The island loomed upon us too fast. With all the Aster business, I felt even more ill prepared for meeting the ancients. We flew into what looked like a village straight out of a National Geographic magazine. Little huts complete with thatched roofs lined dirt roads.
“What in the world?” I breathed out as we finally touched down. “I feel like I just stepped back into time.” “Not all the Outskirts are like this one. This is the oldest,” Blake explained. “Each island usually has two or three clans living on it. They decide how it will be run. And what the living conditions will be like.”
I gaped at Blake. “So some islands are more like City and some are like this?”
“Yep,” Mack said.
Blake’s hand brushed my arm. “Don’t worry. These guys are peaceful for the most part.”
“I don’t really understand who the ancients are anyway,” I said, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of life. So far, no one was out of their little huts. “I mean, I know they are dragons and damsels who can’t do camo, and that some can’t even morph back at all. Didn’t Tonbo say he injected himself first? Wouldn’t that mean he can’t camo or morph either?”
“He couldn’t at first, but he can now,” Mack answered.
“So why can’t the ancients? He must have figured out how to change himself to do it, why not them too?” I asked, rubbing my arms. The seeming emptiness of the place gave me the creeps. Where is everybody?
“They could if they wanted to change, but they don’t,” Blake answered, grimacing.
“What? Why not? Don’t they want to be normal again? Able to live where they want?” I asked.
Blake’s frown deepened. Mack shrugged. “They like living here,” Mack said. “You see, when Tonbo first took the serum, he hadn’t expected the wings to come with it. He’d always just been fascinated with dragonflies. There were so many legends and rumors of their healing abilities. Their strength, agility, long life, and incredible senses. As a scientist, he wanted to see what would happen if he combined it with human DNA. Like I said, he’s a curious man.”
“Sometimes too curious,” Blake quipped, but it wasn’t in a critical tone.
“Yeah,” Mack agreed. “And we all know curiosity killed the cat.”
“Which in Tonbo’s case,” Blake said, “his curiosity led to the Germans years later, forcing him to create super soldiers, who then turned into out-of-control bugs that hunted and killed his own family.”
I glanced over at Blake. “If Tonbo was born in the 1800s, wouldn’t his family have been long gone by World War Two?” I asked, but then it hit me. “Unless they took the serum too…”
“You’re right. They did, but not right away,” Blake answered. “When it became apparent that Tonbo’s wings weren’t going away, his family and some of his closest friends decided to take the serum and go into hiding too.”
I glanced around at the village before me. “So the ancients are those who went into hiding with Tonbo?”
Blake nodded, turning down a side path that led to one hut that was set off from the rest. “Yes, most of them anyway. This island is made up of Tonbo’s original followers. Remember I told you four ancients are missing?”
“Yeah.”
Blake gestured to the small house before us with his chin. “This is Alek’s home; he’s one of the ones missing. Alek studied under Mendel during Tonbo’s time.”
“Did he help Tonbo with the serum?” I asked.
Mack answered. “He did, but Tonbo was the lead scientist. It was his work that had the final breakthrough. That’s why the Germans came after him. They threatened to kill Tonbo’s family and followers if he didn’t comply.”
“So why didn’t the bug kill the other ancients when it killed his family?” I asked Blake as we approached the door. I’d turned to face Blake and didn’t notice the small, wooden barrier opening.
“It did kill some of us,” a female voice answered. I whirled to see a short, petite woman. Her gray hair was knotted in a bun, her body covered in a yellow sundress that left her golden-brown shoulders exposed. It was her wings that drew my eyes in. It was as if they’d been dipped in a glitter with every color of the rainbow bouncing back at me.
“Galina,” Blake said, bending down to kiss both sides of the woman’s face.
“Blake, it’s been too long,” the woman answered, a smile spreading across her face. She peered around Blake. “And Mack too.”
Mack stepped up and followed Blake’s actions, giving a swift kiss to the woman’s face.
“Sorry for your loss,” Mack said quietly as he pulled back.
The smile faltered on Galina’s face as she shook her head. “Still can’t believe he’s gone, but I refuse to believe he’s dead.” She glanced over at me, and her face brightened. “But where are your manners, boys? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely new friend?”
I hadn’t missed the opportunity to search Galina’s face for any trace of familiarity while the boys had greeted her. I inwardly sighed. Nothing about her or this place gave me déjà vu.
Blake placed his hand on the small of my back. “You’re right. Forgive me. Galina, this is Samantha Campbell.”
Galina’s smile reached her eyes, and I felt myself relax. With all the guys’ vague warnings about the ancients, I didn’t detect any malice in the woman before me.
“What a gorgeous damsel you are, my dear,” she said, her eyes sweeping from Blake to Mack, “I see why you have captivated two of Tonbo’s finest.”
And just like that, whatever comfort I’d been feeling vanished. My face flushed as both guys stiffened next to me.
“Nice to meet you, Galina,” I forced myself to say, unsure if I should kiss her face too. Instead, I reached out my hand. She clasped it, giving it a firm shake.
“Why don’t we go inside for some tea?” she asked, pulling me inside her home by the hand she hadn’t let go of.
I stumbled after her, glancing at Blake for reassurance. He nodded me on. Saying no to the woman was obviously out of the question anyway. As I entered her small home, I was surprised to see the level of comfort within. With how shabby the outward appearance of this village was, I expected dirt floors with some wooden furniture. Instead, I stepped onto a comfortable shag rug. There was a small kitchen, a living room with a couch, two armchairs peppered with bright floral pillows, and a hallway leading to what I assumed was a bedroom and bathroom. I hoped for the latter because I was not a fan of going in the wild.
Galina pointed to the couch. “Please make yourself comfortable. I will see to the tea, unless you’d prefer some cold water,” she added, probably noticing how we were all covered in a thin sheen of sweat. I couldn’t imagine drinking hot tea right now; nothing sounded more tortuous. I was boiling inside already.
“Water’s great, Galina,” Blake said, not sitting but ushering the old woman gently toward the couch. “But why don’t you let me get it?”
She looked like she was about to protest, but then she sighed. “Oh, I suppose it wouldn’t be too improper to let someone serve me for a change.” She relented with a smile, settling onto the couch.
I decided to sit next to the woman, my eyes still scanning the room for any trace of familiarity. Nothing.
“You were saying some of the ancients died when the bug came?” I asked, hoping she wouldn’t mind my prodding.
Her gaze dropped to the floor, staring at the rug below our feet. “Yes. We tried to defend ourselves, but it got to Tonbo’s family first. You have to understand—none of us knew what Tonbo had created. All we knew was he’d been forced to go with the Nazis. We didn’t know those things even existed. Then it’s there… killing his family before they even knew what hit them.”
She glanced over at me, the pain in her expression looking as fresh as if this had all happened yesterday, not years ago.
“The rest of us saw what was happening and fought back.” Her gaze landed on her hands, which were clasped in her lap. Her thumb rubbed the knuckles of her other hand. It was then I noticed the slightly pink discoloration she was stroking. That’s a scar with lots of history behind it.
She cleared her throat. “But the bug still killed many more of us. By the time Tonbo showed up, we’d ended it. It wasn’t over for Tonbo, though. He swore he’d avenge himself of the monsters he’d been forced to create. From that day on, he locked himself in his lab, working night and day to improve his serum. One of the first things he wanted to change was the ability to morph back. He felt we needed to still be part of society, functioning as citizens in whatever country we might have been from.”
“But the others didn’t want that?” I asked, not wanting to be rude since she was one of those who’d opted not to change.
She shook her head. “You have to understand that when Tonbo gave us the choice to integrate back into society, the world was at war. Seeing what one evil leader did with such scientific advances made us realize it was safest for us and the rest of the world if we stayed separated.”
Her gaze hardened. “Not that it did any good. So many Dragon Fae go around almost flaunting what we are, causing trouble for everyone.”
“You’re right,” Blake agreed. “And there is one dragon causing a lot more problems than you think.”
She glanced at him, her brows furrowing. “What do you mean?”
Blake sighed. “I’m afraid Kory’s creating a bug army.”
Galina gasped, her thumb rubbing her scarred knuckle a little faster. “What? How’s that possible? Those creatures are long gone…”
Blake sighed. “I wish that were true, Galina.” Blake then told her about Kory and Jaxon. I could tell by the strain in his tone that he didn’t relish sharing the information.
With a tight jaw, Blake concluded, “We’re pretty sure he’s gathering supplies. Taking what he needs, which unfortunately, includes brilliant genetic engineers like your husband.” Galina shook her head. “Alek will never go along with it. It’s what they did to Tonbo all over again. What is Kory thinking?”
“Who knows with that looney,” Mack grumbled.
Her face contorted with a rage that shocked me. One minute, she was a kind old lady, and the next, she looked halfway crazed. Instinctively, I leaned away from her a bit on the couch.
“He will pay for this,” she hissed. “He doesn’t even begin to understand what fire he is playing with.”
Blake didn’t seemed shocked by her display of fury. If anything, his face mimicked hers. “Trust me,” he said, his tone dark. “No one wants justice for Kory’s crimes more than I do.”
Even knowing Blake had every right not to forgive Kory for what he’d done, I shuddered to think of what their next meeting would be like. I shifted in my seat, my wings suddenly itching to take off. I tried to ignore their pleading. There was no reason to bolt, was there?
Then it hit me why I felt so antsy. Everyone was furious with what Kory was doing; the hatred for him was palpable. What if Sammy is in on it all too? I mean, isn’t that why we are here now? What if she played a part in Alek’s abduction? Would Galina be so forgiving of her? Or me? Would Blake? How can I even live with myself?
“So do you think that’s why so many Irukas went with him?” Galina asked, her lips set in a firm line.
Blake cocked his head to the side. “You guys know about that?”
“Of course we do,” she said sharply. “The Irukas have watched over us for years. With over half gone now, we’re exposed. Wonder if that’s how Kory got to Alek and the others.”
Blake and Mack glanced at each other, but they didn’t say anything.
“You said the Irukas have watched over you? How?” I asked, hoping she wouldn’t snap at me too.
Galina met my gaze. “The Irukas have always been loyal to us. They feel much the same about the world. Over the years, we’ve formed a symbiotic relationship. They protect us from unwanted visitors, and we take care of any physical needs they may have. We keep the waters pure and clean and make sure they always have adequate fish supplies.”
I wanted to ask what the Irukas did with those unwanted visitors, but I held my peace. After feeling the effect Aster’s song had had on me, I was almost afraid of the answer.
“We’re aren’t sure why they followed Kory,” Mack said. “But Aster told us Kory fed them all a lot of crap about a higher calling and a coming war. Maybe the Irukas decided which team they wanted to be on.”
Galina shook her head. “Seems strange to me. They’ve never wanted to be involved in the politics of man. That was why they chose to become the way they are.”
“But some don’t share the same sentiment,” Blake said, folding his arms. “The newer ones have different ideas. Honestly, Tonbo has been worried about the growing restlessness he’s sensed among the natural born.”
I gaped at Blake. Natural born? Did that mean the Irukas could actually have children? That some of them were born that way?
I was dying to ask, but Blake had walked over to the closest window. Gazing out, he said, “Well, if Kory recruited the Irukas, we know at least one thing now.” We waited as he continued to stare out. “Kory’s operation is surrounded by water. Probably a remote island somewhere.”
“And probably in the Pacific Ocean,” I offered. “I mean, I’m guessing he wouldn’t want them to have to swim across the world.” As I said it, I wondered just how far they did go. Were there Irukas all over?
Galina nodded back at me. “You’re probably right, Samantha. The Irukas don’t care for long-distance swimming. Most of them have remained relatively close.”
As Blake and Mack agreed with Galina, I inhaled. So far, nothing had pointed a finger at Sammy. Maybe all of my paranoia over her was really nothing. I mean, I had no hard evidence she’d done anything other than change me. Kate being gone and the ancients’ disappearance could really all just be Kory’s doing. Even the strain between Jocelyn could just be normal sibling stuff. For all I know, she’s on too strict of a diet and it’s making her cranky.
I let my wings relax and fall flat as the tension worked its way out of my shoulders. Everything’s going to be fine. Kory’s the bad guy, not me.
Galina glanced over at me. “You know, Samantha, now that I’m getting a better look at you, you seem familiar.” She frowned in concentration. “Have we met before?”
Her words sent a jolt through me. My wings tensed as all my inner peace shattered.