by Donna Grant
They finished watching the video and heard a part of the conversation when a young woman near Mike’s age approached him. She led him to the section of books he was looking for, and then she helped him sort through them. It wasn’t until she handed him a volume that Mike put his phone away. The audio was still on, so they heard everything until he left the shop.
“What do you think?” Mike asked when it was done.
Dubhan jerked his chin to the phone. “Rewind to the part we watched several times. Can you enlarge the books in that case?”
“Sure,” Mike said and did as requested.
Kyra didn’t know what she expected the books to be about, but it certainly wasn’t paranormal romance.
Dubhan took the mobile phone and watched the entire video again, stopping and starting it, enlarging in places, and looking at every detail. During this, Kyra kept Mike busy.
“There was no man in the shop,” she said.
Mike shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry. I really wanted to help you.”
“You have. This lead could be nothing.”
“For you. Obviously, he found what he wanted,” Mike said with a grin as he nodded toward Dubhan.
Kyra laughed softly. “Tell me, what kind of vibe did you get from the store?”
“Vibe?” Mike gave her a skeptical look. “Are you some New Age people or something?”
“Depends on how you define New Age,” she replied with a flash of a smile. “In truth, I’ve always believed that everything gives off energy. Plants, animals, the ground, and most especially, people. You’ve run across those you knew not to approach, right?”
Mike shrugged, nodding his head. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“That’s someone who doesn’t want anyone bothering him. He gives off those negative vibes to keep others away. Although, there are some who don’t even realize they’re giving off such energy. Then there are those who you encounter that can turn your bad day good because of their positive energy that they share with others around them. And last but not least, you have those who suck the energy right out of you. Some do it on purpose, but people don’t even realize they’re doing it.”
Mike’s forehead was furrowed as he contemplated her words. “I’ve never thought of things that way, but you’re right.”
“So, knowing all of that, what was the energy like in the bookstore?”
“Calm,” he replied immediately. “It was peaceful. I wanted to stay longer, but when I noticed the time, I knew I should leave and report to both of you.”
Kyra didn’t say that it was probably some form of magic used. If those mortals were with the Others, then that meant they were likely Druids. While she knew there were a handful of Druids on the realm with enough magic to stand their ground with the Fae, for the most part, none of them were strong enough to take on one of the Fae.
“It was also clean.”
She raised her brows at his words. “That’s important?”
“There was no dust on the books. That means someone is cleaning regularly, right?”
“It would appear so.” Again, most likely magic.
Kyra glanced at Dubhan, but he was still enthralled with the video. It sucked not being able to watch it and comment with him, but that would have to happen later.
“Here is the rest of your money,” Kyra said and slid the folded bills across the table under a napkin. She had added an extra thousand to it, to give Mike the two grand he’d originally asked for.
Mike lifted the napkin and looked at the bills. “That’s too much.”
“You deserve every penny,” Dubhan said without looking up from the mobile screen.
Mike’s gaze moved from Dubhan to her. “There is more going on here, isn’t there?”
“There is always more to every story,” she answered.
The youth snorted and shook his head. “It’s okay. It’s probably better that I don’t know. If either of you needs anything again, I’m willing to help.”
Kyra smiled at the mortal. “We’ll definitely keep you in mind.”
Dubhan handed the mobile back to Mike. “Thank you.”
Kyra got to her feet. As she was turning away, she spotted the bag from the bookstore. She stopped and asked, “What books did you buy?”
“Two on how to start a business,” Mike said. “Then the girl suggested I try a fiction novel.”
Kyra shared a look with Dubhan before she asked Mike, “Do you mind if I look at the books?”
The mortal shook his head and passed her the bag. Kyra pulled out the two business books and handed them to Dubhan to look over. Then she withdrew a fantasy book with dragons on the cover. That wasn’t so out of the ordinary since many books in that genre had dragons in them. But it was the girl on the front with red eyes and silver in her black hair, holding an iridescent orb of magic between her hands that caught Kyra’s eye.
Without a doubt, the female was a Dark Fae.
Kyra showed it to Dubhan and looked at Mike. “Do you often read fantasy?”
“I’m not much into fiction. I don’t even watch a lot of television,” he explained. “I like to keep my feet firmly rooted in reality.”
Kyra laughed, a feeling of unease running through her. “Do you think there was any particular reason the girl showed you this book?”
Dubhan handed the novel to Mike while the mortal smiled. “I have no idea. I only bought it because I was hoping it would give me a chance to ask her out later.”
“Be careful,” Dubhan told Mike. “And if you need anything, simply say my name or Kyra’s.”
Mike jerked his head back, his face scrunching into folds of confusion. “Don’t you guys have a mobile?”
Kyra used her magic to make a cell appear. She pulled it out of her pocket and waved it at Mike. “Dubhan likes to tease people.” She gave him the number. “And send the video to me, please.”
“Doing it now,” Mike said.
They waved and walked out. When they were out of the shop, Kyra said, “I can’t believe you told him to just say our names. He already thinks we’re weird.”
“I bet he knows exactly what you are.”
She glanced at Dubhan and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“You didn’t see him look at you earlier. He knows you’re Fae, but he doesn’t want to say it.”
“It doesn’t really matter. I’m just glad he helped us. Did you see anything on the video?”
Dubhan maneuvered her into an alley before teleporting them to her cottage. “I only saw the symbol once, but it seemed out of place there. I heard and saw only the one girl working.”
“But you think there were others?”
“I do.”
Kyra’s mobile dinged, and she looked down to see a text from Mike with the video. “I have a feeling the girl knew exactly what Mike was doing.”
“If that’s the case, she had him purchase the fiction book on purpose. Maybe to show us she knows what we’re doing.”
Kyra thought about that for a moment. “I honestly don’t think Mike is working with or for the Others, but something is off.”
“How so?”
She shrugged, unable to find the words. “Mike said and did all the right things. He taped the entire visit at the store, even giving us audio when he couldn’t video it.”
“But?” Dubhan pressed.
“He could be lying.”
“The mortal isn’t lying.”
Dubhan’s eyes widened at the sound of the voice. Kyra whirled around and found a man and woman standing behind her. The man was tall with thick, black hair and deep purple eyes. He stared at her as if unsure of what he thought of her.
The woman was petite and so stunningly beautiful that Kyra was taken aback. The woman’s long, wavy, blue-black hair was braided on one side by her right ear before falling free with the rest of her locks. And her lavender eyes were locked on Kyra.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Dubhan said to them.
Kyra couldn’t lo
ok away from the woman. There was something commanding and powerful about her. Kyra wasn’t exactly frightened, but she wasn’t at ease either.
“We’ve been following both of you all morning,” the male said.
The woman stepped forward. “My name is Erith, though you might know me better as Death.”
The room began to spin as Kyra tried to remain standing.
All she could think was is this what it feels like to die.
Chapter Fifteen
For the first time, Dubhan felt fear. It gripped him tightly, squeezing the air from his lungs—and common sense from his brain.
“Following us?” Dubhan questioned.
Cael’s purple gaze locked on him, daring him to question Death further. Dubhan had to actually clench his teeth to stop the words he yearned to speak. Being a Reaper meant never questioning Erith.
This was the first time Dubhan had ever done such a thing. He didn’t regret it, though. He might serve Death, but he wouldn’t stand by while Cael killed Kyra simply because she had been smart enough to figure out he was a Reaper.
“I see our presence has upset both of you,” Erith stated calmly. She gave Kyra a smile. “There’s no need to be frightened of me.”
“I beg to differ,” Kyra said, her voice shaking. “You’re Death.”
Dubhan moved to stand beside Kyra. He didn’t say anything as his and Cael’s gazes remained locked.
It was Death who blew out a breath. “Dubhan, I knew the moment you looked into my eyes and accepted my offer to join the Reapers that you would always remain loyal. For you give such allegiance only to those who have earned it in your eyes. I see that same devotion in you for Kyra.”
Dubhan wasn’t prepared for Death’s words. He looked into her lavender eyes. “You earned my loyalty, and I will always be one of your Reapers.”
“But?” Erith urged when he grew quiet.
“Kyra deserves to live,” he said. “She got caught up in magic, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it was her intelligence that helped her figure out who we were.”
Cael quirked a brow as he asked, “And her ability to find you?”
Dubhan still couldn’t quite explain that. “I don’t know.”
“I do,” Erith said as her eyes moved to Kyra.
Kyra shifted nervously. “It’s not a spell. I swear. I just kept thinking about him, and the next thing I knew, he was there.”
“I know.” Death’s lips curved into a grin. “You are one of the Kavanaughs, Kyra. You can take away the pain of others, which is a rare gift in itself. That is how I know you didn’t use a spell to find Dubhan.”
Dubhan looked from Erith to Kyra, thoroughly confused. “What?”
“We followed you today, remember?” Cael asked. “During that time, we did a little investigating of our own and discovered Kyra was from the ancient Kavanaugh line. The original one.”
Death nodded. “Which is how I realized how Kyra found you.”
“Wait. Ancient? Original?” Kyra asked, dumbstruck. “You must be mistaken. My family line isn’t that old.”
Cael chuckled as he shook his head. “Actually, it’s one of the oldest Fae families. There are thirty books from each of the ancient lines, but the Kavanaughs go back even further. Your family is one of the founding five.”
Dubhan wasn’t sure who was more shocked, him or Kyra. He’d known she was special, but he hadn’t realized just how much. “Why does that matter?”
“Because every few generations there is one gifted with a special power,” Erith explained. Her gaze returned to Kyra. “Those who have this unusual ability are able to locate their other half, but only after meeting them.”
Silence filled the room.
Kyra swallowed, the sound loud in the stillness. She didn’t look Dubhan’s way, and he tried not to be offended—especially after just learning that the only way she could’ve found him was if they were soulmates. To say that he was speechless was the understatement of the millennia.
“I never heard anyone in my family speak of this . . . power,” Kyra finally said.
Cael shrugged. “From what I understand, few in your family even talk about the ability to take pain from others.”
“That’s true.” Kyra drew in a ragged breath. As she did, her fingers reached out and curled around his.
Dubhan wanted to shout for joy at that simple action. He held her hand firmly, letting her know that he was there, that he would always stand beside her. It surprised him, this sudden emotion.
“We can discuss all of this at a later date,” Death said. “Right now, we have more pressing issues.”
Cael crossed his arms over his chest, distaste filling his face. “The Others.”
Dubhan cleared his throat. “You said Mike told us the truth.”
“He did, but he wasn’t the only one involved in all of this,” Erith said.
Kyra frowned as she glanced at Dubhan. “I didn’t lie. And if neither Dubhan, I, nor Mike lied, then who did?”
“The girl in the bookstore,” Erith answered.
“But . . . how did you enter? It’s warded against Fae.”
Dubhan turned his head to Kyra and said, “Erith is a goddess. While she does pass judgment on the Fae, she isn’t one of us.”
Kyra’s eyes widened as they swung to Death. “Oh. I see.”
“What was the girl lying about?” Dubhan asked.
Erith lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “That human is a Druid, which you already figured out. Her family was one of the original mies to join the Others.”
Kyra’s gaze moved to the side, her brow furrowed. “I still have yet to understand why the mies would join the Others. The droughs it’s easy to understand. Those Druids who gave themselves to evil and all the power that came with it.”
“I don’t care why they did it,” Cael said in a tone edged with the barest hint of anger. “I just want them to leave this realm and never return.”
Dubhan ran a hand over his mouth and jaw. “You said the female was lying to Mike. Do you think she knew we sent him?”
“Yes,” Erith replied with a single nod.
Kyra asked, “How do you know that?”
“I just do.” Death looked at Cael a moment before her gaze slid to Dubhan. “I believe Mike will be safe, but the Others—or at least those who wish to be with the Others or are associated with them—now have both of you on their radar. They don’t know you’re a Reaper, but that could change.”
Dubhan wasn’t afraid of some group. He’d always been willing and eager for battle. It was the only thing he’d known for most of his life. It wasn’t until the Reapers that he learned what a true family was, and even then, not until Eoghan had taken over as leader.
Dubhan had siblings, but he didn’t think of them as family. His fellow Reapers and Death, they were his family. He learned to trust and be trustworthy from them.
“The Others have their sights set on the Dragon Kings,” Death continued. “But I have a feeling if they discover the Reapers, then they will come after us.”
“And both of you,” Dubhan said, nodding his head to her and Cael. “You’re a goddess, and Cael is now a god.”
Kyra’s mouth fell open in surprise. “If both of you have such power, why not just get rid of the Others now?”
“This realm is the Dragon Kings’ domain. They have guarded it and defended it numerous times.” Death drew in a breath and then slowly released it. “They made the decision to allow the humans to live here, and it cost them everything. But even then, it didn’t diminish the Kings. If anything, it made them stronger. The Others believe they’ve weakened the Dragon Kings.”
Cael dropped his arms to his sides. “Perhaps they have.”
Erith shook her head, smiling. “No.” Then her lavender eyes moved to Kyra. “It isn’t my duty or Cael’s to take down the Others. But more than that, I have faith in the Kings to stand against the Others on their own and fight them.”
“There isn’t a Fae
alive who doesn’t know and respect the Dragon Kings. They are immensely powerful, and I’m sure they can take down the Others themselves, but should they? If you judge the Fae, and the Fae are part of the Others, why aren’t the Reapers involved?” Kyra asked.
Dubhan didn’t even hide his smile. He happened to agree with Kyra. And he loved that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind in front of Death.
It was Cael who said, “I don’t disagree with you, Kyra, but there is more to the Others than you know. And I’m not sure we’re only dealing with the Others here. The humans didn’t just arrive on this realm one day. They were brought by a group of Druids from another realm.”
“I’m not sure how that changes things,” she said and looked at Dubhan for a moment. “If this realm is home to the Fae because the Kings allowed it, and some of those same Fae have joined forces with others to take down the Dragon Kings—as the Others or not—don’t those of us who know now have an obligation to stand with the Kings against them? I know I will, regardless of what anyone else does. Because to do nothing is akin to siding with the Others against the very beings who share this incredible realm with us.”
Dubhan couldn’t take his eyes from Kyra. He had never been able to put his thoughts and feelings into words, but she had done it with ease—and without any condemnation.
“I like her,” Cael said.
Dubhan faced Kyra. “You would stand with the Dragon Kings against your own?”
“If there are those who want to take down the beings who are honorable and good simply because they are powerful, then . . . absolutely,” Kyra answered.
Dubhan then looked from Cael to Erith. “I serve you. I will always serve you, and I will always follow your commands. However, Kyra made an excellent point. The Others were created because they feared the Dragon Kings. What will they do when they learn of us? Or you?”
“They wouldn’t live a second longer,” Erith stated, anger burning in her eyes.
Cael sighed and turned his head to Death. “I know why we’ve stayed out of things. We weren’t needed in the latest battle against Usaeil, but this is different.”