Chapter 40

 

 

Tuatha Dé Danann

 

Dakkar found Macha stretched out on a lounger covered in white and gold fur. She stared out into an endless dimension that appeared to be an infinite sky.

In reality, the view was whatever she dreamed up in her home realm of Tuatha Dé Danann.

He’d spent years running a bounty operation, even cutting a deal with VIPER to allow him space to function in North America of the human world as long as his people performed the occasional operation for the coalition. He’d built quite an empire and most of the preternaturals had no idea just how large it was or how far his reach extended.

But Macha knew.

She and Dakkar went back, way back.

One day, he would have almost as much power as she did. Almost.

He couldn’t travel here unless she teleported him.

For now.

She’d been sullen since leaving Treoir Island. Let’s not sugarcoat it. She was tossed out.

Without moving a muscle to face him, she asked, “Do you bring good news, Dakkar?”

“Yes, and no.”

She moved a muscle this time and changed locations faster than he could blink. She had him up in the air with his throat gripped so tightly in one hand, he gasped for air. The goddess could not be harmed here.

He wouldn’t dare use power against her in this realm, not if he wanted to live another day.

Energy flashed around her in golden sparks.

He stroked her arm with his hand, trying to calm her.

After several long seconds of watching stars fly through his gaze, she released him. His feet hit the ground, but he had preternatural agility that he’d been born with, just another perk for a mage of his power.

He straightened his suit jacket and smoothed back his hair. Macha had once enjoyed running her hands through his black hair. He’d have her back in his bed again, but not until she saw him as an equal. His muscular body had served him well under the rule of Genghis Khan, but the majik he’d been born with and a keen intelligence had made the difference between dying in that era or becoming immortal.

All he had to do was hand Macha what she wanted and she would give him what he wanted, with a smile. He cleared his throat and explained, “I was successful in my campaign with Lorwerth.”

“Oh?”

Now he had her attention. “Yes, the Laochra Fola performed as expected. We even had Kizira’s body in hand at one time.”

At one time is the same as saying you failed to gain possession of it. I had a purpose for that body.” She floated away, ignoring him.

Actually, he wanted to thrash Lorwerth for costing him Kizira’s body and the gryphons, but all of them were expendable in view of the greater goal. “I understand my dove, but that body has too many people vying for it. Besides, that’s hardly the good news.”

Turning on a loud sigh, she said, “Then enlighten me.”

“We had Evalle and Tristan captive along with the tomb.”

She flew back to him. “And?”

“Daegan came for them himself.”

Now he had her attention. Her eyes glowed with excitement. “Did you kill that dragon?”

“Not yet.”

She flew away, screaming in rage.

Gorgeous female minions came running in. “What do you require of us, goddess?”

“Nothing. Go away.”

They were gone just as quickly.

Macha swept around in a flurry of sparkling gold and red. Her entire gown moved as a light display. “How is any of this good news?”

“Because now I know for sure I can bring Daegan out of Treoir. He’s arrogant in thinking he’s safe.”

She didn’t praise him, but neither did she blast him. “How many of my Beladors did you kill?”

“None actually. When you take control of Treoir again, you’ll still have an army.”

If I take control again,” she said, floating down to settle on the lounger again with an exquisite but glum face.

Now that the atmosphere had improved, Dakkar strolled over. “Not if, but when. I told you. We both have goals. I’m here to help with yours, then you can help with mine.”

“I want that dragon dead. The minute he’s dead that island is mine again.”

“Soon, but not yet. You need the Beladors to want to follow you again. That isn’t going to happen right now and definitely not if you are blamed for killing their new pet dragon. Everything will happen in its own time. At the right time. I would have preferred to deliver the body and gryphons to you as well as kill Daegan. Were that within my power, it would have happened,” he pointed out to remind her she could have given him additional juice for facing Daegan. “I was not in a position to kill the dragon, but the additional good news is that he now thinks Maeve was behind all of this.”

The energy that had been firing around her calmed.

She smiled, which was the same as high praise from this goddess.

Finally, the time Dakkar had spent dealing with that miserable Lorwerth and his heinous Laochra Fola was going to pay dividends.

He eased down next to her, taking Macha’s slender hand in his. He kissed the soft skin, looking forward to gaining more than her good graces. “You are too beautiful to be kept tucked away in this realm. You are too powerful to be denied. You are too intelligent to allow anyone to outplay you. I am your servant in all things.”

“Very well. What do you have in mind, Dakkar?”

Here was the woman he could play like a finely-tuned instrument.