by Dianna Love
Stroking his long, white beard, Garwyli asked, “Who is Germanus?”
“He was my father’s steward.”
“Germanus would have been human.”
“Yes, and we were forbidden from worshipping Abandinu when my father lived. It appears that Germanus worshipped him in secret.”
“That makes sense about your father’s rule. As I recall, Abandinu was banished from the Celtic pantheon.”
“Yes, he was.”
“I see.” More fooling with his beard, then Garwyli said, “It does not make sense for Abandinu to bring someone like Evalle to his realm.”
Storm argued, “Evidently he would, because that’s where she is right now.”
Lifting a wrinkled hand to request quiet, Garwyli said, “That is not my meaning. You see, Abandinu created more than one realm.”
What? Storm looked to Daegan, who seem unconcerned at the possibility of searching multiple realms.
Continuing, Garwyli said, “This is the first I’ve heard of Abandinu sending any human to a realm.”
“So you can’t help us?” Storm sighed, at the very end of his mental rope.
Storm saw his question reflected in the faces of the team.
Garwyli laid a hand on his shoulder. “Do not distress, Storm. Germanus will be in a specific realm, so you will not have to hunt to locate the correct one.”
This whole trip had been an emotional roller coaster from the start. Storm said, “That’s encouraging, Garwyli. It’s just ... you, of all people, know she is everything to me.”
“I know, son,” Garwyli said, patting Storm’s shoulder.
After Evalle brought Storm home from a demonic underworld, she forced him to overcome the influence of demonic blood he’d inherited.
Garwyli had been so impressed by the way Evalle fought for Storm, in the face of Macha’s anger among other things, that Garwyli called in a marker a thousand years old and had Storm’s soul returned to him.
The druid had cited Evalle as Storm’s champion.
She was far more than that to him.
She was his next breath. He had no life or any desire for this life without her.
“I understand your impatience. Give an old man a moment to explain and you can be on your way.” Garwyli winked to soften the reprimand.
“Yes, sir,” Storm answered in deference.
Turning to the entire group, Garwyli said, “As I mentioned, Abandinu created more than one realm. It seemed to be his hobby. He collected things that interested him such as majikal creatures.”
Adrianna sent Storm an apologetic glance before she suggested, “Wouldn’t Evalle fit that description?”
Little could bother Storm at this point and she was right to push for any details that might help them.
“Yes, but Evalle shifts into a human form. That did not interest Abandinu. He did enjoy flying beasts such as manticores, wyverns, gryphons and the like, but he had a particular interest in dragons.” Garwyli scratched his beard-covered chin. “I could be wrong on the not shifting part.”
Pushing the druid to move along, Daegan said, “What else?”
“My point is that taking Evalle would still not make sense. Abandinu had no interest in battling other gods or goddesses. He merely liked to be entertained, but not if he had to face an angry adversary. That’s what is so odd about putting Germanus in any of his realms. I have never heard of any other humans being taken for that reason.”
“Why would a human even want to live in a realm if he was alone?” Tristan asked. “Feels like we’re missing something in all this.”
“It’s hard to say, but a human living in a realm such as one Abandinu created would remain forever without aging. Perhaps when Germanus worshipped Abandinu, he asked for eternal life. If Abandinu heard that often enough he might have gifted Germanus with the god’s version of that by spending eternity in a place where the steward would not age, but I still find that odd. I wonder if it was done as a punishment, since it would be a very sad existence for Germanus.”
Moving ahead, Daegan told Tristan, “I need you to go immediately to the gryphons to ask for volunteers. With this god’s affinity for dragons and any other flying creature, there could be all kinds of ancient predators to battle in there. I will fully understand if your sister does not join us.”
Tristan said, “Thanks. I wouldn’t be happy to have her there.”
Storm blinked and the Alterant had teleported away.
Tzader asked Daegan, “Why are you taking so many when you might be more effective with a smaller team for inserting and snatching her?”
After witnessing what happened in the Tribunal, Storm had an idea why the dragon king wanted a larger show of force.
“This is not just a retrieval,” Daegan said. “I weary of my people being targeted and harmed. Those who know me have no doubt I will come for one of mine, but that isn’t enough. My enemies need to know that to touch one loyal to me is to bring the wrath of a dangerous dragon, the Treoir power, the entire Belador force and our allies.” Daegan gave a nod to Adrianna with that, then continued. “We are going in to save Evalle first and foremost. Once we are successful, I intend to make a statement that will spread throughout the preternatural community.”
Adrianna asked, “What is that statement?”
“For every one of mine who is harmed, prepare to lose a hundredfold if it is within my power.”
She gave him a thoughtful look. “I like that. Make a show of force and make others think about what they have to lose if they start a conflict.”
“With the exception of those who will war no matter what, a show of force will deter others who prefer life over attacking my kingdom.”
Storm asked Daegan, “How many are we taking with us?”
“Everyone standing here, except Tzader, and all of the gryphons that agree to join us.”
Tzader scowled, but he had his own job of protecting Brina and Treoir. No one thought any less of him for remaining behind, but that warrior and Quinn had been Evalle’s closest friends before Storm met her. To be more accurate, Tzader and Quinn treated Evalle as a younger sister.
Why the gryphons? Storm wouldn’t ask. Daegan had a plan in mind. Not that Storm would refuse the additional fighters, but did Daegan believe they had to be airborne to battle inside the realm?
Where would that leave Storm’s jaguar?
If they had to fly, Storm mentally counted Daegan, Tristan and what? One or two more of the seven gryphons who currently resided on Treoir Island?
How many creatures had Abandinu collected over centuries of playing with his realms?
It didn’t matter. Storm would go alone if that was his only option, but he was thankful for the bonds Evalle had built with all of these people.
Once Tristan had departed, Daegan asked, “How do I locate the realm with Germanus?”
Garwyli sighed. “As far as anyone knows, Abandinu created three realms for his entertainment.”
Daegan sounded just as impatient when he said, “He can have as many as he wishes, but how do we find this one?”
Garwyli frowned hard at the dragon king, but explained, “It was said that one realm had been created entirely under water and a second one was full of nothing but constant sunrises and sunsets. That would leave only one.” Turning to speak pointedly to Daegan, he said, “Keep in mind that if Abandinu is behind all of this, he will be undefeatable in his own realm, even by you, dragon.”
“I know my chances,” Daegan said, dismissing any more concerns raised about him. Then he asked the druid, “If you think she can only be in one realm, I need a way to locate it.”
“There is a very quick way in by offering your dragon to Abandinu, but—”
Everyone groaned.
“If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’ll do,” Daegan stated firmly.
“Bad idea,” Tzader broke in. “That would completely destroy any advantage you would have from the element of surprise.”
“That’s w
hat I was about to say, Tzader,” Garwyli groused. “I do have another idea. It might not work if—”
Daegan growled like his dragon. “Druid, please do not waste time on what might not work. Just give me enough information to locate the correct realm.”
“I’m tryin’ to do just that, dragon. The way I see it, there is a simple path. Envision winged beasts around Germanus. Follow that to teleport in, but there is risk of being attacked as you arrive if you land too close.”
Storm had to admit that Garwyli had a point. He said, “Listen everyone. I know you’re all ready to go in there and battle. I’ll never be able to repay this debt, so thank you. But I’m the one who should be teleported in first. I not only shift into my jaguar, but I have majik as well. Give me time to distract any threat if we are landing in the middle of them, then follow thirty seconds later.”
Quinn said, “No.”
His reply was followed by the same response around the room, ending with Daegan saying, “Nice try, Storm, but I’m not facing Evalle if you died doing that. Let’s go.”
“One more thing, dragon.”
“Yes, druid?” Daegan said, sounding as if one more question strained what patience he had left.
“It is hard to imagine Abandinu allowing any activity in his realm without his knowledge. If Abandinu put Evalle into the realm, then he must be the one to take her out.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Storm ran a hand over his head in exasperation. “I don’t give a damn at this point. I’m going for her.”
“Me, too,” echoed around the room.
“Let’s see how many gryphons we have and get moving,” Daegan ordered and strode toward the double doors leading outside.
“Finally.” Storm and the others followed Daegan outside where ... seven members of the gryphon pack stood in human form. That was all of them with the exception of Evalle. Tristan didn’t look a bit happy about his sister being in the group. That was up to Tristan and his sister.
Storm wished for Evalle to see the support of her peers. That would make for one hell of an air attack.
Garwyli stepped up next to Storm. “I have complete faith in you bringing your mate home.”
While that was a nice vote of confidence to hear, Storm prepared for a one-way trip. If Abandinu would not release her, he was not leaving her in another realm forever.
Tristan stepped forward. “I have an idea.”
Quinn groaned loudly.
CHAPTER 27
Realm of Scamall
Evalle stood on the top of the castle and stared at the landscape Germanus had changed to multicolored hills of sand. No green grass or mountains in the distance today.
She took his desolate landscape to mirror his morose frame of mind over the past day.
She’d pissed him off by suggesting that he was being played. The kidnapper had tricked Germanus.
In his shoes, she’d be roaring mad.
Had it made a difference to Germanus? No.
He’d sent a manticore that outweighed her gryphon by five hundred pounds in to battle with her earlier. The beast had to have come from his private stock.
She was so angry, her gryphon had stomped the monstrous beast in five minutes. She shifted back and yelled at Germanus to send the other ones he kept hidden.
After watching her trash the manticore like it was nothing, the two attack gargoyles lost their usual I-can-kill-you-with-one-wing-tied-behind-my-back expressions and turned to look at their boss.
Germanus had smoldered in furious silence.
Evidently none of the handful of winged creatures kept around to intimidate her had known their boss hid more like them. The beasts listening might not shift into humans, but they understood when she yelled through busted lips, “Stop destroying these creatures, you bloodthirsty bastard. Send out your dragon!”
That had done it. Germanus leaped to his feet, yelled curses at her and stomped away.
After that, his gargoyles watched her with wary eyes, as though they suddenly realized they might not be at the top of the realm food chain.
She didn’t care. Hard to care about anything in this place when you’re doomed.
Running a hand over the sack she wore for clothing, she could feel the hideous crater in her chest. Heavily scarred skin surrounding it would never heal. Her face, arms and legs had been ripped open over and over again. Some of the wounds had managed to heal, but most left a ragged scar a half-inch thick.
Her mouth bled every time she tried to talk around the gash she’d gotten in her last battle.
The pure Noirre in her system played nice with her Medb blood to keep her alive, but whatever spell the kidnapper had used prevented her body from fully repairing itself.
She hadn’t slept soundly after those first nightmares of being with Storm. But Germanus had been so furious with her after their meeting in his treasure room that she hadn’t dared to sleep at all. She’d moved constantly, never sitting down, even putting weight on her bad leg and causing pain on purpose, just to stay awake. She was reaching the stage of seeing things she doubted were actually there, like ghosts of people she’d known.
At one point earlier today, she’d started talking to Adrianna, then stopped when the ghostly face didn’t answer.
Germanus had laughed and said, “You have to sleep sometime, Evalle.”
Not until she died.
She hoped Daegan was up to the task of killing her. She hated to put him in that position, but she’d rather die by his dragon than for Storm to spend his life trying to get her out of here. And he would.
A tear slipped out.
She swiped it away with a vicious slap of her hand.
Germanus would not see her break.
Speaking of the hemorrhoid on the ass of a demon, Germanus stepped out on the roof, accompanied by his pair of hulking gargoyles, and walked over to her.
When she ignored him, he asked, “What? No mouthy comments?”
“Nope, just another day with you, dickless.” She sent a sharp look to his groin. Yes, she was feeling mean today and what better target than Germanus? She fought his stinking battles and suffered slow recovery that would never truly heal. He didn’t dare attack her for fear of losing all evidence of manhood.
If only he would end up stuck in here for an eternity.
She’d have someone to verbally torture.
Coming up with nasty barbs would keep her busy. Wasn’t that what she heard some humans talk about? Keep your mind active as you age.
Germanus must have decided this conversation would be better without his guards. A wave of his hand apparently gave the two gargoyles leave, because they took off over the side of the castle wall. “I look forward to leaving you in this place when I escape, Evalle.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to be right here with me, oh great leader.”
“Why do you keep trying to feed me that lie?”
She finally turned, a feral smile in place. “I seem to be the only person in Scamall who can handle the truth. I’ve accepted my future. Why is it so hard for you to accept yours?”
“Perhaps I need to give you another demonstration with the other twin.”
Good one, Germanus. She’d spent the last two realm days dazed from total lack of sleep, blood loss and a corrupted mental state. She knew not to aggravate Germanus, but sometimes the words spilled out without any thought. Then he made a threat that slashed right through the pain in her chest and bludgeoned her heart.
But he would only use those threats as long as he thought they would hurt her emotionally.
Turning to him, she tried to spin the tables. “I have made friends with your beasts, Germanus. They know I’ll shield them from harm if I can. Their greatest threat is you sending them to their deaths and they’re starting to realize it. I have also realized you can’t kill a beast in this realm, not by your hand, can you?”
His surprise was all the answer she needed to continue. “If you were someone special to Abandinu, he would not have punishe
d you by leaving you in here with no humans for company. I salute him for taking away your ability to try to rape me, key word being try. Abandinu clearly likes winged creatures, especially majikal flying ones. What’s he going to say when he realizes how many of his pets you’ve smashed?”
Germanus said nothing, but his eyes told how much he wanted to kill her.
Looked like she had found a nerve.
In that case, she would see what it would take to snap that nerve. She took a step toward him and lowered her voice. “Bring another teenager, or anyone else from my former life, to this miserable place to harm them and I will show you what happens when I turn one of your favorite beasts against you.”
“You can’t do that,” Germanus mumbled. No conviction in that statement.
“Really? You sure about that? Did you not find out exactly what you were bringing into your sick little zoo when you made a deal for me? Let me clue you in just in case the kidnapper who has played you perfectly to this point failed to share everything. I have Medb and Belador blood. I’m a gryphon who shifts to human and ... wait for it ... I talk to other flying creatures mind to mind.”
Not exactly true since she hadn’t been able to communicate with the others here, but back home she could speak telepathically to other Belador gryphons and a dragon.
Germanus failed to fold and start pissing his pants, which would have confirmed a direct strike.
Damn. She’d so hoped for a loss of control on his part.
But neither did he boast that he would show her how wrong she was and bring the other twin.
For now, he seemed to at least be thinking about her words.
That wouldn’t last long.
She had been figuring out how to screw with Germanus, but it only lasted for a short time until his pea-sized brain realized she sometimes bluffed.