“She lives. She’ll heal up, but…” He paused. “Pandora tortured her. I’m pretty sure you know that. She’ll need therapy. I hope she accepts it.”
I closed my eyes, trying to breathe softly. “What did Pandora do to her?”
Ferosyn’s expression darkened. “The Ante-Fae are strong, but Ravven is still young. And she’s more sensitive than others of her kind. Pandora pulled out two of her teeth—molars. Needless to say, without any anesthetic. She also tore off five of Raven’s fingernails. Those will grow back, but the pain must have been horrendous.” He paused, looking queasy.
“What else?” I knew there was more.
“I’m not sure if it was Pandora who did it, or if she had someone else do it, but Raven has bite marks all over her body. Deep, painful, bite wounds. She’s missing a bit of flesh from her left thigh, and another chunk from her stomach. I disinfected the wounds and packed them to encourage drainage. Both of her shoulders had been dislocated, and she has cigarette wounds all over her back. I’ve seen worse, but this was pretty bad. And it was done with thought as to how to make it hurt the most. That seems to be it. I’ve set her shoulders—they’re back into place, but they’ll hurt like hell. And I’ve cleaned all wounds and done my best to see that they don’t leave scars.”
“Not all scars are visible,” I murmured, shutting my eyes, trying to block out the images that flooded my mind. “Is she awake?”
“Yes, she’s awake. She hasn’t said much. Kipa is with her right now.”
“Good,” I said, though it crossed my mind that Kipa might not have the best bedside manner. Though, when it came to Raven, he probably was in there doting over her. “I’d like to see her as soon as I can.”
“That will be a few days. I want both of you to rest up here. Angel sends her love. Herne let her and the rest of your office know what happened. He’s outside, waiting to talk to you, along with Ashera and Morgana.”
I glanced down. I was in a white eyelet nightgown, which made me feel distinctly out of place, but I was decent. “All right. I’m ready.”
“I’ll show them in.” He paused. “Do you need to talk to our counselor? You took some pretty rough damage there and generally, when Pandora hurts somebody, they’re scarred both emotionally and physically.”
I thought about it for a moment. I didn’t feel scarred, so much as angry. Pandora had made herself an enemy, and while I had no idea what—if anything—I could do about it, I wanted revenge. For myself, for her victims, and mostly, for Raven.
“Nope,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m fine.”
Whether he believed me or not, I couldn’t tell, but Ferosyn nodded and left the room. A moment later, the door opened again, and Herne, Morgana, and Ashera entered.
Herne was first to my side, and he gently sat on the bed, leaning in to give me a long, searching kiss. “My love. I’m so sorry, I’m so…” He choked on the words, tears in his eyes. “I should have known better than to let you go in there. I was such a fool.”
I raised my left hand, wincing as the motion made the burns hurt like hell. But I reached out and stroked his face. “Herne, it wasn’t your fault. The dragons said Pandora was out. We needed to find Raven, and you had to fight them. We did what we had to do, based on what we thought we knew. What happened to the dragons, by the way? Did you kill them?”
“They took some damage, but finally Mother called up a massive storm and chased them away with lightning bolts.” He glanced at his mother. “She saved our asses. Dragons are a good match for the gods and while they can’t kill us, they can do a lot of damage.”
“The minute they left, we came after you,” Morgana said. “We arrived just in time to see her attacking Trinity. Merlin chased her out with his blast of sunlight. Pandora works her best magic during the twilight or dusk. Bright light sends her scuttling for shelter, but it must be a light so brilliant that it would burn her.”
“How is Trinity?” I said.
“He took a beating, but he’s up and walking around. He came out better than you did.” Morgana paused. “You’re lucky you managed to contact Ashera.”
I glanced over at the blue dragon lady. “I have no idea how that happened. How did you hear me?”
Ashera regarded me solemnly. “I felt your energy when I was spying on Pandora and Aso and Variance—the white dragons. They’re twins, you know. A deadly pair who managed to slip through without us realizing it.”
I blinked. “Us? Us…who?”
Herne pulled up a chair and sat down by my bedside. “It’s rather complicated. Apparently, the core of the Dragonni—the dragon folk—are splintered in their opinions of what to do when Typhon returns. Ashera belongs to the Star Dragonni…she can explain it better than I can.”
Ashera turned to me. “There are three factions among the Dragonni. First, the Star Dragonni are descended from the Celestial Wanderers. We are the blue dragons of the waters, the silver dragons of the stars, and the golden dragons of the sun. We do not believe in meddling in human affairs—and that goes for shifters, Fae, and the like. We almost always side with the Earth Dragonni, who are descended from the Mountain Dreamers. They’re the green dragons of the earth and the black dragons from the deep caverns and high mountain crags. But…there are those who don’t share our views.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Fire dragons? Air dragons?”
She gave me a succinct nod. “Yes, actually. The red dragons of fire, the white dragons of the winds, and the shadowed dragons of the underworld are descended from the Luminous Warriors. They are born to conquer, and they thirst for power. They’re willing to wage war to get what they want, where the Earth Dragonni and the Star Dragonni seek out realms and places that are free and open for holding. We’re not pacifists, but neither do we believe in forcing others from their lands.”
I struggled to take in everything she was saying. “So, the three factions—the Celestial Wanderers, the Mountain Dreamers, and the Luminous Warriors—all of you are descended from Typhon?”
“Yes, Typhon and Echidna—his wife. She vanished long ago and we’ve been looking for her ever since. Both Typhon and Echidna were born from the union of Tartarus and Gaia. But the Celestial Wanderers and the Mountain Dreamers favor our ancient mother, while the Luminous Warriors stand by Typhon.”
“Let me guess,” I said, wincing at how sore my throat was. “Now that Typhon is returning, the Luminous Warriors are rising to stand by his side?”
“Yes. I am in an elite group of the Dragonni who are working against our more volatile kin. We cannot prevent them from entering your world, but we will be establishing lairs and working to prevent them from destroying the civilizations you have built up over the years. Now that I know they are already infiltrating, I can contact my superiors and we’ll discuss ways in order to help you the best we can. I’ll call on two of my Star Sisters to join me—one’s a silver dragon, the other a gold.”
I frowned. “How does water connect with the stars and sun? I’d think that your kind would be more akin to the… What are they? Mountain Dreamers?”
She smiled and her eyes spun like a kaleidoscope. “Oh, child, no. Water is controlled by the moon—the tides follow the moon’s pull. The blue dragons are not only connected to the water, but to the Moon’s influence.”
“Well, we know one thing. We must figure out a way to repel Pandora for the long term. My grandfather’s magic hurt her, but she’ll be back. We can’t kill her, but we have to put her out of commission for a long time,” Herne said.
Morgana turned to him. “I know of one way, or at least my father does. Trapping her in stasis. If we can trap her in the Crystal Cavern in Annwn, we can keep her hidden and out of action for centuries. But that will take a great deal of planning.”
“Not to mention, she’s only one of the emissaries Typhon is sending. I’m afraid,” Herne said, “that the world will never be the same. The tipping point will come soon. And there are more dangerous agents beyond Pandora. I fear what we
’ll see next.”
Ashera sighed. “Well, you have the help of the Star Dragonni and the Earth Dragonni. And we are not lacking for power.”
With that, they fell silent. Herne reached out and laid a hand on my arm, a worried look on his face. I wanted to cry. Everything around was changing so fast, and I was afraid he was right—it was going to get far worse before it got better. We needed all the allies we could get in this war.
Two Weeks Later: Walpurgisnacht—the Night Before Beltane…
Raven was home, and so was I. We had both stayed in Cernunnos’s palace for over a week before Ferosyn let us leave. Now, we sat on the sofa in my living room with Herne and Kipa, and Angel and Rafé. Mr. Rumblebutt wouldn’t leave me alone. I snuggled him tight, but I was still hurting, and my sprained wrist was still splinted. Ferosyn had put me on light activity only, and warned me that if I wasn’t careful, I could develop a subdermal hematoma in my leg. Meaning, no rousing bed sports.
Raven’s teeth were growing back in—the Ante-Fae had the ability to regrow teeth, and her hands were still bandaged until the nails grew back. Ante-Fae and Fae healed much faster than humans, so it wouldn’t be long, but she had confided in me that she was sure to have a number of lingering scars, especially on her back.
Right now, though, we were all eating hot dogs and beans, thanks to Angel, and there was a cheesecake for dessert, and none of us wanted to talk about Pandora or the killings. All necromancers and mediums in the area had been warned to be on their guard, and they were flocking to the magical guilds, who had been ordered to allow them membership.
While Pandora hadn’t shown up again, she would be back, we knew, and she would probably bring reinforcements.
Kipa joined me in the kitchen when I went to replenish my soda. Ferosyn had forbade alcohol for either Raven or me until we were better, and so it was a dry Beltane. I didn’t feel like drinking booze, anyway, and though we were all laughing and joking, there was an undercurrent of tension running through the room.
“Ember, can I talk to you about something?” Kipa asked.
I glanced up at him. “Of course. What’s going on?”
“It’s about Raven. I’m worried.”
I nodded. “I know, but I doubt Pandora will target her again. She’ll be gunning for all of us, especially Merlin, since he’s the one who blew her socks off back on the mountain. And unlike Morgana, he’s capable of being killed.”
“That’s not what’s worrying me,” Kipa said. “It’s… She’s different. She says she’s fine, but I know she’s not. She gets angry at me when I tell her to take it easy. She lashes out when I’m just trying to help her. I know I can be obtuse at times, but I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m trying not to hover, but I’m getting paranoid.” He leaned against the counter.
“Ferosyn was afraid this might happen,” I said. “He offered her a chance to meet with a therapist, but she refused. I think it’s due to the lack of control she had in the situation. And also, Pandora hooked her in. Raven didn’t have a clue she was talking to Pandora, and I think she’s angry at herself. I think she blames herself for putting us all in danger.” I paused. “Have you thought of talking to her mother? Phasmoria is pretty imposing. She might be able to take Raven in hand and help her.”
“I’m afraid if I did that, Raven would never speak to me again. But it may be a chance I’ll have to take. I know that I have to do something, because she’s starting to act out. She didn’t come home until four a.m. the other morning and when I asked her where she was, she wouldn’t tell me. I know she’s been hanging out with Trinity, and regardless of the fact that he helped us out, I just don’t like the guy.”
I could hear the catch in his voice. I rested my hand on his arm. “I know, Kipa. I know. I don’t care for him myself. Give Raven some time. I’ll talk to her and see if it helps.”
As we rejoined the others, I couldn’t help but wonder, though, how much Pandora had changed us all. Because I knew I had changed. And I knew without Raven telling me that she was desperate to regain control of her life, and Pandora’s torture loomed like a gaping reminder that almost all control was merely an illusion to help us make it through the days.
I started to help Angel clear up after Kipa and Raven went home, but Rafé took the stack of dishes from me and shooed me out of the kitchen. Herne swept me up in his arms and carried me up to the bedroom, with Mr. Rumblebutt racing along behind us.
As I curled up on my bed, I asked Herne to prop open the window. The warm evening breeze sailed through, but I could feel the promise of rain in the air, and I welcomed the prospect of wet streets and cloud-swept spring skies.
“Tomorrow’s Beltane,” I said.
“My birthday,” Herne answered, lying back with his hands beneath his head. “I got a call from Viktor. Sheila’s out of the hospital but she’s scared to go back to work. She’s moving in with him. I think it’s a good thing. Oh, and Rafé has agreed to join the Wild Hunt as a clerk.” He yawned and reached out to take my hand, carefully avoiding my wrists.
I took Herne’s fingers, bringing them to my lips and kissing them. I wanted him, wanted all of him, but I wasn’t sure if it was because I was horny or because I wanted some sort of desperate reassurance that things would be all right. He scooched up against the headboard and I rested my head on his shoulder.
“It’s been a year since Angel and I came to work for the Wild Hunt,” I said. “I’ve decided to get another tattoo. I have an appointment for tomorrow morning. What better time to get it than on Beltane?”
Herne glanced at me. “Really? What are you getting?”
“A crow, with outstretched wings. Your mother was right. I have to give in to my Leannan Sidhe blood. It’s so much easier to accept my father’s lineage. So I’m going to honor my mother and that side of myself with the tattoo, because it binds me to Morgana and to the sea. I feel I’ve earned it.”
“You have,” he said. “You’re so much stronger than you were when I first met you, and I’m not talking about your body. That, too, but your courage and your strength. You put yourself on the lines for those you love. You ran toward that cave, not knowing what you’d find, in order to save Raven.”
I nodded. “I have family now, and Raven’s part of it. Angel, Talia, Viktor, Yutani, even Charlie. You’re all my family. And I would fight to save any of you.” I stared at my hands. “I know Kipa’s worried about Trinity, but I think… I think Trinity can help Raven, even though he seems wildly chaotic.”
“You might be right.” Herne fell silent, his arm around my shoulders. He played with my hair, lightly toying with a strand of it.
The evening deepened, and outside, we could hear the frogs croaking. We had encouraged the critters to make their home in our garden, along with the dragonflies and bees, and birds. I closed my eyes as a light breeze hastened through.
Ashera had taken up residence on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride away, and she made it clear we were to keep touch with her regarding anything to do with Typhon or his emissaries. In fact, we were to meet with her come Monday to discuss the matter.
I let out a soft breath. “I love you, Herne. All I could think about when Pandora had me locked up was whether Raven was alive, and whether I’d see you again.” I blushed. “I’ve decided to embrace my wild side. As soon as I’m healed up, I need to let my Leannan Sidhe side out where it’s safe. With you.”
“So you shall, love, so you shall. Your fierceness in love play won’t hurt me. I look forward to it. I love it when you stroke me gently, and I’ll love it when you thrash me around in the bedroom. I’m a good match for your temptress.”
Then he lifted my chin and kissed me fully, his tongue lingering in my mouth, his hands firmly holding me to him. “There’s one more thing,” he whispered, sounding so serious that it made me sit up.
“What’s that? Is something wrong?” I gave him a wary look.
“No, but it’s Beltane, and I need to clarify something.” Herne slipped off t
he bed and turned to face me where I was sitting cross-legged. He slid his hand in his pocket, then withdrew it, cupping something I couldn’t see. Before I could speak, he knelt in front of me, on one knee.
“Ember Sabina Kearney, at the Winter Solstice, I gave you a promise ring carved from my own tine. Now, I want to make our promise a reality. My beloved, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?” He held out his hand, a ring box in his palm.
I stared as he slowly opened it. There, in the box, was a platinum ring with a square-cut sapphire in the center, and to each side were diamond and amethyst baguettes.
“Before you answer, remember this,” he said. “If you marry me, it will be for life. You will become a goddess, like my mother did. I promise that I will never stray, never take a mistress, never deceive or lie to you. But you will forever be bound to me and my world.”
“I…” I wasn’t sure what to say. My heart screamed for me to say yes, but my head warned me to think carefully before answering. “I want to say yes. I just…”
“You need time to think it over, and that time I give you. I’m in no rush, as much as I want you to wear my ring.” He gently closed the box and placed it in my hand. “When you decide, either come to me wearing the ring, or come to me to give it back. You must be absolutely sure of your answer. And should you choose to say no, then we’ll continue as we are.”
And with that, he kissed me on the forehead and crawled back in bed. I stared at the ring case in my hand. It would be so simple to put on the ring now, so very simple. But Herne was right—it was a massive decision. And as much as I loved him, I wasn’t quite ready to stand at that crossroad. I tucked the ring in my nightstand, and then we went back to cuddling.
Outside, the stars began to appear, and from somewhere down the street, I could hear someone was having a party. Memories of Pandora kept flashing back in my head, but I did my best to chase them away. We were facing dark days, and even darker forces were coming against us. My friends and I were already caught in the vortex that Typhon was brewing.
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