by Sariah Skye
“Seriously, how do you do it? You always look amazing no matter what time of the day!” I feigned annoyance at her.
She rolled her black eyes and patted her carefully-coifed top knot on her head. “Stop. So do you, you know so enough of that. It’s just your hair is a bit messy.” She reached over and gently touched a strand of it. “Well that’s my secret. I just pile it all on top of my head, and it pulls at my face and gets rid of all the bags and stuff,” she said with a wink. “Hurts, but that’s the price I pay.”
I raised a brow. “Brilliant.”
“We can do a looser one now, I think. Should help you feel better and cut down on shower time. I assume your betrothed is already in there?” She nodded towards the closed door on the opposite side of the room. “He seems to be showering a lot? Or is that just coincidence?”
I shrugged. “I guess I haven’t been paying attention, but now that you say something… maybe?”
“Everything okay?”
I nodded vigorously, perhaps too eagerly because Kiarra gazed at me hesitantly, tapping a long finger against her pouty lips.
“Are you sure?” she asked again.
“Maxx is a little weird, but he said he’s just tired and a little overwhelmed,” I replied.
Kiarra sighed. “Yeah…it’s been rough. You’ve had a lot to do, and you should be relaxing. Don’t worry we’ll get everyone healed and the kingdom back and running again near full capacity soon. Then you can take a needed break. You’ll need it,” she said, grinning as she placed a palm on my abdomen.
I smiled wryly at her. “I hope so.” I sighed, and clapped my hands, effectively dismissing my mopey feelings. “Okay so…what’s on the agenda for today?”
“Well, Gabriel and Daniel are at the dungeon right now. They’ve given it the all-clear for Shadow magic, so it should be safe for you to view today.”
“Well that’s good, I guess?” Not that I was thrilled to visit a dungeon, but it’d be nice to figure out what happened. “I suppose no one’s seen any sign of Connor since then?”
Kiarra shook her head. “Nope. But don’t worry, we’ll find him. Eventually.” She forced a smile before offering me a friendly pat on the arm.
“Have you talked to Finnian recently? Did he hear any news about us, at the park in Pineville?” I asked, suddenly recalling something else that was weighing heavily on my mind.
Kiarra stared blankly at me in the mirror. “News?”
“Like, did any of the humans remember anything?” I swallowed. I couldn’t imagine what a nightmare that would be for Finnian. Just what he didn’t need on top of everything else.
“No, I don’t think he said anything about it, other than everything was taken care of and not to worry.” She smiled sweetly at me and I breathed out with relief.
“What should we wear today?”
“Something comfortable,” I insisted.
“I think given the circumstances we can agree to that,” she said, and she was off, digging through my clothing to find my attire for the day.
Before long she had me dressed in a black blouse, black yoga pants (hey—underneath the robes no one can tell they’re not dress pants, right?) and of course put my fanciest, regal-est pink robes on top. True to her word, she did pile my hair in a loose top knot, fastening it with pins and applied pearly pink shadow, mascara and shiny red lip gloss. Maxxus had emerged halfway through her fussing and barely nodded at us before leaving the room, destination unknown.
“The hell?” Kiarra said after him, glancing at me in the vanity mirror. We both just shrugged.
“I guess he’s occupied?”
“Better be all it is. He better not be pulling the male thing or else I’ll torture him with water balls,” she grumbled, eyes glaring. “Sometimes men just get crabby, for no reason and start acting like jerks. Your brother tried that after we’d been together for awhile.”
“Can I kick him in the balls for you?” I offered sweetly.
She scoffed. “Oh I already did that.” She grinned at me. “Well. Shall we?”
I nodded, and I followed her through the hallways, acknowledging the guard Baron Donneghan from last night with a wave as we passed. We met up in the main castle foyer, where Maxxus stood munching on a large sandwich in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other as he spoke quietly with Finnian.
Kiarra elbowed me. “See? He’s just hangry.”
“Hangry?” I repeated, confused.
“Hungry and because of hungry, he’s angry. Hangry.”
I chuckled. “Ah yes…I see.” I shook my head laughing as Gabriel and Daniel entered the castle, the door shutting behind them with a loud slam. There was no way to keep a large castle door quiet, that was for sure.
“How are you doing, your queenliness?” Daniel ran up to me and gave me a tight, good-morning squeeze.
Normally I’d be a little irritated but, since Maxxus had been less than affectionate so far today, I enjoyed the male attention—even if the male was brotherly Daniel. He was good at hugs, and I needed one. I returned the hug and melted against him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered with concern into my ear.
I backed away just enough to nod once at him. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just tired and overwhelmed. Eager to get this healing done and get Anarach repaired so I can hang back a bit.”
Gabriel clapped a hand on my shoulder. “And that’s just what we’re going to do. By week’s end, we’re going to start, when Evie gives you the all-clear.”
“Speaking of the vampire, she wants to see you today after we check out the dungeon. Cool?” Daniel questioned, and I nodded in agreement.
“So, we ready?” Gabriel raised his voice, loud enough for everyone to hear him. It wasn’t necessary, but Finnian and Maxxus were clearly in their own little world and not paying attention to us.
“Actually, you all go ahead,” Finnian responded. “The delegates are asking precisely for a list of who and what we need to help rebuild Anarach. We need at least one of you there for that, and since Maxxus has already seen the dungeon, I suggested he comes with me?”
I looked at Maxxus expectantly from across the room. He was just paces away, but suddenly felt so distant, somehow. I’m not sure why…
…must have been my own paranoia.
“Is that okay with you, darling?” He asked, his tone warm and accent lilting just as it always was, and I melted slightly.
My face formed a smirk. “Yeah, works for me. I don’t feel like dealing with them anyway.” I felt bad, sending him to do more work but, hell—I was growing a dragon-person inside me, so we were even.
He nodded at me and smiled. “Kiarra we could use your help too, since you were so familiar with the area.”
“Whatever you need.” She gave me a quick hug and went to join Maxxus and Finnian.
“See you later, I guess.” Finnian urged the two of them away hurriedly, towards the throne room, I assumed. He threw a glance over his shoulder at us, but neither Maxxus or Kiarra looked back.
I crossed my arms in front of me and lifted a brow. “Something seems…off. About Finnian too.”
Gabriel chortled. “You’re just now noticing this?”
I elbowed him lightheartedly and grinned. “Yeah, yeah. Well—let’s get this over with. I guess it’s just the three of us? Either of you notice anything odd about the dungeon?”
Gabriel sighed heavily as we left the palace, entering the winter wonderland full of snow-covered trees and snow-packed ground outside. The temperature was definitely cool, and I noticed both brothers wore heavier jackets than normal—Daniel in his trademark leather jacket, and Gabriel had picked up a puffy black parka from somewhere. I was rightly glad for my warmest dragon’s robes right about now, and glad that there was little to no breeze in the air.
As we walked, snow started falling from the sunless sky in little, sparkling flurries dancing from the clouds above. I wasn’t big on snow, because it sparkled and normally reminded me of my once-annoying pointle
ss-pink-dragon-fire but now, I looked upon it with pleasure. Sparkles were pretty after all.
“So, did you notice anything off about the dungeon?” I repeated again, after we’d walked the equivalent of a handful of city blocks in silence.
“Well…I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure,” Gabriel said finally, with hesitance.
I stopped in my tracks, feet crunching in the snow as I stomped, and grabbed both brothers by their arms, yanking them backwards.
“What?” I demanded, glaring them both down.
“You’ll see.” Daniel insisted, with a sigh.
“See?”
“Well, no she won’t but…well we’re almost there so…” Gabriel trailed off and I “allowed” them to continue walking. Defiantly I thrust my hands on my hips and stomped after them until we reached the training barracks and dungeon building.
It was dank and cold like usual, and entirely empty since there was no one being guarded anymore. Gabriel waved the heavy, iron door closed behind us with magic and with a flick of his hand, he lit a handful of torches perched on the wall.
Daniel reached for one and tugged it off the wall, carrying it in front of him to light the way through the even gloomier stairway.
“Still disgusting,” I observed, as we trudged carefully down the stairs, hands on the wall for balance. Occasionally, my hand brushed ice-cold water that dripped down the walls, adding towards that dank, creepy cellar feel. I shuddered as I followed behind Daniel, and Gabriel bringing up the rear.
“Strange this place isn’t more inviting,” Gabriel interrupted the silent echo of the cavernous dungeon.
“Yeah, strange they’d make a dungeon so creepy. You’d think they’d encourage more people to come here,” I replied with sarcasm.
“It’d be a fantastic vacation home.” Daniel said with false cheer, and we chuckled.
Our footsteps echoed as we reached the bottom step, reverberating off the moist, empty stone walls. I cringed as I pulled my hand away from what I thought was a spider darting across my hand.
“What?” Gabriel asked, as I made a squealing yelp sound.
“Spider!” I hissed, shaking out my hand to rid it of spider cooties.
He laughed. I shoved my spider-touched hand in the front pocket of my robes and with my other hand, flipped him the bird over my shoulder. “Eat shit, magic boy.”
“Enough back there!” Daniel scolded mockingly. “Don’t want to wake up any demons down here.”
“There are no demons,” I scoffed. I stopped in my tracks, causing Gabriel to crash into me. I spun on my heels and started at him expectantly. “Are there?”
“Not that I’m aware,” he said, with a chuckle and a wink.
I growled under my breath and followed Daniel to the cell Connor had been kept in. Of course, it was empty except for a rusty metal tray and remnants of some sort of bread and—mushy oatmeal? I had no idea. Upon closer look, I could tell there’d been small bites taken out of it…either Connor was a really dainty eater or we had mice down here. I had to force myself not to gag.
The straw at the bottom of the cell remained untouched, and the cell door was closed, fastened with a heavy iron lock with two keyholes on either side, as well as what appeared to be a thumbplate for magic.
“Clearly he didn’t escape by opening the lock,” I observed, shaking it on the bar to emphasize its security. It barely budged as I moved it.
“Oh no?” Gabriel stepped forward and held the lock in his palms. He muttered an incantation and the lock glowed briefly, before fading to a faint green.
I cocked a brow. “What does that mean?”
“This is a spell that reveals the last magic used on an object,” Gabriel explained.
“The fact that you can see it at all means it’s been no more than three days since it was touched my someone magical,” Daniel continued. “And of course three days ago—”
“—was when Connor escaped. We know that. So, what does this mean?” I inquired.
“The green is earth magic. Whoever used this lock last had earth magic,” Gabriel said, emphasizing the word earth.
“So? I’m sure there are—” I interrupted myself. “Whoa. Wait what are you saying? Maxxus—”
“No!” Daniel said quickly. “Not at all. But whoever did unlock this lock has earth magic.”
“Right,” Gabriel agreed.
“So, perhaps Connor is an earth magic user and we didn’t know it?” I suggested.
“We thought of that. I compared Connors magical imprint to the imprint on this lock,” Gabriel said. “They do not match.”
“Magical imprint?” I grumbled with frustration. “I don’t know what that means.”
Gabriel dropped the lock, and it slammed against the iron bars with a loud noise, causing me to jump slightly. “You know that everyone has a certain magical imprint, right?”
“Well I’ve heard—from you—but that’s beyond my capabilities,” I said.
“Okay well, it doesn’t match the imprint from inside the cell,” Gabriel said. “They’re different.”
I glanced back at Daniel. “Maybe he had a potion or something? Some sort of hidden thing?”
Daniel snorted. “There’s no way. I frisked the hell out of that boy,” he said, with a mischievous wink. “Unless it was hiding in his colon—hint hint—he had nothing on him.”
I tried not to laugh at the image…and then I got uncomfortable with it. Daniel “frisking” Connor. He’d once had a crush on the mage—that was until he went Shadow-rogue of course. I’m sure he enjoyed the frisking process thoroughly though.
“Even if he did,” Gabriel continued, “potions don’t leave a magical imprint like that. It’s more of a…well, sort of an echo. I can’t explain it.”
“So, it wasn’t a potion. Who could have done it?” I asked. “Both the dragons on duty that day were definitely not earth users. I don’t think, anyway…”
“We aren’t sure,” Gabriel said, with a sigh. He brought his hands to his lips and blew on them gently, causing a puff of steam to escape from his mouth, indicating just how cold it was down here. “Obviously, it’s not Maxxus—”
“—just as a precaution, I checked again to see if he’s been Shadowtouched somehow, and we missed it,” Daniel said. “Even just now.”
I crossed my arms defiantly over my chest. “Oh?”
“Just a precaution, Leo,” Gabriel insisted. “Of course, he’s clean. There’s no magic on him whatsoever other than yours and his of course. No Shadow taint. Nothing.”
“Whatever weird behavior you think he’s exhibiting it’s just because he’s being a man and not a creepy Shadow zombie…thing,” Daniel said with a snicker.
“So it has to be another earth dragon in the guard who’s been Shadowtouched. We assume anyways—because who else would allow Connor to escape, but someone Shadowtouched?” Gabriel mused.
“Why bother re-locking it, though?” I wondered out loud, gingerly fingering the heavy metal lock, wondering if maybe I could sense the magic on. I couldn’t, and pulled my hand away.
“To make it look like he escaped another way,” Gabriel said. “There is Shadow residue in the cell. It’s faint, but it’s there…along with Connor’s magical imprint.”
“Clearly we didn’t purge him of the Shadows enough,” Daniel griped, clearly unhappy with himself.
“He probably wanted us to assume that there was a Shadow portal opened up. But the Shadow imprint isn’t strong enough for a portal. Unless he did some mage thing—which is possible of course. What I don’t understand, is how neither guard saw anything.” Gabriel said, with a sigh, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Damn, it’s cold in here.”
I sighed, glancing at the cell once again. “Well, clearly we aren’t going to find anything else in here. Let’s go.”
“Thank god,” Daniel said, and he led the way up the stairs.
I took one last glance at the empty cell, hoping maybe for clues. Satisfied there was noth
ing suspicious, I followed the brothers up the stairs.
We didn’t pause on the staircase, or in the barracks; we just rushed right out, extinguishing the torches we’d lit with magic before we left.
Standing outside the barracks, where the air was surprisingly warmer than it was inside the dungeon, we paused to discuss.
“So, what now?” I asked them.
“We need a list of whoever is in the Guard who may have earth powers. Brown, gray—whoever. Everyone,” Gabriel said. “Then we need to go over them, and see who’s Shadowtouched.”
“Can you match the imprint with the lock with whoever did it?” I questioned.
“I think so, but I’ll know more when I see it,” he replied.
“Come on,” Daniel snaked his hand through my arm and pulled me close to his side for warmth. “Let’s get back to your house; I bet Miradoste made breakfast.” He practically salivated at the idea. “I would kill for an eggwhite omelette of hers!”
I snorted. “Now you have my mother making you special meals?” I shook my head side to side, pretending to be dismayed.
“Your mother loves me!” Daniel declared proudly.
“I’ll bet.” He and I exchanged a grin; it was hard to not love the Seer.
I glanced over at Gabriel and rolled my eyes. “What do you want for breakfast?”
“Anything. I’m starving,” he said, and his stomach rumbled in agreement.
“Well, let’s go. Hopefully my brother is there and he can get us that list.”
“After that, it’s to the infirmary to meet with Evie,” Daniel insisted. “Can’t have my magical niece getting sick or anything.”
I chuckled. Out of the side of my eye I could see Gabriel forcing a smile and then looking away.
“Just think how bad he’ll be when it’s an actual blood niece,” I nudged the sorcerer lightly.
He gave me a small smile. “Yeah…imagine.”
The tone was now somber and I allowed Gabriel his silence. The guilt stabbed at my heart.
I briefly glanced up at the sky—to no one in particular, maybe one of the old Dragon gods.
Please just let him be happy, I pleaded to no one in particular. He deserves it.
Of course, I received no response from the elusive sky gods so I just looked forward as we plodded through the snowdrifts in our sneakered-feet (we weren’t worried about cold feet; magic would dry them off as soon as we arrived to my family’s home) and tried not to feel the silent guilt that ebbed off of Gabriel; the guilt he probably wasn’t aware of.