little so as not to over exaggerate his weaknesses, he couldn’t. He swallowed hard, well past anything humorous. He glanced at Oliver for a split second, then kept his gaze on the man’s shoes. “I need to speak with Dorian.”

  “She’s right there. Say what you need to say and be gone.”

  “Alone.” Tristan glanced over at her to make sure she would give him a moment with Oliver to explain. “I understand there is a tree on the island, an old one who might—”

  Oliver tensed and glanced at Philip. It was such an odd reaction, Tristan stared up at him. He doesn’t know about Dorian and the plants?

  No. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.

  I just need her to translate any information the tree might have for me. “I’d like to get a feel for how old it is,” Tristan said, less sure of his plan. He’d have to figure out how much Philip knew about anything. He had to know the dragon part, and the wings were certainly visible.

  “Why do you need to be alone for that?” asked Philip.

  It was a good question. Tristan bit his lip and thought for a moment.

  “I’ll just tag along at a polite distance,” Oliver said, narrowing his eyes at Tristan. “Just so you don’t
forget your manners.”

  “Actually, I’d hoped to speak with you myself,” said Donovan. “In private.”

  Oliver rolled his eyes. “Fine. Landon, you go with them.”

  “He’s not yours to command,” said Donovan.

  “See?” Tristan said, skirting the fire to get to Dorian. “This is why I don’t want either of them around. Overpowering control freaks. I just need ten minutes.”

  “Phfft,” said Philip. “It’ll take ten just to get there.”

  “Fine. Ten to get there, ten to look at the tree, ten to walk back.”

  Dorian held her hand out to him and he took it without thinking, pulling her along with him. He stopped when Philip blocked his path.

  “You’re up to something,” Philip said, tilting his head.

  “Look, Philip.” Tristan’s left wing evened out with the right and his legs didn’t feel so weak. “I don’t like you, you don’t like me. Do you honestly think Dorian would dump you for a lizard? With wings? The only reason I’m holding her hand to drag her along is because I don’t think she’d come with me at all until someone orders her to, which no one will because we all know how that goes, and this way,” Tristan held up their joined hands, “the decision is made and when you give her grief about it later, she can say she didn’t have any choice in the matter.”

  “Philip,” said Oliver. “Come with me.”

  “Landon.” Donovan nodded once and Landon followed Tristan.

  “Oh my god, you guys are impossible,” Tristan said, determined to sound whiny and appalled by the idea of Landon coming with them. He pulled Dorian toward the trees until he realized he didn’t know where to go.

  Dorian walked half a step in front and began leading. “Philip’s right. You guys are up to something.”

  “I need to ask that favor.”

  “All this for a favor? And Donovan’s in on it?”

  “It’s a big favor.” He reluctantly let go of Dorian’s hand and walked closer to Landon. Mostly because nauseous waves were making him feel sick, and he might need Landon for support any second.

  “Ardon will be disappointed when he finds out you didn’t really want to see him.” Dorian clasped her hands behind her back and studied the shrubs as the trail widened.

  “Actually, I do. Because I think we need his permission before I can even think about asking for yours.”

  “Really?” She put her fisted hands on her hips and glared; Tristan almost laughed. “And what will you do if he says ‘no’, and I say ‘yes’?”

  “If Ardon says ‘no’, then it’s a done deal and there won’t be any point in asking you.”

  “And if I say ‘no’, after he says ‘yes’?”

  There had to be other options available, but using the island was by far the most ideal. And it would give them a reason to see each other a few more times, even if it had to be done conspiratorially, so no one would know what they were really doing.

  On the other hand, maybe she wouldn’t want to be part of something that could likely be the beginning of the end. “Then, I’d have to find a different location, but you did say you wanted to be a part of whatever I was doing, didn’t you?”

  “Just tell me already!”

  “This isn’t personal, Dorian. Let me talk to Ardon first.”

  Dorian stopped suddenly and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. But I’ll find out sooner or later. I just figured you’d want to be the one telling me, instead of letting me find out through rumors.”

  Tristan stopped as well. glad for the excuse. “Don’t you have any respect for Ardon’s opinion in this?”

  “Of course I do, but you’re not telling me everything.”

  He caught the glance she threw at Landon and had to consider whether they were talking about the same subject or not. “I won’t have anything to tell until after I talk to Ardon.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “What? Why would I lie? Is it so terrible for me to get advice from Ardon before I make any real plans?”

  “I’m not talking about Ardon.”

  Tristan sighed, unintentionally rubbing sand into the sunburn on the back of his neck. “I’m tired, Dorian. This isn’t about you, or me, and I don’t have time to argue about whatever it is you think I’m not telling you. Let me talk to Ardon, then I’ll fill you in. That’s all my brain can handle right now.”

  “Fine. Keep walking in the same direction, you can’t miss him.”

  Tristan stared at Dorian for a moment longer, then shook his head. “I’ll tell you everything when I have something to tell.”

  She shrugged and turned away, keeping her mouth shut.

  Landon sighed and took Tristan’s elbow. “Come on. Shouldn’t be too much farther.”

  After a few moments of silence, Tristan glanced over his shoulder to make sure she wasn’t following. “I really don’t get her. Am I wrong? If Ardon doesn’t want to get involved with all this magical race stuff, then using the island is out. No sense in bringing it up with Dorian at all if he says no. Is there?”

  “No. Not really.”

  Tristan took in Landon’s silence. “What am I missing?”

  “She’s waiting for you to tell her your immortal. She found out when we were introducing Pink, when we were trying to explain how you were able to hold up without food.”

  Tristan blinked, and open and shut his mouth a few times. “She didn’t know?”

  Landon shook his head.

  “But she was there when I left the cave—when Donovan.... Wasn’t she with me for part of the time when I was trying to recover? When I set her on fire?”

  “I guess the actual topic never came up.”

  Tristan sighed. “Great.” The surrounding brush lessened and they stopped at the edge of a meadow, where a majestic oak spanned along the far side. “Wait.” He shot a hand out to stop Landon.

  “What is it?”

  My name is Tristan. I’m here to seek wisdom and advice. Respectfully.

  Such a formal request, hummed a deep voice in reply. You do not need permission to enter the sacred meadow.

  I am in need, and I can’t think of anyone more qualified to help me.

  I am honored. Please sit beneath my branches and we will speak.

  Tristan nodded at Landon and motioned for him to continue into the clearing. “We’re good. This shouldn’t take long.”

  Tristan walked directly to the great tree while Landon meandered along the outer circle.

  Thank you for talking with me, Tristan said, unsure where to start and how to sit. He opted for leaning against the massive trunk, pressing his forehead to the rough bark. What do you know about the contract between dragons and the magical races?

  The contract was from before my time, but I remember being told it would keep the magic creatures out of harm’s way, until such a time the dragons deemed it safe.

  Yes, that about sums it up. Do you know if ‘safe’ referred to the course of human nature, or were they at war with each other?

  Ardon didn’t respond for a long moment. I’m sure there was a measure of qualms amongst the races, but the humans were the greatest threat at the time. That would be my assumption.

  Tristan nodded, glad Ardon’s thoughts on the matter mirrored his own. He took a deep breath and continued on. I am the one designated to make this decision.

  Ardon remained silent.

  Tristan swallowed hard and started again. It’s not that I think the world is a safer place than it was back then, or that I think humans are kinder than they used to be, but I can’t help wondering what condition the planet will be in if I wait too long. Isn’t it better to let them fight for their lives, rather than release them when there’s no hope of recovery?

  What is your question?

  Do you think it is wise for me to break this contract now?

  Now?

  Yes. Well, tomorrow, actually.

  You have Council support?

  Yes, though it was hard won and I’m afraid th
ey gave in more than anything else.

  Yes, it is wise.

  How do you know?

  If it was hard won, you must truly believe it’s the right thing to do.

  What if I’m rushing, because I don’t have faith in my own immortality? There’s no one to take my place at the moment, but perhaps if I was patient, there could be in a few years. It was as close as he could get to confessing he wouldn’t live that long.

  There are few dragons who could ever hope to take your place.

  But there are a few?

  I cannot say, but it’s a huge risk and a few years would make little difference, would it?

  Tristan nodded. You’re right. Thank you. My next question is, I need a safe location to release the races. Not all of them, but for the ones who can’t be released in their native locations, due to population, pollution, or the simple fact that I don’t know where they existed originally. I was hoping to use this island, since it’s already hidden from outsiders. But doing so might put everyone in danger. I don’t know exactly who or what I’ll be releasing, nor will I know what living conditions they might require.

  Yes.

  The island could be a temporary sanctuary for creatures who are orphaned, just until...wait. Yes? Just like that? You’d risk Dorian and Oliver? And every living thing on the island?

  The magical community never had issues with the plants. In fact, we thrive on one another. So perhaps that relationship alone will save the planet.

  Tristan nodded, hope rekindling the excitement that kept him moving forward.

  We are honored to witness this magical restoration, and I’ve kept the ground sacred for this very purpose.

  You knew?

  I was told the island would be used for such rituals, but not precisely when.

  Was it a sign that he was on the right track? I still need Dorian’s permission. He heard her clear her throat and spun to face her.

  “Yes.”

  28

  POWER STRUGGLES

  OLIVER AND DONOVAN both came up with excuses to skip the campfire cooking, but Eric and Philip stayed. Victor and Alvi carried most of the conversations, while Tristan endured Philip’s public displays of affection with Dorian.