by Brenda Trim
Dyson looked up from giving Talysia an injection and shook his head. “I saw no indication she was infected with something biological, so I would say it’s not contagious. However, I don’t have definitive answers, so I’m unsure.”
“Dyson, we need you,” Blaine called out from the double doors. Finn’s head swiveled in time to watch two Maahes carry Phineas through the doorway.
“Shite. Phineas,” Angus cursed. “What the fuck happened?”
“I was…coming to…tell you,” Phineas paused to catch his breath. Finn assumed the male was unconscious given that his feet were dragging behind him while Slate and Erik carried him between them. “The oceans…” His voice trailed off as he started coughing. Dyson was in motion before the red droplets hit the stone floor.
“Save your breath,” Angus ordered. “I assume the oceans are no’ good given the state you are in, and the blood you’re coughing up.”
Phineas nodded his agreement and sighed in relief when he was laid on the table. Talysia was at one end and he was at the other. Dyson already ordered his assistant to fetch a couple gurneys and turned to start treating the Stoorworm King.
“Perhaps it was related to the bomb,” Isis murmured as she stood and crossed the room.
“How’s that? You and Pema found no magic,” Angus barked. The king was obviously agitated, and he kept looking at the entrance.
“Well, it’s just a theory, but as I sit here considering what connects all those suffering these symptoms it hit me,” Isis said. “Water. More specifically the ocean is the common factor.”
Dyson’s head snapped up and Angus opened his mouth to respond, but Legette’s reappearance cut that off. Finn wanted to kick himself for previously missing that similarity. He was paying half attention to Legette reporting Blaze was also coughing up blood.
Any concern Finn had previously was compounded at the moment and he wasn’t sure if it was that rising worry, but he couldn’t come up with how the thread of water mattered.
“Och, I still doona understand what that means, but before you continue, I need to contain the affected. Legette, bring Keira and the kids here. Cancel all appearances for today Declan,” Angus started. “Grab whatever supplies you need from your rooms, Dyson. We will treat everyone here where there is plenty of room. This is a cluster fuck. I guess Cyril didn’a have to take further action for his grand plan to come to fruition.”
Finn understood the king’s frustration. After all of Cyril’s attacks lately, they anticipated them building to something they could battle. It never occurred to them that they would be helpless to stop the destruction.
“How exactly is this common thread making a difference with anything?” Finn asked as he brushed Talysia’s hair from her forehead.
“How familiar are you guys with terrorists on Earth?”
Angus cocked his head to the side. “Och, I’m the only one that has any knowledge of the various groups operating on Earth. What does that have to do with this? No human could transport through the portal withoot us knowing.”
“You’re right. I’m not suggesting they’ve crossed. What I think might be going on is that Cyril adopted some of their tactics,” Isis explained.
“Dirty bomb,” Pema blurted a second later. “Of course. Why didn’t we think of that sooner? He’s a clever bastard. He knew we would look for magic and be able to easily combat that. No one would have expected these measures.”
“Yeah. He would have gained a reputation as unbeatable. And, we didn’t think of it for the reasons you mentioned. It isn’t a supernatural attack method, but a human one. Cyril spent time on Earth and could’ve learned about it there. With Dyson not finding anything it makes sense,” Isis finished.
“Fuck,” Angus cursed before turning to Dyson. “What do you know aboot chemical warfare?”
Dyson’s head went from the witch sisters to Angus and back again. “I’m not familiar with that term, Sire. What do I need to look for?”
“You need to look for poison,” Angus informed the Mundunugu. “There are humans that add chemicals to explosive devices for the purpose of poisoning others. I have no idea what type. I doona know enough aboot them to know what type could affect only sea creatures.”
“Why us?” Phineas croaked from his position on the table.
“Because he wants to cripple me,” Angus told his mate’s brother. “Actually, he wants to destroy me. He’s gone too far this time. I will rip that vile male to shreds when I get my hands on him.”
“I’ll hold him still for you, Sire,” Finn added.
Dyson was creating slides with Talysia and Phineas’s blood when Legette returned helping Blaze walk while Keira carried Josie. The beds were wheeled in at the same time, and Legette placed Blaze on one then sent the healers for more.
“I don’t see any sign of poison. Is there a specific signature I should look for?”
Angus took Josie from Keira and cradled his daughter to his chest. “I’m no’ a fucking scientist. I thought there was one way to detect poison. Do you have any idea?” The king asked Pema and Isis.
Pema’s mate moved to stand behind her, providing protection and support. Isis’s mate was next to her. The love and devotion between them, and every mated couple he knew, was undeniable.
Both sisters shook their heads in unison, but Pema responded. “Neither of us know anything about the types of chemicals used or how to treat them. But I bet Jace knows something about them. He’s a healer, but also a human doctor. I know he has some knowledge about poisons and how to counteract them because he talked about treating victims of a factory fire for poisoning with Bhric’s mate.”
“We need to get him here,” Finn blurted, a sense of urgency overcoming him when Talysia’s grip on his hand slackened. Her sister Tia took a seat by the table and was breathing hard.
“We need to send a sample to him to study before he comes here or it will be useless,” Dyson interjected. “As we have discovered we don’t have the same plants and resources on Khoth. It’s highly likely that we will not have what is needed to counteract whatever chemical is causing problems.”
“Do we have enough time?” Angus asked while his gaze was pinned to his mate and how she wiped sweat from her brow. Josie started coughing in his arms, and Finn’s heart broke when blood splattered Angus’s shirt.
Despite the fury and fear emanating from the king, he calmly crossed to Dyson and held his daughter while the doctor gave her an injection.
“I believe we will have time,” Dyson replied with more confidence than Finn felt. “I am able to control their symptoms to a large degree which allows their body’s natural healing to keep it from deteriorating too rapidly. Cuelebre dragons and Stoorworm are hearty creatures.”
“What about sirens? Talysia and her sister need to survive,” Finn blurted, barely stopping himself from shaking the infuriating male.
“From what I have seen, sirens are tough and capable of surviving almost as much as we are. I suggest we not delay,” Dyson explained.
“I can find Jace on the other side of the portal, correct?” Finn asked.
“Aye, you can, but we need to plan this oot,” Angus interjected.
“Yes, Sire. I have blood samples from Talysia and Phineas. All I need is some water to take with me,” Finn replied.
“Bottle some of that water,’ Angus ordered a he
aler. “Blaine, I want you to join Finn. Slate, go immediately and cross the portal. Tell Lachlan to contact Jace and tell him that we suspect a dirty bomb, and need his assistance.” Slate nodded and his boots were pounding down the hall before the king finished speaking.
“Finn, you and Blaine prepare for the journey. Dyson, take blood from everyone present, including Talysia’s sister. I want Jace to have everything he might need.”
Finn leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to Talysia’s lips while Angus continued issuing his orders. He inhaled her unique, sweet yet floral scent. Cradling her cheeks in his palms, he gazed into her dull turquoise eyes. “I love you, Songbird. I should have told you sooner, but I can’t leave without letting you know how I feel about you.”
The corners of her mouth turned up and her eyes brightened. “I love you, too,” she whispered then closed her eyes.
“I’ll be back with a cure soon, and when I return, I want to mate you,” Finn promised.
Talysia’s eyes went wide before a smile crossed her face. “Sounds perfect to me,” she agreed. Finn kissed her one more time before joining Blaine, who was carrying a bag with everything they needed to take to Jace.
Part of Finn’s heart stayed in Tatenen with Talysia as he shifted and headed on the most important mission of his life. Failure was not an option. He was going to the Tehrex Realm, Jace would develop a way to treat those afflicted, and then he was going to mate Talysia.
* * *
Chapter 17
Stumbling, Finn crossed the portal and breathed the sweet heather-scented air of the Scottish Highlands. He hadn’t been to the Tehrex Realm in some time, but he understood why Angus came to love the area.
History surrounded them, and it was steeped with power and magic. It attracted Finn’s inner dragon and brought it to the surface. The house was several yards from the crossover point from Khoth and new construction, but it was already covered by green moss, making it look far older.
“Lachlan, buddy,” Blaine called out as they crossed the grassy area.
“Blaine. ‘Tis good to see you. Although, I wish the circumstances were better,” Lachlan replied as he clasped Blaine’s forearm.
Finn repeated the gesture with Lachlan and met his smile. “Is Jace here?”
“Aye, he arrived no’ long ago. Come inside.”
Blaine followed Finn into the stone structure. The home had an open floorplan and opened into a sizeable room that connected to the kitchen. Jace was placing a bag on the dark leather sofa in front of a fireplace.
“Jace,” Finn said by way of greeting. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m glad to help. Sounds like you guys have had a helluva time lately,” Jace replied.
“Cyril has been relentless lately. We’ve been able to address nearly everything he’s thrown at us, but this bomb situation is foreign to us,” Finn explained to the Tehrex Realm healer.
“Using chemical weapons is nasty business, and I understand why your medical staff would be stumped. It doesn’t show up like so many other things. Most often, the first signs are seen with the blood count, but no source is easily identifiable. Thankfully, we are dealing with supernaturals. Humans would have died horrid deaths by now.”
Jace’s frank assessment served to send Finn’s anger skyrocketing. Finn didn’t know enough about sirens and fear was battling for top position with his rage. Talysia was completely unexpected, but precisely who he wanted and needed in his life. Nothing would be the same without her.
A hand on his shoulder drew Finn out of his musings. Blaine was watching him closely. “You coming?”
“Definitely,” Finn replied as he noticed Jace and Lachlan waiting by the door. He had no idea what was going on, but he followed them outside. When Lachlan opened the door to a car, Finn refused to allow himself to hesitate. It fascinated him the first time he visited the Tehrex realm and discovered the method of transportation.
They flew or walked everywhere on Khoth because there was no need for a vehicle like this. Those that didn’t fly could arrange for a dragon to take them where they wanted to go. Many dragons earned a living transporting others around their lands. Finn ignored the flutter in his stomach over being confined in a metal box and climbed into the black vehicle without voicing any of his questions.
Time was of the essence and he refused to cause anymore delays. Talysia, Phineas, and the royal family needed him to return sooner rather than later. Finn sat in the back seat with Jace while Lachlan drove, and Blaine sat in the passenger seat.
“What symptoms are the victims experiencing,” Jace asked as they traveled down the road.
“It started with a rash of sorts, and dizziness and fatigue,” Finn explained. “Now, most of them are coughing up blood. Oh, and I noticed Talysia had little appetite and seemed nauseous more often than not over the past couple weeks.”
The world passed by the windows in a blur, making Finn feel sick. Of course, that could be because this method of moving from one location to another was foreign to him.
Forcing himself to focus on something else, he thought about why he was there. The need to take action and do something to help his mate was making him slightly deranged. His dragon prowled just beneath his skin, ready to explode and attack at the slightest sign.
It was unsettling to say the least. Usually on Earth his dragon was subdued from being away from Khoth, and much easier to control. That was not the case at the moment. He wanted to avenge his mate.
“That fits with this type of weapon,” Jace said, drawing his attention. “And, it tells me this is a nerve agent similar to mustard gas, so it’s a place to start.”
“Does this gas affect water-based creatures?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Jace replied. “I assumed those exposed to the bomb were affected.”
“Not at all. Izzy was present during the explosion, as was Donovan,” Finn relayed, sharing the identities of individuals the sorcerer knew. Jace’s amethyst eyes narrowed and turned black, letting Finn know the warrior was pissed.
“They are fine and have shown no signs of infection. The only beings that seem impacted by the contamination are sea dragons, sirens, and most of the sea life.”
Blaine twisted around in his seat and joined the conversation. “That must be why the shark attacked Izzy.”
Finn hadn’t considered that before, but his fellow Maahes was right. The shark acted out of character when it tried to eat Izzy’s leg. “You’re right. Vampires aren’t on their menu. No way did that one suddenly get a hankering for her foot,” Finn added.
Jace held up his hands. “Goddess, what’s going on over there? Khoth was supposed to be safe for Izzy, and now I hear about dirty bombs and shark attacks. I do not want to be the one to tell Zander and Elsie about this.”
“They know about the shark incident. They visited her right after it happened. No one thought much of it at the time. We don’t get many shark attacks, but we assumed her energy signature confused the animal somehow,” Finn explained. “And, she has not been affected by the bomb. Izzy is in good health and enjoys the freedom she didn’t have here on Earth.”
“He’s right,” Blaine said from his position in the passenger seat. “Even as a little one it was obvious that she didn’t get out much. She’s blossomed on Khoth and is kicking ass in training.”
“That’s a relief. As a new parent, I find that I react to all kinds of
shit in ways I never did before. Little Xiomara is so small and helpless,” Jace shared. The smile that overtook the warrior’s face told Finn the love and joy he had as a parent.
“I can only imagine,” Finn interjected. “So, you think you can come up with something to help them?”
Jace nodded his head. “I’m not familiar with precisely what chemicals Cyril might have used to target water-based creatures, but that is of little consequence,” Jace explained. “I will use the equipment at the lab to get an exact structural makeup for the compound and then I can develop an antidote from there. The tricky part will be treating the oceans. That’s a lot of water to cleanse, and it will take time, but I can give the formula to Dyson.”
The weight sitting on Finn’s chest eased with the warrior’s words and he breathed a little easier. Before he knew it, they were pulling up to a low building and parking. Climbing from the vehicle, Finn followed behind the others and scanned the area for trouble. He noticed all of the others doing the same thing.
Finn imagined they looked rather intimidating as a group. The four of them had large, muscular builds, and it was clear to any onlookers they were trained for battle.
Jace stepped up to the glass doors and placed his palm on a small rectangular device. A tiny red light flashed and turned green before he reached for the handle and opened the portal.
“Well, hello there, beautiful,” Blaine flirted with a female standing near an elevator. That was something they had on Khoth, as well. Theirs were called lifts, but it was the same idea of a box that carried them to upper floors.
“There’s no time for you to pursue a female, Blaine,” Finn warned his friend.
“There’s always time to appreciate beauty,” Blaine retorted. The female’s cheeks turned pink and she glanced away from their exchange.
“Hey, Camilla. How’s it going?” Jace asked with a smile.
