Dragon's Gift: The Amazon Complete Series: An Urban Fantasy Boxed Set

by Linsey Hall

  Caro, with her platinum bob gleaming in the dawn sun, shot fierce jets of water at two mages who stood on the other side of the street. They were fast, dodging her blasts, but she was quick in turn, avoiding their firebombs.

  The Menacing Menagerie had left the safety of the alley and had lunged at the mage who stood closest to us. They were all flying fur and fangs, claws glinting in the light. The mage shrieked in terror and pain, and I was glad the Menagerie was on my side. The pure delight on Eloise’s face was creepy, frankly, and Poppy was so into the attack that she’d lost her flower.

  Jude stood on my side of the street, cracking her electric whip at a man who waved his arms, disrupting the bricks beneath her feet. They rose into the air, swirling around Jude, threatening to slam into her. She raised her free hand, casting a sparkling, protective shield around herself as she cracked her whip at the man.

  Her whip twined around his body, and he screamed. The bricks dropped, and I looked away, searching for Bree.

  She flew high in the sky, her silver wings gleaming, as she shot lightning bolts at the three remaining attackers below.

  Death from above.

  There was a guy in the middle of the street who seemed to be the most powerful. His eyes gleamed the brightest, and he looked like a true fanatic.

  Bree’s lightning bolts didn’t seem to have much effect on him. He almost absorbed them.

  I needed to try my sun magic against him. If it’d been strong enough to hurt the Titans, this guy didn’t stand a chance. “Bree! I’ve got him!”

  Bree’s gaze flashed to me, and she nodded, then turned her attention to the other two.

  I raised my hands and lined the mage up in my sights. His black trench coat whipped around his legs on an unnatural wind, and his hair flew back from his face. Actual flames shined within his eyes, and when he turned to me, I had a quick vision of a massive fireball coming my way.

  As I called upon the magic of the sun, the man raised his hands.

  Yep, he was definitely about to throw a giant fireball my way.

  His magic swelled on the air, stinking of rot and decay. Red light glowed around his hands. As the huge ball of flame flew toward me, I lunged left, barely avoiding it.

  The sun’s power sizzled within me, difficult to control, and I unleashed it, sending it at the mage. The magic slammed into him, lighting him up like a firework.

  Holy fates!

  He shook and fell, collapsing to the ground like a sack of rocks.

  I stared down at my hands. That was different than the sun magic I’d used against the Titans. Without a doubt, this was a magic I needed to explore more.

  The remaining mages—there were only three of them now—all faltered at the sight of their leader on the ground. I darted toward the one nearest me, a young guy with big glasses and a sweater vest. He really didn’t look like the sort who should be participating in an attack on innocent businesses. He should be working in an IT department or a chemistry lab right now.

  I grabbed the guy around the collar, yanking him around to face me. As hard as I could, I slammed him against the brick wall.

  Shock widened his dark eyes, which gleamed with the light of a fanatic.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I asked. “Attacking businesses like some loser?”

  He scowled. “I’m not a loser.”

  “That’s the part you focus on?” I shook him hard, calling upon a dagger from the ether and pressing it against his belly. “I could kill you here and now, and you’re concerned that I called you a loser?”

  He scowled at me, his lips twisting over perfect white teeth.

  I shook him again. “Does this have anything to do with the Titans?”

  “They make a compelling point.” He shrugged, then winced when my dagger pressed a little deeper into his stomach.

  “Mind control?” I shook him. “Can you feel them in your mind? Did their magic turn yours dark?”

  The kid laughed, an ugly sound. “No mind control. I’m the one in control of me.”

  “Then why the hell are you doing this?”

  “Yesterday, that guy”—he pointed to the fallen mage who I thought was the leader—“came up to me and presented a compelling argument about the Titans.”

  “Yesterday?” What the hell? Five days ago, we’d bound the Titans dark magic from spreading and converting people from light magic to dark. And this guy was a new recruit as of yesterday? “What the hell was his compelling argument?”

  “Chaos.” The kid grinned, crazy as a loon. “The Titans are going to rise up and take over the earth. Chaos is coming, and we’ll worship them. So we thought we’d start early. Join their cause and prove we’re loyal.”

  “By blowing up a fish and chips shop?” I jerked my head toward the shop window to his left, then shook my head, disgusted. “You could kill people.”

  “So?” The lack of concern on the kid’s face was chilling. And actually, I needed to stop calling him a kid. He was my age.

  And he’d made the decision to do this of his own free will.

  What a little shit.

  I was so pissed I almost didn’t notice his hand rising, glowing red with flame. He slapped it toward my face, going for a kill shot. I shoved my dagger into his side and smacked his hand away just as another dagger flew through the air and pierced the kid’s hand, making the magic fizzle.

  Startled, I glanced left. Maximus stood there. He’d thrown the dagger, stopping the kid from barbecuing my face.

  “Right place, right time, huh?” I asked as the kid shrieked.

  The corner of Maximus’s mouth tilted up in a sexy smile. “Always.”

  “Thanks.” I nodded toward the body of the leader mage that was still lying in the square. He might still be alive, which meant he could wake up at any moment. “Will you take care of that guy? Tie him up?”

  Maximus nodded. “On it.”

  I gave the street a quick look to make sure everything was under control—it was—then turned back to the jerk who’d tried to fricassee me. His eyes were wide and his face pale. I could let him die.

  But no, I really didn’t like that idea. It was one thing to kill demons. I’d kill mortals if I had to, but I didn’t have to kill this one, so I didn’t want to.

  I yanked my blade out of his side, and he groaned, going to his knees. I knelt beside him, digging around in my potion belt to find the healing tonic.

  “I’m going to make sure you don’t die.” I jerked his head up so he was looking at me. “And the Order of the Magica will take it from here. But if you ever do something like this again, I will come for you.”

  The guy’s face whitened, and I grinned, viciously satisfied. I sounded seriously scary, and the guy was totally buying it. Honestly, I didn’t have the time to hunt him down, but he didn’t need to know that.

  I poured the potion onto his wound, and it sizzled with a pale blue smoke. The guy relaxed as the wound knit itself back together.

  “Want me to take him?” Caro’s voice sounded from behind me. “I’ve got restraints.”

  I stood, glaring at the guy, who didn’t move, then looked at my friend. “Thanks, Caro.”

  “I got your back, pal.” She grinned.

  I smiled. It was nice to have friends who cared. So much of my life recently had been spent in darkness, alone. It was really turning around now, but it’d only stay that way if I could take out the Titans. And soon.

  A quick glance at Maximus showed that he’d trussed up the leader with some shackles he’d conjured. He had the guy gripped by his collar, and stood waiting for Jude’s orders.

  Everyone else seemed dead. Since they weren’t demons, their bodies weren’t disappearing like a demon’s would. I frowned, my stomach turning.

  I didn’t like this, not one little bit.

  3

  Across the street, Jude spoke into her comms charm. A moment later, several figures appeared from the alley that contained the portal back to the Protectorate castle.
<
br />   Bree landed next to me, folding her silver wings into her body. “Clean-up crew.”

  “What a waste.” These guys had been a bunch of idiots and assholes, but still, it was a shame they’d turned to the dark side and died as a result.

  “What the hell were they doing?” Bree asked, shoving her shiny dark hair back off her face. “You talked to one, right, Rowan?”

  “Yeah. And they weren’t mind controlled by the Titans. I don’t think their magic was even turned dark by them.”

  “What do you mean?” Bree frowned.

  “They chose to do this. Anarchists or rebels or what the hell ever. Apparently, they joined the Titan’s cause willingly.”

  “So it’s worse than we thought.”

  “I think so.” I searched for Jude and Maximus, who were directing the clean-up crew. When Jude turned to me, I waved her over.

  “What’s going on?” Bree asked, clearly reading something in my expression. “Did you learn something useful at the Amazons’?”

  “I did, but let’s talk it out together. Jude’s coming this way now.”

  Jude stopped next to us. “I think we all need to sit down and regroup. Figure out what the heck is going on.”

  Fates, did I. Just one little rest would be divine.

  “Whiskey and Warlock?” Bree asked. “It’s the closest place that’s quiet.”

  “Perfect,” Jude said.

  Maximus joined us, and we walked down the street toward the pub.

  We entered the cozy interior of the Whiskey and Warlock. It wasn’t technically open yet—too early—but as expected, Sophie was behind the bar. She lived above it, and no doubt she’d heard the commotion in the street.

  Worry glinted in her green eyes, and her red hair was messy from sleep. She still wore her PJs, which were emblazoned with the slogan Highland Cow Hair, Don’t Care.

  “Is everything okay out there?” She twisted a rag in her hands.

  “Fine, now,” Jude said. “Could we trouble you for some coffee?”

  Sophie nodded, looking almost grateful to have a task, and turned back to the bar. “Be right out in a jiffy.”

  We took our usual seats in front of the fire, which was now banked. Without the gleaming golden light shining on the copper mugs that hung from the ceiling, the place felt like it was asleep. The chill in the air made me tuck deeper into my jacket, and I leaned my shoulder against Maximus’s.

  Briefly, I told them what I’d learned from the punk I’d cornered in the street.

  Jude rubbed her forehead, her starry blue eyes weary. Her dark braids were pulled back from her face, and as usual, it looked like it’d been a while since she’d slept. “This is just getting worse.”

  “Much worse.” I frowned. “And I think it will keep happening.”

  “It will,” Maximus said. “Chaos begets more chaos.”

  “We need to stop the Titans,” Bree said. “They’re the key.”

  She was right.

  Sophie arrived at our table and set down a tray of coffee mugs. There was also a plate of scones and butter and jam. She smiled apologetically. “They’re just from the shop down the corner. Pre-made. But they’re all we’ve got.”

  I grabbed a scone greedily, my stomach growling. “They look fantastic.”

  I took a big bite, not bothering with the butter and jam. They were a little dry, but I couldn’t have cared less.

  After I swallowed, Jude caught my eye. “What did you learn from the Amazons?”

  “Ah, that.” I set the scone down. “You’ll be surprised.”

  She raised her dark brows.

  “The Titans told me where they are.”

  “What?” A chorus sounded from around the table.

  “They told you?” Bree asked, incredulous.

  “Yep. Apparently when I was with them last, they created some kind of connection with my soul. It allows them to deliver a message to me whenever they want to.”

  “They waited until now, so they were clearly preparing for something,” Maximus said.

  “And the message was their location?” Jude asked. “Why the hell would they give that up?”

  “They want me for something. Maybe just to kill me, but I think it’s more.”

  “They sent the army to the gates for you,” Bree said.

  “Incentive to come to them. They want me to fight them, and they say they plan to kill me.”

  “But to give up their location?” Jude asked. “That’s insane.”

  “They’re confident,” I said. “I don’t think they can catch me otherwise—they can’t get through the castle walls, after all. And I’m always on the move, so catching me is hard.”

  “They know we don’t have the numbers to defeat them.” Bree scowled.

  “Not yet.” A grim expression crossed Maximus’s face. “We’ll need an army.”

  “Definitely.” I described the number of people I’d seen in the compound. “And they’re about to collect more followers. They’re working on a spell that will release their dark magic again. There’s so much of it inside them that they would convert the earth to evil, all in one fell swoop. And they’ll be worshipped again—I think that’s a big deal to them.”

  “What kind of spell?” Jude asked.

  “Just a sec.” I got up and asked Sophie for a pen and paper, then sat down and drew the golden crystal contraption I’d seen on the top of their tower. “I think this is part of their plan, but they need more ingredients for the spell to make that thing work.”

  “They just told you all of this?” Jude asked, skeptical. “They sound like villains laying out their plan in some bad movie.”

  I nodded. “I know. It’s weird.”

  “It could be as straightforward as it seems,” Maximus said. “They want to kill you so they draw you to them. But I doubt it. They want you for something. They want you badly enough that they invited you. Knowing that you could bring an army.”

  “It’s going to have to be a big army.” Bree sat back, her expression grim. “But you can’t go to their fortress. No way.”

  “According to the Amazons’ Great One, I’m the only one who can defeat the Titans.”

  “Fate decrees it.” Jude scowled. “But it’s so risky.”

  “It’s risky for everyone,” I said.

  She rubbed a hand over her face again, weariness personified. “We need to figure out what that contraption is.”

  Maximus pulled my drawing toward him, studying it. “You said the crystal was golden and that it rotated?”

  I nodded.

  “I think it’s a bind-breaking device. It’ll destroy the magic on their binding. But it can’t be strong enough to destroy the spell we placed on them.” He sighed. “Unless they have a powerful enough power source.”

  “There aren’t many of those in existence,” Jude said. “Most are protected by the Order of the Magica.”

  “I’ve heard of one in Thailand. An ancient one.” He shook his head. “But even it may not be strong enough.”

  “We need to go get it anyway,” Bree said. “Beat them to it.”

  Jude nodded. “You go, Bree. You’re fast. Bring Ana with you for safety.” She looked at Maximus. “Can you tell them how to get there?”

  “I can provide a bit of direction, but not everything you need.”

  “I got it.” Bree grinned, ruthless. “Nothing will stop me.”

  “Good. If you can get it before them, it will seriously slow them down. We need to raise an army before they complete their device and release their power.”

  “If only our binding spell had been stronger,” I said.

  “We bought ourselves time we desperately needed.” Jude looked at me. “And what’s your plan? You clearly still have something on your mind.”

  I nodded. “I have to go to Mount Olympus to complete my transformation to Dragon God. Only then will I be strong enough to defeat the Titans.”

  Jude nodded, a smile spreading across her face. “I like the sound
of that.”

  “More magic is always good.” Though I felt like I was about to burst at the seams, I had so much magic now. I looked at Maximus. “Will you come as backup?”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  “Good.” Jude nodded. “We’ll work on getting that power source before they do and growing an army. When you’ve completed your transition, Rowan, we’ll attack. But be fast. We’re running out of time.”

  Jude was so right about that. I could feel it pressing on my shoulders. The Titans had been clever about their offer, seeding it with just enough urgency and hope to really get me moving.

  I was going to have to be cleverer than they were, that was for sure. Or we were screwed.

  An hour later, Maximus and I stood outside of the bar where I’d first met Prometheus. I’d needed to collect a few more healing potions to replace the ones I’d used, and we’d wanted to give Prometheus time to get to his favorite bar. It was three hours ahead in Istanbul, so it was nearly noon here.

  The Menacing Menagerie sat at my feet, clearly unwilling to let me go it alone here.

  Maximus looked at me, his brow creased with concern. “You sure you’re okay? That was a nasty fight back there.”

  “Fine.” I smiled at him. “Let’s go around back. I have an idea.”

  He nodded, and followed me through the narrow alley at the side of the building. The back entrance was unguarded. Just a heavy wooden door with a few rubbish bins next to it.

  I leaned up to whisper in Maximus’s ear. “I’m going to try to talk to the waitress real quick. Will you wait here?”

  He nodded.

  I looked down at Romeo, Eloise, and Poppy. “Hang out here, okay? I don’t know how they feel about critters in the kitchen.”

  All three of them looked dreadfully offended, and I gave them an apologetic smile.

  Romeo huffed. Fine, then.

  I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. My eyes adjusted, and I scanned the space, spotting the doorways to the bathrooms. This was the hallway I’d come into before when I’d needed to take my Sober Up potion. The entrance to the bar was about six feet away, and I crept up, peering inside.