“Are you still with me?” Jade asked, whispering, which caused the rider to turn and peer quizzically at her.
Yes, Libby answered, though no one but Jade could hear her. You don’t need to speak out loud. If you want to talk to me, just think it and I can respond.
The riders reined to a halt. Several people, small of stature with swarthy complexions, rushed to take the horses.
Dwarfs? Jade wondered silently.
Possibly, Libby agreed.
Rance frowned, glaring at the still-masked rider who’d captured Jade. “Reveal yourself,” he ordered. “Show us what kind of beings you are.”
“With pleasure.” Again the mellifluous voice. She signaled the others, before removing her head covering. Her white blond hair gleamed even in the dim light, and her delicate features had a patrician cast to them.
Jade had been right. Female. And clearly Fae.
Now the others followed suit. Slipping their black hoods from their heads, they turned to face their leader. Each one of them had similar, clear-cut features and exotic eyes.
“Are you part of the royal family?” Jade asked. Though she didn’t say it out loud, each of them clearly bore a striking resemblance to Prince Cai.
Instead of answering, the leader gave a signal for someone to help Jade down from the horse. Seeing this, Rance dismounted instantly, without waiting for assistance. He crossed to stand next to Jade, his legs planted in a classic warrior stance. Jade glanced at him. Even now, she couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles rippled as he crossed his arms.
“Please.” The leader flashed a dazzling smile. “I am Breena, Prince Cai’s sister. We mean no harm to either of you. But we must talk.”
Jade nodded. Though Rance gave no outward sign of relaxing, he inclined his head to signal his agreement.
The grooms led the horses away. Once they’d gone, Breena waved a graceful hand. “Follow me.”
She started off. Exchanging another quick glance, Jade and Rance hurried after her. Her people—soldiers or family—fell in behind them.
I’m curious. Libby spoke in Jade’s head. I don’t know if this is just court intrigue or something more.
Jade shrugged. This time, instead of answering out loud, she kept the conversation internal. I’m thinking we’re about to find out.
Chapter 14
Jade didn’t know what to think when Breena turned and entered one of the smallish houses. Not sure what else to do, Jade followed. Once they’d all filed in after her, she indicated an array of brightly colored throw pillows placed on the blue tile floor.
Rance took Jade’s hand, sending a jolt of warmth through her. He pushed two pillows next to each other and they lowered themselves to the floor side by side.
Once they were seated, Breena and the others took their own seats.
“We brought you here because we need your help in stopping the prince,” Breena began. “I know you’ve visited him before, but you’re quite possibly the first female from the other realm that he has allowed to leave unharmed in some way.”
Not true. He’d allowed Di and her two friends to return home. Of course, he’d gotten them pregnant, which might qualify as harming them. Still Jade held her tongue. Libby admired the younger woman’s wisdom. Best to wait and see what the situation might be before offering any comment.
“Cai is my brother,” Breena continued. “Though I am the rightful heir to the throne, his numerous—and clearly unsuccessful—attempts to kill me have caused me and my supporters to go into hiding.”
Clearly interested, Rance leaned forward. He opened his mouth as if about to speak, but a quick squeeze from Jade’s hand warned him not to.
“Cai’s ego is enormous.” Expression grim, Breena met Jade’s gaze. “Lately, he’s been luring human women here and, once they’ve been charmed, impregnating them.”
Not just humans, Jade thought. Shifters, too.
“Several human females have died trying to carry his children. I fear there will be more, if he isn’t stopped.”
“But why?” Jade finally asked. “What does he hope to gain by doing this?”
“With each woman he ensnares, he gains power. Especially once they forfeit their lives because of his spark of life growing inside of them.”
Now Rance spoke. “You are making him sound like some sort of faerie vampire.”
A ghost of a smile flitted across Breena’s beautiful face, quickly gone. “That may be more accurate than you realize. While he doesn’t bite them and drink their blood, he does steal their life force.”
“Like a demon,” Jade put in.
“Yes. Maybe that’s what my brother has become. A Fae demon.”
“Why do you think we can help?” Rance again, his tone guarded.
“Because I saw you when you came for the last human female he got with child. He allowed her to leave with you.”
Diamond. Except Breena apparently wasn’t aware Di was not human. Nor were her two friends. Which could be a good thing.
“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” Jade challenged. “For all we know, this might all be political intrigue, pitting one sibling against the other.”
Breena cocked her head, her expression unruffled. “Have you checked on the females who carry his seed? By now, most of them should be dead.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Rance interjected, before Jade could respond. “There are stories all through history of human women birthing Fae babies.”
“Are there?” Breena’s smile was without malice. “If that’s the case, they are not factual. Sometimes the Fae will switch their infants with a particularly beautiful human baby if they’re in the mood to make mischief, but humans cannot survive carrying a Fae baby to term.”
“I don’t understand how such a thing as Prince Cai getting women pregnant could enable him to steal their life force.” Rance spoke matter-of-factly. “Because the last time I heard, demons and Fae never comingle.”
“Black magic,” Breena supplied. “Somehow, this Fae prince allied himself with the darkness.”
“I doubt that.”
Breena gave him an arch look. “What would you know about such things?” she asked. “You are but a mere human.”
“Am I?” he countered, surprised she didn’t realize he was Drakkor. “Can the magical Fae not see such simple things as auras? Do you truly not realize what we are?”
At his words, Breena frowned. Looking from one to the other and back again, her frown deepened as she concentrated. Libby could tell the Fae princess was scrambling to make sense of Rance’s words.
“Look.” Finally Jade took pity of the other woman. “We came here because my cousin Di and her friends are deathly ill. They’re all pregnant. And yes, we do believe Cai is the father.”
“See?” Breena didn’t exactly crow, but she came close. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
“Yes. Maybe you’re right. And maybe not.” Jade took a deep breath before continuing. “Because this group of women are not human. They’re shifters.”
Breena gasped. “That might be different, then. Though I don’t know if better or worse.” She looked at Rance. “Is that why you asked if we could see your auras?”
His quick nod made her eyes widen. “Are you two also shape-shifters?”
“Yes.” The terseness of his reply told Libby he planned to volunteer as little as possible.
“Then there truly is a possibility you could help us take our kingdom back from the darkness.” Breena actually clapped. Blue eyes gleaming, she turned to her entourage. “For the first time in ages, we have hope!”
Libby waited for Jade or Rance to caution her, but both stayed silent. Jade because she would do anything to help her cousin. As far as Rance, he had his own reasons.
; The small group broke out into cheers. Libby began to actually worry. She’d hate it if Jade and Rance were bringing the princess and her supporters false optimism.
“First, before we talk anymore, is there anything you can do to help my cousin and her friends?” Jade asked.
To her credit, Breena didn’t immediately answer. She dipped her chin and mulled over her answer. “Maybe,” she said, her tone cautious. “Do you have time to stay?”
Again Jade and Rance exchanged a long look. Libby marveled at the emotions coursing through her Guardian as she met his gray eyes.
“Time passes differently here,” Rance finally answered. “We don’t have time to waste.”
Jade and Libby knew he was thinking of his stepdaughter as well as the pregnant women.
“You have one hour, no more,” Jade answered, surprising herself. “Plus, I’m wondering if we should go talk to the prince. He’s the father. Surely he could help us.”
At that, Breena narrowed her eyes. “Have you not heard anything I’ve been telling you? If you were to appear in his court now, he would never let you leave.”
“Says you,” Jade retorted. “I’m not entirely sure I can trust you.”
Libby braced herself for the other woman’s anger. Instead, Breena appeared to be considering Jade’s words. Finally, she nodded. “I believe you might be right. I must prove myself to you.”
Both Rance and Jade waited, curious to see exactly how she’d do that.
With her head bent, the Fae princess appeared lost in thought. When she finally looked up and faced them, the eagerness behind her smile made her blue eyes glow. “Ask your Seer,” she told Jade. “She knows exactly what we need. We are old allies with her kind. It’s all her history, if she will but remember.”
“Seer?” Then as Libby gasped inside her head, she realized what Breena meant. “Just a minute, and I’ll ask her,” Jade said, bowing her own head so the others wouldn’t see her internal dialogue mirrored on her face.
Well? What does she mean? Jade asked silently, her impatience clear.
Still shocked at the revelation, it took a second for Libby to formulate an answer. I always thought it was a myth, but she must be speaking of the first magical wars, when the Drakkor and the Fae teamed up to vanquish the demons.
The...what? How long ago was this?
Libby sighed. A long time. Christianity was still new and hadn’t yet made it to North America.
While that’s all very interesting, and definitely something I want to look into later, what does that have to do with us in the here and now?
Ask her if she is asking for my help specifically, or if she needs something else.
Jade did.
Breena smiled, her perfect face still alight with a serene joy. “Not of her precisely, but of her kind. As it was long ago, so it shall be again. Good will vanquish evil.”
Sadness knifed through Libby so sharp and painful that Jade nearly doubled over with it. What Breena wanted wouldn’t be possible. For all intents and purposes, Libby considered herself alone. No longer were there armies of her people available to assist the beautiful Fae battle the darkness.
Recovering, Libby told Jade to be noncommittal. There’s no sense in letting her know up front that we have nothing to bargain with.
Jade nodded. “We will consider your words. Now tell us how to help my cousin and her friends.”
“I can do that, but first I must personally visit them.”
Rance shifted his weight from one foot to the other, making Jade take a quick glance at his beat-up sneakers. He practically vibrated with impatience. She understood the sense of urgency he tried to squash. As far as he knew, the more time that passed without him finding Eve, the more in danger she might be.
“I’ll take you now,” Jade offered. “But we must go quickly. They are very ill.” She reached for Rance, taking his hand and squeezing to let him know she understood.
“This is your chance to prove yourself,” Jade added. “Heal them, and I’ll speak with Libby about helping you.”
Breena dipped her chin in a nod. She clapped her hands, and suddenly they were back in the forest, a few feet away from the twin birch trees that marked the portal.
“Take me to them,” Breena demanded.
Jade eyed her. With her black pants and shirt, Breena could pass for human. An exceptionally beautiful one. Even the hooded cloak would seem like an offbeat sense of fashion. And it might help with not drawing attention to her perfect features.
“Okay. Let’s go. We’ll have to hike back to the car, and then drive there.”
“Can’t they go alone?” Rance stepped in front of Jade. “I know I agreed to help Di first and then search for Eve, but I can’t shake the overwhelming sense of urgency. I need to locate Eve.”
Unsure, Jade looked at Breena. Feeling Jade’s torn emotions, Libby voiced her opinion. Tell Rance it won’t take too long to bring them to the hospital. After, you can come straight to my house and I’ll do my best to locate his little girl.
Can’t you do it now? Jade’s heartbroken plea hurt Libby’s heart. Leave my head and do what you have to do to find her.
The fact that they both knew how dangerous it could be to attempt a trance alone wasn’t lost on Libby.
I can try, Libby couldn’t keep the hesitation from her voice, even if it was only inside Jade’s head. But my ability is strengthened by your presence. You know this.
I do. But I’m so worried for Rance.
I’m leaving now. I’ll see you later, Libby said.
With that, she exited Jade’s head, disoriented to find herself back in her living room.
* * *
Meanwhile, Jade felt a twinge as Libby left, then a devastating sense of emptiness.
“Jade?” Rance squeezed her shoulder, making her realize she’d been standing frozen while having her internal dialogue with Libby. “Are you all right?”
As her gaze met his, she swallowed. The tense line of his strong jaw attested to the iron grip he kept on his emotions. She could only imagine how he felt—if she felt torn, everything that kept him from finding Eve must be ripping him apart.
All her life, Jade had become skilled at putting others first. She’d developed a knack for assessing the priority of a situation, but this time, uncertainty made her feel ill.
“We’ll take them to the hospital, introduce them to my mother and my aunt and then we’ll go to Libby’s,” she said, praying she was making the right choice.
His jaw tightened but he nodded. “Let’s go.” He strode off without waiting to see if they followed.
Though Rance drove way too fast, Jade didn’t say a word. She kept sneaking glances at Breena, who had gone pale and appeared about to be sick.
“You’ve never ridden in a car before,” Jade guessed.
Hearing, Rance eased off the gas pedal a little. “Sorry,” he muttered.
They pulled into the hospital parking lot and found a spot right near the front door. As soon as Rance cut the engine, he jumped out of the car and headed around to Jade’s side, opening her door for her. “I’m Southern,” he said, correctly interpreting her look. “My mama taught me never to forget my manners.”
Amused despite herself, she smiled at him. “To be honest, despite your Texas accent, your manners are rarely on display.”
His eyes widened. “Then I have been remiss. In the future, I’ll try to remedy that.”
Charmed, she nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from him.
“Come on.” He gave her a tug. “Let’s go.”
“And there go the manners,” Jade quipped.
Breena cleared her throat, making Jade realize she’d managed to forget about the other woman somehow.
“Put your hood up,” Jade urged, watching as Breena
covered her shining blond hair. Now, with her face in shadow, maybe she wouldn’t cause too much disruption.
“Right,” Breena drawled. “Because no one ever notices you.”
Startled, Jade drew back. “Did you just read my mind?”
“No. I didn’t have to. Your thoughts are plain on your face.”
Rance took Jade’s arm. “We can talk later.”
They rode the elevator up in silence. Jade nervously wondered how her mother and aunt would react to the beautiful stranger. Ah, well, they’d asked Jade for help, and that was exactly what she was doing.
She only hoped Breena really could so something for Di, her friends and their unborn children. What a miracle if Fae magic could make them well.
Amber looked up as Jade entered the room. “You’re back. It certainly took you long enough.” Worry colored her voice. “What did you find out?” she asked, falling silent as she caught sight of a hooded and cloaked stranger. “Who’s this?”
“A friend.” Jade stepped aside so Breena could see her unconscious and intubated cousin. Pushing aside her twinge of nervousness and hoping Breena hadn’t misled them, she kept silent while the Fae princess laid her long-fingered hand on the side of Di’s face.
When she did, Di’s baby kicked so roughly they all could see her bump move.
“She recognizes me,” Breena said, sounding pleased.
She?
Amber started to speak, but closed her mouth when Jade shook her head in warning.
“I’ll need to soothe her. And—” Breena looked from Jade to the two older women “—I’ll have to place the unborn child into a trance. Only if she sleeps will she stop fighting her human mother.”
“A trance?” Emerald gasped. “That doesn’t sound safe for an infant in utero.”
Breena shrugged. “It’s your choice. But please be aware, if I do not do this, your daughter will die. And most likely the infant, too. I don’t think she’s developed enough to survive on her own outside of the womb.”
Both Emerald and Amber gasped.
Meanwhile, Breena looked at Jade. “Can you lead me to the other pregnant women who are ill? If they have family with them, it will be their choice. If they do not, I will leave it up to you whatever you want me to do.”
Tempting the Dragon Page 19
