Page 10

Shiri

I followed the Ravini soldiers who were dragging a chained Drae and Ash, hardly believing this was happening while cursing myself a fool for not recognizing Wolfy was demon possessed. They’d already placed the smelly hound in a smaller cell at one end of the dungeon. We passed Arabella’s cell, her eyes widening when she saw us. The bitch was lucky she didn’t smile, or I would’ve turned her to ash. We passed my father’s cell too. He still hadn’t woken after Tari had healed him, and I wondered if there was any soul of his left to wake. My mother and Marius were already fast asleep in a bed beside Derrick’s cot. Good thing, because I was in no mood to deal with my mother’s hysterics.

I swore when the soldiers brought us to two barren cells at the end of the dungeon, both smelling like moldy hay and piss.

“You there.” I pointed at two nearby guards, infusing siren into my voice. “Find them more comfortable accommodations. They need warm beds and fires and chamber pots, but first, these cells need to be swept.”

The guards nodded their understanding and took off at a run, compelled by my magic to do as I’d commanded.

After the soldiers set Ash down on the floor in a cell, I followed Drae into the opposite cell. He hung his head when they chained his wrists and ankles to the wall. They also strapped leather bands on his wrists and neck with what appeared to be Tau stones embedded in the leather. Good. There was no telling how much magic this demon had access to, and I didn’t want to risk he’d be able to break through his chains.

I paced the hall, projecting thoughts into Drae’s mind, alarmed when I got no response. “Drae, look at me,” I finally commanded aloud, terror burning a hole through my chest when he didn’t respond to my siren voice. I released a deep breath and summoned the courage to say the next words. “Demon inside Draevyn Inferni. Look. At. Me.”

My mate’s head shot up, two bright red eyes reflecting back at me. Great Goddess! What manner of creature was this demon inside my mate, and why did he smell worse than Wolfy?

I stopped pacing, magic swelling my chest as I faced him. “Who are you?”

He bared his teeth. “My unfamiliar name is Mephis.”

“Well, Mephis.” I swallowed back the bile that burned the back of my throat, trying, and failing, to still the trembling in my limbs. “How have you completely taken over your host’s body?”

His feral smile made a shiver ripple down my spine. “Some demons are stronger than others, and I’m the strongest.”

No! No! No! The strongest? My first thought was that he was bluffing, but how, when I was using my siren voice? “What do you intend on doing to my mate?”

He shrugged, acting as if we were discussing supper. “Claim his body and discard his soul.”

An animalistic snarl escaped me as a boiling kettle of rage threatened to crack open my skull. “You will not do any of those things. Do you understand?”

“You can’t make me leave,” he taunted. “I have access to his memories, and I know you don’t know the siren song.”

“The siren song?” I blurted, momentarily caught off guard. “What is that?”

He flashed his fangs again, his eyes gleaming with triumph. “It is the song the siren sings to expel demons.”

Angling myself toward him, I let my siren speak through me. “Sing the song.”

“I cannot.” His laughter was like spiders burrowing beneath my skin. “I’m not a siren.”

I curled my hands into fists. How badly I wanted to punch that smug smile off his face, but I reminded myself Drae was somewhere inside that body and could feel the same pain I inflicted on the demon. “Teach it to me.”

He heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I do not know it.”

Ugh. This demon was so infuriating. “How do I learn it?”

“The book of spells that is buried beneath the rubble of Kyan’s Temple.” Sibilant laughter rang in his words. “But it is dust by now.”

A barbed dragon’s tail of tension coiled around my neck and pierced my spine. “I will recover it, and then I will banish you and every last demon to hell.”

“You won’t.” He gave me a bored look before ruffling his wings. “Only sirens with pure hearts can learn the song.”

Now I knew he was bluffing. “What makes you think my heart isn’t pure?” My siren voice rang through the stagnant air, so he couldn’t lie to me.

He leaned forward, his wings unfurling like a dark phantom, his glowing eyes shining like beacons as shadows eclipsed the rest of his features. “I can see the darkness that clings to you like a cloak. I can smell the bitterness that rots your heart. You feel rejected, unworthy, and now that you have no one to love you, you will not learn the song in time to save Faedom.”

Fear and dread sluiced through my veins as I held up my hands and let out a warrior’s cry. “You lie!” The demon lurched back, and I shocked even myself when dark smoke that looked like Malvolia’s deadly magic coiled out of my fingertips.

Mephis pressed up against the stone wall and flashed his fangs. “That dark magic comes from your blackened heart.”

“Lying demon scum,” I said on a rush of air as my smoke slowly snaked its way to the demon in my mate’s body.

“Torture me and you torture your mate.” He let out an unnatural hiss. “Kill me, and he dies with me.”

“Bastard!” With a roar, I lowered my hands, the magic retreating into me. Great Goddess, how had I done that? Was this another aspect of my magic that had been unlocked? And how in Element’s name did I send it back?

He heaved a sigh while hanging his arms like a limp puppet. “When you’ve calmed down, we can discuss negotiations.”

I jerked back with a hiss. “I don’t negotiate with demons.”

Demon fires burned in his eyes. “Oh, you will if you wish to save Faedom...” He paused, his smile rivaling that of the devil himself. “And your mate.”

He was lying. Dangling a carrot in the hopes that I would take it and put my family at risk. No doubt he wanted me to unchain him, so he could bite and infect me too.

Molten ore swelled my veins as I spun on my heel and marched into the hall. I refused to even glance in the other cells as I kept walking at a brisk pace, hoping I could outrun the demon’s dark laughter that lapped at my heels like dragon fire. Mephis was far more menacing and powerful than the demon Nox that had once possessed Helian. My heart wept at the thought of that monster controlling Drae, at my mate locked helplessly inside his own body while he watched that demon taunt me.

Drae, my darling mate. I will not rest until I free you.

After reaching the end of the dungeon hall and yelling at the guard to release me, I stumbled into another cavernous hall, dark, save for a few flickering sconces. I swiped at hot tears that gushed out of my eyes. I had to get out of this underground prison before the walls closed in around me.

I hadn’t taken two steps when I heard Malvolia call my name. Spinning with a snarl, I faced the bitch who had haunted my childhood nightmares, the very same evil queen whose magic I’d somehow inherited, and the woman whom my mother thought I’d one day become.

Malvolia’s features were pinched as she approached me, her black cloak swirling around her feet. “There you are, niece.” She walked a wide circle around me while looking me over with a sneer. “You will not use your siren magic on me again.” Black magic pulsed around her like a plume of dust. “Understood?”

Of all the nerve! I felt like a cornered animal as I faced her, curling my hands into claws. “And you will not try to kill my mate or anyone I love.” I paused, then did my best to mimic her voice. “ Understood ?”

Narrowing her eyes, menace infused her words. “I will if they’re a threat.”

“No, Aunt.” The siren rang out in my voice. “Even then, you will not harm them.” Dark magic pulsed off my skin and hovered in the air between us. “And while we’re at it, you will stop seducing Helian and antagonizing Tari.”

She took a step back, eyes widening as she gaped at the fog radiating off me. “Y-you forget who’s queen.”

“And you forget that you cannot defeat the demons who killed Mortimus without Tari and me.” I didn’t have to mention my aunt’s deceased winged horse, but since she was so selfish, I hoped my reprimand would sink in if I made it personal. I pulled in the smoke like sucking in a breath of air, and it retreated into my pores.

She gasped, taking another step back. Good. Let her be afraid of me.

“Good night,” I said through clenched teeth before turning and walking away. I prayed she didn’t stab me in the back, though death would be a welcome reprieve to my misery, so long as that demon controlled Drae.

* * *

Tari

W EARING A PATH IN THE plush rug, I paced the floor. The sitting room was quiet, save for the crackling of logs on the fire and the sound of dragons snoring outside. They slept in the garden just below our terrace, the scales on their backs poking from behind the balcony rails barely visible through the open doors. It was comforting knowing they were so close, so long as a demon didn’t sneak into the garden and infect them too. If so, we’d all be screwed.

I stopped pacing long enough to stare at the door leading to the hall and heard footsteps echoing outside. My shoulders sagged in disappointment when the echo of the footsteps slowly faded. Shiri had been gone for over an hour, and we still had no word from her. I’d finally gotten the girls to sleep on the mattress beside the hearth after singing bedtime songs and rubbing their backs with soothing magic. Cassandra had fallen asleep on the mattress beside the girls, and neither Helian nor I had the heart to tell her to go back to her bedchamber.

“Are you going to be okay?” I asked Helian as he sat in a chair staring into the fire. I’d caught his gaze darting toward the buffet with the decanters of brandy more than once and knew he was craving a drink.

“Don’t worry about me.” Then he sat back with a groan. “Worry more about yourself, darling.” He patted his knee, his expression hopeful. “You need rest.”

I quickly crossed over to him, pulling up the hem of my robe and sitting on his lap. I rested my head against his solid chest, grateful he wasn’t also demon possessed. But now he had no brothers to help him keep us safe. If only Finn was here. Hopefully, Blaze had found Finn and Nikkos, and they would be here soon.

“When do you think Shiri will be back?” I asked while listening to the steady thrum of Helian’s heart.

He brushed his lips across my forehead. “After Ash and Drae are settled.”

My gaze drifted to my girls. Thumb stuck in her mouth, Ember was snuggled against Aurora. I vaguely remembered snuggling against my twin when it had been just the two of us sharing our loft bunk.

“Shiri has no one to sleep with,” I said to Helian.

She can sleep with us, Goddess. Isa’s voice echoed in my mind.

I lifted my head, gaze fixed on the double doors leading to the balcony. Two reptilian, crimson eyes stared back at me through the tempered glass.

I thought you were sleeping , I projected to her.

Her laughter echoed in my head. Those were Radnor’s snores you heard. A worried mother rarely sleeps.

Yeah , I answered, my gaze drifting to the girls once more. I know the feeling.

I shook my head when Radnor’s grumble echoed in my mind.

Chatty mothers never sleep, either , the grumpy dragon rumbled, and the siren witch will sleep better indoors.

Don’t worry, Radnor. Shiri won’t want to disturb you, anyway , I said, not wanting the grumpy drake to make my sister feel unwelcome.

“I’ll sleep on the sofa,” Helian said aloud. “Shiri can sleep with Tari and the girls.”

I cupped his cheek, brushing a kiss across his lips. “Thank you, darling.”

You can repay me later , he projected into my mind while waggling his brows.

“I doubt we’ll have time for that for a while.” I frowned, motioning toward the girls. “I don’t want to turn my back on them for a second with the demon threat.”

I know, darling. Eyes softening, he tenderly stroked my cheek. I won’t pressure you.

“Thank you.” Overcome by a wave of fatigue, I covered my mouth to stifle a yawn. “I’m so tired. I’m not sure I can wait up for Shiri.”

“I’m not sleeping anytime soon,” Helian whispered in my ear while massaging my shoulders. “Rest. I’ll let her know she can sleep with you.”

“Mm,” I groaned, my head falling back against his shoulder while he rubbed the kinks out of my muscles. I hadn’t realized until this moment that I’d needed a massage or that I had so much tension in my shoulders, yet my amazing mate knew exactly what I needed. “What would I ever do without you?”

“You’d have one less mate and one less grumpy dragon to contend with,” Helian answered with a chuckle while working out more knots.

Radnor’s rumble rolled through my bones like the crack of thunder. Mind who you call “grumpy.”

Helian shook his head, snickering. “You’re only proving my point, Radnor.”

I coughed, fanning the air when a plume of smoke blew through the terrace doors, fogging up our room.

It took me a moment to summon my wind, but when magic finally tickled my fingers, I blew it all back outside.

Nice trick , Radnor projected to me.

“Next time, I’ll use that flatulence spell,” I answered, perturbed that he’d blow smoke on my children, “and if you aim any farts at us, I’ll blow them back at you.”

Isa’s laughter echoed in my mind. Don’t push her, Radnor. She’s been wanting to use that spell on you.

Oh, I plan on it before this war is over , I teased. Either that, or I shrivel those big watermelon dragon balls to the size of grapefruits.

Fair enough , Radnor answered with a grumble. I’m ready to call a truce.

* * *

Helian

I STARED AT THE FIRE while my mate and her sister slept in each other’s arms. Shiri had been nearly inconsolable when she’d returned to us. From what I could gather, Drae was possessed by a powerful demon, and Shiri had unlocked a new and frightening power, black wisps of smoke like Malvolia’s magic. It had taken a lot of convincing on Tari’s part that Shiri wouldn’t turn into Malvolia, and I still wasn’t sure Shiri believed her. After much crying between the two of them, they’d finally fallen asleep, lulled by the crackling fire that cast a soft glow across the otherwise dark room. But no way was I sleeping. What if another demon attacked us and bit me or Tari and the children?

My mother had woken up and was nursing a tea while curled up on the sofa, refusing to leave until I agreed to go to sleep. I had a sinking feeling she was only here to ensure I didn’t drink. Not that I hadn’t been tempted. Goddess only knew how hard it was for me to ignore those decanters of brandy sitting on the buffet, calling to me like sirens seducing sailors. They told me I could have just one drink to calm my nerves. They lied. I couldn’t stop at one.

“When do you plan on sleeping?”

I turned to my mother, who gave me a sympathetic look, the same one she used to give me after my father had boxed my ears. “Probably never,” I said on a sigh while hanging my head between my knees. Damn, I wanted a drink.

“Helian, you need rest too.”

I rubbed my throbbing temple while grappling with my personal demons that told me I could control myself if I poured one drink and then ordered the servants to take the brandy away. “I’ll rest when every last demon is banished to hell.”

She stood, palming her mug. “Ask Malvolia to station more mages outside.”

I shook my head. “The dragons are outside. I’m not asking that bitch for a damned thing.”

“There’s too much tension here.” Her gaze darted to the door as if she was expecting Malvolia to barge in any moment and turn us all to ash. “It’s not good for you and Tarianya.” She gave me a pointed look. “Or your unborn child.”

Helplessness washed over me, making me want to pull out my hair by the roots as I stood on shaky legs. “What am I supposed to do when the queen blatantly tries to seduce me?”

“You’re a dragon rider.” She set her tea on the low table, motioning toward the sleeping dragons in the garden. “Take your mate and the children away from here.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “And go where?”

“You’ve survived for the past five years on your own.” Bridging the distance between us, she grasped my arm. “Have you nowhere?”

“There’s a place we can go, but what about the others?” What of the dangers of leaving everyone behind while demons threatened to overtake us? I looked down at my mother, who still clung to me. “What about you?”

“I’ll join the other priestesses.” A wistfulness shone in her eyes. “They’ve relocated to a temple in Thebes.”

“Why aren’t you with them now?”

Pain flashed in her eyes before she averted her gaze. “Because my children and grandchildren are here.”

A blade of guilt sliced through me. She’d always been a dedicated mother. I didn’t deserve her. “And Gadea?”

“She’s gone to the temple to help the priestesses rebuild the mists Malvolia destroyed.” There was no mistaking the bitterness in her tone. “But she’ll be back. She usually visits me at least once a day.”

What a fool Malvolia had been to destroy the seeing mists. Now we’d have no warning of what was to come, no sage advice from the gray priestesses. “I don’t want Malvolia taking it out on you if we leave.” Just like she’d killed a green witch to get back at her seer.

“Never mind us.” She released me, a plea in her eyes. “All I care about is your safety.”

I forced myself to look away, turning to face the fire. “I don’t deserve your concern,” I mumbled, shame heating my face.

“Of course, you do.” She rested a gentle hand on my back.

The weight of a thousand dragons pressed on my chest while I recalled all the times I’d been cruel to my mother, blaming her for our family’s fracture. Coward though I was, I still couldn’t face her. “I haven’t been a good son.” Tension stiffened my shoulders as I forced out the words. “It was unfair of me to blame you for being unfaithful to my father.”

Her audible sigh added to the tension in the room before she finally cleared her throat. “I was faithful to my husband and put up with his abuse and infidelity for many years before I slept with the shifter kings. One night in the arms of lovers who were kind to me.” There was a wistfulness in her voice that broke my heart again and again. “That’s all I’d wanted. To feel loved for once and not despised because I was my husband’s second choice.”

I spun around, grasping her shoulders while desperately searching her eyes. “You deserved more than that.” And I didn’t deserve her as a mother.

She managed a watery smile. “And I have it now with Gadea.”

Yes, her lover. The woman and relationship I’d scorned, though none of this had been Gadea’s fault, either. “I’m glad she makes you happy.” Swallowing back my apprehension, I forced myself to say the words that were long overdue. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you. There’s no excuse for my behavior. I blamed you for my father’s cruelty.”

Smiling softly, she cupped my cheek. “That’s because he punished you for my sins, and for that, I’m sorry.”

I squeezed her shoulders. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“And it wasn’t yours.” She tenderly stroked my face, a kindness I didn’t deserve reflecting in her eyes. “I knew you had a loving heart. I knew you weren’t like him.”

I gritted my teeth as my heartbeat came to a grinding halt. “I’d plunge my own sword into my heart before I became like him.”

“Please don’t ever say that.” She cried out, clutching her throat. “My heart would break.”

I silently berated myself for upsetting her. “Do you forgive me?” The words came out on a rasp, a dragon’s claws squeezing my chest.

“Of course.” Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re my boy.”

I took my mother in a fierce hug, not realizing until that moment how much I’d longed to hold her. It was then I felt a piece of my broken heart fuse back together.