"Technically, you're offering yourself as bait. Nevertheless, we have no choice. I have no choice. Vincent's losing control over the hounds and I can't risk them following me around town. I must deliver the girl to Kane. Otherwise he's going to come after me and all this will have been for nothing. Remember why we're here."
Dorian took his feet off the table and crossed his legs. "She can control them. You'll be safe."
"Not if they get to me before I get to her. And I can't get to her with the Elwoods watching her like hawks. Now, if they're busy fighting Vincent…"
"What if they die with the rest of the humans in that search party?"
"They can handle themselves, don't worry."
Raven sighed. "Fine. But I'm not wearing your boots."
Dorian chuckled. "Just be sure to rub yourself on all the trees in the area. And stay out of sight."
Raven closed his eyes. "To think I was once the Crown Prince of the largest kingdom in Aldera."
16
Nothing Is More Persuasive Than a Good Old-Fashioned Threat
Iris was just about to grab her bag from the coat hanger when the doorbell rang, and she felt a rush of relief as she opened the door.
"Lorelai," she said, smiling from ear to ear at the girl standing in the doorway. "Come in."
Lorelai frowned and stepped inside, sliding her turquoise eyes from Iris to the sheriff and back. Iris thought she saw the girl's shoulders stiffen ever so slightly, but it was only for a split second and she wondered if she hadn't imagined it.
"Sheriff," Lorelai greeted as she passed by him.
"Miss Elwood." He grabbed the brim of his hat with two fingers. "I'm still waiting for that statement."
"Of course. I'll be at your office first thing tomorrow morning." Lorelai's voice was soft as silk, and Iris couldn't help thinking of the way the fox talked to the wolf or the bear or any other forest dweller it fooled in the famous fables her father used to read to her when she was little.
The sheriff smiled at her then turned to Iris. "Let me know if you think of anything else. And do come by the office for that statement." Iris nodded a bit too eagerly as she held the door open for him. Once he stepped over the threshold he turned around. "Say hello to your grandmother for me, will you?"
"I will," she said, forcing a smile.
As soon as she closed the door behind him she collapsed to the ground, resting her back against the cold wood. A streak of icy sweat fell from the back of her head down her spine. Her muscles, until then tense as a violin string, were starting to relax and ache. Her heart was still pounding and she tried to use the same exercise she did when she had a nightmare to calm it down. She knew that the sheriff was suspicious and wondered how long it would take before he returned with more piercing questions.
"You have to give a statement too?" she asked as soon as her heart rate allowed her to speak again.
Lorelai's voice was flat. "Yeah. Connor too."
"God!"
"Stop worrying about everything or you'll give yourself a heart attack one of these days."
Iris didn't disagree. She got up and followed Lorelai into the living room. The girl's eyes widened when she saw the aspect of the place. "Doing some late spring cleaning?"
It was September.
Lorelai moved a drawer from an armchair to the floor and then let herself plunge between the cushions.
Iris sat back on the couch. "I was looking for something."
"What? The day of yesterday?" Iris frowned but Lorelai was unimpressed. "I assume everything went well with the sheriff?"
"If by well you mean me lying through my teeth, then yes. Why are you here, Lorelai? To keep an eye on me?"
"Yes and no," the girl replied, matter-of-factly. Iris sometimes forgot that Lorelai was always brutally honest, without a single shred of concern that she might hurt other people's feelings.
The rain started to pitter-patter on the front porch. Lorelai looked towards the windows, curling her nose. Iris knew that she hated rain for the same reason Marion did. She couldn't help noticing how much her two friends were alike. Their love for clothes, their attention to detail when it came to their personal appearance, the way they viewed the world in general, with a certain kind of detachment that allowed them to always see the big picture and not get stuck on the unnecessary details.
"Look," Lorelai said, "you're a distraction for all of us, but even more so for Connor. This is not about us protecting you. It's about you protecting us. Protecting him. Knowing that you're safe will help him focus on the mission."
Iris nodded.
"Just in case my brother wasn't clear enough… Stay here," Lorelai said, looking out the window. "Go have dinner with Marion."
"How did you—"
"I may have overheard you talk to her on the phone in our driveway," Lorelai said smiling. Even after she knew that Fae had heightened senses, Iris was still caught by surprise whenever she was reminded of it. "In other words, don't do anything stupid." She got up, looking around the room again. "And clean up this mess. Your house looks like a pigpen."
Connor burst into the Magic Cup spice shop like a man with a mission. He didn't care if the Fae community saw him there and most definitely didn't care about Lexi's reputation. He wanted an answer and he was determined not to leave there without one.
"What do you want?" The girl was anxious. She dragged him in the back, away from prying eyes. There weren't many people in the store but she didn't want to take any chances. Connor would have done the same, had the roles been reversed, but in that moment he didn't have time for consideration.
"I need a way to beat the hounds, Lexi."
"And I don't want Guardians in my store but I guess the magic well is dry on wishes today."
"I don't have time for this. I assume that you know by now that there's a crazy Fae called Vincent that's gradually losing control over not one but three hellhounds."
"Like I said, I can't help you."
Connor took out a piece of cloth from his pocket and handed it to the girl.
"What's this?"
"Payment for your services."
The girl unfolded the cloth. "A Guardian arrow? Are you kidding me? I don't need this."
"Everyone needs a Guardian weapon."
"Really? And how am I supposed to explain how I got it? I can't say I stole it. No one would believe me. Everyone knows your house is impenetrable. And I can't say you gave it to me because then everyone will think I work with you guys. Take it back!"
Connor took the arrow. "If you don't help me, I'll make sure everyone really thinks you're working with us."
"You see? That's why no one likes Guardians. You all think you're almighty and better than everyone."
"Lexi!"
"Fine. You need to take the mark away from him."
"The mark? You mean the Seal?"
The girl nodded. "Transfer it and you'll also transfer control over the hounds."
"How do I do that?"
She went to a massive apothecary cabinet on the east wall of the store, pulled one of the many small drawers and took out a satchel. She returned in the back and opened a cabinet hidden under a desk behind a long, embroidered tablecloth. She took out a book, searched for a specific page and copied its contents on a piece of paper. Then she handed the satchel and the paper to Connor. "Just put this on the skin of the new host and recite these words. It's a transferring spell."
"What's in this?" he asked, pointing at the satchel.
"Maui silversword powder. It's a very rare plant. This is all I have, so use it wisely. You won't get a second try. Also, the old host and the new one can't be more than six feet away from each other for the spell to work. Now get out of my store."
Connor thanked her and headed towards the door.
"Guardian," she called. He stopped and turned around. "Leave the arrow."
Dorian was replaying the plan in his head as he watched Iris' house from behind an old pine tree towering in the front yard of a ma
nsion a few numbers down the street. There was something about her that made her special, something other than her ability to control the hounds, something that he couldn't explain but which drew him to her like a magnet. That made him both angry and worried. He remembered her heart beating violently in her chest when he grabbed her in the alley to hide her from Kane's people, her hands on top of his, the smooth skin on her face under his fingers as he covered her mouth, the fresh lavender scent of her hair. He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear his mind. Focus, Dorian!
He didn't want to deliver the girl to Kane but he had no choice. He had no idea how popular Iris had been before—probably not so much, if Raven's info was accurate—but she sure was popular now. She was almost never alone. First the sheriff, then Lorelai. He wondered if he'd get a window to snatch her. For that she would have to leave the house. The Elwoods were nothing if not cautious. They had probably warded her house the same way they had their mansion and he bet Lorelai was there to make sure the girl stayed inside, even if she had to tie her up. He wouldn't put it past Lorelai. She had an uncanny sense of clarity when she had to remove the obstacles in her path towards her goal. He'd always admired that about her and couldn't help but think that they would make great allies if they weren't mortal enemies.
He watched her say goodbye to Iris and walk away. After she disappeared around the corner, he went back to surveilling the house.
"What are you doing here, Dorian?" The girl's voice was sharp and Dorian was amazed that he hadn't heard her approach.
"Lorelai. What an unpleasant surprise. Are you here to tell me you've reconsidered my proposal?"
"We've got it covered."
"You know, we can help each other out, Lorelai."
"Leave, Dorian."
He smiled and turned around, heading down the street.
"I should have killed you when I had the chance," she said. Dorian turned around and stared at her. The girl's voice was cold as steel. "Five years ago. That second arrow. It was meant for you. I missed on purpose."
A metal claw clenched around his heart. He saw Lorelai shooting at him and Ariana as they ran away into the woods and then he saw Ariana, lying in his arms, drawing her last breath. He hated Lorelai for that, but he hated Aeryn more for bringing up her grandchildren to be killers. No one, no matter what duty or purpose they may have, should teach a child how to take a life. But most of all, he hated himself for not being able to protect Ariana. She'd freed him from the cage he'd been kept in for ten years and she'd taken care of him afterwards, while they were on the run. She'd been like a sister to him and he'd let her die.
He turned around and walked away. He barely heard Lorelai shouting behind him.
"Next time we cross paths, I won't miss."
17
When You Bring a Blade to a Fire Fight
A cold wind rushed through the dying foliage, foretelling bad weather. The forest seemed restless under the setting sun, as if it was anticipating dangerous events. Connor walked in silence, watching the hundred men spread between the trees, searching for the wild beast that was terrorizing their town, unaware that they were marching to their deaths. He listened into the distance, hoping to hear the danger approach in time for him, Lorelai and Aeryn to prevent a bloodbath.
They'd been walking for an hour, going deeper and deeper into the woods but so far there was no sign of Vincent or the hounds. He touched the handle of his sword, resting silent on his hip, and wondered if it would really be of any help to him in a fight against the beasts from hell. Perhaps it wouldn't come to that. If they could perform the spell and take the mark away from Vincent they could stop the hellhounds from attacking anyone.
The men walked and talked to each other as if they were on a stroll and Connor couldn't help thinking how little prepared they were for the fight they'd set out for. When it started to rain, some of them suggested that they should all go home and return the next day since it seemed that the beast wasn't going to show up.
But then it did, in the form of three black shapes made of molten lava and eyes mirroring the fires of hell. As they sped through the trees, they left behind trails of vapors as the rain made contact with their burning bodies. Connor, Lorelai and Aeryn saw them long before the humans did and each of them rushed towards one creature hoping to give the search party some time to flee. But the hounds announced their arrival with a series of terrifying growls and the hunters pulled out their guns and darted towards them.
Connor drew his sword. It lit up, burning neon blue, as he lifted it and leaped ahead to strike one of the hounds. The beast ducked and hit him with its paw like a cat does a mouse, sending him flying. Connor felt the air sucked out of his chest as his back hit the trunk of a tree thirty feet away. The tree gave in and Connor fell to the ground. He jumped on his feet just in time to see his grandmother on the ground and his sister trying to fight off two hounds at a time. The third one, the one that Connor had attacked, was already heading towards the search party.
Lorelai shot two fire arrows and flew on a high branch to avoid the bite of one of the hounds. The other one was ducking Aeryn's burning throwing stars. With Lorelai out of reach, both hounds went after her grandmother. The woman was shooting at them with impressive speed but Connor knew that she wouldn't be able to hold them off much longer. He ran to her and swung his burning blade with such force that he actually managed to penetrate the hard rock skin of one of the hounds. It growled and backed off but the other one came at Connor from behind, sent him to the ground and jumped on top of him, ready to rip him to pieces. As the beast held him down with its paws, Connor felt the skin of his shoulders burn and his bones break under the monster's weight. He held his sword up, each end in one tight grip, to keep the hound from biting him. The blade burned his palm to the bone. The sight of the beast's bloody jaw when it growled turned Connor's blood to ice, despite the burning, putrid breath that came out of it. A few drops of saliva fell on his forehead and burned through his skin like acid.
In the distance he could hear the desperate screams of the hunters become hunted. It seemed like the terrifying sound of tormented souls begging for deliverance in the fires of hell. And in the middle of them, the devil's voice, the horrid growls of the three beasts, sounded like midnight thunder in a graveyard.
Not far from him, Aeryn was still throwing stars, but only with one hand. Her left arm was paralyzed along her side. Lorelai was limping. One of her legs had a deep gash along her thigh and blood was spurting out like a water fountain. The girl had dropped her bow and was now wielding two swords, using her own body to shield their wounded grandmother. As the bones in his shoulder broke, his strength weakened and the only thought left in his mind was that they were all going to die there.
Dorian watched Iris from the porch. She was moving things around in her living room in what he assumed was an attempt to clean up what looked like the aftermath of a hurricane. Every now and then she'd stop, look around the room and shake her head, like she couldn't believe she'd made such a mess. Then she'd pick up her phone from the couch, look at it, throw it back and resume her cleaning. He smiled as he watched her and he hated himself for it. Don't be an idiot. Remember why you're here. He was getting ready to move when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Raven.
"What is it?" Dorian asked, his eyes still on Iris.
"You need to get here right now."
"I'm about to get the girl."
"Great. Do that and bring her with you."
"I'm about to get the girl and take her to Kane."
"The hounds are here and they are crazier than their master. The Guardians have been trying to fight them off but they're losing. The only way they're getting out of here alive is if you bring the girl here to take control over the hounds."
Dorian took a second to think. Raven went on. "We need the Guardians alive if we're to carry out this mission!"
"I'd have to still be here for that to happen and Kane won't rest until he kills me if I don't deliver the girl to
him tonight."
"There will be no mission to carry if they die and the Council steps in to deal with this pest. And you'll still end up dead along with the rest of the people in this town."
Raven made a good point.
"Fine. Hold them off as long as you can. I'm on my way with the girl."
Iris was sitting in the middle of the living room, pondering about whether or not she should give the house another sweep, just in case she'd missed a spot where she might find the statue, since the place was already such a mess. It would give her something to think about other than Connor and his family fighting three deadly monsters. She checked her phone for the millionth time that afternoon but there were no new messages. She tried to tell herself that it was a good sign but then, if something had really happened to them, who would call to let her know, since no one besides her actually knew where they were?
She was so absorbed in her thoughts that when the doorbell rang she literally jumped to her feet and screamed. With her heart pounding in her chest, she rushed to the door and was about to open it, thinking it might be Connor, but then she remembered that the world was out to get her so she just stood there, listening.
"Don't worry, love. It's just me."
She recognized the voice immediately. She'd only heard it twice, and yet she was sure she'd be able to pick it out of a thousand. She put her hand on the door knob, ready to give him a piece of her mind for calling her love. It bothered her almost as much as doll did, which she'd noticed he used only when Connor was around, probably to spite him. But then Connor's words came to her mind. He's like a hyena. He smiles at you while he tears your throat out. He may seem charming but don't let that fool you. He's dangerous.
"I'm not here to hurt you," he said and she jerked at the sound of his voice.
The Fountain of Truth (Tales of the Dark Fae Book 1) Page 15
