At Risk

by Gayle Parness

  “What’s this?”

  It was a large ring of around forty thin rods that looked slightly like keys. They glowed with line energy. Demon energy.

  “Do these open torcs?” she asked.

  “Yep.” Isaiah’s eyes glimmered with affection and a touch of mischief. “I had them made so you wouldn’t be passing out all night.”

  Mom rose on her toes to kiss Isaiah on the cheek. He actually blushed. “You are the best mentor any cheetah demon could ever have.”

  “Demon cheetah!” He called as she raced full speed to show our team and pass some out. When we weren’t fighting for their lives, we could be opening torcs. Just another day for the team.

  The storm was overhead now, but the lightning didn’t strike the ground. Instead it moved vertically as if a battle were raging inside the clouds.

  I sent a mental message to every team leader and immediately, prepare for battle rang out over the fields and hills, the shorelines and docks of our hidden island. When the battle was over, maybe we’d keep it. Name it. Turn it into something useful. But tonight, blood would stain the earth, sand, and sea.

  The ground rumbled and roared beneath my feet as a gray and violet sky rained warriors, dragons and magic on my army.

  22

  Jackie

  Magic struck the ground, sending me and most of the supes around me to our knees or asses or face down in the dirt. Since I’d landed on my most padded area, I was able to spring up and take in the scene after only a heartbeat or two.

  At first, I couldn’t figure out what I was staring at. It appeared to be a hairy leg the size of an oak tree trunk. But when the giant fist came whistling toward my head, I ducked, pulled my blade, and sliced through the hamstring of the not so jolly green’s leg. He roared, but I quieted him quickly by stretching my ancient dagger to long sword length, using claws to climb his body, then slicing through his neck.

  He collapsed and my shadow, Farrell, finished the job. I’d told Farrell to join the fray, but he was determined to fight beside me every moment. I tossed him a key and told him to make himself useful.

  I’d dispersed the keys to wolves, vampires, shifters and the rest of my team, hoping they could save some lives by unlocking torcs, even if the victim was demon. Isaiah had told me over and over most of Naberia’s forces wanted nothing to do with the war. Their wild-eyed expressions spoke of fear as much as battle lust. If they surrendered on the spot, they were given a white arm band and sent to a magically spelled holding facility in the rear. We couldn’t take any chances they might decide to attack us where we were vulnerable.

  A dragon the size of a passenger jet flew too close for comfort. Dragon fire erupted, scorching the earth near a group of shifters, sorcerers and witches. I took the lines to the dragon’s back, unlocking his torc and whispering into a hole I hoped was his ear. “I’ve freed you from Naberia’s enslavement. Fight with Charles now.”

  The Dragon roared and turned in the air, blasting a battalion of Naberia’s demons with fire hot enough to melt steel. Good thing I was holding on.

  “You will free my clan, female.”

  More a command than a request, but this wasn’t the time to argue. “Are you Wyn?”

  “Yes.”

  “Charles is my son. If I free your clan, they fight with us.”

  “You give me orders? I could eat you.”

  “You could try, dragon. But I have my own magic.” I showed Wyn my dagger, letting my aura and the power of the lines jazz it up a bit with a golden glow. Wyn would know instantly my ancient dagger had the power to pierce a dragon’s armor plating.

  “Ancient Magicks. I am impressed.”

  “Vantor and Indigo already fight with us.” I didn’t mention they were still off on a rescue mission.

  “We must release the others.”

  “Give me your word.”

  “I have met your son. I see where he gets his…”

  “Your word, dragon. We’re wasting time.”

  “On blood and fang, my clan fights with you.”

  “Then we fly.”

  Pulling in magic to enforce my protective shields, Wyn and I traveled through acrid smoke and dragon fire unlocking torcs and demanding each enormous beast switch sides. Only one refused. His name was Malek and he wasn’t wearing a torc.

  “Why did she not enslave you, brother?” Wyn asked, hovering with slow beats of his enormous wings.

  “The archdemon has promised dragonkin great riches and lands to conquer. The fae have no hope of beating Naberia.”

  “Did you lead her to our home? Allow her creatures to plunder our treasures and kill our servants?

  “No, brother. I would not.”

  “He’s lying,” I sent to Wyn. Malek’s aura had clouded dramatically, a telltale sign for every magical creature.

  “I see the truth of your lies. As your Alpha, I cast you out, Malek of Darrielle. Fight for the witch who rules the Demon Realm if you must but know this. She will fall this day and so shall you.”

  “Brother, join us!” Malek roared.

  “I am brother to you no longer. Fly now or die at my claw.”

  Malek flew off, but I had a bad feeling we were going to run into that traitor again. Movement between the clouds caught my eye and I shrieked with joy. Vantor flew our way, carrying three fae. Brina’s mother and Kellaine and Farrell’s parents. We landed when they did. Brina was there an instant later, hugging and kissing her mother as Kellie and Farrell greeted their parents.

  Brina asked all the questions I was just opening my mouth to ask.

  “Where is the fae army? Where is Finvarra? Aine?”

  “Where is Naberia?” Farrell asked. “We’re fighting her army, but we have yet to see the archdemon,” All three of my team were covered in blood and dust and worse, where the transported fae looked fresh and strong.

  Vantor answered, “A contingent of the archdemon’s forces struck Faerie itself. Finvarra and Aedus and whomever remained took up arms against them. Naberia and the rest of her forces are on the north shore of this island, fighting Aine and her army. The fae are vastly outnumbered.” He glanced at the demons, vampires and humans fighting our squadrons. “The group fighting you is but a quarter of the archdemon’s strength.”

  A quarter of her strength. My stomach twisted into a Celtic knot, part anxiety, mostly rage. Attacking Faerie had never been considered because demon magic would be very weak there. The damn demon must have found a way past that. Another blood spell no doubt. Another sacrifice, probably a powerful one.

  “Where is Indigo?” Vantor had appeared in demon form.

  “She hopes to convince some of the other dragons to fight with Charles, but she fears they will not leave Faerie until Naberia’s attack forces have been quashed.”

  Charlie popped in. “Isaiah needs a ride. He’s going after his mother.”

  “She is protected by the most vicious of her kind,” Vantor said, turning back toward the north end of the island.

  “We have a plan. Dad and I are going with him. Mom, he wants you to fight with Khent and Liam. And make sure you all have your daggers.”

  “What do you mean, fight with?”

  “Stay a team. It’s important.”

  I frowned. Isaiah was an awesome mentor, but this sounded like a crazy scheme. One rider per dragon made more sense.

  “Fly to where you can see us, but not where Naberia can see you,” Charlie said, jumping on Wyn’s back. He leaned over and whispered a thank you to the dragon alpha.

  Garrett appeared and pulled me in for a passionate kiss. “Listen to your son.” He winked and took the lines, sitting behind Charlie. Isaiah popped in on top of Wyn’s’ head, scanning the other two as if trying to make a decision.

  “There’s too much to do right here in this western sector.”

  “We will fight with your forces, Jacqueline.” Lady Jorrenn smiled, a touch of excitement glittering in her large eyes.

  “Are kelpies available?” Lady Tereza ask
ed.

  “And dragons, Mom,” Brina said, hugging her mom one last time. Kaera jogged over and nodded to her father’s consort, then kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome Lady Tereza.”

  “Your parents wanted to come, but they are fighting for the safety of Faerie. They will be here soon.”

  “I would have done the same if I were there when the attack came. Brina and I will stay and fight together. If you need us at the north shore site, Charles, send a message.”

  “Charles, Isaiah and the other will travel with me,” Wyn announced mind to mind.

  “The other male on your neck is my mate!” I thought I should point that out.

  “Ah. Then I shall return him in one piece. I fear your wrath, female.”

  “As you should.” I patted his foot. “You take care of all three. I need them back.”

  “On blood and fang.”

  “I shall carry Jacqueline, Khent, and Liam, if that is acceptable.” Vantor nodded his enormous head as if in deference.

  I nodded back with great solemnity. “I can think of none other who would suit.”

  Wyn snorted, blowing a bit of dust my way and making me sneeze.

  “Smartass.” I pulled off my goggles and wiped them with a cloth.

  Wyn showed some teeth, then moved to a space where he could extend and flap his leathery wings. After only a few steps, he shot off at a speed my cheetah envied.

  Garrett blew me a kiss as they disappeared.

  “Be safe, my love,” I sent, maybe too late. How many times had we said goodbye in the past, not knowing if we’d see each other again? This time was the hardest yet.

  Five minutes later, I was in the air with my odd group of fighters. Whatever Isaiah had planned, had better work, because we were taking some of the best fighters off the field.

  “Trust your son,” Garrett had said.

  I would.

  23

  Charlie

  Even though I was high above the action, I couldn’t see much. Kicked-up dust and dragon smoke blocked part of my view and fog swirled along much of the shoreline, common for this part of the world. We’d created a new island, a real piece of land, not an illusion or a different realm like Fin had once suggested to me. Mother Nature was able to add her two cents any time she wanted.

  The lightning storm passed and the sea took up its normal rhythm again, but the fog would affect battle plans on both sides. Kyle had given out goggles to lessen the lower visibility caused by fog. They were large and tended to slip a little, not the most comfortable of his inventions. Still they gave us a slight advantage.

  * * *

  “They’re clunky,” I’d complained.

  “Stop whining. I’m beta testing,”

  “You’re beta testing the goggles during a battle?”

  “Is there a better time?”

  * * *

  Battles raged in the ocean as well as on land. Kelpies had developed working relationships with many sea creatures, some of which were busy turning back boats captained by torc wearers who were trying to land. Boats had gone down, scorched by dragon flame or driven onto the rocks. As much as I knew it wouldn’t be useful to wallow in guilt right now, the painful twinges in my chest continued to remind me of the torment of every soul fighting, whether on my side or Naberia’s. Every creature wearing a torc was a victim of her corruption. My healer wailed at the loss of life. It would only get worse as the night wore on.

  I’d spent the first two hours of the battle checking in with squad leaders, offering advice, then fighting demons who’d taken warrior form, showing some of the others how to avoid their strikes and to attack with a couple of well-placed hamstring slashes. Simpler to end them when they fell to their knees. Jay had taken down several using that technique.

  Jay was the best fighter in animal form on the field, destroying nests of vampires singlehandedly, but also knowing to leave the blood sorcerers and blood witches to others more skilled with magic. Jay wasn’t able to unlock torcs in his bear form but releasing Naberia’s captives was not our top priority. We had to survive to end this war, and survival meant fighting with every ounce of strength, cunning and craft our natures provided.

  He’d stuck close to me at first, taking his job as my second-in-command seriously. When I couldn’t handle a problem, he’d find the right person to deal with the situation. He’d share his canteen when I started to fade or make a stupid joke that had me smiling despite the horror taking place around us.

  I dug deep into my soul to find the strength to ignore the sounds and smells of the battlefield and the medical tents where Flynn and his staff worked to save lives. The nightmares and guilt would come later. Tonight I’d met worried gazes with confident ones, shown gratitude for missions accomplished. Our forces were well-trained and the mixed teams were holding their own. Now that most of the dragons were torcless and on our side, we were kicking ass. Problem was, we hadn’t been fighting Naberia’s main force.

  Bursts of magic lit up the north end of the island, colors that never saw the inside of a rainbow and made you want to stare in wonder were flashing back and forth between Naberia and Aine and other powerful fae and demons. The two key players were on dragonback, Aine using Scarlet and Naberia on a sleek black dragon. They wore armor fashioned for females along with fierce expressions as they spun magic, screaming out spells or curses.

  I shifted on Wyn’s neck as he dove, trying to get a better view. No saddles were necessary when dragon riding. Rope like hair grew along their sides which could be used as reins or even tied around a passenger’s body to hold them securely in place. The scales were not rough or sharp where riders sat, which saved our leathers and skin from being shredded.

  The fog divided where Queen Aine and the Archdemon Naberia were dueling. They’d probably fought several times over the centuries and watching them go at it should have been the world’s best spectator sport.

  Only this wasn’t a game and we weren’t gonna survive unless Nabs lost. Maybe Aine too. Isaiah intended to strike the final blow against his mother. Hopefully his plan would work.

  Aine and Naberia flung spells forty feet above the ground, and not while they were seated. They crouched, then raced toward head or tail, whichever part of the dragon was closer to their target, as their mount dove or ascended. Neither fighter stumbled, hesitated, or moved aside when bursts of flame or nasty spells roared toward them, trusting in their invisible defenses to keep them safe. Even during aerial spirals they seemed at ease, as if partners in an intricately choreographed dance.

  The royals’ auras glowed orange and bronze, diamond white and gold, the dragons’ auras spiraling in blood red and blue black. Magic stronger than anything I’d witnessed before, sent lightning in brilliant tones one hundred feet into the sky. They pulled power from ley lines feeding these rivers of power twice over as they crafted and flung each spell. Mesmerizing. Terrifying. The armies below us stumbled and fell as power spread its fingers into land and sea and sky. Seeking more.

  Needing more.

  The sea retreated, leaving crabs and urchins exposed. Sea birds flew to calmer shores. Boats were left stranded on dunes. The whales and dolphins who’d stranded them headed for deeper water.

  We perched on a low hill. Isaiah spoke. “Stay here, Wyn. I’m taking off now. I have a few words for Mater.”

  “Wait!” I reached for Isaiah but it was too late. He’d disappeared. Hadn’t even said goodbye.

  “I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

  “I know. I do. But stay safe anyway.”

  As I searched the area for where he might have gone, my gaze lit on Fionna. Fionna the former fae queen. The female who’d tortured my father. Kennet’s half-sister. Auntie Fionna. I smiled. Maybe a few words of my own with that witch would be a good idea.

  Dad grabbed my shoulder. “We stick to the plan, correct?”

  “The plan isn’t all that detailed.”

  “We stick to it as well as we can, then later…” Dad’s eyes silvered. “Fion
na is mine, I think.”

  She’d starved and tortured my dad, all to get Mom to bring me to court. “Yeah, she’s yours. Fin should have taken care of her and…” My thoughts turned to Kennet. He must have survived as well. Did he reappear in Cascade when Fionna did? Was he here?

  I shook off those unpleasant thoughts and decided I needed to stretch my legs. “Can you get us closer to the action, Wyn?”

  “I can, but…”

  “Who’s in charge?”

  “You are. At least you were…”

  “Please take us closer.”

  “Your mother.”

  “C’mon…”

  “A fearless female. If only she were dragon.”

  I tugged on his leathery hair. “We’re wasting time again!”

  “Ah, fine.”

  The burn of Wyn’s magic made me grit my teeth, but that wasn’t the worst part. Looking at my hands and legs and seeing nothing had the contents of my stomach threatening to rise into my throat. I felt the fibrous ropes in my hands, the muscles of Wyn’s back as he moved forward. My hair soaked in sweat and plastered against my neck. Each breath as it entered my lungs and left my body. I wiggled my hand in front of my face but I couldn’t see one damn finger.

  The feel of Dad’s hand on my back was what centered me. “You’re okay.”

  “I know, but thanks.”

  The clang of weapons, the war cries of soldiers, the moans of the dying and injured had passed away, replaced with the low rumble and hiss of sea on sand. Every creature on the island stilled as a battle which would change our world played out above us.

  Wyn ambled in dragon style, used his magic to part the crowd so we had a closeup view of the supernatural standoff.

  Suddenly Isaiah hovered in the air, not between, but equidistant from the other two.

  “Is he on an invisible dragon?” I asked Wyn.

  “No. He holds himself aloft.”

  “Mother!” I recognized that imperious tone.