Hailey tensed. “Glendale… you’re lying.”
I prepared to argue the case with her, but Glendale rose to his feet. “Ok. Fine. Stay right here.”
He acted as though we had any choice in the matter. “Where do you think we are going to go?”
“It’s a matter of speaking. Try not to be so literal.” He swished his tail again before disappearing into thin air.
“I’m never going to get used to that.” Hailey stared at the spot where Glendale had just stood.
I pulled her back so she was leaning into me. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” The worry and concern caught up with me, throwing a shadow of exhaustion over every inch of my body.
“Same to you. I can’t believe...” She trailed off. “But how?”
I knew her words could mean several different things. “How did Veronica turn me into a dragon, or how did you turn me into my human form again?”
“Both I guess.” She stared down into her lap. “They are both important.”
“I’ll start with the second question because that seems easier. Somehow you can pull out the human side of me. We’re connected on a level deeper than whatever it is that Veronica did to me.” I kissed the top of Hailey’s head. “Before we get to the first question, I need to know. Are you all right?”
“About being a Lightness, or part Lightness? About you being a dragon? About meeting your dead mom? About trying not to kill Troy?”
I smiled at the last part. I was glad she still had her sense of humor. It would have been an easy thing for her to lose considering all she’d been through. “Ok, so maybe instead of asking how you are, I’ll ask how you are holding up.”
“I’m a lot better now.” She turned, still staying tucked in my arms. “Even if I feel incredibly guilty.”
“Guilty?” I tried to understand why she would feel that way. “But you sent Glendale back for the others already.”
“Not them. But I doubt even Glendale would be able to find Anastasia.”
“Anastasia?” Was that name supposed to mean anything to me? Maybe the exhaustion was worse than I thought.
“She’s a Mer. She was down in that dungeon maze as well.”
“Is she Emerald Flame too?” I wondered how much more Hailey had learned while we were apart. I was still processing the part about her meeting my mom.
“I assume so. I can’t imagine why else she was there. I never spoke to her though.”
“Then how did you know she was there?”
“Hunter told us, and then we played a game of Marco-Polo. Unfortunately, we were never able to find her.”
“Glendale has surprised us already today. You never know.”
“True, but I’m doubtful. She was so weak…”
“We’ll find her. I promise.” I was usually careful not to make promises I couldn’t keep, but I couldn’t stand to see Hailey so hard on herself.
“I’m glad one of us is confident.”
“I’m back.” Glendale dropped out of thin air. He was noticeably alone. “Sorry about the delay. Moving your friends was a bit harder than expected.”
“Why?” I glanced up waiting for the others to show up. Surely they couldn’t be too far behind.
“Because the big one refused to come.” Glendale lay down on the leaf and dirt covered ground.
“The big one?” I tried to follow.
“He means Hunter, I assume?” Hailey stared upward. “What’s taking so long?”
“They’ll be here.” Glendale rolled over onto his side. “And of course I mean the Dire. But ‘the big one’ describes him even better.”
“There was a Dire there too?” I wasn’t particularly surprised.
“You didn’t notice him?”
“I noticed only you.” That was the truth. Everyone else had faded into the background. I’d heard Troy’s voice, but he had still been background noise compared to Hailey.
“Oh.” Hailey seemed to think it over. “But you noticed Troy?”
“I did, but mostly just you.” I smiled, still marveling over how quickly she’d brought me back to myself.
“I’m sure I would have been the same way.” She looked over at Glendale. “Did Hunter finally come?”
“No.” Glendale yawned. “He annoyingly insisted he be given more time to find a friend. Between you and me, I believe she may be imaginary.”
“She’s not imaginary,” Hailey snapped.
“Ok then.” Glendale shot me a look as if looking for commiseration.
“You will go back for them, right?”
“Yes.” He yawned. “Unfortunately, I will.”
“How is helping someone ever unfortunate?” Hailey’s brows knit together.
“Because it pulls me away from doing what I actually want to do.”
“Why are you helping us then if you have more important things to do?” I still hadn’t figured that part out yet. I trusted him—perhaps more than I should have— but at the moment I was desperate for any allies we could find.
“Aligning with a power couple like you two is wise. Besides, I kind of like you.”
“Where are the others?” It was taking far too long for them to show up.
“They are absolutely fine. I have plenty of these places to use for times like these.”
“Glendale…” Hailey leaned forward.
“I swear it. They are safe. This time I really did it.”
“How do we know?” Hailey crossed her arms. “Why should we believe you?”
“Your Pixie friend said to tell you she thinks I’m trustworthy.” Glendale grinned like a Cheshire cat. Before meeting Glendale I’d never seen a cat with that kind of grin.
“Why not bring them here now?” I was positive the cat had his reasons.
“Because we need to talk first.” He swished his tail back and forth.
“What do we need to talk about?” Hailey relaxed slightly. Maybe she could believe the Pixie would have said what Glendale reported.
“I want to know what you plan to do with all of your new power.” He purred out the p’s in plan and power.
“New power…” I studied the cat. “I assume you are referring to Hailey with that one.”
“I am referring to both of you.”
“I have no new power, and now I’m doubtful I have any power at all. At least not unless Veronica is pulling the strings.” And I sincerely hoped she’d never be pulling the strings again. I’d never been so terrified as when I was under the Scarber’s control.
“Of course you have power. And that means you have the power to sever the strings. Especially if you work with Hailey.”
“How?” That had my attention. I’d do anything to make sure that happened.
“Do I really have to tell you everything?” He rolled onto his back, all four paws sticking up.
“Not everything. But more than you’ve told us so far.” Hailey pulled her knees up to her chest. “The sooner we get Wyatt out from under the control of Veronica the better.”
“You’re a Lightness, Hailey. You can do a lot with that light.” Glendale swatted at something invisible.
“Meaning…”
Glendale rolled onto his side. “I know you’re a smart girl.”
She stared him down. “Pretend I’m not.”
“Hailey. Hailey.” His ears twitched.
“I barely know how my powers work. Are you saying I should be able to focus on Wyatt enough to figure out where the so-called strings are and get rid of them?” Skepticism dripped from her voice.
“Yes. That is exactly what I mean. Glad you figured it out. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
“You know how to do that?” I turned to Hailey. I hoped I didn’t sound doubtful. I had full confidence in her, but I had absolutely no idea what kind of magic Veronica was using on me. Without understanding that, I wasn’t sure how Hailey could be expected to get rid of it.
“No,” she readily admitted. “But I did make a hole in a glass wall no one could brea
k down. Not once, but twice.”
“Impressive.” Everything about Hailey was impressive. I was blown away by how she was handling the newest twists and turns in our situation. She hadn’t batted an eye when she realized I was a dragon. She never lost sight that it was me.
“I’d been desperate, and I think that’s part of it. But it did start to get easier. Plus, if I get really worked up emotionally it can also help.”
“You need to get worked up emotionally?” Glendale extended his back claws. “Focus on what’s going to happen to Wyatt if Veronica gets her hands on him again. That should get you emotional.”
Hailey’s expression darkened. “Yes. That does get me upset.”
I chose my words carefully, not wanting her to think I doubted her resolve or strength. “Hailey, this isn’t worth you hurting yourself. There are other ways.”
She jumped to her feet and glared down at me. “Not worth it? Don’t ever try to tell me saving you isn’t worth it. I don’t want to live in a world without you. Ok?”
I grinned, once again amazed by this incredible woman. “Understand it loud and clear.”
10
Hailey
Not worth hurting myself? Did he doubt how much I cared for him? He was crazy. Despite fighting it every turn I could, my intense love for Wyatt was no longer possible to deny. We were made for each other, and I wasn’t being overly dramatic when I told him I didn’t want to live in a world without him. I didn’t. We hadn’t even gotten the chance to truly be together. Part of that was my fault. Fighting destiny is a dangerous business. But beyond that life had gotten in the way. That seemed to be the story of my life. Anytime things seemed simple and quiet, something came out of the blue to send everything ablaze again.
I steeled myself. Now wasn’t the time to feel woeful about my lot in life. If we made it through all this alive, we’d search for some normalcy together. “We need to remove any of Veronica’s influence over you so we can focus on helping everyone else. Abilities or not.”
“Do we have time for that? We can’t just sit back.” Wyatt ran a hand over the stubble on his chain.
Glendale flipped his tail. “You don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?” I was getting tiresomely used to not getting things.
“That not only will Wyatt be of no service until he lets you help him, but he will be a liability.”
“Because he may actually cause harm…” The enormity of what Glendale was saying set in. I turned to Wyatt. “You stopped before because I was there, but what if I wasn’t? What if you’d…”
He cringed. “I understand the point, but do you really think this is possible? To break the strings?”
“What’s the alternative?” I looked deep into his eyes making sure there wasn’t more lurking under the surface he wasn’t telling me.
“I could stay far away…” Wyatt trailed off, carefully avoiding my eyes.
Glendale rolled his eyes. “Far away from Hailey. Right. I’d laugh, but I don’t feel like it.”
“Can you promise our friends are safe?” Once I knew that I could more easily focus on the issue at hand.
“They are safe.” Glendale moved to his feet and sauntered over in his graceful feline way. “Veronica can’t find them where I put them.”
“And Allie and Levi? Veronica isn’t going to do anything to them?” I may have been in the closest thing to a fight I’d ever had with Allie, but I’d still do anything to protect her.
Glendale settled down on the ground at my feet. “She won’t because Veronica isn’t in charge. Randolph is.”
“Well, will Randolph hurt them?” It didn’t really matter the who. “And who is Randolph?” Maybe it didn’t matter who hurt them, but it mattered who was in charge.
“Randolph was one of the most powerful demons out there.”
“Was?” Wyatt stood beside me.
“Yes. Was. Past tense. He took a gamble and gave away much of his power.” Glendale closed his eyes, and for a moment I thought he was sleeping.
“To you? Did he give the power to you?” I asked.
Glendale laughed. “Me? No? If I had Randolph’s power combined with mine, I wouldn’t be wasting my time with you. I wouldn’t need to worry about staying on your side.”
“I thought part of why you’re here is because you ‘kind of’ like us.” I put ‘kind of’ in air quotes.
“Like can only go so far. Besides, I only said if. As I don’t actually have such ability, I’m not going anywhere.”
Wyatt and I exchanged looks. Were we really putting all our faith in a cat who’d turn his back on us if he could? We didn’t have any other choice though, did we? “Ok. So, if he didn’t give you his power, what happened?”
“He wanted more power than he could muster himself. He picked some desperate magic practitioners and shared his power. He’s banking on his plan working out, but it requires that both of you get involved.”
“Wait. I thought he was already a really powerful demon.” I watched Glendale, waiting for him to finally open his eyes.
He opened one eye. “Yes, but who is ever content with their level of power? We all want more.”
“Speak for yourself,” I mumbled.
“Oh? Are you not the Pteron who has worked her whole life to prove she’s equal to her male counterparts? Are you not the one screaming for change?”
I brushed aside how weird it was that Glendale knew that about me. “I’m not screaming for anything. I’m pushing for change and equality. That’s not a quest for power.”
“Yes, it is. It’s a quest for an equality of power.”
“Ok. Forget I said anything about that. You said he needed both of us. What do we have to do with anything?” As infuriating as conversing with Glendale could be, we were gaining far more information than we’d been able to glean elsewhere.
“I’m still stuck on what he said earlier. He admitted he’d turn on us as soon as he no longer viewed us as helpful.” Wyatt glared.
“Come off that. We are working together now. You can trust me until Randolph is defeated and Hailey’s precious Society is safe. Ok?” Glendale opened his other eye. “Is that enough to finally move past this boring subject?”
“Fine.” Wyatt’s nodded tersely. “Explain why he wants Hailey as his third. She’s not a witch or sorceress.”
“Wait. What?” I looked between Glendale and Wyatt. “What third?”
“You must know what a third is.” Glendale watched me.
“Nope. Not at all,” I admitted.
“It is unbelievable how little your generation has been taught.”
“Yeah, I agree with you there.” It wasn’t worth arguing when he was completely right. “So please fill me in on this.”
“Randolph needs three powerful vessels to harness his power. It’s the only way he can survive.”
“Ok. And based on Wyatt’s response those vessels need to be witches and sorceresses?” I hated being the one who knew absolutely nothing about the issue at hand, but unfortunately, that couldn’t be helped. “Unless I’m missing something, that means I can’t be a vessel.”
“My guess is Randolph must have foreseen who you would become. He’s always had a bit of a prophetic eye.”
“Because being the most powerful demon isn’t enough,” Wyatt murmured.
“How do you think he got so powerful?” Glendale winked. At least it looked like he did.
“You mean he knew I’d become a Lightness? A Lightness is still not a witch.”
“No, but it means you have magical abilities. Powerful ones even if not in the traditional sense.”
“Ok. Accepting that. Why me? Why not use someone who has a better grasp of their abilities, if any magical being would do?”
“Who said any magical being would do? He needs powerful. You can’t get much more powerful than a Pteron-Lightness hybrid.”
“And what about the Emerald?” Wyatt interrupted. “What am I missing?”
“Emerald?�
�� I spun to Wyatt. “Is there really more I don’t know about?”
Glendale groaned. “We are going to be here all day if I have to explain everything to you two.”
“But how can we do anything if we don’t have the proper information?” That was generally the problem with everything. My entire generation of Pterons had been given an incomplete education, and we lacked the basic knowledge and tools to protect ourselves or our world from threats. “I assume this Emerald has something to do with Wyatt?”
“It does.” Glendale stretched his paws out in front of him. “It’s time for a history lesson. Make yourselves comfortable. This is going to be awhile.”
“I’d rather stand.” Relaxing in any way was out of the question.
A couch materialized out of thin air, and Wyatt and I were pushed down onto it.
Wyatt pressed a hand into the cushion beneath us. “I see you have learned some new tricks, Glendale.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you’ve noticed. Remember that when the war starts. As I said, there’s a reason I’m risking my neck to help you.”
“The war?” A shiver of fear ran up my spine. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ll weave this answer into your history lesson.”
I sighed. “Fantastic.”
“Is that sarcasm I detect?”
“Hailey sarcastic? Nope. None.” Wyatt put an arm around me, and I leaned into his side.
With everything going on I shouldn’t have enjoyed the comfort he offered, but I did. After my dungeon experience, I needed it. If we had to sit and listen, I might as well do it on my own terms.
“Don’t look so glum. I’ll try to make this interesting for you.” Glendale cleared his throat. “The Emerald Flame is a very old organization.”
“Yes. We’re aware of that.” Wyatt nodded in agreement.
“Are you going to interrupt after every single thing I say or just every few?”
“Not every single one.” Wyatt nudged me. I’d forgotten how similar our sense of humor was. I loved that he was joking around. Something felt so right about that, like finding some normalcy in an otherwise completely unnatural situation.
“If you could spare me your theatrics, I will give you the pertinent information as quickly as I can.” Glendale crossed one paw over the other.
Tempt_The Pteron Chronicles Page 7