by Amy Sumida
“But you haven't fought Lana one-on-one,” I said with disappointment.
“No,” Daxon confirmed. “However, sometimes my magic sends tendrils out.”
“Tendrils?” Raza asked.
“A light touch; just to test what's around me and prepare,” Daxon said. “In case I'm challenged.”
“Your magic is constantly preparing to fight?” I asked with horror.
“I've trained it to do so.” Daxon cleared his throat and looked away. “It was necessary.”
“And did a tendril happen to touch Lana?” Tiernan asked.
Daxon grinned.
“Come on, douche,” Killian huffed. “Tell us what the bitch is afraid of.”
“Heights,” Daxon said. “Lana Clach is afraid of heights. Mainly; falling from them.”
“But doesn't she have air magic like every other fairy?” I asked. “She can just fly.”
“Lana never perfected her air magic,” Daxon said with a smirk. “She was always too focused on her mór. As a result, she never learned to fly. And even fairies can die from a steep drop.”
“Your magic told you all of that?” Raza asked skeptically.
“No,” Daxon admitted. “I learned the why from being with her. There was a... position she refused to try.”
Killian chortled. “What was it; a fairy version of the mile-high club?”
Daxon's expression confirmed things, and Killian laughed harder.
“Anyway,” Daxon moved us along, “I pressed, and finally she confessed.”
“You could have brought that up sooner,” Tiernan pointed out.
“I honestly didn't think of it until Seren asked me.” Daxon shrugged.
“Excellent; you know Lana's greatest fear,” Dylan drawled from the doorway. “Now, can I have my bedroom back?”
“Sorry, Uncle Dylan.” I got up and headed toward him.
He was blocking the narrow corridor that led to his office. So, Dylan had to turn around and go out to let all of us out after him. Not that he wanted in the room anyway; his computer was on, and there were papers strewn over his desk. Uncle Dylan was obviously in the middle of some Gentry business. He just wanted us out, so he didn't have to be distracted by people in his personal space. I didn't blame him. I wouldn't want my niece and her four lovers in my bedroom either.
“Thank you for your hospitality.” I kissed Dylan's cheek on my way past him.
“You're welcome,” he said gruffly and went back to work. “Let me know if I can help you further with your investigation.”
“I may take you up on that.” I headed out to the reception room and found it full of guard members. “Three Royal Guards and one who calls themselves Elite. This room is at full fairy capacity.”
“You're telling me,” Dylan's secretary huffed. “You people need more women in your Guards; I'm choking on the testosterone.”
“And that's a bad thing?” I winked at her as I headed to the elevators, and she chuckled.
“When you're trying to work it is,” she called after me. “Now, if you want to bring them back after seven, I'd be okay with that.”
We made a staggered procession down to the vans, and the men updated me as we went. Danu had made another appearance and healed the princes, but before she left, she instructed everyone to await Raza's arrival. Raza had shown up with his King's Guard a few minutes later and informed them of Danu's instructions. Upon hearing of the Goddess' urgency and wariness, the princes had decided to head back to their principalities, not just to resume leadership, but to also assemble their armies. Before he went to sleep beside me, Daxon had contacted all of the other principalities and instructed them to do the same.
The last time we fought, the armies of the Undergrounds had been against us; this time, they'd be with us. It was a welcome change. The knowledge brought a confident surge of adrenaline, but I squashed it determinedly. If victory was assured, Danu's spidey sense wouldn't be going off. The instincts of a goddess weren't something to scoff at; not if you enjoyed living.
“We'll have numerous armies at our back, but Danu is still worried,” I murmured.
“We won't have them all with us,” Daxon corrected. “First off; they're still rebuilding, so I'm not sure how many soldiers the princes will be able to enlist. Second; we have no idea where Lana will make her stand, and we cannot have all of those soldiers trailing after us. I called to prepare them simply so that wherever we end up, the region will have an army ready to assist us.”
“One army.” I nodded. “I suppose that goes the same for the armies of Fairy. We can't have them following us around HR.”
“If only there were a way to find out where she'll be,” Killian huffed.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed. “Of course! Why didn't I think of them—”
Before I could finish my question, my scry phone rang. I looked at Raza and shook my head in amazement.
“It can't be,” Raza said.
“You know how creepy they are,” I said as I pulled the phone from my jacket.
We were in the parking garage; waiting for the rest of our group to join us. I climbed into the van to answer, and the rest of my men leaned in around the open side door to eavesdrop. Sure enough, Alexis Kavanaugh appeared in my crystal.
“Alexis,” I said, “what a surprise.”
“No; it's not.” She smiled knowingly. “Well, maybe a little. You were going to call us, but we thought we'd save you the trouble.”
“How are you liking the scry phone?” I asked.
“Oh, it's lovely,” she said. “Thank you for sending them. I'm sure the Council would have got around to providing them to us, but having one come directly from the Queen of Fairy is far better.”
“Not all of Fairy,” I corrected her.
“But Twilight doesn't have a queen,” she pointed out. “So, technically, you're the only queen in Fairy.”
“Fair enough,” I said.
“Or fairy enough.” She giggled. “Any-who, we're at the San Fran Council House now; see you when you get here.”
The crystal went dim.
I looked up at Raza, and he grimaced at me.
“I dislike the twins,” he muttered.
“The twins?” Daxon asked.
“The Trance Twins,” Killian said. “They're telepaths and sometimes seers.”
“Sometimes?” Daxon looked to me.
“Prophecy is tricky,” I explained. “Usually, they can do small things; like know when someone is going to call them.” I waved at my phone as I put it away. “But what they're really good at is locating people; especially if they have an item that once belonged to their quarry.”
“Yeah, but I can do that too,” Killian said. “And I didn't get anything from the stuff we found at the mansion in San Marino.”
“No offense, Kill, but I remember that the three of you worked off each other last time,” I said. “What you couldn't see, they did.”
“True, but I saw something, to begin with,” he said. “However, we don't have a finger to hold this time.”
“No, but we have a Reese,” I said. “That's where the telepathy helps them.”
“They can search her memories.” Killian nodded. “But Reese is going to tell us everything she knows anyway.”
The guards had all arrived, and we settled into the vans. Within moments, we were on the narrow, San Francisco streets navigating the crazy traffic.
“Sometimes we can't remember things,” I pointed out. “Whereas, a telepath can see all of our memories. Whatever the case, they're here, and I'm not going to reject their help.”
“Just don't shake their hands,” Raza warned Daxon.
Daxon widened his eyes; looking from Raza to me.
I nodded with a pained expression. “I'd avoid any kind of skin-to-skin contact with either of them if I were you.”
“Good to know,” Desmond muttered.
“Although, that's as much for their protection as yours,” I added.
Chapter Thirt
y-Eight
“Ambassador!” Alexis Kavanaugh came at me with outstretched arms.
“Stand down, Extinguisher!” I said firmly.
Alexis stopped and pouted; hanging her head so that her shoulder-length black hair fell around her girlish face. Her brother came up next to her to pat her shoulder. His oak-brown eyes were somber, as was his expression, but that was typical of Alex Kavanaugh.
“Serves you right, Is,” he called her by the two letters that differentiated their names. “No one likes their thoughts invaded.” He looked over at me and nodded. “Hello, Ambassador. It's good to see you again.”
“You too, Alex,” I said. “This is King Daxon Tromlaighe and his Elite Guard.”
Alexis perked up.
“Don't touch them, Alexis,” I warned her. “You won't like what you see.”
Alexis went back to pouting.
“You can touch me, honey,” Rodaidh smirked. “Anytime you like.”
“You said that you were gonna keep away from the telepaths at all costs,” Sanna said to Ro.
“That was before I saw how cute she was.” Ro shrugged.
“Stay away from my sister,” Alex growled.
“Whoa.” I shifted between the men. “That was unexpected. Rodaidh was just flirting; no one is going to attack Alexis.”
“Sorry.” Alexis pushed her brother back and glared at him. “Alex had a strange vision and has been snapping at every man who gets within five feet of me.”
“What kind of vision?” I asked with concern.
“A vision he shouldn't have seen.” Alexis narrowed her eyes at Alex.
I laughed, and she transferred her glare to me.
“Now you know how it feels,” I said to her. “Not so fun, huh?”
Alexis' face fell, and she began to look guilty.
“This is a lovely reunion,” Raza said in a tone that implied otherwise. “But we really must get to an interrogation.”
“King Raza.” Alexis bowed. “I'm delighted to see you again too.”
Raza rolled his eyes and walked past her.
“He still hasn't gotten over it?” She asked me.
“He behaved badly with you,” I explained. “It's more about guilt than dislike.”
“No; it's about dislike,” Raza called back. “Are you coming, Seren?”
I got in the elevator with Raza, Tiernan, Killian, and Daxon. Then the twins jumped in. We could have fit a couple more people, but the only one willing to ride with the twins was Rodaidh, and Alex glared him out of that idea.
“So... stone, eh?” Alexis asked. “How very old-school-Greek.”
“Yep,” I agreed. “We have Gorgons and Harpies too. Throw in a three-headed dog, and we'd have the Underworld Set.”
“Harpies?” Alex made a face and shivered. “I hate harpies.”
“No one likes harpies,” Daxon said. “Not even other harpies.”
“I like their wings,” Alexis said.
We all looked at her blandly.
“What?” She asked.
“That's like admiring the wings on a vulture,” Killian pointed out.
Alexis thought about it. “I don't recall ever liking a vulture's wings.”
The elevator stopped one floor too soon. When the doors opened, we saw why; an extinguisher was attempting to go down a level. That extinguisher was Brandon Murdock; Head Councilman Murdock's son. We'd kind of dated once, but we'd gotten over the awkwardness that left. So, we should have been fine.
Except Brandon got into the elevator without looking and stopped short right in front of Alexis; nearly running into her. She automatically reached out to stop him, and he reached out to steady himself. Their hands connected, and Alexis inhaled a shocked breath. The doors closed behind Brandon; locking him in with us as Alexis looked up slowly; right into his baby blues.
“You,” she whispered.
“No fucking way!” Alex growled and shoved Brandon into the elevator door.
“What the fuck?” Brandon straightened and started to lurch toward Alex.
“Cease!” Raza shouted.
We all cringed as his deep voice echoed through the elevator. The doors opened, and Killian grabbed Brandon; pulling him out and to the side.
“Get out of here now!” Killian hissed at Brandon as he shoved him away.
“But—” Brandon stuttered.
“Please go, Brandon,” I urged. “Tell your dad that I'm heading up to the interrogation room.”
“Fine.” Brandon huffed and headed toward his father's office... after one last look at Alexis.
“Get in the elevator, Is,” Alex growled.
“You don't own me, Alex!” Alexis stomped past her brother and ran after Brandon.
We all gaped as Brandon turned toward the sound of Alexis' approach and caught her as if they'd synchronized it. She lifted her face to his, and he didn't hesitate. Brandon picked Alexis up and started kissing her.
“Rodaidh will be so disappointed,” I murmured.
“Is!” Alex shouted. “Stop that right now!”
Alex pushed between his sister and Brandon, but Brandon straight-armed Alex out of the way and went back to kissing Alexis. It was ridiculous. If it wasn't dangerous as well, I would have been laughing my ass off. But Alex looked as if he were going to murder Brandon, and even though Alex was more psychic than soldier, he was still a trained extinguisher and a pretty fit guy.
“What in Danu's name is happening?” Tiernan whispered.
“What in God's name is going on out here?” Councilman Murdock mimicked Tiernan's sentiments. Then he saw his son and gawked at him a second before asking, “Brandon? Extinguisher Kavanaugh?”
Brandon eased out of the kiss to look at his father. “Dad, uh...” He looked down at Alexis and frowned. “I'm not sure.”
“You and I are meant to be,” Alexis said simply.
“Meant to be,” I said softly. “That's so romantic.”
“Except she's talking about Brandon.” Tiernan grimaced.
“Better her than I,” I countered.
Tiernan chuckled. “I can't argue that.”
“You're what?” Murdock asked Alexis.
“Councilman Murdock,” Alexis declared, “I'm going to marry your son.”
“Okay,” Murdock whispered. Then he looked at Brandon. “You know about this?”
“I'm trying to catch up,” Brandon said with a bemused smile. “But I have a feeling that she's dead on.”
“I can't handle this right now.” Murdock shook his head and looked over at us. “I'm going to the interrogation with you, Ambassador. Now.”
“Yes, Sir, Head Councilman,” I said as I stepped back into the elevator.
“Is,” Alex said sadly.
“Alex,” Alexis broke away from Brandon to take her brother's hand. “Just because I found someone, it doesn't change our relationship. You'll always be my brother.”
Alex sighed deeply, turned around, and got into the elevator with us. He pushed the button to close the doors.
“Alex!” Alexis called as the doors shut.
“You got some issues, buddy,” Killian said to Alex. “Did you seriously think she was never going to fall in love?”
“Yes; I did,” Alex said. “Because we're cursed.”
The elevator went quiet.
“You're cursed?” Murdock was the one to break the silence. “Your cursed sister is going to marry my son?”
“It appears so,” Alex said.
“Extinguisher, you had better explain this curse and fast,” Murdock growled.
“After our training, Is and I were sent on our first mission,” Alex began.
The elevator dinged, and the doors swished open, but no one made a move to leave. We were all watching Alex; transfixed. Tiernan discreetly pressed the Open button on the panel to hold the doors for us.
“We were a little cocky,” Alex admitted. “We did things that we shouldn't have.”
“No,” Raza scoffed sarcastically, and I shot hi
m a quelling look. “What?”
“We were far worse then, King Raza,” Alex said. “There was this hag that the Council had in custody. They wanted us to read her. We could have done it gently—without her feeling the intrusion—but we wanted to prove ourselves to the Council. So, we went into her mind together.”
“Shit,” I whispered.
The elevator buzzed; having had enough of the door-open business. We filed out but stood just outside of it to finish listening to Alex's story. The elevator closed impatiently and whisked away.
“We hurt her,” Alex whispered. “And as we tore out of her mind, she used her memories and magic to curse us. I can still hear her cackling.”
“And I'm still waiting to hear this curse,” Murdock said. “Just get to it, man.”
“The hag said that since we were so close, we could spend our lives together,” Alex whispered. “But if one of us were to fall in love, the bond between Is and me would be severed completely.”
“Oh.” Murdock relaxed. “I thought you were going to say that she was going to die or kill Brandon or something. But that's not so bad.”
“Not so bad?” Alex growled. “Have you ever been so close to someone that you knew their every thought, Councilman? That they were practically an extension of yourself?”
“No,” Murdock said softly.
“Is and I have lived with that kind of bond for our entire lives,” Alex explained. “Severing that tie now will hurt us both extensively.”
“Then maybe you should start looking for love too,” Killian suggested.
“What?” Alex gaped at him.
“Alexis will have someone to comfort her through the break, but you won't,” Killian pointed out. “I don't know how your connection feels, but I can tell you how love feels. It's strong enough to overcome any hardship... any heartache. Look what your sister is risking for it. Sounds to me like the only way to save yourself is to find someone too.”
Alex frowned and then sighed deeply. “If only that was as easy as you make it sound.”
“Love is hard to come by,” Daxon said. “Like finding a rainbow in the darkness. But it's worth the search, and you have an advantage over the rest of us.”
