Dragon Game (Reclaiming the Fire Book 3)

by Alicia Wolfe

  She bit into a hunk of bloody venison. “For now.” She grinned around her bite. Blood trickled over her green chin. “My superiors were very happy with me for finding him.”

  “I still don’t get it. Why does your group hate him?”

  “Because he’s a high servant of the Shadow.”

  “But don’t you serve the Shadow, too?”

  “Not us.”

  I waited for her to go on, but she didn’t. I downed some more ale and burped loudly. When in Rome, right? I didn’t have any toothpaste or anything else, but I had beer and food. Sadly I knew I could really use a shower and a change of clothes. If nothing else, my new companions would be the last to care about such things.

  Even goblins had to shower, though, right?

  Instead of grilling Hela about this, I said, “Come on, tell! I mean, you haven’t killed me, and you’re going to help me get clear of the park, so you’re friendly to me, right? So if we’re friends, you should tell me the truth.”

  She watched me carefully, blood still trickling down from the corners of her mouth. She watched me so long I began to feel a chill.

  “Well?” I said, hearing the notable loss of enthusiasm in my voice.

  “Jade,” she said quietly. “You hit me over the head and stole the item.”

  “Me? Would I do that?”

  She tapped the bottomless bag, and I almost slapped my forehead. There was really no way to pretend that I was innocent.

  “You showed up here with the client, Jade. Don’t take me for a fool. I know the only reason he would have seen you is if you had the knob.” A hint of humor touched her eyes. “It’s why I wanted to steal it in the first place.”

  I almost spat out my bite of venison. “You were trying to kill Nevos!”

  “When I realized it was him, yes. Until then I was simply going about my duties.”

  “What duties? I don’t understand any of this. Why is there a castle full of goblins in the middle of Central Park, and why were you trying to murder someone who is a leader of your people?”

  She let out a long sigh. “I’ll tell you the truth if you tell me the truth.”

  I laughed. “My story wasn’t very convincing, was it?”

  “No.”

  I fidgeted. How much should I really tell her? Then again, if I told her another lie she would either stop considering me a friend or simply not tell me the truth.

  “So you can forgive me hitting you over the head and taking the knob?” I said.

  She shrugged again. “I’m a goblin, Jade. We hit each other to say hello.”

  “Good point. Okay, fine, I’ll tell you, but I don’t want you to tell this to your superiors or anyone else. This is just between you and me.”

  She considered that, then nodded. “Very well.”

  We found a quiet place under a tree and sat down, both of us having refilled our mugs. I sipped often as I told her an abbreviated version of my tale. I finished my drink and my story around the same time. It was an old trick of mine.

  “Well?” I said. “Do you see now why it’s so important that I speak to Nevos?”

  She tilted her head. “You want to stop Mistress Angela. Yes, I understand. But you don’t understand. Nevos is our enemy, and he must die. Violently.”

  “But why? What is this all about?” I gestured at the walls and keeps. “Who are you people? Er, goblins?”

  “We came from the Fae Lands.”

  “Duh.”

  She took a long sip, then leaned back against the tree. Somewhere goblins shouted and a monster in their arena howled. “Most goblins in the Fae Lands worship the Shadow and serve him,” Hela said. “But our clan never did. We resisted when His religion began to sweep through our people long years ago. We hid ourselves away and did not traffic with the others of our kind.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “When Nevos betrayed the Fae and helped launch the war, we tried to help the Fae.”

  “Damn!”

  “We quickly saw the war was futile, though. But we’d exposed ourselves. Lord Vorkoth sent the other goblin clans after us. We would have been massacred. But we found out through our contacts among the Fae—because we’d been helping them we had friends among them—that the Fae Lords were leaving the Realm and taking as many of their people with them as they could. My clan found one of the gateways and passed through it just before it closed. We knew we couldn’t assimilate into your world, so we hid in the park, then used our arts to alter it, make it a place where we could be safe. And to make it more like home.”

  My jaw fell open. “You created Shadowpark!”

  “Well, not me. It was the work of the Great Shaman and those of his circle. But yes, we created what you call Shadowpark.”

  “Wow, that’s …” I shook my head. “You know, it killed a bunch of Fae Knights.”

  “We may be against the Shadow, but our magic still comes from the same place other goblin magic comes from—dark dimensions and dark gods. The Park will defend itself, brutally. It sensed a threat to itself—to us—and it reacted. I … I’m sorry it hurt your friends.”

  I could hear the truth of her words in her voice. I nodded.

  “Thanks,” I said. I wished I had more ale left. “Things have changed out there, you know. Outside of the park. With the Fae’s coming all the shifters, mages and other supes have come out of the closet. Out of the den. The world is changing. There are already a few goblins here and there. Your people might find a place.”

  “We have a place. And those other goblins still serve the Shadow. They’re our enemies.”

  “So you mean to stay here forever?”

  “Well, for now. But we do send some of our members out into your world. To make contacts in the underworld, where we can interact more freely, and to gather intelligence.”

  “That’s what you were doing.”

  She inclined her head. “Yes.”

  “You’re a spy!”

  “If you like.”

  “Wow, I’m friends with a goblin spy.” I grinned. “We’re friends now, right? I mean, we’re bonding and all. Next we can do each other’s nails.”

  “You are not touching my nails, Jade.” But I thought she was smiling, just faintly.

  Leaning forward, I gave her a hug. She didn’t return it, but she didn’t punch me, either. I thought that was progress.

  Pulling back, I said, “So you were acting the part of a thief to make contacts in the underworld.”

  “That’s right. Although in order to play the part I’ve actually become a pretty good one.”

  “I noticed.”

  “When I learned that a Fae Lord wanted to hire a crew to go after a wizard’s artifact, I did some digging. Soon I became convinced it was Nevos. My clan hates him and blames him for the war, for my kind having to leave the Fae Lands. I wasn’t going to kill him. I was going to capture him and bring him here. So that he could face justice. In the Arena.”

  My belly churned. “The Arena?”

  She grinned, and it was a terrifying sight. “That’s right. You’re just in time. He should be granted his trial at any moment.”

  “Trial?”

  “By combat.”

  I slumped back. “You’re going to feed him to a monster …”

  “He’ll be given a sword. If he’s innocent, he’ll prevail. The gods will see to it.”

  “But if he’s not?”

  She only smiled wider. Blood coated her teeth.

  Chapter 17

  I had to hurry. Nevos was due to be executed in less than an hour.

  My heart thumped crazily in my chest as I slipped through the ground of the goblin castle. Part of me wanted to let them just do it. Nevos probably deserved whatever he had coming. But I’d slept with him, and I couldn’t deny that part of me even liked him. No, don’t look at me like that. I hadn’t fallen for him or anything. But I did like him at least enough to want him to live.

  And there was the fact that only he could help me defeat A
ngela. I still wasn’t sure what she was after, but I knew he did.

  He was my only hope.

  I crept through the grounds of the goblin castle, intent on reaching the jailhouse before it was too late. A patrol ambled by and I shrunk into the shadows near a wall. The goblins marched past, not seeing me.

  Something large hissed behind me. I spun, breathless, to see a horrible face peering at me from a window—one of the huge lizards the goblins rode. I’d hidden along the wall of a stable. A forked tongue flickered out between long sharp teeth, and the giant snake-like eyes stared at me unblinking. Probably wondering if I was tasty.

  Shaking it off, I pushed on, seeking shelter where I could. Noises grew louder in the direction of the arena. The goblins were gathering there, preparing for justice to be delivered. I could see them smiling and talking animatedly—the word had gone out about Nevos. The excitement for his brutal death was almost palpable.

  Another group of green-skinned warriors filed by, and I huddled against some crates until they were gone.

  At last I reached the jailhouse.

  “Nevos,” I whispered, approaching one barred window. Nothing. “Nevos,” I whispered at another. A horned head leered at me, burping drunkenly. I moved on. “Nevos?”

  “Jade?”

  The voice was crisp. Ready.

  Nevos’s handsome face appeared at a barred window. I went to it. It was dark, but I still marveled at how much like Davril he looked, only with long, wavy black hair and lustrous green eyes.

  I cocked my head in the direction of all the commotion. “Hear that? You’re a star.”

  “Sounds like it. I can’t wait to meet my audience.”

  “Trust me, you can.”

  He studied me. “I break you out, now you break me out, is that it?”

  “Something like that.” I made myself meet his eyes. “I need answers, though. This isn’t just one favor for another. You’ll owe me for this.”

  Slowly, he nodded. “The knob. You want to know about the knob.”

  “That’s right. You tell me what I need to know and I’ll let you out.”

  He smiled. “Let me out and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

  “That’s not the deal. Talk first.”

  He spread his hands wide. “Make me.”

  I groaned. “Fine, I’ll get you out. But if you don’t talk once we’re clear of this place I’ll make sure you face whatever’s waiting for you in that arena. I’ll even let Hela buy me a beer when that monster comes out.”

  “It’s a deal,” he said. “Just get me out of this place.”

  Quickly I assembled my spellgredients. The cell was warded, as were the bars, but I was an old pro at disabling such things, and I had rendered the wards useless after only a minute of working on it.

  Once that was done, Nevos’s inhuman strength made short work of the bars themselves. He simply grabbed them and shoved them out. I danced back. He pulled himself through the window and dropped beside me.

  “Thanks,” he said, flashing a grin.

  “Sure. Just remember—”

  “I know, I know. We had a deal.”

  “Have a deal.”

  He didn’t argue. He scanned the surrounds, looking for the best way through. I had already picked out the easiest route to the wall and pointed it out to him. He silently agreed, and together we cut through the camp. Cheers went up in the direction of the arena, but also roars. Monsters were either fighting each other or goblin gladiators, maybe some sort of warm-up act.

  “Hate to miss the show,” Nevos said softly. “I do love a good bout.”

  “Help yourself, ace. But you’re the show.”

  “That is a problem,” he admitted.

  A patrol of goblins filed by, all of them drinking and grumbling, clearly annoyed to be missing the festivities. They were the last patrol between us and the castle wall. Nevos and I hunkered in the shadows until they passed, then found a set of stairs and ran up the wall. Immediately a goblin on duty turned at hearing us. His eyes bulged.

  He barked something at us in goblin-ish and ripped out his sword. I was already prepared and blew some dust into his eyes. He swayed to the side and collapsed, instantly asleep. Before any other goblins could find us, Nevos and I found some vines growing up the outside of the wall and climbed down. Nevos grinned widely when our feet touched down.

  “Your help has been most appreciated, Jade McClaren,” he said.

  “You’re not shed of me yet.”

  “Oh, I know.” He paused. “I can see why Davril likes you.”

  “Who says he does?”

  “Come now, Jade. You know that Angela’s spies have been spying on you closely, and she filled me in while you were … indisposed. You and Davril have grown very close. But I wonder … do you know who he really is?”

  “Don’t try to drive us apart, jerkwad.”

  “Jerkwad? Now the fire comes out! Only it can’t, can it? Sorry, that was mean. And you admit that there is something between you two.” His tone softened. “Listen, Jade. I’m sorry, but Davril and I … and women … There’s a bitter history there.”

  “Tell it later. We’ve got to go.”

  “Fine, but you—”

  Shocked cries of anger and horror rose up on the other side of the wall. The small hairs on the nape of my neck shot up.

  “They’ve noticed your disappearing act,” I said.

  “Let’s go.”

  A long, low horn blew, sending chills throughout my body, and the sound of the gate slamming open reached us. We ran and ducked through the nighttime forest, the rasps and growls of reptilian beasts not far behind us.

  “They’re riding their big lizards,” I said.

  “Golms,” Nevos said, only panting slightly. “They’re called golms. They ride them in the Fae Lands, too.”

  I ducked a branch, ran on. Roots tangled about my feet. I tripped but righted myself.

  A goblin cried out behind us. I heard a whistling noise and jerked to the side just as a spear hurtled through the space I’d just been. It embedded in the trunk of a tree, quivering.

  I ripped the spear loose, showering bark, spun and hurled the spear right into the chest of the goblin who had thrown it. He made a comical “Ack” sound and listed to the side, then fell out of the stirrups. Sorry, Hela. I hope he wasn’t a friend. His golm ran on, but it seemed confused. Inspiration struck me.

  “Can you summon your light?” I asked Nevos. “Blind the others?” A dozen riders were just behind the now-riderless golm, getting closer with every heartbeat.

  Nevos nodded, seeing what I wanted. When we reached a few thick trees, he paused and turned, seeking shelter. A spear whistled by, then a hail of arrows. The stench of poison wafted off them. Nevos’s jaw bulged in concentration and he thrust out his palms. Light gathered there, then flashed out in a blinding rush, sweeping over the goblins and their hideous mounts. The goblins shrieked and threw their hands over their eyes.

  “Come!” I said.

  I dashed out to the riderless golm and jumped into the saddle. Nevos followed suit, leaping on immediately behind me. His large arms went round my waist, and I liked the feel of his hard body behind me.

  The light would only blind the goblins for a moment. I grabbed the reins, kicked the golm in the flanks and said, “Ra!” The goblins probably didn’t use “ra”, but the golm seemed to get the point and jumped forward. I guided it through the dark, dripping trees, in what I hoped was the shortest way out of Shadowpark.

  “Good thinking,” Nevos said.

  “Thanks.”

  He kissed the back of my head. I didn’t whip my head back and break his nose.

  Goblins called out behind us, and soon I could hear the sounds of them and their golms coming after us again. They seemed to have lost us, though, and were trying to pick our trail up again. Be fast, I sent to the golm we were riding. Be fast and true.

  We rode hard, my heart beating wildly, sweat drenching me, and with every bre
ath I inhaled the scent of Nevos’s adrenaline … and pheromones. He clearly liked being pressed up against me, and I still wasn’t trying to pummel him to death. He’s the enemy, Jadeslut. Focus!

  “This way,” Nevos said, pointing. “I think this way is the shortest way out.”

  I turned the golm in the direction he’d indicated, hoping he wasn’t leading me into a trap. But then, how could he? He’d lost everything, all his allies, one by one. And all in search of whatever the knob belonged to.

  “Okay,” I said. “It’s time.”

  Amusement laced his voice. “Time?”

  “Don’t make me get this golm to eat you. You know what I’m talking about.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry, Jade. I’m a man of my word. The knob belongs to an ancient wardrobe once owned by an Earth-based High Priest of Lord Vorkoth.”

  “The Shadow was worshipped here … on Earth?”

  “That’s right. And the High Priest could communicate directly with Lord Vorkoth himself … through the wardrobe.”

  A stream ahead. I guided the golm to a shallow spot. Droplets splashed us as we crossed, but I barely felt them. The goblin hunters seemed far behind us.

  “How could the Shadow communicate through a stupid wardrobe?” I said.

  “I don’t understand the magic involved, honestly. I think the laws that such energies obey shift over time. I’m not even sure that spell is possible anymore. Hence the reason why that wardrobe is so important. But what I do know is that the High Priest would simply open the wardrobe, and inside would be a great, living darkness, and it would speak with him.”

  “The Shadow.”

  “Exactly. The High Priest would carry out Lord Vorkoth’s will here on Earth, and he had a large following. Agents of the Light eventually eradicated them all, and the wardrobe was thought lost for all time. It was damaged in the fighting, and one of the knobs was hewn off. That knob’s location was traced throughout the years, sometimes surfacing in the hands of a collector, sometimes disappearing for decades.”

  “Who cares about the knob?”

  “It has always been supposed that a powerful enough witch or wizard could use the knob to locate what it once belonged to. Was once a part of.”