by Linsey Hall
Unlike my two fellow prisoners and only friends, I wasn’t afraid of the door opening, no matter how bad it was on the other side. I could be the one they dragged away next, but I didn’t care. I was so desperate to see light that I’d take the risk that they’d choose me next.
“How long have we been here?” whispered the girl next to me.
I’d only ever caught glimpses of her face in the flash of light from the door. Enough to know that she had pale skin and red hair and was roughly my age. I was about fourteen, I thought. That was the last birthday I remembered. Draka had been the only one there. My chest ached to see her again.
I reached for the girl’s skinny hand and gripped it tight. “I don’t know.”
“We’ll get out,” said another girl. Her fingers closed around my other hand.
She had brown hair. I tried to picture her face as I’d seen it in a brief flash of light, but that was all I could remember.
“But how do we escape?” I asked. However long I’d been in here, the time had stolen my hope of getting out.
“I don’t know,” she said. “But we’ll do it together.”
I squeezed her hand tight. Her words gave me a flicker of hope. No matter what happened, we were together. I wasn’t alone.
I leaned my head back against the stone wall and stared up at the dark ceiling.
I dozed off, as I often did. It was my only escape.
At first, I thought the flash of blue light was my imagination. But when the familiar sense of warmth and the smell of sweetness struck me, my heart raced. The air swirled with a blue glow.
Draka!
My friends whimpered and drew back, but I leapt up and raced into the middle the small cell. The blue glow coalesced to form Draka’s dragon form. She wrapped her shining wings around me. Warmth and comfort surged through me, driving out the hunger and cold. We had a connection, Draka and I, forged by some magic I didn’t understand. She was always there for me. My true family.
“I’m here to take you home,” she said in my mind.
The ether tugged at me. Draka began to spin around me as a blue haze, igniting her magic. Pulling me away from my friends!
“No!” I cried. “I can’t leave them. They must come.”
“I cannot,” Draka said. “I am not strong enough.”
The ether pulled harder as Draka tried to use her magic to pull me away. I could’ve escaped! Gone home! Though the idea of escape made my heart sing, home was a much more frightening concept.
But it was better than this nightmare.
“Don’t hurt her!” one of my friends cried.
It snapped me back to reality.
“I can’t leave them!” I resisted Draka’s pull. I didn’t know where I was or how to get back to save my friends. And I couldn’t leave them here—not after all we’d been through. We were a team. I wouldn’t abandon them.
“Come back when you can save us all,” I begged.
“I cannot.” Sorrow echoed in Draka’s voice. “You must come now.”
I fought her, unwilling to abandon my friends. When the door to the cell burst open, blinding light flashed into the dark room. The guards shouted, throwing something toward us. Light burst again, this time from some sort of weapon. My skin stung wherever a fine mist hit it.
Draka hissed and disappeared.
No!
I jerked upright in bed, gasping. Tears streamed down my face, and sweat stuck my hair to my neck. The memory of the dream made my heart pound like an elephant’s galloping footsteps.
With a shaky hand, I pushed the hair off my forehead and glanced at the clock. Seven in the morning. I groaned and let my head thump back against the headboard. Pain shot through my skull and I winced.
I was a mess.
I climbed out of bed on trembling legs and dragged myself to the shower. The hot water blasted away some of the shakes that made me feel like a noodle, but my mind was still racing by the time I got out and dried myself off.
I pulled the fluffy robe off the back of the bathroom door and tugged it on. It was covered in little cartoons of dancing seals, but the familiar sight didn’t make me smile as usual. I’d just stepped out into the living room when a knock sounded at the door.
I frowned. It was way too early for Cass or Nix to be up.
“Who is it?” I called. No one else had access to the green door that led up to our apartments.
“Roarke.” His deep voice carried easily through the wood.
My heart leapt, and I hurried to the door and yanked it open. Who’d let him in? Probably Cass or Nix.
Roarke stood on the other side, two paper coffee cups and a paper bag in his hand. He grinned, so handsome in his black jacket that my head swam a little.
Mentally, I kicked myself. I really needed to get it together. Twenty-five years of not losing my head over a dude had given me weak resistance muscles. Ever since I’d decided I trusted Roarke—which wasn’t that long ago, in fairness—I’d been a freaking ninny about him.
“Hey.” My gaze roved from his dark hair down to the boots on his feet, taking in the height and muscles that made my blood race every time I saw him. We’d only ever kissed and shared a couple of exhausted, chaste nights in the same bed, so my stupid hormones were in overdrive.
This guy was making me act like a teenage boy.
He raised his brows. “Can I come in?”
“Uh, yeah.” I stepped back awkwardly, realizing that I’d been staring at him for who knew how long.
But hell, I wasn’t going to kick myself over it. After that shitty dream, I’d take whatever distraction I could get and be grateful for it.
Roarke stepped in and set his stuff on the table, then turned to me and pulled me close. My heart jumped as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.
His kiss was firm and soft all at the same time, so perfect that my heart raced, and I had to grip his shirt to keep my balance. The sandalwood scent of his magic swirled with the fragrance of the soap he used, making my head spin.
He pulled away and leaned his forehead against mine. “I found that I missed you while I was gone.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “I missed you, too.”
And I had. More than I’d expected. Whatever was between us was casual. At least, it should’ve been.
Maybe it wasn’t.
Roarke pulled away, and his gaze met mine. Concern turned his dark eyes fully black. “Are you all right? You look a bit pale. I didn’t think my kissing was that bad.”
“Oh, it’s not.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Just a dream. I’ll be better with some coffee. Is one of those for me?” I pointed to the cups on the table.
He picked up the smaller one and handed it over. “Double shot of espresso. Motor fuel.”
“Thank you.” I took the cup gratefully and sipped, sighing at the familiar taste of Connor’s perfect concoction.
I reached for Roarke’s hand, then pulled him to the couch. He sat and I curled up next to him, close enough that my side was pressed against his. The contact made awareness prickle across my skin.
“Did you just finish up in the Underworld?” I asked. “All demon uprisings repressed?”
Wearily, he dragged a hand through his hair. “It may have been a false alarm. I couldn’t find anything when I reached the supposed location of the troubles.”
“Hmmm. That can’t be good.”
“It’s unusual, to say the least.” He took a big sip of his coffee, then looked at me. “Are you sure you’re all right? That must have been a terrible dream.”
“It was.” I polished off the last of my espresso, then reached for his hand. His strength gave me strength. And I wanted to talk about this. I had to.
“Do you remember how I told you about being held prisoner as a kid by a guy we called the Monster?” I asked.
“I do. Did you dream of it?”
“Yeah. I’ve never actually remembered what went on in that cell while we were held prisoner. It’s lost with
all my other memories of the time before I woke in that field ten years ago. Cass has remembered some stuff, though. Like how he wanted us for our FireSoul powers and that we attacked a guard and eventually escaped. But last night, I dreamt of it for the first time. Draka tried to save me.”
“She did?”
I nodded, worrying my lip. “But I wouldn’t let her take me without Nix and Cass. When the guards came, they drove her away. The weird thing was—when she told me she was taking me home, I was afraid.”
“Of her?”
“No. She always makes me feel loved. It was the idea of home that was bad.” I frowned. “But then, all my memories of home haven’t been great.”
Roarke tugged me to his side and squeezed. I leaned my head against his shoulder and tried to absorb his warmth.
When Cass had recovered her memory, she’d learned that she’d had loving parents who’d died trying to save us from the Monster. But everything I was learning about my past made my heart feel like it was full of lead.
Suck it up. Plenty of people had crappy childhoods. I was here, wasn’t I? Happy and healthy, with friends and a great life.
I wasn’t going to let this crap drag me down. Draka needed me.
Which meant I needed to get back to trying to find her. However I could.
I patted Roarke’s thigh. “Thanks for listening. I’m going to go get changed.”
I stood and headed for the bedroom. As soon as I stepped over the threshold, pain tore into my mind, followed by a flash of blue light that was so bright I went immediately blind. My legs turned to jello and I fell, crashing to the ground on my hands and knees. But even they wouldn’t hold me. I collapsed to my front.
The pain receded almost immediately, leaving behind the most familiar feeling of comfort and warmth. And that memorable sweet smell.
Draka.
My dragon sense roared, latching on to her.
“Del!” Roarke’s voice echoed through my mind, like he was yelling from the other side of a football field.
I blinked, trying to push myself up off the floor. But I couldn’t budge. I was a noodle once again, and this time, I was about as lifeless as one. I felt Roarke’s strong hands as he rolled me over gently, then picked me up. He cradled me against his chest as my vision began to clear. He was walking. Taking me to the bedroom.
“I’m okay,” I croaked. I rubbed my forehead, which now only ached slightly.
“You don’t look okay.” He reached the bed and was about to set me on it.
I pushed at his chest. “No, set me on my feet. I’m not an invalid. I’m fine.”
Better than fine. I was great.
Roarke put me on my feet, and I clung to him, waiting for my legs to remember their job. The blue light had shocked my system, sending it into a tailspin.
“Draka contacted me,” I said. “I know where she is.”
“What? Just now?”
I nodded, grinning. “Yeah. The last couple of days, I’ve been seeing this flash of blue light. I didn’t know what it was. But it was her. It happened again just now, but this one was a real doozy. It’s like she finally succeeded in reaching me.”
To his credit, he didn’t look at me like I was nuts. He also didn’t let go of my arms, clearly afraid I would face-plant. I probably would.
“What did she say?” he asked.
“Nothing. She didn’t have to. We have a connection.” A memory from my dream flashed in my mind. I’d thought the same thing when she’d come to save me from the Monster’s dungeon. Now it was my turn to save her.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know, really. I think the connection was broken when I lost my memory. But it’s back, and she gave me a clue about her location. A place for my dragon sense to find.”
“That’s great. Where is she?”
“Close. Surprisingly close. Only a couple hours away.” I pushed away from him and wobbled over to my dresser, gaining strength with every step. I turned back to him and made a shooing motion. “Scram. I need to change. We have to leave immediately.”
“You’re not well enough. You’re walking like you just spent a year at sea.”
I turned. “I don’t care. She’s my family. I’m going to get her. Now.” I tested out a few small jumps, keeping my jello-legged wobbling to a minimum. “See? I’m almost back to normal. You can’t stop me, Roarke. Not when it comes to saving someone I love.”
Resignation sliced across his face. He nodded, his gaze solemn. “I get it. We just need to play it safe. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, but my mind was totally preoccupied with what it might take to save Draka. I couldn’t fail. I just couldn’t.
Chapter Three
I didn’t even knock on my deirfiúrs’ doors to let them know we were going. Nix had to man the shop, and Cass was supposed to head off on a big hunt today. And we’d partied hard last night, stumbling home together well after midnight. They’d be totally knocked out.
I’d send them a text when I knew more. I needed to learn what we were up against before I brought in the big guns. Most rescue missions required stealth, not numbers.
So Roarke and I hurried out of my apartment after I’d changed and loaded up with lucky amulets from my trove. I wore a lucky T-shirt, two lucky necklaces and an assortment of bangles that had been enchanted by a sorceress in India. As usual now, my sword was stored in the ether instead of sheathed at my back.
I didn’t look like it, but I was dressed for war.
“I’ll drive,” Roarke said as we stepped out into the brisk morning air.
I gazed longingly at Scooter, wanting to race off toward wherever Draka was sending me, but Roarke was right. We both needed to get there, and as big as my Harley was, it wouldn’t fit him. Not easily, at least.
“Okay.” I followed him across the street to his sleek electric sports car. Birds chirped their little heads off, clearly oblivious to the huge thing that was happening.
Finally, I might be able to find Draka. I’d been dying to see her since she’d delivered the news that I was a Guardian. And I’d been growing ever more worried with every day that I hadn’t seen her.
We climbed in, and Roarke shot away from the curb, then asked, “Where to?”
“North. Out of town. Get on Magician’s Way, and it’ll take you out of town.”
He made record time through the quiet streets of Magic’s Bend. Since it was Saturday morning, it was a ghost town, even in the Historic District. The brunch places wouldn’t start bustling until at least ten. The highway was quiet as we made our way north. I did my damnedest to keep my legs from bouncing like I’d had ten Red Bulls.
“Nervous?” Roarke asked.
“Yeah.” I gazed out at the trees that raced by. “I just want this to work, you know? I’ve been so worried.”
He reached over and squeezed my thigh. I knew the gesture was meant to be comforting, but it just made my blood race. I barely resisted whipping my head toward him.
He removed his hand quickly, gripping the steering wheel tight. Apparently the move had backfired on him, too. Comfort was all well and good, but when there was as much amazing sexual tension as we had, any kind of touch could turn racy.
I dragged my thoughts away from Roarke and focused on my dragon sense. It pulled northward, but we were getting close.
“Do you know what we’ll find at the other end of this hunch?” Roarke asked.
“It’s not a hunch. And no, I’ve got no idea.” I hoped it was Draka and that she wasn’t in trouble.
My mind raced as we drove. I directed Roarke off the highway, leading us onto a small road that delved deep into the woods. Eventually, huge trees appeared. Glittering white snow covered the ground between the redwoods.
“Impressive,” Roarke murmured.
Massive trees loomed on either side of the road, so big that you could carve a tunnel through them to make a road fit for cars. I leaned low, tr
ying to see to the tops of the trees nearest my window, but failed. There were no other cars on the road this deep into the woods.
Without warning, my dragon sense lit up like a pinball machine. “Stop!”
Roarke slowed the car, pulled over to the side of the road, and cut the engine. “Here?”
“Yeah.” I climbed out, my boots crunching into the snow, and zipped my jacket against the chill air. All around, redwoods rose like silent sentinels. Thousands of years old and hundreds of feet tall, my mind almost couldn’t comprehend them. There were no smaller trees or bushes. Just giant trees and snow. I’d never seen anything like it.
Roarke’s door shut quietly, and he came around to stand next to me.
“I’d heard these were here, but never made a point to visit.” His voice was low, awed.
“Same,” I whispered, my head tilted back all the way so I could see the tops of the trees. They were like skyscrapers.
I spun in a circle and tried to absorb the magnitude of the place. The snow gave it an even more enchanted air. I could stand here forever, just soaking in the wonder.
But that wouldn’t save Draka.
“There’s nothing out here except trees,” Roarke said. “Which way to Draka?”
“Come on.” I followed my dragon sense away from the car, cutting between the massive trees. It was silent all around, the animals all battened down in their burrows, avoiding the cold. The trees were endless in all directions, and the sun sparkled through the branches far above, making the snow beneath my feet glitter.
I tried not to be swayed by the grandeur of the place as I walked, doing my best to stay on high alert. I really had no freaking idea what to expect.
When an oddly small tree to my left shifted, I jumped. Roarke threw out an arm and stopped my forward movement. I stared hard at the tree, which was only about eight feet tall. A baby—no, a fetus—compared to the monster-sized trees all around.
In the blink of an eye, light swirled around the tree, and it burst to life, hopping out of the ground, roots and all. It turned, facing us. With its face.
The tree had a freaking face, about three quarters of the way up the trunk. The branches were leafless and moved down like arms, bending in front of the tree so that it could take a bow.
