by Linsey Hall
Aeri leaned forward. “Really?”
I nodded. “They’ll help us. They’re eager to overthrow her.”
“We’ll help however we can,” Claire said.
“Of course,” Connor added.
“Thank you.” I drew in a deep breath. “I need more magic. I already gave it everything I had to try to heal Tarron, and it didn’t work. I could use my Dragon Blood to try to create my mother’s light magic, but I know it won’t work. I’m not strong enough.”
“I don’t think I can hit you with any more of that crazy white light,” Claire said. “Whatever it was, I can’t feel it inside myself. Not even a little.”
I nodded, remembering the battle from a week ago. My mother and Claire had tangled, and unfamiliar magic had burst out of Claire. It had hit the false queen as a massive blast of light, and she’d grown stronger. “I know. I think that had as much to do with her as it did with you.”
“Then what is your plan?” Connor asked.
You are only half of me. Half of what you could be. The false queen’s last words to me echoed in my mind. They made my heart ache.
But what if I could use that?
Half of what you could be.
I needed to become more.
“What are you thinking?” Aeri asked.
My gaze flicked up to hers. “How could you tell I was thinking?”
“You’ve been staring into space for the last thirty seconds, and it’s been dead silent all around.” She gestured around the table.
Everyone was staring at me.
“Oh, right. Of course.” Apparently, I was losing it.
But I was onto something. I knew it. “The false queen said that I was only half of her. Half of what I could be.”
“Bitch,” Aeri muttered.
Tarron growled low in his throat, and I shot them both a thankful look.
“But she’s right. I’m not enough. Not as I am now. I need more magic.”
Aeri frowned. “That’s bullshit. You are enough.”
I shook my head. “She said I am half of what she is. Half her power. So I need more. I need to become like her.”
“Become like her?” Aeri asked. “That sounds terrible.”
“Not evil. But stronger. As strong as her.” Even as I said it, the slightest bit of doubt tugged at me. I didn’t want to become like her.
But I did need to stop her.
I’d do anything to stop her.
Anything to heal Tarron.
If her magic had cursed him, I could heal him. I was her daughter, after all. So much of my magic was like hers—the mind control, the reflective power. I just needed to gain this magic as well.
“I’m not sure this is the right direction,” Aeri said. “You’re moving toward the darkness.”
“Fight fire with fire, right?”
Aeri frowned, still unconvinced. “How are you going to do this?”
“I’m going to use my gift of premonition”—another gift that was like my mother’s—“to find a way to become more powerful.”
“I guess it’s the only clue we have.” Aeri sounded doubtful, but I waved her off. This would work.
It had to.
I couldn’t call on specific information on command, but I could often get clues related to a specific thing if I asked the right way.
The doorbell rang.
I frowned, then glanced at Aeri.
She shrugged. “No guests that I know of.”
I stood and hurried to the door, then peaked out through the peephole.
Aethelred stood on the front step, wearing one of his familiar blue velour track suits. His long Gandalf beard blew in the wind, and brilliant blue eyes peered out of his wrinkled face. He stared right at me through the peephole. “I know you’re in there, Mordaca. Open up.”
I swung the door open and grinned. “It looks like your seer powers are still going strong.”
“Of course.” He stepped inside. “How do you think I knew you needed me?”
“Impressive. You could tell I was about to use my power?”
“Just got a feeling.”
I grinned. “Thanks for coming.”
His power would enhance mine. If we both looked into the future, our odds were better.
“I’ll be expecting a walk on the beach for this.”
I nodded. “Of course. As soon as I fix this little…issue, we’ll get back to our Friday routine.”
I’d missed my walks with Aethelred, so it would be no hardship.
I gestured for him to follow me into the workshop.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” I said as we entered.
Wally, Aeri’s hellcat, looked up from where he’d been sleeping on the mantel. His flame red eyes blazed, and the smoke wafting up from his fur moved more quickly. He meowed.
“He says he did no such thing,” Aeri translated.
Only she could understand Wally, just like I was the only one who could interpret for Burn.
I grinned. “Sorry, Wally.”
“Apologize to me, missy!” Aethelred said. “It takes quite a bit of effort to drag my old bones over here, so I’ll be taking the credit, thank you very much.”
I grinned at him. “Of course. My bad.”
“Let’s do this in front of the fire.” He rubbed his back. “Getting a bit cold for me these days.”
Tarron stood and dragged two chairs over to the fire.
Connor rose and walked to Aethelred. He carried his bag and rooted around inside for something. He stopped in front of us and pulled out a tiny vial that he handed to Aethelred. “Take this. It’ll soothe your bones.”
Aethelred squinted at it, looking suspicious. “You’re not trying to poison me, are you, young man?”
Connor sputtered and Aethelred laughed.
The old man slapped him on the arm. “Just joshing, my boy.”
Connor stopped sputtering, but he still looked awkward.
I nudged my old friend. “Say thank you, Aethelred.”
“Thank you, boy.” He uncorked the vial and swigged it back, then coughed. “Tastes like a dumpster.”
Connor grinned. “That’s how you know it’s the real thing.”
Aethelred stopped coughing and gave Connor a glare. “A little mint wouldn’t hurt, you know.”
I grimaced. “Mint garbage?”
“Better than plain garbage.”
“We’ll have to debate the merits of flavored garbage another time.” I started toward the fire. “We’ve got a future to be seeing.”
Aethelred joined me at the two chairs. We both sat, and the others gathered around. Tarron kept a few feet back from, seeming uncomfortable.
My heart ached for him. It was clear that he was worried that the queen’s influence would overcome him.
“What are you looking for, my dear?” Aethelred asked. “I got the impression it has to do with your mother and this young man here.” He nodded at Tarron. “But what specifically?”
“I need to figure out how to grow strong enough to heal Tarron and overthrow the false queen. She rules the Unseelie Court, but it is a reign of terror.”
Aethelred nodded. “Two worthy goals.”
Yeah, but finding the solution to both seemed impossible. Especially since I wanted them done ASAP.
He held out his gnarled hand, and I took it. Waves of his magic rolled over me, and I closed my eyes, calling upon my power. My magic rose within me, filling my soul.
I cast my mind into the future, asking my questions. Aethelred’s power flowed into me, making my gift stronger.
As usual, the strange white clouds filled my mind’s eye. Images rolled through, shadows amongst the clouds.
One called to me, and I approached. Through the mist, several figures appeared. Three of them stayed in the mist, but one approached so I could see her. She had crimson skin, bright as rubies, and wore a black gown that matched her ebony hair. Her face was indistinct, and massive amounts of power wafted off of her.
&nbs
p; “Who are you?” I asked.
“Come to us.” She raised her hand and sliced a blade across her palm.
White blood dripped to the ground.
I gasped.
Only one type of species had white blood.
Dragon Bloods.
I had to find the original Dragon Bloods.
4
But how did I find the original Dragon Bloods? And where?
The question made more clouds appear, more shadowy figures. The Dragon Bloods disappeared, and I was drawn toward another section of clouds. A massive building appeared in front of me, shadowed and mysterious.
The place was in ruins, but it was impossible to mistake. Tall pillars, amazing archways, long avenues of grass.
Rievaulx Abbey.
It was unmistakable. The enormous, ancient monastical structure was located in Northern England.
But why did I need to go there? I saw no Dragon Bloods amongst the ancient ruins. Just a few monks in plain cloaks.
Answers.
The white clouds faded, and I opened my eyes. Flames flickered in the hearth, and silence reigned.
Aethelred caught my gaze. “Well? What did you see?”
“The Dragon Bloods. It makes so much sense. I got most of my magic from them. And I need more. So of course we need to go to them.”
Aeri still looked uncertain. “And you think they’ll make you more like your mother?”
“They could make me stronger. Strong enough to drive away Tarron’s curse and to defeat the false queen. Dragon Blood can make more magic. I didn’t have enough—or mine isn’t good enough, maybe—to gain the power to heal Tarron. But they could have that power.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of this,” Aeri said.
“Do you have another plan?”
“No, damn it.” She frowned. “Where are they?”
“I don’t know. But I saw Rievaulx Abbey.”
“The ruins?” Tarron asked. “The Dragon Bloods live there?”
“No, I think there will be answers there about how to find them.”
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s meant to be easy,” Aeri said. “They’ve always been basically…mythical.”
“Yeah,” Claire said. “If I hadn't met you guys, I’d still be skeptical.”
“If this is our plan, we need to go right away,” Aeri said.
“You should lock me up while you’re gone,” Tarron said. “Leave a guard.”
I glared. “Hell no. You have to come with us.”
He frowned. “It’s too dangerous for you to be around me.”
My heart ached at the pain in his voice. “It’ll be fine. You need to be there in case they can give me enough power to cure you.”
“How do you know you’ll find the cure there?” he asked.
“I feel it. The way that I feel anything that is true in my visions.” It was mostly true. I could sense that something important would happen there—I just prayed that it would be fixing Tarron.
His jaw tightened. “I’ll go. I admit that I want to keep my soul. But it needs to be more than just you and me.” His gaze moved to Aeri. “Come with us. Please. I can feel the false queen’s grip on my soul. If this temporary antidote stops working and I succumb, I don’t want Mari to be alone with me.” His gaze moved to Declan. “You, too.”
I knew what Tarron was thinking. He was immensely powerful. If he lost control of himself, he wanted someone there who wouldn’t hesitate to take him out. I would definitely hesitate. Aeri probably would, too, because she knew I loved him.
Declan wouldn’t hesitate.
He liked me, but he’d be more inclined to keep me alive and worry about the state of my heart later.
“I insist.” Tarron’s tone was firm. “Please.”
“We’ll do it,” Aeri said.
“Thank you.” I looked at Declan. “We need someone to keep an eye on the false queen. To make connections with the Resistance, if possible. Because once we’re done with the Dragon Bloods, I’m coming for her.”
“I can send Luna,” Tarron said.
Claire leaned forward. “Connor and I can help.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You’ve already done so much. You must be exhausted.”
“Of course I’m sure. I want to help. Anyway, I’m curious about her, too.” She shrugged. “And if I need backup, I’m sure the FireSouls would step in.”
“Thank you.” I reached out and squeezed her hand.
“I think you need to rest, though,” Claire said. “You all look like hell.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept, so I was sure she was right. Tarron and I had gone straight from escaping hell to rescuing Aeri and him getting cursed.
“Just a few hours,” Aeri said. “Then we’ll take off.”
I looked at Tarron, who nodded. Even he had shadows under his eyes.
“Fine.” I stood. “Claire, Connor, thank you.”
“Anytime,” Connor said.
I gave Claire a small vial of my blood that she could use to open the portal to the Unseelie Realm. As she took it and tucked it into her pocket, I wished I were going with her. I hated the idea that my friends were walking into that dangerous realm alone just to help me.
Claire squeezed my hand. “It’ll be fine. Worth it.”
“Thanks.”
They departed, and Aeri and Declan headed to her apartment.
Tarron and I stood, staring at each other. My gaze dropped to the manacles at his wrist.
I stepped forward, reaching for them. “Damn. I forgot those. I’m sorry.”
He stepped back. “I’ll keep them on while we rest.”
“No. That’s terrible.”
His lips thinned and his brow creased. Pain flashed in his eyes. “You don’t get it, Mari. I can feel her in my soul.”
I strode toward him and placed my hands on his jaw. “You’re strong enough to fight her.”
“Maybe. But I won’t risk you.”
I scowled at him, but my heart softened. “I can’t believe this happened.”
He bowed his head, leaning over to rest his forehead on mine. “I’d rather it be me than you.”
“Don’t you get it? I’d prefer the same thing. I hate to see you like this. Suffering.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree.”
“Fine.” I tilted my head up and pressed my mouth to his.
He groaned low in his throat and captured my lips. I leaned into the kiss, every inch of me heating as he kissed me like his life depended on it. He grabbed my hands with his, pulling me until I was pressed against his front. His bound hands got in the way, but I didn’t care. I pressed myself close and enjoyed every second.
With a pained groan, he pulled away. “I don’t want to lose control. She could slip in while I’m distracted by you.”
Damn it. I didn’t want to let him go.
Still, I respected his wishes, backing up just slightly.
“What are we going to do?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“When we get you fixed and we stop her, we suddenly have two kingdoms on our hands. Neither of us asked for them.”
His gaze turned serious. “We didn’t.”
“You’ve done a great job ever since the death of your brother. But…”
“You don’t want it.”
“No.”
“I don’t blame you.” He dragged a hand over his face. “You would have to give up your entire life here—no question. I’ve been neglecting my kingdom while we’ve been on this hunt. And it is worth it. But the work is piling up.”
I drew in a shuddery breath, trying not to think of all the issues I would face. I didn’t want to leave Aeri. I didn’t want to live in a different realm from Tarron. My time would be split between the Unseelie Court, the Seelie Court, and Magic’s Bend.
That was no life.
And I had no idea how to fix it.
“We need to rest.” His gaze flicked to mine, and the g
reen appeared darker with pain. “I fear exhaustion. If I weaken, her hold could grow stronger. And you need to stop worrying about this.”
Frustration surged within me, but I had to agree. I wouldn’t do anything to risk him. “Let’s go rest. But in the same bed.”
“Not a chance.” His tone was firm. “There needs to be a locked door between me and you. Especially since you’ll be vulnerable in sleep.”
I scowled. But he wasn’t going to budge. “Fine. Let’s go.”
The dream hit me—hard and fast.
Tarron, going for my throat. His eyes flashed with hate as he surged toward me, covering the ground quickly. I darted backward, trying to avoid him.
But the hate in his eyes wasn’t him. No, it was the false queen. As he closed in on me, she stood behind him, a victorious glare on her face.
“I will find you, daughter.” Her voice echoed with frost. “I’d hoped you would join me, but I was wrong.”
“Never,” I hissed, darting out of the way of Tarron’s attack.
He was slow—slow in the way of dreams, when things happen as if you are seeing them through a lens made of water.
“He is mine now, and he will stop at nothing to kill you,” she hissed.
“I will cure him.” I darted left, avoiding his grasp. “And I will beat you.”
“You’ll never be as strong as me.”
“I will. And I will take the Unseelie Court from you. Your reign of terror ends.”
She cackled. “You are half of me, and you have no idea the plans I have put into place.”
I jerked out of the dream, woken by my alarm. Cold sweat dotted my forehead, and I sat up, panting. My heart raced as I searched my bedroom, looking for Tarron. Looking for his attack.
“No,” I muttered. “Just a dream. Just a dream.”
But part of it had been real. That had been the false queen—no doubt. She’d used dreams to send me messages before, and she was doing it again.
But she was wrong. I’d become strong enough. I’d become as strong as her.
Aeri’s words echoed in my mind… You’re moving toward darkness.
But I wasn’t. I just needed to gain power like hers so I could fight fire with fire. Right now, I wasn’t enough.
But I could be. I would beat her and save my people. Save Tarron’s people.
