At Risk

by Gayle Parness

  Sinlae and Aymis arrived in a flurry of wings and curses. Demi fey were not known for their even tempers.

  Farrell arrived last, looking a little disheveled.

  “Interrupt a hot date, brother?”

  Farrell’s answer to Kellie was a sly grin. “Just a little R and R.”

  Smiling, Garrett nodded to Charlie and our son took charge of the meeting.

  “So here’s the situation as I see it. If we were all to return to Faerie, Aine might take that as a sign of our obedience and respect. In that case, she might not kill us. If some decide to return while others stay… Of course you should choose your own path, but—”

  “Stop right there. Kellie and I will stay and fight beside you,” Liam said, as impatient as the rest of us.

  “And me,” Farrell said. “Who would I annoy if I didn’t have Kellie?” He winked at his sister as she bit back her smile.

  “I choose to stay.” Brina took my son’s hand. Charlie’s grin was contagious.

  Kaera frowned at Brina. “Mother and Father…”

  “Will be fine. Faerie is no longer my home. My life has purpose here. Of course you must follow your heart.”

  Kaera sighed. “I will think on this, sister.”

  “That is all I ask,” Brina said.

  “My family stays. Every one.” Sinlae had dozens of children and hundreds of grandchildren who worked their magic at various gardens throughout the Crescent City, California area.

  “Elle stays.” Sasha pulled Elle against him with a long arm over her shoulder.

  Elle poked Sasha in the ribs and he winced. “I speak for myself. I will stay with my mate and my friends. And I will fight against the evil in Faerie as well as the evil that approaches from the Demon Realm.”

  Ethan and Kyle watched the proceedings with wide eyes. The dragons looked bored.

  Vantor grunted. “Too much blatherin’. Is anyone in immediate danger if none of you return?”

  “It isn’t simply our parents. What of Finvarra, our king.” Kaera began to pace. “We must do something.”

  “Didn’t he dig his own hole by trapping her in Tir Na NOg for so long?” Isaiah asked. “Hell hath no fury and all that.”

  “Perhaps the queen will ignore him until the war is won,” Elle suggested. “She must be busy making preparations.”

  “Fionna will go after the king. She may have imprisoned him already,” Winter said.

  I’d forgotten he was here. He was so easy to overlook. Unusually easy. And had I invited him? Maybe Charlie had.

  “Finvarra cannot leave Faerie during this time of turmoil unless it is to defend the realm in battle. He is bound to the magic. To the lines. To the realm,” Liam said.

  “Can he come to our realm and fight with us to save Faerie?” I asked.

  “If our intent is to save Faerie, then yes. If it’s to save the Mortal Realm and leave Faerie on its own, then no.”

  “We’ll be fighting for both,” I said. We’d never intended to leave Faerie to Naberia’s clutches. The point was always to kill Naberia so all realms would thrive.

  “I have no answer.” Liam shrugged.

  “The fae could lose,” Khent said, speaking from a chair in the corner.

  “That’s a dire possibility.” Isaiah received a few scowls. “Mother has demons lined up by the thousands in warrior form. She’s already broken the rules by using blood magic spells.”

  “I must return to Faerie to tell my clan what has occurred and to encourage all of them to leave. Is there a place for us here?” Indigo asked me.

  “I have plenty of land in Carmel and an ocean of fish to eat,” Isaiah said. “The goblins and rill will be honored.”

  Garrett coughed. “The territory is still mine, I believe.”

  Isaiah sighed. “Garrett has plenty of land he’s willing to share.”

  “Of course you are all welcome.” Garrett spread his arms in a show of being cordial, then smirked at Isaiah.

  Would those boys ever get over themselves?

  “And if Charles is successful, as I know he will be, Isaiah will be awarding us our own territory bordering the Demon Realm and the Unseelie Territory. You may all settle there if you prefer,” Vantor offered.

  “Is Wyn still leading?” Indigo asked.

  “He is.” Vantor nodded.

  “Then my clan may consider it.”

  “How many are you?” Charlie asked.

  Indigo lifted her chin and stared up at the high ceiling. “I do not believe Finvarra’s dragons will leave unless he does. But the ones who came with Charles from the Demon Realm will follow me. Six.”

  “And they’re shifters? Like you?” Kyle asked.

  “Yes, little leopard. They are shifters.”

  Kyle hated being called little. “And they’re all stuck up like you?”

  “KYLE!” Ethan whacked his buddy on the side of the head. “Please forgive my very rude friend.”

  “It is fine. He will make a delicious appetizer.” Indigo’s large eyes spun in holographic shades.

  Kyle rubbed the side of his head and mumbled something about DNA and personality traits and it was only a question.

  “You’re going to piss off the wrong creature one day and I won’t be able to get you out of trouble.” Ethan looked ready to plant a fist in Kyle’s face.

  “That’s why I’m part of a team. Jackie will save me if you’re not around.” Kyle tapped his head. “Always thinkin’.” They grinned at each other and that was that.

  “May I offer up a secondary plan regarding Aine’s prisoners?” Indigo asked

  “We’re listening.” Charlie nodded respectfully.

  Indigo continued. “Rescuing those who wish to leave Faerie now that Aine has taken power will require the help of any and all available dragons.” The female looked at Vantor.

  “What do you suggest?” Vantor leaned closer.

  Was that a flirty look Vantor gave the female?

  She smiled at Vantor. “We arrive in our naturally stupendous glory and say we wish to defend Faerie from the Demonic Armies as our brothers and sisters are doing. We’ll be sure to make all the appropriate signs of obeisance. Convince Aine we’re honored to serve her and all that rot.”

  “The fact Naberia has taken the rest of my clan will help persuade her that she needs us,” Vantor added.

  “Queen Aine will have to accept your offer. She’d be nuts not to,” Charlie said.

  Indigo continued. “As everyone is watching the show, perhaps Sinlae can enlist the help of the demi fey who live at court. They will find out if the prisoners wish to leave. Kidnapping them would not be useful. The ones who do wish it will be given the coordinates to Carmel. When we get the signal they have escaped, we’ll travel to the villa.”

  “I’m certain Aine has taken away their ability to use the lines. Otherwise they would have escaped already,” Winter said.

  “If Aine has taken away their magic to the point where they cannot use the lines, you’ll have to carry them on your backs,” I pointed out, sitting again.

  Vantor lowered his chin and peered at me with narrowed eyes. “This would not be a hardship.”

  “How would you sneak away from the festivities?” Garrett asked.

  “We are able to become transparent.”

  “Invisible?”

  “Mostly. In certain weather conditions we cast a vague shadow.”

  “I know where the prisoners are being kept at court.” Winter stepped forward. “I wish to help in any way I can.”

  “Do you?” Garrett’s tone echoed his suspicion. Why couldn’t he give the guy a break?

  “I’ve memorized a map of the back passages and hidden tunnels. As Jacqueline ordered, I’ve spent many hours doing research on the court where Queen Aine once ruled.”

  “He calls you Jacqueline?” Garrett sent.

  “And what should he call me while he’s here? Lady Jacqueline?”

  “Yes. The students do.”

  “You’re bein
g ridiculous.”

  “Mrs. Cuvier would be even better.”

  “Do you think any council members will come?” Farrell asked his sister.

  “Mother and Father will come. We’re both here and plan to stay. Liam and I have plenty of room.”

  “The adjustment will be hard for them,” Farrell said.

  “It’s only temporary. Until the battle is won,” Kellie said, turning to Liam.

  Liam moved to the window that overlooked the forest. His complexion had grown pale. “My mother will die if you bring her here.”

  Kellie went to him, sliding her arms around his waist. “She is hidden. Most likely safe.”

  “She will live if she comes to the Mortal Realm,” Vantor said. “I will make it so.” He scanned the group with holographic irises. “There is a reason dragon’s blood had been sought after by humans for many centuries.”

  Indigo tossed back her head, smirking with pride. “Younger dragons like Vantor are givers of life. If Liam’s mother drinks, she will survive.”

  “At what cost to you?” I asked Vantor.

  “With each life we save, we lose a century of our future.”

  He’d said it in such a matter-of-fact manner. I hugged my body, the healer in me cringing at having to make that kind of decision to save a life.

  “When I was young enough to help, I saved four lives and have never regretted my choices. Now my blood is used for other spells. Darker spells, as is the way with our kind.” Indigo nodded to her brother dragon, both pounding their chests once with a fisted hand.

  Thor and Zena. Totally.

  “But we have never used it on a human living in Faerie.” Indigo frowned with concern. “I am not as certain as Vantor that it will work.”

  “As long as she’s somewhere safe, I don’t want her to take the risk.” Liam pulled Kellie closer.

  “She will choose. It is her life, is it not?” Kellie smiled at her longtime lover.

  “Yes. But she’d be leaving father behind and she loves him dearly.” He turned to me. “She shouldn’t have to make this decision.”

  “Liam.” Kellie clasped his hand. “Have faith.”

  “Lord Caelen won’t want to leave,” Brina said.

  “No,” Liam agreed, although a hint of sadness shaded his tone. “Or my brother, Aedus.”

  “If we find Lady Erin and she wishes to leave, I’ll get her out in one piece. Trust me.” Vantor stood and nodded to Liam in the fae style. “Dragon magic is not fae magic. It crosses boundaries.”

  The dragons bowed and disappeared a moment later, taking Winter with them.

  Liam squatted beside Hercules, my corgi, and scratched him behind the ears. The little guy was my constant shadow these days as if he could scent war on the horizon. “I’ve known Queen Aine a long time. She will want Lady Dinestri, Lord Argon and Lady Jorrenn dead.”

  “I agree,” Charlie said.

  The room grew quiet.

  “Gods…I hope they leave.” Kaera slumped into a chair.

  “They could be dead already.” Brina reached for Charlie’s hand.

  “You’d know, wouldn’t you?” I asked.

  “Yes.” Kaera looked to me and I covered her hand, pressing it between both my palms. Kaera closed her eyes and relaxed into the healing energy. Stress blurred our focus. If I could help, why not? My healing skills sang in my heart, pouring into others through touch. In fact, my magic seemed more potent than ever. Isaiah told me my demon magic and my healing magic had stretched their legs when the cheetah was hibernating. I’d liked the idea that my animal was only sleeping and not lost to me forever.

  Now that I’d shifted again, it was wide awake and raring to take on the enemy.

  “Freeing Finvarra should be a priority.” I turned to Liam. “Aine is really more powerful than he is?”

  “She was the natural ruler when Fin challenged and defeated her consort. With his charismatic gift he seduced her easily. Once in her bed, he demanded to be made king. She said she would agree if he could impregnate her. Three years later, she was pregnant with two heirs and Finvarra was made king. He is not always the funny, generous, lighthearted male he likes to portray. He is a master manipulator.” Liam moved from the window.

  Isaiah barked a laugh. “Fin manipulated the queen right out of Faerie when she took revenge on his consorts.”

  Lightning crashed to the ground in the woods outside our garden, splitting a tree in half only five feet from Sinlae’s home. We all jumped. There hadn’t been any sign of a storm coming. The dogs whined or barked or trembled.

  Charlie stood. “Make sure your people are safe, Sinlae. Use the tunnels or one of the two basements if necessary. This could be our wakeup call.

  “We will care for the beasts.”

  “Samson comes with me.” Charlie made a hand motion and our male Rottweiler was at his side. The dog was part fae, with powers of his own. He was born for this and we wouldn’t deny him.

  The other two dogs loped and scurried away as Sinlae and Aymis flew to the tunnel that connected the Vamp Villa, our home, and Sinlae’s home.

  I sent out a silent prayer to whoever might be listening to keep my family, team and friends safe. Garrett pulled me against him as a second strike destroyed the fountain. This was no normal storm. We grabbed our weapons, any of our team members who couldn’t use the lines to travel, then dissolved into the rivers that fed our magic, landing on the island.

  Aaron’s packs were already there, each with their alphas, as were seven nests of vampires from Garrett’s territory. They’d camped out for the last week, the dragons having carved out a well-hidden underground space where the vampires could rest during the day. Five packs each of bear, leopards and lions were just now stepping onto the temporary docks which would disappear as soon as everyone who required a boat had arrived.

  King Rylen, the Kelpie King, had also come on shore. He was not going to be happy when he heard the news about the fae and their treachery.

  21

  Charlie

  We greeted the King of the Kelpies and gave him and his entourage a brief rundown on all the crazy shit going down with our team and in Faerie.

  “None of your fae allies are here?”

  I pointed at Liam, Elle, Farrell, Kellie, Brina and Kaera. “Can’t get much better than that bunch.” I smiled in a reassuring way.

  “You say the queen has returned but the king is missing?”

  Lightning pelted the ocean. “We’ll have to talk later.”

  “We should ready our troops.” Dad squeezed my shoulder.

  Without dragons we were up the proverbial creek, but I would show nothing but confidence to the males and females who were going to die here tonight. Or not die. Hopefully.

  Nope. This was going to work. It had to work.

  Dad was giving orders to the vamps while Aaron’s alphas handed out assignments and split their wolves into teams. One vampire, one wolf in human form, and one wolf in wolf form, working together as they’d been training to do since my first team meeting at the villa. It hadn’t been easy to work out, but no one would be fighting alone.

  I set Jay to organizing the kelpies, making sure the soldiers with experience riding or fighting on horseback would have first crack at them after my fae team chose their mounts. Rylen had brought five hundred of his people, an amazing gesture of trust in my leadership.

  Half the shifters were staying in animal form, the other half in human, working as teams the way Dad and Aaron always did. Each of those pairs were matched with a witch or a sorcerer. Strength in numbers.

  Khent and several of the most powerful witches and sorcerers would be working with me. Isaiah too, but he hadn’t shown up and I was getting worried.

  I paced back and forth, chin up, greeting males and females, answering questions, offering suggestions. Trying so freakin’ hard not toss up my dinner. If I hadn’t been on the verge of panic, I might have laughed.

  Dad put an arm around my shoulder in a normal father-son
kind of way. “Gabe and Sinc want to say hi.”

  “Sure.”

  I waved and Sinc laughed, then gave me a hug. “You look like you’re going to faint. Anything we can do?”

  “Sure. Find out where Isaiah is and call back the dragons.”

  “I heard that male dragon is pretty hot.” Sinc grinned.

  “I wouldn’t know.” Why would she ask me that?

  “I agree. Think Thor, only larger,” Mom said.

  “Yummy.” Sinc and Mom actually giggled.

  I was going to lose my damn mind in a minute. “Mom! Why aren’t you nervous?”

  “Because I trust you completely. Everyone does. And the minute the fight starts, you are going to show the world exactly why that is.”

  “We’ve made a plan. Stick with it. It should work,” Dad said.

  Isaiah appeared a few feet away and scanned the disciplined chaos of pre-battle preparations.

  “Where did you go?” I asked.

  “Picked up a few friends.”

  Hundreds of demons appeared on an empty field dressed in warrior gear, bearing large swords, maces, crossbows, daggers, spears and more.

  “Why aren’t they on the other team?”

  “I told you. Everyone hates her. That’s why she has to use mind control.”

  “Aren’t some of those dudes nobles?” I asked. “I think I recognize that guy from the ball we went to.”

  Isaiah grinned and nodded. “I brought the cream of the crop. I’ll help you place them.”

  “What are the nobles getting in return?”

  “They get to keep their homes and territories. Plus, they now have the privilege of paying their servants a decent wage. Oh, and their heads stay attached to their bodies.”

  “But don’t they hate you now?”

  “Nah. Whether rich or poor, demons love a good fight. You know that firsthand.”

  “Can they shift to warrior form?”

  “Some. Where’s your mom?”

  “I’m here.” She waved her hand.

  “A present from an admirer.” Isaiah handed something to Mom.