Dragon's Gift: The Protector 02 Trial by Magic

by Linsey Hall

  Ahead of us, the forest thinned. Magic sparked on the air, something stronger than I was used to. Not a protective charm. But something else. A warning.

  Don’t mess with us.

  But who was us?

  “Are we getting close?” I consulted the map. We were near the X. Please let the X be the true end to this miserable adventure.

  We passed between the thinning trees. Ahead of us, a hill rose gently toward the sky. It was topped by a white castle that looked like every fairytale castle rolled into one. It glinted in the moonlight, as if the thing were made of mirrors instead of impossibly white stone.

  It was beautiful and terrifying at once. And without a doubt, it was my end destination.

  Chapter Eleven

  I laughed low. “I find your fairytale architecture to be a bit disturbing when contrasted against all of the miserable monsters you have lurking in your lakes and forests.”

  “Fairytales were full of horrible monsters.”

  I grinned at him. “Fair enough.”

  When I turned back to the white castle, I noted that it flew three pennants from the top three towers. The towers were all equally tall, and the pennants glowed gold, silver, and opal.

  “Any hint on who lives there?” I asked.

  Ares shook his head.

  “No problem.” Bring it, vampire Bitches.

  I climbed up the hill, gaze riveted to the castle. The Pūķis flanked me, three on either side. They glowed red in the moonlight, fierce and loyal.

  The castle gate was a massive wooden affair decorated with iron spikes. I stopped in front of it and shouted, “Might as well let me in!”

  The gate creaked down, lowering over a moat filled with blue water glittering in the moonlight. It was so clear that I could see straight down. It was so deep that it looked bottomless.

  “Those waters will suck you down to the middle of the earth,” Ares said.

  I gulped. “So stick to the bridge. Cool.”

  The bridge in question lowered fully to the ground. I drew in a deep breath and stepped on it, crossing into a massive courtyard filled with night-blooming flowers. Deep reds and blues and purples spilled from baskets and pots that decorated every surface and inch of wall.

  The magic that vibrated on the air was stronger here, and somewhat familiar. The feeling of crashing waves, the sound of thunder, and an electric shock. There were more signatures that I couldn’t identify, and they were powerful.

  Overhead, the Pūķis circled the castle courtyard, their gazes on me. One dived, trying to reach me, but bounced off an invisible shield.

  Suddenly, nerves prickled along my skin. Whoever was here didn’t want me to have my dragon backup.

  This place might be beautiful, but it was dangerous. Like Nightshade, one of my favorite poisonous plants. I turned to look at Ares, whose muscles were tense and his face set. He knew where we were, and he wasn’t a fan.

  I straightened my shoulders and walked through the courtyard. The map had stopped at the X, so I had no idea what I’d find. The uncertainty made my skin prickle with nerves, but I doubted I’d have to wait long.

  Across the courtyard, the main keep rose four stories tall with wide blue doors. The blue was pale with silver filigree overtop—strange and delicate. The doors were basically a neon sign, I figured, so I walked toward them. Ares stayed at my side, his stride confident and his gaze alert.

  He’d been here before, and despite his confidence, he was still a touch wary. Alert, more than anything.

  Whatever made the vampire Enforcer wary definitely made me jumpy. Especially considering the powerful magic that imbued this place. It was in the air, the walls, the floor. Everywhere.

  I reached the doors on the other side of the courtyard. Both doors swung open, as if expecting me. Despite their elegant appearance, they were six inches thick and strong enough to keep out a charging elephant.

  Magic rolled out of the room, so powerful that I stumbled back. It felt like waves crashed into me as thunder vibrated in my chest and electricity flowed through my limbs.

  I staggered, reaching out to hold the door as I swayed on my feet. It took everything I had to remain standing. My muscles shook from the magical energy, my bones trembled.

  I’d never felt anything like this.

  And yet, it was slightly familiar.

  I glanced at Ares, who’d planted his feet and withstood the barrage. “You could have warned me.”

  “They like to make an impression,” he said.

  “They?”

  “You’ll see.”

  I sucked in a breath and walked through the doors, heart pounding in my throat. I kept my magic close to the surface, ready to go. In the face of such great power, I wasn’t sure what I could do. But I’d have to at least try.

  The room within was massive—the ceiling was four stories above and painted a pale blue with glittering silver stars. But it was the three thrones across the huge room that caught my eye.

  Each held a woman. One was dressed in gold, another in silver, and the last in opal. Upon closer inspection, their clothes were actually armor.

  And one of the women was Laima!

  But she was far different, this version of Laima. With her delicate opal armor and hair done up in wicked braids, she looked like a warrior of old. Like if this were a movie, she’d fly into battle from high off the right screen, sword raised to behead some hapless fool.

  Corbatt had been way out of his element.

  And so was I.

  Because Laima’s power was now ten times what it had been, crashing over me like a tidal wave, and her eyes were all business. Gone was the gossipy woman in the hot tub—honestly, I’d think I’d imagined it. This Laima was terrifying. The kind of fate goddess who threatened to cut the thread of your life with one snip of her golden scissors.

  Or battle axe, in the case of Laima. It rested against her throne, looking like it could behead giants. Opals decorated the shaft, just like her armor. Though it all looked delicate and lovely, strength radiated from it. Magic that would repel the attack of another. It prickled against my skin.

  Worse, the two women next to her looked cold as ice and just as powerful. The crashing wave magic belonged to Laima, but the thunder and electricity belonged to the others.

  One was dark-haired and dark-skinned, her golden armor shining in the light. She was beautiful and terrifying, just like Laima, and her sword was made of gold and studded with yellow gems. The other was pale, with straight black hair and east Asian features. Chinese, maybe. A silver suit that made her look like lightning. Two curved pieces of sharpened silver metal were propped against her throne. Unidentifiable, but clearly weapons.

  If Laima was a goddess, the other two were likely goddesses as well. The other two fate goddesses that she’d mention?

  Honestly, they all looked like freaking super heroes. And as much as they scared me, I wanted to be them.

  I approached, trying to keep my knees steady. Though I was getting better with my new magic, if these ladies wanted to start a rumble, I’d end up on the bottom of the pile.

  I stopped when I was about five meters away. Ares went to stand off to the side, near Doyen and Magisteria, ready to bear witness but not participate. It was all me, whatever this was.

  At the sight of Doyen and Magisteria, a scowl creased my face. I’d never like them, even if I became an ally.

  I turned to the goddess. “I’m Phoenix Knight.”

  I had no idea what I was doing here, so I said no more.

  “Phoenix Knight, I am Laima, one of the three fate goddesses.” Her voice was deeper than it had been before, resonating with power. Since she was talking to me like she’d never met me, I just nodded.

  The golden goddess spoke next. “I am Dekla, fate goddess.”

  I nodded, same as I had with Laima. I supposed I could bow, but it felt unnatural. And they weren’t my goddesses.

  The silver goddess went next. “And I am Karta. The completion of our t
rio.”

  I nodded, waiting expectantly for them to tell me what the hell was going on. The way their power filled the room kept me on my toes and ready to fight or flee, whichever seemed less deadly.

  Karta rose, as graceful as water flowing down a bank. “This is the final stage of your journey. You have done well, Phoenix Knight.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dekla and Laima stood as well, their gazes riveted to me.

  If this was the final stage of my journey, what the hell was going to happen? The three goddesses approached me, their power rolling off them. Unfortunately for me, their power had a hell of a kick. Crashing waves, thunder, and pure electricity were hell on a girl.

  I stood as straight as I could. My knees shook, the tension in the air feeling like the only thing that kept me standing.

  Each goddess neared, their faces terrible and beautiful. Sweat dripped down my temples.

  “Can I ask what’s happening?” I said.

  “We will read your fate,” Laima said. “As much as we can. To see what is relevant to the vampire realm.”

  Laima had told me some, but apparently there might be more. Perhaps they were more powerful as a trio?

  I really didn’t want to know my fate. A few hints, sure. But not too much detail. That’d just have me looking over my shoulder all the time.

  But considering that I was currently surrounded by the three most powerful vampires and three badass goddesses, I didn’t have much choice. Scratch that—any choice.

  So I stood, as tall and straight as I could, while each goddess raised a hand and laid her fingertips upon my arms. Though the touch was light, their power zapped through me.

  Three sets of eyes widened. The goddesses stared at me, shock clear on their faces. Laima’s lips parted, a visual holy shit if I’d ever seen one.

  What the hell had they seen? My heart raced a mile a minute.

  Of all the challenges I’d faced, the goddesses were the worst. Their power buffeted me from all directions and they had clearly seen something bad. And all I could do was freaking stand there.

  I’d rather fight my way out of something—but there was nothing to fight here. I’d just be an asshole who tried to shoot a goddess with her bow. And failed, of course.

  I did not want to be that person.

  As a unit, they stepped back, eyes still wide. They didn’t look at each other, just turned and went back to their thrones. They sat, silent and still.

  Every atom of my being screamed for information. As much as I hadn’t wanted to know, I now silently screamed Tell me what the hell is going on!

  Finally, Laima stood, her gaze heavy. She turned to Doyen and Magisteria. “You asked us to determine why she could walk in the Shadowlands. What makes her so special, and so dangerous, and if she can remain free without persecution for her species.”

  “Yes,” Magisteria said.

  “You can set aside the persecution idea right now,” Laima said.

  “What?” Doyen’s voice was sharp.

  “You heard me,” Laima said. “Phoenix Knight is no normal FireSoul. She’s going to save your asses one day. She’s going to save all our asses.”

  Finally, I saw a hint of the Laima that I’d met earlier. But what the hell was she talking about?

  “Phoenix Knight defies all your rules,” Dekla said. “She is one of the Triumvirate, the three of power who are prophesied to save our world. Their tale is thousands of years old. We’ve been waiting for them. An apocalypse and a rejuvenation.”

  “That’s a myth,” Doyen said. “From the human world.”

  “Hardly,” Karta said. “Two of the three members of the Triumvirate have completed their tasks. Phoenix’s still remains, and I promise you—you want her to succeed. We all want her to succeed.”

  “Can you tell me anything about my role?” I asked. Laima hadn’t told me much before, but maybe now…

  “You represent Life in the Triumvirate,” Dekla said. “Magic and Death have already come and gone, but Life remains.”

  “Your powers are related to that,” Karta said. “Creation, destruction. It fits like the pieces of a puzzle. And you must embrace your magic.”

  “Even your new magic,” Laima said. “A catalyst has occurred, your change has begun.”

  The same thing had happened to Del, who represented Death. Now it was my turn. The plant magic must be part of that.

  “You will need help from your friends,” Laima said.

  Well, I could have told her that. Despite the dumb joke, I didn’t feel like laughing.

  “And help from the Vampire Court.” Dekla’s gaze cut toward Ares, Doyen, and Magisteria.

  Doyen and Magisteria looked gobsmacked, though Ares didn’t look surprised a bit. Had he sensed something more in me? I liked the thought, but had no idea if it was true.

  “You will regret it if you do not assist her.” Laima’s voice rang through the hall. “Not because we will seek vengeance. We will be as screwed as you are, if Nix does not succeed.”

  Holy fates. I was so not ready for that. From Cass and Del, I knew that the Triumvirate duties were important. But this?

  This was hardcore.

  And I really wanted some more details about the upcoming task. “Is there anything more that you can tell me about my task? I know that I must find the lost beaker, but beyond that, I have no idea.”

  “That is all we can see,” Dekla said. “The rest is outside of the scope of our vision.”

  Damn. That left me in the dark. A lot of this information wasn’t new to me, but having it confirmed by a seer speaking directly to me. And the idea that the Vampire Court must help me?

  That was serious.

  And my friends—

  My comms charm ignited, Del’s voice echoing out of the necklace. “Nix! Nix! Claire has been taken.”

  Suddenly, the room receded from my vision. “What?”

  “They got her while we were on recon. We’re going in tonight. We have to.”

  Shit. Shit. “Wait for me. I’m coming.”

  “Hurry.”

  The connection cut out. I looked up, gaze darting between the goddesses and the Vampire Court. Their magic still seethed in the room, overwhelming me with their power. I couldn’t fight my way out of here, but if what the goddesses had said was true…

  “I’ve got to go,” I said.

  Doyen stepped forward, her hand raised. “But—”

  I pointed to the goddesses. “You heard them. You need me. And right now, I need to be back on earth, saving my friend. So I’m leaving.” My gaze cut to Ares, and I couldn’t help the plea in my eyes. As much as I was breaking out the badass boss lady persona, I still needed his help transporting out of here. “Get me out of here, will you?”

  Ares nodded, striding toward me. Doyen and Magisteria stepped back, gazes resigned. Right before Ares reached me, I glanced at Laima. She winked, and just briefly, the goddess in the hot tub was back.

  We arrived back at Factory Row moments later. It was late afternoon here, the sun just sinking toward the horizon. I pressed my fingertips to the comms charm. “Where are you guys?”

  “P&P,” Del said. “Come on. We need to recap.”

  I glanced at Ares. “Let’s go.”

  I hurried down the street, Ares at my side. On the way toward P&P, I updated Ares on what we knew. “The man who killed Marin?” I said. “He—or his goons—just abducted my friend Claire.”

  “How?”

  “We’ve been running recon on his compound outside of town.” I glanced at him, seeing the shock on his face that I hadn’t mentioned this. “I was going to tell you. I just wasn’t sure how much I trusted you.”

  “Do you trust me now?” His gaze was serious as we walked.

  “Yes. Enough to ask for your help in this.”

  “Why the recon?”

  “The boss and his gang—we think it’s a gang or something—stole an artifact from us. It was an ancient clay vase from the Bell Beaker Culture. Br
onze Age.”

  “Why?” Shocked confusion laced Ares’s voice, as if he couldn’t imagine why someone would steal something like that.

  “It’s enchanted, like all the artifacts we recover. But we don’t know what the spell is. Never could figure it out. That has to be why they took it, though.”

  “Sounds reasonable. How do you know it’s the same people?”

  “Most of them have the tattoo of a dragon. They got both the original artifact and the replica that I imbued with the magic. That alone is very weird—why not just go for the magic? That’s all anyone wants from our artifacts, anyway.”

  “So we have to get that back and rescue your friend.”

  I nodded emphatically. “Yes.”

  We reached P&P and I pushed my way into the warmth of the cafe. There had been a Closed sign on the front, most likely because Connor wasn’t about to serve scones and espresso while his sister was in the hands of a magical mob boss.

  Everyone crowded around the bar, eying a piece of paper stretched out in front of them. Del, Roarke, Cass, Aidan, and Connor. They turned at the creaking sound of the door, looking at us.

  “Thanks fates you’re here,” Del said.

  Cass looked right at Ares. “Is she finally off the hook?”

  “More than,” he said. “And I’m here to help with Claire.”

  “Good. They’ve had her for two hours. We’re going in as soon as it’s dark.” Cass pointed at the map. “Come check this out.”

  I approached the bar, eyeing the map. It was a plan of the dragon gang’s compound, showing all the grounds and the factory.

  “The exterior is accurate,” Aidan said. “We were able to visually confirm that. The interior—that’s more of a guess. It’s the original builder’s plan of the factory, but it’s likely they modified things for their use.”

  “We’ve scouted the whole perimeter,” Cass said. “Tested all the enchantments protecting the place. Even with Aidan’s security breaking tricks, the only way to go in is by sea. There are fewer guards on that side. And no enchanted fences.”

  Ugh. The last thing I wanted was to get in another boat. But I nodded. “Any plans on how to do that?”