“I thought I was protecting her. She was too strong, too fast.” He hung his head. “I didn’t want her to turn out like me. But you can’t blame me for everything. I am not omnipotent, Quinn. Your sister was very good at covering her tracks.”
“Don’t remind me. She learned from the best.” She finally looked him in the eye. “Before you continue you need to assure me that Alex is safe, because at this point I don't care about the rest of you.”
“She is safe and in the arms of her mother.”
“Oh, the mother that abandoned her for the last twenty-five years? The mother that always played her own agenda? That one?”
“Don’t judge. There’s so much more to the tale than this.”
The bullet embedded in her copy of Tom Sawyer glared at her. “I’m listening, but don't think for a moment this will change how I feel about you.”
“I understand. If you change your mind, I hope you’ll allow me the chance to be your father again. But please let me finish. It’s a complicated story that alters all our futures.” When she would have interrupted, he plunged ahead saying, “Gray’s husband was a Parthen. And not just any Parthen. He was their king. Your sister, their queen.”
Rage simmered below the surface of her purple eyes. Wind whipped the trees outside her home. “Dreamwalkers.”
“Yes, Dreamwalkers. So, you see, the elders had every right to be concerned about her impetuousness.”
“You gave her to a monster.”
“We did. But I didn’t know. It’s no excuse. I trusted the wrong people. Was blinded by wanting to keep my daughter safe. Instead, I let the machinations of others destroy her, destroy our family. I’m trying to right that wrong. Your niece could be the greatest threat our enemies have ever known.”
He talked over her when she would have stopped him. Her reflection glowed in his eyes.
“Your sister told me of another, of a son, the new king, with all the same powers. I played a risky game but if the elders learned of the boy, it meant both their deaths. We killed his father. I couldn't rip his mother from him as well. But Alex would know no different. The only choice I had was to hide her. After all, no one knew about her lineage.”
“Why are you telling me all this now? I mean why not keep me in the dark?”
“Because I’ve kept everyone in the dark for too long and I need one person, at least, to know the truth.”
“I don't understand. It seems like I’m the only one left who doesn't know the truth.”
“I’m ashamed to say, that assumption is incorrect. I need you, Quinn. You are the best of us.”
Once more he paused. Quinn waited.
“After your sister told me her story, I realized she’d never be a part of our family again. She’d given her heart and soul to the Parthen. I believed then, as I believe now, I had only one choice.”
He choked on his final words. She relished in the sound of the agony in his voice.
“In a final act of betrayal, I erased your sister’s memories. I let her escape me. She raced back to her son with no knowledge she’d ever told me about him. I let her believe her daughter died. Ten years ago, when the child started exhibiting signs of abilities, I contacted Gray. Began to build a relationship again. Met her son.”
Quinn focused on the cold tea in her cup. Chamomile, she thought, meant to soothe her. He’d kept them all alive, but in doing so, ripped their family apart.
“And now that Alex has grown up and come into her power, you can’t keep the charade up any more.”
“That's right. I knew once Alex gained her power, her brother would find her. So, I found him first, made sure all the pieces were in place to protect my family.”
“And now you need me.”
“And now I need you. There will be a battle. I gave us an extra twenty-five years, but our enemies will figure it out soon. I can't keep the secret any longer. The boy, your nephew, grows stronger every day. I believe his need for revenge does too. I need you to find out things I can't. My insanity has driven me from many rooms. You have access. You have people who will listen to you, people who are not without their own power. If we play all our cards right, we might be able to stop a war and destroy those elders who destroyed us.”
“Who were they? Who chose the dragon for her husband?”
“Taurin and Ealian Gondien.”
“And my nephew’s name?”
“His name is Neeren. He is exceptional.”
She tasted the name in her mouth. “You think, Neeren is out for blood?”
“I do. He is a king with immense power, whose father was slain and sister stolen. He has the power to destroy them. Now that Alex is safely with him, he’ll take revenge. I’m certain of it.
Domhall paused. “Quinn, please don’t tell your sister or the boy that I deceived them.” He clarified, “He may not understand why I did what I did. I don’t wish to hurt him. You should meet him. He is your blood after all.”
“You trust him with Alex?”
“I trust that he loves her. Beyond that, is anyone’s guess. Gray would never challenge him. I don’t know if Alex is strong enough to stop him yet. In time, she could be. But she’ll feel for him, want to stand by his side. Thronus has fallen for Alex, so in the end, if it came down to it, I’m sure he would put down Neeren. In truth, he may be the only one strong enough to do so.”
“Put him down? What are you talking about? I thought you were going to protect him.”
“We’re going to help him keep his head and his throne. We’re not going to help him destroy our people.”
The weight of his confession sat heavy on her chest. She retreated into the kitchen to boil more hot water. The conversation was almost enough to drive her to drink. Trying to decipher Domhall’s mind was like trying to diffuse a ticking time bomb.
Everything in her home was ordered. Everything had its place. The space was open and clean, a typical west coast home. She found herself on the large deck off the kitchen, listening to the crash of the surf, hoping it would bring troubled emotions under control. The wind whipped her hair free of the elastic. She welcomed the breeze. Let it sooth her. Caress her. Care for her.
She weighed the options for a time. Finally accepted she’d do what he asked. Couldn't leave Alex to Domhall’s machinations. She’d grown to love that kid as though she were her own daughter.
She pushed up the sleeve of her top and looked at the almost invisible, flesh toned lines of her tattoo, thought back to her life growing up. She always felt like a muted version of her baby sister. So, she studied—everything. Excelled behind the scenes. She shoved her sleeve down as Domhall came up behind her on the deck.
“Will you help me protect them?” he asked.
She nodded. “What do you want me to do?”
“I need our family’s records. Everything. And I need the records of the council members, Taurin and Ealian. We must know their strengths and weaknesses. You’re the only one that can do this.”
“If they find out, they’ll kill me, and it’s a sure bet they’re keeping tabs on me right now.”
“I understand it’s a lot to ask. I need you. You are the only one that can do it. I’ll protect you as much as I can. As soon as you acquire the records, we’ll leave this place, and you’ll be with Alex again.”
“What about Lachon? Where does he fit in this?”
“I have plans for Lachon The Law.”
“You realize that Taurin and Ealian have probably altered all of their own records by now.”
Domhall smirked. “My dear girl, as if you would let that happen on your watch.”
~ ~ ~
The next morning Quinn woke up with a pounding headache. They’d made plans throughout the night. Devised a way to steal the records without the council knowing. Domhall had
finally left her home around four in the morning with instructions to meet him at the airport in thirty-six hours, where he'd collect her and the information they needed. Then he’d take her to see Alex. She still wasn't sure she could trust him. He was, after all, a little bit insane.
She desperately wanted to talk to Collum Thronus to learn what he'd been told from her mother. What a fucking mess this all was. And it all started with the goddamn council. If they’d left it all alone, her family would be together. Alex would’ve never been hidden. Maybe her parents would’ve made it. Maybe she’d have met her nephew. Maybe she wouldn't have lived her entire life hating the elders, and her father, for signing her sister’s death warrant.
Quinn dressed in Levi’s that fit her like a glove. Felt like butter against her skin. She disliked the new brands. She threw on a honey colored cashmere sweater that molded to her soft curves and accentuated her hips. Then, on bare feet, she headed to the kitchen for coffee and Tylenol.
A windstorm raged inside her. An ordered and gentle life was what she’d always needed most. Yet now, once again, thanks to her family, she’d been thrown into chaos. She’d have to leave her home, who knew for how long. The thought made her physically ache. Her head pounded. She poured her coffee and threw back three extra strength Tylenol, hoping to ease the pain. As she waited at the table, she rubbed her fingers against the indent where Alex had dropped a concrete paper weight their first month together.
When she heard the car in her driveway, she rose from the table, fluffed her hair, pinched her cheeks, licked her lips, and once again grabbed her gun. She wouldn't miss this time if she had to fire.
Chapter 34
Through lace curtains, she watched Lachon drive up the curved driveway. He'd been here once before, invited to a housewarming party after she first purchased the place. Back when they had been friends. She'd never said anything outright damming to him after Gray died, but never made an attempt to talk to him again either. They hadn't even spoken at her mother’s funeral.
When the knock on the door came, she took her time answering. He’d often told her, “Patience is a virtue.” Today she’d see if he believed his own advice.
She cracked the door open. Smiled respectfully, as one should when they greeted a member of the council. It was a practiced smile that did not reach her eyes. It was the same smile she gave whenever they’d come in contact at the Hall of Records over the past years. One that said she had nothing to say to him, could barely stand his presence.
“Good morning, Councilor Findel. This is unexpected. What can I do for you?” Quinn asked as she leaned a hip against the door jam.
“Please, call me Lachon. After all we’ve known and worked with each other for so many years.”
She shook her head and simply replied, “Thank you for the kind offer but we must always remember protocol. Now, what can I help you with, Councilor?”
“It’s important. May I come in?”
“Of course.” Quinn stepped back. “I put on a pot of tea. Can I offer you something?”
“Yes. Thank you. I hope I didn't wake you?”
“Not at all, I’m an early riser.” She shut the door and gestured for Lachon to follow her to the kitchen. Motioned for him to take a seat at the table while she poured them tea. She bent over to find the sugar in the cupboard. Purposely squirmed her hips as she did so. She stirred the sugar in the cup then licked the spoon. Offered him cream, which he politely declined.
Quinn set a cup in from of him and sat in the chair across the table.
“Your toes must be cold,” he said.
She smiled serenely, flipped her hair over her shoulders. “You'd think so, wouldn't you? I had in floor heating installed a few years back so the floors are always quite warm. I have no need for slippers.” She wiggled her toes. “Now, Councilor, please tell me what I can do for you?”
“I want to know why you called the Dragon King last week.”
She took a sip of her tea and licked her lips, “He’s . . . an old friend.”
“The Guardian of the immortals is a strange companion for you. I’d never heard of this friendship before.”
“Yes, well.” She giggled. “Our relationship is personal and none of your concern.”
“I doubt that.” Lachon gulped the tea. “Would you like to try again?”
Quinn gave up trying to be sexy. She'd told Domhall it wouldn't work. She wasn't exactly known for being a sexpot.
“We had a contract that needed to be settled. I called him to finalize the contract. That’s all.” She kept her face composed and answered as close to the truth as possible so that Lachon couldn't accuse her of lying.
“I see and may I ask what this contract was?”
“It was the settling of a gift my mother left for him in her Will.”
Lachon nodded. “Your mother died some years ago, why not give him the gift years ago?”
“I found the request when I was going through her things.”
The morning sun streamed in through the kitchen windows. Lachon turned his profile to the sun before he asked his next question.
“And can you tell me where Thronus is now?”
Quinn quipped, “I can tell you that I don’t know where Thronus is now.”
“I see. And can you tell me if he liked his gift.”
“I don't know the answer to that,” she said, stumbling over the question.
“How could you not? What was his reaction when he saw his gift?”
The game ended then.
“It is the greatest gift he’s ever been given,” she whispered.
“He protects her?” Lachon asked.
Knowing what must be done, Quinn accepted her fate. “Of course, he protects her. He is her sworn protector.”
Lachon stood. Kindness lay in his voice. “Quinn, I’m truly sorry to do this. What’s happened to your family is tragic, but I must find the girl. You place us all in danger by helping her.”
Quinn studied Lachon—a man she had always admired. The Law of their people. The closest thing her father had ever had to a friend. She stood.
“You know nothing, Lachon.” She reached behind her sweater, pulled out the gun and fired point blank into his heart.
His head jerked back and, he fell to his knees. For a moment, Quinn thought she’d have to fire again. He was so large that even on his knees they came almost face-to-face. She placed the gun on the table, stroked his jaw as his eyes began to close. His hands held his chest. Confusion clearly written on the lines of his face when he realized there was no blood.
“Don’t worry, Lachon, it’s only a tranquilizer. There’s enough dosage in here to take down an elephant for three days. We estimate it’ll be enough to keep you sleeping for two. Maybe you’ve figured it out by now and maybe you haven't. Father feels you have the right to know. Though I disagree with him, I am following his lead. So, listen up before you pass out. I have things that need to be done.”
She cradled his chin in her hand and looked him in the eyes. “A son was born.” She watched his eyes flare as he held on to reality for a few moments more. “Domhall may trust you, but I'll reserve judgment for now.”
Dropping his chin, she dusted off her hands and picked up her gun. “Now, I have a nephew to meet and a niece to save. And if it wasn't clear already, I resign as record keeper. No matter what, I am a Taleisin first and I’ll do everything I can to protect my family.”
She left him on his knees in the kitchen, gathered pillows and a blanket from her bedroom to make sure he was comfortable while he slept on the floor. She chose her softest pillow and her favorite blanket. She changed out of her top and put on a T-shirt and zip up sweater she'd picked up from MEC the summer before. Added a good pair of breathable socks. Grabbed the bag of clothing left by the bed earlier the night befor
e. Then picked up the untraceable cell phone Domhall left with her and dialed the number.
When he answered, she spoke quickly. “It's done. I'm leaving the house in seven minutes.”
With all her gear in tow, she headed back into the kitchen. The mighty Law of the People lay on her floor. For a brief instant, she understood the obsession so many of her kind had with power. She’d taken down a giant because he hadn't for an instant thought she could. She placed the pillow under his head, brushed his auburn hair out of his eyes. Next, she laid her blanket over his massive body. Even in this forced sleep, she felt the power echoing off him.
He might have looked at her briefly with respect, as a warrior, but he was going to be out for blood when he woke up. She’d broken the law as sure as she'd brushed her teeth this morning. There was no going back. She took a moment to walk around her home and say a mental goodbye. In all likelihood, she’d never return. Not unless they could stop a war.
She stroked Lachon's hair one final time before leaving the house. Wasn't sure he could hear her, but decided it was worth a try.
“I’m sorry. But this was the only way. If you’d been on our side, maybe things would be different. Can’t you see the other members of your council have turned dark? They don’t follow your law. You'd be smarter to worry about them than about us. The drugs will wear off in two days.” And since she knew it was likely the next time she saw him would be in battle, she kissed him on the mouth before she left and said, “Until we meet again, Law.”
Chapter 35
Four hours and a ferry ride later, Quinn pulled up to the Office of the Records, in the heart of Vancouver's Gastown. The drive had been excruciating. She was certain someone had been following her most of the way to the ferry. Then she’d had to wait an entire hour for the next boat, which was stifling and claustrophobic. All the other passengers kept staring at her, like they could tell who she was and what she’d done.
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