Torched

by Donna Grant

“Hello, Uncle,” Ulrik said.

  He glanced at Eilish to find her shoving through the gate and stalking toward the house. Ulrik moved from his hiding spot and made his way to the fence. It took little effort to break through the old spells around the yard. Then he put a hand on the short fence and jumped over it.

  A look at the windows showed that all the curtains were drawn. No one stopped him as he walked to the back door. He moved his hand to the doorknob and felt the wards there. They were new, but more importantly, it was dragon magic.

  Ulrik took a few steps back before he launched himself into the air, landing softly on the roof. He moved to the edge and used his powers to bust open the back door.

  Almost immediately a blast of magic barreled through the door where they had expected Ulrik to be. He waited until he saw a head appear. With a twist of his hand and magic, he broke the woman’s neck.

  His enhanced hearing picked up shouts from within the house. He heard Mikkel start to say something, but a rumble of thunder drowned it out.

  Ulrik waited until he heard nothing more coming from upstairs, then he used magic to unlock and raise a window. He flipped through the air, grabbing hold of the windowsill with one hand before he pulled himself into the room.

  Standing in the small bedroom, he smelled old age and approaching death. A little, yellow bird flung itself around its tiny cage, screeching to be free. Ulrik walked to it and unlatched its cage door. As soon as the gate swung open, the bird flew straight out the window and into the rain.

  Ulrik’s head jerked to the hallway when he heard a loud crash below. He strode to the doorway and listened for any sign of Mikkel. No doubt his uncle was staying just out of the way. Keeping close to the mortals but not close enough to be hurt if Eilish got the upper hand. This was one of the many reasons why Mikkel could never be a Dragon King.

  “Where’s my mother?” Eilish bellowed.

  There was a loud bang followed by the sound of wood splintering. Ulrik checked every room upstairs before made his way down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he found Mikkel, along with the grandmother and the younger aunt surrounding Eilish. She was holding them off for the moment, but she wouldn’t last much longer. Their gazes met briefly, but she hastily looked away before anyone knew that he was there.

  There was no sign of the grandfather, which meant he was the cause of the stench of death that filled the house. With everyone Ulrik needed to worry about before him, his mind quickly went to work on a plan.

  Mikkel’s eyes were alight with victory, his face a mask of cruelty and hatred as he held up his hands and battled his magic against Eilish’s.

  Ulrik was about to step in, but Eilish gave him a small shake of her head.

  “Where is my mother?” Eilish demanded again.

  The aunt laughed. “I can’t believe you’re still looking for her. Don’t you know when you’re defeated?”

  “I can’t believe I’m related to any of you,” Eilish said. “The horrors you’ve inflicted on past generations won’t be repeated in the future. My magic is mine. I’ll never give it up.”

  “Your mother said the same thing,” the grandmother stated.

  Ulrik saw Eilish weakening under the onslaught of Mikkel’s power. No longer could he stand there and put her in danger. He sent a blast at his uncle, knocking Mikkel to his knees and disrupting the assault directed at Eilish.

  Mikkel spun around, causing Ulrik to dive from the doorway and roll to his feet. He held up his hands, deflecting the magic Mikkel sent his way toward the two Duffy women. The youngest jumped out of the way, but the grandmother was too old to move.

  Ulrik didn’t waste another thought on the bitch as she crumpled dead to the floor. He glanced at Eilish, expecting her to use her magic. Instead, he found her on her knees, her face contorted in pain as her aunt stood beside her with some artifact that looked hundreds of years old.

  “What’s it going to be, Ulrik?” Mikkel asked with a laugh as he got to his feet, dusting off his suit. “You going to kill me or save the Druid?”

  Ulrik watched his uncle stagger a bit before finding his balance. Instead of answering, Ulrik shot a short burst of magic at the aunt to knock her and the object away while he rushed Mikkel.

  His uncle’s eyes widened as he put up a weak defense that Ulrik quickly broke through. Mikkel then drew out Eilish’s finger rings and used them to disappear. Furious at losing Mikkel once more, Ulrik spun around to see Eilish standing over her aunt.

  “Where is my mother?” Eilish asked.

  The woman rose up on an elbow and glared at Eilish. “How dare you and your mother think you don’t have to do your duty?”

  “Duty?” Ulrik repeated. “If it was your magic others were after, would you willingly give it up?”

  “Aye,” she spat.

  Ulrik used magic to lift her and slam her back against a wall, keeping her dangling above the floor. “Is that so? Let’s put it to the test, shall we. You can either tell me the pact you made with Mikkel, or I’ll force it out of you.”

  “I’ll tell you nothing,” the woman stated angrily.

  Eilish stepped forward. “Let me,” she told him.

  Ulrik gave a nod, stepping aside so that Eilish could do as she wished. He would keep a close eye on her, though because he could sense that the darkness always on the fringes of her magic was growing bolder, stronger.

  Eilish stood before her aunt with her legs braced apart and her back straight. “Did you enjoy hurting my mother?”

  “It’s the right of our family to take magic,” the aunt stated.

  Ulrik watched as Eilish merely pointed to the woman’s pinky finger, which broke at such a hard angle that the bone protruded from the skin, the aunt’s scream echoing through the house.

  Eilish smiled. “Does that hurt? I hope it does.”

  “I can take it,” the woman said, her face pale and sweat covering her face.

  Ulrik watched a second and third finger break. He stood beside Eilish, patiently waiting for the aunt to stop shouting her pain.

  It was several minutes later before she calmed enough that Eilish could talk. “No one has the right to take another’s magic.”

  The aunt laughed through her tears. “It’s so easy for you to say that since you were born with magic, power that is rightfully ours.”

  “You willna get anything more from her,” Ulrik said to Eilish.

  Green-gold eyes met his. “I know.”

  He saw the pain in Eilish’s eyes at the knowledge that her mother was forever out of her reach. He couldn’t imagine the agony Eilish was in.

  “Whatever deal you struck with Mikkel willna come to fruition,” Ulrik told the woman.

  Snot ran from the aunt’s nose as blood dripped from her fingers onto the floor. “As long as I’m alive, there’s a chance.”

  “All I have to do is end your life,” Eilish stated.

  Ulrik grabbed her hands, stopping her. “Doona,” he warned.

  His soul was blackened by taking lives. Hers didn’t have to be—and wouldn’t be if he had anything to say about it.

  “She deserves to die,” Eilish said.

  He nodded in agreement. “That she does, but I doona want you to be the one to do it.”

  “Why?” she asked in confusion.

  “You willna come back from it.” He glanced down at her arm to see that the red stripes were turning black. “Let me do it.”

  She blinked up at him. “This isn’t your burden.”

  “But I’m offering to take it.”

  “Why?”

  He wasn’t sure he could answer that. Mainly because he couldn’t exactly name why he wanted to keep the darkness from growing within her. And also because he didn’t want to confront his feelings for her.

  “Does it matter?” he asked.

  The aunt laughed. “Aww. Isn’t this cute. Is my niece falling for a Dragon King?”

  Ulrik stalked to stand before her. “Mikkel left you to die. You stupidly gave him
your magic. Why?”

  “Because Eilish has twice the magic my sister did.”

  “Did you even hesitate in killing Eireen?” he asked.

  The aunt sniggered. “Will it make you happy to hear that I did? But then I thought of the magic I’d have.”

  “You bitch,” Eilish said as she came closer.

  Ulrik held out his hand to stop her. Then he returned his attention to the aunt. “You deprived Eilish of her mother. You went after Eilish with the intent to kill her as you did your own sister.”

  “That’s right,” the woman replied. “Magic should be shared with the family. No one person should hoard it and have the ultimate power.”

  Eilish gave a loud snort. “You’re batshit crazy.”

  “And you’ve no right to keep all of that magic!” her aunt screamed.

  Ulrik had heard enough. With just a thought, he broke her neck, ending the tirade. When he faced Eilish, she was pale, and her lips were pinched in anger.

  “It’s over,” he said.

  Eilish slid her eyes to him. “No. It’s just beginning.”

  “Your family will never hunt you again.”

  She swallowed and released a breath. “I thought my mother might still be alive.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Those responsible for her cruel death have been punished. Justice has been delivered for her, and every other Duffy who had their lives snatched away because they happened to be born with magic.”

  Ulrik wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I saw that Mikkel had your finger rings. I’ll return them to you.”

  She leaned away to gawk at him. A brow rose. “You sound like you plan to go after Mikkel without me.”

  “I do.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Eilish,” he began.

  She held up a finger, challenging him with a look to continue that sentence. “Don’t you dare. I’m in this just as you are. Have you forgotten I helped your uncle?”

  “Of course no’.”

  “I’m going to fix my mistake.”

  He gave a shake of his head. “Doona do this. Return to Graves.”

  “And do what?” she asked in an outraged voice, cocking a hip and resting a hand on it. “Wait to hear from you? If you ever return.”

  “Aye.”

  If it were possible, her indignation grew. She dropped her arm and lifted her chin. “Let me be perfectly clear in this. Either you take me with you so I can rectify the wrongs I’ve done, or I’ll go to Dreagan myself. I know the Dragon Kings are searching for me after what I did to Kinsey and Esther.”

  Ulrik looked away, raking a hand down his face. Eilish was infuriating. Worse, he knew without a doubt that she’d go to Con. And the Kings wouldn’t be kind to her.

  He turned his head to her. “You willna help your cause by being with me. There are those who think I’m as bad as my uncle.”

  “They can kiss my ass,” she said. “What’s your decision?”

  As if he had any choice. And truth be told, he was happy to have her with him. It felt good to count on her, to trust her. Though he’d keep that to himself.

  Ulrik held out his hand to her. “Let’s go find Mikkel.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Empty. That’s what Eilish felt after discovering that her mother was dead. She was so immersed in the sorrow that it took her a moment to realize she was now standing in a pub. She looked around, recognizing the décor of The Porterhouse. Her gaze jerked to Ulrik.

  “You need Donal just as much as he needs you right now,” Ulrik said.

  Eilish wasn’t sure she could tell Donal what she’d learned. “We don’t have time for this.”

  “We make time,” Ulrik insisted.

  He turned her around. With his hand on her back, Ulrik guided her to the bar. Her gaze roamed the floor they were on, looking for some sign of Donal as Ulrik asked for him. There was an exchange of words between Ulrik and the bartender, but Eilish didn’t pay attention. Her ears were ringing with her aunt’s and grandmother’s words. The lack of magic had turned them into the vilest of creatures. Would she have become that if she hadn’t been born with any?

  “What of their kids?”

  Ulrik frowned at her. “What?”

  “My aunts. Did they have any children? Did either of my grandparents have siblings?”

  “It’s over,” Ulrik said.

  She shook her head. “I have to know if anyone else will come for me.”

  He blew out a sharp breath. “My investigators discovered that Eireen’s oldest sister had two children. One died from an illness before her second birthday. The other, a son, was killed by a drunk driver five years earlier, along with her husband.”

  “And the other aunt?” Eilish didn’t even want to know their names.

  “She never had any children. Whether she was barren or it was her husband, I doona know. The husband left her twenty years ago. She never remarried.”

  Eilish nodded, feeling a little better. “What of my grandparents.”

  “The magic came through your grandfather. Your grandmother, as well as anyone married to a Duffy, is able to take a wee bit of magic from the ceremony they perform.”

  “Enough to make her crazy for more.”

  “Aye. Your grandfather had two brothers. He killed the one with magic, and the other didna want anything to do with it. He changed his name and moved away. From the smell in the house, your grandfather died recently. I can no’ tell if it was natural or no’.”

  She closed her eyes and sighed. So that part really was over.

  “Eilish?” asked a male voice in a deep, Irish brogue.

  She turned and smiled at Donal, truly happy to see him. “Hi.”

  Donal beamed at her as he reached for her hands. “I’m delighted to have you back so soon. And who is this?”

  “You know exactly who I am,” Ulrik stated.

  Eilish looked between the two of them. “Do you?” she asked her father.

  Donal shrugged, grinning as he did. “I make it my business to know the goings-on in the paranormal world.” He then gave a nod to Ulrik. “You’re welcome here, Ulrik, King of the Silvers.”

  She glanced at Ulrik to see him bow his head as she came to terms with just how in the know her father was. She couldn’t wait to pick his brain. But that was for another day.

  “You look weary,” Donal said.

  Eilish lowered her gaze. “Yes.”

  “She could use a drink,” Ulrik interjected.

  “By the looks of it, both of you could. Come,” Donal said and pulled her after him through the diners toward the booth where she had sat with him during her earlier visit.

  Eilish slid in first with Ulrik sitting beside her while Donal took the opposite side. Two bottles of whisky were brought to the table—one Irish, and one Dreagan.

  Ulrik didn’t hesitate to take the Dreagan whisky and pour it into his glass, downing it in one swallow. After Donal had filled her glass and his, Eilish quickly took a drink. The warmth that spread through her belly helped to dispel some of the chills that had overtaken her ever since she walked into the Duffy house.

  “I’ll be happy to sit here all day drinking in silence,” Donal said as he looked between her and Ulrik. Then his gaze returned to her. “But I’ve learned it’s better to get whatever it is you’re holding off your chest.”

  She refilled her glass. “I don’t know where to begin.”

  “The easiest part to tell,” Donal urged.

  Ulrik reached over and covered her hand with his. She looked his way. He was waiting for her to give him some sign that she wanted him to spill the news. It would be far easier that way, but Eilish knew the responsibility lay with her.

  She squeezed Ulrik’s fingers and gave him a quick smile to let him know she was fine. Then she turned back to Donal, who waited expectantly.

  “You’re my biological father,” she said.

  His bright blue eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled. “A
ye. I was hoping that would be the case. I’ve lost many years with you, but I hope I don’t lose any more.”

  She couldn’t quite return his elation. “I’ve made some mistakes.”

  “Everyone does, my girl,” Donal replied. “It’s what you do once you figure out they’re mistakes that count.”

  “I’m trying to fix them.”

  He gave a nod, his gaze skating briefly to Ulrik. “That’s good.”

  She opened her mouth to speak but reached for her glass with her free hand instead. After tossing back the whisky, she lowered the tumbler to the table.

  It was Ulrik who said, “My uncle approached Eilish, offering to tell her about Eireen in exchange for her helping him.”

  “Ah,” Donal said, his gaze moving to Eilish. “That’s when you used your magic on the minds of those two Dragon King mates.”

  Eilish hated that Donal knew about that, but she wasn’t going to run from her blunders. There was nothing for her to do but own up to it. “Yes.”

  Ulrik stiffened slightly. “How do you know that?”

  “As I told Eilish, I make it my business to know these things.” His eyes slid back to Eilish. “I also heard you helped Nikolai and Esther.”

  Eilish felt her lips soften into a smile. “I did. With Ulrik’s urging.”

  Once more, Donal’s blue eyes locked on Ulrik. “Why did you want her to help your enemy?”

  “I found Nikolai when he was just a hatchling and raised him as my own, though he’s more brother than son,” Ulrik replied.

  Donal lifted his white brows. “And your quest to destroy the Kings?”

  “Is there anything you doona know?” Ulrik demanded.

  Donal merely smiled and waited.

  Ulrik let out a sigh. “I’m after Con.”

  “Hmm,” Donal said and sat back, his arms still on the table.

  Eilish cleared her throat. “Mikkel ordered me to kill for him in Venice. I couldn’t, so I wiped the woman’s memories of him instead. That’s when I knew I’d made a terrible mistake, but I still didn’t do anything. Not until he gave me a deadline to kill Ulrik.”

  “I see,” Donal murmured. “Does Mikkel know there’s something between you two?”

  Ulrik said, “No doubt, he does. I think he figured it out when he attacked her.”