by Jo Penn
Wait until he saw Rico again though. He was sure gonna express like hell then!
“Send me back.”
“Sorry, no way.” Callum straightened. “Hales, can you corral the dragons into their area?”
Dragons? Damn! Real dragons!
“Sure are, Freddie.” Hales grinned.
“Are you reading my thoughts?” Freddie stared hard at the pouvoir.
“Yep. Tarrant and I both are and Cousin Cal through me.” Hales simply vanished.
Freddie narrowed his eyes on the remaining two men, gun raised at the ready and plans for getting out of here beginning to form. The tranq gun turned into a tulip. Supernaturals and their bloody magic. Fine, he’d just kick their butts.
Callum smiled. “Look, Freddie, no one wants to fight, especially with you. We understand how weird it is to be teleported in the middle of a fight, but hear us out okay? That’s fair, isn’t it?”
Eying them cautiously, Freddie nodded after a moment. “I guess.”
“Thanks. Take a seat and eat Hales’ burger.”
Freddie refused to sit and would not eat. He stood where he was in the black kitchen, not sure what to do anymore, until an astonishingly beautiful man appeared beside him and sniffed. Reacting immediately, he stepped on the man’s foot and jumped aside.
“Ouch! Feisty! Okay now, you youngsters, I’ve gotta explain some things and discuss rules with Freddie… Ooh, look at that, he’s got a flower,” the newcomer exclaimed cheerfully.
Freddie tossed the flower aside and took up a fighting stance. There was no way he was standing around for a talk about rules.
“Da, rules are boring.” Tarrant shrugged, finishing his burger.
Within two minutes Freddie completely agreed. Rules were boring. Wait till he got his hands on Rico!
* * * *
Rico swore silently. This was what he wished to avoid, what he’d been working so hard for, keeping everything secret and monitoring his every word and action. To keep his family safely away, but then Darkness was not one to back off.
Six feet five, a mountain of muscle with an olive complexion, black wavy hair to his shoulders, black eyes, and dressed all in leather, except for the black t-shirt he wore beneath the long black leather coat, Daray Darkness’ presence could never be ignored or overlooked.
“Aw, shit,” Rico muttered, slipping the dagger back into his jeans. “Darkness, this is…”
“Is what, cousin?”
Cousin. Rico should have been prepared for his older cousin Litton Torrent being here also. Torrent, six feet four, blond-haired and black-eyed, was standing behind Rico putting a sword into the pouch he wore strapped to his back as he gave a nod.
“Crāwan are dealt with.”
Damn. This was going to be difficult, and he did not have a lot of time. He needed to get to Freddie and reassure his mate.
“Look—”
“Be very silent, brother,” Darkness growled, shaking the room.
Rico pinched the bridge of his nose trying to think logically, and for some reason, he didn’t seem to be capable of it.
“I have things going on. I’ll call.”
Two sets of black eyes fired on Rico, and the low growls showed exactly what they thought of his comments. Okay, that’d probably not been the way to handle this, but if he could just think, he’d come up with something logical to get them out of here without being annoyed. Rico had a bad feeling this was not going to happen.
“Rico Lucien Arkman Tarok, you are under order to return to the pouvoir lands to be held in house arrest until a time the Defenders of Justice deem this no longer necessary,” Litton Torrent announced. “Is the net needed, cousin, or do you come quietly?”
“An order. What grounds?” Rico demanded.
Darkness quirked a brow. “Really?”
“There are a dozen crāwan in this hotel alone after you, Rico,” Torrent snapped. “Our rules are clear. Do not draw attention to ourselves. Take the battle away from humans—”
“I was trying to do that!” Rico winced.
“Sweden to Oslo you have been pursued and fought with crāwan. What the hell is going on? Crāwan are trying to take you out. No, we are not discussing this here. One choice. Easy or the net.” Darkness was hard and firm.
Rico did not respond at first, lowering his head and rubbing his temples, trying to think of the best options. He very quickly realized there were none.
“I’m so close!” he exclaimed. “I’ve just got to collect the piece, and it’s nearly the end.”
“Whatever is going on, we’ll work it out together. Come, my brother, come home where you are safe and belong.”
“I’m doing all this for the brethren,” Rico snapped.
“That’s it. Wild, net Rico,” Torrent ordered.
Rico had no time to react. Jett Wild appeared, and like that, a net was flung over the top of him, tripping him up and tangling so he was trapped. They were moving through time and space at phenomenal speed to come out in the dragon caves on Tarok land, where he was dumped on the floor, the net disappearing, and he was left alone.
What a mess.
Chapter Eight
Locked within a dragon cave beneath the earth, Rico paced the length and width numerous times over the next ten minutes trying to inject some of his well-known logic into the arguments he planned to use when out of this cave.
There was no fucking soothing and definitely no logic.
All he could concentrate on was Freddie. The way Freddie’s liquid sherry eyes darkened with passion, softened when happy, and when he’d realized Rico was sending him from the fight, Freddie’s eyes darkened with anger and hurt.
While Rico’s instinct was to protect his mate, seeing the anger and hurt was like an awakening. He’d been wrong, and he knew it. Freddie had told him. Rico didn’t have the right. Freddie had also said they were partners, but Rico hadn’t behaved like one.
Remorse sat heavy in his chest.
What else was he wrong about? The soul globe mission? Rico had been protecting his family by keeping them out of it and distancing himself. But was it entirely his choice? Did he have that right to make the decision for them?
Rico glared at the ground. These caves were disgusting. Didn’t Dark bother cleaning them out anymore? Rico hissed and kicked a rock out of his way.
He was mad at himself. He wasn’t entirely wrong about the soul globe mission. It had been predestined he would search for and find it. He’d been warned how the search was a burden and could have dire consequences to those he loved, that they could be harmed if others knew of his purpose. Then there was the problem of betrayers amongst their kind. Who could he trust? The search began as his and his alone, but as time progressed, there were those he could have had by his side.
Freddie had reawakened not only desire that had long been forgotten as he focused on his mission but also his need to be part of his family and to be amongst his kind.
Freddie was going to be pissed. After Rico left Freddie with the Oslo sprites then teleported him here, he wouldn’t easily trust Rico again. Rico understood why. He had to change his way of thinking, but it was difficult. Logic warred with the instinct to protect his mate and family.
Which was exactly what Darkness and Torrent had done to him. They’d tracked him down and brought him home to keep him safe. Here, in these old caves, was home too. As a child he’d run through here with his brother, friends, and the dragons. He’d explored every inch and built tunnels from the castle to the caves.
At this time and in this place, it felt right to reveal the hunt for the soul globe.
Deep in thought, Rico did not even sense the two pouvoirs enter the cave until he paced the length and turned to retrace his steps.
“Time to discuss, cousin.” Torrent sat on a rock, Dark standing tall beside him. “A few days ago, Darkness informed you that it was time to return to our lands.”
“Yes, it is time. Time for all pouvoir to return to our lands and for the d
ifferent hemispheres to unite once more,” Rico said firmly.
Both looked surprised.
“I wasn’t expecting this.” Torrent could be fiery. He lived large, enjoyed life, but he was also fair, smart, and shrewd. “That is something we have been discussing of late, the two sides uniting. You are probably right about all pouvoirs returning to the lands also. During these times, it isn’t safe for us to be out in the world alone.”
“But first we talk about why you took off and hid from us,” Darkness growled.
“I want to tell you both a story.” Rico made himself comfortable on a rock. “It’s about a ten-year old who is told of his destiny and what he would have to do to help the brethren.”
He told his story of the soul globe and the old brethren who had entrusted its return to a young dragon pouvoir who made his own rules. He saw the shock, the concern, and understanding. When he finished, he answered their questions, and they talked for the first time in a long time without secrets and distance between them.
It was…freeing.
* * * *
“Hi.”
Freddie glanced over from the array of swords he’d been studying. The swords were crafted by pouvoir. Some had been made by Rico’s ancestors, some by Torrent. Others had once belonged to pouvoir who were no longer with the brethren. The collection had begun a very long time ago, hundreds of years before Rico was born. Some were crudely made, others beautifully designed and lovingly crafted. Now each was displayed on this wall of the castle just outside the weapons room. Both the sword display and weapons room had magical pouvoir shields covering them so they could not be touched unless you had the shield combination.
“Hi.” Freddie turned back to the display. “Glad to see you’re okay.”
“I was…” Rico sucked in deep. This was more difficult than he’d thought. “Wrong.”
“Yes, you were.”
Once he’d left the dragon caves, all Rico wanted to do was find Freddie and fix the damage he’d done. Now, faced with his mate, Rico found the words that had eluded him when he first tracked Freddie to the sword display.
“I’m sorry. I acted like a pouvoir.”
Freddie turned around, head tilted a little to the left. He appeared to be frowning, even annoyed, but after a few days on the road with his mate, Rico knew that meant Freddie was thinking.
When Rico sent Freddie from the fight, his mate had been in his underwear. Now Freddie wore green slim-fitting cargo pants and a white V-neck T-shirt. He looked hot, and Rico wanted to wrap Freddie in his arms. He hoped soon his mate would let him.
Freddie also had his phone in his hand and had snapped a few photos of the swords.
“Okay, I get that.” Freddie nodded.
“It doesn’t make it right.” Rico grimaced a smile and awkwardly shuffled his feet. “I didn’t think it through. That’s unusual for me. I acted on instinct instead. But I was wrong. I don’t have the right to make those decisions for you.”
“Nope, you don’t.”
“Will you be mad long, do you think?”
“Awhile.” Freddie shrugged.
“Will you trust me again?”
“Admitting you’re wrong and not doing it again is a good start to me trying.”
Freddie’s mad wasn’t yelling and screaming. He went quiet. At least he was talking to Rico.
“Ah, did Uriel give you a tour of the castle?”
“Callum and Hales did. And Jazz got me clothes and a new phone. So, you grew up here. That must have been awesome.”
Rico relaxed. “It actually was.”
“Dinner!” Uriel Golden yelled.
“His voice carries.” Freddie winced.
“Yeah. He’s a pouvoir with goblin. They have some amazing magic. When Uri wants, he can make his voice do some crazy shit.”
“Yeah? Like what?” They began walking toward the kitchen.
“Foghorn noises were cool one night when we were young.”
“You’ve known Uri that long? Did you grow up together?”
“Darkness and Uriel Golden met the first day at magic training,” Rico said, thinking back. “That must have been when I was about thirty-two, around the time of my second surge. Once a few younger pouvoir went through the second surge, we had magic trainers. A few of us went to this magic training center that is just behind the pouvoir palace. Though the palace wasn’t in use, the center was.
“It was amazing to watch Dark and Golden,” Rico said, remembering. “How they scented each other, their souls joining…”
“Wait!” Freddie stopped walking and pulled Rico to a stop with a hand on his forearm. “Their souls joining? They’re mates?”
Rico nodded, smiling. “Yeah. Pouvoirs often term their soul mate linkmate because they are joined and linked for all time. Like you and I.”
Freddie grinned. “Wow, they’ve been together a long time then.”
“They are incredibly fortunate and know this. To have your soul mate is incredible.”
Freddie nodded, frowning again. They entered the kitchen together, watching Callum nudge a small dragon out and close the back door.
“Seeing dragons is going to take a bit of getting used to. Anything I can do to help?”
Defender of the Sun, Uriel Johansson, known as Uri or Golden, shook his head and pointed at the table.
“Sit.”
“Sure thing.” Freddie shrugged and smiled.
Callum ambled past carrying a load of plates and handed them to Rico without looking at him. He knew that staying away from his family would cause problems, but there hadn’t been a choice, so Rico felt. Well, he had fences to mend.
“Maybe later we can watch one of your dragon documentaries.”
Callum paused and met Rico’s eyes. “Are you staying?”
“He is.” Darkness guided Uri to the table. “I will bring the serving trays. Thank you for cooking, linkmate.”
Rico let it slide. He knew he was now going to have company on the globe search, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that the reasons he’d kept his distance and protected his family may not be relevant now. Darkness was well able to look after himself, as was Torrent. So were the other defenders and guards.
There was a lot for Rico to think about and re-evaluate.
Dinner was more relaxed than he’d thought it would be. Hales had joy and sense in his essence, so he made any tension dissipate fairly quickly. Rico and Callum got into a few discussions about science and studies while Darkness and Torrent wanted to know about the soul globe search.
“There were pieces of parchment spread across the world,” Rico explained. “Each led to another, and each had a shield or trick covering it. In Oslo is the last piece. Once I place them altogether and remove any shields or spells, I’ll know where the soul globe is and can go retrieve it.”
“We will go and retrieve it,” Freddie said.
“All of us will,” Torrent said firmly. “Hales and Callum will be monitored by Talent or another judge. I’ll speak to Dray, Safine Leader, and Talent to organize a meeting tomorrow to let the brethren know what is happening. Some are aware there is trouble brewing in Oslo and want to know what’s going on. I think this is the perfect time to meet with our kind from the other hemisphere and unite.”
“That’s a biggie.” Uri scowled at his plate. “How do we know they don’t have a betrayer on their side? Who you gonna trust?”
“I’ve met nearly all of them, as have Talent, Wild, and Darkness. We received strong senses from each. I’m going to trust our brethren and rely on them to know who should be included in the soul globe retrieval.” Torrent smiled. “I’m looking forward to it. There are only a few pouvoir left who are older than me, and none of them are defenders and guards. Dray and I are the eldest, nearly two hundred years older than you three. There was once a tier of the guards and defenders who were the final authority, even over the judges. I know I am meant to be one of these four authorities. So is Draykus Kandinski, Defend
er of Seers, and Darkness. I’m not sure who the other one is.”
“Probably Big Bad Doom.” Uri scooped casserole onto his plate. “He’s said to be the most powerful of our kind.”
“The most powerful? Why? What can he do?” Freddie asked curiously. “Is he the world destroyer Rico told me about?”
“Probably. Doom can cover the earth in lava and cause the ground to open up, and he can explode things,” Uri Golden said. “Pretty much destroy the earth.”
“Wow, right.”
Rico pressed close to his mate. “We’ve also heard that he’d never turn from the brethren and protecting the scales of balance.”
“Yeah?” Freddie relaxed against Rico, smiling a little.
“What about his brother?” Hales asked. “The Executioner? He’d be pretty powerful, right? Or the Defender of Souls? What about Wild?”
“Won’t be Wild,” Darkness murmured.
“Nah, Wild would just smile and eliminate everyone. He’s not impartial.” Uri chuckled a little gleefully. “I love it when he does that. He’s probably a rival for the most powerful brethren.”
“Who’s Wild?” Freddie asked, confused.
“Defender of the Spirit. Jett Wild de Ville and his twin, Orlando Calm de Ville. They are the spirit of the pouvoir. Wild’s one of the most powerful brethren,” Darkness explained.
“Well, I guess we’ll find out in the coming weeks.” Torrent shrugged. “For now, we concentrate on retrieving the globe, uniting the brethren, and making sure Rico doesn’t take off thinking he has to take on the world by himself.”
Shooting a droll look at his cousin, Rico stabbed his fork into a roast potato. It would take time for him to feel comfortable sharing the mission, and he guessed during that time he’d be putting up with a few comments. That was fair in a way.
“Does Rico often do that? Think he has to take on the world by himself?” Freddie asked.
“Yes,” Darkness said without hesitation.
“Pot.” Hales pointed at Rico then Darkness and Torrent. “Kettles.”
Callum and Uri laughed. Freddie grinned.