by Donna Grant
“I know evil should be destroyed,” Keltan replied.
“And replaced with what, exactly?” Death retorted. “There is a balance. You know this, but it’s convenient to blame evil for everything.”
“Because it is to blame!” Keltan drew in a breath, hating his outburst of anger. But he couldn’t help how he felt. The fact that the Reapers were standing there telling him that there had to be evil as well as good infuriated him.
Erith blinked, fat drops of water falling from her eyelashes. “You sound as rational as a Dark blaming the Light for their misfortunes.”
“How can you not see that evil is bad?” Keltan demanded.
“I never said it was good. I said there’s a balance. You can’t have one without the other. It’s the way of the universe. Fighting against it is like hitting your head against a wall. You will never be rid of evil. Just as evil will never be rid of you.”
Keltan didn’t reply because he had nothing to say.
“As I was saying,” Cael continued. “Balladyn is good for the Dark Fae because he focuses on them, not what power he might amass.”
Erith then said, “However, Usaeil will go after Balladyn. He knows this, but he’s ignoring it because he wants to help Rhi.”
As much as Keltan hated to admit it, that bit of news changed his views on Balladyn greatly. “Will the Reapers join us in this war?”
“That isn’t possible,” Death replied.
Keltan should’ve known. “Then why did you come?”
“To warn you,” Rordan said.
Death and Cael vanished in the next instant. Rordan remained. He let out a long breath as he looked at Keltan. “If I had any say, I’d be standing with you, fighting Usaeil. She’s Fae, so in my opinion, she’s the Reapers’ problem.”
“But you doona call the shots.”
Rordan grinned. “But I don’t call the shots. Good luck, Keltan.”
With that, Keltan was alone once more. He ran a hand down his face to wipe away the water and then got back into his vehicle.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Keltan Dreagan,” Bernadette said aloud as she typed the name into a search engine on her computer.
Just as she expected, nothing came up. She shouldn’t be shocked by the outcome. Every person tied to Dreagan that she attempted to look up somehow had very little information—if any—available on the internet.
She swiveled in her chair and opened the file from the World Whisky Consortium a few years back. She ran her finger down the page, looking for the name of the individual who had been sent by Dreagan.
“Aha,” she said with a smile. “Asher. No last name. Surprise, surprise.”
She gave a shake of her head. “How are these people getting around without using surnames? I mean, they aren’t Madonna or Usher.”
“I thought I showed you enough.”
Bernadette stilled at the sound of the Irish voice behind her. It had been weeks since she’d last encountered the Fae, and while she had opened Bernadette’s eyes to many things, there was something about her that frightened Bernadette.
It wasn’t as if Usaeil had done anything in particular or had said anything off, but Bernadette couldn’t squelch the growing feeling inside of her.
She swallowed and turned her chair around to face the Fae. “Of course, you did, Usaeil.”
“Then why are you still digging?”
“I thought that’s what you wanted me to do.”
Usaeil rose from the sofa clothed in an all-red ensemble, the jacket buttoned but left open enough to reveal no shirt beneath and providing an ample view of her cleavage. “I wanted you to tell the world about those at Dreagan.”
“I did. I have,” Bernadette hurried to say. “Tonight, even.”
For some reason, Bernadette didn’t tell the Fae that one of the men from Dreagan had been in attendance. She didn’t understand why, but she instinctively knew she shouldn’t impart that bit of information. At least, not yet.
Usaeil flicked her long, black hair over her shoulder and strode to Bernadette on four-inch red stilettos. “I like you. I knew you were the right one to show the truth to.”
“Why me, though? Why not expose them yourself?”
“I have other matters to attend to. Do you think being Queen of the Fae is easy? I have millions of Fae to keep in line.”
Bernadette nodded.
“Did you have to show your proof?” Usaeil asked.
“I mentioned it, but everyone got to talking about all the links I had to Dreagan, and they forgot about it.”
Usaeil smiled. “Good. I’d like to hold off showing it for as long as you can. As soon as you do, someone from Dreagan will contact you. Remember what I said they’d say about me?”
“That you’re a liar who can’t be trusted.”
“But you know the truth.”
Bernadette smiled, though her mind was on Keltan. He hadn’t seemed like a bad guy. He’d been gracious and kind when he could’ve been anything else. He hadn’t threatened her or demanded that she stop saying things about Dreagan. He hadn’t asked anything of her, actually. Even though that’s exactly what Usaeil had said those from Dreagan would do.
In fact, the only one asking anything of her was the queen.
Usaeil leaned down and peered closely at Bernadette. “So, tell me why you’re still digging into those at Dreagan?”
“I may know they’re dragons, but I don’t know anything about them. People like that I can link the women to them, but if I can show specifics about individuals at Dreagan, it will help to convince others. The quicker they believe, the quicker word spreads.”
“You don’t need individuals,” Usaeil said as she straightened. “Anyone associated with Dreagan will be a target once the world focuses on them. That’s all that matters.”
Bernadette knew that wasn’t true, but she was also keenly aware that trying to convince Usaeil of that would be suicide. She hadn’t actually seen Usaeil hurt anyone, but the queen had magic, and that was enough for Bernadette.
The Fae had started out sweet and giving, practically bending over backwards to get Bernadette to believe. And once she had, once Usaeil had her utterly enthralled, the Fae had changed. She had become curt, talking down to Bernadette, and had even threatened her once.
If Bernadette weren’t so immersed in Dreagan, she’d walk away and tell Usaeil to kiss her ass. No, actually, she wouldn’t, because Bernadette wasn’t entirely sure the Fae would let her live.
Usaeil turned and walked around the small cottage. Bernadette missed her roomy house, but it was something she’d had to sell in order to keep paying the bills. She hadn’t needed such a big place anyway. What she had now sufficed. Though she still missed some of the furniture she’d had to sell.
“You need to have another lecture,” Usaeil said as she faced her.
Bernadette raked a hand through her hair. “I intend to. It’s already scheduled for next month.”
“It’ll be next week.”
“I-I don’t have the time to find a venue or get the word out.”
Usaeil shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Do it next week.”
“You’ve never demanded such a thing before. Why now?”
“Because I’m a queen, and I’m telling you what to do.”
Bernadette almost told Usaeil she wasn’t her queen, but that likely wouldn’t go over too well, so she kept her mouth shut. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“You’ll do it.”
The or else hung silently between them.
Bernadette wondered what she had gotten herself into. Then again, having the knowledge Usaeil had imparted to her was worth this small amount of discomfort.
Dragons and Fae on the same planet as humans. And for millions of years. How in the world had mortals been so blind? They hadn’t been, actually. One look at the mythology of various cultures proved that.
Fingers snapped in front of her face. Bernadette jerked back and looked up into Usa
eil’s face, the Fae’s silver eyes narrowed in anger.
“I was talking,” Usaeil said.
“Sorry. My mind wanders.”
The Fae rolled her eyes. “That’s not something you should admit to anyone, let alone me. Your goal is to have the world banging on the door of Dreagan Manor. It’s been nearly a year since I first showed you the truth. You need to get moving.”
“I didn’t know there was a timetable for this.”
“There is now.”
Bernadette squeezed the bridge of her nose. “I’ve got a friend who owes me a favor. She edits an online column. I’ll write up something and get it to her.”
Usaeil raised a brow. “An online column? What is that going to do?”
“She has over a million readers. Even if only a fraction read my piece, it’s more than was there tonight.”
“Hmm. You might be onto something. See if you can put something in for the next few days. And make sure to mention your next lecture. You’ll be showing your proof then, so be prepared.”
Bernadette nodded and forced a smile, suddenly very uneasy about everything. Usaeil hadn’t made the dragons out to be scary. In fact, she hadn’t shaded Bernadette’s view one way or the other. But somewhere along the way, something had changed. And Bernadette had yet to figure out what it was.
Could it be that Usaeil had used her all along?
No, that couldn’t be the case. Usaeil was a Fae with magic. She could do whatever she wanted.
Then why does she want you to tell the world about Dreagan?
Bernadette didn’t have an answer for the voice in her head.
Usaeil cocked her head to the side as she studied Bernadette. “You’re pretty.”
“Um … thank you.” The compliment hadn’t just come out of the blue, Usaeil had said it as if she were just now realizing it.
The Fae tapped a finger against her chin. “Someone from Dreagan will come to talk to you. No doubt he’ll be amazingly handsome and charming. Don’t believe a word he says.”
“I’m sure it won’t be long before everyone at Dreagan realizes I know the truth. They’ll want to talk to me. They’ll want to ask how I know.”
“Don’t tell them anything,” Usaeil ordered. “And never mention my name.”
Bernadette jerked back as if slapped. “I wouldn’t dare. But I don’t see how talking to them will hurt. Maybe I can convince them to show themselves to the world.”
“Right,” Usaeil said sarcastically. “You have as much chance of that as Hell freezing over.”
“As long as it happens, what does it matter who does it?”
“Because no one at Dreagan will do it.”
Bernadette frowned. “You sound sure of that.”
“I sound that way because I am. I know them. They will continue hiding.”
“You said the dragons were beautiful, and they are.” Well, they were once she’d gotten over her initial terror at seeing the size of them.
Usaeil’s gaze narrowed once more. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“When you first told me about them, you made them out to be something I should accept, not fear. Now, I hear hatred in your voice.”
“If you feared them, you would never have been interested in learning about them.”
Ice went through Bernadette’s body at the realization that she had been used. She didn’t know why or even how, exactly, but she had.
Usaeil laughed, the sound cold and hollow. “As for hating the dragons, they’re an obstacle that needs to be overcome.”
Everything in Bernadette rebelled, but she held her tongue. She had seen Usaeil’s magic. She knew how powerful the Fae queen was, and she didn’t want to piss her off. But at the same time, she no longer wanted to be a part of whatever the Fae had planned.
Because it couldn’t be good. Anyone who spoke like that and held such anger within her couldn’t be up to anything noble.
“No questions?” Usaeil asked.
Bernadette felt the weight of the Fae’s probing stare. She shook her head, twisting her lips. “I don’t need to hear more. You’re the one who showed me this new world. I’m helping you, and if you say you need this, then I’ll do my best to help.”
Usaeil’s smile was slow as it filled her face. “I knew you were the right person.”
“Why me, though? What was it that made you pick me?”
Usaeil shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly. “You had a look about you.”
Naïveté, Bernadette wondered? All these years, she’d believed herself intelligent and worldly. She hadn’t even been able to tell when someone used her.
She laughed and cracked her knuckles. “I better get to writing that article.”
“Remember, don’t trust anyone from Dreagan. They’re going to lie to you. They’ll say whatever they need to in order to get you to believe them.”
The same thing you did. Bernadette grinned. “You don’t need to worry. I won’t fall for that.”
“If that fails, they’ll try and seduce you.”
Bernadette laughed, thinking about Keltan. He hadn’t done any such thing. “I’ll be prepared, don’t worry. But what if they try and kidnap me or something?”
“They’re dragons with magic. Expect anything.”
Bernadette stared at Usaeil for a long minute. “Isn’t this when you tell me that you’ll protect me?”
“Of course,” the queen said, her entire demeanor and voice seeming offended that Bernadette would even mention otherwise.
“Is there some magic you can do?” Not that Bernadette actually thought the Fae would do it, but it would look weird if she didn’t ask.
Usaeil grinned. “I already have.”
“Thank you. I knew I could count on you.”
The queen blew out a breath. “Well, I must get back.”
“To a movie set?”
“There’s something else I’m occupied with at the moment. I won’t be making any movies for a while. I’ll drop by soon.”
Bernadette wanted to sigh the moment Usaeil was gone, but she didn’t. Instead, she faced her computer to begin writing the column. It would be just her luck if Usaeil hung around for a few minutes, invisible, to spy on her.
An hour later, when Bernadette felt it was safe, she looked up the address to Dreagan. Then she packed an overnight bag and her laptop and got into her car. It was more than a three-hour drive to Dreagan, but she wasn’t going to wait until dawn.
CHAPTER FIVE
Keltan stuffed the remainder of the roast beef sandwich into his mouth and looked out the kitchen window into the night. He’d just gotten off patrol, but his mind was working overtime since his jaunt to Glasgow.
“Still upset, huh?” Ulrik asked as he walked into the kitchen.
Keltan glanced at him, noting the lines of strain on the King’s face that hadn’t been there a week ago. Con’s absence affected everyone, but since Ulrik had stepped in to lead while Con was gone, he likely felt more of the pressure than most. But Ulrik would never complain. He would carry on.
Because that’s what Con always did.
“Aye.”
Ulrik raked a hand through his long, black hair before he put the kettle on to heat water. “About which part? Dr. Davies or the Reapers?”
“Both,” Keltan replied and faced the King of Silvers. “Are you no’?”
“Oh, I am. There’s nothing that can be done about the Reapers. We can no’ force anyone to join our war. Frankly, I’m pleased with who we have.”
Keltan shrugged, his lips twisting in doubt. “We willna know for sure until we’re on the battlefield.”
“Good point. However, as far as Bernadette Davies is concerned, we can no’ do anything. If we threaten her, she’ll use that against us.”
“You’re no’ seriously suggesting we do nothing?” Keltan asked in disbelief.
Ulrik sighed loudly. “That’s the only move we have. She’s going to put us in a spotlight. I think sooner rather than later, and we
need to be prepared for that.”
“We’ll be in the middle of a damn war, most likely.”
“No doubt, we will. Regardless, we can no’ give Dr. Davies or the world anything that will make them take a closer look. I’ve already spoken to both Henry and Esther to see what they can find out from MI5.”
The brother and sister had exemplary careers in the domestic counter-intelligence and security agency. Esther was now mated to Nikolai, King of Ivories, and Henry was immersed in locating Usaeil. Yet the siblings were also part of an ancient line of Druids who kept other Druids in line. Esther was the TruthSeeker, and Henry the JusticeBringer.
Keltan’s thoughts were pulled from the brother and sister as the kettle started to scream. He watched Ulrik lift it from the burner and pour the steaming liquid into two mugs before adding the teabags. “Did either of them learn anything?”
Ulrik shook his head as he set aside the kettle, his gold eyes locking on Keltan’s. “Nothing as of yet, but both will keep checking. If Bernadette continues having successful lectures, then it willna be long before the press, as well as the government, takes a look at us.”
“This is when we should’ve had friends in the government.”
“Con thought it was better no’ to have others know our secret.”
Keltan had to agree. “They might help us for a little while, but sooner or later, they’d attempt to blackmail us.”
“That’s what the mortals do. Well, no’ all of them, but more often than no’, that’s the case.”
“We can no’ have our attention divided. We need to be focused on Usaeil and taking her down so we can find Con.”
Ulrik added some sugar to his tea and handed the other mug to Keltan. “That’s the reason Con put off going after Usaeil with Rhi in the first place. He wanted everyone focused on me and my uncle.”
“On Mikkel, no’ you.”
Ulrik didn’t reply. Even after finding love with Eilish, a powerful Druid, and returning to Dreagan, it was apparent Ulrik still felt as if he had things to make up for.
