Enchantment

by Lawna Mackie

  The Enforcer had spoken. The marketers began racing for their houses. The sky turned black. Lightning bolts flashed across the sky as his powerful dragon wings hurled him through the air.

  * * * *

  The three gargoyles on the ground fell at Stryker’s feet.

  “We failed, Master. We place our lives before you as penance,” they said in unison.

  “Get up, you buffoons! You will search like every other gargoyle until Paddy and Meeka are found. Do not stir the Enforcer’s wrath,” Stryker bellowed. “Go!”

  The three silently launched themselves back into the sky. Stryker’s transformation to the largest of gargoyles was instantaneous as he jumped into the sky. “Catz, can you follow us?” Catz grabbed Threeo and placed him on her back. “Hang on, Threeo.”

  Panic filled them as they raced to catch up to a furious dragon hunting his lost mate.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Paddy struggled to open her eyes, but her head was foggy and heavy.

  What happened? Did I faint? I’m so cold.

  Her small paw reached out for anything familiar, and she pushed against the cold floor, righting herself. The room had a medicinal smell, or maybe it was coming from her. The bitter taste in her mouth told her she was right.

  Why do I smell like this? No…. Do not get sick!

  The room kept tilting from side to side. She forced herself backward until a cold, hard surface came into contact with her small, furry back. She breathed a sigh of relief, swallowing to keep the bile from rising.

  Stripes. Why stripes?

  She squinted desperately, trying to focus on the object of her attention. She rubbed her eyes. Slowly, the object came into focus.

  Not stripes. Bars.

  Panic swept through her body. Why? Why am I behind bars? Paddy rubbed her head.

  Abrupt, painful, the memory of the market, of the store she’d never seen before, filled her mind. She reached for her neck, remembering the poke of something sharp before her world had gone black.

  Who would do this to me?

  Her eyes were becoming much clearer now.

  The room was small. Paddy looked over to the far corner of the room.

  No! It can’t be!

  Her cry stuck in her throat. “Meeka.” She cried.

  No, no, no. This is all my fault.

  “Meeka, answer me,” Paddy begged between her sobs.

  The floor was cold as she crawled with her sore body over to where Meeka lay. She tucked her long sable locks behind her ear and away from the girl’s lovely face. “Meeka, dear, please be okay. Please wake up, sweetie.” Carefully, she placed Meeka’s head onto her lap.

  Meeka moaned, and her eyes fluttered open. Panic clouded her face. A scream left her throat as she tried to push herself away.

  “Meeka, it’s me. It’s Paddy. It’s okay.”

  Meeka croaked. “Stay away from me. You’re not Paddy. Get away.”

  What was she taking about—not Paddy? She obviously still wasn’t well. “It is me. It’s Paddy. We’re in real trouble here. Somebody drugged me at the market, and I woke up here.”

  “You lie!” Meeka accused. “You kicked the creature. The Paddy I know would never hit anything. You’re not Paddy.”

  Paddy didn’t know how to begin to reassure her, but she had to try. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Meeka. I’ve never kicked anything in my life. I never made it home from the market. I woke up here.” Her paw waved to encompass their meager residence.

  “You took me from the house. You said it was okay with Kerrigan.” Tears streamed down Meeka’s face, leaving tracks in the dirt.

  “Meeka, I promise you it wasn’t me. Think about it. Catz wouldn’t let you go anywhere without her. And Kerrigan, my son, adores you. He wouldn’t let you go anywhere you could be harmed.”

  Meeka felt the hot tears sting her eyes.

  God, what have I done?

  * * * *

  Tears rolled down her cheek. Once again, she had refused to listen to her intuition. Stryker had told her to always listen to her intuition. Kerrigan…he’d always insisted her instincts would protect her, if she listened to them.

  Drawing a shaky breath, she tried to sit up next to Paddy. Panic swelled, frothing, as her muscles refused to move, her limbs dead, numb. She was paralyzed.

  Paddy picked up her hand. “It’s going to be okay, Meeka. Kerrigan will find us. I know he will.”

  “I can barely move, Paddy. My limbs won’t respond, and my powers are not working.” Meeka sobbed. Closing her eyes, she wallowed in the faint comfort she got from her friend’s touch.

  “Meeka, what do you remember?”

  “Paddy, there was a horrible little creature. He laughed at me, and then everything went black. What did they do to me?”

  Wet tears streaked her cheeks, and Paddy wiped them away. “They’ve drugged us with something, and it must have affected your powers.”

  Male voices interrupted their conversation. Meeka felt Paddy shiver.

  “Somebody’s coming. I think you should pretend to be unconscious,” Paddy instructed. Meeka agreed. She was basically unconscious, anyway. She closed her eyes. Shuffling steps punctuated with a click, click, click approached.

  Paddy gasped. “Thalius!” “So you’re awake,” he jeered.

  Paddy’s body tensed, and her short nails dug into Meeka’s flesh.

  Forcing herself to ignore the pain, she listened to Paddy’s angry voice. “You evil beast! How dare you do this!”

  Oily and thick, the laughter spewing forth was noxious, spiteful. “How pathetic you are. Much like the rest of these pathetic beasts surrounding me. Madget, the other Counselors have no idea of the gift handed us. Perhaps ‘tis best. I have no intentions of sharing!”

  Cracking her eyes open, Meeka stifled a shudder at the disfigured bag of bones staring at her. “Do you know what she will eventually do for me? You have no idea. She holds more power than any Enchanter, and it will be mine. Mine to wield, to mold, to claim in all manner.”

  “I hope you rot in hell, Thalius. Kerrigan always knew you were evil. He’ll come for us, and with him, all the fires of Hell.” Fury tightened Paddy’s voice until she squeaked, her frame vibrating beneath Meeka’s prone body.

  Thalius howled with a deep, evil laugh. “He can’t touch me. It’s the best part of all. The other Counselors won’t let him. While I’m playing house upstairs with the old cronies, I have my friend here to watch the two of you. Jager, why don’t you introduce yourself to our guests? Be sure to play nice while I go deflect any attention from us.”

  The thing named Jager also dropped the hood of his cloak. Paddy shrieked. He was even more hideous than Thalius.

  Jager snickered. “Oh, I’m going to have fun playing house down here.” His eyes slid down the length of Meeka’s limp body.

  Thalius was silent for a moment “Jager, come. I believe my presence will be needed in the Counselors’ chambers rather soon. We’re about to have a very angry visitor. Don’t worry, Paddy, we’ll be right back to make sure Meeka gets the medicine she needs to control her nasty temper.” He turned and hobbled out of the room with Jager following, but not before he waggled his tongue in their direction.

  * * * *

  Thankful the drugs were slowly wearing off, Meeka glanced at Paddy. She sat staring forward, her eyes narrowed into hate-filled slits, her teeth worrying against each other. “We are in big trouble, aren’t we?” Meeka whispered.

  “Yes, I think we are,” Paddy answered. “But don’t you worry, Meeka. Beavers many not be known for their fighting talents, but we are smart and industrious. I’ll think of something.”

  “I’ve had bad dreams, Paddy. Really bad.”

  “Meeka, Kerrigan is not from this world. He holds much more power than he is willing to accept or ask for.” Paddy dropped her voice, her eyes on the cell door.

  Kerrigan isn’t from Enchantment. He’s like me. He doesn’t really know what he might be capable of
doing.

  Meeka felt a tiny spark flare.

  What is he capable of? What will he do if those monsters don’t do what he orders?

  Paddy lifted her chin. “I believe in my son, and I believe in you. Fate exists for a reason, and you are both a part of a much bigger picture. Kerrigan will do what he has to in order to get to us. Do not doubt your heart will lead in your judgment.”

  Meeka wasn’t exactly sure whether she understood what Paddy meant, but she, too, knew in her heart he was coming. He would come for them. Meeka just needed to focus on not killing him when he got here.

  Huddled with Paddy, Meeka wondered what she could do to save them…even as she knew Paddy was working on a plan of her own. “Please, don’t let him be too late.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The need for vengeance fueled his rage as he circled above Tombs. If they were there, he would afford no mercy.

  The town was dark as he landed and immediately transformed back to human form, dressed in black leather from head to toe and fully armed. A cold wind blew his hair around his shoulders and face. The stink of evil engulfed his senses while he stalked down the alley. Those who messed with his would pay with their lives.

  He’d kill anyone in his way. Soulless creatures of the night scattered despite their hunger. Even they wouldn’t mess with the danger emanating from him. Buildings shook and crumbled in his wake; stone cracked beneath his feet. The night echoed the warning.

  The Enforcer is on the hunt.

  Kerrigan stared at the rotted wooden door leading down into the crypt Jager called home. He should have annihilated the worthless dreg ages ago. Two demons stepped out to meet him at the entrance. Pus and slime dripped from their disfigured bodies. Rotten jagged teeth protruded from the holes in their heads, and one eye provided the only vision each had in the dark world in which they lived.

  Bolts of electricity sizzled through the air, holding each demon off the ground. “You have only one chance to answer this correctly before you become food for the others tonight. Is Jager in Tombs?”

  Without hesitation, the beasts shook their heads. The desire to crush their throats played along his nerves before he cast it aside. They weren’t his target.

  “I didn’t think so.” Kerrigan thrust his hands forward, and they fell to the ground, slithering away in pain.

  Cautiously, Stryker stepped forward, shocked at how close Kerrigan was to the edge. His commander not himself at all. “Kerrigan, you need to listen to me.”

  Kerrigan turned on him, teeth bared, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Fuck off, Stryker. You can’t make this better. They’ll all pay for this!” He stretched his arms out, and each one cracked loudly and morphed into large wings. His dragon form took shape, complete with full body armor. The scales covering his legs now became individual shields of metal. His tail displayed sharp barbs of pointed steel.

  Stryker stood back, his face pale, eyes widened. “Neat trick.” He glanced away from Kerrigan for a split second, acknowledging Catz, who appeared with not just Threeo, but Todd, as well.

  Kerrigan looked into his father’s grief-stricken eyes. Beavers mated for life; nothing was more important than their mates. His small eyes reinforced his agony and Kerrigan’s concern as he spoke.

  “Bring her back. Please, son, bring them back.”

  “Kerrigan, if you fly into the Counselors’ chamber like this, they’ll roast your ass. You know it. Keep your calm, and then tell them what you know about Jager and Thalius. You must be calm. Please. Meeka and Paddy’s lives depend on you.”

  “Get out of my way,” Kerrigan ground out, needing room to take off, but united, they moved in, making him antsy. A piercing bellow came out of his throat. His mom and Meeka had been taken out from underneath him! Meeka was his, and his alone. No one would ever touch her, as long there was breath in his lungs.

  Anger soaked through his very pores. He struggled to keep himself from lashing out, knowing the group in front of him thought they were helping, but they didn’t know the Counselors like he did. With another gut-wrenching roar, he leapt straight into the air. Beating his wings, he angled up the crumbling alley and into the sky.

  * * * *

  Stryker turned and ordered the large lioness and others onto his back as soon as he morphed into his gargoyle form. He knew exactly where the Enforcer was heading. Airborne, they headed for the imposing building housing the counselors. Kerrigan’s rage would put logic far from his mind, and he needed to be cold, composed. If Thalius killed them, nothing—not even the force of the Counselors’ magic—would save him.

  Shocked, Stryker hovered, his wings flapping as he stared. The dragon swooped over the tallest turret of the Counselors’ Realm. He dove straight through the large domed ceiling. Marble and glass shattered, rising into the sky before falling back.

  Stryker and the others landed on the roof and peered down at the dragon through the gaping hole in the glass. “Shite! “Stryker swore. “Kerrigan, damn it! Use your head.”

  * * * *

  Nine out of the ten Counselors had shimmered into a circle amongst the rubble. Their shocked expressions mirrored on each face. The rage bubbled inside Kerrigan as he lifted his head with snarling teeth bared. His eyes scanned the room, a low, threatening rumble filling his chest.

  How typical.

  Madget cursed as she stepped forward. “Kerrigan, have you gone mad? Stand down this instant.”

  He growled. “Where’s Thalius?”

  “It’s really none of your business.” Madget gaped at him, fear in her eyes.

  Flames scorched along his tongue, leaving a swath of burnt floor before the Counselors. “I’ve no time for you or your games. Tell me where he is.” He huffed.

  “How dare you! You insignificant little whelp. You think you can stand a chance against us Counselors. You stupid fool!” Madget huffed, her hands knotted in her robes.

  He caught the faint scent of their fear and laughed bitterly. “I want Meeka standing in front of me now, or I say we test your theory.”

  Stryker swore loudly from behind Kerrigan. He landed with unexpected grace in front of Madget. “Listen, Madget, we have knowledge which links Thalius to Jager in Tombs. It is forbidden. He knew the rules. They have been meeting secretly in the Forest of Limbs. We suspect Thalius let Jager out of Tombs and has likely lent him some powers, as well. You need to listen to what Kerrigan is saying.”

  Kerrigan watched them shift together, their heads pressed together. He caught the uncertainty. Their anger boiled. He obviously wasn’t coming.

  “Kerrigan, Thalius would have no reason to want this mortal girl. This is your fault, along with your father.” Madget pointed up at Todd Beaver. “She should have been sent back to Upper World long ago, regardless of whether or not she survived.”

  Catz leapt to the floor, transforming from the pale white cat into her tigress form, and Madget shrieked. “What are you?” she demanded. “And how dare you enter my realm uninvited?”

  Catz stalked toward her. “Do you think your power is enough to challenge that of Tethran? Perhaps you think you’re strong enough to thwart a direct line of his. You call us a fool, but we are not the one who allowed one of our own to steal his daughter, to use her for the power she wields. Meeka isn’t a mortal woman, but a powerful sorceress.”

  Madget gasped in astonishment. A disturbance at the empty head of the circle turned all eyes in its direction.

  The air sizzled, and slowly, Thalius appeared. Instantly, Kerrigan had him pinned to the wall with the sharp point at the end of his tail. Fire spat between his bared teeth. “You will pay for this with your life, Thalius, I promise you. Let them go this instant, and I might spare you. There are no other options.” He hissed.

  “Kerrigan, you have a mere ten seconds to let him go.” Madget’s warning held little threat. Stryker pulled at his leader’s massive leg. “Kerrigan, we cannot win this way. They’re old,

  self-absorbed, and power-hungry.”

 
Kerrigan pulled this tail back, and Thalius crumpled to the floor with a smug grin. Kerrigan brought his large head within inches of Thalius’s ugly face. “You have less than ten minutes to return what is mine to me, unharmed and untouched. Should the time lapse, I will destroy everything in Enchantment looking for them, starting with the remains of this fortress and your home.” Kerrigan turned to the other nine. “I couldn’t give a damn about your Power of Ten. You don’t know the wrath I will bring forth if my terms are not met.”

  “You are our servant, nothing more—” Madget started.

  “I am not of this world.” Kerrigan leaned close. “And I have no fear of your power.” With a mighty leap, he burst through the remains of the ceiling and landed in the training field.

  Kerrigan spoke directly to Stryker. “Ensure every gargoyle is flying and on full alert. I want the majority of them monitoring Thalius and his home. I know he’s keeping them in there somewhere.”

  Kerrigan’s gaze fell on his dad. He would not last without his mate. “I will get them back, Dad. Stryker, what do you think Thalius and Jager are up to?” He looked into the sky.

  Stryker spoke. “I think we have to face the possibility. Perhaps Threeo’s vision might be correct.”

  Kerrigan slammed his tail on the ground. “I refuse to believe everyone dies,” he yelled. “Threeo said his vision had lots of trees and a large mountain which glitters.”

  Stryker and Kerrigan looked at one another and spoke as one. “Topaz Mountain.” Of course Thalius would take them to Topaz Mountain. The magical properties of the jewels embedded in the mountain had been known to cloak those in its presence, rendering them almost undetectable.

  The Counselors had made the mountain in case of an unlikely attack from unwelcome visitors. The jeweled mountain was filled with tunnels and living quarters. Kerrigan was suddenly certain Thalius would try to take Paddy and Meeka there.

  Thalius’s ten minutes were almost up. Fury was burning Kerrigan from the inside out. “Stryker, Thalius will believe me to do exactly as I said, thus thinking he will have time to leave and head to the mountain. We will do the opposite! We will head to the mountain first.”