by Ciana Stone
“Seriously?” He looked up at her. “There are dragons in your world?”
“There were until the Dark Fae destroyed them.”
“Sounds to me like your world and mine would be a lot better off without these Dark Fae.”
“I agree. But for now, we have to save your brother.”
“I won’t trade you. You know that, right?”
“I do. But they don’t, and we need them to keep believing that. So…” she extended her hand and wiggled her fingers.
John Luke placed the dragon bone blade in her hand. She extended her right arm and laid the blade on it with the hilt pointed toward her palm. Ily kept her eyes on him and saw the way his eyes widened in surprise as the blade vanished, seemingly absorbed into her hand.
“How did— “He looked at her.
“We’re paired. That’s the best way I can explain it.”
“Okay, so we have one sword. I have a hunting rifle in the truck.”
“We don’t need guns. What we do need is for you to appear to be willing to trade me and get Beau to safety.”
“Leaving you alone? No way.”
“I didn’t say leave me alone. Just get him to safety and then return.”
He walked over to her and took hold of her shoulders. “So, you’re saying you need me?”
“Always.” She met his gaze.
“Then let’s go kick some Fae ass.”
“Dark Fae,” she corrected. “And yes, let’s go.”
John Luke pulled her in close for a kiss that conveyed a lot of emotion, first and foremost love.
Ily clung a moment longer than necessary. She didn’t want to voice her fears to him, but she did have them. Farouk Payne was known for his sadistic nature and his ambition. She had no doubt that he would kill Beau if she didn’t show. She feared he might kill Beau anyway, just for the pleasure.
With luck, she’d stop that. With luck, he would not come with an army. With luck, Severin would be able to get reinforcements there in time. And with luck, John Luke and his brother would walk away without a scratch.
For herself? Well, it seemed that once in service, always in service. She’d sworn her life in service to King Michael, and now she’d give her life for the love and protection of John Luke and his family. If she walked away, it was a blessing, and if not, then she’d die knowing she saved the man she loved.
Beau felt like his arms were going to pull loose from the shoulder sockets. This was like something from a bad movie. He had gotten a text from John Luke to meet him at the ranch, but when he’d arrived and gotten out of his car, something slammed into the back of his head.
He awoke hanging from a rafter in the barn with people around him he’d never seen before in his life. Well, except Heather. Damn, Ily was right about her. At the moment, she was all cozied up to what appeared to be the man in charge.
Beau felt like a fool. Heather had played him like a banjo, and he’d fallen for it. Hell, he’d almost fallen for her.
The pain had him gritting his teeth to keep from making a sound. Being strung up hurt like hell but he’d be damned if he’d give these people the satisfaction of hearing him complain or whimper.
Miraculously, he heard John Luke’s voice in his mind. I know you don’t like it, but right now, shifting would be in your best interest, bro. A bird of prey can fly, you know.
Beau felt a surge of hope rush through him. Why hadn’t he considered it? Maybe because he hadn’t practiced this shifting thing much and feared he couldn’t do it. But maybe John Luke was right. If everyone would stop looking at him, maybe he could do it. He’d just have to wait for an opportunity.
That opportunity presented itself in a surprising appearance by John Luke and Ily. He pushed Ily into the barn ahead of him. Everyone inside turned to look at them. Beau slammed his eyes closed and concentrated as hard as he could on the image of a hawk.
Pain lanced through his body just as the man in charge opened his mouth. “Welcome, Mr. Legacy. I’m pleased you saw the wisdom in agreeing to our terms.”
“Mr. Payne, I’m guessing?”
“Farouk Payne.”
“So, this is who you really work for?” John Luke directed the question to Heather, drawing attention to himself.
She smirked at John Luke. “You Legacys think you’re so fucking special, don’t you? Well, news flash. You’re nothing compared to Farouk. And neither is your Scythian whore.”
And Ily spoke up. “I’m going to rip your tongue out.”
“You’re not going to do shit, you stupid bitch. Your ass is ours. Isn’t that right, Farouk?”
The look Farouk gave Heather let John Luke know that she was tolerated, but not much more than that, which mean threatening her was worthless. Payne didn’t care what happened to her.
But it keeps their attention off Beau. Ily’s voice in his mind reminded him to stick to the plan they’d hastily laid out on the way to the ranch.
“She’s not yours just yet.” John Luke pointed out, forcing himself to keep his attention on Farouk despite wanting to look in Beau’s direction. “Once my brother is released and safely out of here, then you can have her.”
“And the sword,” Farouk spoke to Ily. “You will give me the sword.”
“What sword?” John Luke played ignorant.
“The dragon bone sword of the Scythe.” Farouk strolled over to stand in front of Ily. “You forget I know about you and your kind. I know each Scythian warrior is paired with a sword. I want that sword.”
She shrugged. “You always gave yourself more credit than you deserve, Farouk. If you really knew about my people, you would know that it is powerless wielded in any hand other than mine. And there’s no way I’ll wield it for you.”
“Not even to save these humans you’ve come to love?”
“So dramatic.” She scoffed.
“Oh? That shows how little you know, Ily Scythiana. Perhaps your master, Severin, has not been forthcoming with you. Our people face a battle and not with humans. Asha Iltani wants to enslave the human race. She will kill anyone who gets in her way and will slaughter millions to achieve her goal.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“That is what I am trying to make you understand. Swear allegiance to me, and we will destroy her.”
“And I assume you’ll take her place?”
He shrugged. “It’s the way of any war. To the victor go the spoils.”
“Only you wouldn’t be the victor.”
“I would be if I drove your blade into her heart.”
“Didn’t you listen, Farouk? It’s powerless in your hand. You obviously didn’t pay attention when Severin tried to teach you. Only a Scythe can wield the blade. Only a Scythe can destroy the Queen. And I will never fight for you.”
“Then I will destroy everyone you love.” He grabbed her by the throat. “I’ll kill them before your eyes, and then I’ll kill you.”
“I don’t think so.” She raised her right arm, and the blade snapped into her hand. With one stroke Farouk’s hand left his arm.
His howl of pain was accompanied by the sudden call of a hawk. Ily shoved Farouk, kicked Heather to send her sailing, and then turned to John Luke. “Let’s do it.”
With a grin, he tackled the closest of Farouk’s men, taking the man to the ground. Beau, in hawk form, dived at another man, talons digging into the man’s face.
Ily used the time the distraction provided to shift into warrior mode. She saw the look of fear on more than one face. They were smart to fear. She would not hesitate to kill any of them to protect John Luke and Beau.
The Dark Fae formed a protective circle around Farouk, six of them circling him. One threw a ball of dark energy at Ily. She snapped her arms out straight, and the dragon bone blade sprang into her grip. With one swipe, she sliced the energy before it reached her, shattering it into harmless shards that fell to the ground.
Others of the Fae hurled energy, two of them aiming for John Luke. She shouted a warning and just barel
y missed being skewered by an arrow of energy as she watched to make sure he dodged the attack.
John Luke dived behind a stack of hay and she knew he was about to transform. She would keep their enemies busy while he accomplished that. With a roar, she rushed them.
Two of the Dark Fae fell to her blade, the others hastening to close ranks around Farouk as their comrades fell.
Oily and noxious smoke boiled from the bodies of the fallen, swirling through the interior of the barn in pursuit of Beau the hawk. He dodged, dipped and evaded, but was losing ground.
Ily gave another roar and took to the air, her wings pumping. One stream of evil attacked and she sliced through it. It split into two threads, and both came for her. She flew straight at it, and it violated her, entering through her mouth and nose.
Her wings beat the air furiously as she fought to stay aloft and out of reach of the last stream of smoke.
John Luke was suddenly there, this time in full dragon form. He was magnificent. He grabbed her with one massive clawed foot and sank to the ground, wrapping his wings around her protectively.
Ily used the protection he provided to assimilate the Darkness. Lucky for her, this Umbra was not one of great strength. Within seconds, she pushed back John Luke’s wings and spewed light from her mouth.
It hit two of the Dark Fae and obliterated them. Heather screamed and headed for the door of the barn, but Beau flew at her, digging his talons into the top of her shoulders and pecking at the back of her head.
She fell, batting at him. Farouk hurled a blast of energy that sent Ily stumbling backward and even dislodged John Luke in dragon form. John Luke roared and rushed Farouk, but the remaining three Dark Fae crowded in front of Farouk, throwing up their hands protectively and forming a barrier of dark energy that swirled with tendrils of light that pulsed red.
John Luke hit the wall of energy and sparks flew. He roared in fury and rammed it again. Ily saw an opportunity and took it. She ran full tilt at John Luke, vaulting onto his back and using it as a springboard to flip up and over the energy barrier.
She landed behind Farouk and his guards and hurled her blade. It sank into the back of a Fae. The Fae had time to scream before his body exploded in a shower of light. The blade returned to Ily’s hand.
The remaining two Fae lost courage, and that loss caused their energy barrier to weaken. John Luke lunged forward, his massive jaws opening. His head dipped down and with one bite, snapped a Fae in half, slinging the severed body across the barn.
The last Fae didn’t know where to run with Ily behind him and John Luke in front of him. Ily was certain he would have abandoned Farouk, but his master didn’t give him a chance. He grabbed the man around the throat and started to back away, using the man as a shield.
Ily and John Luke closed it. “You’re outnumbered, Farouk. You can’t win.”
“You always underestimate me, Ily Scythiana. I told you that would be your undoing.”
With a wave of his hand, Beau was ripped from Heather and propelled against the barn door. The impact had him transforming back into human shape. Just as the transformation was complete, Farouk threw another blast of dark magic at him.
Ily screamed in rage as Beau’s hands flew out to his sides, slamming into the barn door. John Luke roared and dived at Farouk, but was met with a face full of energy that swirled like a cloud of angry bees, blinding him, choking him.
Ily saw Farouk draw his arm back again and knew that this time Beau would not survive. Farouk would kill him and then John Luke if she did not act fast. Where the hell was Severin?
She flew at Beau and landed in front of him, pressing against him protectively.
John Luke shook his head, trying to escape the energy that buzzed around him. The effort cost him concentration, and he suddenly found himself in human form. The energy attacking him vanished just as Farouk screamed something John Luke could not understand and drew back his hand as if to throw something.
By the time John Luke turned and saw Ily protecting Beau, the arrow of dark energy was already halfway across the barn. John Luke used every ounce of energy he possessed to try and reach Ily before the energy, intent on throwing himself in its path.
He was a split second too late. The arrow pierced her back. She roared and pushed back from the door. That’s when John Luke saw it. The arrow had gone clean through her body and into Beau’s.
Beau fell as Ily turned with eyes aglow and roared at Farouk. John Luke caught Beau as Ily flew at Farouk, batting aside the next energy he slung at her. She picked up the Dark Fae acting as his shield and hurled him across the barn.
She grabbed Farouk by the throat, drew back her hand bearing the dragon bone blade, and drove it into his heart. “I never underestimated you, Farouk. You were never worthy.”
He gasped one final breath, his eyes rolled back, and his body exploded from the point where the blade entered. Black energy swirled in tendrils around Ily, tightening around her, piercing her body like a dozen blades.
John Luke gently placed Beau on the ground and ran to Ily, but was tossed back by the energy. Twice he tried and failed. The third time he rose, he heard her scream. It was a sound of defiance and pain.
The darkness poured into her, and she dropped to the floor, her body still. John Luke hurried to turn her over. “Ily? Can you hear me? Ily? Come back. Come back to me.”
Her eyes flew open, and he fell back in shock. Her eyes were beacons of light. “No time,” she gasped and scrambled to her feet
John Luke followed as she staggered across the barn and threw herself down beside Beau. John Luke knelt beside her and put his hand on Beau’s chest. “He’s not breathing. He has no pulse.”
“There’s still time.” She turned to John Luke and kissed him. “Always remember this,“ she said when she pulled back. “I will love you forever.”
With that, she leaned down and breathed into Beau’s face. White light poured from her and into Beau. It was beautiful and surreal.
John Luke felt Beau’s heart start to beat. “It’s working, Ily. His— Ily!”
She collapsed on top of Beau as Beau’s eyes flew open.
John Luke pulled her up, and Beau sat up. “Ily?”
Her body hung limply in John Luke’s arms. Beau reached out to put his fingers to her neck and after a few seconds, shook his head. Tears washed from his eyes. “Why did she do that?”
“Because she loves us.” John Luke could barely speak from the grief that stabbed him.
The door to the barn burst open, and people rushed in. Severin dropped to one knee beside John Luke. “What happened?” He stroked Ily’s face gently.
Beau quickly told him, and Severin nodded before addressing John Luke. “I must take her, John Luke. We cannot risk anyone seeing her in this form. The others will deal with Heather.”
John Luke nodded. It didn’t matter. Ily’s body was empty. She was gone.
He watched Severin lift her and hurry away, and then he lay down on the ground and cried. He cried in gratitude for her saving his brother. He cried in respect for the warrior that she was, so willing to sacrifice herself for another. He cried in grief for those who might not now survive without her to finish her research into the poison killing the Weres.
But most of all he cried for himself because he’d lost what he knew was the one true love of his life.
Chapter Fifteen
Beau pulled up his jeans, then took a seat on the ground to put on his socks. John Logan sat nearby, putting on his boots. “That was one heck of a run,” Beau commented.
John Luke grunted in response. Well, at least it was a sound. Beau didn’t think his brother had said more than a dozen words since Ily died. Thinking about it brought tears to Beau’s eyes.
She’d died to save him, and he didn’t know how to honor that. He’d started learning how to shift and spent as much time as he could with John Luke. They ran for miles as lions, flew over the land as eagles, and howled at the moon as wolves.
And nothing brought John Luke solace. He was a man who’d lost his reason for living and Beau didn’t know how to bring him back to life. Not even his son Michael was able to get through to him.
“I thought I might stay at the ranch tonight. Maybe we could throw a couple of steaks on the grill.”
“Fine.” John Logan agreed.
“Okay, well, I guess I’ll head in and start getting stuff together.”
“Fine.”
Beau shook his head, stood and headed for the house. He needed help, some advice from someone. John Luke was grieving himself to death, and Beau was scared he was going to succeed.
He’d never seen anyone so affected by a loss as his brother. But then he’d never known anyone to lose someone like Ily. He smiled as he pictured her in his mind. He’d cried a river over missing her himself. They’d come to be close friends, and he missed her every day.
Maybe it was because their affection was one of friendship rather than lovers, but for whatever reason and illogical and impossible as it was, Beau could swear he could feel her. In his mind. Like her ghost had taken up residence there.
It was her ghost that had him continuing to try to reach John Luke. She’d want John Luke to be happy. She loved him. Enough to die to save them both and that’s what she’d done. If it were not for her, Farouk Payne would have killed them both.
Beau was so caught up in thinking about Ily that he nearly ran smack into someone as he started up the steps to the door. “Oh, shit, sorry. Severin? What are you doing here?”
“I need your help.”
“Mine?”
“Yes.”
“Sure. What can I do?”
“Come with me.”
Beau nodded and followed Severin around the house to the front. A limo was parked there. “I have a helicopter waiting on your airstrip.”
“To take us where?”
“To your uncle Elijah’s home.”
“Uncle— Never mind. Fine. But let me call John Luke.”
“Very well, but please do not tell him you are with me.”
Beau thought it odd for Severin to make that request, but then the whole thing was odd. Still, he trusted Severin, so he pulled out his phone. “Turns out I need to get back, bro. I’ll catch you tomorrow.”
