City of Dragons: Blood Bonds

by Adrienne Wilder

  “What is?”

  “The telescope they use today to listen for metaphysical signals. It stands for Earth’s Metaphysical Radiation.”

  “You know, I don’t know what it is about you people and your fancy professional titles, but you’re the second person today to assume I have any expertise in the area of science outside basic Kin physiology.”

  “Well, I’m by no means an expert, so don’t ask me to explain all the metaphysical science behind it. I only know what I’ve read. Which is metaphysical energy doesn’t have to travel through space like light or sound. That’s how they’ve looked at and listened to stars for decades. Our planet also gives off a metaphysical signal. By tapping into the waves produced by the Earth, they can quote-unquote hear the stars as they are born, and as they die. It does have its limits. Seems only certain stars transmit on the Earth’s signal. They’re working on a way to try and go beyond the limitation now.”

  “So did he buy one off eBay or what?”

  “Of course not. They’re still experimental and extremely expensive.”

  Haley stared at the phone a second before putting it back to her ear. “Orin, I was joking.”

  He coughed. “I knew that.”

  She wondered if he still blushed. And if he did, he just had to be glowing.

  Orin said, “Anyhow, I called one of the professors over in the Astrophysics Department, had a chat with him about some of these dates. I can only confirm the last fifty or so, but they’re right on.”

  “Why only fifty?”

  “It’s only been in operation for about three years.”

  “Then how did he get all those dates--centuries worth?”

  “Honestly? I think he might have been able to hear them.”

  Haley stood up. She couldn’t go very far, the damn phone was one of those tethered models. “Heard them? Stars?”

  “It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Telepathy in Kin isn’t all that uncommon. Sometimes we’re born with certain types. And look at the Link bonds that create metaphysical ties with a Human host, even what Queens can do to other Kin. There are some obscure documents where all sorts of abilities are referenced.”

  “And do any of those same documents reference other popular Kin fairy tales?”

  Orin chuckled. “You know, the Human Bible has a lot of unbelievable references in it, too.”

  “When did you convert?” Haley sat on the edge of her desk and picked out the last green candy. “This I’ve got to hear.”

  “You know what I mean. Sometimes an ancient people can only describe things as they understand it. And if anyone qualifies as an ancient people, I think we do.”

  “Touché.” She bit down and the candy went out with a loud crunch. “So what do dying stars and Queens have to do with each other?”

  “Well, that’s where you get into all those fairy tales you don’t care for. Olde Lore says the power of Queens is dictated by the stars. Her life, her strength, everything is written into the heavens. That if a Female Kin is born at the moment a star dies, then she gains the power it releases. It’s called oobura, and basically it translates into ‘the taking of power.’ Like feeding. Because of the Male to Female ratio in our species, plus the star qualifications, it’s a fairly rare occurrence. But Niles appears to have dates going back as far as three thousand years.”

  “Please tell me you don’t believe that kind of tripe.”

  “Of course not. Metaphysical biology and astro-metaphysics are two completely different creatures. There are some similar sciences between them, but they are as different as night and day. To expect one to predict the other.” Orin made a disbelieving sound. “But what I believe, and you believe, is completely irrelevant. Niles believed this, or at least seemed to. And if he believed it, then there are others who will, too. Others like the Queens.”

  “That’s ‘cause they’re Hive bound and stuck in their ways.” She winced.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate that.”

  “Haley?”

  “Yeah?” She dug in the jar of candy hoping to find one last green survivor.

  “Your name is in this ledger. You know that, right?”

  “Yup, I saw it a few times.” She didn’t find one so she settled on a yellow. “Please don’t tell me I’m destined to become a Queen holed up in the ground for eternity?”

  “No.”

  She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Good, ‘cause there is no way I’m giving up my shoes or my panty collection.”

  Orin was quiet. Haley ate another piece of candy. “You still there?”

  “I’m here. Haley, I don’t know quite how to tell you this because it sounds ridiculous.”

  “And the whole Queen stardust thing doesn’t? C’mon, spit it out.”

  “There is no way to verify the accuracy of the date beside your name, but I did some checking. A star didn’t die on the day you were born.” Well, Haley wasn’t going to cry about it, that’s for sure. “The date that appears by your name seems to correlate with global events that were believed to have been a catalyst by the passing of an interstellar storm.”

  “Are you going all Star Trek on me? ‘Cause I really hate the whole ‘use the force’ bit, and that green guy, Yoda, he creeps me out.”

  “That’s Star Wars, not Star Trek.”

  “Oh, yeah. Star Trek has the pointy eared dude.”

  “Haley, this isn’t a joke.”

  “Sure it is. Niles followed me around because of some Olde Lore that has absolutely no basis in the real world. And apparently a bunch of Queens hate my guts because of this same hand-me-down tall tale.”

  “You’re angry.” He sounded surprised. Haley cracked another piece of candy in his ear.

  “You bet. I’m getting strong-armed by Medan because of some stupid Star Wars versus Captain Kirk and his merry men story that is so ridiculous you’d have to be brain dead to even consider it.”

  Orin’s sigh rattled the receiver. “Haley, I remember the night skies the day you were born. It was terrifying. Beautiful, but terrifying. Everything on the planet with a metaphysical binding felt it. Many of us thought we were going to die.”

  Curious, she asked, “What happened?”

  “We don’t know for sure, because we only have x-rays to study the ripples that are still millions of light years from our planet. Apparently, there was some sort of cataclysmic event that left a void in space. And if Niles could hear stars dying, then the day of your birth he was probably deafened by them. The event was biblical, but we won’t see the changes in our sky for millions of years. It’s the metaphysical pulse it created that caused so much upheaval. Theoretically, even the frequency of the Earth would have been supercharged. You’re pretty young, but there are several of us who remember the strange heavenly events. Fire falling from the sky, night becoming day, electrical storms. It was seen all over the world.”

  “Wow, you really know how to make a girl feel special.” She was trying to be funny, but Orin didn’t laugh.

  “Just be careful. Queens have killed for less.”

  He was right, which didn’t make her feel better.

  Farley came through the door with a wad of papers in his hand, eyes swimming with bits of gold and the anxiety coming off in sour waves.

  “Hey, Orin, I gotta go. Farley’s here with something important.” She hung up. “What the heck got under your skin?” He handed her the papers and she scanned them. “One phone call a week it looks like. This is great, but--” Farley went to her door, closed it, and turned the lock. “You okay?”

  “I’m okay.” He kept staring at the floor.

  “Well, something’s wrong.”

  “I think we should leave.”

  “Leave?” When he looked at her, she realized what “leave” meant. “Farley?”

  “Dobson has called an I.N.I. on you. And that can’t be a good thing.” His hands clenched and unclenched. “We should just leave. Get out of the co
untry; go somewhere, anywhere but here.”

  “I’m not afraid of Colonel Dobson.”

  “You should be. Trust me. He’s dangerous. He hates us.” Farley took her wrist and pressed his thumb against her pulse. “Please...”

  “I’m not going to leave my job because of some species extremist.”

  “I think he knows you went into the Dens. I know you didn’t have permission.”

  She looked away. Yeah, there was that.

  “We really need to go.” He gave her hand a tug.

  “I should talk to Garrett.”

  “I already did.”

  “And?”

  Farley let out his breath slow. “He said he’ll take care of it.”

  Haley frowned at him. “Garrett will do what he says.”

  “I think he will do what he thinks he can.”

  She shook her head. “If Dobson knows, that’s all the more reason I have to stay.” Farley paled, and his hand tightened on her wrist. “If I go, then Garrett will have to take the blame. Forget the fact that he would lose his job. He’d wind up in jail. And I’m not talking about the local pokey either. Federal prison. Hard time for a long time. I have faith in Garrett. He’ll get this taken care of. He’s a good man, a trustworthy person and he’ll make this okay.” Haley picked up the papers Farley had given her and shuffled them. “I am not a coward.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “No. But if I ran, I would have no chance at a defense. Besides, what about Deshi? I can’t leave him.”

  “He already made his choice.” Farley’s voice was cold.

  “Trust me, the worst we can do is run.” Haley picked up the phone and dialed.

  “Who are you calling?”

  She waved the papers at him. “I’m calling Justice. I need to find out what he knows about Niles.” And if Dobson was going to pull an I.N.I. on her, there was no time like the present.

  “Hello, this is Gregory.” The voice was Human and very ordinary.

  “Yes, sir. My name is Haley Night. I’m an Agent with the CFKR. I’d like to speak to Justice, if he’s available.” The man on the end of the line went quiet. Only the sound of his breathing told Haley that the phone hadn’t gone dead. “Hello?”

  The breathing deepened and the rhythm changed. When the man spoke again it was still the same generic Human sound, but the inflection and annunciation had altered.

  “This is Justice.”

  It wasn’t the first time Haley had heard the words of Kin come through the mouth of a Human Link. But it was still weird

  Haley cleared her throat. “Justice, I need to speak with you about a Kin named Niles Fury.”

  “I see.”

  “I did a records search on the pay phone outside his apartment and it appears he’s been calling you for the past--” She glanced at the papers. “Well, for at least five years.”

  Haley prepared for an argument, evasion, even an excuse. But after a moment of quiet, Justice said, “I will meet with you. We will talk.”

  Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, she asked, “Where?”

  “In my home.” No hesitation, calm, gentle ... matter-of-fact.

  “I’m not sure that would be appropriate, considering the questions I’m going to have to ask you.”

  A soft chuckle sounded over the line. “All will be well. Do you know the address?”

  Of course she did. Who on earth could miss the place? It was Donald Trump meets Fort Knox. You’d have to be blind not to notice the building, let alone those giant walls.

  “I can find it.”

  “Good. Then we will meet. Will an hour give you enough time?”

  “I’ll be there in half.”

  That laugh again. Smooth and thick, like warm fur. “Very well, Haley Night, very well.” The line went dead, and she stared at the phone for a few seconds before hanging up.

  “Well?” Farley asked.

  Damn, she’d forgotten he was even there. “He said he’ll meet with me.”

  “Just like that? Are you going alone?”

  “Are you asking to come with me?”

  He smiled a little. It loosened the tightness in his eyes. “Yeah, I’d like to use the time in the cab to try and talk some sense into you.”

  Chapter 26

  It took them twenty minutes, plus a five minute argument with the cabbie who didn’t want Farley riding in his cab. Haley threatened to have Immigration investigate his status. He shut up after that.

  An iron gate met them at the entrance, guarded by two men with earpieces, Oakleys, and matching suits.

  “Jesus, I wonder if he’s going to require we call him Mr. President.”

  Haley drove her elbow in Farley’s rib.

  She said, “We’re here to see Justice.”

  One of them said something into his wrist. A second later the iron gates shuddered open. The men stepped out of the way.

  Haley went in, but when Farley tried to follow, a hand came out. He flicked his eyes up to the Human and growled. “I suggest you move that if you want to keep it attached.”

  “He’s with me.” Haley grabbed his hand.

  Suit-on-the-right replied, “Justice says only you.” He dipped his head at Farley. “He can wait here.” He made it sound like it was some sort of privilege.

  Farley said, “I’m not a fucking dog.”

  Some “Arf-arf” sound effects came from Suit-on-the-left

  Farley flashed his teeth and growled. Haley caught him by the shoulder with her one hand and held his neck with the other. The two Suits drew guns from somewhere inside their jackets and held them like men who killed on a regular basis. Haley pressed her face into Farley’s neck. “When’s the last time you ate?”

  “I should ask the same of you.” He looked at her. Sharp pointed fangs distorted his upper lip.

  “We’ll go eat then. I’ll just come back tomorrow.”

  He shook his head, blinked, and his eyes darkened to brown. “No, go. I’ll be fine.” He doesn’t mean it. “Yes, I do.”

  “Stop that.”

  “I can’t.” Farley put a hand on her cheek. “Go. I’ll wait here. I’ll behave.” He stepped away, and went to sit on the curb.

  Suit One and Suit Two put their weapons back and resumed their post.

  Another pair of guards stood at the main entrance and a third one inside the foyer. Haley didn’t have a problem figuring out which way to go. A single hallway led to a single elevator. She stepped into the lift. There were no buttons to push. The door closed and the metal box slid upward through the layers of concrete. No ding marked her arrival. It stopped and the doors opened into a magnificent room worthy of an Atlanta Living cover. But it was the Kin standing near the floor to ceiling glass windows who stole Haley’s breath.

  Colored like ivory, the afternoon sun shattered across the textured surface of Justice’s scales, making him glow like a million stars condensed into a single shape.

  His head turned. It was all curves and planes. No ridges, horns, or armor disrupted the shape. His luminous blue eyes pulsed with light.

  Haley struggled to keep her hearts in her chest. It wasn’t fear she felt, but an incredible presence. It rubbed along the inside of her skull, warm and seductive.

  Would you like to sit or do you prefer to stand?

  The voice breathed through her mind. She put a hand to her temple and stepped back.

  Do not fear me, Haley Night. I will not harm you. I could never harm you.

  The strange thing was, she believed him. Trusted him. Justice moved one graceful step in front of the other, body sliding across the space like something liquid.

  Silent. Even as large as he was, he made absolutely no sound.

  “I think I’ll stand.” She hoped her knees would support her.

  Up close Justice was overwhelming. Almost as big as Medan. Were the rumors true about him being mute?

  A vow of silence, actually. He dipped his head.

  “You invade minds, too?”


  Sometimes it is unavoidable.

  The scales along his neck and side raised, then settled with a slight flutter.

  May I greet you? God of Man, his voice. It wasn’t a powerful sound that demanded respect or declared power; it was almost tangible. It moved through Haley’s mind, putting her at ease, even as a hundred questions bounced around inside her skull.

  There will be plenty of time for answers. Please, allow this old Kin to be touched.

  His head lowered, his expression humble. Haley held out her hand and his lips parted. His pink tongue slid out between his small, sharp teeth. The forked ends touched her fingers, wrapped around her wrist, and slid up her arm. He thrummed as he tasted her, and she couldn’t stop the heat spreading across her skin.

  With her other hand she touched his muzzle, then his jaw, caressed the length, stopped at his cheek, and laid her palm flat. Justice scented her, drawing her taste across his palate.

  It has been far too long since I have touched one of my own.

  “How long?”

  Justice didn’t answer, only walked back to the window, body surging, muscles rippling. Watching him was hypnotic.

  You should not make your Marked wait for you too long. He hungers.

  The Great White looked out the window and his sky blue eyes held palpable longing. His breathing slowed until he became still and he took on the appearance of something not real.

  “Why was Niles calling?”

  He blinked. Once.

  I owed him a debt. So, we came to an agreement.

  “What kind of agreement?”

  Justice’s chest expanded and life brimmed over, animating him from head to toe. He opened his wings and sat back on his haunches, tucking his slightly smaller front legs near his chest. Then it was gone. Whatever made him real flickered out, and he became still again. Silence.

  “Justice?”

  To watch over you.

  As Haley approached, his head dropped, and she had to stop before running into his muzzle.

  “Why?”

  Because of what you are.

  “What am I?”

  Silence.

  “What is it you think I am, Justice? What is it Niles thinks I am?”

  I cannot answer that question yet.