Demon Retribution (Shadow Quest Book 3)

by Kiersten Fay

  “But why?”

  “Perhaps if we had informed anyone of our plans ahead of time, we risked failure in some way. There is the chance one of the recipients would seek to align themselves with the Kayadon in hopes of saving themselves their wrath.”

  “That’s still a chance though, isn’t it?” Kyra asked.

  “Yes, but before now someone could have interfered with our search for you. Now they can only warn the Kayadon of our coming, which has probably already been done due to the run-in you had on Earth.”

  Kyra pressed her lips together, wishing they’d had a cleaner escape. “So what do we do now?”

  Sebastian replied, “Our next step is to stop at space cities on the way to Evlon, to recruit and get the word out. Mercenaries can be bought, or promised some kind of compensation at a later date. That is, if we win.”

  Kyra considered that for a moment, struggling to imagine what a hardened mercenary might demand as payment.

  As if suddenly remembering some detail, Zoey flipped through the book. “There’s a note about that. It says…” She fingered through a few pages till she found what she was looking for. “Ah, it says rare jewels found in the Detirian Mountains can be promised as payment for aid. It also suggests that land be bartered, specifically at Princess Kyralyn’s discretion.” Zoey looked up. “Is that your full name?”

  Kyra nodded.

  “Pretty.” Zoey smiled at her before continuing. “Any magical compensation would need to be previously agreed upon by all parties involved.” She looked up at Kyra. “Jeez, it’s starting to sound like lawyer talk.”

  “Father’s trying to see every angle. Giving us the most advantages possible.” Kyra recalled her father saying once that his visions were like following a string in a web, with millions of possible paths.

  Zoey turned uncertain. “There’s also this weird part…I wasn’t sure if I should mention it, but…”

  Ethan tensed. “If there is anything you find, do not keep it from us.”

  “Alright, but, well…it says there is a message for the dragon king of Legura on the very last page of the book, but when I looked, the page is blank.” She turned to the section in question.

  Indeed it was empty.

  “Strange,” Kyra muttered. Louder, she asked, “When are we to meet with them?”

  Sebastian replied, “We approach the Uli Rings as we speak. We need but dock and then notify the dragons of our arrival.”

  “Very well.” Kyra felt herself switch into the role of royalty, as if it were a second skin. The transition surprised her, but she masked it. “I’ll be in my room preparing. Please inform me when we are to leave. Zoey?”

  Zoey snapped the book shut and followed her out the door.

  “Kyra,” Ethan called from behind, catching them in the hall. “I wanted to speak with you about what Sonya said. I’m sorry you had to find out like that.”

  “Yes, that was a bit shocking. Exactly what did she mean?”

  “Only that your father promised me my choice of bride if I succeeded in bringing you all home. Sonya assumes that with your sisters mated that I will want you as my wife.”

  “And do you?” Arranged marriages had never been part of their society. She doubted either Ethan or her father would hold her to such a promise if she opposed it.

  Ethan looked torn. “The thought…the status it would bring me among our people…it was the driving force behind all my endeavors.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. It reminded her of a frustrated Cale, just before he’d kissed her with a passion she had never experienced before. Feeling a burning in her throat, she pushed the memory out of her mind.

  Ethan continued, unaware of her internal struggle. “Now? I no longer know what I want.”

  She let out a weary sigh. “That makes two of us.”

  Cale glanced up as the sound of grinding gears echoed through the pub. A repetitive bout of clashing metal resonated as the ship jerked.

  They were docking, which meant they must have arrived at Uli Rings. This was where many of the crew would be parting ways with Marada. Cale didn’t fault them their cowardice. They signed on to work on a merchant ship, not a war ship.

  He was halfway through his fifth drink, with a decent buzz going, by the time Sebastian found him.

  “We meet with the dragons soon. Anya wishes to be there, as well as Ethan and obviously Kyra.”

  Cale set down his glass. “I’m going as well.”

  “I figured,” Sebastian replied. Then he looked at Sonya expectantly.

  “Of course I’m going. Don’t be stupid.”

  The pub was already empty. Not surprising. Whenever they docked, the crew disregarded the pub in exchange for the more lavish entertainment of space cities.

  Sebastian nodded. “I’ve given the crew leave for ten hours. I expect less than half to return.”

  “We’ve run the ship with less.”

  “That we have.”

  Together, they made their way to the docking bay.

  Cale stepped off the ship and was greeted by a barrage of fawning workers, dressed to entice both men and women alike. A band played to their left as they made their way to the registration office where the crew lined up to declare either their permanent or temporary status.

  Aside from the bright lights and white floors, most of the complex was composed of a thick clear barrier that allowed a view of space, as well as the other two circulating rings. They were truly massive, and looked even more so from this angle.

  He spotted Kyra far ahead in the queue, along with Ethan and Zoey, who held the book in her arms. Why would they allow the earthling to tag along? Zoey was naive to all the cultures of space. If she were separated from their group, she could end up as some vagabond’s pet. So could Kyra, for that matter. Rex was with them as well, but that didn’t ease his mind. Marik might vouch for the demon, but he had yet to prove his worth to Cale.

  Kyra turned her head, scouting the crowd. Her gaze skimmed over him with a brief detached nod before turning away. In that look, she’d offered neither affection nor disdain, though he was expecting the latter. In fact, she’d been completely unreadable. He considered it a temporary truce between them.

  He noticed Sonya watched Ethan just as closely as he watched Kyra. However, when Ethan scanned for Sonya, he gave her a hooded once over and a crooked smile. Sonya playfully swiveled around, looking over her shoulder at him, while wiggling her hips and fluffing the back of her too short skirt. Then she flipped back around, giving Ethan a lewd gesture. Ethan’s smile only grew.

  Cale ground his teeth in what he hated to admit was pure jealously.

  Kyra should wiggle her ass at him like that. Thinking it made his eyes go to the area in question. The material of her outfit hugged her curves in a manner that should be illegal. Her backside was practically on display, and all the males around her were taking notice. Locking his teeth didn’t prevent the growl from rumbling out of him.

  Sonya bumped him. “Cale, stop acting like an ass.”

  “Me! What about you, shaking your tail like some—”

  “Finish that sentence, and I will shove my fist through your spine.”

  Sebastian pushed between them, snarling under his breath, “Enough.”

  Next to him, Anya’s head darted wildly around, taking everything in. The largest of the rings was dedicated in part to arrivals and departures, so there was no lack of furor. Species of all kinds surrounded them. Liygards, with their dark armored skin, huddled together in a group. A couple of stubby Udeki rummaged through a heap of luggage, arguing in their crude, spitty language. Cale would say they were a couple, but there was no way of distinguishing a male from a female without getting slapped, or worse.

  Merchants vied for the attention of newcomers, hoping to procure that first sale. Anya showed interest when a jeweler strolled by with a pallet of necklaces. Sebastian immediately offered to buy her as many as she wanted.

  Cale rolled his eyes, never understan
ding the need to provide useless baubles to one’s mate. He looked to where Kyra now stood. She had finished registering and was waiting for them to get through the line, admiring a display of trinkets.

  Remembering her gift to him, he reached for the small knife in his pocket. He would need to check it—weapons were prohibited. Although it was much more than a mere weapon. It was a multipurpose tool. Each time he examined it, pride swelled inside him. It was something no one else would have seen, making it rare and therefore valuable.

  Kyra had bought it for him as if it were nothing. The clothing too had been given freely. His lips thinned, recalling how thoroughly she had provided for him and Zoey. Now she hadn’t the means to buy herself a simple necklace. Any wealth she’d accumulated had been left on Earth. To be fair, he should repay her with a trinket or two, if she desired.

  Kyra had only visited a space city twice in her life, to and from the dragon clans. The small city of Gri had been a dungeon compared to Uli Rings, and she was only in the terminal. The metal gleamed as though new. High on the walls, colorful plants hung down from sconces, contrasting beautifully against the dark, star speckled view.

  She couldn’t wait to see more.

  Zoey looked positively stunned by everything around her, but she huddled close when a strange or dangerous looking individual passed by. When Rex reassured her that demons were among the most formidable of species, she relaxed.

  A few shops lined one wall, and Kyra browsed the selection as they waited for everyone to join them. Many of the items were gaudy and uninteresting. However, one necklace did catch her eye. Thin strands that looked like metallic silk wove around extraordinary stones, known to alter color at random.

  A familiar voice spoke from behind. “I can get it for you if you like.”

  “No, thank you,” she replied in an even tone, continuing to browse without actually seeing and trying to dull the sudden pang in her chest.

  “You don’t want it?”

  “I don’t want you to get it for me.”

  “Why not? I can afford it.”

  “Save your money, Cale.” She sighed, heading back to where the rest of her group stood. On the way she caught his expression. Completely blank. He hadn’t offered her the necklace because he cared for her. It was to be her consolation prize. A parting gift to commemorate the end of their relationship, if that was even the correct term for it.

  She wasn’t sure why the idea hurt so much, or why she hadn’t just let him buy the thing out of spite. Many women would have. Only, if he were to buy it, she knew she would never wear it. It would be as if it were tainted. A beautiful reminder of what she could never have and would forever miss.

  After a few moments, their group was complete and they moved on, heading for the center of the complex.

  Traveling between the rings turned out to be an endeavor. A number of transport units carried passengers back and forth. Because the sections were constantly moving independently of each other, the units detached and became like miniature ships, large enough to fit their entire group without feeling crammed together.

  When they reached the middle ring, the unit reattached with only minor jostling, and the doors swooshed open, inundating Kyra with a combination of scents and sounds. Stepping out, she noticed three restaurants within the first twenty feet, along with a small market place. It seemed every race imaginable mingled together, walking casually or shopping in groups.

  “This way.” Sebastian took the lead, Anya by his side. They all followed.

  Kyra found herself walking behind Zoey and Rex. Somehow Cale ended up next to her, with Aidan on her other side. By the way they towered over her, it almost looked as if she had her own set of guards.

  Too bad one of those guards was an emotionally stunted jackass, with all the sensitivity of a kidney bean.

  She peeked at him using her peripheral vision. A muscle creased between his eyes. She wondered if he wasn’t comfortable around so many clamoring people. Or maybe he didn’t like being off the ship. But how could he not? This place was stunning. Plants grew from everywhere, creating a wonderful earthy atmosphere in the midst of a closed artificial world.

  Shops displayed exotic flowers in pots. Vines crawled up the walls. The fresh scent of a forest titillated her nostrils. And though it was as packed as any New York street, it didn’t feel overcrowded.

  Zoey turned around to say, “I feel like I’m in a gimongous mall of the future.”

  Sonya commented, “This is the business district, although there is a small section dedicated to living quarters. The third ring is almost completely apartments.”

  Their meeting place, Between the Rings, was like a nightclub and a strip joint combined, only it catered to all tastes—and being a multiracial facility, that was something to see. Both she and Zoey canted their heads at a tiger furred humanoid with ears like a chinchilla, wearing a beaded wisp of an outfit.

  Zoey whispered, “Thunder, thunder, Thundercats…hooo.”

  Kyra covered her mouth to hold back a guffaw of laughter. Then she caught sight of a familiar group of faces, seated at a large table. King Mar of the Legura Clan had always seemed massive in size, but now his three sons matched his strong physique. Yet, in small ways, they still resembled the young mischievous lads she remembered.

  Gavin spotted her first and rose from his seat in a gentlemanly manner. The rest followed his gaze, and then did the same. Aside from the royal family, a few guards stood nearby, and no doubt more remained unseen.

  With a catching smile, Tristan—the second eldest—sidestepped the table and approached her with his arms out in greeting. “Kyralyn. Look at you. You’ve no’ changed a whit. Beautiful as ever.”

  She was about to say he’d changed a great deal, but a strong hand clasped her elbow, pulling her away from Tristan. Cale placed himself at her front, causing the other male to scowl. One of the royal guards stepped forward, but Gavin waved him back, stepping forward in his place.

  “What’s this?” Their father grunted. “Are we no’ allies, lady Kyra? Are we suspected of some kind of treachery?”

  “Of course not, my lord,” she replied. “Cale, here, is just uninformed of our intimate acquaintance. Step aside, Cale,” she ordered, barely able to cover her chagrin.

  “Like hell I will. What do you mean by intimate? We’re here to talk, not to pass you around to a bunch of dragons.”

  Tristan hissed, “You allow this guard to disrespect you in such a way, Kyra? I could break his neck if you wish.”

  She’d forgotten how important honor was to the dragons. They would war in the name of honor and defend it to the death. And from what she’d gathered so far, the demons were quick to insult.

  Not a great combination.

  “I wish only for peace,” she assured, maneuvering around Cale. “And he’s not my guard. He’s not anything, actually. Please, we mean no disrespect.”

  Cale frowned as if he she’d wounded him. Sebastian chastised him with a look, but she couldn’t tell if Cale had noticed.

  Finally, Tristan’s grin reappeared, and he gave a hearty laugh as he scooped her up in a bone-crushing hug. Aidan and Sonya both took hold of Cale, keeping him in place. Why was he acting so possessive?

  Kyra gasped, as Tristan gave another squeeze. “My god, you’re stronger than I recall,” she said when he let her down.

  He gave apologetic expression. “Forgive me, Kyralyn. I doona notice it these days.”

  Despite their greeting, King Mar and his sons exchanged uneasy looks with her entourage. Immediate peacemaking became necessary. She proceeded with introductions, explaining that the demons had played an intricate role in the retrieval and protection of her and her sisters. The dragons nodded, as if appeased by the noble deed, and a little of the tension eased. When she introduced Aidan, the king’s eyes flashed in recognition. Aidan responded with a tight nod.

  Next she introduced the members of the clan, starting with King Mar. Gavin, his eldest son. Tristan, the second eld
est. And Lear, the youngest. All but Lear boasted light hair. Lear inherited the dark locks of his mother. What Kyra didn’t mention was, in their dragon forms, they were beautiful, fearsome, and frightening, but somehow the conversation found its way there.

  “I can remember the first time I shifted for you,” Tristan teased. “You went as pale as the moons.”

  Kyra chuckled. “That’s only because you gave me no warning at all.” To the others she explained, “It was only my first week there and he decided to surprise me in the courtyard.”

  “You did no’ scream as I expected.” No doubt Tristan considered that a compliment. “Instead, you demanded I take you for a ride.”

  “I did not demand. It was a request. And I had no idea it was an insult until we got back and everyone was outraged.”

  Mar shook his head in a show of mock shame. “And yet you insisted on scooping her up every chance you got, evading your guards to do only the gods know what.”

  Cale’s nails gouged into his palms as he imagined what it would feel like to have Tristan’s guts between his fingers. Sebastian made it clear without speaking that he would stop him if he made a move. Under her breath, Sonya told him he should go back to the ship and wait for them to return.

  They both knew the rage unfurling inside him. Even he realized he was having trouble holding it together.

  That male wants what’s mine!

  The confusion that coiled inside Cale’s brain writhed painfully as he tried to push the thought away. Reason warred with desire. Someone pulled on his arm—Sonya, trying to take him away from her.

  Never!

  “I’m fine,” he lied, keeping his tone as even as possible.

  Sonya cursed under her breath, not believing him yet not fighting him either.

  The only thing that kept him from slipping over the Edge completely was Kyra continuing to meet his gaze—if only to question his behavior. Having her jeweled eyes on him calmed him enough to stifle the worst of his ire.

  Mar gestured to the table. “Sit, and let us discuss the reason for our gathering.”