At Risk

by Gayle Parness

  “How many grizzly shifters do you know?” Isaiah asked.

  “Jay’s the only one I’ve met.”

  “Do you know any other supernaturals with that particular shade?”

  “No.”

  “As I thought.” Isaiah halted, turned to my childhood friend and took a stance I knew well. The interrogation was about to begin. “Who were your parents, boy?”

  “Call me boy again and I might take a bite out of you.” Jay’s tone held no anger, but he was deadly serious. He shook his head and sent droplets flying, then drank down the rest of the water.

  Brina stifled a laugh with a harsh cough. I offered her a skin and she quickly drank half.

  “This is probably not the best day to test the waters, Jason.” Isaiah leaned closer to Jay, his eyes burning with an orange glow brighter than mine. Isaiah held an ancient power beyond our understanding, but he usually didn’t like to throw it around. “I’m in a mood.” He glanced toward the mountain and growled.

  Jason Daro-Bain was not one to slink away from a demon. A fae female warrior maybe, but not a demon. “You’ve helped Charlie and Mrs. Cuvier, maybe even saved their lives. Saved a lot of lives, probably. Doesn’t mean you can talk to me or about me like I’m one of your servants.”

  Isaiah smiled in my direction. “My servants adore me, don’t they Char?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, but…”

  Isaiah held up his hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll keep the peace and rephrase. Would you tell me, young grizzly, all you know about your parents?”

  “Kyle and Peter are my parents.”

  “I’m speaking of your birth parents.”

  Jay turned away and began walking toward the mountain again. “Drug addicts. They went out to score and died in a car crash.”

  Isaiah caught up easily. “What else do you know?”

  Jay halted and faced the all too annoying demon. His expression hardened. “I was four and they left me home alone. I don’t remember those losers at all.”

  Jay had confessed during one of the nights we sat together around our campfire in the Sierras a few years ago that he remembered crying. Feeling scared and hungry. Then terrified when strangers came to the door and broke it down because he was too afraid to open it. But none of that info was mine to spill.

  “Only one was a shifter, correct?” Isaiah asked.

  “Why do you give a shit?”

  I had to agree that was a good question. “Isaiah…”

  He ignored me and continued with Jay. “Your aura is unique and I’m great at unraveling mysteries. Humor me.”

  “Peter told me that my mother was a grizzly shifter.”

  “And your birth father?”

  “All I know is he was strange and the neighbors kept their distance. He was probably stoned all the time. Look, I’m done talking about them, okay?”

  “That’s fine. Have you met up with other grizzlies?” Isaiah asked.

  “Yeah. East of Vancouver there’s a settlement.”

  “Did you notice anything different about them? Different than you?”

  “My bear was larger.”

  Isaiah grinned. “Quite a bit, I’d imagine.”

  Oh boy.

  Jay continued without any more urging. “The other grizzlies weren’t all that friendly, couldn’t wait for me and Ivy to leave. Most supes like me.”

  Brina snorted in that adorable way she had and Jay scowled in her direction. “I couldn’t figure out what it was about me that pissed them off,” Jay said.

  “Your scent,” Brina said. “It would raise my hackles if I were shifter or wolf.”

  “Excuse me? I shower.” Jay sniffed under his arm and made a face. “Well, it’s hot and we’ve been walking for a while.”

  I punched him in the shoulder to get his attention. “Brina’s talking about your shifter scent.”

  “It screams alpha predator.” Isaiah nodded.

  “It does?” Jay asked, looking pleased.

  We moved through a small field of tall grass, then into a wooded expanse. “It’s like my Uncle Aaron’s wolf,” I explained. “Aaron’s not just the alpha of a single pack, but the alpha of a large territory full of packs. He’s got shifter magic on top of the werewolf virus he carries. Aaron’s mom was a cheetah shifter, but his dad was human. The community thought Aaron was human too. He chose to join a pack and the bite turned him werewolf. Right away, everyone knew he was alpha material and would lead his own pack one day.”

  Isaiah slid Jay a slow smile. He was acting like he knew some big secret. “I bet it was mostly the male grizzlies in Vancouver who weren’t happy you decided to stop by.”

  “Well… I did get a lot of attention from some of the females. Of course, Ivy and I were together then.” He shrugged, not allowing the sadness he felt to show.

  With the war coming and Jay back up north with me, we’d decided to shut down the private investigator business in L.A. Ivy couldn’t run it herself, but she’d been pretty pissed off and had ended things with Jay. Two days later, she’d headed to her home at the Kelpie Court, to help her people prepare for the war against the archdemon.

  “I’m glad you decided to come along,” I told my friend.

  “Char…” But that was all he got out.

  Isaiah grabbed my tunic and Jay’s, pulling us down into a crouch beside him. “Shush! We’re within range.”

  I felt a pull in my core as Brina disappeared, reappearing on a tree branch high above us. “Demons are congregating on the largest mountain to the north,” she sent to Isaiah and me. “They sit on a high ledge. I believe they share a meal. One demon laughed.”

  “That can’t be right.” Isaiah scowled up at the ledge.

  That particular mountain was our destination. I’d carved out the ledge and the cave behind it with my magic so the dragons who inhabited the demon realm could have a home away from the city where Naberia had first deposited them. “Do you think the dragons made friends with some of the locals?” I whispered. “Could they be guarding the cave?”

  “They could be dinner,” Jay added. “Dragons are carnivores, right?”

  A wash of strong magic tore through our protective shield.

  “They are omnivores, to be true. We prefer fresh meat, but we can digest almost anything.” The stranger addressed Isaiah. “It took ya a time to get here.” He spoke Rux with only the hint of an Irish accent.

  Jay whispered to me, “Are the dragons Irish too?”

  Isaiah stood, fisting his hands and no longer whispering. “This male is an oath breaker.” He spun and faced the newcomer. Jay and I jumped to our feet.

  “He’s one of the demons on the ledge,” Brina offered, now standing beside me.

  The male wore a tunic and breeches as I did, but the fabrics looked more expensive and fit his extremely large body as if the outfit was custom made. He did not carry a visible weapon and didn’t seem fazed by our sheathed ones.

  The stranger quickly surveyed our group. “Call me Wyn.” He pointed to Brina and Jay. “You two are trespassing. Return to your home and your people.” His unfriendly tone made my skin crawl. I sent Jay the translations.

  “You’ve broken a blood oath, Wyn,” Isaiah growled in Rux. “You swore to—”

  “So the royal brat isn’t dead after all. Pity.” Wyn stepped closer to Isaiah, his stance threatening.

  I dragged a few strong threads from the ley lines and shared the power with Brina. She pulled her sword. Jay’s hands sprouted long, sharp claws.

  “Why have you reneged?” Isaiah demanded.

  “Our territory. Our rules,” Wyn answered, almost sounding bored.

  “Naberia would happily dispute that claim over a plate of your entrails,” Isaiah said, relaxing slightly. It didn’t seem the male was going to attack. He was unarmed, although he might be able to kill one of us just by falling over. The guy was massive. Had Naberia created a new breed of demon?

  “Our dragons have reached an understanding with your ma. Sh
e leaves them alone and they do not eat the blue bloods at court. A good deal on both ends.

  “She won’t leave you alone for long.”

  Wyn gave me a slow head to toe followed by a disdainful sigh. “He is the one? Truly? He appears full-blood fae and as thin as a young warrior’s spear.”

  Isaiah smirked. “Charles will surprise you.”

  “I expected someone more mature with bulgin’ muscles and a berserker’s insane glower. Herculean in form at the least.” He shifted his gaze to me. “How many battles have you led?”

  I smiled. “Berserkers have to start somewhere.”

  The male actually grinned at that, showing a mouth full of very white teeth. Wyn’s eyes were an odd shade – a fiery amber. His skin was brown, his long hair dark and styled in warrior braids. Towering over us at over seven feet, something about his body threw me off balance, as if he were moving and staying still at the same time. I glanced at the setting sun, hoping it was the light.

  Lightning flashed and icy drops of rain landed on my head and shoulders. Thunder grumbled a few seconds later. “May we be invited inside, Wyn? I’d like to talk in a more comfortable environment, if possible.” I granted him a shallow bow.

  “Charles Liam William Cuvier. The dragons have been most anxious to speak to you. I grant you entrance, but only you.”

  “I won’t leave my companions.”

  “Why? You needn’t worry. As the female fae observed from her not so camouflaged spot on the tree branch” –he glanced up and shook his head— “we have finished dinner. The dragons as well.”

  His invitation was out of the question. A powerful demon might not be as magically strong as I was, but his aura broadcast he was a top of the pyramid predator. And he had a team of his own behind him.

  “What are you?” I asked.

  “All and everything.” He laughed, spreading his arms.

  None of us laughed.

  “He’s not going to your delightful cave unless we accompany you.” Isaiah’s eyes glowed with an orange fire.

  “Aaaand the royal brat butts in again.” Wyn scowled. “Go back to your nasty ma.” He motioned with his hands to shoo Isaiah away.

  A flash of lightning and a grumble of thunder interrupted Isaiah’s next comment. But then arguing in the rain was not my favorite pastime. I glanced at Brina, but she’d tightened her cloak, the corvo skin hood protecting her head. She winked at me, her signal that all was fine and I should get back to doing what I’d come to do and stop worrying about her.

  How she got so much info into one wink I could never figure out.

  Jay had already taken off his tunic and shirt and was standing, legs and arms spread in the rain, his grin wider than I’d seen the whole trip. In a minute he was going to be rolling in the mud like a dog.

  “Jay!” I called out. “The lightning is heading this way.”

  “Can’t hear you!”

  Bear hearing was excellent. He could hear me, no problem. Pain in my…

  “Why did you break our agreement, Wyn?” Isaiah was a dog with a bone.

  They had to shout at each other to be heard. “You were gone. Said to be dead. The spell was no longer valid.”

  “Its purpose was to save your lives,” Isaiah bellowed.

  “We are as ancient as you. We do not break like humans.”

  “Ancient fools.”

  I stepped between them, facing Wyn and blocking Isaiah. “With respect, I ask that you allow Brina, granddaughter of Finvarra; Jason, shapeshifter extraordinaire; and the royal brat to accompany me to your…um…cavernous home.”

  “Very funny,” Isaiah mumbled.

  Wyn pouted. “Must I?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I agree, on the condition I can remove them if they irritate me.”

  “We will all leave at the same time if they irritate you.” After receiving nods from Jay and Brina, I stared at Isaiah. “Uncle?”

  “Fine,” Isaiah said, putting as much anger as possible into the single word.

  Wyn straightened his body, taking on a more serious expression. “To be clear: We will follow the code of Xenia. You will enter peacefully as representatives of the three realms. I deem you guests, as we in the cavern are hosts. Once we share bread the rules are binding. No violence is allowed. Guests do not ask impertinent questions. Hosts offer safety, refreshment a comfortable sleeping chamber and bathing facilities. Do you understand?”

  “We do,” I said.

  “All of you?”

  Isaiah opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my hand. “I speak for my entire group. My companions follow and advise me and are always free to offer opinions, but final decisions are my responsibility alone. I am the only one to be held accountable if mistakes are made.”

  “Then it is on your head, young demon.” Wyn nodded and pointed to the ledge high above us. “Meet me there.” He disappeared.

  The rain had gained in strength, but a clear roof appeared over our heads almost immediately, courtesy of Isaiah. Brina took off her cloak and shook it out. I did the same.

  “A little water won’t hurt us.” Jay held out his hand and walked away from the group, trying to get to a spot that wasn’t covered. Isaiah watched him, amused. “How large did you make this roof?”

  “It extends as far as we walk in any direction.”

  Jay turned around and trudged back. “Killjoy.”

  “Under Xenia, guests often bring gifts. We have nothing.” Brina was always practical.

  “I have a valuable gift, as does Isaiah.”

  “What in the high reaches do you want me to give Wyn and his cronies?” Isaiah spread his arms.

  “Assurances that after the war they and the dragons will be protected and honored. You can give them territory rich with resources.”

  “The new ruler might renege.” Isaiah scratched the small of his back then sniffed his armpit. “Oof. I need a long, lovely, peaceful bath.”

  “Don’t change the subject. If you put anyone else on that throne, we’re back to square one. You are the only choice to take over after we kill Naberia.”

  “After I kill Naberia.”

  “Yes. Fine. After you kill her.

  “Not interested in ruling. At. All. The new archdemon will have a target on his back and I’d prefer to live a little longer. Fights for the throne will be fierce between the top royals.”

  “You could end those fights easily,” I said, scowling. “Why would you want to encourage more bloodshed?”

  He stepped closer and whispered, “I might step in later when the smoke has cleared.”

  “And the royals you speak of are dead.”

  “No great loss.” He shrugged.

  “You don’t mean that. What about the people who work for them? The businesses that depend on their support? Their families? Sounds like a civil war waiting to happen,” I said. “You say you want to help your people. Lead them! Be the ruler they deserve.”

  Brina pulled me aside and stepped between us. “I do not know how long you plan to argue on this muddy path, but I would like to get warm and dry sometime soon. Also, we are making our host wait for us, which is rude. You can continue your argument after I have bathed, had a decent meal, and a glass of wine.” She sent a pointed look in Jay’s direction. “Also I suggest you do something about the bear.”

  Jay had taken off his boots and pants, shifted his bottom half to bear and rolled around in a puddle. If he couldn’t get wet one way, he’d find another.

  Isaiah shifted the roof over Jay so rain poured on my friend from all directions. “Rinse off, Yogi.”

  “Food is waiting,” I shouted over the sound of the downpour.

  Jay ignored us, prancing around in the downpour like a ten-year-old. I couldn’t quash the grin. Bears. Gotta love ‘em.

  Brina pulled up her hood and stalked through the mud. “Get dressed and don’t even think about shaking your fur anywhere near me!”

  Jay straightened immediately. “Uh, yes, ma’am.”
He shifted back, pulled on his soggy shirt and breeches, then picked up his tunic, boots and pack.

  “You’re hired,” I sent to Brina. When Jay was in a playful mood, he could ignore me for hours.

  Her answer was a sharp grunt followed by a pull on my energy. She grabbed Jay in a rough hold and disappeared into the lines. Isaiah and I followed immediately.

  Female fae warriors had serious mojo.

  5

  Jackie

  The Cascade Council—Lady Dinestri, Lady Jorrenn, Lord Aedus and Lord Argon—sat at a long table at the front of the room. They’d been joined by Lord Caelen and King Finvarra. Everyone at the table was related in some way, whether siblings, cousins, fathers, mothers, sons, or daughters.

  Garrett and I were from the wrong side of the realms, which made for an interesting dynamic. They’d allowed us to sit at our own table but it was a good deal smaller. The chairs weren’t as comfy either.

  After the usual greetings, Aedus stood.

  “Where is your son?” Aedus spaced out the words as if we didn’t understand the Fae language. Garrett’s been fluent for a hundred freakin years and although I’ve only been coming to Faerie for twenty, Aedus is well aware of my ability to understand him ninety-nine percent of the time.

  This little chat was already raising my hackles.

  Garrett growled deep in his throat. His cheetah half had a shorter temper than his vamp side. “As we told you in the courtyard, we don’t know.” He spit out the words double time in an effort to force Aedus to speak to us like capable adults. Garrett looked to Fin. “King Finvarra, is this necessary?”

  The king waved a hand. “Enough, Aedus. He is speaking the truth.”

  “I find it hard to believe Jacqueline does not know.” Aedus scowled at me. “Contact him.”

  “Faerie doesn’t have internet and the battery died on my cell phone.” I’d clasped my hands so tightly together on the table my muscles ached.

  “Don’t be obtuse. I’m speaking of mind to mind communication.”

  “He’s with Brina. They’re fine, I’m sure.”

  Aedus was as tall as Charlie and had the muscular, lean body of a fae warrior. The dark-haired, violet-eyed male was beautiful too, almost a carbon copy of his father except for his coloring. If only he wasn’t such a freakin’ jerk.