Etched in Stone: Twilight Court Book 9

by Amy Sumida

  “Because harpies have Air magic,” Daxon said. “They're storm-bringers.”

  “Fuck,” Killian huffed and looked at me.

  “I think it's time to call the Gorgons,” I said.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I didn't use my cell phone very often, not since Raza had given me a scry phone for my birthday. But I did still carry one for instances just like this one; having to call the Gorgons.

  “Fucking harpies!” Medea screeched loud enough to force me to move the phone away from my ear.

  “Told you,” Daxon murmured.

  Uncle Dylan had claimed his accolades and gone to bed. So, it was only the three of us left in the lab. I put Medea on speaker and set the phone down on the table; to allow everyone to hear and to protect my eardrums.

  “We found a feather at the latest crime scene,” I reported.

  “Those nasty bitches!” Medea growled. “I'm not surprised they're behind this.”

  “I don't think they're the only ones involved,” I said.

  “Of course not,” she huffed. “They're too stupid to come up with this on their own; someone is leading them. Have you found any evidence on that Lana woman?”

  “Not yet, but we have discovered a possible way that she stole your sister's magic,” I offered.

  “A possible way?”

  “We can't be completely certain of the procedure used,” Daxon said. “All we could do was conduct experiments to see what was possible.”

  “What we've learned from this is that it's possible to take a living person's magic if they're willing,” I explained. “But if they're dead, the source of their magic—the place on the body where it's stored—would need to be accessed as an alternative.”

  “Hell, I didn't need to conduct experiments to tell you that,” she snarled. “Ellie's head was taken, and then someone used her magic; obviously, they took it from her head.”

  “It was an unproven conclusion until now,” I said. “We also discovered that the person accepting the magic must have a similar magic already. If their magic is different, it will fight the interloper.”

  “Now, that's helpful,” she murmured. “It narrows down the suspects.”

  “A little; yes,” I agreed. “Mainly, it helps to understand what we're dealing with,” I said.

  “We're dealing with heartless harpies!” Medea shouted. “And we will deal with them.”

  “Yes; we will,” I promised. “Whatever means they're using to steal magic, we're going to destroy it and stop them, and anyone else involved.”

  “You're all right, Queen Seren,” Medea said. “Thanks for letting us know about the harpies.”

  “No problem,” I said. “You find anything on your end?”

  “Not yet, but now that we know what to look for, we will,” she growled. “I'll keep you updated.”

  “Thanks; I appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure,” she purred and then hung up the phone.

  Daxon gave me a lecherous look.

  “Don't say it,” I growled.

  “Say what?” Killian asked.

  “The gorgon likes our lady.” Daxon smirked.

  “Like; like-like?” Killian asked.

  “How did I understand that?” Daxon asked me.

  “You get used to Killian-speak.”

  “Yes; like-like,” Dax answered Killian. “She's a lesbian.”

  “Gorgon lesbians?” Killian's eyes widened. “That's ironically appropriate.”

  We just stared at him.

  “Because Lesbos was a Greek island, right?” Killian asked. “That's where the term comes from. Gorgons are Greek fairies, so it's appropriate. And also; why does that sound so hot?”

  Daxon transferred his smirk to me.

  “They have snakes in... their...” I trailed off as I realized who I was speaking to. “Yep; I see it now.”

  Killian chortled. “This is awesome! A snake woman has the hots for my woman!”

  “Killian, there are more important things for us to focus on,” I said.

  “No; there aren't,” Killian protested. “We got nothing more to go on. Dax did his thing with the device, and we still don't have any leads from it. All there is to do is wait.”

  “He's right,” Daxon said.

  “That may be all there is to do on this case,” I noted. “But that is not nearly all I need to do. If this investigation is at a standstill, I need to get back to Fairy and help people settle into their homes. That includes the first group of children; who are being adopted tomorrow.”

  “You really did it?” Daxon asked in surprise.

  “I told you that I would,” I said in the same tone.

  “Yeah, but...” He shook his head. “That's big, Seren. Huge. I wish you the best with it.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Now, we have a few hours before twilight. Do you guys want to—“

  A knock at the door interrupted my sentence. Killian opened it to find Ainsley waiting; the rest of my Guard behind him.

  “Councilman Murdock is here,” Ainsley said.

  “And Councilman Dinello!” Karmen's voice carried over the fairy blockade to us.

  “And Councilman Dinello,” Ainsley added with a smile.

  I looked back at the magic-stealing box; set prominently in the center of the lab table. Daxon grabbed it and stuffed it into a drawer. He looked up and nodded at me.

  “All right; let them in,” I said.

  Head Councilman Murdock of the San Francisco Council House strode in with a furious expression on his face. My longtime friend, Councilman Karmen Dinello, walked in behind him; giving me a warning look with his wide eyes.

  “Ambassadors,” Murdock said crisply as Ainsley closed the door. “King Daxon.”

  “Hello, Head Councilman,” I said. “How can we help you?”

  “You could have helped me yesterday by telling me what the fuck was going on in my city!” Murdock shouted.

  “Are you talking about the Rose Garden?” I asked with surprise.

  “I'm talking about someone turning people into stone,” he growled. “Why wasn't I notified?”

  “I'm sorry, Councilman, but I thought you had been,” I said. “The High Councils and the Coven notified King Daxon of the incident with his princes—”

  “The Underground Princes?” Murdock asked.

  “You haven't been told anything?” I countered with shock.

  “No.” Murdock simmered down. “And I see it wasn't your fault. I'm sorry for barging in as I did.”

  “Not at all,” Daxon said. “Why don't you have a seat, Councilmen?”

  Daxon waved at a couple of metal stools.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Karmen looked Daxon up and down while he took a seat. He perched on the stool and crossed his legs before looking at me. “What's with all the kings, Seren? And the assortment of colors? You got red”—he pointed at Killian—“black, white, and now, blue. You'd be patriotic, if not for Raza. But life wouldn't be the same without Raza.” He sighed and then looked back at Daxon “Although this latest addition could give Raza a run for his money.” Karmen cocked his head. “Killer ink.”

  “You have no idea,” I muttered.

  “Thank you.” Daxon grinned as he raked a hand through his hair. “I haven't slept yet; so I'm not at my best.”

  “I think I'd be at risk for fainting if I saw your best,” Karmen declared.

  “Councilman Dinello,” Murdock growled. “I brought you along because of your relationship to Ambassador Seren, but if you continue—”

  “I'm just making small talk,” Karmen interrupted with a huff. “But if you insist, we'll forgo manners and get right to it. Seren, what the hell are you talking about with the princes?”

  “We believe that Lana Clach has found a way to steal magic from fairies and has stolen a gorgon's power to turn people into stone,” I said. “So far, she's victimized two newly-appointed underground princes and one ex-underground queen.”

  Murdock and Karmen gape
d at me.

  “Oh, and we've discovered that harpies are involved as well,” I added. “The Gorgons are quite upset about it.”

  “Gorgons and Harpies,” Karmen muttered. “That isn't a good mix.”

  “How the hell do you know about that, when I didn't?” I grumbled.

  “Oh, I interviewed a gorgon once,” Karmen said. “She was brought in for causing a disturbance with a harpy. The two of them nearly destroyed a Sephora.”

  “So, Lana isn't focusing on San Francisco, or even California, in particular?” Murdock asked.

  “No, she seems to be focusing on Daxon and me,” I admitted.

  “Seems to be?” Karmen asked.

  “She left a note with the murdered body of a gorgon,” Daxon said. “The gorgon whose magic was stolen.”

  “A note?” Murdock asked.

  “I was referenced.” I grimaced. “It told the Gorgons to ask the Twilight Princess how she would fix it.”

  “So, they were sent straight to you,” Murdock murmured. “Interesting.”

  “I hadn't thought of that,” Daxon looked at me with surprise. “Why would Lana send the Gorgons our way?”

  “Duh; for the same reason she's using harpies as minions,” Killian said. “She's trying to distract us with their issues.”

  “Duh,” Karmen repeated as he gave me a look. “You should get a human with green hair next; he'd compliment Killian.”

  “And we played right into Lana's hands,” I said; ignoring Karmen.

  “Which means that any information the Gorgons give us will be unhelpful at best,” Daxon said. “Lana's too smart to provide us with the tools to find her.”

  “Unless she wants to be found,” Murdock suggested.

  “No; I think she's causing a diversion,” I murmured. “The Gorgons are chasing the Harpies, and Lana thinks that we'll be chasing the Gorgons.”

  “So, the Harpies won't be with Lana,” Killian concluded. “We gotta focus our investigation away from them.”

  “Basically, we need to start from scratch.” I sighed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  That evening, I twilighted to Unseelie; in particular to Craos-Teine—the home of the Unseelie Court. I came out of the Between into Raza's bedroom; as I usually do when I twilight there. Due to the time difference between San Francisco and that section of Unseelie, it was around 3 AM the next morning. I had gone ahead in time.

  Twilighting to different time zones always threw me off a bit, but seeing my dragon-djinn husband asleep in his bed brought me back to center. Raza had been the greatest source of chaos in my life until I had given in to our attraction. Then he became my greatest stability; my dragon rock. When Raza was there, I knew that everything would be all right. No; that's not only cheesy, it's also inaccurate. I didn't know that everything would work out; I knew that even if it didn't, Raza would make it better. He could change the world with his willpower alone. And Raza's will was always in my favor.

  “As much as I enjoy watching you watch me, I'd prefer if you'd do it much closer,” Raza's raspy, just-awakened voice grated through the quiet night.

  “I didn't want to wake you,” I murmured as I slipped out of my clothes and into bed.

  “Then you shouldn't have come here at all.” He chuckled. “Your scent alone is enough to draw me from slumber.”

  “How do you ever sleep around me, then?” I teased as I slipped into his arms.

  “I'm calm if I know you're here.” Raza lowered his face into my hair and took a deep breath. “But when you're away, I'm always looking for you; even in my dreams.”

  “I miss you too.” I lifted my face to his kiss.

  Passion built between us as Raza's hands began to roam. I was soon moaning into his mouth; devouring him as he consumed me. Raza's wings were tucked away for sleep, so I was able to push him over onto his back and straddle him. Any other time, I may have stopped to enjoy the sight of him against the white sheets; the vivid contrast of his midnight skin and the blood-red streaks in his hair. I'd admire the breadth of his body and the glint of his golden eyes in the darkness. But this time, I couldn't wait.

  “Seren,” Raza growled as I took him inside me. “You're so warm.”

  I set my hands to Raza's hard stomach and luxuriated in the curves of his muscles as his hands swept up my sides; his thumbs coming to rest beneath my breasts. Raza's grip tightened, and he pulled me down harder; angling me against the little bone that protruded from his pelvis as he bucked up. He hit me in all the right places—both inside and out—and I was soon writhing against him wantonly.

  “I know you don't want me to use my djinn magic to appear different,” Raza said. “But how about a compromise?”

  “What compromise?” I purred as my eyelids drifted shut.

  Instead of answering, another pair of hands slid over my shoulders and then down my chest; to start massaging my breasts. A wide, muscular back pressed into me from behind, and the scent of Raza grew stronger; sugared smoke invading my senses. I flinched and looked over my shoulder; right into Raza's eyes.

  “What the hell?” I looked back at the Raza beneath me.

  “Have you ever been on top and on the bottom at the same time, sweetheart?” Raza purred as the magic Raza pushed me down over the real one.

  The new Raza had his wings out, and they whooshed open as he lowered his lips to my neck; still massaging my front as he started to kiss his way down my back. I shivered as he pinched my nipples tightly and then released them to lightly drag his claws over my stomach. Raza drew out of me so the new Raza could slip inside. But it was brief; just a few strokes before he pulled out and the real Raza resumed his place. I was about to ask him what he was planning when the magic man laid his slick member between my ass cheeks. He ground himself against me as the Raza beneath me began a steady thrusting.

  I wouldn't have thought that a man rubbing himself there would be so pleasant. But having Raza so close to the “No Fly Zone”—as I liked to call it—without him actually touching me there, was erotic and brought all sorts of sensations to life. When the two Raza's pressed me between them, it became nearly rapturous.

  “Dear Danu,” I whispered. “This should feel wrong.”

  “But it feels too good to feel wrong, doesn't it?” Raza grinned. “It's still me, Seren. Let me love you as only a djinn can.”

  I inhaled sharply as the magic-man shifted position and started doing even more magical things with his mouth.

  “If you insist,” I murmured as I leaned in for another kiss from the real Raza.

  Then he spun me over, and I couldn't remember which way was up and which down... not until morning crept in through the crystal windowpanes and spread its warmth over our exhausted bodies. But by then, the other Raza had faded back into the realm of fantasy.

  Chapter Fifteen

  After we slept in far too long, Raza and I woke up and had breakfast in his private dining room, down the hall from his bedroom. The children were due to arrive that afternoon, and their adoptive families would be there even sooner to prepare. So, we needed to move our asses and get downstairs to greet them.

  Still, it was difficult to leave the intimacy of dining alone with Raza. Nothing sexual—well, not nothing; just being near Raza was a sexual experience for me. But it was wonderful simply to share some time alone with him; enjoy a meal together. Be normal. Of course, neither of us could ever be normal, but there was comfort in that as well. We made our own normal, and I liked our version far better than any I'd experienced before. Being fed pieces of fruit was so much sexier when they were offered on the tip of dragon claws.

  Raza was in regal-monarch mode since he'd be conducting kingdom business today. I had helped him adjust the silver moon pins holding his cloak on, and I thought they looked striking with the crescent tips pointed up like horns. Against the sapphire of his tunic, they gleamed as if they were real moons; pulled down from the sky simply to adorn a dragon king's shoulders.

  Raza's wings were magicked away
; he didn't want to scare the children. I thought most kids would find his wings fascinating, but I conceded that it might be too much, too soon for some of them. I wasn't the best judge of children, so when he suggested that he glamour away his claws as well, I went with it. He still looked like Raza, just softer.

  I had to go regal for the morning too and had my Unseelie crown on to match Raza's; a jet band with a silver moon set in its center—just like his cloak pins. I was in one of his mother's old gowns; a silver-gray velvet with black, crescent moons embroidered at the wrists. It had been strange at first to wear a dead woman's clothes, but it made Raza so happy to see them on me that I got over my apprehension quickly. I was wearing Lady Sorcha's ring today as well, and I hoped she didn't mind. The last thing I needed was my mother-in-law's ghost haunting me. But something told me that if Sorcha could see how happy her son was, she'd be okay with me wearing her stuff. Maybe she'd even be proud to see them worn by the Queen of Unseelie.

  “You look far away,” Raza murmured as he stroked a finger over the top of my hand.

  “Sorry.” I inhaled back to the moment and smiled at him. “I was thinking about your mother.”

  “My mother?” He lifted his ebony brows; nearly the same color as his skin. “Because of the dress?”

  “Yeah,” I whispered. “I wish I could have met her.”

  “I wish that too,” he said. “She would have approved of your work today.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so. She loved children,” he said wistfully. “I would have had twenty siblings if she'd been able to conceive them.”

  “I've never been good with kids.” I shrugged. “I guess it's the way I was raised. I can be harsh.”

  “I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit.” Raza frowned. “You're practical, not harsh, and you're extremely kind, Seren. You've gentled a dragon; I think you can handle some children.”

  “We're about to see,” I said nervously.

  “I'd like to have more children someday,” Raza blurted.

  I gaped at him.