Zarin

by Sarah J. Stone

  Over the past week, she had grown in many ways. She was more level-headed and relaxed. She was more comfortable in her own skin, and she knew that had everything to do with the Black Dragon that had taken residence inside of her. Being a dragon was amazing in so many ways. She loved the dragon and bonded with her as much as possible, and as she learned about the gifts she was given, she grew and was able to let go of many of the things that haunted her.

  “I know you’re right, but it’s driving me nuts. Cai wakes up in cold sweats every night. Hell, I don’t know if he really even sleeps. He’s tired, and as much as he’s been prepared for this, I still don’t think his mother taught him any kind of coping skills.”

  “Let me try talking to him again.”

  “Please do. He listens to you more than me. I think he wants to impress me so badly, he acts tougher than he really feels. I’ve asked around the magical community. Half-Nymphs aren’t known for being tough. They are sensitive, and that’s something I’m not.”

  “Send him in to me and go shower.” Willow smirked. “You stink.”

  Zarin laughed and left her alone with her thoughts. It was amazing how different things were in just over a week. She’d moved in and kept working at the diner, enrolled in school at just the right time, and started her online classes. It was just the general stuff for now. She had no idea what she wanted to do with her life yet. She had gotten really close to Cai, and Sophie was the best friend she never had. That girl had it rougher than her, but Willow loved her strength and compassion. The woman was going nuts in her pregnancy, and she still had months to go before the baby was born.

  The house filled with noise all at once. Everyone was home now, and Willow had come to love their chatter. She closed her book with a sigh. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate now, not knowing Cai was so upset. The poor child was a ball of nerves, just waiting to die. No kid deserved that, supernatural or not. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to know someone powerful wanted her dead and knowing they were coming for her, but just not exactly when. It would drive her crazy, too.

  Cai walked in slowly. It looked as if he was carrying the whole weight of the world on his shoulders.

  “Come here, honey,” Willow said, and stood up, holding out her arms and knowing he very much needed a hug.

  He threw himself into her arms and sobbed. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Mom. Nightmares keep me up, but I’m supposed to be strong. Dad is strong.”

  She pulled him back and used the tip of her pinky to wipe away his tears. “You don’t have to be strong all by yourself. Cai, Zarin loves you and wants to help you in any way he can, and sure, he’s a bit gruff, but he doesn’t expect you to be like him, or worse, be something you’re not. You’re a sensitive boy.”

  “But I want to be strong like him, Mom.” He hugged her again and buried his nose in her neck.

  Willow ignored the fact that the ten year old was almost taller than her.

  “Why can’t I be strong like him?” His voice was so low she wouldn’t have been able to hear him had she not undergone her own major change.

  “You’ll be like him in other ways. Zarin was built big and strong. Everyone has their own strengths; you’ll find yours, just as I’ll eventually find mine.”

  “You are strong.”

  “To you maybe, but Andrea and Sophie are both much stronger than me. I know I can’t be like them. I’m just me.”

  Cai seemed to begin to understand. “So, I shouldn’t try to be like Dad? Then who do I need to be like?”

  She moved him in front of her and smiled. “You, Cai. Be like you.”

  His eyes lit in understanding, and he seemed to stand a little taller. “Be like me.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” he replied, and then he ran off.

  Willow laughed. He was always doing that. Once he was finished, he bounced from place to place in seconds. It was getting harder and harder to keep up with him as his speed grew. It must have been a Half-Nymph thing. One minute, he was there and the next, he was gone before she heard him in another room.

  She made her way to the kitchen, which seemed to be the meeting place for everyone. Luckily, it was spacious. Max leaned against the far wall, like he always tended to do. Blane was by the stove cooking (it was his night, after all), and Aris sat at the table next to Sophie who looked dead on her feet. Ilias and Andrea were at the island, sitting. Cai was next to Ilias, looking at him as if he were his older brother or something, and she looked to find Zarin.

  She sent her senses out and hummed when she sensed him coming. Blackie came to attention and preened, waiting for attention. Zarin’s eyes turned to fire, and Willow blushed. She didn’t like the attention in front of everyone, but they were a newly-mated couple. It was bound to happen.

  “Good. We’re all here,” Aris said. “I think we might have found the nymphs that are after Cai.”

  The breath was pulled from Willow’s lungs at his words. “They’re here?”

  No one else said a word. She felt all of their eyes on her as if they were looking at her for direction on how to react.

  ***

  He felt her tension rise with her words. Zarin tried to remain calm, but this was the moment he’d been waiting for, the moment when he ensured his son survived. He didn’t even think twice when he finally, for the first time, referred to Cai as his son.

  “Where are they?”

  Aris raised a brow, and Zarin realized how he’d spoken to his king.

  “Sorry, but this is what we’ve all been waiting for.”

  “I’ve found a scent on our property near the spring. Cai, you don’t go there, do you?”

  Cai jumped. “No, Mom and Dad told me to stay away from there until it was safe.”

  Aris nodded. “Well, what I scented smells somewhat like Cai, but not quite.”

  The dragon was alert. His eyes shifted, and the fire tingled in his veins. “They’re scoping the area?”

  “Seems that way. And I scented more than one.”

  The tension rose. Zarin felt it as if it were all his own. The rest of the tribe was just as ready for this as he and Willow were. But he really didn’t want violence. He wanted to find a way to deal with this properly. No blood shed. They’d had too much recently. First, with Sophie’s step-dad, and then Samuel. There was no reason they couldn’t figure out a way to handle this without violence, but if it came down to it, he would kill them all—period. And that didn’t bother him at all.

  Chapter 15

  “Zarin, you aren’t leaving me here.”

  “Will, sweetheart, Cai needs you to stay here with him. I’m only going to try to find the trail that Aris was talking about.”

  She huffed and crossed her arms in that adorable way that made him smile, even though it was meant to be intimidating.

  “Yeah, alone.”

  “No need to draw attention to us.”

  He wasn’t surprised when she turned on her heel and stomped out of the room. If there had been a door, she probably would have slammed it to prove her point.

  She was pissed.

  He sighed and ran his hands through his unruly blond hair. It was getting too long, but he hadn’t had the time to deal with it. Not until the damn nymphs were gone and Cai was safe. Instead of going after her like he probably should have, he decided to just go. He couldn’t wait for her to be on board.

  When he went into the kitchen, Aris was there waiting for him. “She already left without you.”

  Zarin should have seen it coming. Of course, she wouldn’t let him handle this. “Shit, where’s Cai?”

  “He’s with Ilias in the gym, working out some frustrations and learning to channel his energy into creating a soundproof wall in his mind.”

  “Nice, at least something is going right.”

  “Zarin, before you chase after her, I wanted to say something.”

  He wasn’t sure if Aris was angry or not. As normal, his features told him nothing. �
��Okay…”

  “Sit.”

  Zarin growled. He really needed to go after his mate before she got herself hurt, but he sat, knowing it would just waste more time if he was stubborn. “Fine, but can we please get on with it?”

  “Are you going to be able to kill them if you can’t find another way?”

  Of course, Aris knew his plan. He never had to tell him anything. His king knew everything, and sometimes that pissed him the hell off. But if he really thought about it…

  “I don’t know. I’ve killed before; we both know that. It’s the whole reason I don’t want to, but if they hurt Cai or Will, I think I wouldn’t have a choice and the dragon would take over, but after he killed the nymphs, I don’t know what would happen.”

  “So you’re worried you’ll lose control?”

  He sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “I’ve got you, you know that, right?”

  “Yes, I know, but you might not be able to control me if I lose it, and if that happens promise me…” he cleared his throat. “Promise me that you’ll keep Cai and Willow away from me.”

  Aris growled and slammed his hands on the table. It shook under him, and Zarin jumped. He wasn’t used to seeing his temper.

  “You aren’t going to lose control. The whole point of this fuckin’ conversation was to get you to realize how much in control you really are. Zarin, you’re not who you were three years ago, or even a year ago. Get the fuck over your past. It’s done.”

  “Don’t you think I’m trying? I’m mostly good, but every once in a while, something makes me remember.”

  “It cannot control you. Now, go chase down that stubborn and very pissed off mate of yours, find you some damn nymphs, and do what has to be done. Cai is safe with us.”

  Zarin didn’t have to be told twice. He shoved the chair back and ran out the side door.

  Damn Willow.

  He was pissed, and if anything happened to her tonight, he’d kick her ass.

  After she healed, of course.

  He ran down the stairs and made his way to the spring. At full speed, he could be there in less than five minutes. But he couldn’t run that fast and be aware at the same time; he hadn’t trained for that. He wasn’t sure where the nymphs were…hell, he didn’t even know what they looked like.

  As he made his way through the woods, doing his best to avoid stepping on the branches that had fallen from the snow storm last week, he smelled something. He paused and closed his eyes, taking in the scent. Aris was right. It was a lot like Cai, yet not. He took a deep breath and inhaled, and that’s when he caught another scent: Will’s blood.

  The beast roared, and his body started changing shape. But Zarin fought it; he couldn’t help Willow in his dragon form. Not when she was hurt. He’d go in and end up getting himself killed. Instead, he let out a shrill cry. It was a call for help. He was sending a message. He didn’t know how bad Willow was hurt, but the blood was strong. He raced through, no longer caring if they heard.

  It was too late now; they’d heard his cry and knew he was coming. Those nymphs would fuckin’ pay. His dragon roared, pushing him to run faster. He sped through the trees and dodged branches and large rocks. This was his land. He could find his way anywhere. He slowed when he came to the opening that held the spring with its natural waterfall. It was one of the biggest selling points for Aris. Having a spring and a waterfall was the jackpot. Dragons loved natural waters, and apparently so did nymphs, because that’s what he saw before him.

  There were three of them. Two held Willow, one on each side. His eyes went to her, looking for her injury. Blood pooled on her lip, and he looked to see a scratch on her cheek. Her eyes were pure gold, and her claws were out. He heard the sound of her racing heart. She didn’t look hurt other than her face. He focused on them now. Their skin was blue, and they had long, blue hair that fell in long waves. They were nude and didn’t seem to be modest. When the third one cleared her throat, he gasped and brought his eyes to her. She had the brightest silver eyes, much like his own. She had the bluest skin and a lithe and seductive body. Her hips swayed, trying to pull him under her spell, but that didn’t work.

  He laughed. “I’m mated, hag.”

  She pursed out her lips and sighed. “I had to try. Dragons have always been easy before.”

  “Well, I’m not easy. And your cronies need to let go of my mate.”

  The nymph laughed and shook her head. “Not until you bring me what we’ve come for.”

  “I’m not giving him to you.”

  “Then we will kill you.”

  Zarin was shocked at how menacing she sounded. “I don’t get it, why does it matter? He’s just a kid.”

  “You don’t know of our laws, or of our people. You don’t get to judge us. We will make this land our home, and he’ll never be safe. And neither will you or the rest of you half-breed scums.”

  Willow growled and tried to get away from the two holding her, but their grips were firm. She wasn’t getting free anytime soon.

  “Look, he was sent to us by the goddess. He isn’t meant to die. There has to be a way to save him. It isn’t as if I’m human. Why can’t I care for him and teach him how to live within the world?” It sounded so easy to him, but the nymph didn’t seem to understand. “He isn’t seen like you. He’s got some sort of glamour or something.”

  She huffed. “I know this of our kind. We are all capable of glamour, but it takes too much energy. We are better off hiding in the water among our own. Humans mean nothing to us. But the law says any offspring from a nymph and mortal must be executed. I intend to follow the law.”

  “Oh, puh-lease, your buddies here already mentioned the loophole,” Willow said, sounding breathless.

  ***

  Zarin growled and went to go to her, but suddenly, the scent–the same one he smelled when he met Cai–filled the air, only this was ten times stronger. He swayed. “Wait, stop…”

  Zarin opened his eyes and cursed when he saw the bright silver ones staring back at him. He tried to move, but she had her long hair wrapped around his body like a rope. “Let me go,” he growled.

  “My name is Celeste, and I’ll be the last face you see before you die. My sisters have already taken care of that pesky mate of yours.”

  He could swear his heart stopped beating.

  Willow.

  He closed his eyes and reached out to find the link to his mate. It was weak, but it was still there. He tugged on the thread and saw her in his mind. She was tied up too, and one of the nymphs was whipping her, trying to get answers.

  “If you know where he is, what’s the point in all of this? Why not just go take him? You don’t have to hurt my mate.”

  “Oh, but we do. You see, you aren’t supposed to be either. We’ve heard all about you Halflings, taking humans and turning them into beasts. That’s against the laws of nature. No human should be bestowed with our gifts, and that is why the boy and your mate will die before I kill you. I want you to see them suffer.”

  “But what about the loophole? At least tell me about it.” He was trying his best to stall, hoping it would give the tribe enough time.

  She rolled her eyes and used her hair to squeeze him. He coughed, and his eyes watered. How was it she was so powerful?

  “If a supernatural being takes control over the hybrid, the death warrant can be waived...blah, blah, blah. Most of my kin don’t use it, so why should I be any different?”

  Then it hit him. This was the perfect land for the nymphs to be safe. He got an idea. He wasn’t sure how Aris would feel about it, but he had to try. “A safe haven, a home where you don’t have to worry about being bothered or discovered by those pesky humans you hate so much.”

  The hair loosened, and he could breathe a little better.

  “Home, you say. Where would this safe haven be? We must have water at all times. Or we die.”

  Now he was getting somewhere. “Here, in this part of our land. It’s got the spring and th
e waterfall. Isn’t that perfect for you? What else could you possibly need?”

  The nymph seemed to think. “It’s beautiful land, and it’s very private. We could settle here and never be bothered, except by you, of course. You could plot our deaths and easily take us out once you learn of our vulnerabilities.”

  “Why would I do that? I want Cai to live and be safe. So, you don’t want this land. Find any land that you want, and we’ll make sure to buy it. It’ll be yours, but do this loophole for him. Let my mate go. She’s getting too weak.”

  Celeste nodded. She closed her eyes and said a few words in another language he couldn’t understand, and then he fell to the ground. “Go get your mate. We have much to discuss.”

  And just like that, Zarin was free. He ran through the trees that held another hiding spot where the other two nymphs were standing over Willow’s pale body. She wasn’t moving.

  “No!”

  He ran to her and scooped her in his arms, relieved when he heard her heartbeat. She was out, but she was alive. He growled at the two nymphs. “You ever touch her again, and I’ll rip your goddamn eyes out. You got me?”

  They both shrieked and nodded before running through the woods. He made his point. He carried Willow back into the opening where the spring was and sat against the tree, holding her. Celeste was there, waiting for him. Now that she knew she couldn’t seduce him, she wore something that covered her.

  “So, you say we can dwell here?” She tapped her chin. “Maybe until we find a new home? We had to leave our last home because the humans spotted one of us.”

  “I said that, didn’t I? I just want to do this loophole. I want a guarantee that Cai will be safe and you, your sisters, and no other nymphs will come after him—ever. He’s free to live his life. I’ll take care of him and guide him, as will my mate and the rest of us.”

  She waved a hand. “We don’t care about his safety. That is not why he should die. He should die because he shouldn’t be. A female nymph mating with a human man and creating offspring…” Celeste shuddered as if it were the most disgusting thing. “No, we cannot condone or claim him as ours, nor will we. Once we do the ceremony, he can never reach out to us. We aren’t kin. Make no mistake, there are ways to end his life that you could never stop. My point is—he stays away from us. Even when he feels the call to find a clan, he cannot. None will accept him.”