Grave Debt

by T. G. Ayer

  “No, it wasn’t mine. All I can tell you is that you can trust it. It won’t harm you. Its job is to protect you and that’s what it will do.”

  I stared at the golden bronze carvings. At that moment, though, all I could understand was some ancient adornment had taken possession of my arm. It felt warm against my skin. Molded comfortably around my arm. My heart jittered as I felt its embrace. This band wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Okay so what’s it meant to do? How does it work?”

  “Look Kai, I can’t tell you anything more. You will know what you need to know in good time.” Grams stood up, her eyes unreadable. “I can’t stay, Kai. I’ve got to be going again.”

  And then she strode to her room, grabbed her overnight case and headed out the door with a wave.

  I took a breath and stared her down. “What do you mean it wasn’t you?” I asked slowly.

  Grams pursed her lips. “Sometimes, Ailuros will deliver the gift in person. She’s been known to assume the form of human’s in order to deliver her gifts. I have a memory of giving it to you, but it’s more like something I saw happen than something I did myself.”

  The silence was thick and cloying, almost like the cream that now settled at the back of my throat. Coffee shop sounds rose and fell around us and Grams sipped her tea which had likely already cooled to undrinkable.

  “Okay then,” I said, casting my eyes around me, me tone slightly higher than normal. “Well. I suppose I have to deal with it then. Wish I knew what it’s meant to help with.”

  Grams drained her cup and set it back on its saucer with a little chink. “Hold on a second,” she said, her eyes sharp. “Back up a bit young lady. What was that you said about me having the immortal thing pretty much covered?” Grams gaze held me firmly and I had nowhere to escape to.

  With a grunt, I said, “I’m so busted.”

  Chapter 26

  “Lyra has sent her riders ahead with some of the supplies that we’d need,” said Sienna, her face sober.

  She’d arrived only ten minutes after Logan had emerged from the bathroom, having taken a second soak in order to loosen up his muscles. And she’d been so right about the stiffness and the sore muscles. Thankfully the hot water had done the trick.

  “Can we trust them?” he asked Sienna, wondering how trustworthy Lyra’s men would be given this ceremony was meant to be secret.

  “I believe so. She’s been exceedingly accommodating so far. If she hated us, surely she’d have revealed some of her dislike by now.”

  “Maybe,” said Logan as grabbed his duffel and followed Sienna toward the balcony, wondering why Sienna waffled when it came to deciding whether or not she trusted Lyra. From what Logan had seen so far, Lyra was honest and straight-up. What you saw was what you got.

  Even Vyrian had had the same opinion, but then he was her uncle so he may be biased.

  Reaching the balcony, the siblings launched into a run, jumped the railing, and flew off in the direction of the Black Mountains

  “So where exactly are we off to?” asked Logan once they were in the air, his great wings slicing through the air.

  “It’s a temple, an almost holy place called the Hollow of the Life’s Blood. Or the Aurul i’Drysht. It’s on the northern faces of the Black Mountains and it is said that the temple has been there all the way back to the beginning of Drakys history. It is where the Drysht, or the Ancient Egg of Life, has been kept for centuries. Apparently, it has never been moved. Not since it was first found. And every year they celebrate the power of the egg in the Rebirth Ceremony. It’s called the Sirin a Drysht.”

  “So what’s so special about this egg?” he asked staring at the thin glimmer of burnt orange and gold rays as they scarred the horizon in the distance, promising a new day. He scanned the city below and watched as homes came to life along the streets, as people awakened and prepared for the day long before the bloody rays of the red sun lit the horizon.

  “The egg is considered magical, that it has life-giving properties,” said Sienna, her voice lilting on the currents. “The priests tell tales of the stream below the Hollow being imbued with the magical healing properties of the egg, and of the waters curing illnesses and fevers, helping women fall pregnant. You know the drill.”

  Logan smiled. No matter the realm, superstition and old-wives tales never changed.

  Sienna banked right and followed a shallow rise of jagged black mountains, rising up toward the sharp ridgeline that touched the clouds. They flew over the ridge and down again where Logan knew he would find the next chapter of his life.

  Lyra and Vyrian had come dressed in their finery, which made Sienna roll her eyes and sniff. “Good thing I prepared something earlier,” she muttered and handed Logan a cloth bag. “Go change and get back here quickly.” Sienna pointed at a shallow cave to their right as she too headed for a spot to change.

  Before long the siblings were dressed in tailored garments of blood-red silk and shimmering gold thread. Satisfied, Sienna gave a nod and led the way around the rocky outcropping inside the cave toward the cavern where Lyra and Vyrian stood in somber silence.

  The old man wore a smile that implied he was enjoying the formalities and Logan had to force down a grin. He’d grown fond of Vyrian so quickly that he’d been surprised--it wasn’t often that he grew close to another person so swiftly.

  Logan soon forgot about everything as he followed Sienna down a stony path and into the cavern which turned out to be nothing less than a cathedral, lit by hundreds of little fires blazing away in every nook and cranny along the walls.

  The Drysht sat upon a stalagmite pedestal. Above it a giant stalactite aimed its point at the top of the egg, dripping water onto the amber relic. Water which washed down the egg and into a dark silent pool that formed a moat around the base.

  “Looks festive,” said Logan softly as they neared the egg, which turned out to be a large amber pendant which held within it a form that wasn’t entirely definable. Not in this light as any rate.

  Sienna’s eyes shimmered with mischief and Logan shook his head. She’d know the egg was a fossil all along. Sneaky kid.

  Lyra waved at the siblings and inspected their clothing, nodding in approval as though she hadn’t at all intended on outshining them. Still, what did it matter when this ceremony was meant to be a secret?

  “Come. We must hurry,” she said, clapping her hands briskly. “The sun will rise in a few minutes and you must both be ready.”

  Vyrian and Lyra helped to position Sienna and Logan, feed in the moat of water, hands on the egg, palms flat so the warmth of the amber fed into their bodies.

  Sienna looked over at Logan and smiled. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be,” said Logan softly.

  As he spoke, a strange ruby glow filled the dark cave, making it feel like the very air was bleeding as the red sunlight shimmered through the cracks and channels in the roof of the cavern above.

  A thin line of sunlight fell on the amber, and the egg glowed as though it pulsed with blood, with life. And Logan found he could understand the fascination of the people when it came to this fossil. It did appear quite magical with the rays of the red sun bathing it, enveloping the mysterious form within..

  Lyra and Vyrian were speaking words Logan did not yet understand, and the sound rang around the cavern like a sad lament.

  Logan felt awkward with his feet planted in the water, but he glanced at Sienna to find her giving him a confident smile.

  Seconds passed and then Lyra and Vyrian walked toward the siblings, both bearing bowls made of gold. They reached down, dipped the bowls into the pond and then poured the water over first Logan’s head and then Sienna’s.

  Then, as the water sluiced over their heads, the sun’s bloody rays bathed the egg, and Logan felt a strange heat beneath his hands. He glanced over at Sienna and recognised the consternation on her face.

  Logan shifted his palms, as though he intended to move away, and Sienna shook her head at him.
She didn't need to worry though, as Logan found he was unable to let go of the egg. It seemed to be holding onto him with a forced that he couldn’t understand.

  THe scarlet light brightened and dulled, swirling around them and within the egg, and in the same moment, Logan saw something moved within the amber, and Sienna gasped. Logan didn’t look at his sister to check what had caused her shock.

  He was looking right at it.

  WIthin the egg, the movement had turned out to be that of a pair of eyelids cracking open, then slowly widening until he found himself staring at a single dragon eye.

  And before he could take a breath, the eye closed and a bolt of scarlet lightning struck the egg, sparks flying as the branched of the energy sought out both Logan and Sienna.

  Within seconds the pair were enveloped, immersed, impaled by the lighting and Logan had to wonder if this experience was anything like what Kai had endured.

  Perhaps not, as he found he felt no pain.

  Just a million thoughts and images filling his mind.

  Though the water was icy, and the lightning continued to spark around them in a living web, neither of the siblings make a sound. Not until the eye blinked again and the lightning faded as though it had never been there at all.

  And it was over and Lyra and Vyrian stepped back out of the water, smiling brightly as the twins let go of the egg and turned to face them.

  As Logan and Sienna stepped out from the water, Lyra and Vyrian bowed low, then straightened, both smiling brightly.

  “All hail the new Queen of Drakys, Synestra of the House of Yl. All hail the General of Drakys, Lyandr of the House of Yl.”

  Both a little stunned, Logan and Sienna shared an uncomfortable smile, though they nodded graciously at the older members of their family who had both looked after the realm in the absence of the rightful heirs.

  Logan only hoped that in the days to come, his aunt and great-uncle would remain loyal because he suspected that he and Sienna were going to need all the help they could get.

  And from the knowledge surging within his head, he knew things were only going to get worse.

  Talk about an information download.

  Chapter 27

  Mel had left with Steph a while ago, and I was still standing in front of the fire in the living room, my mind turning a whole bagful of issues.

  Mom’s revelation of her possible betrayal which implied a mole in our ranks. The fact that Mom was instrumental in discovering that the Niamh was five woman and not one. That Grams was half-fae and royalty to boot. That Saleem was not just in need of help in Mithras but captured and being tortured and needing an extraction sooner than anyone had expected.

  And that I was still weak, still suffering bouts of shakes--though thank Ailuros, there had been no further strokes.

  And Ailuros.

  How often does a girl get a visit from a goddess?

  I mean, we all knew the gods existed, but many had withdrawn from interacting with the general population and few still retained the elemental power to influence events or even people. But the armband on my wrist was a solid remind that this wasn’t just a gift from a goddess, but that it was take two.

  Maybe I was just that lucky.

  Or, maybe I was so deep in shit that I actually needed a god to help me get out.

  Now that wasn’t a thought I wanted to ponder.

  Good thing something else was turning around and around in my head: I was trying to convince myself that I really had no other choice but to go to Drakys and speak to Logan.

  But a small part of me didn’t want to go.

  Logan had left behind that letter. He hadn’t even been there to know what had happened to me, or to Mom--though considering the contingent of spies within our home, I couldn’t be certain he didn’t have his finger on the pulse of my life at any given moment.

  And when I finally came home, injured and weak, needing to be surrounded by my family, and when my thoughts had turned to Logan, to how much I needed his arms around me, what I received was not the man himself to offer his comfort, but instead Grams giving me his letter of goodbye.

  I couldn't deny that I felt somewhat betrayed, and yet the contents of that letter wasn’t enough for me to give up on him. Though it was enough for me to simmer with hurt. Simmer and try not to think about it.

  He hasn't said goodbye, I reminded myself firmly. I suppose I could take that as a sign, and as a reason to refrain from losing my shit altogether.

  And I wanted to lose my shit. I really did.

  But, a voice in my head said that there was too much to do to waste time losing my shit when I wasn’t altogether sure that Logan had given me a reason to.

  Sure, he’d left without saying goodbye to my face, but I knew him well enough to know that he was hurting. He’d not have made that decision to leave lightly.

  And Logan was no longer the man I had met all those months ago. A fire mage operative for Omega? Omega didn’t exist anymore, and neither did that sexy fire mage who’d walked into my office at the Rehab Centre all those weeks ago. Because Logan was a freaking living breathing dragon.

  And a royal one at that.

  How much irony was there in the fact that the djinn and the dragon were partners with neither knowing how important the other was?

  Until it was too late.

  I let out a sigh and spun on my heel to find Lily and Baz hurrying into the room toward me. I picked up my crossbow—which I’d been cleaning when Mel had arrived—and my soft cloth which I tucked into my back pocket.

  “When do you leave?” asked Lily, barely catching her breath as she came to a stop in front of me.

  “Really, Lils? Give her time to breathe at least,” said Baz, throwing his hands in the air.

  I smiled and patted Lily on the shoulder as I peered over at the vamp-demon. “It’s okay. I know everyone is eager to get moving. Especially when a life hangs in the balance.”

  “But are you up to cross-Veil travel?” asked Baz, his lips thinning. “You’ve only had a few hours of proper rest since you got home. I’m not sure that’s enough.”

  “I’m fine, Baz. Seriously.”

  He snorted. “You had your insides fried, repeatedly. “I’m not so sure you’re as fine as you think you are.”

  I lifted an eyebrow as I met the challenge in Baz’s eye. He was so much part of the family now that I had no choice but to consider his point.

  Eventually, I let out a sigh. “I swear I’m fine. But I’ll have Dad check me over one last time before I go.”

  “I’m going with you,” said Lily, straightening her shoulders.

  “You are most certainly not,” said Dad as he passed the living room doorway and stopped in his tracks.

  “But—” Lily began.

  “No buts, young lady.” Corin Odel waved a finger at the lynx walker and I stifled a snicker as Dad said, “If you think you want to travel to Mithras with the team when they’re ready to leave, then you’re getting a full physical and some rest. Even with the batch of Krisl stamens the The Elite managed to find for us, your recovery isn’t a magical snap of the fingers. Cross-veil travel is hard on a person’s body, and I’d like to keep the number of trips to minimum, if you don’t mind.”

  I grinned at Dad’s stern, paternal monologue but then he looked over at me and when I saw his expression my smile fled.

  “You too.” Dad sent me a threatening look. “Alpha or not, you’re going to need an assessment before you travel.”

  I caught the smirk on Baz’s face, but I knew when I had lost the verbal battle. Little did Dad know that he was in for a full-scale war if he thought he’d get me sitting still long enough for an in-depth medical scan.

  The thought reminded me that there was also the matter of a certain MRI for which results would be ready at the Elite HQ very soon. I had to figure out a plan to waylay those results.

  And a fast, if I knew what was good for me.

  With a quick nod, I said, “Sure, Dad. I’ll come up so
on. I’m just getting a few things together.”

  Dad’s eyes narrowed. “When are you leaving?”

  “As soon as I can. Saleem can’t wait. The longer we leave him there, the worse he gets. The last thing I need is to dawdle and have him die on us.”

  Dad gave a nod, expression inscrutable. “And how are you getting to Drakys?”

  “I still have the seal Horner gave me when I first went to Drakys. It’s still keyed to me so that part is easy.”

  “What about traveling from the portal to the city? That journey isn’t like catching a cab, Kai,” Dad said, his tone cool. “I know you went out last night, and yes, the shifting would have helped immensely, but you’re getting at least another six hours of sleep before you leave. Am I making myself clear? I have enough sick people in this house. I don’t need you adding to my list of patients.”

  Dad gave me one more glare--one edged with concern and a touch of what I suspected was fear--and then stormed out the door, slamming it behind him.

  Oh dear.

  “What did you do now?” asked Iain from across the hall. He stood there, golden hair shimmering in the sunlight, cup of coffee in one hand, bran muffin in the other.

  I’d barely seen much of Iain these past weeks, what with his traveling across the country, and trips to European council meetings. Something big and very secretive was going on with him but I didn’t have time to wrangle it out of him

  “You’re back?”

  He looked down at his dark-suited, well-muscled body and nodded. “Looks like it.”

  “Smartass,” I said hurrying over to give him a hug.

  “Hey, watch the hot liquids,” he protested, before setting the cup down to give me a one-handed hug. “Wow, I haven't been gone that long, kid. I just saw you in the hospital like what? Couple of days ago?”

  I shook my head. “Alot’s happened since then, bro. Keep up.”

  Iain’s expression sobered. “I heard. I just checked on Mom, but how is she really? She seems okay, but…”