by Livia Quinn
He placed his hands on her shoulders and peeled her away from him. He sensed Montana's presence as he put Cinder at arm's length and looked into her distraught features. His sister was famous for never allowing people or problems to get to her, for seeing humor in most any situation. This was new. " Piuthar bheag, whit has you so upset."
Cinder’s troubled gaze found Montana’s, who nodded silently toward her house, offering them privacy. But Cinder shook her head looking resigned. "It does not matter if you see me trash my heritage with my total failure. It will be well known before long."
Conor didn't accept her self-disgust. He'd seen Cinder in a fit of drama but this was something different. "Hush, now, sister. Tell me whit happened."
Cinder's breath shuddered out. "I tracked the dragonhunter. Styx—I heard his men call him. They met in the woods behind the Moat of Morpheus." Her eyes searched his. "It was as sure a kill as I could ever hope for but…" Her voice trailed away as she looked at Montana and then at the ground. Her shoulders slumped as she whispered, "I couldn't do it."
Conor frowned. He couldn't have heard correctly. "But how? Why couldn't you complete your blood calling? Whit could have stopped you?"
Her stricken eyes rose to his. "I sensed something in him." She shook her head violently as Conor opened his mouth to speak. "I don't know, Conor. I-I felt connected to him somehow, as if in killing… in killing him I would destroy a part of myself." Tears filled her eyes as the devastating thought took hold. "But how can that be? It is my duty, my blood work to kill dragonhunters. What is wrong with me?"
Conor's mind raced. Cinder was part fae. Could this be a trick by the dragonhunter? They didn't know this Styx' true nature. Even if he was a fae, it should not matter. There was no reason why she wouldn't be able to take out another fae if that was her mission. As with all life forms, dragons were created with a purpose and Cinder was a special subspecies. Only a few ever existed and they were relentless in their pursuit of their prey.
Montana spoke for the first time, reading his mind. "Do you think Petre and Arabella might know something?" She knew him so well.
Cinder looked questioningly at Montana. "Who are these people you speak of?"
Conor said, "They are the king and queen of faerie folk here. Thank you for reminding me, Montana."
Montana smiled at his thoughtful response. He knew how uncomfortable she'd been on their visit to the Faerie Inn. The Fae king had a special appetite for vampires, but because of their gushing exuberance at Conor's presence they'd shown special… tolerance in her presence.
"They can tell us of any new fae arrivals and perhaps enlighten you about your own heritage," said Conor. "I'm sorry, Cinder, I should have made it my business to know more before you found yerself in this position. I wish we could leave now, but two dragons flying over Destiny in broad daylight would cause a stir, ya ken?"
He hoped to gain a smile from his little sister but the look on her face told him she was back reliving the moment when she'd been unable to fulfill her mission.
"You could call a taxi," said Montana. Two sets of eyes snapped toward her. She raised her hands and grinned, "What? You've never taken a taxi?"
When they continued to gape at her she shrugged. "It's like you always say, Conor. 'Needs must'."
The taxi arrived within minutes, which told Cinder more than anything how crucial Conor considered their meeting. Cinder didn't like the idea that the reason she couldn't complete her task might be due to some defect in her fae nature. She'd spent years training and practicing to use her abilities to seek out and destroy the hunters. Of course, there'd never actually been a situation like this.
Conor didn't understand. Unlike his sister, he didn't have an ounce of fae magic. And although she was a bit embarrassed to discuss her failure in front of these fae, Conor didn't seem bothered.
They arrived at the huge circle drive in a completely unconventional manner, by a mundane taxi as Montana suggested. The front of the beautiful plantation house with its wide sweeping two story black stairs, which looked like two mated swans kissing, was spectacular even to a dragon's eye.
Exiting the cab, they waited until the driver was out of sight and shifted into their dragons, taking up the entire front lawn. Conor said he didn't have any way of contacting the Inn but had known if two dragons appeared on the lawn there would be an immediate response from the house. He'd been right. Within seconds the golden forty-foot high doors slid open and a creature that looked like a walking leafless tree glided through the opening onto the front lawn followed by a flurry of leaping and flying faeries.
On one sturdy limb sat a beautiful blonde woman, regal in bearing, her large lavender eyes fixed on Conor with delight. "Conor, what a lovely surprise. And who is this?" she asked smiling up at Cinder.
Tiny fairies screamed in delight as they fluttered about, tumbling over Cinder's feet like excited playful kittens.
"It's a dwagon."
"Isn't she b'utiful?"
A tiny blue one with bright green eyes bounced up and down at her feet. The faerie was barely as big as her little claw. "I want to fwy. Pwease."
"Up, up!" begged another tiny pixie, who stretched up from her tiptoes and waved her arms at Cinder's long snout. She studied the young faeries and remembered with fondness the festivities back home where she'd played "pony" to some of the fae. She smiled down at them, knowing they could see beyond the scary teeth.
Arabella admonished them. "Hush, now, they're our guests."
Cinder reached out surreptitiously with her toe to stroke the blue faerie's cheek. She giggled.
Petre studied her, tilting his head, then he looked up several feet into Conor's amber eyes. "What brings you to us, friend?"
Conor nodded at Cinder. She cleared her throat and explained what had happened with Styx.
"I don't understand why I was unable to kill him. It was as if there was a thread connecting him to me and if I cut it, I'd lose part of myself."
Petre's tilted green eyes narrowed as he listened. Turning to Conor he asked, "Have you met this dragonhunter?"
Conor shook his large head, glancing at Cinder. "Could it be somethin' about her fae heritage that would affect her and not me?"
Petre stroked the slick green skin on his neck for several seconds before answering. "Is there a way for you to test your reaction without exposing yourself?" He glanced down at Cinder, "If you need help…"
"No, thank you, King," said Cinder. "My glamour is working just fine. I can handle that part." She looked at Conor, frowned as though considering the validity, then said, "Petre is right, I can make sure he doesn't see or hear you by extending my own glamour over you." She suddenly seemed anxious. "Let's go try it!"
Conor wasn't done, though. "Petre, have you an idea what this 'thread' might be?"
Petre was still for a long time, like he couldn't decide what he should reveal. Finally, he said, "It sounds like what the fae call a'shmelie."
Conor frowned. Cinder looked from Petre to her brother. "Conor?"
Conor swiped his face with his large hand and muttered, "A blood bond." He didn't look at Cinder.
Suddenly, Petre said, "A car approaches. I believe it is the deputy." It surprised Cinder that they hadn't heard the cruiser as it turned off the road. They shifted into their human forms just as Ryan pulled into the driveway, although for Petre, it was simply a matter of glamouring his unique form.
Ryan got out leaving his door open. He nodded at the group, "Conor. Arabella…" then his eyes cut to Cinder and her sword.
Petre set Arabella on the ground and she greeted the deputy. "Ryan, it's good to see you." She didn't miss his interest in Cinder.
Ryan tore his eyes from Cinder and acknowledged Bella with a nod. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something but I need to know about your conversation with Jack. I understand he was here inquiring about someone new in the community." He glanced at Cinder again. Then Conor.
Conor just nodded, "Ryan."
Petre s
aid, "The sheriff was here a little while ago asking about a redheaded fae warrior." All eyes went to Cinder. "But, at the time we had not met this young lady so we couldn't confirm. He didn't stay long."
Conor looked at Ryan. "Why didn't you ask Jack?"
Ryan explained. "He's not answering his phone or his radio. He was supposed to meet the ME about those variant DNA samples being stolen." Arabella, Petre and Conor shared glances at the news, so they recognized the significance of the report. "He never showed up."
Ryan looked at Conor, "River says your sister is here to kill a dragonhunter. How many of these hunters are in Destiny? Dylan and I killed one at Jack's house last summer."
Conor said, "That was during the Chaos, Ryan, the very reason so many variants came through then. We don't know why this one is here."
Ryan's head sank in frustration then he frowned. "I don't like it, Conor. A dragonhunter shows up and Jack goes off the radar. What are the odds?"
Conor didn't answer. Ryan said, "I understand your sister's here to take him out, but let's not be in too big a hurry. If you run across him, capture him. We need to find out if he's got Jack. And I intend to put a man on Tempe 24/7. I'd get Dylan but he's on some kind of undercover OP and unreachable."
"If you need help, Montana, Cinder and Petre will back you up," Conor said.
"You're leaving?" Ryan hated that his voice rose. He wasn't panicking. Really.
Conor didn't answer. "Cinder and I have something to do, a theory to test. Everything will be okay."
Ryan walked back to his car, "Easy for a dragon to say."
Chapter 20
The image of you striding through the portal to wreak havoc on my clan gives me a certain thrill.
Urgency demanded that Conor and Cinder risk the chance of being seen by mere humans. They shifted and leapt into the air, wings beating, sunlight sparkling off claws and hide as they flew over the Faerie Inn. With Cinder by his side, a nostalgic sense of family rushed over Conor. He chastened himself for being so sentimental, like an old man reliving his youth. Yes, he was ancient, but remained young at heart by connecting to the younger dragons in the family and to the music he loved from each era he'd lived through. This thing with Styx though, it made him feel as old as the centuries he'd lived.
The responsibility to his clan, to ensure that nothing threatened their future, weighed on him suddenly as never before. Just the thought of his wee sister going up against this dragonhunter who had some special power over her chilled him. Dragons lived long and happy lives if they were verra careful and used their keen intelligence and senses.
"Cinder."
Her sleek, red head angled toward him as they glided through the clouds. "Yes, brother." Her voice was strained, serious.
"Can you find the dragonhunter without him detecting us?"
She didn't answer right away. "What happens if he discovers you? What if he goes after you and… I can't protect you?" her voice cracked.
"Do not worry about me, wee yin. I have not lived thousands of years by being careless, ye ken?"
"Aye," she answered, but still worried, as sisters do.
Conor would not admit it to Cinder but the dragonhunter possessed some unknown weapon or, at the very least, an edge that could prove dangerous. He had to discover what the nature of that weapon was.
They flew over the beach, past the Moat's tunnel entrance, and then in the direction she'd seen Styx walking with his men. Finally, she pointed to a field about a mile away and before they landed she extended her fae glamour to surround Conor.
When they'd shifted, he gave her a stern look. "Stay here until I return. How far will your glamour cover me?"
"You can't mean to go alone."
"'Tis not up for discussion," Conor said, his voice firm. "But promise me, if the impossible happens, you will not fail to avenge me."
She glared at him, but eventually gave her vow.
Cinder's dragonhunter locator was as accurate as a modern GPS and after several minutes of stealthy travel Conor spotted the large copper-skinned man. Was he Djinn? That didn't make sense. On the way, he'd tested Cinder's glamour. Neither the birds nor deer he passed had detected their presence. Mother birds remained in their nests and the doe and her fawn continued to feed on the sweet grass near the bank.
Confident that he was concealed from Styx' senses, Conor approached the figure carefully from behind. Maybe this whole test would work in his favor. If he could surprise Styx, he could eliminate the villain himself and save his sister the trouble. He edged even closer to the dragonhunter, knowing that his swords when he called them would not be as silent as Cinder's but with surprise on his side he would prevail. Within two yards of the hooded figure, Conor was suddenly struck. He pressed his hand to his chest, the sense of pain and loss so terrible it took everything he had not to fall to his knees.
Somehow, he remained mute, though the urge to whimper was stronger than it had been in many years. Only his hard-fought awareness and discipline allowed him to battle through the pain. What was this magic Styx wielded? Conor had never felt anything like it before, at least not since his father was killed.
Finally, he decided there was nothing else to be learned, and backed away, returning to Cinder. He strode toward her, his silks swirling around his calves, the feelings of loss and pain retreating with every stride. Eyes bleak, he wasted no time on platitudes, saying gruffly, "You didnae fail, Cinder. 'Twas not your fault. Let's fly."
When they landed at Montana's house, she hurried out to meet them, sensing Conor's distraught mood. He wrapped her in his arms and held on tightly as if needing her strength and love.
Montana finally, reluctantly pulled back from the embrace and looked into his stark gaze, at what could only be grief etched on his beautiful face. Cinder had seen it at the field and she met Montana's eyes, her own sad for her brother's pain though he'd told her nothing.
"What is it, love?" Montana put her hand on his cheek and, just for a moment, a long painful moment, Conor allowed himself to absorb the sympathy mixed with love inherent in her touch.
Reluctant to return to reality and to the struggles facing them all, he inhaled slowly and turned to Cinder, "I must go home." He turned and stomped toward the center of the yard.
"Wait.” Cinder called, following him. “Now? What is it, Conor? What aren't you telling me?"
Montana looked from Cinder to Conor, a question mark on her brow. "Where is home—Scotland?" She was trying to keep up. "But that will take days, won't it? Tempe needs us. She said Marty saw some variants, possibly a dragonhunter in Destiny. She's worried about Jack."
Conor rubbed his hands across his face then they dropped to his sides. "She has reason to be worried. Ryan said Jack has dropped off the grid. He's not answering calls on either his phone or the radio." He sighed and squeezed Montana's shoulder before continuing, “We saw him at the Faerie Inn. River told Jack about Cinder and the dragonhunter and he was looking for Jack there.”
Montana said, "Word's getting around. But if River was so concerned that he mentioned Cinder to Jack, then why hasn't he contacted Tempe himself?" She gave her head an exasperated shake. "I'm going to have to have a talk with that boy."
Conor's brows went up. Montana's method of communicating with problem males usually went a little further than vocalizing. But this wasn't a stranger, was it? This was Tempe's brother. "Aye. I don't know what River's problem is, but my priority is to find out what power this dragonhunter has over me and my sister ."
"But, how can you help if you're in Scotland?" Montana asked.
Conor said, "Not Scotland, my heart. And besides, Cinder will do whit must be done, if needs must," he said, taking Cinder by the shoulders, conveying his confidence in her. Cinder looked less than confident however.
Montana straightened, propping hands on her hips. "Perhaps I should take care of this, myself."
"No!" Brother and sister both turned stricken eyes on her, and suddenly she felt Conor shaking her until her teeth
rattled. "You must no' take on this being by yourself, my heart. It is not that I'm hiding something from you or that we are cowards about confronting him, but he wields some powerful, confounding magic. I must learn more." Montana was speechless, startled by Conor's intensity.
"Where will you go?" asked Cinder.
He gentled his hold on her. "I will go to Aevyn. He will know."
"But why him?" Cinder sounded confused.
"Who is Aevyn?" Montana asked impatiently, "And where is he?"
"Aevyn is one of the ancients of our species, a draconic druid. If anyone has the answers to this conundrum it will be he. But he is dead in this time so I must travel through the portal to find him.
"Portal?" Montana frowned. "You've done this before?"
"Oh, aye," Conor shrugged tiredly, unconcerned. "I came through the leypath at the Chalice Well near Glastonbury during the Para-moon since I was in another realm and needed quick passage. It's as safe as one can expect."
Montana squeezed his biceps anxiously. "That's not exactly making me feel better, Conor."
"How far back will you have to go?" asked Cinder.
Cinder, who knew about the ancient, wise dragon obviously didn't know everything. Because of her age? How old was she anyway? Way younger than Conor, Montana thought. Conor scrubbed his dark whiskers nodding, "I will begin around five hundred years ago."
Montana knew Conor and didn't buy his reasoning for searching out this wise man, not when it meant leaving responsibilities he took very seriously behind, like Cinder's issues with her first big test.
"Where is this portal you mentioned?" She frowned as a thought struck her. Who was it who'd laughed at Jack's question about a portal during the Chaos? Oh, right. Aurora.
"Fierce Winds Isle," Conor said and before she could ask, he said, "You cannae come, Branislava, though I know you are brave enough and strong enough. 'Tis not allowed for me to disclose the portal's exact location to ye."
Montana looked over at Cinder who seemed on the verge of losing her composure. "Can you at least tell me what you suspect, what you know about the dragonhunter?