Khent stormed off and left us hanging around without any clue as to what was going on. The servants brought food, the guards growled at us any time we made a move toward the exit or tried to get through the door Khent had used.
Isaiah conjured comfy furniture, a few large rugs with cushions and even a working fireplace. “No reason to stand around while we wait.”
Jay curled up on a large cushion near the fireplace, snoring away in no time at all. Brina pulled a book out of her leather traveling bag and stretched out on the couch. Isaiah positioned himself on a cushioned window ledge. All three seemed content to wait.
Vantor spouted steam as he paced back and forth. No joke.
I approached him with caution even though I was pretty sure he wasn’t pissed at me. “Why don’t you try to relax?” I realized my mistake when Brina and Isaiah groaned in unison.
“Relax? The goblin has insulted our kind. Wyn would not put up with this treatment and I am his representative. I will eat Khent and his guards, then deposit their remains in piles along their pathways.”
“Deposit their…?” Oh, gods.
His pacing grew more determined, his footfalls heavy, his strides longer than mine.
I tried again. “Anything I can help with?”
“Why do you need this male and his goblins? Goblins are not warriors. Neither are most species who live in this land. Goblins will run into the forest, dig holes in the dirt and cover their small bodies. You will have dragons at your back. You do not need the crude, uncivil unseelie male who falsely calls himself king.” His irises glowed golden.
He deserved an answer, so I put some healing energy into my tone. “I have good reasons which I promise to discuss with you when we are done here. Meanwhile, I’ll see what I can do about wrapping this up.”
I winked, then strode toward one of the guards, painting on a concerned expression. I spoke in Rux so he’d understand. “That large male standing near the enormous portrait of your king is a dragon shifter.”
“They do not exist.”
“They do in fact exist. I thought I should warn you and your sire.”
“Warn us?”
“If Khent doesn’t come back, he’s gonna blow his top.”
To prove the point, Vantor shot out a straw-sized blast of fire at the rectangular portrait, cutting a path around the painting along the inside of the frame. He stepped aside with a satisfied expression just as the painting dropped face down onto the floor with a loud bang, leaving the frame still hanging. Smoke smelling of chemicals rose at the edges.
The guards spoke a dozen words I didn’t understand in rapid fire, then ignored me. Goblins had their own language which I’d never learned. Not that I could have pronounced it. I could barely form words in Rux.
“Whatever he has in mind won’t be as bad as what King Khent will do to us if we let you leave.” Isaiah translated without being asked.
I scratched my jaw. A shave was in order, but who had time? “He’s probably trying to digest what we’ve told him about his people suffering under Naberia.”
The dragon grunted. “No. He cares not for his people. He is sulking because we were truthful and called him a coward.”
Khent appeared suddenly beside his fallen portrait, having taken the lines. Vantor crossed his arms and Khent’s shoulders slumped. “I owe you all an apology.”
“About time.” Isaiah stretched and stood. He pointed at the downed painting. “Good likeness.” He kicked Jay gently in the hip and Jay was instantly on his feet, running both hands back and forth over his face then straightening his clothing.
“I’m good. I’m good.”
Khent dismissed his guards. “I have not treated you as a host should treat his guests. Yes, you were abrupt and unexpected, yet I am not a barbarian, despite what some species believe.” He tipped his head toward Vantor but continued to smile at me. “You are welcome in my kingdom and I look forward to a more in-depth discussion on the topic of my accompanying you to your realm.”
Vantor and Isaiah were about to butt in so I raised my hand and they shut their mouths. “I thank you, your highness, but there is no time for long discussions. You must come now. Even if you cannot bring your entire army, you must come now with as many as are ready.”
“I have no army.”
I forced my hands to stay by my sides. Grabbing the goblin by the collar and choking him into submission sounded too satisfying.
“Impossible,” Isaiah said. “He’s joking.”
“He is not. This is as I expected.” Vantor moved behind me.
Brina stood to my right. “Explain.” Her tone dipped an octave.
“My people enjoy a peaceful existence. Yes, the odd unseelie eats the other odd unseelie, but mostly we are content with life in our realm. I have no need to assemble an army and have them march about without an enemy to aim them towards.”
“Naberia is the enemy and you promised me an army.”
“According to my spies she is still amassing her army.”
“The bargain with the fae will be withdrawn as I am not there. Naberia will attack any day now. How long would it take to gather your army?”
“I’d have to send out notices for volunteers. It will take time to outfit them based on their individual physical and mental needs. We have species here who are not shaped as we are. Arming and clothing them will be quite challenging, I fear.”
“Just use your goblins. They’re more or less uniform,” Brina said.
“I’m afraid this is simply impossible. The loss of life will be too great. All to satisfy creatures from other realms who crave the excitement of bloody battles.”
“No one wants war but Naberia.”
“You think so?”
“You don’t?”
“Who might benefit if fae and demons blew each other to bits?”
Ice crawled up my spine. “Someone like you.” He didn’t respond. “You attended the meeting at the Carmel villa. You supported my leadership.”
“Many might see it as logical for a king to encourage an inexperienced child to lead a war between two of his enemies.”
I moved forward, fury burning a hole in my gut. Somehow, I managed to keep my voice calm. “If you do not support us against Naberia, you dishonor yourself and your people.”
He smiled at me with a gleam in his eyes. “My people care more about survival than honor.”
“You’re afraid. Admit it,” Brina said.
“I do admit it. I am the ruler of a people without strong magic, without the advantages the demon and fae races were born with. We live in a too-crowded realm where many struggle to survive simply because there isn’t enough land for crops or livestock. When the war ends, unseelie will have a chance to reclaim territory stolen from us. Perhaps even claim new territory as well.”
Vantor pushed me aside and I stumbled into Isaiah. He probably thought he was being gentle about it, but then dragons didn’t seem to have much finesse. “You are a coward and we do not need you. Dragons will be fighting beneath, above and beside this courageous young male. No demons in the three realms will be able to defeat us.
“Hide under a rock like a lizard if you wish but hear my words. If your people arrive to fight against us, know that our vengeance will be swift and bloody.” Vantor rose to his full height, making the Goblin King look like a child. “It will take my clan mere minutes to defeat your thousands.”
No one did arrogant warrior better than dragons. They even beat out Aedus for nose in the air attitude, but this bickering wasn’t helping.
Khent was breathing hard, looking as determined as Vantor. “I will not send an untrained army into a battle they have no chance to survive.”
I stepped around the angry dragon and placed my hand on the hilt of my ancient dagger, one of the nine most powerful magical weapons ever created. “Naberia will snatch your subjects up and send them to their slaughter.” I sighed and leaned down so we were closer in height. “You should give them a choice.”
“To die under your command or your great grandmother’s.” Khent shrugged.
“I would do everything possible to place them where they have the best chance at survival. They would not act as my vanguard.” Frustrated, I paced away and back. “If you will not come, then find a way to make your realm’s shields strong enough to keep the archdemon out, or at least to delay her. With a war to fight, she won’t waste too much energy trying to get inside.”
Khent sheathed his dagger. “I have a not so secret weapon I believe you are acquainted with.”
In a flash, Zerian appeared. A dark-haired beauty with eyes as bright as her father’s but whose other features and form resembled her mother’s. She reached for me. “Charles. How wonderful to see you after hearing news of your deeds. You’ve grown into a proper warrior.” I laughed as I squeezed her hands, then released them as she turned to Brina. “Lady Brina. Welcome. Still guarding I see.” Brina snaked an arm around my waist and Zerian’s smile turned mischievous. “A good choice for both of you.”
I quickly introduced everyone else.
Zerian was the child of Khent and the former queen of Faerie, Fionna. Her High Seelie Fae and unseelie blood was a powerful mixture, but I wasn’t convinced she’d be able to create the kind of shield necessary to keep out the archdemon.
“I see concern in your features, but I am back to my full strength, thanks to you and King Finvarra. I will protect my realm when father leaves.”
“Leaves?” Was he really going to run away and hide somewhere?
My body tensed as Khent moved toward me, but when he bowed and rose again with a smile, I almost had to conjure a chair for my wobbly knees. “I will fight beside you, Charles. Only, I will come alone. I will not sacrifice my people for the greed of others.”
“You’ll come?” Had I heard him correctly?
“Yes, I’ll join your company. Your…team.” He gave Isaiah a smug smile. “I’ve had my travel bag and weapons packed for some time now.”
“So why the argument?” I asked.
“I had to see if you were strong enough to put me in my place. But also if you would agree to allow my people to remain safe. I could not follow a powerful leader who has no heart.”
“You’re an old fool, Khent. Mother will target you if you come alone.” Isaiah sighed, a soft laugh following. “But I’m strangely pleased to have you along on our journey.”
“You are the demon with the target on his back.”
“Mine is just larger than yours.”
Khent laughed. “I’ve lived a long life. Many a night I’ve dreamed of meeting Naberia on a field of battle. My ancient dagger is equal to hers; my will is tenacious. I may yet shock the supernatural world.”
“I can believe that.” I shook my head, disappointed I was returning with one goblin instead of thousands, yet my mind was already spinning with how I might use Khent in the best way. I’d need to learn more about his magic before I could make a final decision.
“Will kelpies be available? I haven’t ridden one in hundreds of years.” Khent asked.
“I’ll be fighting on dragon back.”
“Perhaps I might find a dragon who would honor me in that way.” Khent gazed at Vantor.
“My beast and I are not persuaded.” The dragon stepped closer. “Convince me you are worthy.”
“I have never been one to back down from a challenge.”
Vantor’s gaze took in the gaudily dressed, oddly shaped male, yet none of us could miss the fire of excitement burning in Khent’s heart. “We shall see.”
“Wonderful!” He clapped his hands. “We’ll leave tomorrow after breakfast.”
“We leave now. Get your things.” It was important that I made it clear right from the start who was leading this team.
“I must inform my staff. My council.”
“Two hours.”
Khent raised a brow and turned to Isaiah, who moved closer to me in an obvious show of support. “With Charles we finally have a chance to clean up Mother’s mess. I follow him without reservation and you must also. You did promise, you know. I was there.”
“Even I have agreed.” Vantor lowered his chin, his eyes swirling, reflecting a level of magic most shifters only dreamed about.
Khent didn’t bother looking to Jay or Brina. Discounting their abilities wasn’t unexpected, but it wouldn’t take long before Khent would see for himself that magical power came in all forms.
Since we had two hours to kill, we were shown to rooms where we were able to bathe and eat. Afterward, we met back in the common room. The painting was hanging again, but in a smaller frame.
“Where now?” Isaiah asked.
“Crescent City, in case my parents are there.”
“You could try to contact them,” Jay said, munching on a bag of treats one of the rill servants had called honey nuggets.
“I get only interference.”
“Shouldn’t we stop back at the dragon’s lair? Pick up a few more oversized reptiles?” Brina gave Vantor the side-eye.
The dragon tilted his head, curious. “I cannot decide whether you truly despise my people or if you are aching for a fight, lady fae.”
Brina tossed her blonde hair to the side and met his gaze. “The latter. I’m used to sparring with my sister when she gets too prideful.”
Vantor’s grin spread slowly across his broad face. “I am at your service in that regard.”
Cheetah claws pushed against my fingertips as he slowly pulled a sword from a scabbard that wasn’t there five seconds ago.
Damn dragon.
Brina laughed. I growled. She laughed even harder and moved close, kissing my cheek and sending me a private message. “The dragon’s fancy sword does not impress me.”
“Better not.”
“The male ego is so fragile.”
“You’re worth all the angst.”
“And you are wise to think so.” The sweet brush of her lips against mine calmed my cheetah and made me wish for some privacy.
Isaiah coughed. “Just a thought, but you might ask me what I think about where we should go next.”
“You have no say. Charles is our leader.” Vantor made himself comfortable placing his enormous bare feet on the low table.
“The team doesn’t work that way,” I said.
“Told ya.” Isaiah smirked at Vantor before twisting in my direction. “Why not stop at the villa? I can check in with my people.” Isaiah had a group of loyal servants and their families staying in small homes scattered around the villa. He’d given them jobs and they were quite happy with the arrangement. Most of them were unseelie species.
“From there I may be able to reach Mom or Dad. So, yes, one day at the villa. No more.” I turned to Brina and took her hand in mine. “What do you think will happen if we show up in Faerie with the Goblin King, a bunch of dragons and Naberia’s evil son?”
“Nice, nephew. I’m also Finvarra’s son.”
“Sorry, Unc. They won’t see it that way.”
“Our fae citizens have to meet him at one point or another. Better before the battle begins,” Brina spread her hands. “They must learn to trust him as they trust you. It would probably be best to invite the council to Carmel or Crescent City. At least the members who are still our friends.”
A loud snore had us turning toward Jay.
“We need to wake up Jay so he can put in his two cents. Unc? You’re closest.”
Isaiah held up his hands. “Ask the dragon. His skin is tougher.”
“I will wake the grizz.” Vantor shifted position on the couch.
“No, Vantor. I’ll do it…” Brina rose, but it was too late.
Bear shifters needed two things and they needed them often. Lots of sleep and lots of food. He’d just eaten enough for three shifters, so now he was in hiber mode, as he liked to call it. He didn’t need to hibernate in the cold weather like natural bears, but when he slept his heartbeat slowed and breathing sometimes calmed to the point he might look dead to someone who didn’t know about bears. Power naps were Jay’s friend, sometimes only lasting ten minutes.
But if someone he didn’t know all that well tried to wake him up before he was ready…
Vantor nudged Jay in the side with his bare foot. “Up, beary!”
A second later, I gasped as Jay flew through the air toward Vantor, claws out, fangs bared, a deep growl echoing loud enough to make us cringe. He hadn’t pulled a complete shift, but he could still do some serious hurt.
Fast as a blink, Vantor was on his feet and turning away, his bare back, neck and shoulders covered in shiny scales. Jay slammed into him, meaning to dig the razor-sharp claws deep. Instead, Jay’s still human face slammed into Vantor’s hard as a rock shoulder, his claws scraping for purchase. As the rest of us tried to catch our breath, Jay slid to the floor, having done about as much damage as feathers against a rock wall.
He landed in a heap, face down. “Grizzly,” he croaked. “Not beary.”
Isaiah stood on the central table. “Ding, ding, ding! We’ve found a winner. Vantor is now Jay’s official alarm clock.”
I crouched beside my buddy. “You okay?”
“Uh huh. Only lost a few.” He spit out a tooth and handed it to me. “Uch. I might’a swallow one.”
“Jay bear. I apologize. It was instinct for me to defend myself without doing harm to you. I did not mean…”
Jay waved his hand around like he was shooing a mosquito. “S’cool.”
Vantor offered his hand and Jay got up. His face was a bloody mess and his nose was sticking out at a strange angle.
“Sit here,” I said.
“Doin’ y’ur mojo?” His voice sounded muffled
“Yes.”
“Will gro ba?” He pointed at the hole where a tooth should have been.
“If you can shift when I’m done, you’ll be scarfing down steak in a day or so.” Healing in animal form was always faster.
Jay nodded and sat. I cleaned the blood with a wash of magic, then laid both hands on his cheeks. “Ow.”
“Shh.”
Vantor crouched nearby so he could see more clearly. “What is mojo?”
“A nickname the team uses for unique or personal magic. Charlie is a healer,” Isaiah explained.
I breathed in and out, then called to my healer and my demon blood, the buzz in my chest growing stronger as I added intent. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just a sign the magic was working. Soothing waves of healer magic formed a cloud around his head, clarifying the muddiness in Jay’s aura which always occurred when someone was in pain or ill. Clearing the aura would enable his own shifter powers to kick in a little faster.
My chest heated as I released fingers of demon magic to position and re-root two of the three teeth. Cloning the third and fitting it into the last space took a bit longer. Jay would have to stick to a liquid diet for twenty-four hours, but after that he should be fine.
The nose was an easier fix. A quick jerk to straighten, a few words of a spell to lessen all the facial swelling and finally a mild pain killer so he’d be able to sleep.
He was snoring a moment later.
“Should have just let him sleep. This adds another few hours to our stay in unseelie territory.” Standing, I stretched my arms to the ceiling and out, rolling my shoulders, then rubbing the back of my neck. I needed to hit the gym and spar with Sasha or Liam. Work some spells with Isaiah. Maybe beg Brina for a massage. Overeating and sitting around wasn’t keeping me in shape, mentally or physically.
“You’re glowing, young demon,” Vantor said.
“Yeah. Happens when I blend the magics.” A soothing warmth coursed through my veins for several minutes after I’d worked a healing spell.
“That is mojo indeed.” Vantor sat again.
“When we arrive at the Carmel villa, we should contact King Rylen. He probably hasn’t been informed of the archdemon’s attempt to take you from Faerie,” Isaiah said.
“Great idea.”
“Do you speak of the Kelpie King?” The dragon’s eyes narrowed in focus. “I’ve heard they are quite tasty if prepared properly.”
I nudged his feet off the table then sat in their place so I could meet his gaze straight on. “No eating the allies. Not allowed. No arguing.”
“This journey is trying.” He scowled. “My dragon must feed more often than your beasts.”
“The excitement will be picking up in a day or so,” I promised, at the same time hoping I was wrong.
“Thank the ancients.” He leaned back, folded his arms, and closed his eyes. “I shall rest now.”
“Do you wake up like Jay?” That would really be a disaster.
“No. I am a civilized creature, unlike Jay Bear.” He opened one eye and peered at my friend. “He is very large in his true form. Not dragon large but…”
“He’s much larger than any natural bear on record.”
“He carries the blood of a sorcerer.”
“But that gets cancelled out by his shifter genes.”
“I believe the reason—”
Isaiah interrupted Vantor. “There are always exceptions. You should know. Charlie.” The dragon growled. Isaiah pretended to look remorseful. “Oh, sorry. Did you have something else to say?”
Vantor closed his eyes and didn’t respond.
“Are there any in the Demon Realm besides dragons who might be convinced to follow Charles?” Brina asked.
“My people are frightened for their families. I can’t blame them. Naberia could wipe out their entire line in a few seconds if she discovered they’ve done anything to help Charlie. If I were Khent, I might have protected my people in the same way. Goblins are not warriors. They’re scrappy and love a good bar fight, but on a battlefield, they’d die faster than ants in a forest fire.” Isaiah pressed his hand against the back of his neck and sighed. “I’ve put in a call to another… Well, until I hear back, I’m not at liberty to discuss this particular group.”
“Unc…”
“Trust me. Have your parents told you anything about the Master of the Wild Hunt?”
“Yeah. Super spooky dude. Far D’or—”
“Don’t speak his name!”
“Sorry.”
“Anyway, the group I’ve contacted is spookier.”
“Let me know…”
“Oh, you’ll know. One day.”
The hair on my arms prickled. I sure hope Isaiah hadn’t made things worse.
When Khent finally showed up and Jay woke on his own, we took the lines to Wyn’s cave, only to find our plans and their cave in shambles. The scent of blood, dragon and demon, filled every room. Furnishings had been crushed or torn apart. Treasures the dragons had cherished were stolen from walls, storerooms, and cabinets. Not one weapon remained, nor one survivor. All the dragons had disappeared.
After a thorough search, Vantor knelt on the ledge and pledged an oath to the moon and stars that he would save his clan and destroy the demons who’d desecrated their home. We gave him time to pull himself together, then left through the lines. Thoughts of all the bad decisions I’d made on this trip to find allies turned my stomach into queasy knots and shredded the tentative confidence I’d manage to build.
I prayed my actions hadn’t killed us all.