Shadow on the Water

by Katya Moore

  Aric snorted. "Whatever, man. The High Priest was really pleased about it. Said, and I quote, 'there is one in their midst who will lead them to their doom.' The priest talks like a bad fantasy novel, by the way."

  "You'd know. You read enough of them." Dario shook his head dismissively.

  "Fuck you. I only read the good stuff." Aric waved his hand. "But whatever. Point being, they knew where you were because one of your own was leading them straight to your door."

  I perked up. "They had someone on a computer in the cottage who knew we were there. I thought they had sensors planted around the neighborhood. Maybe they were in communication with their mole." I studied each of the Alpha Squad in turn, reaching out with my empathy. I read various degrees of shock and surprise, but no guilty consciences. Hmm. Weird.

  "And why didn't you bring this up during your trial?" Kane asked with a scowl. "You had your chance to screw us, right then and there. Why didn't you speak up about it?"

  Aric gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah right. It would have just sounded like I was trying to deflect blame. They never would have believed me. They barely believed Sia."

  "I barely believed Sia," Dario snarled at me. "How do I know that this isn't just what he said... a deflection of blame. A way to get us out of your lives for good."

  "I'll tell you why," I sighed. "Because whoever your mole is, he doesn't know he's doing it."

  Dario let out a short laugh. "And how do you know that?"

  I rolled my eyes. "I'm a shadow dragon, asshat. I'm reading your emotions right now. All of you. And none of you know what the hell is going on. So either you've got a stone-cold sociopath on your hands," I gave a pointed look at Dario, "Or they've got some other way of tracking one of you."

  "We check our property for bugs regularly," Quinn frowned as he reached for his messenger bag. "Perhaps we haven't been diligent enough about checking our persons."

  "Bullshit. If someone dropped a bug on me, I'd know," Kane grumbled.

  "Suit yourselves," I shrugged. "You want to get clobbered by the Chosen again, we might not get to you as fast."

  Jared frowned and looked down at his cast. "We should check again."

  Chase shook his head. "No. Obviously, whatever protocol you're using isn't working. Let me check you over. Thoroughly."

  Dario looked like he'd suggested a body cavity search. "The hell I'm letting Omega Squad..."

  I glared at him. "He's trying to help you, idiot. Considering how much he likes having you all around, I'd thank him profusely and take him up on it. He's not doing this lightly." I looked back at Chase and gave him a cautious smile. He returned it. I turned back to Alpha Squad. "I trusted Kane to run Aric's rescue because that was his area of expertise. It's what he does. This is Chase's area of expertise. Trust him, like I trusted you."

  "I..." Dario started.

  Kane cut him off. "You're right. Chase, this is your show. Do what you gotta do, man."

  "I'll come by where you're staying tonight and bring my equipment," Chase confirmed, looking at Dario out of the corner of his eye. Dario huffed, but remained silent.

  "So, what else did you hear?" Quinn asked, leaning his elbows on his knees. "Anything about the missing dragons?" He looked pensive and vaguely nauseous.

  Aric nodded slowly. "Nothing good. That scary bitch who was hiding out with them. They called her the Witch Queen. She's the one in charge of sucking the souls out of things." He looked uncharacteristically grim. "We're not going to find any of those missing dragons. She was gloating about her work. ‘Perfecting the process.’" A shudder ran through him. I rested my hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at me, then continued. "When you drain the essence out of an animal and use it, you get the animal's form mixed with the human who used it. When you drain the essence out of a dragon and use it..." His voice cut off.

  Quinn spoke up, his voice hollow. "You get the dragon. Or at least something that looks like her."

  "She said it was 'an uncanny facsimile.' A flawless disguise. You look like the dragon, in human form or half-form. You wear their face." Aric's voice trembled. "They wanted to use me to get to Sia. They were going to drain my essence, lie down in the cage, and let you rescue their sorcerer so that you'd bring him home and lay our defenses wide open. They would have killed us all in one go." The shudder turned into trembling. He looked up at me, paler than pale. "I was trying to figure out how to... I couldn't let her do that to you."

  Chase spoke up. "He was trying to bite his wrists open when we got to him."

  Dario shook his head, looking guilty. "I thought it was because he'd sold you out."

  I gasped in horror and looked at Aric's bandages with new eyes, only now noticing that they'd extended past his wrists. "Jesus," I whispered.

  Dario stared at his brother as though seeing him for the first time. "Eldest, Ricky. You... I thought..."

  "You thought I was being a coward. Trying to get out of being punished." Aric's voice was flat, emotionless. "That's all you've ever thought of me."

  Dario's mouth worked silently for a second. "I...Fuck." He blinked hard. I looked at him, surprised. "Ricky, you were being a fucking hero, and I shat on that. I..." He looked away, trying to compose himself.

  "You always were a fuckhead, Dario,” Aric sniffed at him.

  Dario's chest lurched with a repressed laugh. "Yeah," he mumbled.

  "We need to call in the Elders about this," Quinn said.

  "I don't want to go anywhere near the Elders. Not again." There was a note of panic in Aric's voice. "They're just going to find some way to twist it around that it's all our fault."

  I sighed hard and squeezed his shoulder. "I don't like it either, but this isn't just about us anymore. This is big. Stealing dragons and sucking out their souls big." I looked around at the gathered dragons. "We can't just blunder through this on our own. We need backup, and they need to know what's going on."

  Chase chuckled. "Look at you, being a queen," he grinned, pride swelling in his voice. "First you're putting us to our best uses, now you're putting the greater good before our desire to stay the fuck out of things." He winked at me. "You'll be leading armies before you know it."

  I felt myself blush. "I... well, yeah. Thanks."

  "Before we all bend a knee, we should see what the Elders want us to do about this situation." Dario's tone was snarky, but deferential.

  I nodded. "You're their golden boy. You make the call. We'll be waiting for them."

  Dario pulled out his phone and walked out of the study toward the foyer.

  Chase sidled up to me and put his arm around my shoulders. "Can I get a word with you while he does that?"

  A lump formed in the pit of my stomach. "Sure."

  We walked to the library in silence. He walked ahead of me into the room and took a seat on one of the couches. I sat in a chair across from him. He studied me for a long moment, an unreadable expression on his face. Finally, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands in front of him.

  "I've been a jackass, and I'm sorry."

  I stared at him, jaw dropping slightly.

  He fidgeted nervously. "I... I froze you out. When you needed me. Because I was butthurt about Kane and the rescue." He sighed and looked down at his hands. "This sucks, and I hate it, but... you made the right call." He looked back up at me, a pained look in his eyes. "You... you're good at this. You're damned good. Better than me, I think." A small smile formed at the corners of his mouth. "I lead from my gut, and it serves me well most of the time. You, you're the whole package. You've got good instincts, but you use your heart and your head in equal measure. I know you wanted me to lead that mission, but you didn't let your feelings for me stop you from doing what was good for the team. What was good for Aric." Pride shone in his eyes. "I wasn't kidding in there. I can lead a team. You, you can lead armies. There's a general in you, trying to get out. And I'll be damned if I don't help you get there because of my own stupid pride."

  I swallowed
hard and reached out to take his hands in mine. "I... I was so afraid I'd lost you forever over this," I managed to choke out.

  The guilt returned to Chase's face. "I know. And I'm sorry." The side of his mouth curled in a hopeful smile. "I can't promise that I'll never be an ass again, but I can promise that you'll never lose me because you made a tough call. Forgive me?"

  I grasped his hands and pulled, drawing him out of his seat. He crouched in front of me as I kissed him gently on the lips. "Forgiven," I said with a soft smile.

  "Good." He kissed me again, then drew back with a wry smile. "Also... Aric? Really?"

  I planted my hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle shove. "Don't start."

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cass and Quinn did a final sweep of the perimeter of the diplomats' mansion.

  "Wards are tight. We shouldn't get overrun again," Cass assured me as he walked up. I put my arm around him and nodded to Quinn, who sketched a half-bow. "Between the two of us, we put up every ward we could think of out there."

  I grinned and gave him a squeeze. "Thank you both for collaborating. I know we didn't get off to the best start, but it's good to see you working together."

  "Of course," Quinn said with a shy smile. "All I ever wanted to do was help you."

  I smiled at him. "Thanks."

  "No, really," he continued nervously. "My whole life has been spent learning how to aid the Shadow Queen. My whole life. That's all I've done." He blushed and looked away. "You were the only person I was allowed to think about. I'm sorry if... that's a lot, I know. But it's the truth. I'm sorry if I came on too strong when we met, or said the wrong things, or..."

  "It's okay. Really. It's okay." I raised my hands, then lowered them. "Easy there." A pang of guilt hit me. "Really? It was all... all shadow dragon, all the time?"

  He nodded. "Everything from how best to ward your lair to how to..." He cut himself off with a horrified look.

  "How to what?" I asked nervously.

  "Umm..." From the deepening blush on his face, I could hazard a guess. "How to... court... you?" he managed lamely.

  I winced. "Oh dude. I am so very sorry."

  He shrugged. "Maybe it will come in handy someday."

  I laughed. "I'm sure it will."

  Aric ambled up and slung an arm around my shoulders. "Hey nerds. Hey, yer majesty." His bandage-free fingers traced along my jaw and pulled me in for a kiss, nearly jerking me out of Cass' grasp. Cass made a soft annoyed noise. "The Elders are about five minutes out. Just thought I'd warn you." I could feel the tension in his embrace.

  I kissed him on the cheek. "We'll come in."

  The others were busy setting up the conference room in the mansion. Dario had the staff hopping, ensuring that the disused mansion was up to par as far as cleaning was concerned. Kane and Chase were directing the advance squad of security guards to points around the perimeter. Jared was hobbling on crutches next to Galen as he spruced up the landscaping with some magic-raised flowers.

  "Why didn't we do this back at my place?" Aric asked. "We're already set up there."

  "I wanted neutral ground," I replied. "But, I did invite your parents."

  Aric's jaw clenched. "Why the fuck would you do that?"

  I reached out and gave him a squeeze. "I have my reasons. Just trust me, okay?"

  His brow furrowed. "I'll trust you. I don't have to like it, though."

  "Duly noted."

  I looked up and saw a fleet of SUVs approaching. I swallowed hard, then braced myself. Cass felt me tense and tightened his grip around my waist. Not to be outdone, Aric tightened his grip around my shoulders.

  "I'm feeling the love, guys. Ease up before you crack something," I grunted under my breath.

  "Sorry." Cass eased his grip. Aric, not so much. I put an arm around him and gave him a gentle squeeze. He didn't react. His eyes were locked on the SUVs, his face pale.

  The SUVs pulled into the curved driveway. Several large, imposing-looking dragons stepped out of the first two and fanned out to investigate the area. The rest of my dragons and Alpha Squad came out to join me in greeting our guests. The guards looked them over. One came up, looking like he was ready to pat us down. I glared at him. He looked at me, and realization dawned over his face. "Ma'am," he grunted, bowing slightly. I nodded at him dismissively. He reached up and touched a wireless earpiece, then nodded to himself. "We're clear," he confirmed, then walked over to the remaining SUVs.

  I watched as the Elders eased themselves out of their vehicles, and gently extracted myself from my boys' grips. I straightened my dress and walked up to greet them. It seemed like the diplomatic thing to do.

  "You and Beauvais seem cozy after that sham of a trial," Schulte said by way of greeting.

  I dropped my extended hand and tightened my jaw. "We were close before it. It doesn't change a thing. He is innocent. You all agreed."

  "We didn't all agree." Her voice was icy.

  My jaw clenched. I turned away from her and greeted Meriwether.

  "Don't mind her, dear. Gerta doesn't travel well," Meriwether said with a kind smile. Schulte huffed and stormed toward the mansion, leaving a pair of guards in her wake. "She's concerned about the security here. Wasn't this the mansion where you were nearly overrun with Chosen?" Her voice was diplomatically incredulous.

  "It was. We've reinforced the wards and posted heavy security around the perimeter. If there is trouble coming, we're ready for it." She looked a little taken aback at the confidence in my voice. I smiled at her reassuringly. "We've taken every precaution that my team and Alpha Squad could think of."

  She smiled. "Well, then. We're in good hands." She started off toward the mansion.

  Long was next. "You're looking well, dear," she said in a grandmotherly tone. "It's strange, being summoned by the Shadow Queen again after all these years. I do hope you're wielding your power wisely." It was a gentle rebuke, but a rebuke nonetheless.

  My smile tightened. "These are matters I felt important enough to be discussed in person, without intermediaries. I hope you will agree."

  "I'm sure we will." She squeezed my hand gently and followed Meriwether.

  Chang took my hand and shook it firmly. "If you felt it was important, it's important. Ignore them. Change doesn't come naturally to most dragons, especially elder dragons. To them, you're an upstart." She allowed a small smile. "I read Kane Haydon's report on the rescue. That you let him take point on the mission, despite your feelings about Alpha Squad. You have good instincts. I'm going to trust those instincts." The smile returned to its hiding place. "Until you show me I can't. Then, we'll have words."

  I tried to hide the surprise. "Umm... thank you. Thank you so much." Smooth, Sia.

  "Don't thank me yet. We have business to discuss." She nodded curtly and headed in.

  The Beauvais family limousine pulled up. I took immense satisfaction in watching Mr. and Mrs. Beauvais get patted down by the guards. Mrs. Beauvais looked amusingly indignant. She straightened her immaculate black dress and harrumphed, then saw me standing there.

  "Arysia, my dear," she began as she walked toward me, beaming with her attempt at a warm maternal glow. Her arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture.

  "Mrs. Beauvais," I nodded curtly. "Welcome. We'll begin shortly. Everyone's on their way to the conference room." I did not extend a hand.

  She let her hands drop. Her eyes flashed with annoyance, but her smile never wavered. "Of course. We don't want to hold things up." They walked toward the mansion stiffly.

  I took a deep breath and followed.

  We settled ourselves around a conference table. The Elders sat at the head, Schulte and Meriwether on the right, Long and Chang on the left. Alpha Squad joined Schulte and Meriwether. My boys joined Long and Chang. Mr. and Mrs. Beauvais sat at the end. That left the seat at the very head of the table. An uneasy feeling roiled in the pit of my stomach. Being the center of attention was about my least favorite thing in the world. Shadow Queen, remember? I
set my jaw, straightened my spine, and walked as steadily as I could to my seat.

  "So, what is so important that you couldn't just tell Ameera?" Schulte groused.

  I gave her a tense smile. "I felt these were matters that you needed to hear for yourself. Without your assistant filtering the information."

  "Ameera is a professional, dear. What you tell her will get to us. You needn't worry," Meriwether soothed.

  I stifled a sigh. "It's not that I don't trust Ms. Veta. This is too important to play telephone with. And, like I said, you need to hear this for yourself." I looked down the table at Aric. He was still pale, eyes unfocused. "We were so focused on accusations of treason that we overlooked some vital information. It seems to me that your prejudices against my squad may have blinded you to their resourcefulness. I wanted to correct that, going forward."

  "So we're here to be scolded, like children, for not listening to your friends?" Schulte scoffed.

  Chang regarded her with tired eyes. "Take a deep breath, Gerta. She's saying that we need to take in all of the information we can, including sources we may have discounted before."

  "We need to listen to anything, no matter how worthless? That's not what we're here for." Schulte half-rose from her seat, apparently ready to leave.

  I glared at her. "They are not worthless. I'm going to shut that down right now. You were so ready to dismiss them, so ready to just flat-out kill one of them, that you didn't bother to ask him if he'd heard anything of use while he was in captivity." Schulte sat down. I thought she was going to break a tooth from the way her jaw clenched. I smirked despite myself. "Yeah, didn't think of that, did you?" I looked down the table at Aric. He was looking at me with the flicker of a smile, eyebrows raised in restrained wicked mirth. The color was returning to his face.

  "I think we owe it to Mr. Beauvais to hear what he has to say," Long said, meeting Schulte's enraged gaze. "He suffered a great deal to gain this information, and we didn't give him the courtesy of asking him for it before accusing him of dreadful crimes. That is an oversight that Miss Bellmont is right to correct."