Firestorm

by Donna Grant

  “Oh.”

  “You can’t run from the past, though. It always catches up with you. It did for me out there,” she said, pointing through a window. “My brother and ex were working together with Ulrik. My brother killed me.”

  Faith tripped over her feet and stumbled to a halt. “Dead? As in, you died? Your heart stopped and all that?”

  “Yes,” Lily said with a small smile. “For a reason I’ve yet to figure out, Ulrik brought me back.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. He wanted you dead.”

  “I know.” Her gaze took a faraway look. “Con can heal anything, but the only one who can bring someone back from the dead is Ulrik.”

  That was a puzzle to be sure, one Faith thought might never be solved. “I’m glad you’re not dead.”

  Lily blinked, focusing back on her. “I am, too. I found the love of my life with Rhys.”

  “Oh.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. ‘Congratulations,’ maybe? Or ‘that’s awesome?

  With a perceptive look, Lily once more started walking. It wasn’t long before she came to a door and opened it. “You’ll find everything you need inside. Are you hungry?”

  “I could eat.”

  “I’ll bring some food up shortly.”

  Faith wasn’t used to being waited on. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Take some time to yourself. As soon as the others learn of your arrival, you’ll be bombarded with questions.”

  That wasn’t something she’d considered, but now that Lily mentioned it, she was going to soak up the alone time.

  “Oh, and since it seems to be a common occurrence that when we first arrive at Dreagan we only have the clothes on our backs, some of us have set up a closet with various sizes and styles.”

  Clean clothes? Now that sounded heavenly. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  “I can bring a few things. Any particular style you like?”

  “Casual. I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.”

  Lily laughed and reached for the door. “That’s easy enough. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  When the door closed behind her, Faith let out a sigh. “I’m really at Dreagan. The center of the dragon world.”

  A place that seemed as if the world had been created around it, but one she hadn’t known existed until a few days ago. Everything seemed so … well, surreal.

  She could picture her mother being so overcome with excitement at the idea of being surrounded by dragons that she squealed.

  It made her laugh. And miss her mother all the more.

  Faith then took notice of the room. It was spacious. On one side was a large fireplace with black marble and a thick mantel. Above the mantel was a sword. Two leather chairs with low backs sat angled before the fireplace with a small table between them.

  On the other side of the room was a work of art that served as the bed. A grand four-poster antique with a canopy the same stunning dark wood as the rest of the furniture in the space.

  It was the intricate and elaborate carving in the wood that took her breath away. She wasn’t surprised to see dragons in what she now realized was Dmitri’s home—Fair Isle—in the engravings.

  Bedding in a solid, pale gray softened the heavy piece. On either side of the bed were matching tables. She ran her hand along one of the posts, amazed at the craftsmanship.

  Out of the corner of her eye, a door caught her attention. She started toward it when she saw the painting of a white dragon soaring over the sea with cliffs in the background.

  That’s when she knew—she was in Dmitri’s room.

  “Oh, Muscles, we’re going to have fun tonight.”

  She opened the door and sighed when she spotted the bathroom. Off-white rectangular floor tiles continued up the wall, mixing with the gray stone of the manor. The mix of old and new worked in ways she never would have expected.

  Kicking off her shoes, she spotted the white sink before she caught sight of the pedestal tub and the shower behind it.

  With a smile on her face, she turned on the water for the tub and stripped.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  “You know he’s no’ going to be thrilled,” Rhys said.

  Dmitri made his way up the stairs to Con’s office. “When is he ever delighted about anything? And since when do you care?”

  “Who said I cared? This may come as a complete surprise, but I love agitating Con. It’s become a favorite pastime,” Rhys stated.

  He saw the mischievous smile on Rhys’s face and could only shake his head. “Oh, we all know just how much you love your pastime.”

  “I also enjoy it when others annoy him.”

  For all of Rhys’s words, if anyone ever stepped over the line with Con, Rhys would be the first to knock them back into place.

  Dmitri didn’t have just one surprise for Con, but two. Neither was up for debate. Yet that wasn’t why he was worried. It was that feeling he’d gotten back in the cave that continued to trouble him.

  He stopped beside the closed door to Con’s office but didn’t reach for the knob.

  “Everything worked out,” Rhys said. “You got the bones and the girl. Her team is leaving the isle, and you got rid of the Dark.”

  “After they’d murdered two people.”

  “They could’ve killed more.”

  He looked at Rhys. “Why did they no’?”

  Rhys didn’t have an answer, which only confirmed Dmitri’s suspicions. He rapped his knuckles on the door and tried the handle, only to find it locked.

  He and Rhys exchanged confused looks. Since when did Con lock his door?

  “Enter,” Con said from inside his office.

  Rhys’s gaze narrowed. “Interesting.”

  Dmitri wanted to ask him what he thought of Con and Usaeil, but that would have to wait until later. There were more pressing matters. He opened the now unlocked door and entered.

  Con sat behind his desk. He closed a file and looked up at them. “I’m glad you’re back. Tell me what happened.”

  Rhys sank into one of the chairs and linked his fingers across his abdomen. Dmitri decided to sit, as well. He looked across the massive desk to the King of Kings and wondered how Con did everything and still look unruffled and unaffected by it all.

  “After our last conversation, things took a turn,” Dmitri said. “The Dark killed a second member of the dig team, and I knew it would continue until they were dealt with.”

  Con nodded in silent agreement.

  Dmitri stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “I lured them away from the village to the cliff. I killed one, but before I could take out the second, the Dark used magic.”

  Rhys’s eyes went wide. “You fought in dragon form?”

  That part he hadn’t wanted to reveal, but there was no way around it now. “Aye. It was storming. No one saw me.”

  “Go on,” Con said softly.

  “I fell into the sea and started climbing up the cliff. The Dark was at the cave’s opening, throwing magic.”

  Rhys made a sound at the back of his throat. “Evil fuckers.”

  “Dr. Reynolds was in the cave, and I knew if I didna get to her, the Dark would kill her and take the bones,” he said.

  Con merely watched him, not saying anything. That was more disconcerting than if he released his temper.

  Dmitri continued. “I was losing my hold. One more hit of Dark magic, and I’d have fallen back into the sea. Then I saw the Fae tumble past me into the water. When I looked up, Faith was there.”

  “So she killed a Dark?” Con said.

  “She stabbed him in the back of the neck.”

  Seemingly unimpressed, Con asked, “Who else saw this?”

  “No one,” Dmitri said. “The entire team was in the village. After the storm abated, she sent her team home.”

  “Where is Dr. Reynolds now?”

  “Here.”

  There was a long, silent moment before Con leaned back in his chair. “I expected as much. But
why? She’s no’ in danger.”

  Dmitri uncrossed his ankles and sat up. “I brought her because I wanted her here.”

  “And the bones?”

  “Also here.”

  Con’s face was devoid of any emotion, but anger rolled off him in waves. “Why?”

  “The dragon was one of mine. He got left behind. I want to know why and how. Then I’m going to bring him to my mountain and bury him. No one will ever find the bones.”

  “Then see it done.”

  Dmitri blinked, unsure if he’d heard Con correctly. Apparently, Rhys had the same reaction because he was frowning.

  “That’s all?” Rhys asked. “You’re no’ going to say more? Maybe get angry that Dr. Reynolds is here and all that?”

  Con’s black eyes swung to Rhys. “That’s all.”

  And that’s when Dmitri realized that not every King knew of Con’s affair with Usaeil. If Rhys knew, he wouldn’t be sitting so casually beside him.

  As if Con knew what Dmitri was thinking, his gaze returned to him. Dmitri opened the mental link and said to Con, “The others need to know about Usaeil.”

  “They will. Verra soon.”

  Dmitri didn’t like keeping secrets. He never liked the way it seemed to eat at his soul. But he also wouldn’t be the one to reveal it to any of the others. It was Con’s story, and his right to tell it.

  “Where is the skeleton now?” Con asked.

  It was Rhys who answered. “Still in the chopper. We just returned.”

  “Once you find your answers, we’ll have a proper burial,” Con said.

  Dmitri hadn’t expected Con to agree without a fight, but he was pleased nonetheless. “I’ll take the bones to the mountain where they can be examined.”

  “I doona want MI5 to see Dr. Reynolds.”

  “I’ll make sure of it.”

  Rhys blew out a breath. “I thought we were getting rid of them.”

  “Vaughn has already begun the process. Hopefully, they’ll be gone in a few days.”

  “Any word from Henry or the others?” Dmitri asked.

  Con shook his head. “Nothing of significance.”

  “It was a bad idea,” Rhys said. “It worked when Elena went back to PureGems, but that was just Ulrik. This involves a Druid we have no’ located yet.”

  Dmitri said, “I understand your concerns, but our enemies our growing. Ulrik’s network of Dark and humans is larger than we anticipated. We have to find these people.”

  “And stop them,” Con added.

  Rhys leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. “And if Kinsey dies? She and Ryder have no’ done the mating ceremony. Do you have any idea what that will do to him?”

  “I know exactly what will happen.”

  Con’s words, though expected, held a note of something that drew Dmitri’s attention.

  “Henry, Esther, and Kinsey, while all mortals, are part of Dreagan. Anson is there to protect them,” Con said.

  Rhys pushed to his feet. “This is our war. Any of the humans, willing or no’, shouldna be doing our jobs.”

  A moment later, Rhys left the office. Dmitri waited until the door closed behind him before he looked at Con. “He has a point.”

  “Rhys usually does.”

  “But no one else could get into Kyvor besides Kinsey and Ester,” Dmitri said.

  Con lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It was their idea. Henry may be mortal, but he’s more than capable of looking after his sister and Kinsey.”

  “Henry would’ve made a good Dragon King.”

  “That he would’ve.”

  Dmitri asked, “Can I help with the Usaeil thing?”

  “I believe it’s under control.”

  “Let’s hope it stays that way before Rhi finds out.”

  Con took something from his desk and tossed it to Dmitri. “She brought me that.”

  Dmitri looked down to find the magazine cover with the picture of a hotel room. It was obvious it was Usaeil. The man had his face turned away from the camera, but Dmitri knew it was Con.

  But what really surprised him was the headline of “Who is our favorite actress’s new lover?” He hadn’t known Usaeil masqueraded as an actress.

  “Those are all over the Light Castle,” Con said.

  “Is that where Rhi found it?”

  Con shook his head. “She discovered that being sold on the streets.”

  “The fact that the manor still stands is good news, I suppose. Can I take that to mean Rhi isna angry?” he asked.

  “Rhi and I have an understanding with regards to the queen.”

  “Why did you tell me about Usaeil?”

  Con held out his hand for the magazine before shoving it back in the drawer. “I didna know how long you’d be gone. Anson needs to concentrate on this business with Kyvor, or I’d have told him, as well.”

  “The longer you put this off, the worse it’ll be.”

  “I wanted everyone together to tell them about Usaeil and Ulrik.”

  Dmitri ran a hand down his face. “I doona think you can wait any longer.”

  “I agree. Tonight after dinner we’ll gather in the cavern.”

  Dmitri got to his feet but he didn’t leave. “There was something before we left Fair Isle.”

  “What?”

  “I doona know exactly. A bad feeling. It happened when I used my magic to excavate the rest of the bones.”

  Con frowned at the news. “Maybe it was the idea of taking the skeleton off the isle.”

  “I thought the feeling would go away after we left Fair behind, but it hasna.”

  “You still feel it?” Con asked, worry tingeing his words.

  “Aye.”

  “And there were only two Dark there?”

  Dmitri nodded. “Only the two.”

  “You think it was too easy.”

  “I do. When was the last time we got to something before Ulrik or a Dark?”

  Con sighed, his lips flattening. “We have no’.”

  “And when was the last time we got out without a huge fight?”

  “We have no’.”

  “Exactly,” Dmitri said. “No matter how I look at it, I can no’ figure out what I’m missing.”

  “Perhaps you’re overthinking it.”

  “You know I’m right.”

  Con ran a hand through his hair. “Aye, but I’m going to take the win in this. We need it.”

  That they did. After all they had suffered, the Kings were due a victory on a grand scale. But would they get it? It was going to be hard-won if they did, considering how many enemies they had.

  “We’ll start examining the bones immediately.”

  Con said, “Keep me posted. I’m also wondering how a dragon was left.”

  Dmitri walked from the office. He’d expected things with Con to go one way, but they had gone another. Lately, it was difficult to determine how Con would react to a situation.

  But now that Dmitri knew why Con had been acting so weird of late, a lot of things made sense. What he still didn’t know, however, was why Con had started the affair with Usaeil in the first place.

  Dmitri could’ve told him that nothing good would come from getting too close to her. He’d only met Usaeil once, but there was something about the queen’s diva mentality that rubbed him raw.

  Queen or not, she didn’t deserve the universe. Though she had helped Shara and Kiril. That won her some points, but not many.

  He let all of that slip away as he reached the door to his bedroom. He opened it, eager to see Faith, but she was nowhere in sight. Then he heard a splash. He walked to the bathroom and opened the door to find her reclining in the tub with her eyes closed.

  Her lids lifted, and a bright smile graced her face when she saw him. “I was beginning to wonder where you were, Muscles.”

  “Need some help?” he asked.

  Her smile turned seductive. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Just as he was taking off his shirt, a knock sounded. Then
Lily’s voice reached them. He bent and gave Faith a kiss. “It’ll have to wait.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. I’m starving, and Lily has food.”

  He was laughing as he walked to the door. It was odd how quickly things could change. He certainly never pictured sharing his room with anyone, let alone being so happy about it.

  Then that feeling of dread returned tenfold.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  A hot bath could do wonders to restore a person. The call of food is what drove her out of the tub. She dried off but left her hair wet, brushing her fingers through it.

  The door started to open, only to be pulled quickly shut. Then Dmitri’s voice came through the wood. “You’re naked, are you no’?”

  She looked down and smiled. “That would be a yes.”

  “If I walk in, we willna leave for hours. Nay, make that days.”

  “Ohh,” she said with a sigh, thinking of being in his arms once more. “I love the sound of that.”

  His forehead plunked against the door before she heard his loud exhale. “I can no’ go in there.”

  “What’s wrong?” she asked as she turned to the door.

  “We need to examine the bones so they can be buried.”

  There was more to it than that, she knew it. For some reason, he didn’t want to tell her. She tried not to let it get to her, but it did.

  “The clothes are by the door,” he said.

  She heard his steps fade away. Then she opened the bathroom door and saw him standing at the fireplace with his back to her. A fire was lit, reminding her of the cave and the bond they’d formed there.

  Her gaze lowered to find the pile of clothes. She bent and picked them up, but didn’t close the door behind her as she began to dress.

  The jeans were a good fit, and the white V-neck t-shirt utter perfection. With her feet encased in new socks, she put on her boots, walked into the room, and saw the tray of food.

  Dmitri turned to face her and smiled. “Come, eat.”

  She didn’t need to be told twice. She sat in one of the chairs while the heat of the fire warmed her. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Remember that feeling I had in the cave?”

  “Yes,” she said around a mouthful of food.