Firestorm

by Donna Grant

  That’s when it dawned on Rhi. “She thinks the Fae will be able to give the Kings children where the humans never could.”

  Con put his fists atop his desk and hung his head. “I need to find her.”

  “Why did you get involved with her? You knew things could turn out badly.”

  “My reasons doona matter.”

  “Well, you’d better come up with good ones because you can get away with not telling me, but the Kings won’t take that dodgy shit you just shoveled my way.”

  He let out a long sigh. “I know.”

  “There is too much going on for this to be coincidence. The Dark releasing the video of the Kings shifting, Ulrik closing in on you, Usaeil acting weird, talk of the Reapers, and—”

  She stopped right before she mentioned Balladyn wanting to overthrow Taraeth and become the new Dark King.

  Con’s knowing gaze said that he discerned she was hiding something., But he didn’t push. Because if he did, he’d have to tell his secret, as well. Neither wanted to be put in that position.

  “There’s even more,” Con said. “Ulrik attacked Asher in Paris. In dragon form.”

  Rhi’s mouth fell open. All she could think was holy shit. That meant the battle with Ulrik was going to happen very soon.

  “Usaeil won’t stop until she has what she wants,” she informed him. “And she wants you.”

  “She’s going to be verra disappointed then.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Long after Faith stopped shivering and fell asleep, Dmitri remained awake. He told himself it was because he didn’t want to wake her, but it was really because he liked having her in his arms.

  That alone should’ve sent him as far from her as he could get, but it didn’t. He briefly tried to determine why he remained. The answers were as complicated and ambiguous as his thoughts on Faith.

  Around daybreak, the wind began to die down. The sea still churned, angrily throwing itself at the cliffs as if to pummel them to dust.

  As he lay with Faith, he went over his two suspects in his mind. He needed to follow them, but he couldn’t chance leaving the skeleton. Or Faith.

  Someone wanted the bones. Ulrik or the Dark, it didn’t matter, because neither was going to get their hands on them. Which meant whatever he was going to do about his suspects would have to be done at the site.

  It would be easy enough to put up a barrier so that no Dark could get to the cave, but that would alert them that a King was there. That might incite a battle, and there was enough attention surrounding dragons as it was.

  It was imperative that the Dark didn’t realize he was there until he confronted them. Because the Dark would return. Though the Fae had yet to go after one of the humans, it was simply a matter of time.

  A human soul was food for the Dark. Each time the mortal had sex with the Fae, their soul would be drained until nothing was left but the husk of a body.

  That wasn’t going to happen on his watch. Dmitri might’ve come to make sure the bones were in fact from a dragon—and then destroy them—but he found he was doing much more than that.

  Perhaps if Faith knew exactly what she was unearthing, she might take another approach. Then again, the stalwart archeologist might just move ahead with more steam.

  He gradually removed his arm from beneath her neck and scooted from under the blanket. Knowing that Faith was safe allowed him to leave the cave and look around the area.

  The wind was a soft caress after the violence of the night. He climbed out onto the cliff and made his way to another cave. After a quick search to make sure there wasn’t another skeleton, he climbed to the top and saw that the tents had all been destroyed.

  His gaze looked far into the distance where the sky met the sea. They were being given a brief lull before the next storm made landfall.

  He looked at the sun’s ascent. Tamir and the others should be arriving soon. That gave him just enough time to walk the edge of the cliffs and the surrounding area to see if anyone had tried to come to the camp during the night.

  Thirty minutes later, he had a pleased smile on his face. No one had trespassed. Then again, the wind had probably kept those less adventurous at bay.

  But it would’ve been the perfect time for the Dark. The fact that nothing had occurred worried him. It left him with an uneasy feeling that something was about to happen.

  Much like Faith felt about someone destroying the bones. He might be the culprit there, but he wasn’t sure who would come after Faith or the skeleton. Would it be mortals or Dark Fae?

  It was another twenty minutes before he heard the sound of a vehicle approaching. He walked to meet it as Tamir and three others climbed out.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked when he saw the look of dread on their faces.

  Tamir ran a hand through his hair and put on a baseball cap. He tugged it down low over his eyes. “There was an accident in the village last night.”

  “What kind of accident?” Dmitri asked as a young woman walked past him wiping tears from her face. His frown deepened as he once more looked at Tamir.

  “One of the workers is dead.”

  The smile Dmitri had worn a short time ago was long gone. Dread filled him. “How?”

  “We can’t find any marks on him. He was just lying in his room, naked.”

  Dark Fae. Dmitri kept that tidbit to himself for the time being. He needed to hunt the bastards, but that meant leaving the site, something he wasn’t comfortable doing.

  “Where is Faith?” Tamir asked.

  “In the cave. She worked too late to safely make it up the cliffs,” he explained.

  Tamir nodded. “The tents didn’t quite make it.”

  “I secured the boxes of artifacts last night before the storm hit.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dmitri stopped Tamir as he began to walk past. “There is another storm coming, and this one will be worse. No one should be working.”

  “You don’t need to worry. No one is coming to the site after Roger’s death. Those with me came for what they left behind.”

  Dmitri hated that a mortal was dead, but it might work to his advantage. If the death was keeping the rest of the humans away, it could possibly send Faith along with them.

  That would then allow him to destroy the bones and hunt the Dark before returning to Dreagan. His entire mission could be accomplished that day.

  Why then did that make him a little sad?

  “I’ll see if Dr. Reynolds is awake,” he told Tamir.

  He didn’t hurry on the climb down. And once in the cave, he wasn’t sure if he wanted Faith to still be asleep or not. Halfway to the dragon, he saw that some of the lights were on.

  So she was awake. He smoothed his fingers through his hair and lengthened his strides. Just as he expected, she was already back at work.

  When she saw him, there was the hint of a smile on her lips. “Morning. I found the water and granola bar. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I have news.”

  She set the brush down and got to her feet, worry clouding her eyes. “And not good news by the sound of it. It’s better to just get it out.”

  “Tamir arrived and said that a man named Roger died during the night.”

  She took it in, nodding absently. “Do we know how he died?”

  Aye. “Nay.”

  “There’ve been only two other times I’ve had someone die during a dig. There will be no working today. I should go to the village.”

  Just what he wanted to hear.

  “Promise me you won’t let anything happen to the dragon.”

  He stared into her eyes, trying to get the lie past his lips, but it wouldn’t come. Finally, he gave a nod of his head in acknowledgement.

  “I need the words,” she insisted. “This is my livelihood. It’s not about the fame or money. It’s about learning the truth. There is truth here, and I won’t have anyone stopping me from discovering what it is.”

  Her words had a peculiar effect
on him. Somehow, he knew that if she were ever confronted by a dragon, she wouldn’t run away screaming.

  The next thing he knew, he said, “Nothing will happen to your dragon.”

  “Thank you.” She then gave him a bright smile and walked away.

  Dmitri looked at the skeleton. “What the bloody hell have I gotten myself into?”

  He really wished he knew what it was about Faith that prevented him from doing what he needed to. Quickly turning out the lights, he followed her up.

  Faith and Tamir were standing outside the main tent where the artifacts were kept. As Dimitri drew near, Faith spun around and pinned him with a look.

  “You did this?” she demanded.

  He looked at the mess of tents half folded in the wind, chairs and belongings scattered. “I took care of what I thought was the most important.”

  “You did amazing,” she said in a soft voice.

  The way her sherry eyes looked at him as if he were her savior made him take a step back. It was either that or grab her and kiss her.

  “You took care of this in the wind when I didn’t even think about it. I don’t know how to thank you,” she continued, tucking her sandy blond hair behind her ears.

  He gave a shake of his head. “I was doing my job. Protecting the site.”

  “I’ll send someone out in a few hours to give you some relief.”

  “I’ll be fine,” he told her. “I prefer it out here.”

  There was a hint of disappointment in her gaze. “Call if you change your mind.”

  Dmitri watched as they piled into the van with the bins of artifacts. Faith looked back at him as they drove away. He watched until the vehicle was no longer in sight.

  Now was his chance. It would be hours before anyone returned. Plenty of time for him to return to the cave, shift, and destroy the bones with dragon fire. Nothing would be left but ash.

  Then he thought of the neck bone with the evidence of a blade having punctured it. It bothered him that one of his dragons had not only been left behind but had also been wounded and died alone. Why hadn’t the dragon called out to him for help?

  It was a mystery he needed to solve before he could erase any evidence of the dragon. It gave Faith a brief reprieve that she didn’t even realize.

  He wasn’t the type of man to give his word without following through. He didn’t want to lie to her, but in the end, it was about protecting Dreagan and the other Dragon Kings.

  The time alone would also allow him the opportunity to check all the other caves so there were no more surprises. He got two steps toward the cliffs when he heard Con’s voice in his head.

  Dmitri opened the mental link. “Aye?”

  “I expected you home by now.”

  “In truth, so did I. However, there are complications.”

  There was a beat of silence. Then Con asked, “Such as?”

  “There are Dark here. They killed a human last night.”

  “You think they want the bones?”

  Dmitri snorted as he proceeded to the cliff before beginning his climb down. “I know they do. The video caused a stir, but can you imagine if there are bones as evidence?”

  “Our lives as we know it would be over. We’d either have to hide once more or leave.”

  “I’m no’ prepared to do either.”

  “So the skeleton is a dragon?”

  “Aye. He’s one of mine. I saw a blade mark on one of the bones.”

  Con let out a long breath. “But you doona know how he died?”

  “No’ yet.”

  “I see.” Con paused for a moment. “And Dr. Reynolds? Will he be a problem?”

  “She is something I can handle.”

  “A woman. At least I doona have to worry about you since you doona find mortal women appealing.”

  Dmitri had to smile at the sarcasm dripping from Con’s words. But that smile faded because the truth was that he now found himself attracted to a mortal. “How is everything at Dreagan?” When Con didn’t immediately answer, he stopped his descent. “Con?”

  “There could be a … slight … problem.”

  For Con to even admit there could be an issue meant it was huge. “Do I need to return now?”

  “There’s nothing you can do, even if you were here.”

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Con started to speak, then paused. He did it once more before he said, “I had a plan. It backfired.”

  “That doesna normally happen. Who did this involve?”

  “I know the majority of you believe that I have taken a lover.”

  Dmitri dropped down into a cave and squatted at the entrance. “I take this to mean that we were correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Were we also correct in thinking it was Usaeil?”

  “Aye,” Con replied grudgingly.

  He stood, taking in the news. “What does this mean for us?”

  “My rule was that our affair was kept secret. She didna like that and secretly had us photographed. That picture is now on the cover of a magazine.”

  “Fuck.” That’s all Dimitri could think to say. Then he recalled why Con had begun the affair. “What were you after with Usaeil?”

  “Information about the Light.”

  Dmitri wasn’t fooled. There was another reason.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Faith fell back on the bed with the towel still wrapped around her from the shower. It felt so good to get the dirt off her and to be warm and clean again. Wet hair clung to her neck and face, but her thoughts were on death.

  The ending of a life always had a profound effect on others. Some pretended it didn’t bother them, but it was a lie. Someone passing out of this life into the next was a reminder of just how fragile the human body was.

  And how quickly a life could be snuffed out.

  Her thoughts drifted to the dragon bones. One of her mother’s favorite sayings was that all life was precious. The dragon was just as valuable as a human life. At least, that was her thinking.

  It was sad that others didn’t share that philosophy. Though it was something Faith had learned to accept, since few rarely agreed with her thinking. They thought her too soft-hearted.

  So what if she stopped her car to allow a butterfly to flit undisturbed across the road.

  Why did it bother people that she caught and freed lizards, frogs, and geckos that regularly got into her house?

  Who did it hurt when she pulled over and halted traffic to help a turtle make it over a busy street?

  Her actions did nothing but help animals—and make her smile. Life was precious. Man may be at the top of the food chain, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t—and shouldn’t—treat animals with kindness and respect.

  She wished she knew if the dragon had been treated thus because she couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to it.

  More answers were beneath the dirt, but she would have to wait another day to find them. For now, she was needed in the village.

  Faith sat up and let out a sigh. The first thing she’d done upon arriving in the village was go and see the body of the dead worker. She hated that she hadn’t remembered his name without being told. It wasn’t that she didn’t care. It was that there were so many workers and she concentrated on doing her job.

  The truth was, her excuse was lame. She should know all of their names. These people wanted to be at the dig to uncover history just as she did. The least she could do was acknowledge them.

  Not that she had that problem with Muscles.

  Her thoughts halted at the image of him that popped into her mind. There was no reason for her to think of him. Why did he have to push his way into her head?

  Now that he was there, there was no pushing him out. No matter how hard she tried.

  She rose and dropped the towel before rummaging in her bag for clean clothes. Her determination was strong to forget about Muscles for the day.

  Why then did she think about his palms
running up her legs when she put on her panties? Why did she imagine his hands cupping her breasts when she clasped her bra into place?

  Her mouth went dry as she recalled being within the confines of his strong arms. Her stomach clenched as she remembered how his azure eyes had watched her.

  She bit her lip as her nipples puckered. Yearning—powerful and fervent—coiled lasciviously through her. It encouraged and compelled her to follow through with the longing within her.

  Her palm flattened on her stomach and rose upward to her aching breasts as her eyes slid closed. She could practically feel Muscles’ heat enveloping her as it had the night before.

  How stupid of her not to take advantage of their time alone. She wanted him. And she should’ve grasped the chance that had been given her.

  She was jerked out of her illusion by a knock at the door. Her eyes snapped open, and her hand dropped to her side.

  “Faith?”

  She was more than a little disappointed that it wasn’t Dmitri’s deep brogue she heard. “Yes?” she called out to Tamir.

  “We’re gathering below.”

  “I’ll be right down.”

  She dropped her chin to her chest for a moment. In that second, she gave in to everything she felt for Muscles. Then she shoved it aside.

  Dressing quickly in a pair of her favorite jeans that went everywhere with her, a white sweater, and brown boots, she was prepared to face death.

  She quickly blow-dried her hair, added a bit of lipgloss, and a pair of gold stud earrings. Then she was out the door and down the stairs.

  Tamir was waiting for her. He gave her a half-smile and held out her coat. As soon as she walked outside and felt the bracing wind, her mind once more went to Muscles and how he’d stood unmoved in it the night before.

  “They’re at the hall,” Tamir said as they crossed the street.

  Faith nodded. There were so few people on the isle that they had no restaurants or pubs. The only place to find anything to eat was the bird observatory. “I need to give the authorities the address to return the body to his family.”

  “I can take care of that.”

  “I should do it,” she insisted.