by Mary Karlik
The commander shook her head. “Fairies don’t kill. They can’t.”
“Remember, she’s half fairy. Humans, unfortunately, are quite good at killing. She would have never saved the fairies had she not been able to harvest magic and kill.”
Finn closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. “But if she took Fauth’s magic that means she harvested dark powers.”
“She didn’t harvest Fauth’s power. She defeated him because the fairies gifted their magic to her.”
Disbelief was etched in Finn’s face. “Gifted their magic. They gave their powers to her? That’s fantastic. It’s extraordinary.” A grin spread across his face. “The fairies that ostracized her for being half human, the ones who tortured her because she had no magic, gave their magic to her.”
“Aye. And she saved them. And now they’re sick because they have no power to protect themselves from the metal in the human world.”
The commander held up a hand. “Something’s not adding up. If she had magic, why did the fairies need to give her theirs? Couldn’t she have harvested Fauth’s?”
“There was nothing for her to steal. Fauth didn’t have his own magic. He kept stolen magic in a globe on top of a walking stick.”
“I see.” The commander eyed Ian. “I sense there’s more to this story.”
“Aye. Inside the globe sits a dragon. Somehow it connected with the dragon-spirit in me. It called the red dragon into the human world. I thought it was after me. But it went after Layla. The dragons want her.”
“Where is the stick now?” The commander’s tone was controlled and calm, but she had a choke hold on the hilt of her sword.
“Layla has it. She’ll keep it safe.”
The commander’s chin was so elevated she had to peer down to see Ian. “The dragons have found a way into your world. They very likely are after the stick.”
Finn added, “Or the fairy powerful enough to defeat Fauth.”
Ian’s heart thudded against his breastbone. “Or both.” He stood and looked the commander in the eyes. “I have to get back and protect Layla.”
The elf-woman stood too. “If the dragons enter your world, all humans are in danger. You must keep Layla safe, and we must stop the dragons.”
“How? How do I get back to the human world?” Ian’s tone echoed the frustration he felt in his heart.
The commander answered, “There is a hermit fairy called Old Dorach. He’s difficult to find, and even if you find him, there’s no guarantee he’ll help you. But if anybody knows about a portal to the human world, it’s him.”
The commander turned to Finn. “The human doesn’t know how to maneuver in a magical world. Go with him.”
Finn stood and bowed. “Yes, ma’am.”
The elf commander gave a curt nod. “Aye. Gather your weapons and leave as soon as possible. I must advise our leaders.” She walked to the door and half-bowed to Ian. “Be safe.”
Finn scooted the chair close to the table. “Spread the plaid out. I’ll help you fold it.”
Ian laid the length of fabric across the floor. He knelt on one end of the plaid and fan-folded the fabric toward him.
Finn shook his head. “If you’re going to get in and out of this cloth you’re going to have to move a wee bit faster.”
“Sorry. I’ve only experienced this torture once before.” When the folds were about the width of his waist, he slipped the leather belt beneath the fabric and lay in the middle. He wrapped the left end of the fabric across the front of his legs, then the right and tightened the belt around his waist.
When he stood, Finn helped him adjust the extra length of cloth over his shoulder. “How is Layla?” His words were matter-of-fact, but Ian knew he wasn’t just asking about her health.
“She’s good. Really good. She found Esme and, in a way, she found herself.”
“The day she went missing, she came to me. She was worried about Esme. I teased her. I can’t help but think that if I had listened to her concerns, things would have ended differently.” Sadness and guilt settled on Finn’s face.
Jealously flashed through Ian. Finn had a history with her. They had memories and inside jokes and secrets. Finn might just be her best mate, but Ian knew the signs that he wanted more. Finn had the same longing in his eyes that Ian felt in his heart.
Ian swallowed his feelings and tightened his belt. “Aye. If Esme hadn’t been taken, things would have ended differently. Fauth wouldn’t have been defeated, and he’d still be kidnapping fairies. It was her destiny to save those fairies and stop Fauth.”
Finn nodded. “I don’t like the idea that she killed, but I have to say it gives me a certain satisfaction that she took the life of the dragon who killed her parents.”
“Aye. And she’s with her sister again.” He thought of his own sister and brother. Did they know he was missing? “Finn, how long have I been here?”
“Two days.”
Two days? A lot could happen in that amount of time. By now Buzzard had probably concocted some story to explain his disappearance. It was Andrew’s third year at university. How would it affect his studies if Ian didn’t make it back? And Amelia. Sweet Amelia. How would she react to whatever story Buzzard spewed?
Sadness filled his heart. Would he see them again? Would he be stuck in this world forever? And then the sadness grew. Would he see Layla again? His heart jumped at the memory of the moment she had hugged him. Was there a bond between them that went beyond the piece of her soul mixed with his? Part of him wanted there to be. But the other more rational side of him knew that loving Layla was a recipe for disaster. She was a fairy. She was the most desired prey of the dragon living beneath his human soul.
Besides, she belonged in this world, and he belonged in his.
Finn stood. “When you’re ready, we’ll leave.”
Ian took a few more swigs of water and grabbed a handful of dates from the food tray. “Let’s go.”
Finn escorted Ian through the building down a narrow staircase to an armory.
He handed Ian a belt and sword. “Do you know how to use one of these things?”
“No. And before you ask, I’ve never shot a bow and arrow. But I am trained with a dagger.”
Finn exchanged the belt and sword for a sgian dubh. “Good to know you’re not totally hopeless. But if you have to shift, make sure your blade doesn’t end up killing me.”
“Aye. Let’s hope I don’t have to shift.”
They left the building and made their way through the village. Ian looked around at the stone cottages and the cobblestone lanes. It was as if he’d been transported in time to a medieval village. Somehow that scenario seemed less ridiculous than shifting into a dragon and falling into a magical realm.
As they left the village Finn studied Ian’s arm. “Tell me about this dragon who poisoned you. Did it also breach the wall?”
“No. The dragon that injured me was a friend. Fauth changed her.” The memory of the look in Miranda’s eyes before she shifted gripped Ian’s heart. She was so helpless—so desperate. “My best mate, my second-in-command, killed her.”
“Second-in-command? You’re military?”
“Once. Now, I’m part of what we call the Specialist Crime Division. I lead a team to investigate serious crime.”
“It must be horrible to live in a world that has so much crime.”
Ian shrugged. “It’s not all bad. We have a lot of good too. And anyway, nothing is as frightening as dragons. I’d take a crime lord any day over those beasts.”
“So you scare yourself, do you?” Finn’s words were cut short by a sky-shattering screech.
A shadow crossed over them, and Ian’s heart rate kicked into hyper speed. “It’s the red dragon. Run.”
At the same time, Finn yelled, “To the trees!”
Ian dropped his plaid and shifted in preparation to fight as Finn scrambled off the path and ran through the forest. Ian shot to the sky and charged the beast.
The dra
gon skimmed so close to the treetops that its feet dragged along the canopy, showering leaves to the forest floor. He dove for Finn, and Ian dove after him.
But the dragon was faster and had zeroed in on the elf.
Ian pumped his wings until he was so close to Red that when the dragon swished its tail, Ian smelled poison oozing from the tip.
Finn pulled his arrow from his quiver and managed to nock the bow.
Ian’s heart raced. The elf was going to try to fight the dragon. Ian tried to scream for Finn to run but all that came out was an angry screech.
Red extended its legs and opened its talons.
Finn released the arrow, but it bounced off the dragon’s hide as if it were a toy. The bow and arrow clattered to the ground as Finn released them to draw his sword.
Ian blasted fire at the dragon, but Red stayed the course and latched onto Finn’s waist, lifting him from the ground and carrying him above the trees.
Chapter Six
Layla’s wing muscles were a bundle of knots. Finding the fairies a safe place to live until she could get them back to the magic world was her priority. After that, she’d sort how to get Ian back. But things weren’t moving as quickly as she would have liked. And Buzzard wasn’t helping to move things along.
By the time he hid the scepter in a compartment below the cargo area and finished lining the back of his SUV with blankets, half of the fairies were too exhausted to fly. He’d said it was to insulate them from the metal in the car, but he spent a ridiculous amount of time smoothing wrinkles. Then there was the securing. He ran a line of heavy tape around the edge of the blankets fastening them to the windows. And it had to be straight. He must have realigned the tape a dozen times. Her wings fluttered nervously as she resisted the urge to shove him aside and call it good.
She appreciated that perfection was important to him, and he was able to make everyone comfortable in the cramped space, but it took time. Time they couldn’t waste.
The men filed into the car. Andrew, Theo, and the men’s rucksacks took up the backseat. Buzzard and Jack sat in the front. Buzzard started the engine before anybody realized she stood outside the car. She had to wonder how long it would have taken the men to notice she’d been left out if she hadn’t tapped on the window.
Jack opened his door and started to get out. But Layla fairy-sized and flew into the cargo area to be with her sister. Things had been such a whirlwind since the rescue that they hadn’t had time to spend together. Layla had planned to take advantage of the long journey to catch up.
Buzzard looked in the mirror hanging in front of him. “Sorry, lass. With all the fairies around, I didn’t realize you weren’t among them.”
“Really? I was human-sized the whole time I helped you.”
Buzzard put the car in gear. “Well, we have you now.”
Esme giggled. “I can’t tell if you two don’t like each other or just like arguing.”
“It’s just so easy to wind him up, it’s hard to resist.”
Esme’s gaze brightened as a smile spread across her face. “It’s so good to see you like this. I know we have a challenge ahead, but you aren’t the same frightened big sister that wouldn’t let me go to the fête.”
Layla stretched her legs in front of her and leaned her back against the wall of the car. “We’ve both grown a bit. How are you? Are you feeling better?”
“Aye. Much better now that we’re out of that damp cellar.”
Layla studied the jagged ends of Esme’s short cropped hair. “I can’t believe they cut your hair. It was so long and beautiful.”
Esme rolled her eyes up as if she were looking at the fringe that barely covered the top of her forehead. “Actually, I quite like it. I feel lighter.”
Regret burned in Layla’s chest. “You should have been able to make that choice on your own. I’m so sorry that you were taken.”
“Stop. We can’t change what happened. I’ll no be sorry for it. All these fey are here and free because I was taken and you came after me. And because of that, you found your power.” She cut her eyes sideways. “And there’s Ian.”
“Est!” Layla stared at Esme with intentionally wide eyes and reverted to their fairy language. “The lads will hear you.”
“And they’d have to be dead to not feel the energy between you two.”
“We’re friends.” Layla felt her face flush.
“And your soul is bound.”
“It’s a one-way bind. His soul is free to seek who it wants.”
“And if it wants you?”
Grief wrenched Layla’s insides until all that was left was hollow and lonely. “It will never happen. Half of me is fairy. Half of him is dragon. There’s not a more deadly combination.”
“Do you love him?” It was more of a statement than a question.
A tear Layla hadn’t expected plopped onto her cheek. “I can’t.”
“But you do.”
A second and third tear fell, and Layla’s throat squeezed too tight to answer.
“You’ll figure it out. Remember, the other half of both of you is human.”
Layla nodded, but she knew in her heart and soul that Esme was wrong. Her sister had always been full of romantic ideas. But Ian struggled every day to control the dragon-spirit. If he lost control, the dragon would kill her. Even if he did love her, they could never be together.
“Time for a new topic.” Layla pulled her knees close and wrapped her arms around her legs. “What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get back home?”
“Sleep for a day and a half. And then I want to take you to the village and show off your magic to everybody that bullied you—especially cousin Kenna.”
“No. None of that matters to me now.” She drew in a deep breath and let it go in a sigh. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound good.” Esme hugged her knees reminding Layla of the way Esme used to copy everything she did when they were little.
“When I get you to the magic world and find Ian, I’m coming back to the human world. I’m thinking about staying.”
Esme jerked her head away, and her whole body tensed.
Layla reached out her hand for her sister’s shoulder but stopped before touching her. “Esme. You have a life and friends in our world. I don’t. I don’t fit in the magic world.”
Esme stared straight ahead. “You have me. And now you have magic. You’re one of the most—if not the most— powerful fairies in existence. It’s your world now too.”
“No. I’ve always felt more comfortable human-sized. Once we find the open portal, we can travel between worlds. It’ll be as easy as visiting the next village.”
Esme laid her cheek against her knee and looked at Layla. “Can I come with you? You said I had friends there, but I don’t. Isla was my only friend. If I lose you too, I’ll have nothing.”
Layla felt like she’d been kicked right in the heart. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry she died.”
“What happened to her? I mean, I know she died while you were trying to rescue her, but what happened?”
“It was an accident. I didn’t understand the magic of the globe.” Layla’s throat was so dry her words came out hoarse.
“What are you saying?” Esme’s tone was laced with fear and accusation.
“I broke the glass to free her from the globe.” The memory of Isla desperately shaking her head as Layla pounded the hilt of her dagger against the glass made her stomach roil. “I didn’t know that her soul had been placed in the necklace. It wasn’t with her when the globe broke.”
“How could you have not known the necklace was missing? When we rescued the other fairies, it was clear that the necklaces were in the top of the globes.”
“She was first I tried to save … I didn’t know. I should have taken more time. I acted impulsively, and she died because of it.”
Esme’s gaze filled with blame. “She was my best mate. She was my only friend. Did you know she
was to be married?”
“No.” The word scratched Layla’s throat as she breathed it from her lips.
“He’s called Duncan.” Esme bit her lip, and her faced tensed before she continued. “I’ll answer your question again. The first thing I’ll do when I get home is tell Duncan how she died and apologize for talking her into going with me to the pond that day.”
“My heart hurts for her, for Duncan’s loss, for your loss…”
Esme slowly nodded. “I know.” She looked at the ceiling and blinked, but tears dripped down her cheeks anyway. “I know.” She wiped her cheeks and slid to lay down. “Let’s get some rest.”
Layla didn’t say a word, but on the inside, her failure was crushing her heart and squeezing her lungs and screaming at her that no matter how many lives were saved, Esme had lost her friend and Duncan had lost his love. And it was all because she had been careless. She slid down beside her sister and wondered if she’d ever be forgiven.
Esme took Layla’s hand and whispered, “You’re still my hero.”
Tears filled Layla’s eyes, and she couldn’t speak without going into a full-out sob, so she took her sister’s hand in hers and held onto it like the lifeline it was.
Layla had fallen into a deep sleep so when Buzzard announced they were crossing the Skye bridge she startled awake.
Andrew peered over the seat back at the fairies. “Welcome to Skye. They say fairies still live here. Perhaps you’ll find some of your own people.”
Buzzard looked in the little mirror at Andrew. “What are the chances you’ll convince Amelia to let them stay at the croft?”
“She’s never been one for fairy stories. She used to tell my nanna that those stories were for light-headed dreamers. But then again, she has a soft heart for the sick.” He pointed to a road sign. “Turn left just up there.”
Layla dropped from the seat back to perch on the carryall stuffed between Theo and Andrew. “Could we hide the fairies until they are strong enough to travel?”
