by Donna Grant
“Lead the way,” Ulrik said as he motioned with his hand.
The Dark walked on shaky legs through the doorway, and Ulrik was a step behind him. As soon as he entered, he was in another realm. It wasn’t his first time leaving the realm of earth, and it wouldn’t be the last.
Three steps in and Ulrik looked over his shoulder to see several doorways. The one he entered through had a red haze around it that differentiated it from the others.
“This is Balladyn’s,” the Dark Fae said.
Ulrik saw him pointing to a large B etched into the wall. It was well known that Balladyn marked anything of his. Ulrik turned his head to tell his companion that he was finished with him, but the Dark was already running back through the doorway they had come through.
“Coward,” Ulrik said.
The Dark Fae pretended to be the most evil, vile beings around, but Ulrik knew the truth. They were like petulant children trying to get back at their parents, the Light Fae. It was an ongoing family war that had lasted for countless eons and showed no signs of halting anytime soon.
Ulrik had watched the Fae Wars with interest from the sidelines. He really hadn’t known which side he wanted to win—the Dragon Kings or the Fae. In the end, it really didn’t matter. He was as he had been for thousands upon thousands of years.
All he had to go on were his memories of when he could shift into his dragon form and take to the skies, to hear his Silvers around him, to know that he was a part of something important.
Ulrik stepped into the shadows as a group of three Dark Ones came toward him. He watched as each of them went through a different doorway. He closed his eyes and pulled the drawing of the fortress that he had memorized into his mind’s eye. With four routes already set, Ulrik’s gaze snapped open.
“I’m coming, Rhi.”
* * *
“Who were you talking to?” Kiril asked when he reached Phelan who squatted behind a hedge of bushes across the street from Shara’s house.
Phelan’s lips twisted regretfully. “I knew he’d call.”
Kiril didn’t need to ask who Phelan referred to. Con. “Damn. He’ll be coming, which means we need to be in and out before he gets here.”
“Con can help.”
“Do you know what the Dark would do if they caught the King of Kings?”
Phelan let out a string of curses.
“Exactly. Now, how many are patrolling the Blackwood house?” Kiril asked.
“Six, but they’re lazy, which means there are many more inside.”
Kiril studied the house and the men who walked the perimeter. “Let’s get them all out here.”
“What do you want to do, shift into a dragon and roar?” Phelan asked sarcastically.
Kiril smiled at him.
“Of course you do,” Phelan said with a roll of his eyes. “Are you sure the Dark willna see through my power?”
“Nay, but it’s worth a try. They can no’ see dragon magic so they might no’ see yours.”
“Your magic is much stronger than mine.”
“You’re part Fae, Phelan, and have a primeval god inside you. You’re formidable. Now use those special powers of yours.”
Phelan grinned before he unleashed his power. Kiril watched as an image of him as a dragon appeared in the street. It was odd seeing himself this way, and it made him want to shift immediately. The god inside Phelan gave him the ability to alter reality so that no one could know which reality was true and which wasn’t. It had helped the Warriors many times in their battles with the droughs.
“Here they come,” Phelan whispered.
More than a dozen Dark Fae rushed out of the house. Phelan released a laugh as he sent the dragon into the air and flying over the neighborhood.
“Lucky for us you’re able to alter reality that way,” Kiril said.
“We’re no’ going to have much time. How do you want to go in?”
Kiril slowly stood as the Dark followed Phelan’s dragon, spreading out through the neighborhood. “Over the fence, of course.”
They both rushed across the street, and with one bound, leaped over the eight-foot wooden fence. Kiril glanced into the sky to see Phelan’s dragon disappear into the clouds.
“What color did Shara say the doorway was?” Phelan asked as they crept through the garden.
“She didna. She said it was in the back to the right, separate from the others.”
“Let’s just hope we doona get it wrong then,” Phelan said with a dour look.
Kiril stole through the garden as quick as a breeze. He slid against the house when he reached the other side and waited for Phelan who joined him a moment later.
“Do you see a doorway?”
“I see many fucking doorways in this awful place,” he murmured crossly. Then he let out a breath and gave a single nod. “But aye. There’s only one near us.”
“Time’s a wasting,” Kiril said with a grin. “Tell me which way to go.”
“How about you follow me?” Phelan said a second before he pushed away from the wall.
Kiril let out a curse and ran behind him. He hated going through Fae doorways, and hopefully this would be the last time for a long, long while.
As soon as they were through the doorway, Phelan skidded to a halt, causing Kiril to have to sidestep so as not to run into the back of him. Suddenly Phelan was thrown to the left, slamming viciously against the wall. Kiril rounded on a Dark Fae that turned his magic on him.
Kiril didn’t want any alarms to sound, so he remained in human form and battled the Dark. He dodged blasts of magic and used his fists to punch the Fae. Kiril ducked another ball of magic and rolled, coming up with the push dagger in his palm.
He came up on his feet, ready to plunge it into the Dark’s heart. Phelan got to him first, sinking his gold claws into the Dark’s neck with a growl. A heartbeat later and Phelan took the Dark Fae’s head.
Kiril watched the dead Fae fall at his feet. He looked back up at the Warrior with his god released—evident by his gold skin and eyes, claws, and his fangs. “Well, that’s one way of doing it.”
“He hit me,” Phelan stated matter-of-factly.
Phelan tamped down his god, and together they moved the Dark into an empty room nearby.
“We stick out like a sore thumb,” Phelan grumbled.
Kiril looked at him. “We do now, but with a little help from you, we willna.”
Phelan’s frown shifted as a bright smile took over. “I would’ve thought of that eventually.”
“Is that before or after we have to fight more Dark?”
“Keep it up and I’ll leave your dragon ass for all to see,” he said with a smirk.
Kiril had never thought he could have the easy banter he did with Rhys with anyone else, but then he had met Phelan. It was no wonder Phelan and Rhys got along so well. They were alike in so many ways.
In the blink of an eye, Phelan used his power so that both would look like any other Dark Fae who walked the corridors of the fortress. They started through the compound walking side by side.
“Looking like one of these fuckers is one thing,” Phelan said. “The tough part is going to be any confrontations we have.”
“Already thought of that. We come from Taraeth.”
Phelan turned his head to him and smiled. “Brilliant.”
“I have to say, the red eyes just aren’t a good look for you.”
“Neither is your silver hair, but you doona hear me complaining,” Phelan said.
Their conversation stopped when the corridor ended at the great hall that was filled to capacity with an army. Walking through them would be an issue since they were lined up, waiting for … Kiril.
Phelan nudged him with his elbow as he turned left. Kiril followed suit and soon spotted another group walking through the great hall. Phelan trailed them. Kiril glanced at Phelan to get his attention before he broke off and turned right down another hallway, Phelan on his heels. He didn’t breathe easy until they were
once more alone. They stopped and leaned against the wall.
“I’ve never seen a great hall that large,” Phelan said with a frown. “That’s four times the size of the hall at MacLeod Castle.”
“The size of that army is nothing to sneeze at either.”
“And to think they’re waiting for you.”
“Doona remind me. I’ve no’ seen that many Dark Fae gathered in one place since the Fae Wars.”
Phelan blew out a harsh breath. “Where to now?”
“It’s no’ that far ahead,” Kiril said and started down the corridor.
It was a winding maze of hallways, but Shara had been specific in her description. Only once had they gone the wrong way, which Kiril quickly realized. As they walked he told Phelan the directions in case they became separated. No matter what, both agreed that Rhi had to be rescued.
“I’ll kill them all if they’ve harmed her,” Phelan muttered.
Kiril glanced at his friend. “The truth is she may no’ be the same person you knew. The Dark have a way of torturing that gets quick results.”
They turned another corner and instantly halted. Phelan hissed under his breath as Kiril focused on his new enemy—Balladyn—as they watched him enter a room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Shara paced the confines of Balladyn’s chamber nervously. It had been too easy to get out and return. Way too easy. Or perhaps she was just overthinking things. She wrung her hands, her head pounding as thoughts—and panic—filled her.
The door was suddenly opened and Balladyn filled the entry. His gaze settled on her. Shara stared as he remained still, his eyes boring into her.
“Was your hunt successful?” she asked.
Balladyn walked into the room and softly closed the door behind him. Shara made herself remain still when all she wanted was to get as far from him as she could. Balladyn was dangerous, and she knew being so near to him meant that she might never leave the fortress again.
He leaned against the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “At first I believed you. I was ready to scour the skies for the Dragon King that you said must be flying.”
Shara’s heart knocked against her ribs.
“Then I realized you lied.”
She tried to swallow only to discover her mouth was dry as a desert. It was the coldness, the silent fury in Balladyn’s gaze that hinted at very bad things to come.
“I was coming back here to get the truth out of you,” Balladyn continued. “I stopped when one of my men received a report that a dragon was seen at your family’s home.”
Shara blinked. There was no way Kiril would have been that foolish. It had to be some sort of trick.
Balladyn tilted his head to the side. “Do you know what I did?”
“You went to see for yourself?” she asked.
“I went to see,” he said with a nod. “By the time I arrived with my men, I was only able to witness the dragon disappearing into the clouds. What was odd was that the humans I saw about didn’t even notice.”
She shrugged absently. “They’ve no need to pay attention.”
“Ah. My thoughts exactly. Until I saw the plane. It was on a direct course with the dragon, and yet it didn’t detour. We saw the dragon because we were searching for it, but it wasn’t real.”
“I don’t understand.”
He dropped his hands to his sides. “I didn’t either. It took a bit of digging. Did you know what the Light Fae can’t stop talking about? It appears there is a half-human, half-Fae about with exceptional powers.”
“I hadn’t heard. I didn’t think that was possible. We’re not supposed to have offspring with the humans.”
“I do believe the Dragon King has some help.” Balladyn continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “My question is why was he interested in Blackwood manor? Could it, perhaps, be because of you?”
Shara feigned outrage. “Me? He hates me. Why do you think he came to my house? He’s out to kill me.”
“That is one possibility.” Balladyn pushed away from the door and walked to her. He lifted a strand of her hair in his hand and let it slide through his fingers. “However, I think it’s because he wants you.”
“Then he doesn’t know me at all.”
“You were sent to seduce him.”
Shara faced Balladyn. “I’ve already admitted to that. Perhaps I got to him, but surely a Dragon King would realize he faced Dark Fae when he came to my family’s home.”
“It won’t take long for me to mark you as mine. I mark everything as mine.”
Shara lifted her chin. “And the Dragon King? While you’re here talking to me, my family could well capture him and take your glory.”
“They wouldn’t dare.” His words were casual, but the way his red eyes narrowed a fraction said he was considering it.
“Never underestimate a Blackwood. Isn’t that what’s always said about my family?” she asked with a smirk.
“I think I have underestimated everyone. You most of all.”
Shara remained still. She wouldn’t cower, but most of all, she wouldn’t allow him to see how she trembled.
“I think the plan must have begun when you ventured into my fortress.”
She couldn’t draw air into her lungs. How did he know about her and Kiril? There was no way. No one knew, not even her family, so there was no way he should know anything.
He grunted. “Or was it after I showed interest? Is that when you and your family decided to trick me?”
A sigh of relief almost escaped her—until his words penetrated her mind. Her family. He thought she’d betrayed him with her family. She couldn’t deny it either, because she was betraying him, only with Kiril.
“You’re wrong,” she stated as firmly as she could.
“Is that right? Why then did you leave my chamber after I deposited you here?”
“I went exploring.”
His smile was tight, cold. “Where did you go, Shara?”
“I was here.”
“With every lie you tell me, I’ll give you ten lashes. And I did promise that if I had to use the whip again it wouldn’t be welts I left.”
Her bottom still ached from the lashes. “I was here.”
“You really are a stubborn one. I’m going to hate to cut open that skin of yours, but you will learn your lesson. You see, the two guards hidden outside this chamber followed you to the doorway to your home and then back here when you returned.”
There was no doubt about it now. She was royally screwed.
* * *
“I gather that’s where Shara is?” Phelan asked with a nod to a door.
Kiril nodded. “How long is Balladyn going to stay in there?”
“Take a look around. Count the number of guards posted. That’s his chamber.”
“I know,” Kiril said through clenched teeth.
“Are you sure she isna playing you?”
Nay. “Aye.”
“I sincerely hope you’re right, because I want to return to my wife,” Phelan said.
Kiril glanced at him and grimaced. “We should find Rhi.”
“Tell me something. How deep are your feelings for Shara?”
“Deep enough that I’m standing here trying to figure a way to get into that chamber and take her away from Balladyn.”
Phelan whistled softly. “That deep.”
“I’ll come back after we have Rhi.”
“Really? And you think I can keep your disguise up from that distance?”
Kiril scrubbed a hand down his face. Everything was falling to shit, just as he had suspected it would. His gut told him to call off everything and return to Dreagan immediately.
Then he thought of Shara.
And Rhi.
“Shara is smart. She’ll keep up pretenses until she can get herself safe,” he said and turned his head to Phelan. “Let’s get Rhi while he’s occupied.”
They retraced their steps, and found the set of stairs that would take them to the lower fl
oors that housed the dungeon. There were only two Dark guarding the entrance to the dungeon that paid them no heed.
“That was too easy,” Phelan whispered as they walked down another short flight of steps.
“Who wants to get to the dungeon? It’s the getting out that’s going to be difficult.” Kiril counted the metal doors on the right until he came to the twelfth one. He looked at the door, and then at Phelan. “There are no locks.”
“Magic?”
“Perhaps.” Kiril tentatively touched the door. When nothing happened, he placed his hand on the handle and pulled it open. The door swung open with ease, making only a slight grating noise as metal rubbed against metal.
He looked inside the gloomy cell through the darkness to a form that was chained to the wall. A thick mass of tangled black hair hung over her face, but Kiril knew it was Rhi.
“Dear God,” Phelan mumbled. “What did they do to her?”
“You doona want to know.”
Phelan’s face was contorted with rage and helplessness. “Look at her! She’s…”
“Chained,” Kiril finished. “Shara didna say anything about chains.”
“They’re just chains. We should be able to break them.”
Kiril shook his head. “Balladyn wouldna put simple chains on Rhi. She has verra powerful magic, and he knows that. Those chains must be special or she would’ve already busted out of them.”
“I’m no’ leaving her,” Phelan stated emphatically.
Kiril swiveled his head to him. “Neither am I.”
He opened his mouth to say more when voices reached them, coming closer and closer. Kiril shoved Phelan inside the cell and quickly closed the door behind them. Phelan flattened against the wall on one side of the door, and Kiril the other.
“I don’t relish bringing you here, but it’s for the best.”
“Balladyn,” Phelan mouthed.
Kiril nodded grimly. He wished there was a window or something so he could see who Balladyn was bringing to the dungeons.
“Forgive me if I don’t believe your shite,” stated a voice Kiril knew all too well.