I shook those dark thoughts from my head. We didn’t hurt innocents, but we didn’t protect them either. I was the only one who seemed to care, probably because I was the only one who lived among them, who shared their home. I was the only one who knew what it was like to live without magic.

  “What’s this world coming to? All those poor people.” Harry shook his head. “I don’t buy into all this Be Your Best Self stuff, but they’re only trying to improve themselves.”

  This was exactly what the Directorate had wanted to avoid. This was why the meetings were at nine o’clock in the morning midweek. They had wanted to attract people who wouldn’t be missed. They didn’t understand that’s not how it works.

  It wasn’t just magic folk I was trying to save. It was these people too. No one else was concerned with them. I was the only person who could help, and I didn’t have the first clue what I should do.

  My phone buzzed with a text notification from Deacon.

  I’ve got news.

  34

  A part of me wanted to ignore Deacon’s text and stay at Harry’s. After all these years, this job was wearing on me. But as tempting as it may be, I hadn’t been raised to be a spectator. I got my hands dirty so that others could sit comfortably in their homes and only hear rumors and reports of trouble but never confront the trouble itself. So I dutifully went back to Sybil’s, dreading being alone with Deacon after the way I’d left things.

  In a rare stroke of luck, Sybil had returned, mitigating the awkwardness with Deacon. As soon as I walked in the door, she embraced me in a hug. I had a hunch I’d have to get used to hugging with Sybil around.

  “I’m so glad you got some rest,” Sybil said as she pulled away. “You’re going to need it.”

  “Drake’s summoned us,” Deacon said from behind Sybil, getting right to the point. Dread filled his face, and I imagined I mirrored it.

  “Well then it’s a good thing we don’t work for him.” The last thing I wanted was to see Drake. I knew I deserved whatever dressing down was coming to me, but there was nothing Drake could say that would make me feel worse than I already did. Indulging his ego by coming when he called would do nothing for us.

  Deacon shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I’m bound by my pledge of fealty to the Syndicate. I must go.”

  Dammit. I wasn’t about to leave my partner in a lurch. Even if I didn’t mind letting him face Drake alone, it wasn’t safe. Given their history, I felt confident that if left alone together, one of them wouldn’t get out. If I were being honest, though, me going only increased the chances that there’d be a fight. I wasn’t exactly a great peacemaker, but I did know how to stand by my partner. I wouldn’t make Deacon explain my absence. “Then I guess I’m going too.”

  Deacon’s expression relaxed a little, but he was polite enough to give me an out. “You don’t have to.”

  “Yes, I do.” I locked eyes with him, communicating that this was non-negotiable. The gratitude that filled his face stirred something inside me. Yesterday he had almost died because of me, because I hadn’t correctly interpreted the intelligence I had access to. I didn’t deserve his gratitude. He deserved mine.

  “And I’ll chaperone,” Sybil said.

  “Excuse me?” Had Deacon told her what happened between us earlier? Or rather, what almost happened?

  “I’m not stupid.” Sybil put her hands on her hips and looked between the two of us. I kept my face innocent, not believing she was actually going there. “If I let the two of you go alone, someone’s going to end up dead. And even though I personally wouldn’t shed any tears over Drake, it’s a whole lot of trouble that we could do without.”

  My lips twitched with the urge to laugh. At least Sybil thought we would win. “Then we should get this over with. Can you port us there?”

  “Of course!” Sybil clapped her hands then gestured for Deacon and me to come closer. “Keep your cool, and if things get tense, let me do the talking.” She grabbed our hands and ported us to the Syndicate compound.

  All around the courtyard, dragons roared, shaking their heads and flapping their wings. Agony rent the air. The unearthly sound twisted my heart, making it difficult to breathe. I’d expected Drake’s wrath. The sight of dragons mourning scared me more.

  The three of us walked as quickly as we could while remaining respectful. I couldn’t wait to get indoors where the walls would dampen the sound. When we reached the large ornate doors, Sybil stepped forward to ring the bell, but before she could, the door opened. A man glared at us as he held the door. I assumed some order from Drake prevented him from attacking us. Clearly something prevented him because the look in his eyes was clear.

  Walking through the marble entryway, I wanted to flee, but Deacon had to be here so I squared my shoulders and walked through that place like I owned it. Outside of the great room, I steeled myself just as I would before a mission. The doors opened and Drake stood from his chair wearing a perfectly tailored suit. He seethed, and I could swear smoke came from his nostrils. All around him men and women sat with red-rimmed eyes and angry expressions. All this time I’d worried about Drake and hadn’t even considered that we were walking into a compound full of dragon shifters. Deacon sank to his knee as he did before, but this time I at least understood the extinct to show humility and submission.

  “You are either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish showing up here after what you did,” Drake said.

  “You’re the one who asked us to come.” I wouldn’t indulge his theatrics.

  “No, I summoned him.” The sneer on his face as he looked at Deacon practically begged me to slap it, but I stood my ground.

  “Well, we’re a package deal now. If you want him, you’re going to have to deal with me too.” It was amazing how confidence and courage coursed through me when faced with an asshole. “We both know I’m the one you have a problem with, so the next time you want to see me, don’t take the cowardly route by calling Deacon.”

  “What did you say to me?” Drake rushed at me, and Deacon stepped between us. I hoped it was to keep me from clocking Drake and not because he thought I needed protection.

  Sybil joined Deacon. As the most neutral party, she stood the best chance at diffusing the situation. “She only meant that we’re all upset by what happened.”

  It dawned on Drake that attacking the Oracle and the Dragon Fae would not be the best move, and he backed up a few steps, forcing his expression and demeanor to relax into a less threatening posture. “What’s happened is catastrophic. I recalled everyone who’s left. You’re going to have to find some other way to fight your battles.”

  “How many have died?” I asked, dreading the answer.

  “So far I know of thirteen.”

  Thirteen. Thirteen dragon shifters, already an endangered species, killed. And all because of me. I had been the one to convince them. What kind of hero was I? How could I be the Dragon Fae if I sent dragons to their death? I felt physically ill. I had killed more times than I could count. I’d seen plenty of death, but I’d never had thirteen people die as a result of something I asked them to do.

  The Directorate weren’t just trying to attack the feast, they were trying to lure dragon shifters away from the Syndicate headquarters. Here on Earth, they were vulnerable, they just didn’t realize it. Here they couldn’t shift into dragon form in public. That left them without their greatest weapon.

  “Is there some place we can speak in private?” I asked, pleading with my eyes. “I’m deeply sorry for what happened. I only want to discuss how we can prevent further violence.”

  “Very well. Follow me.” Drake swept out of the room and took us down the hall. To my utter mortification, my phone rang. Drake stopped, deathly still, then slowly turned. “Would you like to answer that?”

  I may be brave, but I didn’t have a death wish. I silenced the ringer and looked at who had called. Trevor. I could only hope things were going better for him than they were for me. “No. Nothing’s more important to me right now than this meeting.”

  Drake turned and resumed walking. He led us to a richly appointed office. A giant oak desk carved in the shape of a dragon’s head took up much of the space. He gestured to a group of black leather chairs while he took the seat behind the desk. “Tell me what it is you wanted to say.”

  Drake wouldn’t listen to me. In his eyes, I was the woman who convinced him to send thirteen of his shifters to their deaths. However, a part of him respected the Oracle. So I asked her, “Sybil, are you the only one who’s been prophesying that the Dragon Fae would return this year?”

  “No, why? Are you wanting verification? It’s a little late for that.”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m just trying to figure out something.”

  Sybil shrugged. “There’s been a lot of rumbling. The mages have been predicting it. The elves as well. The sorcerers, of course. The general consensus is that the Dragon Fae will appear soon.”

  “What does this have to do with anything?” Drake demanded. “Dragon Fae or not, I’m not endangering my people for you.”

  “I understand. Just follow me here.” I looked back at Sybil. “Why did we originally think that the Directorate was going to attack the feast? Where did that idea originally come from?”

  “We knew there were plenty of rumors going around that the Dragon Fae would come this year. The Circle also picked up increased chatter about it from the Directorate. We thought they were going to attack the feast in order to prevent the Dragon Fae from coming and snuff out all hope.”

  “So one of their motives wasn’t strictly terrorizing. At least part of their motivation came from wanting to prevent the Dragon Fae from coming at all.”

  “I suppose you could say that,” Sybil said.

  “And what is absolutely essential for the Dragon Fae? What is one thing that she must have?”

  Deacon fell back in his chair. “You’re right.”

  “What are you talking about?” Sybil asked.

  “In order for there to be a Dragon Fae, there has to be a dragon shifter companion,” Deacon said. “If they can kill the dragon shifters, then there’s no Dragon Fae.”

  “They have to know that they wouldn’t be able to take them all out,” Sybil said.

  I shook my head. “They don’t have to take them all out, just enough to devastate them, just enough to make sure none of them want anything to do with me.” The silence in the room confirmed the truth in my words. “We played right into their hands. They would never be able to attack the dragon shifters at Syndicate headquarters. So why even try? Why when you could get them to come one by one to you? This way they can take out the Dragon Fae without ever having to identify her.” I turned to Drake. “Please, you have to see that you’re doing exactly what they want by withdrawing your support.”

  Drake’s eyes narrowed in consideration. “My first concern must be the welfare of dragon shifters.” He shook his head. “I can’t endanger more of them. You have Deacon. He’ll have to be enough. Even if I thought helping you was the right move, I’d have a mutiny on my hands if I asked my people to stand by you after this.”

  “But don’t you see, Your Highness?” I placed my palms on the desk and leaned over to him. “You were destined to help the Dragon Fae. Your family raised you for it. You protected the void blade until its time came. You are fulfilling destiny.” I felt sure speaking to his pride and vanity would work.

  His eyes perked at the word “destiny,” but the spark quickly faded. “I have to put the welfare of the dragon shifters above my place in history, otherwise none of this matters. I was raised first and foremost to protect my people.”

  “And what about all the other people who are going to die? All the magic folk and humans?”

  “They are not my concern.”

  I straightened, removing my hands from his desk. “Then I guess that’s where we differ. I’m concerned for all innocent life.”

  “I don’t have that luxury, but I can rest assured that you have the rest of the world covered while I protect my little corner of it.” He stood and buttoned his suit coat. “I must return to mourning with my people. Our security charms will allow you to port out or you have my promise of safe passage should you wish to exit the way you came.” Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the office.

  Who would have thought there was something Drake Fafnir valued more than his own ego? Out of all the ways this could have gone, I hadn’t expected his altruism to be our undoing.

  35

  There was no need to discuss our options. Sybil reached out her hands to touch me and Deacon, and she ported us back to her apartment. Despite Drake’s assurances that we could pass safely through his compound, none of us wanted to test the patience of angry, mourning dragon shifters.

  “That could have gone worse,” Sybil said, optimism shining through her voice. I supposed on the grand scale where death was a possibility, it could have gone worse. It could have gone a lot better, though. “I’m going to report back to Alistair.” She disappeared into her bedroom, leaving me and Deacon alone together for the first time since our encounter this morning.

  “This has hit Drake hard. It’s hit all of us hard,” Deacon said as he sat on the sofa. Sorrow hung in his eyes. For the first time, I thought of Deacon as part of that dragon shifter family. In my mind, it had been us and them, but it wasn’t so simple for Deacon. He likely knew some of the shifters who had died. Deacon looked up at me. “He may change his mind. Give him time.”

  “We don’t have time.” I sat beside him. “We have to proceed under the assumption that we won’t be getting any help from the shifters.”

  Deacon nodded in understanding. I felt wretched that he didn’t get any time to mourn with his people. He’d spent his entire life protecting dragons and dragon shifters. Now, thanks to his partner, thirteen had died at once. Placing a hand on his arm I said, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  His gaze met mine, letting me see the naked sorrow there. He didn’t mask it or put on an act. He let me see his suffering. “Thank you.”

  The air hung thick around us, two people who’d been given an impossible task. We may have the help of Sybil and Alistair, but when it came down to it, we were the ones on the ground doing the fighting. The responsibility of failure rested on our shoulders. Every death drove us that much harder to prevent more while also making victory seem that much further from our grasp.

  I wanted to reach out to Deacon to comfort him, but the only thing I could do was keep working. Breaking the atmosphere that had settled around us, I pulled out my phone. I couldn’t dwell on what happened with Drake. I could do nothing to change his mind at this point. Trevor, on the other hand, could help. He hadn’t left a voicemail, but he had texted me to call him. He picked up on the first ring.

  “Hey, Trevor. What have you got for me? Good news, I hope.”

  “Yeah, I got lucky. A friend pulled through and got me some information that I needed.” Trevor paused. When he continued, his voice was softer. “I need you to keep this between us. You see, I might know someone who kind of, sort of, works for the FBI.”

  “No, don’t tell me you told them about the explosives. I buried them.”

  “I know you did,” Trevor said in a rush. “I trust you. The FBI doesn’t know anything that would hurt you. I just got the information I needed to hack into some systems in order to track down something.”

  If the FBI ever interfered with my work, I don’t know that I’d be able to keep the Circle from ordering something drastic. “Okay, so what did you find?”

  “You asked me to see if I could figure out where the materials came from. Turns out we got really lucky. You see, these weren’t homemade devices. The more I looked at what you left, the more I realized that it was important that each explosive be identical. But, fully assembled, it’s harder to transport them without being detected. I mean, no one’s going to arrest you for having the wire or plastic casing or whatever. All the actual explosive material was purchased through a demolition company. That was the easy part to figure out. There was also pretty intricate electrical work and some fancy computer chips, stuff you can’t exactly buy off-the-shelf. That’s where my hacking skills came in. I did some looking around, and there is one guy who specializes in this sort of thing. Lucky for us, the FBI has eyes on him.”

  “How is that lucky?” I failed to see how FBI surveillance helped us.

  “Since I have access to some of the FBI files, I got his address. Without the FBI, there’s no way I’d be able to find this guy.”

  An address was excellent. That meant we could interrogate him. Between me and Deacon, we should be able to get him to talk. “Does that mean if I go in and question him I’m going to be on the FBI’s radar?”

  “Yeah, unless you do some sort of…you know…your magic stuff.”

  Shit, that was a complication I really didn’t want. “How far away could someone be and still detonate these?”

  “I don’t know. This guy would be able to tell you. From the looks of it, he’s all about the money. I mean, what ideological reason could he have for helping the kind of people you track down?”

  “Money won’t be an issue.” The Circle could quite literally produce it out of thin air. “Thanks for this.”

  “No problem. I’ll text you all the details.”

  Deacon, who’d been listening in the entire time, waved his hand in front of my face and made a gesture as if he were typing on a computer.

  “Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I was calling you for another reason too. Can you set it up so I get a notification as soon as a new message is posted to any of the Be Your Best Self sites? I specifically want to know if a meeting is scheduled for Saturday. I expect there will be quite a few meetings.”

  “No problem. That’ll be a breeze compared to this last assignment. I’ll text you when I have something.”

  The line went dead and a few seconds later a text came through with an address.

 

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