by Tia Didmon
Mara faked interest. “What kinds of things do you import?”
Roland looked her over suggestively. “The rarest and most beautiful artifacts in the world.”
Mara! Legion screamed in her mind. He is a dark dragon. He is trying to put you under his spell. Jake made your magic rise because someone has altered his memories. He believes Roland is a long-time friend, when in fact he just met the dragon. I am on my way. Don’t let him know you’re on to him and do not leave that restaurant for any reason.
Mara took a sip of water, glancing at Natalie. Her friend was unaware of the danger Roland posed. “That sounds interesting, Roland. Were you on the football team with Jake in high school. You seem familiar to me.”
Roland smiled, believing his magic was working on her. “No, I prefer more competitive sports.”
Mara laughed without humor. “There aren’t to many sports more competitive than football.”
Roland straightened his immaculate tie. “There are if you look in the right stadiums. Perhaps, we could be in one right now.”
Mara’s heart stuttered. Legion! Did he relocate us?
No. You are at the restaurant. He is taunting you. He has figured out that you are on to him, but he is waiting for something.
How did he find out I’m onto him?
Because I just blocked an attack on your mind. He is trying to find out who blocked him. He thinks another dark is seeking to take you from him.
You can read his mind?
No. I know how dark dragons work. They all wish to possess a druid, and you are the rarest of all. I am here.
Every patron turned when Legion strode into the restaurant. It was impossible not to. He exuded power like a second skin, but it was his eyes that held every patron’s stare. They were pure topaz. Golden gems that reflected the candles on the tables.
Roland stood, looking at his nemesis in fear. He glanced between Mara and Legion. “Devlin never mentioned she was yours.”
Legion approached the table. “Roland. I should have guessed you would turn. I did not realize you had woken, let alone chose a dark path.”
Roland’s eyes flickered red. “There is no future for us. We should rule.”
“Enough!” Legion roared. “You will leave now.”
Conner entered the restaurant, but stayed by the door. His crystalline eyes surveyed the room.
Roland sneered at the large man. “This is not over.” He walked from the restaurant, glaring at Conner.
Legion held out his hand to Mara. “Let’s return to your loft. Conner will see to the patrons here.”
Mara took his hand while grabbing Natalie’s arm. “She comes with us.”
Legion glanced at the confused face of Mara’s best friend. “We will discuss the consequences of leaving her memories at your loft.”
Natalie stared as every person in the restaurant put their heads down. “What the hell is going on?”
Chapter 12
They entered the loft. Mara had shaken her head when they exited the restaurant, to let Natalie know that they couldn’t speak in public. As soon as the door closed, Natalie spun around with her arms crossed.
“Spill it. What’s going on, and what the hell happened to those people at the restaurant?”
Mara glance at Legion. “I’m telling her everything.”
Legion shrugged. “Go ahead, but Conner will remove her memories so it will prove pointless.”
Mara’s eyes flared. “Conner is not touching her.”
Legion nodded to Conner. “He does not need to touch her. If you recall from earlier, she will suffer no ill effects. I do this to protect her. A dark can sift through her memories. They will use her against you and kill her, if they know she is important to you.”
Natalie touched Mara’s arm. “I have no idea what is happening, but don’t let him mess with my mind.”
Mara looked into the face of her best friend. “Legion, don’t do this.”
Legion’s jaw ticked. “I am sorry, Mara. This is not your decision.”
Conner’s power surged before he pulled back, frowning. “I had trouble wiping Natalie’s memories last time. I assumed it was because it had been centuries since I connected with a human mind.” He glanced at Legion. “Though I had no trouble with the humans at the restaurant, I cannot access her mind.”
Legion looked hard at Natalie. His power filtered out, gentle, probing around the scared young woman. “Her power has not surfaced. It is dormant. The shield around her mind, formed because you altered her perception. It’s the only magic that’s detectable.”
Mara looked at Natalie. “What does that mean?”
Conner and Legion spoke in unison. “She is a druid.”
Mara flashed Legion a dirty look before turning to Conner. “How can you be sure?”
Legion glanced between the irritated women. “How did you two meet?”
Mara’s look was unrepentant. “You’re not off the hook for that stunt. You had no right to wipe her mind without my permission.”
Legion glanced at her. “I’ll do many things that make you uncomfortable. Your safety and hers are my priority. I will never waver on this issue. I suggest you get accustomed to it.”
Mara crossed her arms. “I am not one of your subjects. If you think you can order me around, you are kidding yourself.”
Legion’s eyes flared before Conner stepped forward.
The tall blond put his hand over his heart. “Natalie, I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies. I would not have touched your mind had I known you were druid. I will inform my brethren of the signs of an emerging druid to ensure this does not happen in the future. I should have realized you were druid.”
Natalie threw her hands in the air. “Sure, whatever. Just tell me what is going on.”
Mara turned to her friend, relaying all the events of the past couple days, including the part where Conner removed her memories the first time.
Natalie flopped down on the couch. “Druids. Dragons. Magic. You can’t be serious. It’s bad mushrooms. It has to be.”
Legion’s eyes flared as Natalie’s eyes clouded. Fire licked her pupils as Mara ran to her.
She wrapped her arm around Natalie’s stiff form, glaring at Legion. “Stop it!” Mara yelled.
“Legion is showing her the truth. About us, about you and her,” Conner said.
Natalie sucked in a breath when her eyes returned to their natural blue. “Holy shit.”
Mara rubbed her forehead as her stomach turned. “That about sums it up.”
Conner sat in a chair beside the girls. “Can you tell us how you met now. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two of the first druids to emerge, grew up together.”
Mara and Natalie stared at each other before Mara spoke. “We met at a summer camp for girls when we were kids.”
Conner smiled. “Sounds nice. Where was the camp?”
“It was just outside the city. There were several cottages, a stream and a meeting hall. All surrounded by forest and wildlife. We loved it.”
“What was it called?’
“Todhchai Camp for Girls. It was by invite only, and free for those chosen. I was lucky, as my parents could never have afforded a camp like that,” Mara said.
Natalie nodded. “My father would never have let me go if it wasn’t free. He commented on the money he would save while I was away.”
Mara put a reassuring hand on her friend’s knee.
Natalie shook her head. “It’s okay, that was a long time ago.”
Conner took out his phone. After A few seconds, he looked up. “That camp does not exist.”
“It was years ago. Maybe they don’t run it anymore,” Mara said.
Conner put his phone away. “There would be a record with the business bureau. There isn’t.”
Natalie frowned. “How can you look that up?”
“One of my brothers was excellent with computers. He set us up with access to government agencies he thought we would need.”
Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Impressive. I won’t comment on the legality of that, but I admit I have skirted the law a few times when hacking.”
Conner’s eyes lit up. “You are proficient with a computer?”
Mara huffed. “She is a genius. Computers, ancient languages and texts. Her intellect is scary.”
Conner’s smile was sly. “Ah Lass, you and I will have some fun together.” He winked.
Natalie looked down, but her lips creased with a smile.
Legion had been silent for a while. His eyes flickered as his power encased the room. It was invisible, but unmistakable as electricity cracked like static on a television. “The temple. She called her future to her.”
“The temple isn’t alive,” Mara said.
Legion glanced at her. “In some ways it is. We need to know who was at that camp.”
Mara got up from the couch, grabbing the kettle. She added water and plugged it in. “Natalie, I am going to make us some tea. You look like you could use it.”
Natalie pulled her feet up. Wrapping her arms around them. “I saw what Legion showed me, and I believe he and Conner are dragons and that you are druid, but I don’t think I am. I’m not like you, Mara. You always had unique abilities. I’m just me.”
Legion rolled his shoulders. A predator surveying his territory. “Mara is the seer. Her power is unlike any other, but we will not know if you come into your power until your twenty-third birthday. When is that?”
Natalie glanced at the calendar on the wall. “In four months.”
Legion nodded. “You may as well learn about your heritage.”
“What if I don’t develop any powers?” Natalie whispered.
Legion shrugged. “You are still druid and will pass your blood to your children. You are part of our family, from now on. Either way, you are still Mara’s sister.”
Natalie frowned. “Mara has a sister.”
“Not one she is close to. Where was this sister when Mara needed a friend?”
Natalie sighed. “Alana is... Alana.”
His voice dipped low, forcing Mara and Natalie to turn to him. “Was Alana at that camp?”
“Yes.” Both women said in unison.
He nodded. “She will need to be brought home and her heritage explained to her. Tell me about the girls at camp. Do you know their names?”
Mara poured the boiling water into the teapot, placing the lid on the top to allow it to steep. “Yes, but not their last names. The camp had a ‘what happens at camp, stays at camp’ motto.” Legion’s eyes narrowed. “You never questioned why they swore you to secrecy?’
Mara shrugged. “We were told that it was to protect one another. That rich, poor, or cultural background was irrelevant. We were equals from that moment on. Natalie and I realized we had seen each other in passing back home. She had moved to my neighborhood a few weeks before. She lived a couple of blocks away.”
Natalie nodded. “Camp changed us. We bonded, became best friends, and have been inseparable since. I am not sure I would be here without Mara’s family. They took me in when things got bad at home.”
Legion glanced between the women. “The temple may have sensed your precarious surroundings and took steps to ensure you had a stable home to turn to when you needed it.”
Natalie swallowed hard. “It could do that?’
Legion stood immobile. “Yes. The temple is the last of her kind. A living magic that has a single purpose.”
Mara poured the tea into two cups, attempting to still the shake in her arm. “And what is that?”
“To protect her children. The druids. She has waited a long time for their return. It won’t surprise me if she has paired other girls.”
Mara and Natalie looked at each other.” Several of the girls left camp as friends. We thought nothing of it. That’s normal for summer camp.”
Legion rubbed his chin. “Would you recognize those girls if you saw them again?”
Mara walked back to the couch and placed the teacup in front of Natalie. “I doubt it. Except for Tempest, I barely remember them.”
Legion’s eyes narrowed. “Tempest?”
Mara took a sip of her tea, allowing the fiery liquid to soothe her chaotic nerves. “She was younger and blind.”
Legion’s eyes flared. “The gatekeeper?”
Mara’s eyes snapped to his. “You think so?”
Natalie stood up, taking her tea to the computer table. “We may find her in the visually impaired database.”
Conner’s eyes narrowed in on Natalie. “You can hack that system? It is not one we have access to.”
Mara sighed. “She is a whiz with computers. I don’t understand half of what she says.”
Natalie shrugged. “My father was a programmer for several tech companies before my mom died.”
Legion nodded. “We need to find those girls before the dark dragons do, and should start with Tempest.”
Hot tea burned Mara’s throat when she swallowed. “Or what?’
Conner stood up. “The dark dragons will enslave them. If they know about the camp, then they’re already looking.”
Chapter 13
Mara and Natalie descended the stairs to the shop. Mara pointed to the backroom, weaving her way through the shelves as Natalie followed. She closed the door after her friend entered the storage room. “I wanted to talk to you alone for a minute. I know this is overwhelming.”
Natalie shook her head. “This is complete insanity, but I know that it’s the truth.”
Mara nodded. “It is.”
They turned as a blue light flashed beneath the door.
“What was that?” Natalie asked.
Mara reached for the door handle. “No idea.”
The door burst open, causing them to jump back. Devlin smiled as his eyes glanced between the women. “Hello Mara. Excuse the intrusion, but after Roland’s pathetic attempt to acquire you. It forced me to use more direct measures.”
Mara’s chest squeezed. “You picked a bad time to visit the shop.”
Devlin glanced up. “You mean Legion and his flunky, Conner? I made sure my sound proofing spell was perfect before entering the shop. He thinks you are rummaging around your old books looking for information.”
Natalie touched Mara’s arm, but she didn’t turn to comfort her friend. Legion! Devlin is downstairs.
We detected his wards. Conner and I can break them, but we need a minute or two.
Mara injected fear into her voice. “How did you do it?”
Devlin waved a hand. “Legion is not the only dragon with skills. Now tell me about the druids. Where are they?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Devlin hissed. “You are twenty-three today. Your power is at fruition. Tell me!”
Mara raised an eyebrow. “You should have asked me my birthday instead of looking at my driver’s license. While I have tried multiple times to fix it, the date on that license, is wrong. I turn twenty-three tomorrow.”
Ross entered the room. “There’s nothing in the store of any use to us. What difference does it make if her birthday is tomorrow?”
Devlin’s eyes flared red. “I want her magic to be mature. It will make her blood more powerful. We must take them.”
Mara felt the magic within her build like a wall. Each brick strengthened the other. “We are not going anywhere with you.”
Devlin huffed. “You will come with me, and work with my daughter to restore the temple.”
Mara faltered. “Your daughter?”
Devlin’s sneer was frightful. “Yes, she was at the druid camp.”
“How did you know about the camp?” Mara stuttered.
“Tempest told me,” he said.
Mara sucked in a breath. “Tempest is your daughter?’
Devlin smoothed his shirt. “Adopted. Her mother was an excellent asset to my cleaning staff. I took good care of her until her death... an unfortunate accident.”
“You killed
her,” Mara hissed.
Devlin shrugged. “I admit, I got greedy, but I already had the next generation in my grasp. I no longer needed her.”
Mara felt the magic inside her change. The brick wall turned into a sword. Pain. Anger. Retribution. All fueled the turbulent cauldron of power as it churned within her. The sweet blind girl from camp had been a prisoner her entire life. “What have you done to Tempest?”
Devlin huffed. “Nothing. She is too young. I need her magic active before I can bind her to me. Besides, she adores me. She believes I worship her.” He glanced away. “In my way, I do.”
Mara crossed her arms. “You want what she can give you.”
Devlin looked at her with red fire licking his pupils. “True, but that’s what power is.”
“No.”
Devlin glanced at Natalie. “This friend of yours is useless. I feel no druid blood in her.” He glanced at Ross. “Kill her.”
Ross grabbed Natalie so fast Mara never moved. “No. Please.”
Devlin held up a hand. Ross froze with the silver blade as Natalie’s throat. A thin trickle of red slid to the base of her throat. “It’s tempting to use the female to coerce your compliance, but I am pressed for time. “He lowered his hand as the blade bit into Natalie’s throat.
The power blasted out of Mara like a tsunami. White waves that hurled the men backward. Devlin erected a shield around his body, but the impact ejected Ross from the room, as the walls cracked around them.
The roar echoed around them before Devlin dashed toward the entrance, his shield encasing him.
Mara lay on the floor, unable to stand. It was like she had just run a thousand miles and lacked the stamina to move. She glanced up when Conner entered the room. He went to Natalie.
He sat down, pulling her into his lap. “Lass, let me take care of this scratch for you. His hand glowed as the gash at Natalie’s throat closed, leaving the skin unmarred. “That’s better. Sleep now, my sister.”
Mara blinked as Ross rose from the floor. He stumbled before a force threw him into a side wall. Legion entered the shop from the front door. Fire erupted over his body, but damaged nothing he touched. His eyes blazed with golden fire as smoke billowed behind him.