Page 12

D om thought he’d identified the problem, but there were some twists he didn’t understand. He needed other opinions. And a solution.

The happy couple was the first to drop into his salon. Ohngel landed, his feathers blazing. Indigo rode in on the back of her gryphon. Stumbling to his knees when he tried to set his taloned feet to the tile, Oskar eventually righted himself. He tucked his wings in as the witch slid down his flank.

Madeline, resting on floor pillows with her hands twisting in her lap, wide-eyed the spectacular arrival.

Dom pointed at the beast. “Is he housebroken? I don’t want him shitting in here.” Before she could answer, he added, “And there’s a wolver who comes around on occasion. He wouldn’t enjoy being gryphon chow.”

When Indigo stroked Oskar’s scaly neck, he purred, a sound that didn’t fit the eagle-lion-dragon mix. “Aw. Dom, you have a pet.”

“No. I do not,” he snapped. “The critter’s not mine. He just stops by for food now and then.”

Indigo jerked her hands to her hips. “Well, Oskar would not be so crude. He’s a terrific houseguest. You hear that, buddy? No tasty wolver for you. And no pooping on the floor.”

The gryphon blinked.

Madeline had rocketed off her pillow. She’d likely never encountered a gryphon before. Or even someone like the witch. Maybe it was Ohngel who made her googly-eyed.

Once Dom made the intros and Madeline insisted on being called Maddy, Indigo flashed a smile, shook out her skirt, and rushed toward the human, her shitload of bracelets jingling. She gathered the female in for a big hug.

Watching the exchange carefully, Dom prepared to intervene in case Indigo cast a spell or some such shit.

When Madeline broke from the embrace, her eyes bounced from Indigo to Oskar. “What’s that?”

Indigo said, “A gryphon. Pretty much.”

Oskar plopped his large ass down, occupying an unfair portion of Dom’s salon.

Madeline was slack-jawed. “A live gryphon? They’re real? I’ve seen pictures of the mythical beasts, but they didn’t have scales.”

Ohngel’s mate sported a proud smile. “Indeed, they are real. Mine’s a dragon upgrade, though. He was a little despondent, feeling unattractive. We agreed some scales were just the bling he needed.”

“May I touch him?”

“I don’t know. Ask.”

Madeline smiled. “He talks?”

Indigo shook her head. “No, but he understands.”

“Oskar, may I pet you?”

His neck whipped up and down.

Once he’d consented, the mesmerized human stroked the fur on his haunches. Oskar twitched, swung his head around, and licked her hand with a long tongue. She jerked back, laughed, and resumed petting the creature.

Ohngel stopped the lovefest. “You called us to talk, Dom.”

Continuing to stroke Oskar, Madeline said, “You’re Ohngel. The Immortal who saved Earth. I saw you on the news.”

Seeing her star-struck by his fire-winged brethren, Dom contained the unexpected jealousy that bubbled up inside him. It was irrational. This female brought out emotions he chose to bury, and he didn’t like them. He’d avoided messy connections for centuries. Yet now, a human threatened his stability.

What the fuck?

Dom signaled Madeline to return to her pillows near the fireplace, which she did immediately upon his command.

He studied the human and Indigo as they settled close to the warmth and each other, chatting like old friends, their heads together while they whispered.

Ohngel chose nearby cushions, his gaze also on the females. The fire-winged assassin stretched his legs out, his ankles crossed and his arms behind his head. As always, when he stared at his mate, his gray eyes, normally razored chips of glass, warmed. The consummate warrior morphed into a lovesick wolver pup.

The two assassins remained quiet, talk not interfering with their concentration on the females.

Dom glanced outside. The temperature had dropped. When the wind picked up, he cast the invisible wall around his house. The Feard would be able to enter despite the undetectable shield. Beyond the deck, a blizzard raged, the snow so thick it was a white drape that obscured the craggy edge and the water below.

Remi arrived, floating into the salon, brushing flakes from his long-sleeved black t-shirt. After a few moments, Ely followed. Like a wolver, he shook his entire body, the wet droplets on his icy-white hair scattering across the room.

Dom made the intros and provided his guests with mulled wine to drive away the cold.

Once everyone settled in with a drink, Dom began with the easy shit. He recounted his convos with the OneCreator. “The boss denied knowing about a human in Angor, denied ordering the extinction of the Scourge Ike, seemed to accept we had nothing to do with it, offered up Michael, and defended Harmony. And here’s a good one. He said we should check out Lucian. We need to find Luce, get together with Michael, and reach out to Harmony.”

Ohngel said, “I’m the only member of this friendly group Michael might talk to. So setting up the meet with him falls on me. And since I’m doing the flyovers, I’ll likely be the one to spot Luce.”

The Feard nodded.

“I’ll get with Harmony. Is the OC playing a game?” asked Ely. “He loves games. He could be entertaining court with a mystery to solve.”

Indigo relocated, flopping onto a pillow beside Ohngel after giving Maddy a reassuring shoulder pat.

He lifted his free arm to wrap it around his mate. “Indigo and I were in on the face-to-face with the OC. I don’t think he’s involved in any deceit, but he’s a master manipulator. You left out a few deets from our visit, Dom. A minor earthquake shook Vast while we were there.”

Remi nearly choked on a mouthful of mulled wine. “What? Vast doesn’t have earthquakes.”

Dom sighed. “It did then. To pile onto the mystery, the OC had a headache and a coughing fit.”

Ely cocked his head. “Dust.”

“Not a whisper of it,” said Ohngel.

After they tossed about the incidents some more, Dom got down to the real reason for the confab. He called on Madeline to tell the story of her captivity. Rising from her place by the fire, she arranged herself in Dominion’s lap.

Eyes tennis-balled between them. But nobody said a thing. They just observed Maddy’s interaction with Dom.

With an arm looped around his neck, she recounted her kidnapping. At the end of the story, she said, “I think I was drugged, but before Praevus had me, another woman was around. She fussed over me and fed me. I’m sure of it, even though my memory is a bit foggy.”

Remaining passive despite Maddy’s constant caresses, Dom asked her to elaborate on her time with Praevus.

She jerked upright, acting excited to talk about her captor. Her hands painted events as if she were reading aloud from a book, infusing life into the characters, giving them voice, emphasizing the exciting parts of the plot, pausing before the climax to build tension, and unraveling the tale at the end. She was a great storyteller. Librarian fit her.

When she finished her yarn, she snuggled against Dom, who couldn’t help but smile down at her. He quickly altered his expression into a frown.

Indigo surged to the edge of her seat. “Did the surly black-winged warrior just grin?” she asked Ohngel.

Dom feared his attraction to Maddy was showing. But he hadn’t invited them here to analyze his behavior.

Brushing aside her own question, Indigo continued, “Anyway, why did this Praevus let you go?”

“I don’t know.” She paused, stroking Dom’s chest with her palm. “I’m not sure I’ve been clear. On occasion, he was kind to me, giving me food and seeing to my injuries. Maybe he felt guilty.”

Dom remained silent, wanting his friends to draw their own conclusions.

Ohngel pretended to ignore Maddy’s hands-on adoration of Dom. “We know Praevus couldn’t have kidnapped Madeline. Since he can’t leave Angor, someone else did that honor and passed her off to him.”

“I guess that was lucky, huh? He was a thoughtful jailer,” said Madeline.

A proverbial pin dropped in the room. And Dom heard it ping on the tile floor.

He arched his dark brows, watching the others for their reactions to her kind words about the Rat.

Their gazes flicked around the room as if they were trying to figure out what was going on.

Madeline slammed a hand over her mouth, wrinkling her forehead. “What am I saying? Praevus was a bastard. A monster who scared the bejesus out of me. He shackled me. He rummaged through my head. Even though he released me, he didn’t leave behind shoes, food, or water. He abandoned me to wander Angor alone, leaving me at the mercy of terrifying Scourges.”

Dom nodded, untangling her arm from around his neck.

Then, like a pancake flipping on the griddle, she changed direction again. “Of course, if Praevus isn’t the one who kidnapped me from St. Louis, perhaps he rescued me from a predator in Angor. Maybe the woman. After all, he provided me with shelter.” She blinked.

Indigo blurted out, “I think the hemisphere that controls her speech is disconnected from the rational part of her brain. In other words, she’s Loonie Tunes. No offense, dear.”

Maddy smiled. “None taken.”

After Dom scooted Madeline from his lap to a pillow beside him, she scurried back again, explaining, “Praevus told me stories about what a wonderful Immortal he’d been in Vast. He worried that his friends must miss him. He talked about his important job, its stresses, and how he was underrated. We were both librarians, you know.” She paused, glancing at her audience. “So, I understand that his career was vital—cataloging the accomplishments of a culture and managing a place that holds all the knowledge of his people. An honor. He touched upon how being looked over for promotions had affected him, leading him to do things he now regretted.”

Madeline’s hands collapsed into her lap. “Before he could confess his sins and seek absolution, though, the OneCreator passed judgment on him. When he was captured, Praevus tried to explain his situation and ask for forgiveness. Instead of listening, Dom clipped his feathers and dropped him here. Perhaps you should all go easy on him.” She twisted her head toward Dom. “I don’t blame you, of course. You were doing your job.” She started the chest pats and strokes again.

Dom glanced at the others.

On a roll, Madeline continued her defense of Praevus. “He described how he’d been tormented in Angor. To me, his punishment sounds unfair and excessive. Brain-eating insects and worse. I don’t forgive him, but I understand.”

She tapped a finger on her chin while everyone stared, cleared their throats, or squirmed. “Now that I think of it, he may not have restrained me at all.”

Indigo frowned. “You weren’t pinned to his wall.”

“Yes. I was, but perhaps he didn’t put me there.” She chewed her lower lip.

Ohngel waded into the twisted convo. “Who did?”

“I don’t remember. I’m just saying it’s possible.”

Indigo chuckled. “It’s also possible questing beasts fly.” When Madeline wrinkled her forehead, the witch explained, “Questing beasts don’t have wings.”

Dom lifted Madeline’s arm, showing her and everyone else a raw, scabby wrist. He dropped it, letting it flop back onto her lap. “Praevus did this to you.”

Madeline rubbed the healing scars. “Maybe he didn’t want me to go outside where it was dangerous. He could have been protecting me from other Scourges. It’s worth considering.” Studying him over her shoulder, she said, “Don’t be angry with me. The ordeal with Praevus is over. I forgive you for bringing him to this awful place for punishment. You’re my savior, and I’ll do whatever you want.” She fluttered her eyelashes and fixed her adoring but hazy baby blues on him. “Whatever you want.” She caressed his arm.

Pat. Pat. Stroke. Stroke.

Ely and Remi’s scrutiny flipped from her to Dom, to Ohngel, and to Indigo.

Dom cleared his throat. “The praise for Praevus is a new development, but she seems,” he paused to find the words, “unnaturally attached to me. Thoughts?”

Remi blurted out, “She’s a Sycophant. The asshole Mind Rat made her a Syc. And without him, she’s latched onto you. You can tell by the eyes. They’re as foggy as her brain when she talks about him. Or, for that matter, you.”

Madeline asked, “What’s a Sycophant?”

When Indigo seemed equally confused, Ohngel jumped in. “Skilled Mind Rats enslave Immortals, in a way. By burrowing into their heads, they can wipe memories, re-shape thoughts, and take away willpower, making their victims obedient, subservient, and adoring. Willing to do anything for their ... uh ... obsession.”

“No.” Madeline trembled. Whether from outrage or simple denial, Dom had no idea.

Everyone turned sympathetic eyes her way.

“I am not a Sycophant. He doesn’t have control of my mind.” Madeline drew up straight, her jaw locked tight.

“You’ve been defending him. It’s strange behavior toward a captor.” Dom refused to lie to her. “And you’ve been throwing yourself at me. A sort-of transference.”

She blushed, probably remembering this morning. “Stockholm Syndrome.” Madeline scooted onto her own pillow, isolating herself from Dom.

“What’s that?” asked Ely.

Madeline cleared her throat. When she reached out a hand for Dom, she jerked it back. “It’s a psychological connection a captor develops with her abuser.” She settled her gaze on Dom. “Or her savior, I suppose.”

He wanted to touch her, to comfort her. Fuck . The feelings were unexpected and unwanted. Damn . If he were honest, Maddy tempted him in a way no other females ever had. But this seemed like a good time to keep his hands to himself. “Sycophancy must be similar, but Stockholm Syndrome sounds much milder. A Mind Rat creates a physical link rather than a psychological one. It obliterates the will of the Syc.”

“Can the link be broken?” Madeline wiped tears from her cheeks, turning away from Dom. Likely trying to control her urges to jump him. Given what Praevus had done to her mind, he thought she showed remarkable restraint.

Dom answered, “Yes. But it depends on how much time passes, how fast the scar tissue in the brain heals, the victim’s willpower, and finally, the Rat’s skill level. Of course, that’s with Immortals.”

Madeline’s hands twisted together, her knuckles white. “Can I still go home?”

Dom gave a slow shake of his head. “We don’t know how Sycophancy affects humans. You could be dangerous to others.”

Maddy slapped a hand to her chest. “Dangerous? Me?”

Everyone nodded.

Ohngel’s brows pulled down tight. “How long has Madeline been ... uh ... taken with you? Since you found her?”

Dom rubbed the patch over his eye. “No. That’s the strange thing. Not until this morning. Why? What are you thinking, Ohngel?”

“A consideration. Sycophancy is usually not delayed. Once the Mind Rat burrows deep enough and lays the suggestions, the victim’s helplessness is immediate.”

“Why was Madeline’s response postponed, then?” asked Dom. “And transferred to me.”

“I think we need a better understanding of Sycophancy,” said Ely.

Dom slid his eye shut to focus on telepathing the OC again.

The boss answered. Your voice in my head is unwelcome.

Madeline’s a human in a Syc suit.

Not a shocker since the Scourge is a Mind Rat. Have you talked to Michael and Luce? How about Harmony, our Scourge expert? I have more important matters that need my attention.

More important than an Earther in Angor?

The OC disconnected without a goodbye or an answer.

Mutherfucker .

Dom rubbed a palm across his jaw. Maddy’s lids were closed, and her head was shaking as if she were having a serious discussion with herself. Likely struggling to understand how she could defend a despicable Scourge or come on so strongly to her self-described savior.

For now, Dom left Madeline with her thoughts as his guests departed. Indigo waved goodbye. “Good luck.”

Madeline barely nodded.

With the visitors gone, Maddy took a pillow closer to the fireplace, staring into it, looking more defeated than she had been when he’d found her huddled in the car surrounded by Soul Suckers.

“I’m not sorry. I ... uh ... came on to you.”

“Me neither, Madeline. But I’d rather you’d wanted me rather than needed me.” Dom had no idea why he threw that out there.

She didn’t respond.

“Maddy?”

“What? I did want you,” she mumbled, focusing on the fire again. After a period of silence, she twisted toward Dom. “I need to research Sycophancy. Can you get me some books?”

“Should be a few in my study, but I can obtain more from the library in Outcast Tower.” When she crinkled her nose, Dom explained, “The main government building in Angor.”

She returned to staring at the flames, but they did not contain answers. He and his brother assassins didn’t have answers either. Could Sycophancy be delayed? Could it be transferred? And what about all the other shit hitting the breeze? Who was the unidentified female? The OneCreator claimed to be clueless. Could Michael or Luce be involved? What about Harmony, the OC’s stand-in in Angor? She’d gone off the rails before. Or was some unknown game at play? He hated being in the dark, a puppet of master manipulators.