T a bl e of Con t en t s

T it le Pa g e

Copy r ig h t Pa g e

Dedica t ion

Ch a pt er On e

Ch a pt er T w o

Ch a pt er T h r ee

Ch a pt er Fou r

Ch a pt er Fiv e

Ch a pt er Six

Ch a pt er Sev en

Ch a pt er Eig h t

Ch a pt er Nin e

Ch a pt er T en

Ch a pt er Elev en

Ch a pt er T w elv e

Ch a pt er T h ir t een

Ch a pt er Fou r t een
Ch a pt er Fift een

Ch a pt er Six t een

Ch a pt er Sev en t een

Ch a pt er Eig h t een

Ch a pt er Nin et een

Ch a pt er T w en t y

Ch a pt er T w en t y -on e

T ea ser ch a pt er
 Pr a i se for Ka t i e Ma cA l i st er ’s Si l v er Dr a gon s Nov el s

Up in Smoke

“ Filled w it h a ct ion … y et t h er e is a lso plen t y of h u m or a n d

a ffect ion .” —Midw es t Book Review

“ T h is za n y pa r a n or m a l, w it h it s m a dca p plot a n d scr ew -ba ll

ch a r a ct er s, w ill w or k it s m a g ic w it h Ma cA list er ’s m a n y fa n s
a n d m a k e som e n ew on es a lon g t h e w a y .”

—Book lis t

“ A n a ct ion -pa ck ed, n ev er -a -du ll-m om en t t h r ill r ide.”

—Rom a n ce Nov el T V

“ Ms. Ma cA list er w or k s h er h u m or -filled m a g ic t o en t er t a in

r ea der s w it h t h e a ct ion a n d scor ch in g r om a n ce t h a t k eeps t h em
g lu ed t o t h e pa g es.” —Da r qu e Rev iew s

“ A n u pbea t , fu n n y pa r a n or m a l… . Y ou w on ’t be disa ppoin t ed!”

—Rom a n ce Rea der a t Hea r t

“ Ms. Ma cA list er h a s don e it a g a in a n d pr ov ided m e w it h a n

en joy a ble a n d v er y en t er t a in in g ser ies t o r ea d!”

—T h e Rom a n ce St u dio

“ Up in Sm ok e … m a y n ot be a s la u g h -ou t -lou d h ila r iou s a s t h e

A islin g Gr ey ser ies bu t is n o less fu n , en t er t a in in g , or
a ddict iv e.” —A Rom a n ce Rev iew

Playing with Fire

“ I’m w a it in g w it h ba t ed br ea t h for t h e n ex t Silv er Dr a g on
n ov el. Ms. McA list er pr ov es a g a in a n d a g a in t h a t sh e is on e of
t h e best pa r a n or m a l a u t h or s ou t t h er e.”

—A Rom a n ce Rev iew

“ Ms. Ma cA list er w or k s h er cr ea t iv e m a g ic a n d a dds a fa bu lou s

n ew la y er t o h er w or ld of sex y dr a g on s. T h e dia log is a s w it t y a s
ev er … . Playing w ith Fire h a s a ll of t h e da n g er -filled a ct ion ,
st ea m y r om a n ce, a n d w on der fu l h u m or t h a t fa n s k n ow a n d
lov e.” —Da r qu e Rev iew s

“ It ’s pa ck ed w it h a ll h er sig n a t u r e h ila r it y a n d a dv en t u r e, a s
w ell a s m a n y fa m ilia r fa ces. T h e cliff-h a n g er en din g w ill lea v e
y ou br ea t h less.” —Rom antic Tim es

Pr a i se for Ka t i e Ma cA l i st er ’s
A i sl i n g Gr ey , Gu a r di a n , Nov el s

Holy Smokes
“ [A ] com edic, h ot , pa r a n or m a l ca per .” —Book lis t

“ A w on der fu lly a m u sin g r ela t ion sh ip dr a m a … a la u g h -ou t -lou d

t a le.” —Midw es t Book Review

“ Hy st er ica l… . Ma cA list er h it s t h e h u m or bu t t on dea d-on … .

T h is ca st of w a ck y —if som ew h a t da n g er ou s—ch a r a ct er s m a k es
for g ig g les g a lor e, w h ile a lso pr odu cin g som e h a ir -r a isin g
a dv en t u r es. Ma cA list er h a s w r it t en a cu r e for t h e com m on
blu es!” —Rom antic Tim es

Light My Fire

“ Cr a zy pa r a n or m a l h ig h jin k s, delig h t fu l ch a r a ct er s, a n d
sim m er in g r om a n ce.” —Book lis t

“ On ce a g a in Ka t ie Ma cA list er k n ock s on e ou t of t h e box w it h t h e

t h ir d book in t h e A islin g Gr ey ser ies. Light My Fire … t a k es y ou
on a n on st op t h r ill r ide fu ll of sa r ca st ic w it , v er v e, a n d a ct ion
r ig h t t o t h e en d. Clea r y ou r da y beca u se y ou w ill n ot pu t t h is
book dow n u n t il it is fin ish ed.” —A Rom a n ce Rev iew

“ T h er e is lot s of en joy m en t t o be h a d… .T h is is a ‘st a y in g u p la t e

t o see w h a t h a ppen s n ex t ’ st or y .”

—The Rom ance Reader

“ On ce a g a in A islin g Gr ey w ill fir e u p r ea der s… . On ce a g a in

Ka t ie Ma cA list er pr ov ides a h u m or ou s fa n t a sy .”
—Midw es t Book Review

Pr a i se for Ka t i e Ma cA l i st er ’s Da r k On es Nov el s

Zen and the A rt of V ampires

“ A jocu la r , a ct ion -pa ck ed t a le … [a ] w on der fu l za n y

ser ies.” —Midw es t Book Review

“ Ha s a ll of t h e pa r a n or m a l a ct ion , r om a n ce, a n d h u m or t h a t
fa n s of t h e a u t h or look for in h er book s. T h is is a fa st -m ov in g
r ea d w it h sizzlin g ch em ist r y a n d a t ou ch of su spen se.” —Da r qu e
Rev iew s

“ Pia T h om a son ju st m ig h t be m y fa v or it e h er oin e ev er … a n

en t r a n cin g st or y , a n d a v er y g ood esca pe.”

—The Rom ance Reader

“ I com plet ely lov ed Zen and the Art of Vam pires ! … T h e
ch em ist r y bet w een Pia a n d Kr ist off sizzles a ll t h e w a y t h r ou g h
t h e n ov el… . I don ’t t h in k I ca n w a it for t h e n ex t Da r k On es
in st a llm en t ! Plea se h u r r y , Ka t ie!”

—Rom a n ce Ju n k ies
“ St ea m y .” —Book lis t

T he Las t of the Red-Hot V ampires

“ Ma cA list er ’s fa st -pa ced r om p is a delig h t w it h a ll it s qu ir k y

t w ist s and t u r n s, w h ich ev en in clu de a m u r der
m y st er y .” —Book lis t

“ A w ild, za n y r om a n t ic fa n t a sy … . Pa r a n or m a l r om a n ce r ea der s
w ill en joy t h is m a dca p t a le of t h e log ica l ph y sicist w h o fin ds
lov e.” —T h e Best Rev iew s

“ A fa scin a t in g pa r a n or m a l r ea d t h a t w ill ca pt iv a t e y ou .”

—Rom a n ce Rev iew s T oda y

“ A plea su r a ble a ft er n oon of r ea din g .”

—The Rom ance Reader

“ T h e sex y h u m or , w ild secon da r y ch a r a ct er s, a n d ou t la n dish

ev en t s m a k e h er n ov els pu r e esca pist plea su r e!”

—Rom antic Tim es

 A l so by Ka t i e Ma cA l i st er

Paranorm al Rom ances

CROUCHING V A MPIRE, HIDDEN FA NG,

A Da r k On es Nov el
ZEN A ND T HE A RT OF V A MPIRES,
A Da r k On es Nov el

UP IN SMOKE, A Nov el of t h e Silv er Dr a g on s

PLA Y ING W IT H FIRE, A Nov el of t h e Silv er Dr a g on s

HOLY SMOKES, A n A islin g Gr ey , Gu a r dia n , Nov el

LIGHT MY FIRE, A n A islin g Gr ey , Gu a r dia n , Nov el
FIRE ME UP, A n A islin g Gr ey , Gu a r dia n , Nov el
Y OU SLA Y ME, A n A islin g Gr ey , Gu a r dia n , Nov el

T HE LA ST OF T HE RED-HOT V A MPIRES
EV EN V A MPIRES GET T HE BLUES

Contem porary Rom ances

BLOW ME DOW N
HA RD DA Y ’S KNIGHT
T HE CORSET DIA RIES
MEN IN KILT S
 SIGNET
Pu blish ed by New A m er ica n Libr a r y , a div ision of
Pen g u in Gr ou p (USA ) In c., 3 7 5 Hu dson St r eet ,
New Y or k , New Y or k 1 0 0 1 4 , USA
Pen g u in Gr ou p (Ca n a da ), 9 0 Eg lin t on A v en u e Ea st , Su it e 7 0 0 ,
T or on t o,
On t a r io M4 P 2 Y 3 , Ca n a da (a div ision of Pea r son Pen g u in
Ca n a da In c.)
Pen g u in Book s Lt d., 8 0 St r a n d, Lon don W C2 R 0 RL, En g la n d
Pen g u in Ir ela n d, 2 5 St . St eph en ’s Gr een , Du blin 2 ,
Ir ela n d (a div ision of Pen g u in Book s Lt d.)
Pen g u in Gr ou p (A u st r a lia ), 2 5 0 Ca m ber w ell Roa d, Ca m ber w ell,
V ict or ia 3 1 2 4 ,
A u st r a lia (a div ision of Pea r son A u st r a lia Gr ou p Pt y . Lt d.)
Pen g u in Book s In dia Pv t . Lt d., 1 1 Com m u n it y Cen t r e,
Pa n ch sh eel Pa r k ,
New Delh i - 1 1 0 0 1 7 , In dia
Pen g u in Gr ou p (NZ), 6 7 A pollo Dr iv e, Roseda le, Nor t h Sh or e
06 3 2 ,
New Zea la n d (a div ision of Pea r son New Zea la n d Lt d.)
Pen g u in Book s (Sou t h A fr ica ) (Pt y .) Lt d., 2 4 St u r dee A v en u e,
Roseba n k , Joh a n n esbu r g 2 1 9 6 , Sou t h A fr ica

Pen g u in Book s Lt d., Reg ist er ed Offices:

8 0 St r a n d, Lon don W C2 R 0 RL, En g la n d

Fir st pu blish ed by Sig n et , a n im pr in t of New A m er ica n

Libr a r y , a div ision of Pen g u in Gr ou p (USA ) In c.

Fir st Pr in t in g , Nov em ber 2 0 0 9

Copy r ig h t © Ka t ie Ma cA list er , 2 0 0 9
eISBN : 9 7 8 -1 -1 0 1 -1 5 1 3 1 -0
 A ll r ig h t s r eser v ed

REGIST ERED T RA DEMA RK—MA RCA REGIST RA DA

W it h ou t lim it in g t h e r ig h t s u n der copy r ig h t r eser v ed a bov e,

n o pa r t of t h is pu blica t ion m a y be r epr odu ced, st or ed in or
in t r odu ced in t o a r et r iev a l sy st em , or t r a n sm it t ed, in a n y for m ,
or by a n y m ea n s (elect r on ic, m ech a n ica l, ph ot ocopy in g ,
r ecor din g , or ot h er w ise), w it h ou t t h e pr ior w r it t en per m ission
of bot h t h e copy r ig h t ow n er a n d t h e a bov e pu blish er of t h is
book .

PUBLISHER’S NOT E
T h is is a w or k of fict ion . Na m es, ch a r a ct er s, pla ces, a n d
in ciden t s eit h er a r e t h e pr odu ct of t h e a u t h or ’s im a g in a t ion or
a r e u sed fict it iou sly , a n d a n y r esem bla n ce t o a ct u a l per son s,
liv in g or dea d, bu sin ess est a blish m en t s, ev en t s, or loca les is
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T h e pu blish er does n ot h a v e a n y con t r ol ov er a n d does n ot
a ssu m e a n y r espon sibilit y for a u t h or or t h ir d-pa r t y W eb sit es or
t h eir con t en t .

T h e sca n n in g , u ploa din g , a n d dist r ibu t ion of t h is book v ia t h e

In t er n et or v ia a n y ot h er m ea n s w it h ou t t h e per m ission of t h e
pu blish er is illeg a l a n d pu n ish a ble by la w . Plea se pu r ch a se on ly
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en cou r a g e elect r on ic pir a cy of copy r ig h t ed m a t er ia ls. Y ou r
su ppor t of t h e a u t h or ’s r ig h t s is a ppr ecia t ed.
h t t p://u s.pen g u in g r ou p.com
To m y friend Brian Murphy, for m ak ing m e laugh,
teas ing m e m erciles s ly, and letting m e rant
w ithout once telling m e to s uck it up, buttercup.
 Ch a pt er On e

“ Off w it h h er h ea d!”
I look ed ov er m y la pt op scr een a t t h e m a n w h o st ood in t h e
cen t er of t h e sit t in g r oom , poin t in g w it h a fin e dr a m a t ic fla ir a t
a w om a n in t h e door w a y .

“ I dem a n d t h a t y ou pu n ish t h a t … t h a t … dr a g on for

in su bor din a t ion !”

“ Oh , y ea h , lik e that’s g on n a h a ppen ,” a v oice m u t t er ed fr om

t h e floor .

Ma g ot h n a r r ow ed h is ey es on t h e dog ly in g in a pa t ch of
su n lig h t , r ea din g t h r ou g h a st a ck of n ea r -por n og r a ph ic g r a ph ic
n ov els. “ I h a v e n ot g iv en y ou per m ission t o spea k in m y
pr esen ce, dem on .”

“ Her e’s a n ew s fla sh for y ou —y ou ’r e n ot a pr in ce a n y m or e, so I

ca n sa y w h a t I lik e. Rig h t , Ma y ?”

I w a s a bou t t o n od, bu t t h ou g h t bet t er of g iv in g t h e dem on in

dog g y for m ca r t e bla n ch e t o do a s it w illed. My ex per ien ce w it h
Jim m ig h t n ot h a v e been g r ea t , bu t it h a d been su fficien t t o
g iv e m e pa u se. “ No, y ou ca n sa y w h a t A islin g t old y ou w a s
a llow a ble t o sa y w h en sh e sen t y ou t o st a y w it h u s. A n d if I
r eca ll, t h e w or ds ‘Don ’t lip off t o a n y on e, for a n y r ea son ,
a n y t im e, ev er ’ w er e in clu ded in h er in st r u ct ion s.”

Jim , w h ose fu ll dem on n a m e of Effr ijim w a s deem ed t oo g ir lie

by it s ow n er t o be u sed in a n y t h in g bu t for m a l cer em on ies,
g r in n ed, n ot a n ea sy t a sk con sider in g it bor e t h e for m of a la r g e,
sh a g g y bla ck New fou n dla n d dog . “ A ct u a lly , I t h in k sh e sa id if I
pissed y ou off, sh e’d ba n ish m e t o t h e A k a sh a u n t il t h e ba by w a s
old en ou g h t o v ot e, bu t ev er y on e k n ow s doppelg a n g er s don ’t g et
pissy ea sily , so it ’s a ll copa cet ic.”

“ W er e w e in A ba ddon a t t h is m om en t ,” Ma g ot h t old t h e
dem on , t h e w or ds com in g ou t a s a g r ow l, “ y ou w ou ld be on y ou r
belly beg g in g for m y m er cy . It w ou ld be a u seless g est u r e—
n on et h eless, I w ou ld a llow y ou t o con t in u e beg g in g , w h ile
w r it h in g in t or m en t so g r ea t y ou w ou ld plea d for dest r u ct ion ,
u n t il su ch t im e a s I g r ew t ir ed of y ou r scr ea m s of a bsolu t e,
u t t er , en dless a g on y .”

“ Y ea h , y ea h ,” Jim sa id, t u r n in g ba ck t o it s g r a ph ic n ov el.

“ Been t h er e, don e t h a t , h a v e t h e ‘My dem on lor d t or m en t s m e
for fu n ’ T -sh ir t .”

Ma g ot h pu ffed h im self u p u n t il I t h ou g h t h e w a s g oin g t o

ex plode. I con sider ed w h et h er t h e clea n in g bill w ou ld be w or t h
t h e en t er t a in m en t v a lu e t o be fou n d t h er ein , bu t decided
a g a in st it . “ W h a t ’s t h e pr oblem , Ma a t a ?” I a sk ed in st ea d,
sh ift in g m y g a ze t o t h e w om a n w h o st ood a t t h e door , w a t ch in g
u s w it h n ot icea ble a m u sem en t in h er silv er ey es.

Sh e h eld on t o a pla cid ex pr ession . “ Ma g ot h —”

“ Pr in ce of A ba ddon Ma g ot h , t o y ou , dr a g on ,” t h e m a n in
qu est ion sa id. “ Or Lor d Ma g ot h . Or ev en , His Un h oly Hig h n ess
Ma g ot h .”

“ Ma g ot h ,” Ma a t a r epea t ed, “ t r ied t o g et in t o t h e ba sem en t .

Again.”

I r a ised on e ey ebr ow a t t h e ex iled dem on lor d, for m er silen t -

film st a r , a n d bea r er of a (lit er a lly ) cu r sed pen is a s h e st or m ed
a r ou n d t h e r oom in im pot en t r a g e. Bein g bor n a n in cr edibly
h a n dsom e m a n in possession of su lt r y look s t h a t h a d w om en
t h r ow in g a w a y t h eir bet t er ju dg m en t s (a n d som et im es sou ls)
ov er t h e cen t u r ies, Ma g ot h h a d n o r ea son t o a dopt a for m ot h er
t h a n h is n a t u r a l on e. Not , I n ot ed silen t ly t o m y self, t h a t h e
cou ld n ow if h e w a n t ed.

“ Y ou see h ow I a m t r ea t ed? T h is is in t oler a ble, w ife! I in sist

t h a t y ou lesson t h is m in ion ! I w ill n ot be t old by a m er e sla v e
w h a t I m a y or m a y n ot do! Sh e t h r ea t en ed m e w it h v iolen ce!
Me! Sh e deser v es a len g t h y a n d in v en t iv e pu n ish m en t for
da r in g t o t r ea t m e in su ch a n in su ppor t a ble m a n n er !”

“ It w a s m y fa u lt . He u sed m y ba t h r oom br ea k t o g et pa st m e
t o t h e en t r a n ce of t h e la ir ,” Ma a t a sa id, a polog y r ich in h er
v oice. “ He w on ’t do so a g a in .”

“ It w a s t h e m er est of coin ciden ces t h a t I w a s in t h e ba sem en t

a t t h e ex a ct m om en t t h e sla v e w a s ou t of t h e r oom ,” Ma g ot h
sn iffed, a dopt in g a self-r ig h t eou s ex pr ession t h a t I didn ’t for on e
m om en t bu y .

“ Y ou sn ea k ed pa st m e w h en I w a s in t h e ba t h r oom ,” Ma a t a
a ccu sed.

“ I a m a dem on lor d! I do n ot sn ea k !” h e sa id, ou t r a g ed.

“ On e,” I sa id, t ick in g it off on a fin g er , “ y ou ’r e n o lon g er a

dem on lor d. A t lea st n ot t ech n ica lly . T w o, Ma a t a is on e of
Ga br iel’s elit e g u a r ds, n ot a sla v e, a n d y ou w ill t r ea t h er w it h
t h e r espect du e h er . A n d t h r ee, I’m n ot y ou r w ife, so st op ca llin g
m e t h a t .”

“ Y ou ’r e m y con sor t ,” h e in sist ed, h is ey es n a r r ow in g on m e.

 “ Y ou de-con sor t ed m e w h en y ou fou n d ou t y ou ’d been k ick ed
ou t of A ba ddon , r em em ber ?”

“ I spok e in t h e h ea t of t h e m om en t . Y ou k n ow fu ll w ell t h a t I
h a v e n ot con du ct ed div or ce pr oceedin g s. Un t il it plea ses m e t o
r em ov e y ou fr om t h a t posit ion ” —h e sm iled, a n d I t h a n k ed m y
st a r s t h a t w e w er en ’t in A ba ddon , or I m ig h t h a v e lost a few bit s
of m y sou l t o t h a t sm ile—“ or u n t il y ou die, y ou w ill r em a in m y
con sor t .”

“ T h a n k y ou for t h a t r eit er a t ion of dem on lor d pr ot ocol.”

In side m e, deep in side m y ch est , t h e sh a r d of t h e dr a g on h ea r t
t h a t I bor e st ir r ed, t r ig g er ed a s a lw a y s by a n y t h r ea t or st r on g
em ot ion . I cla m ped dow n h a r d on it , pr a ct icin g t h e con t r ol I’d
been w or k in g so h a r d t o w ield. I sm iled a t Ga br iel’s body g u a r d.
“ T h a n k s, Ma a t a . I’ll t a k e ca r e of t h is.”

“ Bet t er y ou t h a n m e,” sh e a n sw er ed w it h a w r y sm ile a s sh e

left .

“ Y ou w a n t m e t o r ou g h h im u p a lit t le?” Jim a sk ed, r isin g a n d

w a lk in g slow ly t ow a r d Ma g ot h .“ I’d g o st r a ig h t for h is n oog ies,
bu t t h a t cu r se g iv es m e t h e w illies. Ha ! W illies! Get it ?”

“ Go a h ea d a n d t r y ,” Ma g ot h sa id, h is ey es g lit t er in g w it h a n
u n h oly lig h t .

Jim pa u sed, sh oot in g m e a w or r ied look . “ Y ou sa id h e doesn ’t

h a v e a n y pow er s h er e, r ig h t ?”

“ He’s w it h ou t a bou t n in et y -fiv e per cen t of h is pow er , y es,” I

a n sw er ed.

Jim fr oze. “ Oh , m a n ! I t h ou g h t y ou sa id all of h is pow er w a s

g on e!”
 “ It is. W ell, a ll bu t a bou t fiv e per cen t , a s best a s w e ca n
fig u r e.”

“ Fiv e per cen t ? Geez, Ma y ! W e’v e g ot t o h a v e a lit t le t a lk a bou t

t h e differ en ce bet w een a dem on lor d w it h ou t a n y pow er , a n d
on e w it h en ou g h t o squ a sh fla t a six t h -cla ss dem on !”

Ma g ot h sm iled a g a in . A lit t le bla ck t en dr il of pow er sn a pped

a t Jim .

T h e dem on y elped a n d ba ck ed t ow a r d t h e door . “ Fir es of

A ba ddon , ca n ’t y ou t a k e a jok e? I w a s ju st fu n n in g , Y ou r
Im per ia l Da r k a n d T w ist ed Ma jest y . Er … I t h in k Hart to Hart is
on t h a t r et r o-T V -sh ow ch a n n el. Y ou k n ow h ow I lov e m e som e
St efa n ie Pow er s. Ca t ch y a la t er , Y ou r Em in en ce of Un h oly
Da r k n ess.”

I g a v e Ma g ot h m y fu ll con sider a t ion a s t h e door sh u t beh in d

Jim . It w a s t r u e t h a t ov er t h e la st six w eek s w h ile Ma g ot h h a d
liv ed w it h u s, Ga br iel a n d I h a d det er m in ed t h a t t h e dem on lor d
h a d r et a in ed on ly a t in y fr a ct ion of h is pow er s, bu t y ou don ’t
becom e a pr in ce of A ba ddon w it h ou t pick in g u p a few t r ick s.

“ Y ou k n ow t h e ba sem en t a n d a r ea s below a r e off-lim it s u n t il

t h e w or k m en a r e don e, Ma g ot h . W e ex pla in ed t h a t t o y ou w h en
t h ey st a r t ed bu ildin g t h e la ir .”

His ex pr ession sh ift ed fr om ou t r a g e t o su llen discon t en t . “ A s

t h e m or t a ls sa y , y ou a r e n ot t h e boss of m e.”

“ Per h a ps n ot , bu t y ou a r e h er e on su ffer a n ce, a fa ct I a m

oblig ed t o poin t ou t y et a g a in . Ir r it a t in g Ga br iel by a t t em pt in g
t o for ce y ou r w a y in t o h is la ir is g oin g t o do n ot h in g bu t g iv e
h im du e ca u se t o boot y ou r bu t t ou t in t o t h e st r eet .”
 He oiled h is w a y a r ou n d t h e desk a t w h ich I sa t , a n d t r a iled a
fin g er u p m y a r m a s h e m ov ed beh in d m e. I fou g h t t h e u r g e t o
sh iv er , h is t ou ch so cold it leech ed t h e h ea t fr om t h e a ir a r ou n d
m e. “ A h , bu t y ou w ou ldn ’t a llow y ou r sca ly boy fr ien d t o do
t h a t , w ou ld y ou , m y sw eet , sw eet Ma y ?” He br u sh ed a qu ick ,
fr ig id k iss on t h e ba ck of m y n eck . Ben ea t h t h e desk , m y h a n ds
t ig h t en ed in t o fist s, pa in pr ick in g m y pa lm s. I k n ew w it h ou t
look in g t h a t m y fin g er s h a d ch a n g ed in t o lon g , sca r let t a lon s.
T h e dr a g on sh a r d u r g ed m e t o sh ift , en t icin g m e w it h m en t a l
v ision s of Ma g ot h ly in g dea d on t h e floor a t m y feet .

I w a s sor ely t em pt ed t o g iv e in t o t h e sh a r d, bu t I r em in ded

m y self t h a t on ce I g a v e m y self u p t o it , t h er e w ou ld be n o g oin g
ba ck . Mu ch a s I lov ed Ga br iel, a s h a ppy a s I w a s bein g t h e m a t e
t o a pow er fu l—n ot t o m en t ion w it t y , u r ba n e, a n d in cr edibly
sex y —w y v er n , I did n ot w a n t t o spen d t h e r est of et er n it y a s a
dr a g on .

“ Y ou ’v e been w a r n ed a bou t t ou ch in g m e,” I m a n a g ed t o sa y

in a n eu t r a l v oice. T h e dr a g on sh a r d fou g h t h a r d t o dom in a t e
m e, bu t I h a dn ’t su r v iv ed a s Ma g ot h ’s sla v e for a lm ost a
h u n dr ed y ea r s w it h ou t lea r n in g h ow t o con t r ol m y em ot ion s.

His cold br ea t h t ou ch ed m y n eck for a m om en t lon g er befor e

w isdom ev iden t ly g ot t h e bet t er of h im . He pu sh ed a side m y
la pt op a n d la y on t op of t h e desk in a sedu ct iv e pose, on e h a n d
la n g u idly g est u r in g t ow a r d h is body . “ Y ou w a n t m e.”

“ I w a n t Ga br iel,” I sa id, st r u g g lin g in w a r dly a s t h e dr a g on

sh a r d on ce a g a in t h r ea t en ed t o ov er w h elm m e.

He sm iled a g a in , bu t t h is w a s a sm ile of sedu ct ion , n ot

pr om ised r et r ibu t ion . “ Y ou r dr a g on m a y sa t isfy y ou r
doppelg a n g er n eeds, bu t t h e a n im a l w it h in y ou w a n t s m e,
sw eet Ma y . I ca n feel it .”

“ I a m n ot a n a n im a l,” I sa id, m y v oice t a k in g on a r ou g h t on e.

I clea r ed m y t h r oa t , det er m in ed t o k eep m y u su a l u n fla ppa ble
dem ea n or w it h h im , n o m a t t er h ow m u ch h e pr ov ok ed m e.

He lea n ed for w a r d slig h t ly , h is ey es h a lf-lidded. I r ecog n ized

t h e sig n s—h ea v en k n ew I’d been t h e r ecipien t of h is sedu ct ion
a t t em pt s oft en en ou g h . If I ju st let h im w or k h im self t h r ou g h
t h e w or st of it , ev en t u a lly I’d be a ble t o dist r a ct h im w it h som e
ot h er in t er est in g m en t a l t idbit . Ma g ot h w a s a lw a y s a t t r a ct ed
by sh in y t h in g s, be t h ey t a n g ible or in t a n g ible.

“ T ell m e y ou don ’t feel it , a s w ell,” h e sa id, h is g a ze

a t t em pt in g t o dr a w m e in t o t h e sedu ct ion . He didn ’t h a v e
en ou g h pow er t o pu t a t h r a ll on m e—a fu ll-fledg ed sex u a l
en ch a n t m en t of sor t s—so it w a s sim ply a m a t t er of dist r a ct in g
h im w it h a su it a bly in t er est in g con v er sa t ion a l offer in g .

T o m y su r pr ise, sh ock , a n d u t t er h or r or , in st ea d of pa ssin g

a lon g a ben ig n bit of A ba ddon g ossip, I fou n d m y self lea n in g
for w a r d u n t il m y lips br u sh ed h is.

T h e dr a g on sh a r d sw a m ped m e w it h em ot ion s, h ot a n d
for eig n , a n d su dden ly ou t of t h e con fu sin g m a ss ca m e a bu r n in g
desir e t o m a t e w it h h im .

“ No,” I g a sped, sh ov in g m y self a w a y fr om t h e desk , a w a y

fr om Ma g ot h . Hor r or cr ept u p m y flesh . Nev er on ce sin ce I’d m et
Ga br iel h a d I con sider ed Ma g ot h w it h a n y t h in g bu t loa t h in g
a n d ir r it a t ion . W h a t w a s g oin g on t h a t I w a s n ow r espon din g t o
h im ?

I pu lled u p a m en t a l pict u r e of t h e m a n I lov ed w it h a ll m y

h ea r t , r em em ber ed t h e w a r m la t t e-color ed br ow n sk in , t h e
dim ples t h a t m a de m y k n ees g o w ea k , t h e fla sh of m er cu r ia l
silv er ey es, t h e fir es h e a lon e st ir r ed in m e, m a k in g m e bu r n for
h im . Only for h im .

I st a m ped ou t t h e t in y lit t le fla m e t h a t a ppea r ed on t h e floor .

“ Y ou see? T h e bea st y ou bea r sa y s y es, sw eet on e. Giv e in t o it .

Let m e sh ow y ou w h a t ex qu isit e plea su r e I ca n br in g y ou .”

I h a d t o for ce m y leg s t o ba ck u p. T h e n eed w a s g r ea t in m e t o

t a k e ju st w h a t h e offer ed, so g r ea t it a lm ost h a d m e ca st in g
com m on sen se t o t h e w in d. “ It ’s n ot a bea st . It ’s on e-fift h of t h e
dr a g on h ea r t , a n d it does n ot r u le m e. Y ou ca n st op t r y in g t o
sedu ce m e, beca u se it sim ply w on ’t w or k . A n d m u st I r em in d
y ou w h a t Ga br iel sa id h e’d do t o y ou t h e la st t im e h e ca u g h t y ou
t r y in g t o m a k e lov e t o m e?”

“ I don ’t m a k e lov e. I m a k e ecst a sy ,” h e a n sw er ed, bu t h is

h a n ds t w it ch ed pr ot ect iv ely t ow a r d h is g r oin befor e h e st opped
t h em . “ No m a t t er h ow m u ch y ou pr ot est , m y a dor a ble on e, t h e
fa ct r em a in s t h a t w e bot h k n ow t h e h on ey m oon w it h y ou r
dr a g on is ov er , a n d it ’s m e y ou t r u ly w a n t .” He slid off t h e desk
a n d st a lk ed t ow a r d m e.

“ St op t r y in g t o g et a look a t Ga br iel’s la ir , st op g et t in g in
Ma a t a ’s w a y , a n d st op t r y in g t o sedu ce m e,” I sa id, ba ck in g
t ow a r d t h e door . I jer k ed it open a n d w a s t h r ou g h it befor e h e
cou ld a n sw er , a lt h ou g h t h e sou n d of h is m ock in g la u g h t er
follow ed m e a s I r a ced dow n t h e h a ll t o t h e st a ir s t h a t led dow n
t o t h e ba sem en t .

Ma a t a w a s sit t in g on a ch a ir a t t h e bot t om of t h e st a ir s,
r ea din g a book . Sh e g la n ced u p a s I lea ped dow n t h e la st cou ple
of st a ir s, h er ey ebr ow s g oin g u p a t t h e sig h t of m y flu sh ed fa ce.
Sin ce I w a s n or m a lly a ca lm , possessed per son , I k n ew sh e
r ecog n ized sig n s t h a t t h e sh a r d w a s dr iv in g m e t o dist r a ct ion .

“ W h er e is h e?” I a sk ed.

Sh e k n ew ex a ct ly w h om I w a s t a lk in g a bou t . “ Ex a m in in g t h e
lock . T h ey g ot t h e door u p.”

“ T h a n k s.” I didn ’t w a it t o ch a t , ju st bolt ed for t h e h ole t h a t

w a s cu t in t o t h e cem en t floor , cla t t er in g dow n t h e m et a l la dder
set in t o t h e w a ll u n t il I r ea ch ed t h e r ock y bot t om . Lig h t s h u n g
dr u n k en ly fr om t h e ceilin g , a da n k , ea r t h y sm ell h ea v y in t h e
a ir . It w a sn ’t su r pr isin g , g iv en t h a t t h e w or k m en h a d ju st
ex ca v a t ed t h is su bt er r a n ea n la ir ov er t h e la st m on t h , dig g in g
deep in t o t h e ea r t h t o cr ea t e a ser ies of t om blik e pa ssa g es t h a t
en ded in a la r g e r oom w h er e Ga br iel w ou ld k eep h is m ost
pr eciou s it em s.

T w o g u a r ds a ppea r ed a s I ju m ped t h e la st few feet t o t h e ea r t h

a n d st on e floor . T h ey sm iled a s I fled pa st , sca t t er in g g r eet in g s
beh in d m e a s I dodg ed a n ot h er t h r ee silv er dr a g on s w h o w er e
lou n g in g a r ou n d on v a r iou s pa ck in g cr a t es.

My u n seem ly h a st e w a s ca u se for a m u sem en t , I k n ew , bu t

n on e of t h a t m a t t er ed a t t h e m om en t . Ga br iel’s people—n ow
m in e—m ig h t be a m u sed by t h e fa ct t h a t I cou ldn ’t con t r ol t h e
dr a g on sh a r d, bu t t h ey u n der st ood w ell w h a t dr ov e m e.

A n ot h er m et a l la dder dow n t o a low er , a lm ost oppr essiv ely

deep lev el, a n d t h e en t r a n ce of t h e la ir r ose befor e m e. T h e door
w a s m et a l, su ch a s t h ose fou n d on la r g e ba n k v a u lt s,
pon der ou sly h ea v y , im per v iou s t o ex plosiv es a n d ot h er dev ices
in t en ded t o br ea ch it s t h ick n ess. T h r ee h ig h -t ech lock s a n d a
r et in a sca n n er k ept ev en t h e m ost pr oficien t of sa fecr a ck er s a t
ba y . T h e spells t h a t w ou ld be w ov en in t o t h e door w ou ld com e
la t er , I k n ew , en su r in g sa fet y fr om t h ose bein g s w h o possessed
sk ills bey on d t h ose of t h e m or t a l w or ld.

I sk idded t o a st op a t t h e door , seein g on ly on e dr a g on pr esen t .

“ Ga br iel?” I a sk ed T ipen e, t h e secon d of Ga br iel’s elit e g u a r d.

He t ipped h is h ea d t ow a r d t h e door . “ T h ey ’r e t est in g t h e

secu r it y sy st em .”

I con sider ed w h et h er I w ou ld be a ble t o la st t h e t en m in u t es or

so it w ou ld t a k e befor e Ga br iel a n d t h e secu r it y ex per t s w ou ld
em er g e. I k n ew t h e a n sw er ev en a s I lea n ed in t o a llow t h e
r et in a sca n n er t o ex a m in e m y ey es befor e I m ov ed dir ect ly in
fr on t of t h e door , m y ey es on t h e lock .

T ipen e w a t ch ed m e w it h in t er est a s I sh ook ou t m y h a n ds,

t r y in g desper a t ely t o clea r m y m in d en ou g h so I cou ld “ t a lk ” t o
t h e lock .

“ I’v e n ev er u n der st ood w h y doppelg a n g er s ca n do t h a t ,” h e

com m en t ed a s I la id m y h a n ds on t h e lock , closin g m y ey es t o
con cen t r a t e.

“ I h a v e n o idea , eit h er . I’m ju st g r a t efu l I ca n do it .”

“ I don ’t t h in k y ou ’r e g oin g t o h a v e m u ch lu ck . T h is is a
Ma cGy v er 5 1 2 t it a n iu m ca r bon m a g n et ic elect r on lock ,
ca libr a t ed on t h e a t om ic lev el. It ’s a bsolu t ely t op-of-t h e-lin e, n ot
ev en r elea sed t o t h e pu blic y et . I k n ow y ou ca n open m ost lock s,
bu t I dou bt if ev en y ou w ill be a ble t o g et t h r ou g h it , Ma y .”

“ W e’ll see.” I per su a ded t h e lock t o open a few of it s secr et s u p

t o m e, pr obin g it s dept h s, n ot in g w it h in t er est ju st h ow in t r ica t e
a n d w ell m a de it w a s. Most lock s a llow ed m e t o open t h em w it h
n ot h in g bu t a t ok en r esist a n ce, bu t t h is on e w a s differ en t . It
didn ’t r espon d a t a ll t o t h e u su a l per su a sion s, m a k in g m e r esor t
t o br u t e st r en g t h . A s I w or k ed m y w a y t h r ou g h t h e m a n y lev els
of t h e lock , I m a de a m en t a l n ot e t o t ell Ga br iel t h a t t h er e w er e
som e ca ses w h er e ov er desig n w a s n ot t o t h e g ood.

T h e la st of t h e t u m bler s fin a lly g a v e w a y u n der t h e for ce of

m y w ill, a llow in g t h e st eel r ods t o w it h dr a w sm oot h ly in t o t h e
body of t h e lock . I flu n g a qu ick sm ile a t T ipen e’s g og g lin g w h en
I jer k ed t h e door open .

“ How —?” h e st a r t ed t o sa y , bu t I didn ’t w a it a r ou n d t o g loa t .

A t t h e sou n d of t h e door open in g , t h e t h r ee m en w h o st ood in

t h e v a u lt con su lt in g a clipboa r d t u r n ed t o look a t m e.

I ig n or ed t w o of t h em , flin g in g m y self on t h e t h ir d.

“ Lit t le bir d!” Ga br iel’s v oice, a r m s, a n d pr esen ce w r a pped

t h em selv es a r ou n d m e, m a k in g m e feel a s if I’d com e h om e a ft er
a lon g jou r n ey .

W it h bla t a n t disr eg a r d for bot h dr a g on et iqu et t e a n d m or t a l

m a n n er s, I k issed h im , n eedin g t h e r ea ssu r a n ce t h a t on ly h e
cou ld pr ov ide m e.

“ I don ’t believ e it ,” on e of t h e t w o m en sa id a s I du g m y fin g er s

in t o Ga br iel’s soft dr ea dlock s, t u g g in g on t h em t o m a k e h im
g iv e m e w h a t I w a n t ed. “ Sh e didn ’t ju st open t h a t lock . It ’s
im possible. It ’s ju st im possible. No on e ca n open t h a t lock . Ma y be
w e didn ’t close it pr oper ly … .”

“ Fir e,” I w h isper ed in t o Ga br iel’s m ou t h .

 His dr a g on fir e spu n t h r ou g h m e, set t in g m e a bla ze w it h h is
m olt en h ea t .

“ It w a s closed,” t h e secon d m a n sa id, cen su r e in h is v oice.

“ A n d a s y ou ca n see by t h e fa ct t h a t t h e silv er m a t e is r ig h t
h er e, I t h in k it ’s a ll t oo clea r t h a t t h e lock is n ot a s im possible t o
defea t a s y ou r com pa n y h a s cla im ed. If I’v e t old on e dr a g on , I’v e
t old a h u n dr ed—t h e best secu r it y sy st em in t h e w or ld w on ’t do
a n y g ood so lon g a s t h e door is ea sily br ea ch ed.”

“ My lock s a r e n ot ea sily br ea ch ed,” t h e fir st m a n sn a r led.

“ T h is h a s t o be a n a n om a ly .”

“ W h a t ’s w r on g ?” Ga br iel a sk ed, fin a lly disen g a g in g h is

t on g u e fr om m in e.

“ W e h a v e g ot t o g et r id of Ma g ot h .” I didn ’t w a n t t o sa y m or e
in fr on t of t h e ot h er m en . Ga br iel t r u st ed t h em t o con st r u ct h is
la ir , bu t n eit h er on e of t h em w a s a dr a g on , a n d I w a sn ’t su r e
h ow fa r h is t r u st w en t .

“ Hey , Ma y , ju st t h ou g h t y ou ’d lik e t o k n ow t h a t Ma g ot h fou n d

y ou r w a llet a g a in , a n d is on t h e ph on e w it h y ou r Ma st er Ca r d in
h is h a n d. Hey , Ga be, h ow t h ey h a n g in ’? Oooh . Nice la ir . Is t h a t
a Ma cGy v er 5 1 2 y ou g ot t h er e? Dr a k e h a s on e on or der .” Jim
st epped a r ou n d t h e t w o secu r it y ex per t s a n d ca st a n in t er est ed
ey e a r ou n d a t t h e w or k in pr og r ess.

“ Ist v á n dr opped it off a cou ple of da y s ea r ly ,” I ex pla in ed a t

Ga br iel’s su r pr ised ex pr ession . “ Ev iden t ly Dr a k e feels t h a t sin ce
A islin g ’s du e da t e h a s com e a n d pa ssed, ev er y on e w ou ld be m or e
com for t a ble w it h ou t Jim m a k in g r efer en ces t o h er ex plodin g
lik e a n ov er r ipe pea ch .”
 “ T h e w or d w a s a ct u a lly ‘pim ple,’ bu t y ea h , Dr a k e t h r ea t en ed
t o ch op m e u p in t o dem on ch ow if I didn ’t g et ou t of t h e w a y ,”
Jim sa id w it h a bsolu t e n on ch a la n ce. “ Bu t it ’s a ll g ood, beca u se
A sh m a de Ma y m y t em por a r y boss w h ile sh e’s bu sy poppin g ou t
t h a t ba by , a n d Ma y lov es m e. Rig h t , Ma y ?”

Ga br iel’s qu ick silv er ey es fla sh ed fr om t h e t w o m en , n ow

a r g u in g ov er t h e r ela t iv e m er it s of w a r ds v er su s ba n es (t h e
la t t er bein g w ea k ish cu r ses t h a t w er e n on et h eless ex t r em ely
pow er fu l, a n d v er y difficu lt t o br ea k ). “ W h a t h a s Ma g ot h don e
n ow ?”

“ W e ju st h a v e t o g et r id of h im ,” I sa id in a low v oice, h opin g

h e cou ld r ea d t h e m essa g e in m y ey es. “ Im m edia t ely .”

“ Rig h t , Ma y ?” Jim r epea t ed, a lit t le m or e for cefu lly . “ Y a lov e

m e, r ig h t ? I’m da m a n ?”

Ga br iel ex a m in ed m y fa ce. “ Ha s h e t ou ch ed y ou ?”

I sig h ed, h oldin g u p m y h a n d. Ra t h er t h a n n or m a l, slig h t ly

fr eck led fin g er s, it w a s m a de u p of lon g , eleg a n t silv er dig it s
t ipped w it h sca r let cla w s. “ T h e dr a g on sh a r d isn ’t w or k in g
cor r ect ly . It seem s t o be con fu sed. A n d t h e soon er Ma g ot h is
g on e, t h e soon er I ca n st r a ig h t en it ou t .”

“ W h o’s y ou r da ddy ? T h a t ’s r ig h t —in cr edibly h a n dsom e, a n d

m a n ly in a fu r r y sor t of w a y , Jim is! I’m a ll y ou r s, sw eet ch eek s,
du ly a u t h or ized by A sh t o su bm it t o y ou r ev er y w h im a n d
desir e, especia lly t h e on es t h a t in v olv e g iv in g m e food a n d belly
scr a t ch es.”

“ Y ou don ’t m ea n …” Ga br iel’s ey es open ed w ide.

I n odded.
 “ I’ll k ill h im .”

T h e w or ds w er e spok en soft ly , a n d in Ga br iel’s n or m a l

v elv et y t on es, bu t t h e u n der ly in g t h r ea t w a s so g r ea t it m a de
m y blood g r ow cold.

“ W h oa , n ow ! No offen se in t en ded,” Jim sa id, ba ck in g a w a y . “ If

y ou don ’t w a n t Ma y g iv in g m e belly scr a t ch es, I ca n g et t h em
elsew h er e. W or d of a dv ice, t h ou g h , Ga be—y ou m a y w a n n a
t h in k a bou t sw it ch in g t o deca f.”

“ Y ou ca n ’t ,” I sa id sa dly , t h e dr a g on sh a r d, con t en t a t h a v in g
st ir r ed t h in g s u p, su bsidin g in t o silen ce a s r ea son r et u r n ed t o
m e. “ He’s st ill im m or t a l, a n d t h er e’s a ch a n ce w e ca n u n loa d
h im ba ck in t o A ba ddon .”

A t h in lit t le cu r l of sm ok e esca ped h is n ose. For som e r ea son ,

t h a t a lw a y s ch a r m ed m e. I lea n ed in t o g iv e h im a qu ick lip
n ibble a n d k iss.

“ Oh , y ea h , n ow , t h a t ’s w h a t I’m t a lk in ’ a bou t ,” Jim sa id fr om

t h e foot of t h e m et a l la dder .

I sh ot t h e dem on a g la r e, a n d poin t ed. “ Lea v e!”

“ I w a s ju st —”

“ Lea v e!” I or der ed a g a in . “ Go t ell Ma g ot h if h e or der s ju st on e

m or e it em fr om t h a t h ig h -en d sex sh op, I’ll st ick h is t w elv e-in ch
g low -in -t h e-da r k spik ed dildo w h er e t h e su n don ’t sh in e.”

Jim g a v e m e a w ou n ded look befor e it obey ed m y com m a n d.

“ A n d I t h ou g h t y ou w er e g oin g t o be fu n . Y ou ’v e been h a n g in g
a r ou n d A islin g t oo m u ch —y ou r ea lly h a v e.”
 “ Com e in h er e,” Ga br iel sa id, pu llin g m e deeper in t o t h e
cooln ess of t h e sem ifin ish ed la ir . St eel- a n d ir on -lin ed t o
m in im ize t h e effect iv en ess of a n y m a g ica l a t t a ck s a g a in st it , t h e
la ir r esem bled a sm a ll w in e v a u lt , w it h lon g , g lea m in g sh elv es
w a it in g for t h e pla cem en t of t r ea su r e h e h eld in En g la n d. “ A r e
y ou su r e, lit t le bir d? Y ou w er e n ot t h in k in g of m e, a n d t h e sh a r d
r ea ct ed t o t h a t ?”

I sm iled a n d k issed t h e t ip of h is n ose. “ I lik e t h e fa ct t h a t y ou

don ’t for on e m om en t t h in k I r ea lly w a s a t t r a ct ed t o Ma g ot h .”

“Tch.” He m a de a dism issiv e g est u r e. “ Y ou lov e on ly m e. I

k n ow t h a t y ou cou ld n ev er be a t t r a ct ed t o h im .”

I didn ’t en lig h t en h im t o t h e fa ct t h a t Ma g ot h h a d, pr ev iou s t o

m y m eet in g Ga br iel, com e v er y close t o sedu cin g m e. “ Mu ch a s
t h in k in g a bou t y ou does st ir t h e dr a g on in side m e, in t h is ca se,
it w a sn ’t du e t o t h a t . A n d y et , I don ’t t h in k it w a s r ea lly
r ea ct in g t o h im , eit h er . It w a s a s if …” I pa u sed, t r y in g t o sor t
t h r ou g h t h e u n fa m ilia r em ot ion s t o for m t h em in t o som e
sem bla n ce of sen se. “ It w a s a s if t h e sh a r d w a s r ea ct in g t o w h a t
h e r epr esen t ed—a da r k , da n g er ou s pow er . I’v e n ev er felt lik e
t h a t a r ou n d Ma g ot h befor e, so I ca n on ly a ssu m e t h a t , for som e
r ea son , t h e sh a r d is su dden ly w a n t in g pow er .”

“ T h a t doesn ’t m a k e sen se,” Ga br iel sa id, sh a k in g h is h ea d so

h is sh ou lder -len g t h dr ea dlock s t r em bled. “ T h e sh a r ds of t h e
dr a g on h ea r t h old pow er t h em selv es. T h ey w ou ld n ot seek
m or e.”

“ It doesn ’t m a k e sen se t o m e, eit h er . I’m ju st t ellin g y ou w h a t

it felt lik e, a n d t h a t I’d r ea lly lik e t o see t h e la st of Ma g ot h .
Ma y be I sh ou ld sen d Ba el a n ot h er e-m a il—”
 “ No.” Ga br iel lea n ed for w a r d a n d k issed m e sw ift ly , h is lips
dem a n din g a n d a g g r essiv e. “ I w ou ld pr efer y ou n ot becom in g
in v olv ed w it h A ba ddon .”

“ I’m con sor t t o a n ex -pr in ce of A ba ddon ,” I poin t ed ou t g en t ly ,

t ou ch in g t h e fr ow n bet w een h is br ow s. “ I don ’t see h ow m u ch
m or e in v olv ed I ca n becom e. W h en h e k ick ed Ma g ot h ou t of
A ba ddon , Ba el sa id h e’d fin a lize Ma g ot h ’s ex pu lsion in t w o
m on t h s, a n d t h a t dea dlin e is a lm ost u pon u s. Per h a ps I cou ld
pr om pt Ba el in t o r ein st a t in g Ma g ot h . I ca n liv e w it h bein g h is
ser v a n t , Ga br iel, bu t I ca n ’t liv e w it h m y self if t h e sh a r d m a k es
m e do som et h in g w e’ll a ll r eg r et .”

“ W e ca n n ot r em ov e t h e sh a r d fr om y ou w it h ou t br in g in g t h e
ot h er sh a r ds t og et h er t o r e-for m t h e dr a g on h ea r t ,” h e sa id, h is
v oice r ich w it h dist r ess. He t ou ch ed m y ch eek , g en t ly t u ck in g a
st r a n d of h a ir beh in d m y ea r . “ A n d y ou ca n n ot do t h a t w it h ou t
h a v in g a pr oper la ir in w h ich t o do so. T h e sh a r ds a r e t h e m ost
v a lu a ble r elics of dr a g on k in , lit t le bir d.”

“ I k n ow .” I lea n ed in t o h is pa lm for a m om en t , t r y in g t o
r em em ber w h a t it felt lik e t o ju st lov e h im w it h ou t t h e
dist r a ct ion of t h e sh a r d t r y in g t o for ce m e in t o a dr a g on st a t e.

“ On ce t h e la ir is fu n ct ion a l, t h en w e ca n g o a bou t loca t in g t h e

la st sh a r d, a n d t h e cer em on y ca n com m en ce t o w it h dr a w t h e
on e y ou bea r —”

“ Hey , Ma y ? T h er e’s som eon e a t t h e door for y ou .”

Jim ’s v oice in t er r u pt ed Ga br iel, ca u sin g u s bot h t o t u r n a n d

g la r e a t t h e fu r r y dem on .

“ Jim , I r ea lize t h a t A islin g a llow s y ou g r ea t fr eedom , bu t y ou

a r e in t er r u pt in g a pr iv a t e con v er sa t ion . Fr a n k ly , I don ’t ca r e
w h o—”

“ I t h in k y ou ’r e g oin g t o w a n t t o see t h is g u y ,” Jim sa id w it h a

k n ow in g look .

I fr ow n ed. “ See w h o?”

“ T h a t t h ief t a k er w h o n a iled y ou r a ss a n d dr a g g ed y ou t o t h e
com m it t ee.”

“ Sa v ia n ?” I a sk ed, t h e su dden m em or y of t h e ch a r m in g , if
m or e t h a n a lit t le r og u ish , En g lish m a n com in g im m edia t ely t o
m in d. “ W h a t ’s h e doin g h er e?”

“ Dy in g ,” Jim sa id su ccin ct ly .
 Ch a pt er T w o

It ’s a m a zin g h ow fa st dr a g on s ca n m ov e w h en t h ey a r e dr iv en
t o it . T h e w or ds h a d n o soon er left Jim ’s m ou t h t h a n Ga br iel a n d
T ipen e w er e g on e, t h e fa in t est of blu r s ca u g h t ou t of t h e cor n er
of m y ey e t h e on ly in dica t ion t h a t t h ey h a d been pr esen t . I
didn ’t w a it t o a sk Jim w h a t Sa v ia n w a s doin g dy in g on ou r
door st ep; I sh a dow ed, a n d r a ced ou t of t h e la ir , sk iddin g t o a h a lt
w h en I fin a lly m a de it t o t h e fr on t st eps.
“ Is h e dea d?” I a sk ed, slippin g ou t of t h e sh a dow s.

T ipen e w a s in t h e pr ocess of lift in g a lifeless body fr om t h e

st eps. Blood pooled ben ea t h it , st a r k a g a in st t h e w h it e st on e,
lit t le cr im son t r a ils of it sn a k in g t h eir w a y dow n t h e st eps
t ow a r d t h e st r eet . Ga br iel w a sn ’t su r pr ised t o see m e, bu t
Ma a t a , w h o w a s h oldin g t h e door open , ju m ped w h en I em er g ed
fr om t h e sh a dow s r ig h t n ex t t o h er .

“ I k eep for g et t in g y ou ca n do t h a t ,” sh e sa id, g iv in g m e a

w ea k sm ile. “ It ’s a bit u n n er v in g seein g y ou su dden ly
m a t er ia lize ou t of n ot h in g .”

“ I w a s ju st h idden fr om y ou r sig h t , n ot dem a t er ia l ized,” I

sa id, peer in g ov er h er sh ou lder t o see Sa v ia n .

A t t h e sig h t of t h e bloodied, ba t t er ed body , I w ish ed I h a dn ’t .

“ He’s n ot dea d,” Ga br iel a n sw er ed. “ T ipen e w ill t a k e ca r e of

h im u n t il I ca n see t o h is in ju r ies. Ma a t a , com e w it h m e. Lit t le
bir d, ca n y ou see a n y sig n s of w h o left h im h er e?”

“ How cou ld sh e see sig n s t h a t w e ca n ’t ?” Ma a t a a sk ed.

“ T h in g s look differ en t in t h e sh a dow w or ld,” I sa id, g la n cin g

a r ou n d.

Sh e fr ow n ed.“ I’m con fu sed.Y ou ju st sa id t h a t sh a dow w a lk in g

m ea n t w e cou ldn ’t see y ou . W h y w ou ld som et h in g look
differ en t ? Oh , w a it —a r e y ou t a lk in g a bou t g oin g in t o t h e
Dr ea m in g ?”

“ T h e bey on d, t h e Dr ea m in g , t h e sh a dow w or ld … differ en t

w or ds for t h e sa m e t h in g . It ’s ju st a n a lt er n a t e r ea lit y , bu t on ly
a few people ca n a ccess it , a n d y es, t h a t ’s w h a t I’m t a lk in g
a bou t . W h en I’m in t h e sh a dow w or ld, I ca n see sig n s t h a t a r en ’t
v isible in ou r w or ld. Ga br iel?”

T h e su n w a s ou t , sh in in g br ig h t ly on t h e fr on t of t h e h ou se.
A lt h ou g h t h er e w er en ’t a lot of people ou t , I didn ’t pa r t icu la r ly
w a n t on e of t h e n oon t im e pa sser sby t o see m e disa ppea r in t o
n ot h in g . Ga br iel a n d Ma a t a m ov ed im m edia t ely t o block m y
v iew of t h e st r eet , a llow in g m e t o slip in t o t h e sh a dow w or ld
u n n ot iced.

T h e st r eet w h er e w e liv ed look ed m or e or less t h e sa m e in t h e

sh a dow w or ld, a lt h ou g h a n g les w er e slig h t ly off, g iv in g t h e
bu ildin g s a som ew h a t sk ew ed a ppea r a n ce. Ot h er t h a n t h a t
obv iou s differ en ce, I didn ’t see a n y t h in g ou t of t h e or din a r y …
u n t il I g la n ced dow n . “ Oh , w e a r e in so m u ch t r ou ble.”

“ W h a t is it ?” Ga br iel a sk ed w h en I ben t t o t ou ch a spot on t h e

sidew a lk , h is sh a dow y im a g e st a n din g n ex t t o m e.

I sm iled a s I st ood u p a n d sh ow ed h im m y h a n d. “ I’m so g la d

y ou r m ot h er t a u g h t y ou h ow t o a ccess t h e sh a dow w or ld, ev en if
y ou ’r e in cor por ea l h er e. It ’s a r ca n e r esidu e.”

“ A r ca n e? Fr om a m a g e?”
 “ Possibly . Dr a g on s sh ed dr a g on sca les, elem en t a l bein g s lea v e
t r a ces of t h eir pr im a r y elem en t , dem on s lea v e lit t le splot ch es of
dem on sm ok e, a n d t h eu r g ist s lea v e a r ca n e r esidu e.” I g la n ced
a r ou n d a w ider a r ea , m y ey es sea r ch in g for a n y ot h er sig n s.

“ W h ich m ea n s it cou ld be a n y on e w h o u ses a r ca n e pow er . A

m a g e?”

“ It cou ld be a m a g e, y es. Ot h er t h eu r g ist s u se a r ca n e pow er ,

t oo—or a cles a n d div in er s, for in st a n ce. Goet ist s lik e
n ecr om a n cer s a n d su m m on er s ca n t a p in t o a r ca n e pow er , a s
w ell. It cou ld be a n y of t h em .”

“ A n d dr a g on sca les?” Ga br iel a sk ed a s I follow ed t h e a r ca n e

r esidu e dow n t h e st r eet .

“ Lot s of t h em , bu t t h ey ’r e a few h ou r s old, so I a ssu m e t h ey ’r e

fr om t h e silv er dr a g on s. I don ’t see a n y fr esh on es, if t h a t ’s w h a t
y ou ’r e a sk in g . Da m n .” I st ood u p fr om t h e cr ou ch I’d a dopt ed t o
follow t h e fa din g r esidu e t r a il. “ It ’s g on e a lr ea dy . Elem en t a ls
a n d t h eu r g ist s a r e t h e h a r dest bein g s t o t r a ck beca u se t h eir
t r a ces fa de so qu ick ly . I’m sor r y , Ga br iel. I ca n ’t t ell y ou
a n y t h in g ot h er t h a n —”

“ Ma y , com e ba ck t o m e.”

I g la n ced ov er t o w h er e Ga br iel st ood n ex t t o m e. His v oice,

a lt h ou g h som ew h a t m u ffled by t h e pr oject ion of h im self in t o t h e
sh a dow w or ld, h eld a dist in ct n ot e of com m a n d, a cir cu m st a n ce
t h a t w a s u n u su a l en ou g h for m e t o t a k e n ot ice. “ W h a t ?”

“ Com e ba ck t o m e.” His ey es g lit t er ed lik e m er cu r y a g a in st

bla ck v elv et . “ Com e ba ck t o w h er e m y body is.”

“ W e’r e ju st a cou ple of block s fr om h om e, a n d I’d lik e t o look

a r ou n d som e m or e.” I w a v ed t ow a r d t h e sidew a lk . “ T h er e’s a
slig h t ch a n ce t h a t n ot a ll of t h e r esidu e h a s disa ppea r ed.”

His im a g e fa ded befor e m y ey es, h is v oice a n ech o on t h e a ir .

“ T h er e is a n ot h er dr a g on in t h e Dr ea m in g .”

I spu n a r ou n d, in st a n t ly r ea ch in g for t h e da g g er I w or e
st r a pped t o m y a n k le, ev en t h ou g h I k n ew t h e w ea pon w ou ld do
n ot h in g a g a in st t h e on ly dr a g on k n ow n t o be a ble t o en t er a n d
ex it t h e sh a dow w or ld a t w ill. “ Ba lt ic?”

A dist a n t v oice, t in g ed w it h a m u sem en t , dr ift ed ov er t o m e.

Ju dg in g by t h e som ew h a t et h er ea l n a t u r e of t h e sou n d, I
g a t h er ed t h e v er y da n g er ou s for m er w y v er n , on ce t h ou g h t
dea d, bu t ev iden t ly v er y m u ch a liv e, w a s a t som e dist a n ce fr om
m e. “ A h , it is t h e silv er m a t e w h o spea k s. A doppelg a n g er , m y
a ssist a n t t ells m e, w h ich ex pla in s h ow y ou r w y v er n g ot a r ou n d
t h e cu r se. How v er y clev er of Ga br iel t o t h in k of m a t in g h im self
t o a w om a n w h o w a s n ot t ech n ica lly bor n .”

“ A n n oy ed t h a t y ou h a dn ’t t h ou g h t of t h a t ev en t u a lit y w h en
y ou cu r sed t h e silv er dr a g on s n ev er t o h a v e a m a t e bor n t o
t h em ?”

I felt a fa m ilia r pr esen ce n ex t t o m e, bu t sepa r a t ed by

r ea lit ies. Ga br iel’s v oice w a s dist a n t , h ow ev er , w h en h e
dem a n ded I r et u r n t o t h e r ea l w or ld.

“ Y ou h a v e a qu ick t on g u e, I see,” Ba lt ic a n sw er ed, h is v oice

som ew h a t n ea r er n ow . I k n ew it w a s folly t o k eep ba n dy in g w it s
w it h h im , bu t I didn ’t w a n t t o lose t h is oppor t u n it y t o fin d ou t
w h a t I cou ld a bou t t h e m y st er iou s dr a g on w h o seem ed t o be
r espon sible for so m a n y pr oblem s pla g u in g u s. “ Per h a ps Ga br iel
t oler a t es su ch , bu t I w ill n ot .”
 A m ist pa ssed in fr on t of m e, r esolv in g it self in t o t h e for m of
a n a n g r y m a n . He pa u sed ju st lon g en ou g h t o sh oot m e a look
t h a t pr om ised r et r ibu t ion la t er befor e h e t ook u p a pr ot ect iv e
st a n ce befor e m e. “ T h r ea t en in g m y m a t e a g a in , Ba lt ic? Y ou
didn ’t su cceed in t a k in g h er fr om m e la st t im e; I don ’t k n ow
w h y y ou believ e y ou w ill fa r e a n y bet t er n ow .”

T h er e w a s a m om en t of st a r t led silen ce befor e t h e m y st er iou s

dr a g on a n sw er ed, “ Y ou r sh a m a n m ot h er m u st be in debt in g
h er self g r ea t ly t o m a n a g e r epea t edly bu y in g y ou a n en t r a n ce
in t o t h e bey on d, Ga br iel.” Neit h er on e of u s cor r ect ed Ba lt ic’s
fa lse im pr ession t h a t Ga br iel w a s pr esen t in a ph y sica l for m .
“ Non et h eless, t h e t im e w ill com e w h en y ou ca n n ot clin g t o h er
for h elp.”

Beside m e, Ga br iel st iffen ed a t t h e in su lt , bu t sa id on ly , “ Y ou r

ba it is in su fficien t . Did y ou h a v e som et h in g m or e, or w a s t h a t
y ou r sole offer in g ?”

Ba lt ic’s la u g h ech oed dow n t h e sh a dow w or ld’s em pt y st r eet . I

w a s m or e t h a n a lit t le in t er est ed t o n ot e t h a t h e sou n ded n o
closer . Obv iou sly , h e h a d t h ou g h t t w ice a bou t t a n g lin g w it h
Ga br iel a n d m e t og et h er . “ Y ou h a v e a lm ost a s sh a r p a t on g u e a s
y ou r m a t e. It is r eg r et fu l t h a t bot h w ill be silen ced w h en I
r et r iev e m y sh a r d.”

Ga br iel m a de a low , g r ow lin g n oise t h a t w a r n ed h e w a s a bou t

t o lose h is t em per .

“ Y our sh a r d?” I ca lled ou t , h opin g t o dist r a ct h im . “ Y ou g a v e

it t o Kost y a . I t h in k t h a t r elin qu ish es a n y cla im y ou m ig h t h a v e
on it .”

“ I w ou ld n ot g iv e m u d fr om m y boot s t o t h a t m u r der ou s
w h or eson ,” t h e v oice sn a r led. “ T h a t fool t h ief t a k er t h ou g h t h e
cou ld bla ck m a il m e.”

“ Sa v ia n ?” I a sk ed, con fu sed for a m om en t befor e I

r em em ber ed t h e dea d t h ief t a k er Ga br iel a n d I h a d fou n d a few
m on t h s befor e. “ Or Por t er ?”

“ Do n ot t h in k t h a t beca u se y ou fou n d a w a y a r ou n d t h e cu r se,

y ou w ill su cceed,” Ba lt ic sa id in a n ow a lm ost in a u dible v oice.
“ For y ou w ill n ot . T h e da y s a r e n u m ber ed, w y v er n . I in t en d t o
h a v e y ou r m a t e a n d t h e sh a r d sh e bea r s. En joy bot h w h ile y ou
st ill possess t h em .”

“ Is h e g on e?” I a sk ed in a w h isper a m om en t la t er .

T h e sh a dow y for m of Ga br iel n odded. “ It w a s n ot w ise t o

en g a g e h im , lit t le bir d.”

“ I k n ew y ou w er e on ly a cou ple of block s a w a y , a n d it w a s

obv iou s h e w a sn ’t close. Besides, I’m t ir ed of g u essin g . It ’s t im e
w e g ot a few a n sw er s t o t h e h u n dr ed or so qu est ion s w e h a v e
a bou t h im . I didn ’t g et t o a sk h im ou t r ig h t if h e w a s Ba lt ic,
t h ou g h .”

Ga br iel disa ppea r ed, a n d I du ck ed in t o w h a t w a s a n a lley in

t h e r ea l w or ld, r et u r n in g t o ou r r ea lit y w it h ou t a n y on e bu t h im
seein g m e; I t ook t h e h a n d h e offer ed, h u r r y in g h om ew a r d w it h
a t h ou sa n d qu est ion s bu zzin g t h r ou g h m y br a in .

“ He didn ’t den y eit h er h is iden t it y or bein g t h e sou r ce of t h e

cu r se, t h ou g h .”

I g la n ced a t h im a s w e r a n u p t h e fr on t st a ir s, a v oidin g t h e
spilled blood. “ Y ou don ’t t h in k h e’s Ba lt ic? Ju st beca u se h e t ook
t h e for m of a w h it e dr a g on w h en y ou ca m e t o sa v e m e in
A ba ddon ?”

Ga br iel sh r u g g ed. “ I t h in k it ’s clea r w h o h e is. Bu t t h a t is less

im por t a n t t h a n w h a t h e is. He’s fa r m or e pow er fu l t h a n h e
sh ou ld be, a n d t h a t lea v es m e con cer n ed for y ou r sa fet y ,
especia lly n ow , w h en y ou bea r t h e sh a r d. I do n ot w a n t y ou t o
m eet h im a lon e.”

“ Y ou ’r e cu t e w h en y ou g o pr ot ect iv e a n d Dr a k e-lik e on m e,
bu t I a ssu r e y ou it ’s n ot n ecessa r y . I ca n h old m y ow n a g a in st
h im .”

“ Y es,” Ga br iel sa id a s h e open ed t h e door t o on e of t h e spa r e

r oom s. “ T h a t ’s ju st w h a t I’m a fr a id of.”

A n h ou r la t er , I did m y du t y a s a w y v er n ’s m a t e.

“ Hello, bea u t ifu l. I t a k e it I’m n ot in t h e u n der w or ld?”

T h e m a n befor e m e look ed lik e h e’d t a k en a bea t in g . His fa ce

w a s br u ised a n d st ill sw ollen , a lt h ou g h t h e spot w h er e h is ch eek
h a d been t or n open w a s n ow closed, a n d h ea lin g . His v oice w a s
h oa r se a n d cr a ck ed, h is lips r ed a n d r ou g h , bu t h is ey es h eld a
sor t of w a r y a m u sem en t t h a t t old m e Sa v ia n m u st be feelin g a
w h ole lot bet t er .

“ I h a v en ’t been t h er e, bu t I w ou ld im a g in e it look s som et h in g

lik e A ba ddon , a n d n ot a t a ll lik e t h e best g u est r oom in a la r g e
h ou se in t h e m iddle of Lon don ,” I a n sw er ed.

He t r ied t o sm ile, g r im a ced a t t h e pa in , a n d set t led for ju st

on e side of h is m ou t h qu ir k in g u p. “ I g a t h er y ou h ea led m e?”

I sh ook m y h ea d, n oddin g t ow a r d t h e m a n on t h e ot h er side of

t h e bed. “ Ga br iel did, t h a n k s t o h is m a g ic silv er dr a g on h ea lin g
sa liv a .”

Sa v ia n g r oa n ed a n d closed h is ey es for a m om en t . “ Plea se t ell

m e h e didn ’t lick m e.”

Ga br iel la u g h ed.

“ Don ’t g et m e w r on g —I’m v er y g r a t efu l y ou didn ’t let m e die—

bu t t h e t h ou g h t of bein g lick ed by a n y on e bu t a n a k ed, su pple
w om a n sit t in g a st r ide m e …”

“ Y ou n eedn ’t g et y ou r self in t o a dit h er ,” I sa id lig h t ly . “ If it

m a k es y ou feel bet t er , Ga br iel u sed a sa lv e a s opposed t o g oin g t o
t h e sou r ce. W h a t h a ppen ed t o y ou ? Y ou look lik e y ou w er e h it by
a Ma ck t r u ck .”

“ I feel lik e it ,” h e a n sw er ed, st r u g g lin g t o pu ll h im self t o a n

u pr ig h t posit ion .

Ga br iel m ov ed qu ick ly t o h elp h im w h ile I a dju st ed pillow s

beh in d h im . He sig h ed w it h plea su r e a s h e lea n ed ba ck .

“ It ’s n ot a w h a t t h a t h it m e, bu t a w h o. Now I k n ow w h y t h ey
t old u s a t t h e t h ief t a k er ’s a ca dem y n ot t o t a n g le w it h g oet ist s.”

“ W h o?” Ga br iel a sk ed.

I sa t on t h e edg e of t h e bed, ca r efu l n ot t o jost le t h e t h ief t a k er

t oo m u ch .

Sa v ia n didn ’t a n sw er im m edia t ely , g iv in g Ga br iel a n odd

look .

“ Go a h ea d,” t h e la t t er t old h im , t o m y su r pr ise. “ Sh e w ou ld

h a v e fou n d ou t soon a n y w a y .”
 “ Sh e bein g m e, I su ppose. W h a t w ou ld I h a v e fou n d ou t ? A n d
ju st w h y a r e y ou k eepin g secr et s fr om m e?” I a sk ed, w on der in g
if I sh ou ld be ou t r a g ed.

“ I don ’t k n ow t h e w om a n ’s n a m e, a lt h ou g h I su spect sh e’s t h e

on e t h ey ca ll T h a la .”

“ T h a la ?” I sea r ch ed m y m em or y bu t ca m e u p bla n k , t u r n in g
t o Ga br iel t o see if h e k n ew it .

He sh ook h is h ea d. “ I do n ot r ecog n ize t h e n a m e, eit h er .”

“ Sh e’s pr et t y . V er y pr et t y . Decept iv ely so,” Sa v ia n sa id,

fr ow n in g a n d w in cin g a t t h e sa m e t im e. “ No w om a n ou g h t t o
look a s pr et t y a n d fr a il a s sh e did a n d be a ble t o t a k e m e dow n
w it h ou t ev en br ea t h in g h a r d.”

“ W h a t did sh e look lik e?” I a sk ed.

“ Lit t le t a ller t h a n y ou , n ot so pet it e, st a ck ed. Br ow n ey es, a n d

t h e m ost g lor iou s r ed h a ir I’v e ev er seen .”

“ Red h a ir ?” I g la n ced a t Ga br iel. “ T h e w om a n w it h Ba lt ic w h o

Cy r en e a n d Ma a t a a n d I sa w a t Fia t ’s h ou se h a d r ed h a ir , a n d
t h e r est of t h e descr ipt ion fit s h er . I t h ou g h t sh e w a s a dr a g on ,
bu t Ma a t a sa id sh e w a s of m ix ed blood.”

Ga br iel look ed t h ou g h t fu l for a m om en t . “ How w a s sh e

con n ect ed w it h t h e on e y ou sou g h t ?” h e a sk ed Sa v ia n .

“ Com pa n ion . Body g u a r d. Lov er , w ife, g ir lfr ien d—I h a v e n o

idea . Sh e w a s t h er e w h er e y ou sa id I’d fin d h im , so I g a t h er sh e
h a s som e sor t of a close r ela t ion sh ip w it h h im . A ll I k n ow for
su r e is sh e doesn ’t lik e bein g su r pr ised, sh e k n ow s m or e w a y s t o
disa ble a m a n t h a n a m or t a l cou ld, a n d sh e h a d m or e t h a n a
pa ssin g fa m ilia r it y w it h a r ca n e pow er ,” h e a n sw er ed, g en t ly
t ou ch in g h is fa ce. “ I t h in k sh e t r ied t o blow m y h ea d off w it h
som e sor t of a spell, a n d w h en t h a t didn ’t w or k , sh e set t led for
t a k in g a t w o-by -fou r t o m e.”

“ I’m su r pr ised y ou didn ’t su bdu e h er ,” I sa id, t h in k in g of t h e

t im e h e h a u led m e t o Pa r is t o st a n d t r ia l.

He m a de a n ot h er h a lf g r im a ce, h a lf sm ile. “ It ’s a ll I cou ld do

t o k eep h er fr om k illin g m e. W h er e sh e h a d h er t r a in in g is
bey on d m y con cept ion , bu t I su r e a s h ell w ou ldn ’t m in d
spen din g a cou ple of y ea r s t h er e, m y self.”

“ A spell,” Ga br iel sa id slow ly . “ W a s sh e a m a g e?”

“ I dou bt it . Her pow er felt … differ en t . Not pu r e. T h e h a lf-

dr a g on t h in g fit s, if sh e’s t h e w om a n Ma y sa w . Sh e cer t a in ly
h a d st r en g t h bey on d w h a t ’s n or m a l for m or t a ls.”

“ If t h e w om a n I sa w is t h is T h a la , t h en t h a t m ea n s y ou w er e
doin g a job in v olv in g Ba lt ic.” I g a v e Ga br iel m y bla n dest look .
“ Ca r e t o ex pla in ?”

He g r in n ed, bla st h is deliciou s h ide. A lt h ou g h I t r ied v er y

h a r d n ot t o let h im k n ow ju st h ow a ffect ed I w a s by t h e sig h t of
h is dim ples, som eh ow h e k n ew , a n d I h a d n o dou bt h e w a s u sin g
t h em deliber a t ely t o w ea k en m e. T h e dr a g on sh a r d k n ew , t oo,
bu t it ca r ed ev en less t h a n I did. It dem a n ded I ju m p h is bon es
r ig h t t h en a n d t h er e. “ Y ou k n ew I h a d t o fin d t h a t la st sh a r d.”

“ Y es, bu t I ex pect ed t h a t w e’d t r y t o fin d it t og et h er ,” I

a n sw er ed, la y in g em ph a sis on t h e la st w or d. “ If I didn ’t k n ow
bet t er , I’d sa y y ou h a v e been t a k in g lesson s fr om Dr a k e on h ow
t o be a n a n n oy in g w y v er n . Spill.”
 Ga br iel’s g r in t ook a w r y t w ist a s h e n odded a g a in a t Sa v ia n .
“ Her ev er y w ish is m y ev er y com m a n d. Spill.”

“ A ll r ig h t , bu t I’d pr efer n ot h a v in g a n y on e a n g r y a t m e.”

Sa v ia n pa u sed for a m om en t ; t h en h e, t oo, g r in n ed a t m e.
“ Un less t h er e’s a ch a n ce it ’ll t ick y ou off en ou g h t h a t y ou du m p
t h e boy fr ien d a n d h ook u p w it h m e?”

Ga br iel’s qu ick silv er ey es n a r r ow ed w it h dea dly in t en t .

T h e dr a g on sh a r d con sider ed Sa v ia n ’s qu est ion . I t old it t o

k n ock it off, a n d sim ply g a v e h im a look t h a t w a r n ed h im h e
sh ou ld k n ow bet t er .

“ Ca n ’t bla m e a m a n for t r y in g ,” Sa v ia n sa id w it h a m ock sig h

a s h e r ea dju st ed h is posit ion .

“ Oh , I believ e I ca n ,” Ga br iel sa id soft ly .

T h e t h r ea t ju st m a de Sa v ia n sm ile for a m om en t befor e h e

r ea r r a n g ed h is ex pr ession t o be on e of bu sin esslik e focu s. “ Her e
follow s m y r epor t for t h e pa st w eek . Per y ou r in st r u ct ion s, I
ch eck ed loca t ion s in Ber lin , Pa r is, St . Pet er sbu r g , a n d Rig a .
T h er e w er e n o sig n s of a ct iv it y by t h e in div idu a l in qu est ion in
a n y of t h e cit ies bu t t h e la st on e.”

“ Rig a ,” I m u sed, dig g in g t h r ou g h m y br a in for any

in for m a t ion on t h e loca t ion of t h e cit y . “ Ru ssia ?”

“ La t v ia ,” Sa v ia n cor r ect ed.

“ I t h in k I k n ow w h er e t h a t is,” I sa id, n oddin g . “ Bu t w h y a r e

y ou t r y in g t o h ide t h e iden t it y of t h e per son Ga br iel sen t y ou t o
fin d? I a ssu m e t h a t ’s w h a t a ll t h is is lea din g t o—t h a t y ou w er e
sen t t o t r a ck dow n Ba lt ic?”
 Sa v ia n look ed u n com for t a bly a t Ga br iel, w h o m a de a lit t le
g est u r e of u n h a ppin ess. “ W e bot h k n ow h ow im por t a n t it is t o
fin d t h e sh a r d. I ju st t ook t h e m ost ex pedien t m et h od of doin g
so.”

I ey ed h im for a m om en t , ig n or in g t h e sh a r d’s dem a n d t h a t I

do in a ppr opr ia t e t h in g s t o h im w it h sca r let -t ipped cla w s, a n d a
decidedly u n for k ed t on g u e. “ A g r eed, bu t w h y did y ou feel it
n ecessa r y t o pu r su e t h is w it h ou t in v olv in g m e?”

“ Y ou a r e in v olv ed, lit t le bir d. Y ou a r e m or e in v olv ed t h a n

ju st a bou t a n y on e else I cou ld n a m e,” Ga br iel sa id dr y ly . “ I
sim ply a sk ed t h e t h ief t a k er t o loca t e t h e m issin g sh a r d.”

“ W h ich led h im t o Ba lt ic.”

Ga br iel pu r sed h is lips, obv iou sly a bou t t o a dd t h e u su a l r ider

h e felt w a s n ecessa r y w h en ev er I n a m ed t h e m y st er iou s dr a g on .

“ Y ou sa id it w a s clea r w h o h e w a s, Ga br iel. I t h in k t h e t im e
h a s com e t o m ov e pa st a n y r em a in in g iden t it y qu est ion s. He is
Ba lt ic.”

T o m y su r pr ise, h e n odded. “ I a g r ee. I h a v e n ot y et fa t h om ed

h ow h e w a s r esu r r ect ed—dr a g on s a r e n ot lik e m or t a ls, ea sily
r et u r n ed t o life, a n d w y v er n s m or e so. A s a r u le, on ce w e a r e
dea d, w e st a y dea d—bu t it w a s n ot t h a t st a t em en t I w ish t o
dispu t e. W e h a v e n o pr oof t h a t Ba lt ic st ill h olds a sh a r d. It ’s m y
belief it is n o lon g er in h is possession , a n d w a s g iv en t o Kost y a .
Or r a t h er , it s loca t ion w a s m a de k n ow n t o h im .”

“ W h y do y ou believ e t h a t ?” I a sk ed, in t r ig u ed en ou g h t o be
sidet r a ck ed m om en t a r ily fr om Sa v ia n ’s r epor t . “ Y ou k n ow h ow
Kost y a is a bou t t h e sh a r d w e t ook fr om h im —h e w a s r ea dy t o
w ipe ou t a ll t h e silv er dr a g on s t o g et it ba ck , a n d I ca n ’t see h im
a ct in g lik e t h a t , r isk in g a ll-ou t w a r w it h n ot on ly u s bu t t h e
g r een a n d blu e dr a g on s, a s w ell, if h e a lr ea dy h a d a sh a r d
t u ck ed a w a y .”

“ I do n ot m ea n h e possesses t h e Moda n a Ph y la ct er y a lr ea dy .
Ba lt ic, a s h e h im self st a t ed, w a s n ot t h e t y pe t o g iv e u p
som et h in g so v a lu a ble t o a m er e h eir . Bu t Kost y a w a s r ecog n ized
by h im a s bein g su ch , a n d t h a t m ea n s Ba lt ic m u st h a v e
en t r u st ed t o h im t h e loca t ion of h is la ir , a n d g iv en h im t h e
m ea n s t o a ccess it .”

“ A n in t er est in g t h ou g h t ,” I sa id slow ly . “ It m a k es y ou w on der

w h y Kost y a didn ’t g o a ft er Ba lt ic’s la ir w h en Ba lt ic w a s k illed.
A ssu m in g h e a ct u a lly w a s k illed, a n d la t er r esu r r ect ed by som e
m ea n s, a n d n ot ju st g r a v ely w ou n ded.”

“ W h a t m a k es y ou t h in k h e didn ’t ?” Ga br iel a sk ed.

Sa v ia n ’s h ea d h a d been sw iv elin g ba ck a n d for t h bet w een u s,

a s if h e w er e w a t ch in g a t en n is m a t ch . He in t er r u pt ed, r u bbin g
h is h ea d a s h e did so. “ I w ish y ou w ou ld bot h st a n d on on e side.
I’m g et t in g m ot ion sick n ess.”

W e bot h ig n or ed t h a t com pla in t .

“ Y ou t h in k Kost y a g ot in t o Ba lt ic’s la ir ?” I a sk ed.

“ Ma k es sen se t o m e,” Sa v ia n g r u m bled. “ A v isit t o m y boss’s

la ir w ou ld cer t a in ly be n u m ber on e on m y list of t h in g s t o do
on ce I t ook ov er a s h ea d dr a g on .”

“ Bu t Kost y a w a s im pr ison ed for a cen t u r y in t h e a er ie in

Nepa l.” I t h ou g h t for a m om en t , t r y in g t o r em em ber w h a t
A islin g h a d t old m e of Kost y a ’s spot t ed h ist or y . “ Ga br iel, didn ’t
y ou sa y h e w a s n ea r ly dea d w h en y ou fou n d h im ?”

“ Em a cia t ed a n d w ou n ded, bu t n ot a s close t o dea t h a s y ou

t h in k . I t old y ou befor e, lit t le bir d, it t a k es a con cer t ed effor t t o
k ill a dr a g on , especia lly a w y v er n . Bu t t h a t is n ot t h e poin t —
Kost y a r et r ea t ed t o t h e a er ie a ft er t h e fa ll of Ba lt ic in or der t o
lick h is w ou n ds a n d dr ea m da r k ly of a r et u r n t o pow er . He w a s
n ot im pr ison ed u n t il r ecen t ly , a few y ea r s a g o a t t h e m ost .”

“ By Ba lt ic,” I sa id, t r y in g t o g et t h e fa ct s st r a ig h t in m y
w oefu lly con fu sed m in d.

Ga br iel g a v e m e a n odd look .“ If Kost y a h a d br ea ch ed h is la ir ,

do y ou t h in k Ba lt ic w ou ld h a v e con t en t ed h im self w it h sim ply
con fin in g Kost y a ?”

“ He’d h a v e been t oa st ,” Sa v ia n sa id, n oddin g .

“ Poin t t a k en . So y ou sen t Sa v ia n a ft er w h a t , t h en ? T h e
loca t ion of t h e la ir ? T h e sh a r d? Or Ba lt ic h im self?”

“ A ll t h r ee if possible,” Sa v ia n a n sw er ed, r u bbin g t h e ba ck of

h is h ea d a g a in . I felt g u ilt y en ou g h t o m ov e t o t h e ot h er side of
t h e bed, per ch in g on t h e foot of it . “ Bu t it w a s t h e la ir I w a s t o
fin d a t a ll cost s.”

“ A n d y ou fou n d it in La t v ia ?”

“ I fou n d w h er e it u sed t o be, y es. T h a t is, I fou n d Ba lt ic’s

st r on g h old. T h e on e h e h eld befor e h e … er … w a s t oppled.”

“ Da u v a ,” Ga br iel sa id, a dist r a ct ed ex pr ession on h is fa ce.

“ Y ou fou n d Da u v a . Ma n y h a v e sou g h t it , bu t a ll t r a ces of it h a v e
lon g sin ce disa ppea r ed.”
 Sa v ia n g a v e a n ot h er h a lf sm ile, h a lf w in ce. “ Most dr a g on s
don ’t h a v e t h e sk ills n ecessa r y t o see t h r ou g h t h e la y er s of
pr ot ect ion t h a t w er e w ov en ov er t h e r em a in s. T o be h on est ,
ev en I didn ’t fin d it t h e fir st t im e I sea r ch ed t h e loca t ion . Bu t
g oin g by t h e r ecor ds y ou g a v e m e, I k n ew it h a d t o be t h er e, so I
k ept look in g for sig n s, a n d t w o da y s a g o, I fou n d on e.”

“ A n en t r a n ce t o t h e la ir ?” I a sk ed, ev er y h a ir on m y body
st a n din g on en d a t t h e t h ou g h t of g old. T h e dr a g on sh a r d, n ev er
su bt le in it s a t t em pt t o t u r n m e in t o a dr a g on , sw a m ped m e
w it h a su dden , ov er w h elm in g ph y sica l n eed for Ga br iel. I look ed
a t h im in m u t e a ppea l, m y h a n ds g r ippin g t h e bla n k et s on t h e
bed t o k eep m e fr om t h r ow in g m y self on h im .

“ Ma t e,” h e r espon ded, h is ey es fla sh in g w it h silv er h ea t , h is

v oice deepen ed by a r ou sa l. It sw ept a lon g m y sen sit ized sk in lik e
silk . I m oa n ed.

“ A m I de t r op?” Sa v ia n a sk ed, a m u sem en t ev iden t in h is

v oice.

“ It ’s t h e sh a r d,” I g r ou n d ou t t h r ou g h clen ch ed t eet h , st ill

fig h t in g w it h m y body a n d t h e dr a g on sh a r d t o r eg a in con t r ol.
“ Don ’t m en t ion g old.”

“ I didn ’t . Oh , t h e la ir ?” He sh ook h is h ea d. “ I didn ’t fin d it , let

a lon e a n y g o—er … t h a t sh in y su bst a n ce t h a t a ct s lik e a n
a ph r odisia c t o dr a g on s. I t h in k I w a s close t o t h e la ir , bu t befor e I
cou ld pu r su e a v er y in t r ig u in g scen t , t h a t sh e-dev il w it h t h e
r ed h a ir fou n d m e. A ft er t h a t , t h e on ly t h in g I w a s con cer n ed
w it h doin g w a s k eepin g m y sk in w h er e it belon g ed.”

Sa v ia n ’s ca lm , m a t t er -of-fa ct v oice da m pen ed m y a r dor

som ew h a t . Ga br iel, w it h a n effor t , st opped st r ippin g m e w it h
h is ey es, a n d set t led h is g a ze on Sa v ia n . His ja w w a s t en se,
h ow ev er . I k n ew a ll I’d h a v e t o do w a s r ea ch ou t w it h on e silv er -
sca led, sca r let -t ipped fin g er , a n d h is con t r ol w ou ld sn a p.

“ Ma y lin g ,” h e w a r n ed, k eepin g h is ey es on Sa v ia n .

“ People w h o r ea d ot h er people’s m in ds ca n ’t com pla in a bou t

w h a t t h ey fin d t h er e,” I sa id, m a k in g a h er oic effor t t o g et
con t r ol of m y r a m pa n t em ot ion s.

Sa v ia n la u g h ed. “ Ev en I k n ew w h a t y ou w er e t h in k in g , Ma y .
A n d if I didn ’t t h in k a lim b or t w o m ig h t dr op off if I g ot ou t of
bed, I’d lea v e y ou t w o a lon e, a lt h ou g h I w ou ld lik e t o poin t ou t
a g a in t h a t I a m cu r r en t ly a v a ila ble.”

On e of Ga br iel’s fin g er s flick ed. Sa v ia n ’s h a ir ca u g h t on fir e.

“ W h a t t h e … I t a k e it ba ck ! I’m n ot a v a ila ble. Ow . Cou ld y ou …

?”

I g a v e Ga br iel a look of g r a t it u de for t h e dist r a ct ion befor e

g la n cin g ba ck a t Sa v ia n , w h o w a s sla ppin g m a dly a t h is h ea d.
“ Y ou sh ou ld k n ow bet t er t h a n t o ba it a dr a g on .”

“ Ma y !”

I pu t ou t Ga br iel’s fir e. “ I w ill, bu t on ly beca u se I w a n t t o h ea r

t h e en d of y ou r t a le. So t h is w om a n bea t y ou u p in La t v ia ? How
did y ou en d u p in Lon don ?”

He g a v e h is h ea d a cou ple m or e ex plor a t or y pa t s befor e

g la r in g a t m e. “ I ju st g ot m y h a ir cu t , t oo.”

“ La t v ia ?” I pr odded.
 “ I w a sn ’t bea t u p t h er e. W h a t sor t of a t h ief t a k er do y ou t h in k
I a m t h a t I’d a llow som eon e t o g et t h e ju m p on m e in a n
u n fa m ilia r pla ce? If I w a s t h a t g r een , I’d h a v e been dea d deca des
a g o. By t h e t im e I w a s don e u n r a v elin g a ll t h e bin d r u n es, I w a s
w ell a w a r e t h a t t h e on ly on e w h o cou ld h a v e w ov en su ch a n
in t r ica t e pr ot ect ion w a s a g oet ist , a n d a pr et t y pow er fu l on e a t
t h a t .”

I g la n ced a t Ga br iel. “ Do dr a g on s n or m a lly en g a g e g oet ist s t o

pr ot ect t h eir la ir s?”

“ No. Most dr a g on s u se ba n es, w h ich ca n be dr a w n by a n y on e,

a lt h ou g h som et im es dem on s a r e u sed t o br ea k t h em .”

“ T h a t ’s r ig h t . I r em em ber A islin g t ellin g m e sh e’d u sed som e

dem on s t o br ea k t h e ba n e on Fia t ’s la ir . Bu t w h y bin d r u n es for
t h is la ir ?”

Ga br iel look ed a s con fu sed a s I felt . Pr a ct it ion er s of m a g ic, a s

a n y m em ber of t h e Ot h er w or ld w ill t ell y ou , a r e div ided in t o
on ly t w o ca m ps: g oet ist s a n d t h eu r g ist s. Goet y r efer s t o t h e da r k
m a g ic u sed by t h ose w it h con n ect ion s t o A ba ddon , a n d
in div idu a ls w h o dr a w pow er fr om t h e dea d, su ch a s Gu a r dia n s,
a n d v espillos, w h er ea s t h eu r g ist s—m a g es a n d div in er s—dr a w
t h eir pow er fr om sou r ces in t h e m or t a l w or ld. Ot h er s, lik e
n ecr om a n cer s, u t ilize bot h sou r ces.

“ Dr a g on s g a in t h eir pow er fr om t h eu r g ist ic sou r ces,” I m u sed,

w a t ch in g Ga br iel. “ So w h y w ou ld Ba lt ic u se a g oet ist t o sea l h is
la ir ?”

“ It doesn ’t m a k e sen se,” h e a n sw er ed, con fu sion g iv in g w a y t o

a t h ou g h t fu l look t h a t h e t u r n ed on Sa v ia n . “ Da r k pow er is less
effect iv e on dr a g on s t h a n it is on m or t a ls.”
 “ Ev er y on e k n ow s t h a t ,” Sa v ia n sa id, pick in g bit s of a sh fr om
h is h a ir .

“ It ’s ju st on e m or e con fu sin g piece of a pu zzle t h a t I’m st a r t in g

t o t h in k w e’ll n ev er solv e,” I com pla in ed befor e g est u r in g t o
Sa v ia n . “ W h a t h a ppen ed a ft er y ou fou n d t h e la ir ?”

He g r im a ced. “ Un for t u n a t ely , on e of t h e bin d r u n es w a s a

t r a p, a n d it n o dou bt a ler t ed t h e r edh ea d t o m y pr esen ce. By t h e
t im e I r ea lized w h a t h a d h a ppen ed, sh e w a s close by . I t h ou g h t it
w a s m or e pr u den t t o lea v e t h e a r ea a n d t r y a n ot h er t im e, bu t
by t h e t im e I m a de it ba ck t o Rig a , I r ea lized t w o t h in g s.”

W e bot h w a it ed.

On e side of h is m ou t h lift ed in a w r y sm ile. “ T h e fir st w a s t h a t

sh e w a sn ’t g oin g t o be t h r ow n off m y t r a il by t h e sim ple
m et h ods I’d u sed. Sh e w a s a lm ost on m e by t h e t im e I m a de it
ba ck t o t h e h ot el. It w a s on ly t h r ou g h t h e sh eer est lu ck I
h a ppen ed t o t a k e a ba ck en t r a n ce r a t h er t h a n t h e fr on t , a n d
sa w h er befor e sh e did m e.”

“ A n d t h e secon d t h in g ?”

Sa v ia n g in g er ly t ou ch ed t h e st ill-h ea lin g w ou n d on h is n eck .

“ Sh e w a sn ’t a lon e.”

“ Ba lt ic?” Ga br iel a sk ed.

“ No. A t lea st , I don ’t t h in k so. Y ou sa id t h is w y v er n w a s

im bu ed w it h a r ca n e pow er , a n d t h e dr a g on w h o h elped t h e sh e-
dev il pu r su e m e a cr oss t h e w h ole of La t v ia , Ger m a n y , a n d pa r t s
of Fr a n ce didn ’t h a v e a n y scen t of m a g ic a bou t h im . I sh ook h im
off m y t r a il in Pa r is. I t h ou g h t I’d g iv en bot h of t h em t h e slip,
bu t t h e r edh ea d ju m ped m e ju st befor e I cou ld r ea ch y ou . I
fig u r ed I w a s dea d, bu t sh e st opped ju st sh or t of k illin g m e,
du m pin g m e in a n a lley n ea r by .”

“ How v er y odd,” I sa id. Ga br iel sa id n ot h in g , bu t I k n ew h is

ex pr ession of pu zzlem en t m a t ch ed m in e.

“ No, n o, it ’s a ll in a da y ’s w or k . No n eed t o t h a n k m e for

a lm ost dy in g w h ile u n der t a k in g a com m ission for y ou . T h e
m ost g r iev ou s a n d pa in fu l of in ju r ies su ch a s I h a v e r eceiv ed a r e
t h e m er est n ot h in g com pa r ed t o y ou r g r a t it u de. A bon u s
h a za r d-pa y r ew a r d isn ’t a t a ll n ecessa r y . Don ’t ev en m en t ion
it .” Sa v ia n lea n ed ba ck a g a in st t h e pillow s, h is ey es closed a s h e
w a v ed a w a n h a n d v a g u ely t ow a r d m e.

“ I’m su r e y ou ’r e bein g w ell pa id for t h e ch a n ces y ou t a k e,” I

sa id, g et t in g off t h e bed. “ A n d a s for y ou r g r iev ou s in ju r ies, t h ey
a r e m ost ly h ea led, a n d w ill be com plet ely so in a few h ou r s.
Y ou ’ll be ju st fin e t o g o ba ck t o La t v ia .”

His ey es sh ot open a t t h a t . “ Ba ck t o La t v ia ?”

“ Of cou r se.” I sm iled a t Ga br iel, w h o t ook m y h a n d a n d cu r led

h is fin g er s t h r ou g h m in e.

“ W e m u st h a v e t h e sh a r d,” h e t old Sa v ia n . “ A n d it ’s obv iou s

t h a t w e ca n ’t w a it for Kost y a t o g et a r ou n d t o fin din g it . W e w ill
h a v e t o t a k e a ct ion .”

“ Get t h e sh a r d ou r selv es, y ou m ea n ?”

Ga br iel n odded.

“ I su spect Kost y a isn ’t g oin g t o be h a ppy a t t h e idea of u s

pok in g a r ou n d h is la ir ,” I poin t ed ou t .
 “ T h en w e w ill br in g h im w it h u s.”

“ Y ou don ’t t h in k h e a lr ea dy h a s it ?” I a sk ed.

Ga br iel sh ook h is h ea d. “ Not n ow . T h e qu est ion of t h e bin d

r u n es a side, for t h er e t o be so g r ea t a n effor t m a de a t con cea lin g
Da u v a it self t ells m e t h e la ir m u st st ill be t h er e, a n d in t a ct .
T h er e w ou ld be n o ot h er r ea son t o h ide t h e r u in s ot h er w ise. A n d
a ccor din g t o y ou r ex per ien ces w it h Kost y a ’s la ir , h e u ses a
differ en t t y pe of pr ot ect ion a lt og et h er .”

“ Y es.” I r em em ber ed t h e ba n e dr a w n in t o t h e door t o Kost y a ’s

la ir . It w a s ex a ct ly w h a t I ex pect ed t o fin d—t h eu r g ist ic in or ig in .
“ T h a t ’s a v er y g ood poin t . So off t o La t v ia w e g o.”

“ I’m t oo w ea k t o t r a v el a n y w h er e,” Sa v ia n pr ot est ed a s I

sm iled a t h im . “ I w a s a lm ost k illed!”

“ A lm ost , bu t n ot qu it e. Get y ou r r est ,” I sa id, pa t t in g t h e

bla n k et -cla d foot n ea r est m e befor e a llow in g Ga br iel t o dr a w m e
ou t t h e door . “ W e’ll lea v e for La t v ia in t h e m or n in g .”
 Ch a pt er T h r ee

“ Hey a , Ist v á n . Miss m e? Ha s A sh popped y et ? I don ’t h ea r a n y

scr ea m in g . Sh e’s n ot g u sh in g ou t ba by ju ice a n d blood a n d
g u ck , is sh e? ’Ca u se I’m g oin g st r a ig h t ba ck t o Ga br iel’s pa d if
sh e’s in la bor .”
“ Jim ,” I sa id, feelin g oblig a t ed t o ch a st ise t h e dem on dog ev en
if it w a s m y ch a r g e on ly t em por a r ily . “ T h a t ’s n ot v er y
su ppor t iv e. I’v e h ea r d t h a t ch ildbir t h ca n be a v er y fr ig h t en in g
t im e for a w om a n . I’m su r e A islin g w ou ld a ppr ecia t e y ou r
em pa t h y r a t h er t h a n y ou r bu r n in g desir e t o esca pe w h a t is a n
ex cit in g t im e for h er a n d Dr a k e.”

“ La w dy , Miz Sca r let t , I don ’t k n ow n u t h in ’ a bou t bir t h in ’

ba bies, a n d I don ’t w a n t t o k n ow , eit h er ,” Jim a n sw er ed,
m a r ch in g pa st Ist v á n , on e of Dr a k e’s per son a l g u a r ds, a s h e
st ood h oldin g t h e door for u s.

“ T h a t ’ll be en ou g h ou t of y ou , pr issy ,” I sa id, fr ow n in g a t t h e

dem on . “ A n d n o m or e Gone w ith the Wind DV D. I t a k e it
ev er y t h in g is a ll r ig h t ?”

T h e la st qu est ion w a s a ddr essed t o Ist v á n , w h o n odded a s w e

en t er ed t h e h ou se. “ A islin g t h r ea t en ed t o g o h om e t o h er u n cle
t o h a v e t h e ba by . Dr a k e sw or e h e w ou ld t ie h er dow n t o a cou ch
if sh e k ept in sist in g on doin g t h in g s lik e w a lk in g a n d m ov in g
a r ou n d. Nor a a n d Pá l h a d a n a r g u m en t ov er w h et h er A islin g
sh ou ld be a llow ed t o g o t o t h e ba t h r oom by h er self, a n d t h ey
a r en ’t spea k in g t o ea ch ot h er . Ren é h a s been t ea ch in g A islin g
h ow t o sw ea r in Fr en ch , w h ich sh e does w it h fr equ en cy .”

“ So a ll is n or m a l,” Ga br iel sa id w it h a lit t le fla sh of h is

dim ples.
 “ A s n or m a l a s it g et s a r ou n d h er e,” Ist v á n sa id w it h a w a v e
t ow a r d door s t h a t I k n ew led t o a la r g e sit t in g r oom . “ Me, I’m
st a y in g ou t of A islin g ’s w a y . Sh e pu t a bin din g w a r d on Dr a k e
t h is m or n in g t h a t left h im m a d en ou g h t o bu r n dow n h a lf t h e
m a st er ba t h r oom befor e h e esca ped it .”

“ Oh , m a n , I m issed seein g t h a t ? Su ck sv ille.” Jim ’s ey es

n a r r ow ed in specu la t ion . “ W h a t did h e do t o piss h er off so
m u ch , a n d do y ou t h in k I cou ld g et h im t o do it a g a in ?”

I pu lled ou t a sm a ll piece of pa per fr om m y pock et a n d sh ow ed

it t o Jim . “ I h a v e h er e t h e ex a ct st eps n eeded t o ba n ish a dem on
w it h in m y com m a n d t o t h e A k a sh a . W ou ld y ou lik e t o g o n ow ,
or la t er ?”

“ Geez! I w a s ju st t ea sin g ! No on e ca n t a k e a lit t le jok e

a n y m or e! Ma n , Ga be, I don ’t en v y y ou a life spen t w it h a
doppelg a n g er w it h ou t a sen se of h u m or .”

“ Now w ou ld be g ood,” Ist v á n sa id fr om beh in d u s.

Jim ca st t h e dr a g on a look ov er it s sh ou lder a s it open ed t h e

door t o t h e sit t in g r oom . “ Et tu, Ist v á n ? Hey , A sh ! Look in ’ g ood
t h er e, ba be. W ow , I didn ’t t h in k y ou cou ld g et a n y fa t t er , bu t
y ou did. Y ou ’r e n ot g oin g t o, lik e, pop, a r e y ou ?”

I sig h ed a n d w on der ed if A islin g w ou ld m in d m e ba n ish in g

h er dem on less t h a n t w en t y -fou r h ou r s a ft er it h a d been g iv en
in t o m y ca r e.

“ A islin g , w h a t a plea su r e it is t o see y ou a g a in ,” Ga br iel sa id,

h is h a n d on m y ba ck a s w e en t er ed t h e r oom . He t ook bot h h er
h a n ds in h is a s h e pr essed a k iss t o h er k n u ck les. I st ifled t h e
u r g e t o sm a ck h im on t h e ba ck of h is h ea d, ch a lk in g u p t h e
su dden spu r t of jea lou sy t o t h e dr a g on sh a r d. “ Y ou a r e g low in g ,
a s y ou sh ou ld be. Y ou do n ot m in d t h a t Ma y a n d I h a v e dr opped
in t o see y ou ?”

“ No, n ot a t a ll.” Sh e w a s ly in g on t h e cou ch , a t h ick bla n k et

ov er h er leg s a n d bu lg in g m idsect ion . “ I’m delig h t ed t o h a v e
som eon e sa n e t o t a lk t o. Her e, let m e m ov e so y ou ca n sit w it h
m e, Ma y .”

Sh e st r u g g led t o sit u pr ig h t . Ga br iel, w it h on e h a n d beh in d

h er , t h e ot h er on h er a r m , g en t ly a ssist ed h er . Or h e st a r t ed t o…
. A su dden r oa r fr om t h e door w a y , follow ed im m edia t ely by a
fir eba ll t h a t sh ot pa st m e a n d h it Ga br iel w it h en ou g h for ce t o
flin g h im ba ck w a r ds a few feet , en ded h is a t t em pt a t h elp.

“ Now , t h a t ’s w h a t I’m t a lk in g a bou t ,” Jim sa id w it h

sa t isfa ct ion a s it plopped it s big bu t t dow n n ex t t o A islin g .
“ A ct ion a t la st !”

“ Hello, Dr a k e. He w a sn ’t r ea lly t ou ch in g h er ; h e w a s ju st
h elpin g h er sit u p,” I sa id a s t h e g r een w y v er n , a n d A islin g ’s
v er y a t t en t iv e, v er y jea lou s h u sba n d, st or m ed in t o t h e r oom ,
h is em er a ld ey es spit t in g fu r y a t Ga br iel.

Dr a k e n ev er t ook h is ey es off Ga br iel a s h e h elped A islin g in t o

a sit t in g posit ion , ca r efu lly t u ck in g t h e bla n k et a r ou n d h er
befor e n a r r ow in g h is g a ze on t h e lov e of m y life. I w a s a bit
su r pr ised t o see Ga br iel g r in n in g in r et u r n . A lt h ou g h h e h a d a
m u ch less v ola t ile t em per t h a n Dr a k e, h e didn ’t t a k e k in dly t o
bein g pu sh ed a r ou n d, especia lly by a n ot h er w y v er n .

“ W ell, I ca n see I’m n ot g oin g t o h a v e t o br ea k u p a fig h t

bet w een y ou t w o, a t lea st ,” I sa id, m ov in g n on et h eless t o st a n d
bet w een t h e t w o m en .
 “ A islin g is n ea r h er bir t h in g t im e. It is n a t u r a l t h a t Dr a k e
sh ou ld be in t oler a n t of ot h er m a les a r ou n d h er w h ile sh e is
v u ln er a ble,” Ga br iel sa id, h is h a n d slidin g a r ou n d t o m y w a ist
a s h e m a de a lit t le bow t o Dr a k e. “ Ha d I k n ow n h e w a s r ig h t
ou t side t h e r oom , I w ou ld h a v e a llow ed y ou t o a ssist A islin g .”

Dr a k e look ed lik e h e w a n t ed t o pick a fig h t w it h Ga br iel,

sm ok e issu in g in lit t le pu ffs fr om h is n ose, bu t A islin g pu t a
h a n d on h im a n d t u g g ed h im dow n on t o t h e cou ch n ex t t o h er .
T h a t seem ed t o do t h e t r ick , for h is g a ze left Ga br iel for t h e fir st
t im e, a n d h e a ck n ow ledg ed m y pr esen ce w it h a n od.

“ Ma y , y ou a r e w elcom e h er e. A islin g w ill en joy y ou r

com pa n y .”

T h e ex clu sion of Ga br iel in t h e w elcom e w a s poin t ed, bu t

lu ck ily a m u sed h im .

“ W e a r e n ot h er e for a socia l v isit , a lt h ou g h of cou r se it is

a lw a y s a delig h t t o see A islin g ,” Ga br iel sa id, t u r n in g t h e pow er
of h is dim ples on h er .

I n u dg ed h im w it h t h e t ip of m y t oe, per h a ps h a r der t h a n w a s

n ecessa r y , beca u se h e la u g h ed a n d pu lled a ch a ir for w a r d for
m e, t a k in g a n ot h er on e ju st bey on d m y r ea ch .

“ A n d I t h ou g h t A sh w a s jea lou s. W h ew . Gla d m y Cecile isn ’t

lik e y ou t w o,” Jim m u t t er ed.

Bot h A islin g a n d I g a v e it a g la r e. It t ook t h e poin t a n d r olled

ov er on t o it s ba ck . “ Belly r u bbles, A sh ? Pw et t y pw ea se?”

“ Y ou a r e h er e on w ey r bu sin ess?” Dr a k e a sk ed a s A islin g , w it h

a lit t le r oll of h er ey es, scr a t ch ed Jim ’s h a ir y belly .
 “ No. Ou r bu sin ess in v olv es Kost y a . I cou ld n ot r ea ch h im a t
h is h ou se, a n d t h ou g h t y ou m ig h t be a ble t o h elp u s loca t e h im .”

“ He’s been a w a y ,” Dr a k e sa id slow ly , h is ex pr ession

u n r ea da ble. “ Bu t I ex pect h im ba ck a t a n y t im e.”

“ A ssu m in g t h e s árk ány h e ca lled is st ill sch edu led for t w o

da y s fr om n ow , I w ou ld ex pect t h a t h e w ou ld be in t ow n m a k in g
pr epa r a t ion s for it . W h er e h a s h e been ?”

Dr a k e’s g a ze sh ift ed a n in fin it esim a l a m ou n t . “ St . Pet er sbu r g ,

I believ e.”

St . Pet er sbu r g … ju st a h op, sk ip, a n d a ju m p pla n e-w ise fr om

Rig a , a n d Ba lt ic’s r u in ed st r on g h old. I slid a g la n ce t ow a r d
Ga br iel, bu t h is fa ce w a s a s im pa ssiv e a s Dr a k e’s. His em ot ion s,
h ow ev er , w er en ’t qu it e so su bdu ed. A sen se of qu ick en in g
ex cit em en t n u dg ed a t m y a w a r en ess, pr oddin g t h e dr a g on
sh a r d t o w a k e u p a n d t a k e in t h e su r r ou n din g s.

“ W e w ill spea k w it h h im la t er t oda y , t h en , w h en h e a r r iv es

ba ck in En g la n d.”

“ He sh ou ld be ba ck by n ow ,” A islin g sa id, g la n cin g a t t h e

clock .

Dr a k e sh ot h er a w a r n in g look .

“ W h a t ?” sh e a sk ed h im .

He m a de a n a bor t ed g est u r e.

“ Oh , for Pet e’s sa k e … Ga br iel a n d Ma y a r e ou r fr ien ds. T h ey

k n ow Kost y a ca lled t h e s árk ány in or der t o g et t h e bla ck dr a g on s
r ecog n ized a s a sept . It ’s n ot g oin g t o be a n y sh ock t o t h em t o
k n ow h e’s been t r y in g t o fin d Ba lt ic’s la ir so h e ca n pr oper ly t a k e
ov er a s w y v er n .”

Dr a k e sig h ed, t h e fin g er s of on e h a n d st r ok in g h er k n ee. “ T h is

is a ser iou s m a t t er , k incs em . Cir cu m spect ion sh ou ld be
u pper m ost in y ou r m in d a t a ll t im es.”

“ Cir cu m spect ion , m y a u n t Fa n n y ,” sh e sn or t ed. “ I’m n ot

g oin g t o pla y g a m es w it h ou r fr ien ds.”

“ Ma t e, I in sist —”

“ A n d t h a t ’s a n ot h er t h in g ,” sh e sa id, r ou n din g on h im a s best

sh e cou ld con sider in g h er bu lk . “ Y ou ’v e t u r n ed in t o Mr . Bossy
Pa n t s t h ese la st few w eek s, a n d I’m r ea lly g et t in g t ir ed of it . I’m
pr eg n a n t , Dr a k e. I’m n ot m a de of g la ss, I’m n ot g oin g t o bu r st
in t o la bor if I do t h in g s for m y self, a n d m y m in d is ju st a s st r on g
a s it ev er w a s. Jim , so h elp m e g od, if y ou sa y ju st on e t h in g , I’ll
h a v e Ma y ba n ish y ou t o t h e A k a sh a for t h e n ex t t w o h u n dr ed
y ea r s.”

“ Hey , a ll I w a s g oin g t o sa y is t h a t I w ou ldn ’t be br a g g in g

a bou t t h e st a t e of y ou r m i—”

“ Silen ce,” I t old Jim .

It sh ot m e a g la r e, h u ffed t o it self, a n d plopped dow n w it h a

disg u st ed a ir .

A islin g a n d Dr a k e w er e fr ow n in g a t ea ch ot h er .

“ If I cor r ect y ou , it is beca u se y ou a r e ou t side t h e bou n ds of

w ey r et iqu et t e,” Dr a k e t old h er .

“ It ’s ju st Ga br iel a n d Ma y !” sh e a n sw er ed.
 “ A w y v er n , a n d a w y v er n ’s m a t e.”

“ T h ey a r e ou r friends ,” A islin g sa id, w a v in g h er h a n d t ow a r d

u s. “ I feel per fect ly w it h in m y r ig h t t o sa y w h a t I t h in k in fr on t
of t h em , n o m a t t er w h a t posit ion t h ey h old.”

“ T h ey a r e a lso opposed t o m y br ot h er r eceiv in g t h e

r ecog n it ion h e seek s,” Dr a k e cou n t er ed, h is ey es fla sh in g w it h
a n n oy a n ce.

“ Y ou r br ot h er ,” A islin g sa id, br ea t h in g h ea v ily , “ is a lm ost a s

a n n oy in g a s y ou a r e. Alm os t!”

Ga br iel’s lips t w it ch ed. I w a s h a v in g a sim ila r pr oblem

k eepin g a st r a ig h t fa ce, bu t k n ew it w ou ld ju st m a k e t h in g s
w or se if I la u g h ed ou t r ig h t .

“ Y ou a r e bein g em ot ion a l beca u se of t h e im pen din g bir t h . I

w ou ld r em in d y ou a g a in t h a t su ch ou t bu r st s a r e n ot con du civ e
t o t h e ca lm in g en v ir on m en t y ou seek for t h e ev en t it self,” Dr a k e
sa id w it h m a dden in g ser en it y .

A islin g g a sped. “ A r e y ou ca llin g m e u n h in g ed?”

“ No, of cou r se n ot —”

“ Y ou a r e!” Sh e st r u g g led t o h er feet , sla ppin g off h is h elpin g

h a n ds, clu t ch in g t h e la p bla n k et t o h er self a s sh e squ a r ed h er
sh ou lder s a n d lev eled h im a look t h a t sh ou ld h a v e dr opped h im
dea d on t h e spot . “ T h a t ’s it ! I’m de-m a t in g y ou ! I’m filin g for a
div or ce! I’m g oin g t o g o ba ck t o Un cle Da m ia n a n d h a v e t h e
ba by t h er e, w h er e people t h in k I’m sa n e a n d com pet en t a n d
don ’t t ell m e w h a t t o do ev er y m in u t e of t h e da y . Jim , h eel! Y ou
ca n com e h om e w it h m e.”
 Sh e st or m ed ou t of t h e r oom w it h ou t a look t ow a r d u s, Jim ,
st ill bou n d by m y com m a n d t o silen ce, t r a ilin g beh in d h er .
Dr a k e, a m a r t y r ed ex pr ession on h is fa ce, pa u sed in t h e a ct of
follow in g h er , sa y in g , “ Sh e’s a lit t le em ot ion a l r ig h t n ow . Y ou
w ill n o dou bt for g iv e h er .”

“ T h e ba by is on ly a few da y s ov er du e, I believ e?” Ga br iel

a sk ed.

Dr a k e n odded. “ T h e m idw ife h a s con fir m ed t h a t a ll is w ell,

bu t t h e st r a in of w a it in g is beg in n in g t o t a k e it s t oll on A islin g .”

I k ept t h e com m en t t o m y self t h a t A islin g w a sn ’t t h e on ly on e

bein g a ffect ed.

“ Y ou w ill ex cu se m e. I m u st see t o soot h in g h er r u ffled

fea t h er s befor e sh e book s a n ot h er flig h t t o t h e US.”

“ A n ot h er on e?” I cou ldn ’t h elp bu t a sk , t r y in g n ot t o sm ile.

Dr a k e sig h ed a g a in a s h e open ed t h e door . “ Sh e t h r ea t en s t o

r et u r n h om e da ily n ow . It is becom in g t ir esom e t o ex pla in t o t h e
a ir lin es t h a t t h e r eser v a t ion s m u st be ca n celed. If y ou w ish t o
r em a in h er e for Kost y a , y ou a r e w elcom e t o do so. He is ex pect ed
for din n er . I t h ou g h t it w ou ld dist r a ct A islin g .”

I g a v e in a t t h e ex pr ession of su ffer in g on h is fa ce, a lt h ou g h I

w a it ed for h im t o close t h e door befor e I la u g h ed ou t lou d. “ Poor
m a n ,” I sa id.

Ga br iel g r in n ed. “ It is u n k in d of m e, I k n ow , bu t I ca n n ot h elp

bu t t h in k Dr a k e h a s m a de h is bed, a n d is fin din g it n ot qu it e so
sw eet t o lie u pon .”

I w a s a bou t t o a g r ee w it h h im w h en it st r u ck m e t h a t per h a ps
h e didn ’t m ea n it in t h e w a y I t h ou g h t . “ A islin g is pu t t in g u p
w it h a lot fr om h im , t oo, y ou k n ow . T h a t ov er pr ot ect iv e a ct ca n
be w ea r in g t o t h e n er v es, a n d I ca n on ly im a g in e h ow a n n oy in g
it w ou ld be t o be t r ea t ed a s if on e w a s m a de of g la ss.”

“ A n d ju st h ow w ou ld y ou lik e t o be t r ea t ed?” Ga br iel a sk ed,

w a lk in g beh in d m e. His v oice w a s r ich w it h in n u en do, ca u sin g
m y ba ck t o st iffen w it h su dden a r ou sa l. T h e dr a g on sh a r d in m e
k n ew ex a ct ly w h a t h e w a s doin g —h e w a s flir t in g , t ea sin g m e,
fu lfillin g a dr a g on ’s n eed t o pla y w it h it s pr ey . He w a lk ed in a
cir cle, n ot t ou ch in g m e, bu t h is ey es g lit t er ed w it h a qu ick silv er
h ea t t h a t left m e sh or t of br ea t h .

“ How do I w a n t t o be t r ea t ed?” I a sk ed, st r u g g lin g t o h old on t o

m y self, t h e t r u e pa r t of m e, n ot t h e dr a g on -t a in t ed bit s t h a t
w er e slow ly , in sidiou sly t a k in g ov er m y sen se of self.

“ Y es.” He pa t h ed a r ou n d beh in d m e a g a in , ca u sin g m e t o

sh iv er w it h a n t icipa t ion . T h e dr a g on sh a r d st opped in sist in g I
pa y a t t en t ion t o it , a n d sim ply t ook ov er , a llow in g m y body t o
sh ift a n d st r et ch a n d t r a n sfor m in t o a silv er -sca led for m t h a t
w a s so for eig n t o m e, a n d y et so fa m ilia r .

“ I w a n t t o be t r ea t ed lik e t h is,” I sa id in a su lt r y v oice I a lm ost

didn ’t r ecog n ize, a n d w h ipped m y t a il a r ou n d on e of h is leg s,
jer k in g it t ow a r d m e so h e fell ba ck w a r ds on t o t h e floor . Befor e
h e cou ld pr ot est , I w a s on t op of h im , lick in g h im w it h fir e,
t a st in g h im , w a n t in g h im , n eedin g h im t o com plet e t h e self
t h a t w a it ed so im pa t ien t ly .

He g r ow led deep in h is ch est , a m a t in g sou n d t h a t sk it t er ed

a lon g m y body lik e a st a t ic ch a r g e. He, t oo, st a r t ed t o sh ift , bu t
a n oise a t t h e door w a s follow ed by a soft v oice sa y in g in Fr en ch -
in flect ed En g lish , “ I h a v e r et u r n ed, a lt h ou g h I cou ld n ot fin d t h e
pick le-fla v or ed cr isps y ou …”

I st r u g g led t o m y feet a t t h e sig h t of t h e m a n in t h e door w a y

w h o h eld a sh oppin g ba g fr om a pr est ig iou s st or e. “ Er … h ello.”

“ Ren é, is it n ot ?” Ga br iel a sk ed, com plet ely com posed despit e

t h e fa ct t h a t a st r a n g e m a n w a lk ed in ju st a s I w a s a bou t t o
h a v e m y dr a g on ly w a y w it h h im . I fou g h t t h e dr a g on sh a r d for
con t r ol, slow ly , in ch by in ch r et u r n in g m y body t o n or m a l. T h e
m a n n a m ed Ren é g r eet ed Ga br iel plea sa n t ly en ou g h , bu t h e
w a t ch ed m e w it h a decidedly w a r y look a s t h e la st of t h e silv er
sca les sh im m er ed in t o m y n or m a l sk in color .

“ It is a plea su r e t o see y ou a g a in ,” Ren é sa id, h is ey es

flick er in g t o m e a g a in .

“ T h is is m y m a t e, Ma y . Lit t le bir d, t h is is a n old fr ien d of

A islin g ’s, a da im on w h o h a s been of m u ch a ssist a n ce t o h er .”

Da im on s w er e fa t es, I k n ew . I’d n ev er a ct u a lly m et on e befor e,

a lt h ou g h I t h ou g h t it w a s in t er est in g t h a t t h ey w er e
occa sion a lly a ssig n ed t o in div idu a ls w h o t h ey felt n eeded a lit t le
h elp.

“ In clu din g a s a pu r v ey or of h a r d-t o-fin d delect a bles,” Ren é

a n sw er ed, h oldin g u p h is ba g w it h a g r in . “ Dr a k e, h e r efu ses t o
lea v e h er side, so it is u p t o m e t o br in g t h e so-ch a r m in g A islin g
t h e food sh e cr a v es m ost .”

“ I t h ou g h t pr eg n a n cy cr a v in g s w er e ov er by t h e t im e bir t h
w a s im m in en t ?”

He sh r u g g ed, a loose-sh ou lder ed g est u r e t h a t m a de m e t h in k

of sm ok y ba r s in Ma r seille filled w it h slin k y w om en in lou d-
pr in t dr esses. “ It depen ds on t h e w om a n , hein? I h a v e sev en lit t le
on es m y self, a n d w h en t h e m am an desir es som et h in g , it is bet t er
t o h u m or h er , I h a v e fou n d. W it h m y w ife, it w a s m a ca r oon s.
A lw a y s t h e m a ca r oon s. A t a ll h ou r s, sh e m u st h a v e m a ca r oon s.
A islin g , sh e h a s a pa ssion for cr isps of t h e m ost r epu lsiv e fla v or s,
bu t it is n ot for m e t o den y h er w h en sh e m ost desir es t h em . I
fin d t h e cr isps ju st a s I fou n d t h e m a ca r oon s for m y Br ig it t e. Did
y ou sa y ‘m a t e’?”

Ga br iel g r in n ed a s Ren é g a v e m e a t h or ou g h v isu a l

in spect ion . “ Despit e t h e cu r se, y es, sh e is.”

“ Bu t I t h ou g h t … y ou a r e n ot a dr a g on , t h en ?”

“ T o be h on est , I don ’t k n ow qu it e w h a t I a m a n y m or e,” I

a n sw er ed w it h m or e t h a n a t ou ch of despa ir .

Ga br iel t ook m y h a n d, h is fin g er s w a r m a n d st r on g , offer in g

com for t . “ Do n ot fig h t t h e sh a r d, Ma y . Con t r ol it a s w e discu ssed,
bu t do n ot fig h t it . I w ill n ot a llow it t o con su m e y ou .”

Ren é’s ey ebr ow s w en t u p. “ A sh a r d? Y ou do n ot m ea n …”

“ I’m t ech n ica lly k n ow n a s t h e Nor t h cot t Ph y la ct er y , y es,” I

sa id, g iv in g Ga br iel’s h a n d a squ eeze t o let h im k n ow I
a ppr ecia t ed t h e su ppor t . “ I’m a doppelg a n g er , r ea lly .”

“ A sh a dow w a lk er ? How v er y in t er est in g . I h a v e on ly ev er

m et on e ot h er of y ou r k in d.”

“ Oph elia ?”

“ Oui. Y ou k n ow h er ?”

I sh ook m y h ea d. “ Not r ea lly . I g a t h er sh e’s h a v in g a r ou g h

t im e bein g on h er ow n , bu t ot h er t h a n on e or t w o con v er sa t ion s
on t h e ph on e w it h h er , I h a v e n o con t a ct w it h a n y ot h er
doppelg a n g er s. W e t en d t o st a y pr et t y m u ch on ou r ow n .”

“ A h , y ou w er e n ot bor n ,” Ren é sa id, n oddin g h is h ea d a s h e

fig u r ed ou t h ow w e h a d g ot t en a r ou n d t h e cu r se pu t on t h e
silv er dr a g on s by t h e dr ea d w y v er n Ba lt ic. “ V er y clev er . A n d
n ow y ou a r e h er e t o h elp A islin g w it h t h e bir t h , Ga br iel?”

“ I w ou ld be h a ppy t o a ct a s m idw ife, bu t Dr a k e, I believ e,

w ou ld r a t h er bir t h t h e ch ild h im self t h a n let m e n ea r h is
m a t e.”

“ Dr a g on s,” Ren é sa id, n oddin g , a ddin g in a n a side t o m e,

“ T h ey ca n be v er y pr ot ect iv e.”

“ So I g a t h er . Per h a ps y ou ca n a n sw er a qu est ion for m e. A r e

da im on s a ssig n ed t o pa r t icu la r in div idu a ls, or ca n y ou be h ir ed?
I k n ow Ga br iel w ill feel ot h er w ise, bu t I cer t a in ly feel a s if w e
cou ld u se a h elpin g h a n d—”

A r a ck et ex ploded fr om t h e en t r a n ce of t h e h ou se, a w om a n ’s
sh ou t s ca r r y in g lou d a n d clea r ov er a m or e m a scu lin e
r u m blin g .

“ Cabrón! Do y ou t h in k I w ill be k ept fr om seein g m y

g r a n dch ild? Mov e a side befor e I h a v e m y son t h r ow y ou in t o t h e
g u t t er w h er e y ou belon g !”

“ W h o on ea r t h —?” I st a r t ed t o a sk , bu t I a sk ed it t o a n em pt y
r oom , Ga br iel a n d Ren é im m edia t ely r a cin g fr om t h e r oom . I
follow ed, pa u sin g a t t h e door t o t a k e in t h e sig h t of a t a ll, oliv e-
sk in n ed, da r k -h a ir ed w om a n ch ew in g u p Ist v á n , w h o w a s
pr oba bly dou ble h er w eig h t , n ot t o m en t ion bu ilt lik e a t r u ck .
T o m y in t en se su r pr ise, Ist v á n w a s ba ck peda lin g m a dly a s t h e
t a ll Spa n ish w om a n y elled, h er h a n ds g est icu la t in g w ildly .

“ W h er e is m y Dr a k e? W h er e is m y g r a n dch ild?” Sh e
pu n ct u a t ed h er sen t en ces w it h blow s t o Ist v á n ’s ch est . “ St op
r u n n in g fr om m e a n d fet ch —”

T h e w om a n ca u g h t sig h t of u s fr om t h e cor n er of h er ey e. Sh e
st opped h it t in g Ist v á n a n d r ou n ded on Ga br iel, h er bla ck
ex pr ession su dden ly t u r n in g sly a n d su lt r y . “ Ga br iel!” sh e a ll
bu t cooed.

Ha ck les I didn ’t k n ow I possessed w en t u p a t t h e sig h t of h er a s

sh e sa u n t er ed t ow a r d Ga br iel, br u sh in g pa st Ren é a s if h e didn ’t
ex ist , h er h ips sw a y in g w it h a n u n m ist a k a ble m essa g e. My
fin g er s len g t h en ed in t o cla w s, bu t I cu r led t h em u p, r efu sin g t o
g iv e in t o t h e sh a r d’s dem a n d t h a t I dea l w it h t h e br a zen h u ssy
w h o w a s g oin g t o be on e v er y sor r y per son if sh e so m u ch a s la id
a fin g er on m y m a t e.

“ I did n ot k n ow y ou w er e h er e,” sh e con t in u ed, h er v oice a

bla t a n t in v it a t ion .

I don ’t r em em ber m ov in g , bu t som eh ow , I fou n d m y self

st a n din g in fr on t of Ga br iel, m y h a n ds clen ch ed a s I t h ou g h t for
a few secon ds of h ow n ice sh e w ou ld look u n con sciou s on t h e
en t r y w a y floor . “ Hello. I’m Ma y .”

“ T h is is m y m a t e, Ca t a lin a ,” Ga br iel sa id, la u g h t er obv iou s in

h is v oice a s h e sn a k ed h is h a n d a r ou n d m y w a ist , g en t ly pu llin g
m e ov er t o h is side. “ Ma y lin g , y ou h a v e h ea r d m e m en t ion
Dr a k e’s m ot h er , y es? T h is is doñ a Ca t a lin a de Elfér ez.”

“ Ma t e.” Sh e sa id t h e w or d a s if it w er e r a n cid, h er da r k ey es
scr u t in izin g m e for a m om en t .
 I a m n o st r a n g er t o pier cin g look s, or t h e im por t a n ce of
pr esen t in g a pla cid ex pr ession ev en w h en m y br a in is
scr ea m in g t o r u n a w a y , so it w a s n ot m u ch of a n effor t t o sm ile
a t h er . “ It ’s a plea su r e t o m eet y ou .”

Her ex pr ession ch a n g ed fr om h ost ilit y t o w a r in ess. “ Y ou h a v e

a m a t e. Is sh e … ?” Sh e h esit a t ed for a m om en t , t h en g est u r ed
v a g u ely t ow a r d m e. “ Is sh e m en t a lly da m a g ed?”

I g a ped a t h er in su r pr ise. “ I beg y ou r pa r don ?”

Sh e lea n ed close t ow a r d Ga br iel, h er g a ze r est in g on m e w it h

obv iou s cu r iosit y , a s if I w a s som e sor t of a biza r r e sig h t sh e’d
n ev er com e a cr oss. “ Resu r r ect ion , if n ot don e pr oper ly , ca n
oft en lea d t o da m a g e of t h e br a in .”

“ Resu r r ect ion ?” I g a ped a lit t le m or e befor e t u r n in g t o look a t

Ga br iel.

His dim ples w er e fig h t in g t o sh ow , bu t h e m er ely t ig h t en ed

h is a r m a r ou n d m e, a n d r ea ssu r ed Ca t a lin a t h a t I w a s n ot t h e
equ iv a len t of a m en t a l squ a sh . “ I did n ot r esu r r ect h er in or der
t o by pa ss t h e cu r se.”

“ No, n o, I w ou ld n ev er su g g est t h a t y ou did su ch a t h in g ,

sin ce w e bot h k n ow t h a t r esu r r ect ion w it h ou t sa n ct ion is v er y
m u ch disa llow ed in t h e w ey r .” Her g a ze w a s st ill w a r y on m e a s
I m u st er ed u p on ce a g a in t h e sa m e sm ile t h a t h a d soot h ed m a n y
of Ma g ot h ’s t em per t a n t r u m s. “ Bu t , m y da r lin g Ga br iel, y ou
m u st t a k e som e st eps t o cov er u p t h is h or r ible t r a g edy . Ju st look
a t h er . Look a t t h a t g r im a ce. T h a t is n ot a g r im a ce of a sa n e
per son .”

“ It ’s a sm ile,” I sa id t h r ou g h m y t eet h , h oldin g on t o t h e

bla st ed t h in g for a ll I w a s w or t h . “ I’m sm ilin g , n ot g r im a cin g .”

“ Y es, of cou r se y ou a r e sm ilin g ,” sh e sa id lou dly , pa t t in g m y

a r m a s sh e g a v e Ga br iel a sy m pa t h et ic look . “ Y ou a r e v er y g ood
t o st a n d by h er despit e t h e fa ilu r e of y ou r ex per im en t . I w ill,
n a t u r a lly , n ot br ea t h e a w or d t o a n y on e w h a t I h a v e n ot iced
a bou t h er . Y ou r secr et is v er y sa fe w it h m e.”

“ I h a v e n ot been r esu r r ect ed!” I sa id r a t h er lou der t h a n w a s

pr oba bly n ecessa r y .

Sh e w a v ed a h a n d t ow a r d a m ou n t a in of bla ck lea t h er
lu g g a g e t h a t a dr iv er w a s st ill br in g in g in . “ I h a v e som e pr et t y
t oy s I br ou g h t for m y g r a n dch ild, bu t y ou r poor , sw eet m a t e
sh a ll h a v e h er pick of t h em . T h ey w ill n o dou bt a m u se h er , a n d
k eep h er h a ppy for m a n y da y s. Now , m y da r lin g Ga br iel, y ou
m u st pr om ise m e y ou w ill do ev er y t h in g in y ou r pow er t o
r escu e m y in n ocen t g r a n dch ild fr om t h a t sh e-dev il’s clu t ch es.
Do y ou k n ow t h a t m y Dr a k e r efu sed t o a llow m e t o be h er e w h en
t h e ch ild w a s bein g bor n ? It w a s her doin g , n a t u r a lly , bu t I a m
n ot h in g if n ot a n ex cellen t m ot h er , a n d I did a s h e ba de m e, n o
m a t t er h ow cr u el it w a s.”

Sh e sn a k ed h er h a n d t h r ou g h Ga br iel’s ot h er a r m a n d t u g g ed
h im a w a y fr om m e, t ow a r d t h e r oom w e’d ju st left .

I look ed a t Ren é. He g r in n ed a t m e.

“ T h e ba by is n ot y et bor n ,” Ga br iel sa id, ca st in g m e a look

ov er h is sh ou lder , pa r t em ba r r a ssm en t , pa r t r elu ct a n ce, a s sh e
dr a g g ed h im t ow a r d t h e sit t in g r oom .

“ No? W ell, t h er e is t im e for u s t o sa v e t h e poor lit t le on e befor e

it is t a in t ed by t h a t dem on lor d m y da r lin g Dr a k e in sist s on
ca llin g m a t e. Com e, n ow , t ell m e a ll t h a t h a s h a ppen ed sin ce I
h a v e la st seen y ou , a lt h ou g h n a t u r a lly w e w ill n ot discu ss t h e
t r a g ic r esu lt of y ou r a t t em pt t o fin d a m a t e.” Sh e pa u sed a n d
g la n ced t ow a r d u s, t h en in clin ed h er h ea d t o h im . “ W ill y ou r
m a t e be a ll r ig h t if sh e is left a lon e? Sh e does n ot h a v e su icida l
t en den cies? I k n ew a r esu r r ect ed m a g e w h o seem ed per fect ly
n or m a l, bu t a n y sou n d of a bell w ou ld set h im t o r en din g h is
clot h in g a n d pu llin g ou t h is h a ir . It w a s v er y t r a g ic. Y ou r m a t e
w ill be fin e left a lon e? Y es? Ex cellen t . Y ou m u st t ell m e
ev er y t h in g w h ile m y r oom s a r e bein g m a de r ea dy .”

T h e door sh u t beh in d t h em , lea v in g Ren é, Ist v á n , a n d m y self

a lon e in t h e h a llw a y , Ca t a lin a ’s t a x i dr iv er h a v in g deposit ed
t h e la st few ca ses befor e h e h u r r ied ou t .

“ Dr a k e’s m ot h er ,” I sa id t o t h em .

Ist v á n m a de a fa ce. “ Sh e w a s n ot su pposed t o com e. Dr a k e t old

h er n ot t o com e. A islin g w ill n ot be h a ppy .”

Ren é g a v e a n ot h er of t h ose loose sh r u g s a n d sa id, “ T h er e is n o

u se in t r y in g t o t ell Ca t a lin a a n y t h in g . Sh e does a s sh e plea ses.”

“ I don ’t look der a n g ed, do I?” I a sk ed, t ou ch in g m y fa ce a n d

w ish in g for t h e m illion t h t im e I cou ld see m y r eflect ion .

“ Y ou look w or r ied, bu t n ot der a n g ed,” Ren é t old m e k in dly .

“ T h a n k y ou ,” I sa id, n ot m u ch bu oy ed, bu t w illin g t o t a k e

w h a t I cou ld g et . I ca st a g la n ce t ow a r d t h e closed door t o t h e
sit t in g r oom . “ I t h in k I’ll g o fet ch Jim fr om A islin g . I’m su r e
Dr a k e h a s ca lm ed h er dow n by n ow , a n d Jim is pr oba bly
m a k in g a pest of it self.”

T h e dem on w a sn ’t , in fa ct , in t h e w a y , bu t on ly beca u se it
h a d ev iden t ly been k ick ed ou t of A islin g ’s bedr oom . I fou n d it
ly in g on t h e floor on it s ba ck .

“ Y ou ca n t a lk n ow ,” I t old it , a v er t in g m y sig h t fr om it s
n et h er r eg ion s.

“ Geez, h a n g in g a r ou n d Ma g ot h r ea lly t a u g h t y ou h ow t o
t or m en t dem on s, didn ’t it ? I t h ou g h t y ou ’d n ev er com e u p h er e
t o g et m e!” Jim r olled ov er a n d g ot t o it s feet , sh a k in g it self in a
w a y t h a t left a cor on a of bla ck h a ir on t h e floor a r ou n d it .
“ Got t a be din n er t im e. Let ’s g o ea t .”

“ Is ev er y t h in g OK in t h er e?” I a sk ed, n oddin g t ow a r d t h e

door .

“ Y ea h , y ea h , Dr a k e st a r t ed in w it h A sh a bou t h ow h e ca n ’t
su r v iv e t h e a g es w it h ou t h er , a n d a ll t h a t cr a p, a n d sh e fell for
it ju st lik e sh e a lw a y s does.” T h e dem on sh ook it s h ea d
disg u st edly a s it m a r ch ed pa st m e t ow a r d t h e st a ir s. “ W om en .
Ca n ’t liv e w it h ’em , ca n ’t liv e w it h ’em .”

“ I’m su r e I ca n see t o it t h a t y ou don ’t liv e a t a ll,” I sa id

sw eet ly , w h ich m er it ed a n a n n oy ed look fr om Jim a s it w en t
dow n t h e st a ir s. “ By t h e w a y , Dr a k e’s m ot h er h a s a r r iv ed.”

Jim did a n a bou t -fa ce. “ Fir es of A ba ddon ! Y ou a lm ost let m e

g et w it h in bla st in g r a n g e! A n d m e ju st g et t in g m y coa t t o
m a x im u m fa bu lou sn ess. Sh eesh , Ma y . I ex pect ed bet t er of y ou .”

“ W h er e do y ou t h in k y ou ’r e g oin g ?” I a sk ed a s it h ea ded ba ck
t ow a r d A islin g ’s r oom .

“ Gon n a g o w a r n A sh . Sh e’s g oin g t o h it t h e r oof, a n d I w a n t t o

be t h er e t o see t h e fir ew or k s.”
 “ Effr ijim —” I st a r t ed t o sa y .

“ Oh , m a n !” it w h in ed, slu m pin g t o a h a lt . “ Not y ou , t oo?”

“ By t h e pow er s v est ed in m e by y ou r t r u e ov er lor d, I h er eby

ch a r g e, dem a n d, a n d ot h er w ise or der y ou t o lea v e A islin g a lon e
u n less sh e ex pr essly desir es y ou r com pa n y , or if h er life is in
da n g er .”

Jim h esit a t ed a t t h e door .

“ A v isit fr om h er m ot h er -in -la w does n ot con st it u t e a t h r ea t

t o h er life,” I w a r n ed, k n ow in g ex a ct ly w h a t it w a s t h in k in g .

It r a ised a n ey ebr ow . “ Y ou don ’t k n ow Ca t a lin a v er y w ell, do

y ou ?”

“ Com e on ,” I sa id, g est u r in g t ow a r d t h e st a ir s. “ Let ’s g o w a it

for Kost y a t o a r r iv e. I’m su r e, g iv en h is t em per , t h er e w ill be
fir ew or k s a plen t y w h en h e sees Ga br iel a n d m e.”

“ T h er e’d bet t er be! T h a t ’s a ll I’m sa y in ’!”

In t h a t belief, I w a s w r on g , a n d ev iden t ly I h a d m y t w in t o
th a n k.

“ Ma y lin g !” Cy r en e squ ea led w h en Jim a n d I a r r iv ed in t h e

h a ll a ft er spen din g a n h ou r pa ddlin g a r ou n d Dr a k e’s ba sem en t
pool. Sin ce t h e silv er dr a g on s w er en ’t ov er ly fon d of w a t er , it
n ot bein g t h eir elem en t , t h ey t en ded t o v iew t h in g s su ch a s
sh ow er s a s m er ely u n plea sa n t ex per ien ces t o be en du r ed a s
qu ick ly a s possible. A lt h ou g h Ga br iel’s h ou se in Ma n u k u a h a d a
pool, it w a s m or e or less for v isit or s, w h ich m a de it difficu lt t o
fin d t im e for a plea su r e sw im . A s Jim a n d I pa dded u p t h e st a ir s
fr om t h e pool, Cy r en e spot t ed u s a n d r u sh ed a cr oss t h e h a ll,
w h er e Kost y a w a s bein g g r eet ed by h is m ot h er , w it h Ga br iel
a n d Dr a k e in a w in g for m a t ion beh in d h er .

“ Y ou ’v e been sw im m in g ?” Cy r en e’s pu pils dila t ed slig h t ly , a s

w a s com m on w h en ev er w a t er w a s m en t ion ed in h er pr esen ce.
A s a w a t er elem en t a l, sh e h a d a n a ffin it y for fr esh w a t er sou r ces
su ch a s spr in g s a n d la k es, bu t sh e lov ed a n y for m of w a t er , a n d
w a s k n ow n t o t a k e h ou r -lon g ba t h s. “ Dr a k e h a s a pool?”

“ Y es, bu t it ’s n ot polit e t o a r r iv e a t som eon e’s h ou se a n d

dem a n d t o g o sw im m in g ,” I sa id, g r a bbin g h er a s sh e st a r t ed
pa st m e t ow a r d t h e st a ir s t o t h e ba sem en t . “ Y ou sh ou ld a t lea st
sa y h ello t o A islin g .”

“ Dr a k e sa id sh e’s r est in g a n d w ill be dow n la t er ,” Cy r en e sa id,

pou t in g ju st a bit befor e t u r n in g a sm ile on m e. “ Y ou look
h a ppy . Ha s Ma g ot h st opped h it t in g on y ou ?”

“ Oh , lik e t h a t cou ld h a ppen ,” Jim sa id, sn u fflin g Cy r en e’s

h a n d u n t il sh e fon dled it s ea r s a n d scr a t ch ed it s n eck . “ T h e da y
h e st ops h it t in g on ba bes is t h e da y I g iv e u p bein g a dem on a n d
g o ba ck t o spr it in g . Oh y ea h , ba by , r ig h t t h er e. Urng.”

Jim ’s ey es r olled u p a bit a s Cy r en e’s lon g fin g er n a ils fou n d a

pa r t icu la r ly it ch y spot .

“ Ha v e y ou ev er k n ow n Ma g ot h t o not h a v e sex on h is m in d?” I

a sk ed.

“ Oh , y es,” Cy r en e su r pr ised m e, n oddin g . “ Bu t on ly w h en h e’s

t or t u r in g som eon e. A n d ev en t h en … w ell, w e w on ’t g o in t o t h a t .
A t lea st h e h a sn ’t been g r a n t ed h is pow er s.”

“ No,” I sa id slow ly . “ A n d t h a t a ct u a lly w or r ies m e. I w ou ld

h a v e t h ou g h t t h a t a s soon a s Ba el t ossed h im ou t of A ba ddon , h e
w ou ld h a v e g iv en Ma g ot h ba ck h is pow er s in or der t o u n lea sh
h im on t h e m or t a l w or ld. Bu t h e h a sn ’t don e a n y t h in g , y et .
Ma g ot h h a s pet it ion ed h im t o be r ein st a t ed, bu t Ba el h a sn ’t ev en
r espon ded t o t h a t ex cept t o sa y it ’s u n der con sider a t ion .”

“ W ell, y ou h a v e big g er t h in g s t o w or r y a bou t t h a n t h a t ,”

Cy r en e sa id w it h blit h e in differ en ce t o t h e idea of a dem on lor d
bein g fr ee t o r u n a m ok a m on g t h e m or t a ls. “ Kost y a n eeds ou r
h elp.”

My g a ze m ov ed fr om h er t o t h e m a n in qu est ion . A lt h ou g h
Kost y a w a s Dr a k e’s older br ot h er , a w eir d qu ir k of g en et ics h a d
left t h e t w o m en w y v er n s of differ en t sept s … or it w ou ld h a v e, if
Kost y a w a s r ecog n ized by t h e w ey r a s su ch . “ W h a t does h e n eed
h elp w it h n ow ? I t h ou g h t h e h a d t h e r equ isit e n u m ber of bla ck
dr a g on s t o for m a lly a pply for r ecog n it ion ? Isn ’t t h a t w h a t t h e
m eet in g is a ll a bou t ?”

“ It is, bu t n ot ev er y on e su ppor t s sw eet , a dor a ble Kost y a .” Her

ey es n a r r ow ed in t o lit t le sa pph ir e slit s a s sh e look ed a t Ga br iel.

“ Sw eet , a dor a ble Kost y a h a s t r ied t o k ill Ga br iel m or e t h a n

on ce a n d, u n t il t h e la st m on t h , h a s been h ell-ben t on dest r oy in g
t h e silv er dr a g on s by for cin g t h em t o join h is sept , so y ou ’ll h a v e
t o for g iv e u s if w e’r e a bit ja ded,” I poin t ed ou t .

Cy r en e w a v ed a w a y t h e su r v iv a l of t h e silv er dr a g on s a s
t r iv ia l. “ Oh , t h a t ’s a ll in t h e pa st . He’s been t h e m odel of
dr a g on h ood sin ce y ou ca m e ba ck fr om A ba ddon .”

“ T h a t , I’m a fr a id, h a s less t o do w it h t h e fa ct t h a t h e’s seen

r ea son , a n d m or e beca u se h e r ea lized h e is g oin g t o n eed fr ien ds
sh ou ld Ba lt ic t a k e it in t o h is h ea d t o r ecla im h is sept .”
 “ T h a t is not Ba lt ic,” Kost y a sa id lou dly , in t er r u pt in g h is
m ot h er . I h a d for g ot t en for a m om en t h ow g ood dr a g on s’
h ea r in g w a s.

“ Hello, Kost y a ,” I sa id polit ely , su m m on in g u p a br ief sm ile.

T o m y su r pr ise, h e bow ed. T h e dr a g on s, I’d fou n d, h a bit u a lly

u sed w h a t I t h ou g h t of a s old-w or ld m a n n er s, in clu din g bein g
a ble t o m a k e bow s t h a t , on t h em , esca ped look in g silly a n d ju st
look ed eleg a n t a n d cou r t ly . Ev en Ga br iel, w h ose m a n n er s w er e
m or e open a n d ca su a l t h a n t h e ot h er w y v er n s’, cou ld su m m on
u p a r ea lly w or ld-cla ss bow w h en h e felt t h e n eed. I w on der ed for
a m om en t if it w a s som et h in g g en et ic in dr a g on s. “ I beg y ou r
pa r don . I a m r em iss in g r eet in g y ou in m y h a st e t o spea k w it h
m y m ot h er . Y ou look w ell, Ma y .”

I w a n t ed t o g og g le a t h is ch a n g e in a t t it u de.

“ T h a n k y ou ,” I sa id, a lit t le st u n n ed. By t h is poin t , I ex pect ed

Kost y a t o be scr ea m in g for v en g ea n ce, or r a n t in g a bou t t h e pa st
a s h e w a s w on t t o do.

“ I t r u st t h e sh a r d is n ot g iv in g y ou a n y g r ief?” h e in qu ir ed
polit ely .

My ey es w iden ed a s I g la n ced t ow a r d Ga br iel. He g r in n ed a t

m e a n d w in k ed.

“ Er … n ot u n du ly so, n o. T h a n k y ou for a sk in g .” I w a s
pr om pt ed by t h e k n ow ledg e t h a t for m a lit ies m u st be pr eser v ed
ev en in in for m a l sit u a t ion s t o a dd, “ Y ou a r e w ell?”

“ I a m ,” h e sa id, in clin in g h is h ea d. “ Cy r en e a n d I t ook a lit t le

t r ip t o m y h om ela n d. It is m ost plea sa n t a t t h is t im e of y ea r .”
 “ I’m sor r y ,” I sa id, fin din g t h e w h ole con v er sa t ion t oo biza r r e
t o let pa ss w it h ou t com m en t . “ A r e y ou ch it ch a t -t in g w it h m e?”

“ Y es, h e is. Isn ’t h e doin g it w on der fu lly ?” Cy r en e a sk ed,

blow in g h im a k iss.

Ga br iel la u g h ed a n d m ov ed ov er t o st a n d n ex t t o m e, h is a r m
loosely a r ou n d m y w a ist . “ It is qu it e a m a zin g , is it n ot ?”

Kost y a sm iled a t Cy r en e, a n d for a secon d, I w a s a w a r e on a

pr im a l lev el of t h e ch a r m t h a t h a d a t t r a ct ed h er t o h im . Bu t
a lt h ou g h m y a cqu a in t a n ce w it h Kost y a h a d n ot been of a
len g t h y n a t u r e, it h a d been v iolen t en ou g h t o lea v e m e w a r y of
su ch a ben ig n a ppea r a n ce, ev en despit e t h e dr a g on sh a r d’s
in t er est .

“ In cr edibly so,” I sa id, k n ow in g m y t w in w ou ld com plet ely

m iss t h e sa r ca sm in m y v oice.

Jim didn ’t . T h e dem on ch ok ed. I ey ed it , a bou t t o for bid it t o

spea k if it look ed lik e it w a s g oin g t o sa y a n y t h in g
in a ppr opr ia t e. Ca t a lin a lea n ed t ow a r d h er el dest son ,
w h isper in g fu r iou sly a s sh e g est u r ed a n eleg a n t h a n d t ow a r d
m e. He look ed a t h er for a m in u t e befor e t u r n in g a n a st on ish ed
g a ze on m e.

“ I a m n ot m en t a lly deficien t ,” I a n n ou n ced, ju st in ca se h e

believ ed h is m ot h er .

Jim sn or t ed a g a in a n d open ed it s m ou t h t o spea k .

I pu lled ou t m y da g g er a n d spu n it a r ou n d m y fin g er s befor e

flin g in g it t o t h e floor a bou t h a lf a n in ch in fr on t of Jim ’s t oes. It
lea ped ba ck w a r ds. “ A ll r ig h t , a ll r ig h t , I g et t h e poin t ! Ma n ! I’m
t ellin g A sh y ou ’r e pu llin g w ea pon s on m e!”
 “ Do n ot sa y a n y t h in g a bou t it ,” Ca t a lin a fin ish ed spea k in g t o
Kost y a in w h a t sh e n o dou bt im a g in ed w a s a w h isper . “ It is best
if y ou do n ot dw ell on t h e sa d sit u a t ion . Her k in d g et s so u pset .”

I sm iled a n d slipped ju st a sm idg en t h e n or m a lly t ig h t r ein I

h eld on t h e dr a g on sh a r d. It pu r r ed w it h sa t isfa ct ion , sen din g
silv er sca les sh im m er in g u p m y a r m s, m y fin g er s len g t h en in g
a n d t u r n in g cr im son a t t h e cla w s. I w a g g led t h em a t Kost y a .
“ Y ou r m ot h er h a s sa g e a dv ice. A n d spea k in g of people w h o w er e
r esu r r ect ed, w h y do y ou t h in k Ba lt ic isn ’t r ea lly Ba lt ic?”

“ He cou ld n ot be,” Kost y a sa id w it h a fa m ilia r st u bbor n set t o

h is ja w . “ Dr a g on s a r e n ot ea sily r esu r r ect ed.”

“ Ga br iel sa id t h a t , a s w ell, bu t h is m om seem s t o t h in k

ot h er w ise.”

“ Sh e’s n ev er t r ied t o r esu r r ect a dr a g on ,” Kost y a r eplied w it h

a g la n ce a t h is m ot h er .

“ It is t r u e, w h a t m y da r lin g Kost y a sa y s,” Ca t a lin a sa id w it h

a dr a m a t ic sig h . “ I t r ied t o h a v e T oldi r esu r r ect ed, bu t a la s, h e
ca m e ba ck … less.”

“ Less t h a n w h a t ?” I a sk ed, cu r iou s a bou t t h e odd t on e in h er

v oice.

Sh e ca st m e a sy m pa t h et ic g la n ce, n oddin g slig h t ly t ow a r d

m e. “ Ju st … less. It w a s a k in dn ess t o pu t h im ou t of t h e w a y .
A g a in . W h ich I did, n a t u r a lly , beca u se I w a s n ot h in g if n ot a
g ood m a t e.”

A n odd sor t of ch ok in g n oise em er g ed fr om Jim . I pick ed u p

m y da g g er , n ot in g t h a t t h e dem on ’s ey es w iden ed a s I t w ir led it
a r ou n d m y fin g er s. “ ‘A g a in ’ a s in y ou k illed h im befor e?”
 “ Oh y es. He w a s n ot a n ice m a n , T oldi. He m u r der ed m ost of
m y fa m ily , y ou k n ow , in or der t o g et m e t o a ccept h im a s m a t e.
W h ich I did, bu t on ly beca u se I k n ew I w ou ld be a ble t o dest r oy
h im ea sily w h en I ch ose.” Ca t a lin a pick ed a n in v isible bit of flu ff
off Kost y a ’s a r m , spea k in g w it h a n on ch a la n ce t h a t w ou ld h a v e
been m or e a t h om e in a psy ch opa t h .

I slid a qu ick look a t Ga br iel. On e of h is dim ples a ppea r ed.

Dr a k e sig h ed a n d g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e sit t in g r oom , h a v in g

ca st a qu ick g la n ce u p t h e st a ir s. “ If y ou in sist on h a v in g t h is
discu ssion , br ot h er , per h a ps y ou w ill do so ou t of A islin g ’s
h ea r in g . If sh e t h in k s w e a r e h a v in g a cou n sel r eg a r din g Ba lt ic,
sh e w ill w a n t t o be pr esen t , a n d it is h er r est t im e.”

Jim m a de a w h ipcr a ck n oise a s it pa ssed Dr a k e on t h e w a y

in t o t h e sit t in g r oom . I sa id n ot h in g a s Dr a k e g la n ced a t t h e dog ,
set t in g it s t a il on fir e for a g ood t en secon ds befor e t h e dem on
n ot iced. By t h a t t im e, w e’d a ll t r ooped ba ck in t o t h e sit t in g
r oom .

“ So y ou k illed h im t w ice?” I a sk ed Ca t a lin a , ig n or in g Jim ’s

h y st er ics a s it r a n a r ou n d t h e r oom y ellin g a t t h e t op of it s lu n g s
u n t il Dr a k e pu t ou t t h e fir e.

“ Fir es of A ba ddon , Dr a k e! I m ea n , lit er a lly fir es of A ba ddon !”

it bellow ed, pu n g en t sm ok e t r a ilin g beh in d it a s it m a r ch ed ov er
t o w h er e w e sa t .

“ Sit dow n a n d be qu iet u n less y ou h a v e som et h in g h elpfu l t o

sa y ,” I or der ed it .

“ Su ch a v er y odd dem on ,” Ca t a lin a r em a r k ed, w a t ch in g a s

Jim obey ed m y or der s a lbeit w it h ill g r a ce a n d n o lit t le a m ou n t
of g la r in g . “ A n d y es, m y dea r , I h a d t o k ill T oldi a secon d t im e. I
cou ldn ’t lea v e h im …” Sh e pa u sed a n d g a v e m e y et a n ot h er
pit y in g look t h a t h a d m e g r in din g m y t eet h . “ Bu t w e h a v e
a g r eed n ot t o spea k of su ch u n for t u n a t e t h in g s. I ju st h ope t h a t
Ga br iel h a s t h e st r en g t h t o do w h a t is n ecessa r y w h en t h e t im e
com es.”

Sh e br u sh ed off m y look of u t t er disbelief w it h a sm ile a t

Ga br iel befor e t a k in g Kost y a ’s a r m . “ Com e, m y da r lin g Kost y a .
T ell Ma m a w h a t y ou h a v e been doin g t h ese la st on e h u n dr ed
a n d t h ir t y y ea r s.”

“ I h a v e n o t im e for t a lk , Mot h er ,” Kost y a sa id w it h a g la n ce a t

h is w a t ch . “ I h a v e a sept m eet in g in less t h a n a n h ou r . I sim ply
w ish ed t o t ell Dr a k e …” He h esit a t ed a secon d, v er y poin t edly
n ot look in g a t eit h er Ga br iel or m e. “ … t ell Dr a k e t h a t ou r t r ip
w a s fr u it fu l.”

Ca t a lin a dem a n ded t o see h im a t t h e fir st oppor t u n it y , a n d

w en t off t o ov er see t h e u n pa ck in g of h er lu g g a g e.

“ Y ou fou n d t h e la ir , t h en ?” Ga br iel a sk ed a ft er sh e left .

Kost y a st a r ed a t h im for a secon d, t h en sh a r pen ed h is g a ze

in t o a g la r e a n d poin t ed it a t h is br ot h er . “ Y ou t old t h em w h er e I
w a s g oin g ?”

Dr a k e sh r u g g ed on e sh ou lder . “ It con cer n s t h em .”

“ T h ey a r e n ot bla ck dr a g on s! T h e loca t ion of Ba lt ic’s la ir does

n ot con cer n t h em !”

Kost y a sh ook off Cy r en e’s h a n d on h is a r m , a n d st or m ed ov er

t o h is br ot h er , clea r ly a bou t t o la u n ch in t o y et a n ot h er dia t r ibe,
bu t h e r em em ber ed in t im e t h a t h e w a s w a t ch in g h is p’s a n d q’s.
W it h a n effor t , h e bit ba ck w h a t h e w a s a bou t t o sa y , for cin g a
sm ile t o h is lips a s h e look ed a t Ga br iel a n d m e.

“ It ’s k illin g y ou t o be n ice t o u s, isn ’t it ?” I a sk ed, lea n in g in t o

Ga br iel.

“ Y es.”

Cy r en e pu n ch ed h im in t h e a r m .

His st r a in ed sm ile g r ew la r g er u n t il I cou ld see ea ch a n d

ev er y on e of h is t eet h . “ No, of cou r se it isn ’t . I h a v e r ea lized t h e
er r or of m y in t en t ion t o r e-for m t h e sept t o it s or ig in a l g lor y ,
a n d h a v e r esig n ed m y self t o t h e fa ct t h a t t h e si-silv —t h a t y ou
a r e h a ppy on y ou r ow n .”

“ He ca n ’t sa y it ,” Jim sa id t o m e in a v olu m e t h a t w a s n ot a t
a ll sot t o v oce. “ He w a s pr a ct icin g la st w eek , a n d h e cou ldn ’t
a ct u a lly g et t h e w or ds ou t .”

“ Sil-v er ,” Cy r en e coa ch ed Kost y a , g iv in g h is a r m a squ eeze.

“ Com e on , pu n k y , y ou sa id it on t h e pla n e. Y ou ca n sa y it n ow .
Sil-v er dr a g on s.”

A sh u dder sh ook h is body .

Ga br iel r olled h is ey es. “ If t h e com edy h ou r is ov er , per h a ps

Kost y a cou ld g iv e u s a few m in u t es t o discu ss t h e issu e of t h e
Moda n a Ph y la ct er y .”

“ W h a t is t h er e t o discu ss?” Kost y a a sk ed, h is ey es n a r r ow in g .

“ I a g r eed t o let y ou r m a t e u se t h e sh a r d t o r e-for m t h e dr a g on
h ea r t if y ou su ppor t ed m y sept w it h in t h e w ey r . T h a t w a s ou r
a g r eem en t . Y ou g a v e m e y ou r w or d. Y ou ca n n ot ch a n g e t h e
t er m s n ow .”
 “ I do n ot in t en d t o do so. Bu t I a m cu r iou s a s t o w h et h er or n ot
y ou fou n d t h e ph y la ct er y w h en y ou fou n d t h e la ir . Do y ou h a v e
it ?” Ga br iel a sk ed, h is lov ely v oice a s sm oot h a s oiled silk .

Kost y a ’s g a ze slid t o h is br ot h er for a secon d. “ Not y et . Bu t I

w ill.”

“ W h ich m ea n s y ou , t oo, fou n d Da u v a .”

Silen ce filled t h e r oom for a m om en t a s Kost y a a bsor bed

Ga br iel’s w or ds. Sm ok e w isped ou t of Kost y a ’s n ose a s h e t ook a
st ep t ow a r d u s. “ I m ig h t h a v e k n ow n y ou w ou ld t r y t o v iola t e
t h e a g r eem en t .”

“ I’v e don e n ot h in g of t h e k in d,” Ga br iel a n sw er ed, h is

ex pr ession a n d v oice plea sa n t , bu t ben ea t h m y h a n d, h is
m u scles w er e t en se. “ I’m sim ply en su r in g t h a t w e don ’t h a v e t o
w a it y ea r s for y ou t o g et a r ou n d t o br in g in g t h e sh a r d t o Ma y .”

Kost y a look ed lik e h e w a s a bou t t o bu r st , bu t ev iden t ly h e w a s

m or e in con t r ol of h is em ot ion s t h a n h e h a d been in m on t h s
pa st . “ So y ou fou n d t h e la ir , a s w ell?” h e a sk ed t h r ou g h g r it t ed
t eet h .

“ W e k n ow of it s loca t ion , y es,” Ga br iel sa id.

I decided a lit t le defu sin g w ou ldn ’t h u r t t h e sit u a t ion .

“ Ga br iel’s a g en t didn ’t en t er t h e la ir . He cou ldn ’t . So if y ou ’r e
w or r ied a bou t u s r u n n in g off w it h a ll sor t s of bla ck dr a g on
g oodies, y ou ca n r ela x . Not t h a t Ga br iel w ou ld, a n y w a y . I
a ssu m e t h er e’s som e sor t of r u le a bou t w y v er n s st ea lin g fr om
ot h er w y v er n s.”

Silen ce filled t h e r oom a s Ga br iel, Dr a k e, a n d Kost y a a ll look ed

aw ay .
 “ Y ou ’r e k iddin g m e,” I sa id, n ot in g t h a t n o on e bot h er ed t o
a g r ee w it h m e. “ Y ou g u y s st ea l fr om ea ch ot h er ?”

On ce a g a in , t h ey a v oided m y ey e.

I r a ised a n ey ebr ow a t Dr a k e. “ A r e y ou t ellin g m e t h a t if y ou

h a d t h e ch a n ce, y ou w ou ld t a k e st u ff fr om Ga br iel’s la ir ?”

“ T h e g r een dr a g on s a r e pa r t icu la r ly a dept a t … liber a t in g …

it em s,” Dr a k e sa id, som ew h a t defen siv ely , I t h ou g h t .

I t u r n ed t o Ga br iel. “ Y ou ’d st ea l som et h in g fr om Dr a k e?”

“ Dr a k e is on e of m y oldest fr ien ds,” h e sa id sm oot h ly , t a k in g

m y h a n d so h e cou ld r u b h is t h u m b ov er m y k n u ck les. “ Of
cou r se I w ou ldn ’t st ea l fr om m y fr ien d.”

“ Nor w ou ld I st ea l fr om h im ,” Dr a k e sa id qu ick ly , n ot t o be
ou t don e on t h e a lt r u ism fr on t .

“ I v a lu e h is fr ien dsh ip ov er a n y t h in g ,” Ga br iel sa id.

“ It is u n t h in k a ble t o im a g in e I cou ld st ea l fr om h im ,” Dr a k e
a g r eed.

“ Com plet ely u n t h in k a ble.”

“ Ut t er ly ou t of t h e qu est ion .”

I ey ed t h e t w o of t h em .

“ Un less it w a s g old,” Dr a k e a dm it t ed.

“ Y es, of cou r se. Gold is a n ot h er t h in g en t ir ely ,” Ga br iel sa id,

n oddin g . T h e ot h er dr a g on s n odded w it h h im .
 “ If y ou ’r e w illin g t o st ea l fr om y ou r oldest a n d dea r est fr ien ds,
t h en h ow did y ou g et a n y on e t o a g r ee t o let u s u se t h eir dr a g on
sh a r ds?” I a sk ed, w on der in g if I’d ev er g et u sed t o dr a g on
societ y .

“ T h a t ’s differ en t ,” h e sa id w it h a lit t le sh r u g . “ T h e dr a g on
h ea r t is t h e m ost pow er fu l t h in g k n ow n t o dr a g on k in .”

“ T h en sh ou ldn ’t it be h a r der for y ou t o g et t h e sh a r ds br ou g h t

t og et h er ?” Cy r en e a sk ed befor e I cou ld.

“ It w ou ld be su icide t o a t t em pt t o u se t h e dr a g on h ea r t ,”
Dr a k e a n sw er ed.

“ It is t oo da n g er ou s,” Ga br iel sa id, n oddin g . “ T h er e is n o

dr a g on a liv e w h o possesses t h e a bilit y t o w ield t h e h ea r t —for
w h ich y ou sh ou ld be t h a n k fu l, lit t le bir d, sin ce t h e u se of it
w ou ld h a v e fa r -r ea ch in g r eper cu ssion s.”

“ How fa r -r ea ch in g ?” I a sk ed.

Ga br iel look ed t h ou g h t fu l for a m om en t . “ T h in k dest r u ct ion

of a t lea st h a lf of t h e m or t a l w or ld.”

“ A n d a piece of t h a t is in side m e?” I sa id, clea r in g m y t h r oa t

w h en m y v oice ca m e ou t a squ ea k .

Ga br iel’s fin g er s t ig h t en ed on m in e. “ Do n ot fea r , Ma y . T o u se

t h e dr a g on h ea r t , y ou m u st h a v e t w o t h in g s: t h e pow er t o
con t r ol it , a n d it s g oodw ill. Beca u se of t h a t , w e do n ot liv e in fea r
of dest r u ct ion . W y v er n s in t h e pa st h a v e t r ied t o r e-for m t h e
h ea r t a n d u se it , bu t t h eir a t t em pt s w er e disa st r ou s. W e h a v e
lea r n ed fr om t h eir losses. T h e on ly r ea son t h e h ea r t w ill be r e-
for m ed is t o sh a r d it in t o pr oper r ecept a cles.”
 “ Y ou m ig h t w a n t t o t ell Ba lt ic t h a t , ’ca u se I’m w illin g t o bet
h e’s g ot ot h er pla n s,” Jim sa id, a n d I h a d t o a dm it I w a s t h in k in g
t h e sa m e t h in g .

“ Ba lt ic w ou ld n ot be so foolish ,” Dr a k e sa id a t t h e sa m e t im e
Kost y a fr ow n ed a n d sa id, “ T h a t is n ot Ba lt ic.”

“ Pu m per n ick el, I t h in k y ou ’r e g oin g t o h a v e t o g et in t o t h e

g r oov e,” Cy r en e t old h im , h u g g in g h is a r m a n d pr essin g a lit t le
k iss on h is ea r lobe. “ Ev er y on e seem s t o a g r ee t h a t it ’s Ba lt ic. I
t h in k w e ou g h t t o g o w it h t h e flow h er e a n d sa y it ’s Ba lt ic, t oo.”

“ It ca n ’t be h im . I’d k n ow ,” Kost y a sa id st u bbor n ly .

“ W e sh a ll see, w on ’t w e?” Ga br iel sa id w it h a sm ile t h a t didn ’t

qu it e g o t o h is ey es. “ Now t h a t w e k n ow t h e loca t ion of t h e la ir ,
w e ca n len d ou r a ssist a n ce in open in g it .”

Kost y a sh ot Ga br iel a su spiciou s look t h a t w a s a n sw er ed by a

m or e g en u in e sm ile.

“ W e w ou ldn ’t w a n t t h e ph y la ct er y da m a g ed in t h e pr ocess of
open in g t h e la ir ,” Ga br iel a dded.

“ T h a t w on ’t be n ecessa r y . I a m per fect ly ca pa ble of r et r iev in g

t h e Moda n a Ph y la ct er y on m y ow n , w it h ou t da m a g in g it ,”
Kost y a in sist ed. “ Y ou r pr esen ce in La t v ia w ill n ot be r equ ir ed.”

“ Reg a r dless, I feel for Ma y ’s sa k e it w ou ld be pr u den t t o be

t h er e.”

“ La t v ia ?” a v oice sa id fr om t h e door w a y , a delig h t ed pu r r

t h a t sen t cold ch ills dow n m y ba ck . “ W e’r e g oin g t o La t v ia ?
W h a t a n ex cellen t idea ! I h a v en ’t been t h er e sin ce … ooh , sin ce
t h e bla ck pla g u e.”
 Dism a y filled m y st om a ch a s Ma g ot h sa u n t er ed in t o t h e r oom ,
on e of Dr a k e’s body g u a r ds beh in d h im , g est u r in g t ow a r d t h e
ba n e of m y ex ist en ce a s h e sa id, “ He dem a n ded t o see Ma y .”

“ I t old y ou t o st a y pu t ,” I sa id, fr ow n in g a t Ma g ot h , w h o w a s
m ou t h in g w h a t look ed t o be obscen e su g g est ion s t o Cy r en e.

His a t t en t ion im m edia t ely sw it ch ed ba ck t o m e. “ A n a m u sin g

a t t em pt t o be dom in a n t , bu t a s y ou k n ow , sw eet Ma y , I pr efer t o
be t h e on e on t op.” He look ed a r ou n d t h e r oom w it h obv iou s
delig h t . “ A n d ju st look w h a t I w ou ld h a v e m issed! A t r ip t o t h e
Ba lt ics. How —y ou w ill ex cu se t h e ex pr ession —div in e. I h a v e
m a n y fon d m em or ies of t h e a r ea —dea t h a n d fa m in e a n d disea se
so t h ick it seeped in t o t h e la n d lik e blood dr ippin g fr om a
dism em ber ed cor pse. Now , t h a t w a s a t im e t o r em em ber .
T h er e’s m u ch t o be sa id for t h e old w a y s, y ou k n ow . T h is t r ip
w ill be ju st w h a t I n eed! W h en do w e lea v e?”
 Ch a pt er Fou r

“ I ju st h ope y ou k n ow w h a t y ou ’r e doin g .” Cy r en e r elea sed t h e

t r ee br a n ch befor e I cou ld g r a b it . It sm a ck ed m e w et ly dea d
cen t er in t h e fa ce. I r u bbed m y st in g in g ch eek a n d g la r ed a t t h e
ba ck of t h e h ea d of m y t w in , n ot a n ea sy fea t g iv en t h e t h ick fog
t h a t la y slu g g ish ly ov er t h e for est . T h e fa in t pa t t er of w a t er
slidin g off da m p lea v es t o t h e t h ick , spr in g y g r ou n d below w a s
m u ffled bu t con st a n t .
“ Br in g in g a dem on lor d ou t t o a dr a g on ’s la ir —it ’s n ot t h e
br ig h t est idea y ou ’v e ev er h a d, Ma y lin g .”

I ca u g h t t h e br a n ch sh e r elea sed t h a t t im e, m en t a lly u t t er in g

r et or t s t o h er com m en t s a s I plodded a ft er h er , m y g a ze
a lt er n a t in g bet w een w a t ch in g for m or e fa ce-sla ppin g br a n ch es
a n d ex a m in in g t h e t er r a in in a n a t t em pt t o fig u r e ou t w h er e w e
w er e in r ela t ion sh ip t o t h e n ea r est t ow n .

“ Kost y a is n ot a t a ll h a ppy t h a t h e’s h er e,” Cy r en e a dded,

t u r n in g t o g iv e m e a st er n look befor e h oppin g ov er a fa llen t r ee.
Sh e slid dow n a n em ba n k m en t , h er h ea d disa ppea r in g fr om
sig h t , bu t h er v oice st ill a ble t o r ea ch m e. “ Not h a ppy a t a ll.”

“ T h a t doesn ’t su r pr ise m e. Kost y a is n ev er h a ppy ,” I m u t t er ed

a s I m a de m y w a y ov er t h e log , slippin g on t h e soft ea r t h .
T en dr ils of da m p h a ir clu n g t o m y ch eek s.

A h ea d of u s, Ga br iel, Kost y a , a n d Sa v ia n w er e deep in

con v er sa t ion . Ma g ot h follow ed t h em , t h e fou r m en plow in g a
pa t h t h r ou g h a m u r k y , for est ed a r ea t h a t w ou ld h a v e been a
per fect set t in g for a n a t m osph er ic g ot h ic m ov ie, v in es sn a k in g
off t h e den sely pa ck ed t r ees, a n d m oist , spr in g y m oss clin g in g t o
ev er y su r fa ce.
 It w a s oddly qu iet , a s w ell, n o sou n ds of civ iliza t ion m a n a g in g
t o pen et r a t e t h e t h ick cot t on -w ool fog t h a t w r a pped a r ou n d u s.
On ly t h e occa sion a l w h in e of a m osqu it o br ok e t h e pa t -pa t -pa t of
dr ippin g w a t er .

On e of t h e lit t le bu g s la n ded on t h e ba ck of Cy r en e’s ex posed

n eck . I sh u ffled for w a r d t h r ou g h ea r t h y -sm ellin g lea f r esidu e,
a n d sla pped t h e ba ck of h er n eck .

Sh e spu n a r ou n d, h er m ou t h open ed in su r pr ise.

“ Mosqu it o,” I ex pla in ed.

Her ey es n a r r ow ed. “ Oh , y ou ’d lik e m e t o t h in k t h a t , w ou ldn ’t

y ou ? Bu t I k n ow t h e t r u t h —y ou ’r e ju st peev ed beca u se Kost y a is
a n g r y w it h y ou beca u se y ou in sist on br in g in g Ma g ot h , a n d
y ou ’r e t a k in g it ou t on m e.”

I g a v e h er a lit t le sh ov e for w a r d w h en Ma g ot h , cla d in

ex pen siv e h ik in g g a r b t h a t I su spect ed ow ed it s or g in s t o m y
cr edit ca r d, disa ppea r ed beh in d a clu m p of scr u bby fir t r ees. “ I
don ’t g iv e a h oot if Kost y a is a n g r y . A n d if y ou don ’t w a n t t o en d
u p lost in t h e w ilds of r u st ic La t v ia , I’d a dv ise y ou t o g et
m ov in g .”

Cy r en e hrm phed a n d st a r t ed for w a r d. “ I ju st w a n t ed t o poin t

ou t t h a t if Kost y a is in a g r u m py m ood, y ou h a v e n o on e bu t
y ou r self t o bla m e. He’s v er y u n h a ppy a bou t h a v in g y ou a n d
Ga br iel ou t h er e, bu t w h en y ou sa id Ma g ot h h a d t o com e, t oo, I
t h ou g h t h e’d n ev er ca lm dow n .”

“ Ma g ot h bein g h er e w a sn ’t m y ch oice,” I poin t ed ou t ,

sm a ck in g a t a m osqu it o t h a t la n ded on m y a r m . “ He in v it ed
h im self, a s y ou k n ow , a n d sin ce I h a v e n o w a y of m a k in g h im do
w h a t I w a n t h im t o do, w e fig u r ed it w ou ld be ea sier t o ju st
br in g h im a lon g w h er e w e cou ld k eep a n ey e on h im , r a t h er
t h a n h a v e h im follow u s a n d g et u p t o w h o k n ew w h a t sor t of
t r ou ble.”

“ Hrm ph. Kost y a doesn ’t lik e Ma g ot h .”

I t ook a deep br ea t h a n d h eld it for a m om en t , t h en sa id on ly ,

“ I’d be su r pr ised if Kost y a lik ed anything.”

“ He does, t oo, lik e t h in g s! He lik es lot s of t h in g s,” Cy r en e sa id,

deliber a t ely r elea sin g a t r ee fr on d ea r ly .

I g la r ed a t h er a g a in befor e sa y in g , “ Su ch a s?”

Sh e m a r ch ed on for a m om en t in silen ce w h ile sh e t r ied t o

fin d som et h in g t h a t w ou ld sa t isfy m e. “ W ell, I ca n ’t t h in k of
a n y t h in g a t t h e m om en t , bu t t h er e a r e a n y n u m ber of t h in g s.
Oh … or a l sex ! He lik es or a l sex a lot !”

Jim , w h o h a d been off sn iffin g w h a t it sa id w a s a n im p t r a il,

sh a m bled u p beh in d m e, ca t ch in g t h e la st bit of t h e
con v er sa t ion . “ T h er e’s n ot a m a le a liv e w h o doesn ’t ,” it sa id,
spit t in g ou t a t in y lit t le boot . “ If I cou ldn ’t lick m y ow n pa ck a g e
—”

“ En ou g h !” I sa id h a st ily , n ot w a n t in g t o h ea r m or e.

Jim ca st m e a h u r t look . “ I w a s ju st g oin g t o sa y I w ou ld h a v e

pick ed a h u m a n for m if I cou ldn ’t . Sh eesh . Som e people h a v e
dir t y , dir t y m in ds.”

“ A dir t y m in d is t h e sig n of a h ea lt h y libido, sa y I,” Ma g ot h

sa id, poppin g u p fr om beh in d a la r g e clu st er of r ock s. “ W h a t a r e
y ou la dies doin g ba ck h er e? A r e y ou en g a g in g in w ild lesbia n
u r g es? W e cou ld h a v e a qu ick t h r eesom e if y ou lik e.”

He w a g g led h is ey ebr ow s a t Cy r en e, w h o ju st r olled h er ey es

a n d pu sh ed pa st h im .

“ Y ou cou ld h a v e a Ma g ot h sa n dw ich ! On e of y ou cou ld st a r t a t

t h e t op, w h ile t h e ot h er st a r t ed a t t h e bot t om , a n d y ou cou ld
m eet in m y cen t er ,” h e su g g est ed.

Som et h in g in side m e st ir r ed.

“ T h a t ’s n ot ev en fu n n y ,” Cy r en e t old h im .

“ It is a bit self-cen t er ed h a v in g bot h of y ou plea su r in g m e, I

a dm it . How a bou t t h is—y ou a n d y ou r t w in ca n m a k e lov e, a n d I
w ill w a t ch a n d g iv e poin t er s?”

T h e h a ir s on t h e ba ck of m y n eck st ood on en d.

Cy r en e spu n a r ou n d t o g iv e h im a t ig h t look . “ I t old y ou

befor e—I’m Kost y a ’s m a t e.”

“ I su ppose h e cou ld join u s, t oo, a lt h ou g h it ’s n ot so m u ch fu n

w it h t w o m a les,” Ma g ot h sa id t h ou g h t fu lly . “ Min d y ou , t h er e
a r e w a y s. I h a v en ’t in du lg ed in a n a ll-ou t or g y in , oh , a t lea st a
w eek . No, t en da y s. Bu t if y ou h a v e y ou r h ea r t set on it , I
su ppose I cou ld oblig e.”

I g r it t ed m y t eet h a n d scoot ed pa st Ma g ot h , g iv in g h im a w ide

ber t h . “ Y ou a r e n ot a dr a g on ’s m a t e, Cy .”

Ma g ot h t u r n ed t o leer a t m e a s I pa ssed. I r ea lized a t t h a t

m om en t t h a t t h e dr a g on sh a r d w a s r espon din g n ot on ly t o
Ma g ot h bu t t o t h e loca t ion . It lik ed it h er e; it lik ed t h e pr im a l
feelin g of t h e a r ea , t h e ea r t h y sen se of pow er t h a t seem ed t o flow
a r ou n d u s in in t a n g ible st r ea m s bet w een g r ou n d a n d liv in g
t h in g s a n d a ir . My feet st opped a s t h e sh a r d za pped m e w it h a
su dden , ov er w h elm in g w a v e of em ot ion .

“ Get Ga br iel,” I g a sped t o Cy r en e, w r a ppin g m y a r m s a r ou n d

m y self a s I st r u g g led t o con t r ol t h e pow er of t h e dr a g on w it h in
m e.

“ W h a t ?”

“ Oh , m a n . T h a t ’s n ot g ood,” Jim sa id, st u dy in g m e. “ Y ou ’r e

g oin g t o do t h e n a st y w it h Ma g ot h , a r en ’t y ou ? Rig h t ou t h er e in
t h e open w h er e Ga br iel ca n see? W a it ! Let m e g et ou t m y cell
ph on e. A sh is g oin g t o w a n t pict u r es of t h is… .”

Ma g ot h look ed st a r t led for a m om en t , t h en slipped in t o h is

n or m a l su a v e, sedu ct iv e per son a . “ I k n ew t h e da y w ou ld com e
w h en y ou g a v e in a n d—”

“ Sh u t u p,” I sn a r led, dou blin g ov er a s I fou g h t t h e

t r a n sfor m a t ion . “ Cy , for t h e lov e of a ll t h a t ’s a qu a t ic, g et
Ga br iel!”

“ W h a t is w r on g w it h y ou ?” sh e dem a n ded t o k n ow , m a r ch in g
ov er t o m e. Dou bled u p a s I w a s, a ll I cou ld see w a s h er feet . “ Is
t h is a n a t t em pt a t g a r n er in g som e sy m pa t h y ? Beca u se if it is—”

Silv er sh im m er ed u p m y a r m s a n d leg s, m y ba ck a r ch in g a s
m y body len g t h en ed a n d st r et ch ed in t o a sh a pe t h a t w a s n ot
n or m a l for a doppelg a n g er .

Cy r en e t ook t w o st eps ba ck w a r ds, h er h a n d t o h er m ou t h in

su r pr ise. “ I’ll g et Ga br iel,” sh e sa id, st ill ba ck in g u p.

I sn a r led som et h in g u n in t ellig ible a t h er a s I spu n a r ou n d t o

fa ce Ma g ot h .

He w a t ch ed m e w it h pu r sed lips a n d a t h ou g h t fu l ex pr ession .

“ Y ou pr efer t o do it in dr a g on for m , eh ? I ca n ’t sa y t h a t I’v e
in du lg ed in t h a t befor e, dr a g on s bein g st r a n g ely a v er se t o
v isit in g A ba ddon , bu t if y ou in sist on it , I’m su r e w e ca n m a k e it
w or k .”

“ Oh m a n , oh m a n , oh m a n ,” Jim sa id, t r y in g t o h old a cell

ph on e in it s m ou t h a n d u se on e of it s pa w s t o t a k e a pict u r e of
m e. “ T h is is g r ea t . I’m g oin g t o m a k e m illion s off of t h is v ideo.”

I flick ed m y t a il a t it , sen din g t h e cell ph on e a r cin g t h r ou g h

t h e a ir in t o t h e den se u n der g r ow t h .

Jim ’s lips for m ed a n O of a st on ish m en t . “ T h a t w a s A islin g ’s

ph on e!”

I n a r r ow ed m y ey es a t t h e dem on a n d br ea t h ed fir e. “ Do y ou
w a n t t o follow it ?”

“ Hu r r y w it h Ga br iel!” Jim bellow ed a ft er Cy r en e, k eepin g it s

ey es fix ed fir m ly on m e. “ Ma y ’s g on e fer a l!”

Feral. T h e w or d r eson a t ed w it h in m e a s I st r et ch ed, r elish in g

t h e pow er t o be h a d in t h is for m . I w a s fer a l. I w a s dr a g on , a n d
t h is pla ce w a s m in e.

Ma g ot h sh im m ied for w a r d t ow a r d m e, h is clot h es dr ippin g off

h im w it h ea ch st ep u n t il h e st ood befor e m e st a r k n a k ed. He pu t
on e h a n d on h is h ip a n d g a v e m e a k n ow in g look . “ Sh a ll w e
beg in ?”

I sm iled, a n d sen t a plu m e of fir e on t o h is pen is, w h ich w a s

w a v in g ja u n t ily a t m e.
 Ma g ot h ’s ja w dr opped for a m om en t .T h en h e g r a bbed m y
h ea d w it h bot h h a n ds a n d pla n t ed h is m ou t h on m in e.

“ Ma y !” Ga br iel’s v oice sou n ded dist a n t a n d fa in t , a s if h e w er e

a t a g r ea t dist a n ce, n ot ju st a few h u n dr ed y a r ds a h ea d.

“ I don ’t su ppose y ou h a v e a dig it a l ca m er a in y ou r ba g ? I’ll

ju st ch eck , OK?” Jim sa id.

I let Ma g ot h k iss m e for a m om en t , t h e dr a g on sh a r d

a n a ly zin g t h e sen sa t ion . T h e differ en ces in t h e sh a pes of ou r
m ou t h s m a de h im less effect iv e t h a n I k n ew h e w a s w it h a
h u m a n , bu t it w a sn ’t t h a t t h a t en ded u p ca u sin g m e t o r eject
h is a dv a n ces.

It w a s t h e pla ce. It w a s t h e la n d a r ou n d u s t h a t ca lled t o m e,

n ot Ma g ot h . I pu sh ed h im a w a y ju st a s Ga br iel bu r st fr om a
den se clu m p of a sh t r ees, Sa v ia n h ot on h is h eels. Kost y a a n d
Cy r en e pu lled u p beh in d t h em , a ll fou r w a t ch in g w it h st a r t led
ex pr ession s a s m y t a il w h ipped ou t , ca t ch in g Ma g ot h in t h e
m idsect ion , flin g in g h im a g ood t h ir t y y a r ds ba ck w a r ds u n t il h e
sm a ck ed in t o a la r g e t r ee.

“ W ow , n ice on e. T h a t ’s g ot t a be a t lea st a br on ze m eda l for

dem on lor d flin g in g ,” Jim sa id, w a t ch in g w it h in t er est a s
Ma g ot h fell ou t of t h e t r ee t o t h e g r ou n d.

“ T h a n k s, bu t n o, t h a n k s,” I y elled t o Ma g ot h befor e t u r n in g

m y a t t en t ion on Ga br iel. T h e dr a g on sh a r d h u m m ed h a ppily
in side m e a t t h e sig h t of h im , a n d I t h ou g h t ser iou sly for a
m om en t of pou n cin g on h im . I k n ew h e w ou ld lik e t h a t —it w a s a
dr a g on m a t in g g a m e, a n d som et h in g t old m e t h a t h e w ou ld
r espon d t o it .
 “ Y es, I w ou ld, bu t t h a t ’s n ot w h a t you w a n t ,” h e sa id, r ea din g
m y m in d a g a in .

I m a de a lit t le pou t y dr a g on fa ce.

“ My da r lin g !” Ma g ot h st a g g er ed in t o v iew , st ill n a k ed, bu t

n ow cov er ed w it h dir t a n d lich en , w it h bit s of t r ee clin g in g t o
h is h a ir . “ My sw eet , pow er fu l Ma y ! Y ou r idea of for epla y is m ost
plea sin g t o m e. Do it a g a in ?”

I flick ed m y t a il a g a in , a n d h e w en t fly in g , squ ea lin g w it h

delig h t t h a t w a s st opped on ly by t h e sou n d of h is body sm a sh in g
in t o y et a n ot h er t r ee. He cooed g en t ly t o h im self a s h e slid dow n
th e tr u n k.

“ Silv er m eda l. I t h in k y ou sh ou ld g o for t h e g old,” Jim sa id.

“ Ma y , w h y h a v e y ou sh ift ed?” Ga br iel a sk ed, st r ok in g h is

h a n d dow n t h e elon g a t ed cu r v e of m y n eck .

I sh iv er ed a t h is t ou ch a n d lea n ed m y h ea d in t o h is ch est ,
ba t h in g h im in a lig h t sh een of fir e. “ I don ’t k n ow . Ch a se m e?”

“ W h a t is g oin g on ?” Kost y a a sk ed, pu sh in g bet w een Sa v ia n

a n d Ga br iel t o look a t m e.

I lick ed Ga br iel’s n eck .

“ Oh , t h a t ’s w h a t ’s g oin g on . Er …” Kost y a g la n ced a t Ga br iel.

“ No, t h is is n ot n or m a l. Ma y does n ot em br a ce t h e dr a g on
w it h in ,” h e a n sw er ed t h e u n a sk ed qu est ion . “ Ma y ?”

“ I ju st felt lik e it ,” I sa id, t w in in g m y t a il a r ou n d h is leg . “ It ’s

t h is pla ce. It feels r ig h t h er e, lik e I’v e com e h om e a ft er a lon g ,
lon g jou r n ey . It feels lik e a pla ce w e sh ou ld pla y .”

“ Pla y ?” Ga br iel look ed a r ou n d u s.

“ W h a t does sh e m ea n , pla y ?” Cy r en e a sk ed, fr ow n in g a t m e.

“ Ma y , h on est ly ! Sh ou ld y ou be su ck in g h is ea r lik e t h a t in fr on t
of Ma g ot h ?”

“ I’m fin e! Don ’t w or r y a bou t m e!” Ma g ot h ca lled fr om t h e

dist a n ce. T h e on ly pa r t of h im v isible w a s on e h a n d w a v in g ou t
of a den se ba n k of fer n s. “ I t h in k I’m in lov e.”

“ Dr a g on s u se pla y a s pa r t of t h eir m a t in g ,” Kost y a ex pla in ed

a s h e, t oo, st a r t ed ex a m in in g t h e a r ea a r ou n d u s.

“ Rea lly ?” Cy r en e t r a n sfer r ed h er fr ow n t o h im . “ Y ou n ev er

pla y w it h m e w h en w e m a k e lov e.”

“ T h a t ’s differ en t . Y ou ’r e h u m a n .”

“ I a m n ot ! I’m a n a ia d!”

“ Y ou look h u m a n ,” h e poin t ed ou t .

“ W ell, so does Ma y . Most of t h e t im e.”

Ma g ot h t ot t er ed t ow a r d u s, dir t speck lin g t h e fr on t of h im ,

t w ig s n ow a dded t o t h e lea v es a n d lich en a n d m oss t h a t clu n g t o
h is h ea d, a sm a ll lea fy sh r u b ev iden t ly st u ck t o h is foot . His
h a n ds w a v ed in t h e a ir a s h e a ppr oa ch ed. “ On ce m or e, m y
sw eet —”

T h e w h ipcr a ck of m y t a il a s it h it h im w a s follow ed a lm ost

im m edia t ely by t h e sou n d of Jim w h ist lin g . “ T h a t ’s g ot t o be a n
Oly m pic r ecor d r ig h t t h er e. Nice g oin g , Ma y . I t h in k y ou
k n ock ed h im ou t .”

Ma g ot h ’s u n r espon siv e body t u m bled fr om t h e t r ee t o t h e

g r ou n d, h it t in g w it h a m u ffled t h u d.

“ I’ll g o r escu e lov er boy , sh a ll I?” Sa v ia n sa id, g iv in g m e a

lon g look a s h e h ea ded off t o w h er e Ma g ot h h a d fa llen in t o a
t h ick pa t ch of w h a t look ed t o be poison iv y .

“ Ma y lin g , t ell m e w h a t y ou feel,” Ga br iel sa id, h is h a n d on

m y n eck a g a in .

I look ed deep in t o h is ey es a n d let m y em ot ion s sh ow .

“ No, n ot t h a t .” His dim ples t h r ea t en ed t o bu r st t o life. “ I k n ow

t h a t . W h a t do y ou feel a bou t t h is pla ce?”

I sig h ed a n d t r ied t o clea r m y m in d of t h e lu st fu l im a g es of m e

t w in ed a r ou n d Ga br iel in a n er ot ic dr a g on da n ce. “ It ’s … r ig h t .
It ’s a g ood pla ce. I feel h a ppy h er e.”

“ Do you feel h a ppy , or does t h e dr a g on sh a r d?” h e a sk ed.

I t r ied t o sor t t h r ou g h t h e em ot ion s t h a t sw a m ped m e, pick in g

ou t t h ose sen sa t ion s t h a t w er e n a t iv e t o m e. “ It ’s t h e sh a r d. It
lik es it h er e.”

Ga br iel a n d Kost y a ex ch a n g ed g la n ces; t h en bot h t u r n ed t o

look a t a r ock y ou t cr oppin g t h a t w a s a bou t t en y a r ds a w a y . T h e
r ock s ju t t ed ou t of t h e ea r t h lik e a n g u la r , flin t y fin g er s, soft en ed
ov er t h e cen t u r ies by m oss a n d pla n t s a n d t h e det r it u s of t h e
for est a r ou n d t h em .

“ T h e la ir ?” Ga br iel a sk ed Kost y a .
 He n odded. “ Ha s t o be.”

“ W h a t do y ou m ea n , t h e la ir ? W e fou n d t h e la ir a lr ea dy ,”
Cy r en e sa id. “ Or w e fou n d w h er e it sh ou ld be. It ’s ov er t h er e.”
Sh e poin t ed t o t h e sou t h .

“ It ’s a fa lse en t r a n ce,” Kost y a ex pla in ed.

“ Set u p t o fool a n y on e w h o w a s sea r ch in g for it ,” Ga br iel

a dded, n oddin g t o h im self. “ V er y clev er . I w ou ld h a v e don e t h e
sa m e, a lt h ou g h I’m n ot su r e I w ou ld h a v e g on e t o t h e t r ou ble of
r u n e bin ds.”

“ Y ou h a v e t o a dm it it w a s con v in cin g ,” Kost y a sa id a s bot h

m en st r olled t ow a r d t h e r ock s.

Sa v ia n em er g ed, dr a g g in g a lim p Ma g ot h . He deposit ed h im

in a h ea p, look in g ov er a t Ga br iel a n d Kost y a a s t h e t w o m en
clim bed ov er t h e ou t cr oppin g , clea r ly sea r ch in g it . “ W h a t did I
m iss?”

I h u m m ed t o m y self a n d t a pped m y cla w s on t h e g r ou n d,

v ision s of Ga br iel ch a sin g m e t h r ou g h t h e w oods k eepin g t h e
dr a g on sh a r d occu pied. “ T h ey t h in k t h is is t h e en t r a n ce t o
Ba lt ic’s la ir .”

“ Y ou ’r e k iddin g . T h is?” Sa v ia n look ed a r ou n d, h is ey es

ca r efu lly sea r ch in g t h e ou t cr oppin g of r ock . He sh ook h is h ea d.
“ I don ’t see it . W h er e?”

“ I’d sh ow y ou , bu t I’m cu r r en t ly occu pied,” I sa id.

He pu r sed h is lips a s h e g la n ced ba ck a t m e.

“ I’m k eepin g t h e dr a g on sh a r d dist r a ct ed w h ile I t r y t o sh ift

ba ck ,” I a n sw er ed t h e qu est ion in h is ey es. “ If I g et n ea r Ga br iel,
it w ill dem a n d I ju m p h im , so I’m let t in g it h a v e a ll sor t s of
fa n t a sies a bou t bein g ch a sed t h r ou g h t h e w oods. Ooh . T h a t on e
w a s r ea lly g ood.”

I w a s dist r a ct ed for a m om en t by t h e v ision t h e sh a r d

pr ov ided t o m e, bu t g en t ly ea sed m y self ou t of it , focu sin g m y
a t t en t ion on m y body a s I slow ly , in ch by in ch , u r g ed t h e
dr a g on for m t o w it h dr a w ba ck in t o m y n or m a l on e. Sa v ia n
n odded, a n d w en t t o h elp t h e ot h er s ex a m in e t h e r ock s for t h e
en t r a n ce.

“ Ha lf-ba be, h a lf-dr a g on , a n d m e w it h n o ca m er a ,” Jim sig h ed

a s it plopped it s big h a ir y bu t t dow n on Ma g ot h ’s st ill for m . “ Life
su ck s. T h er e’s ju st n o t w o w a y s a bou t it .”

“ He’s n ot dea d, is h e?” I a sk ed, n oddin g t ow a r d Ma g ot h .

Jim sn u ffled Ma g ot h ’s dir t -spla t t er ed fa ce. “ Na w , ju st k n ock ed

ou t .”

“ Good.”

“ Ma y , w e n eed y ou ,” Ga br iel ca lled.

“ Sor r y , ca n ’t r ig h t n ow . I’v e on ly g ot on e leg don e, a n d a lm ost

a w h ole a r m ,” I a n sw er ed, w a v in g m y m ost ly h u m a n a r m a t
h im .

“ W e n eed y ou in dr a g on for m .”

“ Y ou do? W h y ?” T h e sh a r d st opped im a g in in g h ot , st ea m y ,
dr a g on -for m sex w it h Ga br iel u n der a m oon lit sk y , a n d focu sed
on h im a g a in .
 “ T h er e sh e g oes. Ba h . Not h in g ex cit in g a bou t seein g a dr a g on
in it s n a t u r a l for m ,” Jim sa id w it h a disg u st ed sn or t .

“ T h e sh a r d y ou bea r w a s Y solde’s. Sh e h a s a t ie t o t h is pla ce

beca u se of h er r ela t ion sh ip w it h Ba lt ic. If y ou a r e in dr a g on
for m , y ou w ill be a ble t o u t ilize t h e pow er of t h e sh a r d ea sier .”

I let t h e sh a r d t a k e ov er a s I m a r ch ed ov er t o Ga br iel. “ Y ou ’r e
bot h dr a g on s. W h y ca n ’t y ou do w h a t ev er it is t h a t y ou w a n t
don e?”

His g r in w a r m ed m e t o m y t oes. “ A h , bu t w e don ’t h a v e t h e

sa m e delect a ble dr a g on sh a pe a s y ou .”

I g a v e h im a look .

He la u g h ed. “ Neit h er Kost y a n or I ca n det ect t h e open in g of

t h e la ir , bu t t h e sh a r d m ig h t let y ou fin d it .”

“ It is w ell h idden , ev en fr om m e,” Kost y a a g r eed, scow lin g a t

t h e st on es.

“ I st ill sa y y ou ’r e ba r k in g u p t h e w r on g t r ee. I’d feel it if t h is

w a s t h e open in g t o a la ir ,” Sa v ia n sa id, sh a k in g h is h ea d.

“ Fin e. Bu t if I ca n ’t sh ift ba ck , a n d en d u p st a y in g lik e t h is,

I’m n ot g oin g t o be h a ppy ,” I g r u m bled a s h e st epped ou t of t h e
w a y so I cou ld scr a m ble u p t h e r ock s.

“ How do y ou feel?” Ga br iel a sk ed, w a t ch in g m e ca r efu lly .

T h e dr a g on sh a r d w a n t ed t o da n ce w it h h a ppin ess.

“ Rig h t n ow ?” I pa u sed for a m om en t , g a t h er in g m y in n er

st r en g t h , bot h m y ow n a n d t h e st r en g t h of t h e dr a g on w it h in
m e, a llow in g t h e t w o t o m er g e for a m om en t befor e I br ou g h t
m y t a il dow n on t o t h e r ock s w it h a for ce t h a t k n ock ed t h e people
a r ou n d ba ck w a r ds sev er a l feet ju st a s if t h ey w er e m a de of
pa per . T h e st on es cr a sh ed in w a r d w it h a m u ffled ex plosion , du st
a n d debr is sw ir lin g a r ou n d m e in a w h ir lw in d t h a t block ed m y
v ision for a m om en t . A s t h e a ir clea r ed, a bla ck , g a pin g h ole
slow ly beca m e v isible a t m y feet . T h e dr a g on sh a r d celebr a t ed,
t h e t ea sin g , h ea dy scen t of g old dr ift in g ou t of t h e da r k n ess.
“ Rig h t n ow I feel g r ea t .”

Ga br iel w a s fir st t o h is feet , bu t Kost y a , w it h a sn a r l, flu n g

h im self for w a r d ov er t h e h ole in t o t h e la ir . “ It is m in e!”

“ Gold,” I cr oon ed, st r et ch in g sen su ou sly a t t h e t h ou g h t of it .

“ Min e!” Kost y a bellow ed.

“ W e ou t n u m ber y ou ,” I poin t ed ou t .

Cy r en e, w h o h a d been g r u m blin g a s sh e du st ed h er self off,

h u r r ied ov er t o st a n d w it h Kost y a . “ Oh n o, y ou don ’t !”

“ W e h a v e Jim a n d Sa v ia n ,” I poin t ed ou t a s Ga br iel, h is ey es

lit w it h fa m ilia r lu st , t ook a st ep t ow a r d t h e h ole, h is br ea t h in g
deepen in g . I k n ew t h e g old scen t h a d h it h im , a s w ell.

“ T h e a g r eem en t w a s for t h e sh a r d,” Kost y a y elled. “ Y ou w ill

g et u se of t h e sh a r d u n t il Ma y ca n r e-for m t h e h ea r t a n d
r esh a r d it . T h a t is a ll! T h e r est of t h e la ir belon g s t o t h e bla ck
dr a g on s!”

“ Y ea h !” Cy r en e sa id.

I slipped dow n t h e edg e of t h e r ock , ba ck t o t h e a lm ost -

in v isible pa t h w a y w h er e Ma g ot h la y g en t ly sn or in g .
 Ga br iel w a t ch ed m e for a m om en t .

“ Kost y a ’s r ig h t ,” I t old h im , ov er r idin g t h e sh a r d’s dem a n d

t h a t I t a k e it t o t h e g old. I sepa r a t ed m y m in d fr om it , a n d
st a r t ed t h e pr ocess of sh ift in g ba ck t o m y ow n body a g a in .
“ Mu ch a s I w ou ld lov e t o see t h e g old t h a t sm ells so v er y n ice, w e
did a g r ee t o t h e sh a r d on ly in ex ch a n g e for ou r su ppor t w it h t h e
w ey r .”

Ga br iel sig h ed h ea v ily , bu t ju m ped off t h e st on es a n d

r et u r n ed t o m y side, w a v in g on e h a n d a t Kost y a . “ I bow t o m y
m a t e’s dem a n ds. I w ill n ot ch a llen g e y ou for t h e la ir so lon g a s
y ou let u s u se t h e Moda n a Ph y la ct er y .”

Kost y a w a sn ’t h a ppy ov er t h e idea of let t in g t h e sh a r d g o,

ev en t em por a r ily , bu t h e h a d a g r eed t o t h e t er m s, ev en if h e
w a s n ow r eg r et t in g t h em . He n odded cu r t ly a t Ga br iel a n d,
g r a spin g a con v en ien t bit of v in e, sw u n g h im self ov er t h e edg e
of t h e h ole in t o t h e y a w n in g da r k n ess. Cy r en e st a r t ed t o follow ,
st oppin g w h en h is h ea d popped ba ck u p, a fa m ilia r scow l on h is
fa ce.

“ T h is is m y la ir , Cy r en e. On ly bla ck dr a g on s m a y g a ze u pon
it s t r ea su r es.”

“ I’m y ou r m a t e,” sh e sa id, t r y in g t o sh ov e h is sh ou lder s a side

so sh e cou ld clim b in t o t h e h ole.

He sig h ed h ea v ily , ca st in g m e a pla in t iv e look .

“ Y ou m a de t h is pa r t icu la r bed,” I t old h im , w r est lin g w it h t h e

sh a r d t o r eg a in con t r ol ov er m y body . “ I’m a fr a id y ou ’r e g oin g
t o be ly in g on it a lon e. Da m m it , Ga br iel, t h e sm ell of g old is t oo
m u ch for m e. I ca n ’t sh ift ba ck t o m y n or m a l for m h er e. I’m
g oin g t o h a v e t o do it som ew h er e else.”

“ I a m so y ou r m a t e! W ell, a ll r ig h t , n ot t ech n ica lly , bu t I’m

m a t e lit e, so t h a t cou n t s.”

“ T h en w e w ill g o som ew h er e y ou feel m or e com for t a ble,”

Ga br iel sa id im m edia t ely , pu sh in g a br a n ch ou t of m y w a y . I
k n ew h e w ou ld pr efer r em a in in g t o t a k e ch a r g e of t h e
ph y la ct er y t h a t Kost y a w ou ld r et r iev e fr om t h e la ir , bu t h e
selflessly escor t ed m e u p t h e a lm ost -in v isible pa t h .

“ No, it doesn ’t cou n t ,” Kost y a sa id a s w e left . “ Y ou a r e n ot a

bla ck dr a g on , Cy r en e. I a ppr ecia t e y ou r h elp a n d su ppor t —”

“ Oh ! I lik e t h a t ! Y ou st r in g m e a lon g a n d n ow y ou du m p m e
ju st w h en t h in g s a r e g oin g g ood? W ell, I h a v e a few t h in g s t o sa y
a bou t t h a t , Mr . Dr a g on !”

Lu ck ily , w e m ov ed ou t of ea r sh ot of Cy r en e’s h a r a n g u e. It
t ook a g ood fiv e m in u t es befor e w e w er e ou t of t h e r a n g e of t h e
scen t of g old a n d I w a s a ble t o ca t ch m y m en t a l br ea t h a n d t a k e
ch a r g e of m y self a g a in .

Sa v ia n a n d Jim follow ed a lon g a ft er a few m in u t es.

“ Sor r y . Don ’t m ea n t o in t r u de,” Sa v ia n a polog ized a s Ga br iel

st ood g en t ly st r ok in g m y ba ck w h ile I pu sh ed t h e dr a g on for m
ba ck in t o a m or e fa m ilia r on e. “ Bu t y ou r t w in is a lit t le … er …”

“ Bit ch y ,” Jim sa id, sn or t in g w h en t h e la st of t h e silv er sca les

disa ppea r ed in t o beig e-ish sk in .

“ V eh em en t ,” Sa v ia n cor r ect ed w it h a sm ile a t m e.

“ ‘V eh em en t ’ doesn ’t t h r ea t en t o dr ow n som eon e in t h eir la ir .

‘Bit ch y ’ is a ll ov er t h a t ,” Jim poin t ed ou t .

“Agathos daim on,” I sw or e soft ly t o m y self, g la n cin g a t

Ga br iel. “ If sh e’s t h r ea t en in g h im w it h w a t er , sh e’s r ea lly
pissed. I su ppose I sh ou ld g o ba ck a n d in t er v en e.”

“ Y ou ’ll sh ift a g a in ,” h e poin t ed ou t . “ I’ll g o.”

“ I don ’t t h in k sh e’ll list en t o y ou ,” I sa id a s h e st a r t ed ba ck t h e

w a y w e h a d com e.

“ Does sh e ev er list en t o a n y on e?” Jim qu ipped.

“ Qu iet , bea st ,” I t old it , a bou t t o g o a ft er Ga br iel w h en Cy r en e

a ppea r ed, h a u lin g a befu ddled-look in g Ma g ot h a ft er h er .

“ T h a t ’s it !” sh e y elled a s sh e ca u g h t sig h t of u s. Her fr ee h a n d

g est u r ed w ildly . “ I’v e h a d it ! I’v e t ot a lly h a d it w it h t h a t … t h a t
…”

“ Dr a g on ?” I offer ed a s sh e pu lled u p t o a st op in fr on t of m e.
Sh e let g o of t h e h old sh e h a d on Ma g ot h , w h o colla psed t o t h e
g r ou n d w it h a pa r t icu la r ly fa t u ou s leer t ow a r d m e.

He w a s st ill n a k ed, a lt h ou g h n o lon g er a r ou sed, a n d h a d

m a n a g ed t o lose t h e sm a ll sh r u b on h is foot , bu t h e w or e a
cor on et a ppa r en t ly m a de u p of a n a n cien t , u n u sed bir d’s n est ,
dir t y spider silk , a n d a sm a ll clu m p of lea v es spr ou t in g fr om t h e
r eg ion of h is left ea r .

“ T h er e y ou a r e, sw eet Ma y . W a s it a s g ood for y ou a s it w a s for

m e?” Ma g ot h a sk ed.

“ Bet t er ,” I sa id, let t in g m y self sm ile ju st a lit t le.

 Ga br iel g a v e m e a look t h a t let m e k n ow h e didn ’t a ppr ecia t e
it . I im m edia t ely r ea r r a n g ed m y ex pr ession in t o on e of ser en it y .
“ Cy , plea se t ell m e y ou didn ’t flood Kost y a ’s la ir .”

“ No, I didn ’t , bu t n ot beca u se h e didn ’t deser v e it ,” sh e sa id,

sn a ppin g off ea ch w or d. “ I w ou ldn ’t w a st e pr eciou s w a t er on
t h a t … bea st ! Do y ou k n ow w h a t h e sa id t o m e?”

“ Y es,” I sa id, t a k in g h er a r m a n d cu t t in g off t h e r a n t I k n ew

sh e so desper a t ely w a n t ed t o m a k e. “ I t h in k it w ou ld be bet t er if
w e w er e t o g o ba ck t o t ow n . Ga br iel?”

He h esit a t ed a m om en t , ca st in g a g la n ce t ow a r d t h e t r ees
t h a t scr een ed t h e en t r a n ce t o Kost y a ’s n ew fou n d la ir . “ Y ou g o.
I’ll follow w it h Kost y a .”

I n odded a n d g a v e Cy r en e a n u dg e. “ Com e on , t w in of m in e.
Let ’s g o ba ck t o t ow n a n d g et a dr in k . Y ou look a s if y ou cou ld u se
on e, a n d I cer t a in ly w ou ldn ’t m in d a belt or t w o, m y self. Ga br iel
w ill m a k e su r e y ou r boy fr ien d is a ll r ig h t .”

“ He’s n ot m y boy fr ien d a n y m or e. W e’r e t h r ou g h . Do y ou h ea r

m e? T h r ou g h ! I’m don e w it h h im ! A lt h ou g h I w ou ld lik e a dr in k .
Do y ou t h in k t h ey h a v e lem on Per r ier ? Y ou k n ow h ow I lov e
t h a t .”

“ I a lso k n ow h ow dr u n k y ou g et off it ,” I sa id, lea din g t h e w a y .

I g a v e t h e la ir a w ide ber t h a s I h ea ded u s ba ck in t h e dir ect ion
of t h e t ow n . “ On ly a w a t er elem en t a l cou ld fin d ca r bon a t ed
w a t er lit er a lly in t ox ica t in g . Bu t if y ou ’r e a ch ea p da t e, a t lea st
y ou ’r e a n ea sily plea sed on e.”

“ Y ou g on n a lea v e y ou r boss h er e?” Jim a sk ed.

I r elea sed Cy r en e’s a r m , t u r n in g t o fr ow n a t w h er e Ma g ot h

lolled on t h e g r ou n d. He st r ok ed a h a n d sen su ou sly dow n h is
filt h y , lea f-bespeck ed ch est .

“ Mu ch a s I a m t em pt ed t o do ju st t h a t , I su ppose t h e m or t a l
w or ld is sa fer w it h som eon e k eepin g a n ey e on h im .”

Ma g ot h sm iled. “ Y ou ca n den y it a ll y ou w a n t , m y sw eet on e—

I h a v e seen t h e t r u t h in y ou r dr a g on ey es. Y ou w a n t m e. Y ou
n eed m e. Y ou cr a v e t h a t w h ich on ly I ca n g iv e y ou .”

He w a s, I n ot ed w it h dism a y , sh ow in g sig n s of a r ou sa l a g a in . I
sea r ch ed m y m in d desper a t ely for som et h in g t o dist r a ct h im ,
n ot t r u st in g t h e dr a g on sh a r d t o beh a v e it self w h en h e w a s a t
h is r a n diest .

“ Get y ou r clot h es on , a n d I’ll t r ea t y ou t o a bot t le of

Bollin g er ’s,” I t old h im .

Ma g ot h lov ed Bollies, bu t ev en t h a t w a sn ’t en ou g h t o dr a g h is
m in d off h is cu r sed pen is. He g ot t o h is feet slow ly , com plet ely
obliv iou s t o t h e fa ct t h a t h e m or e r esem bled a m u ddy sw a m p
m on st er t h a n a sedu ct iv e for m er silen t -m ov ie h ea r t t h r ob. “ Not
ev en g oin g t o t r y t o dispu t e t h e fa ct s? W ise w om a n .”

“ I’m n ot g oin g t o a r g u e t h e obv iou s w it h y ou , n o,” I sa id

ca lm ly , a n d g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e dir ect ion w e w er e h ea ded.
“ Com e a lon g w it h u s, or don ’t , bu t m a k e u p y ou r m in d. I’m n ot
g oin g t o st a n d ou t h er e a ll a ft er n oon a n d be ea t en by
m osqu it oes.”

“ I w ou ld be h a ppy t o ea t —” Ma g ot h st a r t ed t o sa y .

“ I t h in k w e ca n a ll im a g in e a su it a bly in a ppr opr ia t e a n d

bor der lin e sex u a lly h a r a ssin g com m en t , t h a n k y ou ,” I
in t er r u pt ed.
 He leer ed, bu t ch eck ed h im self a lm ost im m edia t ely , a n a n g r y
look fla sh in g in h is ey es. “ Ma y t h e fir es of A ba ddon r oa st t h a t
ba st a r d Ba el,” h e spa t ou t , h is h a n ds m a k in g a bor t ed g est u r es of
fr u st r a t ion . “ I ca n ’t ev en en -t h r a ll y ou a s is m y du e! He w ill pa y
for t h is, ju st a s ev er y on e w ill pa y for t h e dish on or s don e t o m e!”

“ Y ou h a v e n ot h in g t o com pla in a bou t ,” Cy r en e t old h im a s h e

m a r ch ed ov er t o w h er e w e w er e w a it in g . “ Y ou h a v en ’t h a d y ou r
lov e a n d t r u st a bu sed by t h e m ost h a t efu l m a n ev er !”

Ma g ot h slid h er a n a r r ow -ey ed look t h a t , w er e w e in A ba ddon ,

pr oba bly w ou ld h a v e r en der ed h er a s close t o dea d a s a n
elem en t a l bein g cou ld be. Sh e didn ’t n ot ice, h ow ev er , bein g
fu lly im m er sed in r ig h t eou s in dig n a t ion .

“ Y ou r clot h es?” I sa id a s Ma g ot h st or m ed pa st m e, Cy r en e
h u r r y in g a ft er h im a s sh e con t in u ed t o v en t h er spleen a bou t
Kost y a .

“ A n d t h en do y ou k n ow w h a t h e sa id? He sa id h e didn ’t h a v e
t im e for m e a n y m or e, t h a t br in g in g t og et h er t h e sept w ou ld
t a k e a ll of h is a t t en t ion , a n d h e w ou ldn ’t be a ble t o dea l w it h
m e, a s w ell. Dea l! Y es! He a ct u a lly sa id t h e w or d ‘dea l’ ju st a s if I
w a s a pr oblem t o be … w ell, dea lt w it h . Ca n y ou believ e t h a t ? I’ll
feed h is t est icles t o a sh a r k —see if I don ’t !”

He ig n or ed Cy r en e, pa u sin g ju st lon g en ou g h t o g iv e m e a
h a u g h t y look . “ I a m Ma g ot h , six t h pr in ciple spir it of A ba ddon —”

“ For m er pr in ciple spir it of A ba ddon ,” Jim sa id.

Ma g ot h ig n or ed t h e dem on , t oo.

“ —lor d of t h ir t y leg ion s—”

 “ Now in t h e ch a r g e of Ba el, or w h oev er h e’s fou n d t o r epla ce
y ou ,” Jim in t er r u pt ed.

Cy r en e w h a pped Ma g ot h on h is ba r e ch est . “ I a m so n ot a
pr oblem per son . I’m a n a ia d! W e a r e t h e m ost plea sa n t of a ll t h e
elem en t a l bein g s! T h er e’s n ot h in g a bou t m e w it h w h ich h e
n eeds t o dea l, ex cept m y v en g ea n ce, w h ich sh a ll be a s deep a s
t h e ocea n a n d a s da r k a s t h e … er … t h e ocea n . In t h e bot t om
pa r t s, t h a t is, w h er e it r ea lly is v er y da r k .”

“ Ma r qu is of t h e or der of dom in a t ion s!” Ma g ot h bellow ed, n o

dou bt in or der t o be h ea r d ov er t h e ch or u s of Jim a n d Cy r en e,
bu t t h e sm idg en of pow er h e st ill possessed g a v e h is w or ds a n
u n ex pect ed v olu m e. His v oice ech oed for a few secon ds, t h e
h a r sh sou n d of bir ds scr eech in g t h eir object ion t o t h e n oise
slow ly dy in g ou t .

W e a ll look ed a t Ma g ot h .

“ I h a v e n o n eed of su ch t h in g s a s clot h es,” h e sa id, dism issin g

su ch m or t a l con cer n s w it h g r ea t dig n it y , t u r n in g on h is h eel t o
st a lk ba ck t ow a r d t ow n .

“ Y ou w a n n a be t h e on e t o t ell h im h e’s g ot a big ole slu g st u ck

t o on e of h is bu t t ch eek s?” Jim a sk ed.

Ma g ot h ’s sh ou lder t w it ch ed a t t h e dem on ’s qu est ion , bu t h e

didn ’t st op. He ju st k ept w a lk in g .
 Ch a pt er Fiv e

“ Y ou cou ld t h in k t h e a r r iv a l of a n a k ed, dir t y , ex -dem on lor d

w ou ld m er it a t lea st a few r a ised ey ebr ow s,” Sa v ia n sa id a s I
colla psed in t o a ch a ir . “ Bu t n o on e seem s t o ca r e.”
“ It ’s pr oba bly m or e t h ey don ’t k n ow w h a t t o t h in k t h a n t h ey
don ’t ca r e,” I sa id.

“ T h a t or t h ey ’r e ju st t oo h or r ified a t t h e sig h t of a pen is cu r se

t o t a k e m or e t h a n a qu ick peek .” Sa v ia n g la n ced a r ou n d t h e
fa u x -m ediev a l ba sem en t ba r of t h e h ot el a t w h ich w e h a d t a k en
r oom s. A t t h is h ou r of t h e da y , it w a s em pt y of cu st om er s, a few
m or sels of g r a y lig h t bu lly in g t h eir w a y in t h r ou g h t h ick ,
w a v ed g la ss pa n es st r a pped w it h m ilit a n t pr ecision in w h a t w a s
n o dou bt su pposed t o be a desig n r em in iscen t of t h e cou r t of
Eliza bet h I of En g la n d.

“ A r e y ou im pu g n in g m y cock ?” Ma g ot h a sk ed, h is h a n ds on
h is h ips.

Sa v ia n look ed st a r t led for a m om en t . “ I a m n ot doin g

a n y t h in g t o y ou r dick , let a lon e im pu g n in g it , a lt h ou g h …” His
g a ze dr opped t o t h e m em ber in qu est ion . “ If t h e cu r se fit s, w ea r
it .”

Ma g ot h ’s ey es n a r r ow ed a s h e g est u r ed pr ou dly t o h is
g en it a ls. “ T h is is a m a g n ificen t specim en of it s k in d! It is bey on d
m a g n ificen t —it is t h e epit om e of cock h ood. It ca n do t h in g s
y ou r s ca n on ly dr ea m of! It is, in fa ct , a g od a m on g st pen ises!”

“ Oh , it w a sn ’t that g ood,” Cy r en e sn or t ed, r ollin g h er ey es a t

Jim .
 Jim clea r ly h a d m a n y com m en t s t o m a k e a bou t t h a t , bu t
bou n d t o silen ce, it cou ld on ly r a ise it s ey ebr ow s a n d g iv e
Ma g ot h ’s pen is a lon g , con sider in g look .

“ Ma g ot h , plea se, k eep y ou r v oice dow n ,” I sa id.

“ He,” Ma g ot h spa t , poin t in g a t Sa v ia n , “ dispa r a g ed t h is m ost

r esplen den t of cock s. I dem a n d t h a t y ou a s m y con sor t defen d it s
h on or . Ch a n g e ba ck in t o dr a g on for m a n d r oa st h im a liv e.” He
pa u sed, a t h ou g h t h a v in g occu r r ed t o h im . “ A n d t h en y ou ca n
w r a p y ou r t a il a r ou n d m e a n d—”

“ No on e is dispa r a g in g a n y t h in g , lea st of a ll y ou r g en it a ls,” I

sa id qu ick ly befor e h e dw elled on t h e st r a n g e w a y s h e g ot h is
jollies. “ Ca lm dow n a n d t a k e a sea t befor e som eon e n ot ices y ou .”

He sn or t ed, ca st in g u n im pr essed g la n ces a r ou n d h im . “ I h a v e

t o piss. I a ssu m e y ou w ill n ot let m e h ea r t h e en d of it if I do it
h er e. I w ill t a k e m y com m a n din g a n d a u g u st cock t o t h e
ba t h r oom , w h er e it w ill n o lon g er offen d y ou r plebeia n sou ls.”

I ex ch a n g ed a look w it h Cy r en e a s h e m a r ch ed off t o t h e m en ’s
r oom .

“ He r ea lly does lov e h is pen is,” sh e sa id a s if t h a t ex pla in ed

t h in g s. “ A n d don ’t g et m e w r on g , it w a s fin e a n d a ll, bu t
m a g n ificen t ? A g od a m on g pen ises? No. Ma y be a du k e, or a
m in or pr in ce. Bu t n ot a g od.”

“ I r ea lly fin d it difficu lt t o believ e w e’r e sit t in g h er e

discu ssin g Ma g ot h ’s g en it a lia ,” I sa id, r u bbin g t h e sm oot h , cool
w ooden su r fa ce of t h e t a ble. “ It ’s ju st a bit su r r ea l.”

“ Not n ea r ly a s su r r ea l a s t h is w h ole pla ce is,” Sa v ia n sa id

fr om w h er e h e w a s ex a m in in g pict u r es of boa t s on t h e w a lls. He
n odded t ow a r d on e. “ Hen ley Reg a t t a 1 9 2 3 . Not qu it e w h a t
y ou ’d ex pect in La t v ia .”

I h a d t o a dm it t h a t t h e h ot el w a sn ’t a t a ll w h a t I ex pect ed.
T h e qu est ion of w h y a n obscu r e La t v ia n h ot el in t h e sm a ll t ow n
of Liv s w ou ld t r y so h a r d t o r e-cr ea t e a h a lf-t im ber En g lish
cou n t r y h ou se com plet e w it h w a t t le a n d da u b w a s a n sw er ed by
a r ed-fa ced, ba ldin g m a n w h o bou n ded in t o t h e ba r fr om a ba ck
r oom .

“ ’ Ello, ’ello, I didn ’t r ea lize w e h a d cu st om er s so ea r ly . W e

don ’t do lu n ch es h er e in t h e pu b, ju st so y ou k n ow . T h ose a r e
don e in t h e t ea r oom u pst a ir s. A ll h a n dm a de pa st r ies u p t h er e,
n ot h in g st or e-bou g h t . My w ife does t h e ba k in g —sh e h a s a fa ir
h a n d w it h pa st r ies, t oo. Y ou ’ll n ot be fin din g a bet t er scon e w est
of t h e T h a m es.”

“ W e’r e n ot h u n g r y , t h a n k s,” I sa id, lea n in g ba ck so h e cou ld

sla p a pa per coa st er in fr on t of m e. “ Dr in k s a r e fin e.”

“ Rig h t , t h en . Y ou do look a sig h t . Been ou t h ik in g , h a v e y ou ?

W e g et lot s of A m er ica n s com in g h er e for t h e h ik in g , n ow t h a t
t h e Ru ssia n s a r en ’t in ch a r g e a n y m or e. Sist er s, a r e y ou ? Y ou ’v e
t h e look of ea ch ot h er , t h a t y ou do. Oh , bu t w h er e a r e m y br a in s
t oda y ? I’m T ed Ha v elbu r y , y e olde h ost ,” h e sa id w it h a ch u ck le.
“ Now , I k n ow w h a t y ou ’r e t h in k in g , I do in deed. Y ou ’r e t h in k in g
t h a t old T ed is a bit ou t of h is n a t u r a l set t in g , a n d y ou w ou ldn ’t
be fa r w r on g t h er e, bu t m y w ife’s m u m w a s fr om t h e old
cou n t r y , a n d w h en sh e died a n d left u s t h is in n , w e t h ou g h t ,
w h y n ot ? T h e ch ildr en w er e g r ow n a n d h a d fa m ilies of t h eir
ow n , so off t h e m issu s a n d I w en t w it h n ot h in g bu t a w ish a n d a
pr a y er , a s t h ey sa y . Bu t n ow , y ou ’ll be w a n t in g a few dr in k ies,
w on ’t … er …”
 T ed, w h o h a d been ch a t t in g m er r ily t o Cy r en e a n d m e,
n odded t o Sa v ia n a s h e slid in t o t h e ch a ir n ex t t o m in e. Befor e h e
cou ld fin ish h is sen t en ce, Ma g ot h , in fu ll sn it , em er g ed fr om t h e
ba t h r oom , sh ov ed a side Jim , a n d st om ped ov er t o st a n d in fr on t
of Sa v ia n . He g la r ed dow n a t t h e t h ief t a k er , w h o sh ot m e a
m a r t y r ed look befor e h ea v in g a sig h a s h e r elin qu ish ed t h e sea t .

“ Er … ,” T ed sa id a g a in .

“ Ou r fr ien d h a d a lit t le a cciden t w it h a st r ea m ,” I sa id,

sh a k in g ou t a pa per n a pk in a n d pla cin g it ov er Ma g ot h ’s la p.
“ His clot h es w er e t oo soa k ed t o w ea r .”

“ Is t h a t so?” T ed sa id slow ly , h is ex pr ession a lm ost en ou g h t o

m a k e m e la u g h . “ I don ’t su ppose h e’d lik e t o g et dr essed befor e
h e h a s a dr in k ?”

“ T ell t h e sla v e t h a t I w ish a bot t le of 1 9 9 6 Bollin g er , ch illed t o

for t y -fiv e poin t n in e deg r ees, w it h on e g la ss,” Ma g ot h sa id in h is
m ost dem a n din g v oice.

“ Sla v e?” T ed a sk ed.

I lea n ed for w a r d t ow a r d h im , spea k in g in a low , con fiden t

v oice I’d fou n d w or k ed w ell w it h m or t a ls. “ Y ou ’ll h a v e t o ex cu se
ou r fr ien d. He’s for eig n .”

T ed ey ed t h e n a k ed, dir t y , a r r og a n t Ma g ot h w it h dou bt . “ He

is?”

“ Sou t h A m er ica n ,” I sa id, m en t a lly a polog izin g t o ev er y on e

on t h a t con t in en t .

“ Oh . La t in ,” T ed sa id, n oddin g . “ T h a t ex pla in s it . Im pet u ou s

people. Ex cellen t da n cer s, bu t im pet u ou s.”
 “ I’d lik e a g in a n d t on ic, m y t w in w ou ld lik e a bot t le of lem on
Per r ier , if y ou h a v e it , a n d Sa v ia n w ou ld lik e … ?”

“ Br a n dy .”

“ Hm m , 1 9 9 6 Bollin g er ’s. I’ll h a v e t o ch eck t h e st or er oom for

t h a t . I t h in k w e h a v e som e left ov er fr om t h e New Y ea r ’s
celebr a t ion … .” T ed t ook ou r or der s w it h on ly on e ba ck w a r ds
look a t Ma g ot h befor e h u r r y in g t o t h e ba ck r oom .

“ Y ou ’d bet t er pr a y n o on e else com es in h er e w h ile y ou ’r e

h a v in g y ou r ch a m pa g n e,” I t old h im . “ Beca u se a s soon a s y ou ’r e
don e, y ou ’r e pu t t in g som e clot h es on . Jim , st op w ipin g y ou r n ose
on m y h a n d. Y ou ca n h a v e som e of Cy ’s Per r ier , sin ce sh e g et s
dr u n k if sh e dr in k s a w h ole bot t le.”

“ I do n ot g et dr u n k ! I n ev er g et dr u n k !” Cy r en e sa id, ou t r a g ed
a t t h e slu r a g a in st h er ch a r a ct er .

“ Ma y eig h t een t h , 1 9 2 1 . Lon g Isla n d, New Y or k ,” Ma g ot h sa id,

a r ch in g a n ey ebr ow a t h er . “ My h ou se. Specifica lly , t h e g a r den .
Y ou , m e, a n d t h r ee h u n dr ed of m y closest fr ien ds.”

Cy r en e flu sh ed a n d look ed a w a y . “ T h a t w a sn ’t dr u n k . T h a t
w a s en t h r a lled.”

“ It w a s a n or g y ,” cor r ect ed Ma g ot h . He t h ou g h t for a

m om en t , a sm ile er a sin g h is pou t . “ A lov ely , lov ely or g y . W h ich
r esu lt ed in t h e cr ea t ion of t h e ev er -a dor a ble Ma y , if I a m n ot
m ist a k en , a n d I n ev er a m a bou t su ch t h in g s. Do y ou r em em ber ,
sw eet on e? Do y ou r em em ber bein g ca lled in t o ex ist en ce, a n d
t h e ex a ct m om en t w h en y ou r life beg a n , a n d y ou r ey es fir st
la n ded u pon m e?”

“ Y es, I r em em ber . I scr ea m ed.”

 “ Mu sic t o m y ea r s,” h e sig h ed dr ea m ily . “ I don ’t su ppose—”

“ No,” I sa id h a st ily , a n d w ou ld h a v e con t in u ed, bu t t h e sou n d

of foot st eps cla t t er in g dow n t h e ba r e w ooden st a ir ca se t o t h e
ba sem en t a r r est ed m e.

A m a n pa u sed a t t h e bot t om of t h e st a ir s, g la n cin g qu ick ly

a bou t t h e r oom , clea r ly a bou t t o t u r n a r ou n d a n d g o ba ck
u pst a ir s. He ca u g h t sig h t of u s, h ow ev er , blin k ed t w ice, t h en
t u r n ed a n d bellow ed u p t h e st a ir s, “ Fou n d h er !”

“ T h a t doesn ’t sou n d g ood,” I m u r m u r ed a s I w a t ch ed a secon d

m a n join t h e fir st . T h e pa ir of t h em w a lk ed t ow a r d u s w it h
u n m ist a k a ble pu r pose—a n d scen t .

“ Dem on s,” Cy r en e sa id, w r in k lin g h er n ose a s t h e sm ell of

dem on sm ok e h it u s.

“ W r a t h , by t h e look s of t h em ,” Sa v ia n sa id, squ in t in g a t

t h em .

W r a t h dem on s, a s a n y on e w h o’s ev er been t o A ba ddon k n ew ,

w er e n ot t h e sor t of bein g s y ou w elcom ed in t o y ou r com pa n y .
T h ey w er e lik e m in i dem on lor ds, w it h su bst a n t ia l pow er s, a n d
m in ion s of t h eir ow n .

“ W h a t do t h ey w a n t ?” Cy a sk ed.

“ No dou bt t h a t cu r Ba el h a s r ea lized w h a t a m ist a k e h e m a de

in ex pu lsin g m e, a n d is su m m on in g m e ba ck t o r est or e u pon m e
t h e r ig h t fu l est a t es a n d t it les w h ich y ou r t w in ’s ca r elessn ess so
ca llou sly cost m e,” Ma g ot h sa id, w a t ch in g t h e t w o m en
a ppr oa ch w it h a n a n t icipa t or y g lin t in h is ey e.

“ Ma y didn ’t do a n y t h in g t o g et y ou k ick ed ou t of A ba ddon ,”

Cy r en e sa id, m u ch t o m y a st on ish m en t . Nor m a lly obliv iou s t o
slu r s m a de a g a in st m e, n ow a n d a g a in sh e su r pr ised m e by
ju m pin g t o m y defen se. “ T h a t w a s y ou r ow n doin g , a n d y ou
k n ow it .”

“ His Most Hein ou s a n d Im per iou s Ma jest y , t h e pr em ier e

pr in ce Ba el, h a s not sen t u s t o dea l w it h a h a s-been lik e y ou ,
Ma g ot h ,” t h e n ea r est dem on sa id, a sn eer cu r lin g it s lips. It
st opped a few feet a w a y fr om m e a n d jer k ed it s h ea d in w h a t I
r ea lized w a s a ck n ow ledg m en t of m e.

“ Y ou w ill a ddr ess m e a s Lor d Ma g ot h , y ou sn iv elin g lit t le

scu m ,” Ma g ot h sn a pped, h is w or ds so ch illin g a n d filled w it h
m en a ce t h a t Jim im m edia t ely ba ck ed u p a few feet . I r u bbed
m y a r m n ea r est Ma g ot h . Em ot ion a l ou t bu r st s ca u sed h im t o
leech t h e w a r m t h fr om h is en v ir on m en t , lea v in g m e w it h t h e
sen sa t ion of h a v in g br u sh ed u p a g a in st a n iceber g . “ A n d y ou
w ill spea k on ly w h en I g iv e y ou per m ission t o do so.”

My ey ebr ow s w en t u p a t h is im per iou s t on e. I’d h ea r d h im u se

it befor e, bu t on ly on h is ow n m in ion s, n ev er a n ot h er dem on
lor d’s follow er s, a n d cer t a in ly n ot t h e fir st -in -com m a n ds of t h e
h ea d h on ch o of a ll A ba ddon .

T h e dem on s g a v e Ma g ot h a sca t h in g look a n d t u r n ed t o m e.

“ T h e Lor d Ba el desir es y ou r pr esen ce, dr a g on .”

I bit ba ck t h e r et or t t h a t I w a sn ’t , in fa ct , a dr a g on . “ W h a t ?”
Ma g ot h sh r iek ed, lea pin g t o h is feet . “ He w a n t s t o see m y
con sor t ? A bou t w h a t ?”

T h e dem on n ea r est h im r a ised it s ey ebr ow s a s it st u died

Ma g ot h ’s pen is t a t t oo. T h e ot h er on e ig n or ed t h e ir a t e dem on
lor d, it s cold, fla t ey es fix ed on m e.
 “ W h y w ou ld Ba el w a n t t o see m e?” I a sk ed it , sin ce it
obv iou sly w a sn ’t g oin g t o a n sw er Ma g ot h .

“ I w ill a sk t h e qu est ion s a r ou n d h er e, sla v e,” Ma g ot h sn a r led,

m a r ch in g ov er t o st a n d in bet w een t h e w r a t h dem on a n d m e.
He g ot r ig h t in t h e dem on ’s fa ce, sh ou t in g , “ A n sw er m e, y ou
w a t er y scu m on t h e u n der belly of a t oa d.”

“ I do n ot seek t o qu est ion m y lor d’s com m a n ds,” t h e dem on

sa id, t r ea t in g Ma g ot h a s if h e w er e in v isible. “ I sim ply ca r r y
t h em ou t . He h a s com m a n ded y ou r pr esen ce, a n d w e h a v e been
t h r ou g h t h r ee cou n t r ies t o fin d y ou . Y ou h ide y ou r t r a il w ell,
dr a g on . Y ou w ill com e w it h u s n ow .”

“ A r g h !” Ma g ot h scr ea m ed, h is h a n ds w a v in g w ildly . “ I w ill

n ot be t r ea t ed t h is w a y !”

I con sider ed t h e t w o w r a t h dem on s, w on der in g h ow lon g

Ga br iel a n d Kost y a w ou ld be g et t in g t h e sh a r d. “ A n d if I ch oose
n ot t o?”

T h e pen is-w a t ch in g dem on sh r u g g ed. “ Y ou w ill com e w it h u s.

T h e Lor d Ba el com m a n ds.”

“ T h e Lor d Ba el com m a n ds, t h e Lor d Ba el com m a n ds,” Ma g ot h

pa r r ot ed in a sn ide v oice. “ W ell, t h e Lor d Ma g ot h com m a n ds,
t oo!”

“ T h e differ en ce bein g , of cou r se, t h a t y ou ’r e n o lon g er a

r eig n in g pr in ce,” Sa v ia n sa id.

Ma g ot h spu n a r ou n d a n d sen t h im a look of pu r e poison .

Sa v ia n flin ch ed.

I h a d a feelin g t h a t if I didn ’t g iv e in t o Ba el’s dem a n ds, t h er e

w ou ld be t r ou ble for ev er y on e.

“ A ll r ig h t ,” I sa id slow ly a s I g ot t o m y feet . I slid Cy r en e a

m ea n in g fu l look . “ Plea se t ell Ga br iel w h a t ’s h a ppen ed, a n d
w h er e I a m . I w ill t r y t o r et u r n a s qu ick ly a s possible.”

Cy r en e’s fa ce look ed pin ch ed a s sh e g la n ced bet w een t h e

dem on s a n d a n ow n ea r ly h y st er ica l Ma g ot h , w h o w a s r a n t in g
a bou t t h e g ood old da y s. “ A r e y ou su r e y ou ’r e g oin g t o be a ll
r ig h t ?” sh e a sk ed in a w h isper .

“ I sh ou ld be. Ev en Ba el t h in k s t w ice a bou t t a n g lin g w it h a

w y v er n ’s m a t e,” I sa id w it h a lot m or e con fiden ce t h a n I felt .
“ Jim , y ou m a y com e w it h m e, a lt h ou g h I w a n t y ou t o m in d
y ou r t on g u e in Ba el’s pr esen ce.”

Relea sed fr om t h e com m a n d t o be silen t , Jim st a g g er ed a lit t le

w it h t h e st r a in of h oldin g in it s com m en t s. It cock ed a n ey ebr ow
a t t h e w r a t h dem on s. “ Hiy a s. Lon g t im e n o see, Sor i. How t h ey
h a n g in ’, T a ch a n ? Been for ev er sin ce I’v e seen y ou g u y s. Y ou st ill
g ot a t h in g for r a m s?”

T h e pen is w a t ch er sh ot Jim a n ou t r a g ed look t h a t n ea r ly set

t h e dem on ’s coa t sm ok in g .

T h e sou n d of a m a n ’s sin g in g g r ew lou der a s t h e ba r -k eep

ev iden t ly fou n d Ma g ot h ’s ch a m pa g n e.

“ Y ou g u y s st a y h er e. I’ll t a k e ca r e of w h a t ev er Ba el w a n t s a n d
be ba ck a s qu ick ly a s I ca n . Don ’t for g et t o t ell Ga br iel I w en t
w illin g ly ,” I sa id h u r r iedly , on e ey e w a t ch in g t h e st or er oom
door . “ He doesn ’t n eed t o com e r escu e m e.”

“ T h a t y ou k n ow ,” Sa v ia n sa id, ju st a ddin g t h a t lit t le ex t r a

dollop of w or r y t h a t I n eeded t o m a k e m y m iser y com plet e.
 T h e dem on n a m ed Sor i g r a bbed m y a r m in pr epa r a t ion for
y a n k in g m e t h r ou g h t h e fa br ic of bein g t o Ba el’s pr esen ce, bu t
befor e it cou ld do m or e t h a n sla sh a n open in g , Ma g ot h scr ea m ed
a ba t t le cr y a n d t h r ew h im self on m e. Jim lea ped u p a t t h e sa m e
t im e, in t en t on in t er cept in g t h e a t t a ck , bu t w a s t oo la t e. Ma g ot h
h it m e, sen din g m e ca r een in g in t o Sor i a s it w a s pu llin g m e
t h r ou g h t h e open in g , w it h t h e en d r esu lt t h a t a ll fou r of u s w en t
dow n in a t a n g le of a r m s, leg s, a n d fu r r y bla ck t a il.

“ I a ssu r e y ou t h a t su ch a dr a m a t ic en t r a n ce is n ot
n ecessa r y ,” a cool, a lm ost bor ed v oice sa id a s I t r ied t o pu ll m y
lim bs fr om t h e pile of ot h er s. Jim clu n k ed it s h ea d on m in e,
m a k in g m e see st a r s for a secon d.

I sa t u p, r u bbin g it , g la r in g a t Jim for a secon d befor e Ma g ot h

u sed m y h ea d a s a su ppor t t o lev er h im self t o h is feet . “ W ell! Y ou
m ig h t h a v e h a d y ou r ser v a n t s sh ow a lit t le m or e r espect ,” h e
sa id, m a k in g a g r ea t sh ow of br u sh in g h is n a k ed self off. He
m a de a br ief bow t o Ba el. “ Lor d Ba el.”

Un lik e Ma g ot h , w h ose a ppea r a n ce n ev er ch a n g ed fr om h is

or ig in a l, on ce-m or t a l for m , Ba el ch a n g ed h is a t a w h im . T oda y
h e w a s t a ll a n d t h in , w it h a lon g Ben A ffleck -t y pe fa ce, com plet e
w it h st u bble, a n d w or ld-w ea r y ey es. T h ose ey es t u r n ed on
Ma g ot h w it h ex t r em e u n ct ion .

“ W h y did y ou br in g him ?” h e sn a r led a t h is t w o w r a t h

dem on s.

Bot h m en bow ed low , in a w a y t h a t im plied t h ey w er e

g r ov elin g w it h ou t t h eir a ct u a lly doin g so. “ It w a s a n a cciden t ,
Y ou r Gr ea t n ess. He flu n g h im self on t h e dr a g on a s w e w er e
escor t in g h er t h r ou g h .”
 “ I did n ot flin g m y self on Ma y . I h a v e n ev er flu n g m y self on
a n y on e in m y life. I a m a dem on lor d—if t h er e is a n y flin g in g t o
be don e, it w ill be of m in ion s!” Ma g ot h sn a pped.

Ba el r olled h is ey es for a m om en t befor e dism issin g t h e

dem on s, t u r n in g h is a t t en t ion t o m e. His g a ze la n ded on Jim . He
fr ow n ed. “ Ha v e n ot I seen y ou befor e, dem on ?”

I sw ea r Jim cu r t sied. “ T h a t y ou h a v e, y ou r m ost in fer n a l of

a ll in fer n a l bein g s. I’m Jim . Effr ijim , r ea lly , bu t y ou bein g st u ck
w it h y ou r a lt er n a t e n a m es of Beelze bu b a n d Ba a lzu v u v k n ow
h ow it is—sh or t a n d pu n ch y is defin it ely t h e k ey t o su ccess.”

Ba el con t in u ed t o fr ow n , obv iou sly n ot r em em ber in g w h o Jim

w a s.

“ I w a s h er e a few m on t h s a g o w it h Ma y . W e k ick ed som e

w r a t h y a ss, n ot t h a t y ou pr oba bly w a n t t o h ea r t h a t , bu t y ou
k n ow , if on e six t h -cla ss dem on a n d a doppelg a n g er ca n do t h a t ,
y ou m ig h t w a n t t o u p y ou r st a n da r ds a sm idg en ,” it sa id w it h a
h elpfu l a ir .

I pu n ch ed it in t h e sh ou lder .

“ I’m ju st sa y in ’!”

“ W ell, st op it !” I sa id, w a v in g m y fist a t it .

“ If on e of m y w r a t h dem on s a llow ed y ou t o g et t h e bet t er of it ,

t h en I ca n a ssu r e y ou it w a s n ot du e t o in ef fect iv en ess,” Ba el
sa id dr y ly a s h e m ov ed a r ou n d t o sit beh in d a la r g e, ebon y desk .

“ Y ea h ? T h en w h y w ou ld … sh u t t in g u p,” Jim sa id, h a v in g

a ccu r a t ely r ea d t h e look in Ba el’s ey es.
 “ A n d a bou t t im e, t oo,” Ma g ot h sa id, g r u m pily sh ov in g t h e
dem on a side t o st a n d befor e h is boss.

Ba el, w it h ou t look in g u p, w a v ed a h a n d t ow a r d m e. I t ook t h e

ch a ir h e in dica t ed. Ma g ot h w a it ed a m om en t , bu t n o su ch
n icet y w a s ex t en ded t o h im . W it h a u dible g r in din g of h is t eet h ,
h e h a u led ov er a ch a ir fr om a g a in st t h e w a ll t o sit in fr on t of t h e
desk , ploppin g dow n in t o it w it h a r u de n oise ca u sed by ba r e
flesh on g lossy lea t h er .

Ba el, in t h e pr ocess of open in g a dr a w er , fr oze for a m om en t ,

bu t h e pu lled ou t a la pt op a n d set it in t h e ex a ct cen t er of h is
desk w it h ou t com m en t .

I g la n ced a t Ma g ot h . He h a d a t est y look on h is fa ce, h is leg s

m er cifu lly cr ossed, h is fin g er s dr u m m in g ou t a n a n n oy in g
t a t t oo on t h e ch a ir ’s a r m .

“ Y ou g o a h ea d. Ev iden t ly m y bu sin ess is n ot n ea r ly so

im por t a n t a s t h a t of m y sla v e, m y m in ion , m y con sor t .” His lips
w er e t ig h t a s h e a n sw er ed t h e qu est ion in m y ey es.

My cu r iosit y pr odded m e t o a sk Ba el, “ I don ’t m ea n t o h a r p on

a su bject y ou pr oba bly w ou ld lik e t o for g et , bu t a r e y ou sa y in g
y ou r w r a t h dem on h eld it self ba ck w h en I w a s h er e a few
m on t h s a g o?”

I h esit a t ed t o br in g u p t h e r ea son w h y Jim a n d I h a d been in

A ba ddon , lest it r u b a r a w spot .

Ba el flipped open t h e t op of t h e la pt op, a n d pu n ch ed a cou ple of

k ey s w it h la con ic pok es of h is lon g fin g er s. “ T h a t is cor r ect .”

“ W h y ?” I a sk ed, r em em ber in g t h e scen e w ell. T h e w r a t h

dem on Jim a n d I h a d disa r m ed su r e didn ’t seem t o h a v e been
h oldin g ba ck a n y t h in g .

“ Y ou a r e a dr a g on ,” Ba el a n sw er ed, h is ey es on t h e la pt op
scr een .

Ma g ot h sn or t ed a n d sa id som et h in g r u de u n der h is br ea t h .

“ A n d?”

Ba el h ea v ed a sig h , a s if m y qu est ion s w er e t oo t ir esom e t o

a n sw er . “ I fin d it best t o a dh er e t o a policy of n on in v olv em en t
w it h m em ber s of t h e w ey r .”

“ A n d y et t h a t doesn ’t st op y ou fr om h oldin g a w y v er n
pr ison er ,” I poin t ed ou t .

He w a v ed a g r a cefu l h a n d t ow a r d m e. “ T h a t w a s differ en t . I
did n ot seek t o con t r ol t h e w y v er n —sh e w a s sen t t o A ba ddon ,
sen t t o m y pa la ce specifica lly . I m er ely pr ov ided h er w it h …
a ccom m oda t ion s.”

I for bor e t o poin t ou t t h e obv iou s.

“ Un t il, t h a t is, y ou r elea sed h er .” His ey es pin n ed m e ba ck ,

a n d I w a s v er y a w a r e for a m om en t t h a t h e h a d en ou g h pow er
t o squ a sh m e lik e a pa r t icu la r ly in effect iv e bu g . T h en t h e
dr a g on sh a r d k ick ed in , fillin g m e w it h dr a g on fir e a n d a
m a t ch in g fier cen ess.

Ba el’s g a ze dr opped, a n d I w a s possessed w it h t h e su dden

k n ow ledg e t h a t w h a t h e sa id w a s t r u e—h e m ig h t h old Ch u a n
Ren pr ison er w h en sh e h a d been t h r ow n in t o h is la p, bu t h e did
n ot w a n t t o t a n g le w it h a n y of t h e dr a g on s. It w a s t h e dr a g on
sh a r d h e w a s w a r y of, n ot m e, bu t t h a t k n ow ledg e g a v e m e a
lit t le k er n el of r ea ssu r a n ce.
 “ W it h ou t m y k n ow ledg e or ex pr ess con sen t , I h a st en t o poin t
ou t ,” Ma g ot h sa id qu ick ly . “ I did n ot , a s y ou h a v e cla im ed, or der
h er t o g o a g a in st y ou r w ish es. I w ou ld never do t h a t . I w ou ld
never r isk ex pu lsion . It w a s a ll Ma y ’s doin g . If a n y on e sh ou ld be
ex pu lsed, it is sh e.”

“ Oh , y ou did so t ell m e t o do w h a t ev er I n eeded t o do,” I sa id,

u n a ble t o k eep fr om a r g u in g w it h h im . T h e dr a g on sh a r d m a de
m e feel cock y , a s if Ma g ot h posed n o t h r ea t t o m y bor r ow ed
st r en g t h . “ Y ou sa id, a n d I qu ot e, ‘I’m t oo bu sy t o bot h er w it h
y ou r u n im por t a n t con cer n s. Feel fr ee t o do w h a t ev er y ou n eed
t o do, so lon g a s it ’s w it h ou t m e.’ A n d if t h a t ’s n ot con sen t , I don ’t
k n ow w h a t is.”

Ma g ot h br ist led, t h e t em per a t u r e of t h e r oom dr oppin g by a

cou ple of deg r ees. “ How ca n y ou lie lik e t h a t in fr on t of Lor d
Ba el!”

“ I don ’t lie. Y ou k n ow t h a t . A n d so does h e.”

“ I n ev er —”

Ba el h eld u p a h a n d, w h ich t h a n k fu lly sh u t u p Ma g ot h .

“ T h is discu ssion bor es m e. Y ou h a v e been ju dg ed a n d

sen t en ced, Ma g ot h . Y ou r pu n ish m en t h a s been du ly bou n d u pon
y ou .”

“ Not pr oper ly !” Ma g ot h sa id, sh oot in g m e a cou ple of r ea lly

n a st y look s. I t h ou g h t for a m om en t of set t in g h is t oes on fir e,
bu t m a n a g ed t o k eep fr om doin g so. He w ou ld pr oba bly con sider
it for epla y . “ My r ig h t fu l pow er s h a v e n ot y et been r est or ed.”

“ It is for t h a t r ea son I’v e h a d y ou br ou g h t h er e,” Ba el sa id t o

m e.
 “ Rea lly ? I a ssu m ed it w a s t o ch ew m e ou t for r elea sin g Ch u a n
Ren ,” I sa id ca lm ly , em br a cin g t h e dr a g on h ea r t ’s st r en g t h . I
felt pa r t icu la r ly dr a g on ish a t t h a t m om en t , a llow in g m y
fin g er s t o ch a n g e in t o cu r v ed, w ick edly sh a r p cla w s a s I t a pped
on t h e r ou n d-h ea ded t a ck s pou n ded in t o t h e a r m s of t h e lea t h er
ch a ir on w h ich I sa t . “ It g oes a g a in st m y n a t u r e, bu t if y ou w a n t
m e t o beg y ou n ot t o g iv e Ma g ot h ba ck h is pow er s, I a m fu lly
pr epa r ed t o do so.”

“ Ma y !” Ma g ot h g a sped.

Jim sn ick er ed soft ly t o it self.

Ba el’s ey es lit w it h in t er est for a m om en t . “ T h a t m ig h t be …

n o. I su ppose it w ou ld be best n ot t o pu r su e t h a t t r a in of t h ou g h t ,
t em pt in g a s it is. A s y ou k n ow , t h e Doct r in e of Un en din g
Con sciou s a llow s for a per iod of t im e befor e a n ex pu lsion is m a de
per m a n en t , a t im e du r in g w h ich t h e ex pu lsed per son m a y
pet it ion t h e pr in ces for r ein st a t em en t .”

Ma g ot h lift ed h is ch in . “ W h ich I h a v e don e. Y ou r eject ed m y

pet it ion . T h er efor e, a ccor din g t o t h e la w s set dow n in t h e
Doct r in e, y ou m u st r est or e t o m e a ll t h e h on or s du e m e,
in clu din g m y fu ll pow er s.”

I m ov ed u n ea sily in t h e ch a ir , t h e dr a g on sh a r d fillin g m y
m in d w it h a ll sor t s of u n lik ely a ct ion s t h a t w er e in t en ded t o
k eep Ba el fr om doin g ju st t h a t .

Ba el’s g a ze flick er ed t o m e for a few m om en t s befor e r et u r n in g

t o h is la pt op. “ T h e la w st a t es t h a t pow er s m u st be g iv en t o t h eir
r ig h t fu l ow n er , y es.”

“ Fin e, t h en ,” Ma g ot h sa id, st a n din g u p, on e h a n d on h is n a k ed

h ip. “ I don ’t lik e it , bu t I w ill a ccept t h e ex pu lsion . So lon g a s I
h a v e m y pow er s, I w ill sim ply t u r n m y a t t en t ion t o r u lin g t h e
m or t a l w or ld. Y ou ca n h a v e m y sea t w it h m y blessin g s.”

“ I don ’t n eed y ou r —”

Ba el’s t er se r espon se w a s in t er r u pt ed by a w h ir lw in d t h a t
su dden ly bu r st t h r ou g h t h e door .

“ I’m so sor r y I’m la t e! I g ot h eld u p disciplin in g on e of m y

leg ion s. Y ou w ou ldn ’t believ e h ow in su bor din a t e t h ey w er e. I
don ’t k n ow w h a t t h e la st dem on lor d w a s t h in k in g , bu t sh e
t ot a lly m essed u p m y m in ion s. Do y ou k n ow t h a t a ll t h ey w a n t
t o do is w r it e soft w a r e? Bu t t h a t ’s a su bject for a n ot h er da y . Did I
m iss it ? Did I m iss seein g y ou t ell h im ? Ma y , su g a r ! How lov ely
t o see y ou a g a in ! A n d Ma g ot h . Goodn ess! Y ou ’r e st a r k er s!”

A g ig g lin g pin k -fr illed w h ir lw in d, t h a t is. On e n a m ed Sa lly ,

w h o a ppea r ed t o be a ccom pa n ied by t w o n ea r ly n a k ed
body bu ilder s.

Sh e st opped n ex t t o m e, a ir -k issin g t h e spa ces a bou t fou r

in ch es fr om eit h er side of m y fa ce. “ Y ou look sim ply
scr u m pt iou s in t h a t bla ck lea t h er w a ist cin ch er . It ’s a m a zin g
w h a t t h a t ca n do for y ou r fig u r e, isn ’t it ? Ma g ot h , m y dea r boy ,
is t h a t y ou r cu r se, or a r e y ou ju st h a ppy t o see m e?” Ha v in g
dea lt w it h t h e n icet ies, Sa lly squ ea led h er w a y ov er t o Ma g ot h
a n d st r ok ed a h a n d dow n h is ba r e ch est . “ St ill so y u m m y , ev en
t h ou g h a ba t h w ou ld pr oba bly be t h e best t h in g r ig h t n ow . Is
t h a t m ou se dr oppin g s in y ou r h a ir ? Oooh . Kin k y .”

Ma g ot h sim per ed a t h er . I k ept m y ey e r ollin g t o m er ely a

desir e, a n d g r eet ed h er polit ely . “ Hello, Sa lly . I w on der ed w h a t
h a ppen ed t o y ou , sin ce w e h a v en ’t seen y ou in a few m on t h s. It
look s lik e y ou ’v e t a k en u p coa ch in g Ch ippen da les da n cer s.”

T h e n ea r est w r a t h dem on flex ed it s zebr a -st r iped t h on g a t m e.

“ Y ou m ea n V in cen zo a n d Gu n t er ? A r en ’t t h ey t h e m ost
scr u m pt iou s t h in g s y ou ’v e ev er seen ?” Sa lly blew t h em a k iss.

“ Er … t h ey ’r e defin it ely som et h in g ,” I sa id, a v oidin g ey e

con t a ct w it h t h em .

“ Su g a r , jea lou sy ju st doesn ’t look g ood on y ou . I’ll sen d t h em

a w a y , sin ce y ou k n ow h ow m u ch I v a lu e ou r fr ien dsh ip. W ell,
t h a t a n d t h ey ’r e n a u g h t y lit t le boy s w h o don ’t lik e it w h en
Mu m sy pa y s a t t en t ion t o ot h er m en .” Sh e k issed Ma g ot h ’s ea r
a n d m a de a n ela bor a t e g est u r e in t h e a ir . T h e t w o n ea r ly n a k ed
dem on s disa ppea r ed.

“ I w on der h ow I’d look in a t h on g ,” Jim sa id t h ou g h t fu lly ,

squ in t in g a t t h e spot in w h ich t h e t w o dem on s h a d been
st a n din g .

“ Ridicu lou s,” I t old it befor e t u r n in g t o Sa lly .“ Y ou look h a le

a n d h ea r t y . I t a k e it y ou ’r e st ill a ppr en t icin g ?”

“ Gr a ciou s, n o!” Sh e look ed cr est fa llen for a m om en t . “ Y ou

didn ’t g et t h e in v it a t ion for t h e cer em on y ? Hell-fir e! I k n ew I
sh ou ld h a v e g on e w it h Cr a n e a n d Co. t o do m y a n n ou n cem en t s
r a t h er t h a n h a v in g on e of t h e m in ion s h a n dcr a ft pa per fr om
Y a n k ee m on ey . I’m sor r y a bou t t h a t , Ma y . It w a s a bea u t ifu l
cer em on y , t r u ly m ov in g w h en Ba el sa cr ificed a n en t ir e leg ion
t o m a r k t h e occa sion of m y a scen sion t o t h e t h r on e. Y ou w ou ld
h a v e lov ed it .”

Som eh ow , I dou bt ed t h a t . St ill, m y ey es w iden ed a t t h e

t h ou g h t of Sa lly r u lin g A ba ddon . “ Y ou t ook t h e t h r on e?”
 “ Y ou lit t le ba ck st a bber ,” Ma g ot h t old h er fon dly , u sin g t h e
a r m h e h a d a r ou n d h er w a ist t o g iv e h er a squ eeze. “ Y ou u sed
m y ba n ish m en t t o for w a r d y ou r ow n ca u se. W h a t a su per bly
self-ser v in g t h in g t o do.”

Sh e bit h is ch in . “ I k n ew y ou ’d a ppr ov e.”

“ So lon g a s it w a sn ’t m y sea t , y es.”

“ T o a n sw er y ou r qu est ion , Ma y , I t ook ov er t h e sea t left

v a ca n t by t h a t dem on lor d w h o is n ow a ll dr a g on n y ,” sh e sa id,
g ig g lin g a lit t le a s Ma g ot h g oosed h er . “ Y ou k n ow h er , don ’t
y ou ? I’d a ppr ecia t e it if y ou cou ld g iv e h er a piece of m y m in d.
Sh e’s a bsolu t ely r u in ed a ll of m y m in ion s. Y ou w ou ldn ’t believ e
t h e la x a t t it u des t h ey h a v e, n ot t o m en t ion a fla t -ou t r efu sa l t o
do a n y t h in g t r u ly ev il. I m ea n , ser iou sly , w h a t ’s t h e u se of
h a v in g m in ion s if t h ey w on ’t g o for t h a n d spr ea d deba u ch er y ,
depr a v it y , a n d su ffer in g in y ou r n a m e?”

“ Sh ock in g ,” Ma g ot h m u r m u r ed, bot h h a n ds on h er bu t t n ow .

I sa id sim ply , “ W h a t a disa ppoin t m en t t h a t m u st be t o y ou . I

w ill be su r e t o pa ss a lon g y ou r com pla in t t o A islin g .”

“ I’m su r e sh e’ll be h ea r t br ok en ,” Jim sa id, sn ick er in g ju st a

lit t le.

Sa lly , w h o h a d been w h isper in g a n d g ig g lin g t o Ma g ot h ,

su dden ly fr oze, h er h ea d sn a ppin g a r ou n d t o pier ce Jim w it h a
look t h a t h a d t h e h a ir s on t h e ba ck of m y n eck st a n din g on en d.
“ W h o da r es t o spea k t o m e w it h ou t per m ission ? W h a t is y ou r
n a m e, dem on ?”

“ T h is is Jim ,” I sa id qu ick ly a s Jim ba ck ed u p u n t il it w a s

pr essed a g a in st m y leg s. “ It ’s A islin g ’s dem on , a ct u a lly ,
a lt h ou g h it ’s ou t on loa n t o m e.”

“ It is im per t in en t ,” Sa lly sa id, a n d w it h a n eg lig en t h a n d

dr ew a sy m bol in t h e a ir .

“ Hey , a ll I sa id—” Jim disa ppea r ed, ju st fla t -ou t disa ppea r ed.

Fu r y r oa r ed t o life w it h in m e. “ W h a t did y ou do?” I a lm ost

y elled, st om pin g for w a r d t ow a r d h er .

Sh e h a d t h e g a ll t o look su r pr ised. “ W h y , ba n ish ed it t o t h e

A k a sh a , of cou r se. I k n ow y ou ’r e n ot a dem on lor d, Ma y , bu t
r ea lly , y ou r t im e h er e in A ba ddon sh ou ld h a v e t a u g h t y ou t h a t
t h e on ly w a y t o m a in t a in con t r ol is t o n ev er a llow im per t in en ce
in m in ion s. It ca n on ly lea d t o w or se t h in g s, lik e
in su bor din a t ion a n d ou t r ig h t m u t in y .”

“ Sh e’s r ig h t ,” Ma g ot h sa id, n oddin g . “ I pr efer t or t u r e, m y self,

sin ce it en t er t a in s a n d is a g ood dem on st r a t ion for ot h er
dem on s, bu t t h e idea is sou n d.”

“ Br in g it ba ck ,” I sa id, m y v oice a low g r ow l t h a t I didn ’t

r ecog n ize.

“ Don ’t be silly —it ’s ju st a six t h -cla ss dem on ,” Sa lly sa id,

dism issin g m y con cer n t o t u r n h er h ea d a n d n u zzle Ma g ot h ’s
filt h y n eck . Sh e plu ck ed a fer n fr om beh in d h is ea r a n d
pr oceeded t o t ick le h is pen is w it h it .

I slid a g la n ce t ow a r d Ba el. He w a s lea n in g ba ck in h is ch a ir ,

w a t ch in g m e w it h a n a n t icipa t or y lig h t in h is ey es.

“ Br in g . It . Ba ck ,” I sa id a g a in , m y body elon g a t in g a n d
sh ift in g in t o t h a t of a silv er -cov er ed dr a g on . I dr ew ba ck m y
lips, sen din g fir e t h r ou g h m y clen ch ed t eet h .
 Sa lly ’s ey es w iden ed a s I t ook a st ep t ow a r d h er , sen din g fir e t o
t h e v er y t ips of h er spa r k ly pin k pla st ic sh oes. “ Ma y ! T h is is h ow
y ou t h a n k m e?”

Ma g ot h sh ov ed Sa lly a side, h is a r m s h eld w ide a s h e w elcom ed

m e. “ Ma y ! My ow n sw eet , sca ly Ma y ! Y ou w a n t t o pla y ? Rig h t
h er e? Rig h t n ow ? In fr on t of Ba el? I qu est ion y ou r sen se of
t im in g , a n d y et , I a m st r a n g ely ex cit ed by t h e t h ou g h t . Let ’s g o
for it . Giv e m e a piece of t h a t sw eet t a il!”

T h e a ir cr a ck ed. A la r g e w hum p follow ed a s Ma g ot h h it t h e fa r

w a ll of t h e r oom , slidin g dow n t h e w ood pa n elin g w it h a squ ea k
of flesh a g a in st h ig h ly polish ed w ood.

Sa lly w a t ch ed h im for a m om en t befor e t u r n in g ba ck t o m e,

h er ey es t h ou g h t fu l, h er lips pu r sed. “ I see.”

“ Do y ou ?” I w a lk ed t ow a r d h er , slow ly , lit t le com pr ession

t r em or s sh a k in g t h e g r ou n d a s I did so. “ Do y ou , r ea lly ?”

“ Per h a ps I w a s a lit t le h a st y in ba n ish in g y ou r ser v a n t ,” sh e

sa id qu ick ly , ba ck in g u p a cou ple of st eps. “ I don ’t w a n t t h er e t o
be ba d feelin g s bet w een u s, su g a r . W h a t if I br in g t h e dem on
ba ck ? W ou ld t h a t m a k e y ou h a ppy a g a in ?”

I let a slow sm ile cu r v e m y lips befor e I for ced t h e dr a g on

sh a r d ba ck in t o obedien ce, m y body ch a n g in g ba ck t o it s n or m a l
sh a pe. “ T h a t w ou ld m a k e m e v er y h a ppy , in deed.”

Sh e spok e a few w or ds, a n d g a v e m e a v er y t oot h y sm ile w h en

Jim r ea ppea r ed, it s ey es r a t h er w ild. Sh e ev en w en t so fa r a s t o
pa t it a cou ple of t im es on t h e h ea d befor e t u r n in g h er per k y
sm ile on Ba el. “ I’m sor r y , Lor d Ba el. I for g ot y ou sa id … I for g ot .”

Ba el g a v e h er a lon g look befor e t u r n in g h is h ea d t o con sider

t h e pu ddle of Ma g ot h on t h e floor n ex t t o t h e w a ll. “ He sm u dg ed
m y w a ll.”

“ He h a d a lit t le a cciden t in t h e w oods a n d g ot a bit dir t y ,” I

ex pla in ed.

Ba el la ced h is fin g er s t og et h er a n d look ed ba ck t o m e. “ It

w ou ld a ppea r h e is a lso u n con sciou s.”

“ He w ou ld h a v e ju st k ept pest er in g m e u n t il I k n ock ed h im

ou t , so I fig u r ed I’d sa v e ev er y on e t h e t r ou ble of list en in g t o h im
r a n t a n d r a v e. W h ich , I a ssu m e, h e’d do, sin ce I su spect y ou
h a v e som et h in g t o t ell m e h e isn ’t g oin g t o lik e.”

“ V er y a st u t e, dr a g on ,” Ba el sa id.

“ Oh , g oody , I h a v en ’t m issed it ,” Sa lly sa id, bea m in g a t m e.

“ Y ou ’r e g oin g t o lov e t h is, Ma y . Ju st lov e it . It ’s so—oh m y g osh ,
so w on der fu l! I cou ldn ’t believ e it w h en Lor d Ba el t old m e a bou t
it . ‘Ma y is ju st g oin g t o flip w h en sh e h ea r s a bou t t h is,’ I t old
h im , a n d so y ou a r e.”

“ Sa lly ,” Ba el sa id, w it h a w ea r y g est u r e.

“ Oh . Sor r y . Lips a r e zipped,” sh e sa id, m a k in g a zippin g a ct ion

a cr oss h er m ou t h . “ Go r ig h t a h ea d a n d m a k e Ma y ’s da y .”

Ba el lea n ed ba ck in h is ch a ir , seem in g ly u n a w a r e of t h e
w a r in ess in m y ey es, sa y in g com for t a bly , “ A s I w a s sa y in g
befor e w e w er e in t er r u pt ed, t h er e a r e r u les t h a t I m u st a dh er e
t o.”

“ I a m t oler a bly fa m ilia r w it h t h e Doct r in e of Un en din g

Con sciou s,” I sa id, m en t a lly g oin g ov er t h e set of r u les t h a t
g ov er n ed A ba ddon for a n y t h in g a ppr opr ia t e t o t h e sit u a t ion .
Sa lly ’s r ea ssu r a n ce of lov in g t h e su r pr ise t h a t Ba el h a d for m e
con fir m ed m y in it ia l im pr ession t h a t I w a s a bou t t o be sen t
scr ea m in g in h or r or fr om t h e r oom .

“ A s y ou r em ploy er so a br a siv ely st a t ed, w e m u st g r a n t h im

h is du e n ow t h a t t h e ex pu lsion h a s been a ppea led, a n d t h e
a ppea l den ied. T h er efor e, I a m doin g ju st t h a t ,” Ba el sa id,
flick in g h is fin g er s t ow a r d m e.

I t ook a deep br ea t h , h oldin g t ig h t t o m y a n g er a n d t h e n eed

for t h e sh a r d t o dom in a t e m e. “ Mig h t I poin t ou t t h a t Ma g ot h
r u n n in g a m ok in t h e m or t a l w or ld w ill h a v e r eper cu ssion s on
A ba ddon ? Y ou com e a n d g o in t o m y w or ld a s fr equ en t ly a s y ou
plea se—do y ou t h in k y ou w ill be a ble t o con t in u e doin g so on ce
h e r u les it ? Su r ely y ou m u st r ea lize t h a t h e w ill h old a g r u dg e,
a n d w ill do ev er y t h in g possible t o den y y ou a ccess t o t h e m or t a l
w or ld.”

“ No on e ca n st op m e fr om doin g w h a t I w ish ,” h e sa id w it h
decept iv e m ildn ess. “ T h a t sa id, I h a v e n o in t en t ion of a llow in g
Ma g ot h t o r u le any w or ld, let a lon e on e in w h ich I h a v e a n
in t er est .”

I fr ow n ed, con fu sed, slidin g Jim a g la n ce. It s ey es look ed lik e

t h ey w er e g oin g t o bu g ou t of it s h ea d. I w a n t ed ba dly t o a sk it
w h a t it sa w t h a t I didn ’t , bu t r efr a in ed. Ba el w ou ld v iew su ch a n
a ct a s a sig n of w ea k n ess, a n d a bov e a ll, I w a n t ed h im t o
con t in u e t h in k in g I w a s a ba da ss dr a g on w it h w h om it w ou ld be
a v er y ba d idea t o t a n g le. “ So y ou w on ’t be g iv in g h im h is
pow er s ba ck ?”

“ No.”

“ Bu t t h e Doct r in e … ?”
 Sa lly g ig g led a g a in . “ T h is is so fa bu lou s, Ma y . I ca n ’t believ e
y ou h a v en ’t g u essed!”

“ Gu ess w h a t ?” I a sk ed, bu t t h e secon d t h e w or ds left m y lips, a

h or r ible idea ca m e ov er m e. I t u r n ed t o Ba el w it h w h a t m u st
h a v e been a n a ppa lled look on m y fa ce. “ Y ou don ’t m ea n … y ou
ca n ’t … it ’s n ot possible, is it ?”

“ Y ou a r e Ma g ot h ’s con sor t ,” h e a n sw er ed w it h a lit t le sh r u g .

“ A s fa r a s t h e Doct r in e is con cer n ed, y ou a n d h e a r e of t h e sa m e
body . T h er efor e, it is t o y ou h is pow er s h a v e been g r a n t ed. I
w ish y ou joy of t h em , dr a g on .”
 Ch a pt er Six

My cell ph on e r a n g t h e sa m e in st a n t I w a lk ed in t h e fr on t door .
“ Ga br iel?”

“ Lit t le bir d! I g ot y ou r v oice m a il. W h er e a r e y ou ?”

“ Hom e. In Lon don , I m ea n . Ba el su m m on ed m e t o h is En g lish

h om e, a n d pu sh ed m e ou t h er e r a t h er t h a n La t v ia .”

“ W h a t did h e w a n t of y ou ? A ll y ou r t w in sa id is t h a t t w o
dem on s ca m e t o fet ch y ou , bu t t h ey did n ot w a n t Ma g ot h . A n d
y et y ou t ook h im w it h y ou ?”

“ I h a d n o ch oice, eit h er in seein g Ba el or Ma g ot h com in g

a lon g .” I g a v e h im a br ief r eca p of w h a t h a d h a ppen ed in Ba el’s
h ou se. “ Ga br iel, I ca n ’t t ell y ou h ow u pset Ma g ot h is g oin g t o be
w h en h e fin ds ou t . T h e w or ds ‘g oin g ba llist ic’ w ou ldn ’t beg in t o
cov er t h e h issy fit h e’ll h a v e. Not t o m en t ion t h e fa ct t h a t I don ’t
w a n t t o be a dem on lor d. I’m n ot A islin g . I’m n ot m ea n t for t h is
sor t of t h in g .”

“ I dou bt if A islin g feels sh e is, eit h er , bu t t h a t is n eit h er h er e

n or t h er e. T ell m e a g a in w h a t Ba el sa id—did h e im ply y ou w er e
t a k in g Ma g ot h ’s pla ce, or ju st r eceiv in g h is pow er s?”

“ Ju st g et t in g h is pow er s. Agathos daim on—y ou don ’t t h in k h e

in t en ds for m e t o t a k e ov er Ma g ot h ’s sea t ?”

“ No. He w ou ld n ot w a n t a dr a g on in pow er in A ba ddon ,” h e

a n sw er ed slow ly .

Rea ssu r a n ce ea sed som e of t h e w or r y t h a t w a s lea v in g m e

feelin g it ch y a n d u n com for t a ble. “ W h a t a m I g oin g t o do w it h
h is pow er s?”

“ I w ish I w a s m or e lea r n ed in t h e w a y s of A ba ddon , bu t it ’s n ot

som et h in g I’v e ev er pa id a t t en t ion t o. A islin g sh ou ld be a ble t o
h elp y ou , h ow ev er . Or r a t h er , h er m en t or w ill, sin ce I dou bt if
Dr a k e w ill a llow h er t o do m or e t h a n spea k t o y ou .”

“ I pla n n ed on t a lk in g t o bot h of t h em , bu t fig u r ed I’d ch eck

w it h y ou fir st t o see if t h er e w a s som e w a y y ou k n ew of t o
u n loa d t h ese pow er s. Not t o m en t ion w h a t on ea r t h w e’r e g oin g
t o t ell Ma g ot h . A n d t h en h ow w e’r e g oin g t o k eep h im fr om
g oin g on a r a m pa g e.”

“ I w ill see t o it t h a t h e is t a k en ca r e of.”

I g la n ced ou t of t h e w in dow , n ot in g t h e t a x i dr iv er w a s
st r u g g lin g w it h a la r g e object . “ I don ’t t h in k w e h a v e m u ch
t im e. Soon er or la t er h e’ll w a k e u p, a n d n ot ice h e st ill doesn ’t
h a v e h is pow er s. He m ig h t n ot g u ess t h a t Ba el w ou ld g iv e t h em
t o m e, bu t h e w ill fin d ou t a t som e poin t .”

“ W e cou ld a sk A islin g ’s m en t or t o ba n ish h im t o t h e A k a sh a .”

“ I h a v e n o dou bt Nor a cou ld do it , bu t it ’s r ea lly n ot su ch a

g ood idea .”

“ W h y n ot ?”

I m a de a w r y fa ce a t Ma g ot h ’s body . “ Beca u se I’m bou n d t o

h im , a n d h e h a s ju st en ou g h pow er left t o su m m on m e sh ou ld h e
so ch oose. A n d I ca n g u a r a n t ee y ou t h a t if h e w a s ba n ish ed, h e’d
t a k e m e w it h h im .”

Ga br iel u t t er ed a w or d I decided it w a s best I n ot a ck n ow ledg e.

“ I w ill h a v e Ma a t a r em ov e h im fr om t h e h ou se. T h a t sh ou ld
g iv e y ou a lit t le br ea t h in g r oom .”

I bit m y lip, n ot su r e if it w a s su ch a w ise t h in g t o h a v e

Ma g ot h ou t of t h e w a y . “ I su ppose t h a t ’s t h e sa n e t h in g t o do. I’ll
st a r t look in g a r ou n d for som ew h er e sa fe t o k eep h im . A n d
spea k in g of t h a t , did y ou g et t h e ph y la ct er y ?”

He h esit a t ed a secon d. My st om a ch t ig h t en ed. “ Y es a n d n o.”

“ T h a t sou n ds om in ou s. W h a t is t h e n o pa r t ? Oh , set h im dow n

ov er t h er e on t h e cou ch , w ou ld y ou ? T h a n k y ou so m u ch . Let
m e ju st g et m y pu r se… . Her e y ou g o. Keep t h e r est .”

T h e t a x i m a n deposit ed t h e bla n k et -w r a pped for m of Ma g ot h

w h er e I in dica t ed, ey ein g t h e la r g e den om in a t ion of t h e bill I
h eld ou t w it h a n a v a r iciou s sm ile t h a t r em a in ed on h is fa ce a s
h e left t h e h ou se.

“ T h e y es r efer s t o t h e Moda n a Ph y la ct er y —Kost y a v er y

g r u dg in g ly a llow ed m e t o see it t o v er ify it is, in fa ct , t h e
sh a r d.” T h er e w a s a m u ffled sou n d lik e t h a t of k n u ck les
cr a ck in g .

“ Uh -h u h . Y ou don ’t h a ppen t o h a v e a bla ck ey e, do y ou ?” I

cou ldn ’t h elp bu t a sk , su spect in g t h er e w a s a cer t a in a m ou n t of
ph y sica l per su a sion t h a t Ga br iel h a d t o a pply .

“ Ma y lin g , y ou k n ow fu ll w ell I do n ot g o ou t of m y w a y t o pick

fig h t s.”

“ Of cou r se y ou don ’t . Now , a n sw er t h e qu est ion .”

He sn or t ed in t o t h e ph on e. “ No, I do n ot h a v e a bla ck ey e.”

I w a it ed for a m om en t .
 “ … n ow .”

“ I k n ew it . I h ope t h a t Kost y a fa r ed a s w ell a s y ou .”

“ Oh , y es.” T h er e w a s a dist in ct n ot e of plea su r e in h is silk en

v oice. “ I’m t old br ok en n oses a r en ’t pa r t icu la r ly pa in fu l, bu t if
t h ey a r en ’t set cor r ect ly , t h ey ca n lea v e a per m a n en t
r em in der . I fin d t h a t t h ou g h t v er y sa t isfy in g .”

I ig n or ed t h e g r in in h is v oice. “ So y ou g ot Kost y a ’s sh a r d.
T h en w h a t ’s t h e pr oblem ?”

A h ea v y sig h sou n ded in m y ea r . “ T h e pr oblem con cer n s t h e

Son g Ph y la ct er y .”

“ Don ’t t ell m e Ch u a n Ren is g oin g ba ck on h er pr om ise?” I

a sk ed, k eepin g t h e ir r it a t ion fr om m y v oice.

“ Not en t ir ely . T h e pr oblem , I g a t h er , st em s fr om t h e fa ct t h a t

Fia t is t ech n ica lly in ch a r g e of t h e r ed sept .”

Ma a t a ca m e in t o t h e r oom , h a v in g h ea r d v oices. Her

ey ebr ow s r ose a t t h e sig h t of t h e st ill-u n con sciou s Ma g ot h , bu t
sh e sa id n ot h in g ot h er t h a n , “ Is t h a t Ga br iel on t h e ph on e?”

I n odded.

“ I w a s ju st a bou t t o ca ll. T ipen e sa id h e a n d Ka a w a sh ou ld be

a r r iv in g ea r ly t om or r ow m or n in g .”

I pa ssed t h e m essa g e a lon g befor e sa y in g , “ Ch u a n Ren h a s

h a d, w h a t , a lm ost t w o m on t h s t o t a k e ca r e of Fia t ? I ca n ’t
believ e sh e h a sn ’t ou st ed h im fr om h er sept sin ce h e t ook it ov er
in a w h olly h ein ou s, a n d su r ely illeg a l, fa sh ion .”
 “ Hein ou sn ess a n d illeg a lit y h a v e n ot h in g t o do w it h it ,”
Ga br iel sa id, h is v oice a m u sed. “ Ch u a n Ren w ou ld t ea r Fia t t o
lit t le sh r eds a n d u se t h em in a ca t ’s lit t er box if sh e cou ld fin d
h im . Bu t h e’s g on e t o g r ou n d, a n d a lt h ou g h h e con t in u es issu in g
com m a n ds t o t h e r ed dr a g on s—w h ich , Jia n a ssu r es m e, n o on e is
follow in g —t h ey ca n ’t fin d h im t o for m a lly ou st h im . A n d u n t il
t h a t ’s don e—”

I sa t dow n in t h e n ea r est ch a ir , despa ir poolin g in m y g u t .

“ Un t il t h a t ’s don e, sh e w on ’t g iv e u p t h e sh a r d.”

“ No.”

“ W ell, a in ’t life ju st a bow l of ch er r ies? W h a t a r e w e g oin g t o

do?”

“ I h a v e offer ed Ch u a n Ren m y h elp in loca t in g Fia t befor e t h e

s árk ány, a s h a s Kost y a .”

“ Kost y a v olu n t eer ed t o h elp som eon e?” I sa id, t h en

im m edia t ely felt a sh a m ed of m y self for su ch a sn a r k y
com m en t .

“ He w ish es t o be su r e t h er e w ill be n o object ion s t o t h e

r ein st a t em en t of h is sept in t o t h e w ey r ,” Ga br iel r eplied in a
n eu t r a l t on e t h a t spok e v olu m es.

“ He’s st a n din g r ig h t t h er e, isn ’t h e?”

“ Y es. Y ou r t w in is on h er w a y ba ck t o En g la n d. I t a k e it t h a t
Jim a n d Ma g ot h a r e w it h y ou ?”

“ On e is. Jim h a d a m essa g e t o g o see A islin g for a bit . It seem s

sh e m isses it , or som et h in g lik e t h a t . Bu t , Ga br iel, t h e s árk ány is
t om or r ow . Do y ou r ea lly t h in k y ou ca n fin d Fia t in so sh or t a
t im e?”

“ I h a v e n o idea , bu t it is v it a l w e h a v e t h a t sh a r d. I feel I m u st
t r y .”

“ I u n der st a n d. W h er e a r e y ou look in g ? I’ll g et on a pla n e a n d

join t h e h u n t ,” I sa id, g r a bbin g m y pu r se a n d pu llin g ou t m y
w a llet for m y cr edit ca r d. “ Ma a t a ca n ba by sit Ma g ot h .”

“ I don ’t w a n t t o ba by sit h im !” Ma a t a pr ot est ed. “ I’d r a t h er

t h r ow m y self in t o a la k e!”

“ Mu ch a s I w ou ld w elcom e y ou r pr esen ce, t h er e is w or k for

y ou in Lon don , lit t le bir d.”

“ Su ch a s?” I sa t dow n on t h e n ea r est ch a ir , disa ppoin t m en t

m a k in g m e a bit t et ch y . I a ssu m ed Ga br iel w ou ld dem a n d I be
a t h is side a s h e h u n t ed for Fia t . T h a t h e didn ’t do so st u n g m y
pr ide.

T h er e w a s a pa u se for a m om en t ; t h en Ga br iel’s v oice

dr opped, pit ch ed low a n d in t im a t e. “ I k n ow w h a t y ou ’r e
t h in k in g , Ma y lin g . It is n ot so. I desir e y ou ju st a s m u ch t oda y a s
I did y est er da y , a n d a ll t h e da y s befor e it .”

“ On e da y I’m g oin g t o—”

“ Rea d m y m in d, a n d t h en I’ll be sor r y . Y es, I k n ow ,” h e sa id,

la u g h in g .

I sm iled a t m y h a n ds, w ish in g I cou ld see t h e dim ples I k n ew

m u st be sh ow in g . “ W h a t do y ou w a n t m e t o do h er e?”

“ Y ou m u st st a r t t r a in in g w it h m y m ot h er t o lea r n h ow t o
con t r ol t h e sh a r ds.”
 “ I con t r ol a sh a r d a lr ea dy ,” I sa id, pu t t in g m y w a llet ba ck
in t o m y pu r se.

Ma a t a ch eck ed Ma g ot h , g r in n ed t o see h e w a s st ill ou t , a n d

t ipt oed ou t of t h e r oom .

“ Y ou con t r ol t h e sh a r d bou n d t o y ou . It is a n ot h er t h in g
en t ir ely t o con t r ol a ll t h e sh a r ds t og et h er . My m ot h er h a s
st u died t h e dia r ies of Y solde de Bou ch ier . Sh e is t h e best r esou r ce
a v a ila ble for u n der st a n din g t h e pr ocess of r e-for m in g t h e
dr a g on h ea r t . It is t o h er t h a t y ou m u st look for t r a in in g if y ou
w ish t o be su ccessfu l.”

“ I a g r ee, bu t I st ill t h in k I cou ld be h elpfu l in t r a ck in g dow n

Fia t . T h er e m a y be som e t r a il I cou ld follow in t h e sh a dow
w or ld.”

“ Lea v e t h e w or r y of Fia t t o m e, lit t le bir d. Y ou h a v e en ou g h

on y ou r pla t e w it h t h e dr a g on sh a r ds. Pr ot ect m y m ot h er w ell.”

“ Do y ou t h in k sh e’s in a n y da n g er ?” I a sk ed, su r pr ised by h is

dem a n d.

His a n sw er w a s slow in com in g .“ I sen se t h er e is a t h r ea t t o

h er , y es, bu t t h a t cou ld be con n ect ed t o t h e dr a g on sh a r d y ou
bea r . I a sk t h a t y ou be v er y ca r efu l, Ma y , w it h y ou r self a n d m y
m ot h er . Y ou a r e bot h v er y dea r t o m e.”

I w a r m ed dow n t o m y t oes w it h t h e lov e I h ea r d in h is v oice.

“ I’m so g la d y ou ’r e n ot Dr a k e.”

“ So a m I. Bu t … ?”

It w a s m y t u r n t o la u g h . “ Dr a k e w on ’t let A islin g so m u ch a s
lift h er a r m w it h ou t a spot t er a n d t h r ee pillow s t o pr ot ect it .”
 “ Her h ist or y m ig h t h a v e som et h in g t o do w it h t h a t ,” h e sa id,
a m u sem en t ba ck in h is v oice. “ Sh e h a s n ot a lw a y s been so
com pet en t w it h h er pow er s. Bu t y ou a r e.”

W e h u n g u p a few m in u t es la t er , a ft er a few ex ch a n g es of a
m or e pr iv a t e n a t u r e. Bu t som et h in g h e sa id h a d m e t h in k in g , so
a ft er dou ble-ch eck in g t h a t Ma g ot h w a s a ll r ig h t —h e w a s sn or in g
soft ly t o h im self, so I g a t h er ed n o ser iou s da m a g e h a d been don e
t o h im —I w en t in sea r ch of Ma a t a .

“ Do I look a n y differ en t t o y ou ?” I a sk ed h er w h en I fou n d h er .

Sh e st opped pu t t in g clea n clot h es in t o h er dr esser a n d ey ed

m e. “ Sh ou ld y ou look differ en t ?”

“ T h a t ’s n ot w h a t I a sk ed. Do I look a n y differ en t ? Or … feel a n y

differ en t t o y ou ?”

“ I h a v en ’t felt y ou .”

I m a de a fa ce a t h er g r in . “ Y ou ’r e bein g deliber a t ely dr a g on .”

“ I’m sor r y ,” sh e la u g h ed, closin g t h e dr a w er a n d w a lk in g

a r ou n d m e t o ex a m in e m e fr om a ll a n g les. “ It ’s h a bit . Let ’s see…
. No, y ou look pr et t y m u ch t h e sa m e a s y ou did w h en y ou a n d
Ga br iel left . W h y do y ou a sk ?”

It w a s on t h e t ip of m y t on g u e t o t ell h er t h a t I w a s n ow in
possession of a dem on lor d’s fu ll pow er s, bu t I decided t h a t w a s
pr oba bly best k ept t o a s few people a s possible.

“ Ju st a t h ou g h t I h a d. I’m g oin g t o t r ot ov er t o A islin g ’s h ou se

—W h a t in t h e n a m e of t h e spir it s is t h a t ?”

V oices r a ised in a n g er cou ld be h ea r d fr om dow n st a ir s. T h e

h ou se h a d a n ela bor a t e secu r it y sy st em , bu t du e t o t h e fa ct I
w a s n ow bea r in g a pr iceless r elic of dr a g on k in , Ga br iel h a d
a dded a ddit ion a l secu r it y in t h e for m of ex t r a pa t r ols by silv er
dr a g on s. T h e t w o dr a g on s w h o w a t ch ed t h e dow n st a ir s w er e
y ellin g n ow , bu t it w a s a fa m ilia r , h ig h er -pit ch ed v oice t h a t
h a d m e r a cin g dow n t h e h a ll t o t h e st a ir s below .

“ Sou n ds lik e y ou r t w in .”

“ It does in deed. A n d t h a t m a n ’s v oice is v er y fa m ilia r , a s w ell.

W h a t on ea r t h h a s sh e don e t o br in g him dow n on ou r h ea ds?”

T h e t w o dr a g on s, Obi a n d Na t h a n iel, w er e doin g t h eir best t o

st op a v er y det er m in ed in div idu a l fr om en t er in g t h e h ou se, bu t
Cy r en e w a s g et t in g in t h eir w a y . Obi h a d h is h a n ds fu ll w it h
Cy , t r y in g t o pu ll h er off t h e v isit or , bu t it w a s difficu lt g oin g ,
sin ce sh e w a s det er m in edly fig h t in g , k ick in g , m a k in g dir e
t h r ea t s, a n d y a n k in g t h e h a ir of h er v ict im .

“ How da r e y ou !” sh e scr ea m ed a t t h e t op of h er lu n g s. My
ea r dr u m s r a t t led. I felt sor r y for a n y on e closer t o h er t h a n I
w a s. “ I a m a da u g h t er of T et h y s! Y ou w ill feel t h e t r u e
v en g ea n ce of a sist er of t h e h ou se of Hy dr ia des!”

“ Let g o of m e, y ou m a dw om a n , or y ou w ill fin d ou t w h a t

v en g ea n ce r ea lly feels lik e!” t h e m a n y elled ba ck .

“ Is t h a t —Hoo,” Ma a t a sa id, g et t in g a g ood look a t t h e m a n

Na t h a n iel w a s a ll bu t w r est lin g .

“ W h a t in t h e n a m e of t h e su n a n d m oon is g oin g on h er e?” I

y elled, t r y in g t o be h ea r d ov er t h e n oise of so m a n y people
sh ou t in g . “ Cy r en e, let g o of Dr . Kost ich ’s h a ir .”

“ He ca lled m e a n a m e!” sh e sn a r led, g iv in g h is h a ir a g ood

y a n k . “ He ca lled m e a t r ee h u g g er . Me!”

“ Y ou lik e t r ees. Let h im g o. A n d y ou ca n st op doin g that, t oo.”

Blood flow ed fr om t h e pu n ch Cy r en e m a n a g ed t o g et in t o
Kost ich ’s n ose.

“ I m a y lik e t r ees, bu t I’m n ot a dr u id. I’v e n ev er been so

in su lt ed in a ll m y da y s!”

Dr u ids a n d w a t er bein g s, for som e r ea son I’v e n ev er been a ble

t o fa t h om , in sist ed on per pet u a t in g a feu d t h a t w en t ba ck a t
lea st a m illen n iu m . T h er e w a s n o in su lt w or se in t h e w a t er -
elem en t a l cir cles t h a n t o be t h ou g h t in sy m pa t h y w it h dr u ids.

Dr . Kost ich bellow ed a n obscen it y , t r y in g desper a t ely t o flin g

Na t h a n iel, Ma a t a (w h o w a s h elpin g Na t h a n iel), a n d Cy r en e off
h im . “ Cea se, y ou in sa n e w a t er y t w it ! I dem a n d t h a t y ou
u n h a n d m e!”

“ W a t er y t w it ? Watery tw it! Oh ! I’ll sh ow y ou w h o’s a w a t er y

—”

“ St op it r ig h t n ow !” I y elled, g r a bbin g Cy r en e w it h bot h

h a n ds a n d pu llin g . T h e dr a g on sh a r d w a n t ed t o h elp, bu t I
didn ’t w a n t t o let it loose. I du g in m y h eels a n d pu lled, fin a lly
r ippin g m y t w in off t h e h ea d of t h e L’a u -delà w it h a sh r iek t h a t
m a de m y ea r s r in g a secon d t im e.

“ Ju st y ou w a it ,” Cy r en e pa n t ed, sh a k in g h er fist a t h im a s
bot h Obi a n d I dr a g g ed h er ov er t o a ch a ir n ex t t o t h e w a ll. “ Ju st
y ou w a it u n t il t h er e’s n o on e a r ou n d t o sa v e y ou , m a g e!”

“ Cy , r em em ber w h o y ou a r e spea k in g t o,” I w a r n ed, ca st in g a

w or r ied ey e ov er a t Kost ich .
 “ Oh , h e ca n ’t do a n y t h in g t o m e. T h e cou n cil of el em en t a list s
isn ’t a fr a id of t h e L’a u -delà com m it t ee,” sh e sa id, t ossin g h er
h ea d. Sh e st r a ig h t en ed h er clot h in g w it h da r k m u t t er s.

“ I a polog ize for m y t w in ’s a ct ion s,” I sa id, lea v in g h er t o see

h ow Dr . Kost ich fa r ed. He sla pped a w a y Na t h a n iel’s h a n ds a s t h e
dr a g on t r ied t o du st h im off. His g la r e w a s w or ld-cla ss, a lm ost a s
g ood a s Ma g ot h ’s—a n d a lm ost a s pot en t . It st opped m e dea d in
m y t r a ck s for a few secon ds, a h or r ible sen sa t ion of im m obilit y
g r ippin g m y en t ir e body , in clu din g m y h ea r t a n d lu n g s, befor e
I in st in ct iv ely sh a dow ed a n d slipped ou t of h is con t r ol.

Dr . Kost ich m u r m u r ed som et h in g r u de a bou t doppelg a n g er s

u n der h is br ea t h a s I dr opped t h e sh a dow .

I h a n ded h im a cou ple of t issu es, a n d sa id, “ I’m g oin g t o

pr et en d I didn ’t h ea r t h a t , m ost ly beca u se I feel ba d t h a t y ou
a n d Cy r en e g ot in t o a fig h t , bu t a lso beca u se I su spect t h e
dr a g on s w ou ldn ’t t a k e k in dly t o y ou in su lt in g t h eir w y v er n ’s
m a t e. I t a k e it y ou ca m e h er e t o see m e, a n d n ot Ga br iel?”

“ … n ev er been t r ea t ed in su ch a m a n n er . W h a t ?” He st opped
m u t t er in g a s h e da bbed a t h is bloody n ose. “ Y es, of cou r se I ca m e
h er e for y ou . Y ou a n d t h a t t u r n -coa t t h ief t a k er w h o h a s been
sh ieldin g y ou .”

“ Sa v ia n Ba r t h olom ew ?” I sh ook m y h ea d. Ga br iel a n d I h a d

discu ssed t h e fa ct t h a t soon er or la t er Dr . Kost ich w a s g oin g t o
fin d ou t w h er e I w a s, a n d I w a s con fiden t t h a t I cou ld pla ca t e
h im by som e m ea n s or ot h er . “ He’s n ot h er e. In fa ct , h e’s ou t of
t h e cou n t r y .”

Dr . Kost ich w a dded u p t h e bloody t issu e a n d flu n g it on t o a

n ea r by t a ble. “ T h en I w ill sim ply t r a ck h im dow n a s I h a v e
t r a ck ed y ou dow n . Y ou a r e u n der a r r est , Ma y Nor t h cot t , a n d
w y v er n ’s m a t e or n ot , y ou w ill a ccept t h e pu n ish m en t m et ed
ou t t o y ou by t h e cou n cil!”

“ No,” I sa id, sh a k in g m y h ea d a secon d t im e.

Dr . Kost ich st a r ed in su r pr ise a t m e for a m om en t .

“ Y ou g o, g ir l. Don ’t let t h a t a r ca n e bu lly pu sh y ou a r ou n d.

Y ou ’r e m y t w in ! He ca n ju st st ick t h a t in h is—”

“ T h a t ’s en ou g h fr om t h e pea n u t g a ller y , t h a n k y ou ,” I sa id
h a st ily , g iv in g Cy r en e a qu ellin g look t h a t sh e com plet ely
ig n or ed. “ Dr . Kost ich , I r ecog n ize t h e fa ct t h a t y ou feel it ’s
n ecessa r y for m e t o pa y for a lleg ed cr im es, bu t I a m —Oh , w h a t
n ow ?”

T h r ou g h t h e pa r t ia lly opa qu e bu llet pr oof g la ss t h a t lin ed

eit h er side of t h e fr on t door s I cou ld see t h e sh a pes of t w o m en a s
t h ey pou n ded t h e k n ock er . A su dden fa m ilia r sen se st r u ck m e
ju st a s Na t h a n iel w en t t o a n sw er t h e door , a n a w a r en ess t h a t I
r ecog n ized ca m e fr om t h e dr a g on sh a r d, n ot m e.

“ No, don ’t —” I st a r t ed t o sa y , bu t a t t h a t m om en t Na t h a n iel

r ea ch ed t h e door . It w a s flu n g open w it h a v iolen ce t h a t sen t t h e
dr a g on fly in g ba ck w a r ds in t o Ma a t a , w h o h a d r u sh ed for w a r d t o
st op h im .

A m a n st ood in t h e door w a y , da r k -h a ir ed, da r k -ey ed, la r g e,

a n d im posin g , h is lon g da r k ch ocola t e h a ir pu lled ba ck fr om a
w idow ’s pea k .

“ Ba lt ic,” I sa id, m y br ea t h ca u g h t su dden ly in m y t h r oa t .

His ebon y ey es lit on m e, a m u sem en t fillin g t h em . “ Ma t e. I

t h ou g h t I w ou ld fin d y ou h er e.”

“ I a m n ot y ou r m a t e. Y ou w ou ld t h in k a ft er I’v e t old y ou t h a t
so m a n y t im es y ou ’d beg in t o u n der st a n d t h a t . W ou ld it h elp if I
w r ot e it ou t on fla sh ca r ds?”

“ I u n der st a n d m or e t h a n y ou ca n possibly con ceiv e,” h e

a n sw er ed w it h t y pica l dr a g on a r r og a n ce.

“ W h o is t h is?” Dr . Kost ich dem a n ded t o k n ow , h is ey es

n a r r ow ed on t h e n ew com er . “ W h o a r e y ou , sir , t h a t y ou w ou ld
in t er r u pt officia l L’a u -delà bu sin ess?”

It w a s clea r ly u p t o m e t o m a k e t h e in t r odu ct ion s. “ T h is is

Ba lt ic, Dr . Kost ich . Som et im es r efer r ed t o a s t h e dr ea d w y v er n
Ba lt ic, a lt h ou g h I believ e t h a t t it le w a s g r a n t ed h im in t h e pa st ,
ba ck w h en h e w a s lea der of t h e bla ck dr a g on sept .”

“ Ba lt ic.” Dr . Kost ich fr ow n ed a s h e t r ied t h e w or d a cou ple of

t im es. “ Ba lt ic. I believ e I r em em ber som et h in g a bou t a dr a g on
w it h t h a t n a m e.”

I sm iled t o m y self a t t h e ir r it a t ed look t h a t fla sh ed for a

m om en t in Ba lt ic’s ey es. It w a s in t er est in g t o see t h a t ev en t h e
cool, collect ed Ba lt ic h a d a n eg o t h a t cou ld be pr odded.

“ W a sn ’t t h er e som e bu sin ess con cer n in g y ou t h a t en ded w it h

t h e dea t h of a w y v er n ? A fem a le, on e w h o fou g h t a g a in st y ou .
Ha d a Fr en ch n a m e.”

“ Y solde?” I a sk ed, t r y in g t o t h in k of a n y on e w h o cou ld fit t h a t

descr ipt ion . My k n ow ledg e of dr a g on h ist or y w a sn ’t t h a t g r ea t ,
bu t I h a d r ea d w h a t I cou ld fin d a bou t t h e silv er dr a g on s.“ Sh e
w a s a w y v er n ’s m ate, n ot a w y v er n .A lt h ou g h sh e did h a v e a
Fr en ch n a m e: Y solde de Bou ch ier .”
 “ T h a t ’s it ,” Kost ich sa id, g iv in g a cu r t n od befor e con sider in g
Ba lt ic a g a in . “ Y ou dest r oy ed a w y v er n ’s m a t e.”

Ba lt ic’s fa ce g r ew da r k . He st a lk ed ov er t o Dr . Kost ich , w h om I

h a d t o a dm ir e for n ot ev en flin ch in g in t h e fa ce of a fu r iou s
dr a g on . “ I did n ot dest r oy Y solde. Con st a n t in e Nor k a did t h a t !”

I felt m y ja w sa g a lit t le a s I slid a g la n ce t ow a r d Ma a t a .

“ Y solde w a s k illed by t h e silv er w y v er n ?” I a sk ed h er in a
w h isper .

Her fa ce w a s im pa ssiv e a s sh e w a t ch ed Ba lt ic. “ T h a t w a s

befor e m y t im e.”

T y pica l dr a g on n on a n sw er .

“ I t h ou g h t y ou died,” Dr . Kost ich a sk ed, flick in g a piece of lin t

fr om h is a r m w it h st u died n on ch a la n ce. I m ig h t be a m a st er a t
pr esen t in g a ca lm a ppea r a n ce in a h ig h ly ch a r g ed sit u a t ion —or
r a t h er , I m ig h t h a v e been befor e t h e dr a g on sh a r d em bedded
it self in m e—bu t I h a d t o g iv e Dr . Kost ich k u dos; h is in differ en t ,
pla cid ex pr ession m a de m e look lik e a n a m a t eu r . “ I a m su r e
t h ey t old m e y ou w er e k illed by on e of y ou r ow n sept m em ber s.”

Ba lt ic’s ja w t ig h t en ed a s h e g a v e Dr . Kost ich a n a ssessin g

on ce-ov er . “ Y ou h a v e t h e sm ell of a lch em y a bou t y ou , m a g e. I
a ssu m e y ou r eceiv ed y ou r qu in t essen ce ba ck a g a in ?”

“ A g a in ?” I a sk ed, cu r iosit y ov er r idin g m y bet t er sen se. “ No, I

t h in k t h a t ’s fa r en ou g h , Ba lt ic. Ga br iel w on ’t be h a ppy t o h ea r
t h a t y ou for ced y ou r self in t o h is h ou se; h e’ll be fu r iou s if y ou
in sist on com in g a n y fa r t h er t h a n t h e fr on t h a ll.”

“ Y ou w a n t u s t o t h r ow t h em ou t , Ma y ?” Ma a t a a sk ed soft ly ,
h er body la n g u a g e r ela x ed, bu t sh e st ood on t h e ba lls of h er feet ,
r ea dy t o pou n ce.

“ No, I don ’t t h in k t h a t w ill be n ecessa r y . W h a t ev er y ou h a v e

t o sa y t o m e, Ba lt ic, ca n be sa id h er e. A n d y ou r lit t le bu ddy ca n
st a y ou t side.”

T h e m a n w h o st ood silen t ly beh in d Ba lt ic, a s da r k a n d

m en a cin g a s h is lea der , st iffen ed a t t h e in su lt . A ll t h r ee silv er
dr a g on s st iffen ed w it h h im , ju st a s if t h ey w er e pa n t h er s a bou t
t o spr in g . Ba lt ic lift ed h is h a n d a n d h is m a n ba ck ed dow n ,
t a k in g a few st eps ba ck w a r ds u n t il h e w a s on t h e fr on t st eps
lea din g u p t o t h e h ou se.

“ If y ou don ’t m in d, w h a t ex a ct ly do y ou m ea n by again? W a s
t h e qu in t essen ce st olen r ecen t ly ?” I a sk ed.

Un ex pect edly , a lit t le sm ile qu ir k ed t h e cor n er s of Ba lt ic’s

m ou t h . “ Y ou sh ou ld k n ow ; t h e w or d is t h a t y ou st ole it .”

“ A n d r et u r n ed it pr om pt ly t h e n ex t da y ju st a s soon a s w a s
h u m a n ely possible,” I sa id qu ick ly , g la n cin g a t Dr . Kost ich .

T o m y ex t r a or din a r y r elief, h e w a s st ill focu sed on Ba lt ic. “ I

k now t h ey sa id y ou w er e dea d.”

T h e m u scle in Ba lt ic’s ja w ju m ped a g a in .

“ T h e w or d ‘a g a in ’ im plies it w a s st olen befor e. Y ou w ou ldn ’t

h a ppen t o be in t er est ed in a lch em y , t oo, w ou ld y ou ?” I a sk ed
Ba lt ic.

He sh ot m e a n ir r it a t ed look . “ I a m n o g lor ified ch em ist

pla y in g w it h pot ion s.”

“ Bu t t h e qu in t essen ce—”
 “ Ma y be t h e focu s of a n a lch em ist ’s in t er est , bu t I h a v e n o u se
for t r a n sfor m in g m a t t er a t a ll. He ca n k eep h is pr eciou s
qu in t essen ce,” h e in t er r u pt ed w it h a pa r t icu la r ly w olfish sm ile.
“ I h a v e com e for m y sh a r d, m a t e.”

Dr . Kost ich su ck ed in a br ea t h , h is fin g er s t w it ch in g . Ma g es

fr equ en t ly dr ew ela bor a t e r u n es in or der t o a ccess t h eir pow er .
A lt h ou g h h e st ood in a r ela x ed posit ion , w it h h is h a n ds
a ppa r en t ly ca lm ly a t h is side, I cou ld see t h a t h is fin g er s
t w it ch ed a n d jer k ed in w h a t I r ea lized w a s a su bt le pa t t er n . He
w a s dr a w in g a r u n e.

Of t h e t w o ev ils, Kost ich w a s defin it ely t h e lesser . T h e L’a u -

delà w a s g ov er n ed by r u les a n d la w s; Ba lt ic clea r ly m a de h is
ow n a s h e w en t a lon g . T h er efor e, it w ou ld be h oov e m e t o t h r ow
m y lot in w it h Kost ich , n o m a t t er if it w a s on ly t em por a r ily .

I lift ed m y ch in a n d g a v e Ba lt ic a lon g , ca lm look . “ W e’v e h a d

t h is ou t befor e, Ba lt ic. I’m n ot g oin g t o let y ou k ill m e ju st so y ou
ca n g et t h e sh a r d.”

Kost ich ’s pu pils fla r ed for a few secon ds a s h e g la n ced a t m e.

“ I w a s r efer r in g t o t h e sh a r d y ou st ole fr om m y la ir ea r lier

t oda y , a lt h ou g h n ow t h a t y ou spea k of it , I a g r ee t h a t it w ou ld
be m or e con v en ien t t o t a k e bot h n ow t h a n be for ced t o r et u r n
for t h e secon d on e la t er .”

I t ipped m y h ea d t o t h e side a s I look ed h im ov er , t h e dr a g on

sh a r d g leefu lly t h r ow in g ca u t ion t o t h e w in d. “ I did n ot st ea l
a n y sh a r d. W ell, n ot in t h e la st cou ple of m on t h s. T h e Moda n a
Ph y la ct er y w a s t a k en by it s r ig h t fu l ow n er , Kost y a , n ot m e. A s
for t h e ot h er —t h e ph r a se ‘ov er m y dea d body ’ h a s a lw a y s
seem ed ov er ly dr a m a t ic t o m e, bu t a t t h is m om en t , it seem s
pa r t icu la r ly a pr opos.”

“ Y ou w ill fin d t h er e a r e sev er a l bodies y ou w ill h a v e t o

ov er com e in or der t o h a r m Ma y ,” Ma a t a sa id, t a k in g a st ep
for w a r d. T h e ot h er t w o dr a g on s did lik ew ise, t h eir fa ces w ea r in g
iden t ica l ex pr ession s of in t en t a s t h ey m ov ed in t o fla n k in g
posit ion s.

Dr . Kost ich ’s fin g er s con t in u ed t o w ea v e a r u n e of pow er

a g a in st t h e fa br ic of h is pa n t s leg .

“ Y ou a r e t h r ea t en in g m e?” Ba lt ic a sk ed, g en u in ely a m u sed. I

g la n ced t ow a r d t h e door w h er e h is coh or t st ood, h a lf-a fr a id h e’d
com e ch a r g in g in , bu t h e m er ely lea n ed a g a in st t h e door fr a m e,
look in g n ot a t a ll w or r ied.

T h a t fa ct m a de m e m or e u n ea sy t h a n a n y t h in g else.

“ W e w ill do w h a t ev er is n ecessa r y t o pr ot ect Ma y ,” Ma a t a

sa id, in clin in g h er h ea d.

“ T h en y ou w ill die w it h h er ,” Ba lt ic sa id w it h a sh r u g . “ Y ou
w ill a ll die if y ou t r y t o st op m e fr om r et r iev in g w h a t belon g s t o
m e.”

“ I’m a n a ia d,” Cy r en e su dden ly sa id. Sh e ju m ped u p a n d

h u r r ied ov er t o st a n d n ex t t o m e in a sh ow of su ppor t . “ I’m
im m or t a l. I ca n ’t die.”

Ba lt ic slid h er a qu ick look . “ W ou ld y ou lik e t o pla ce a w a g er

on t h a t a ssu m pt ion ?”

Cy r en e sh ow ed r a r e cir cu m spect ion by sa y in g n ot h in g ot h er

t h a n a w h isper ed, “ Kost y a w a s r ig h t —w h oev er t h is dr a g on is,
h e’s a pa in in t h e bu t t . Sh ow h im w h a t y ou ’r e m a de of, Ma y .”
 “ Kost y a ?” Ba lt ic lift ed h is h ea d a s if h e w a s scen t in g t h e a ir ,
h is g a ze n a r r ow ed on Cy r en e. “ Y ou a r e h is …”

“ Ma t e,” sh e sa id qu ick ly .

Ba lt ic’s ey ebr ow s r ose.

“ Oh , a ll r ig h t , a ll r ig h t ! I w ish ev er y on e w ou ld st op doin g t h a t
w h en I t ell t h em I’m Kost y a ’s m a t e. It ’s a n n oy in g ! I’m m a t e lit e,
OK? Not qu it e a fu ll-fledg ed m a t e, bu t close en ou g h t o cou n t . Not
t h a t I w a n t h im a n y m or e, t h e h ea r t less, u n feelin g ba st a r d. Bu t
if I did, I’d be h is m a t e. Sor t of.”

W e a ll st a r ed a t Cy r en e a s sh e h a d h er v er ba l h issy fit .

“ A r e y ou don e n ow ?” I a sk ed polit ely .

“ Y es.” Sh e cr ossed h er a r m s ov er h er ch est , st u ck ou t h er

low er lip in a t r u ly w or ld-cla ss pou t , a n d spr ea d a g la r e a m on g
u s a ll.

“ Good.” I t u r n ed ba ck t o Ba lt ic. “ I’m a lit t le bu sy bein g

a r r est ed, so if y ou w a n t t o spew t h r ea t s a n d en ig m a t ic
com m en t s, y ou ’ll h a v e t o do so la t er . Good-by e.”

Ba lt ic sm iled. It w a s n ot a plea sa n t sm ile, despit e h is

h a n dsom e fa ce, a n d it did, in fa ct , lig h t u p h is ey es, bu t it w a s a
lig h t t h a t boded ill for a n y on e w h o st ood in h is w a y .

“ Y ou r fa lse sen se of br a v er y is la u da ble. Useless a n d

m isg u ided, bu t la u da ble. I a dm ir e y ou r cou r a g e.”

“ T h a n k y ou . Now bu g g er off,” I sa id, u sin g a Br it ish ph r a se I’d

h ea r d in t h e st r eet .
 He g a v e a n a br u pt sh a k e of h is h ea d. “ Not w it h ou t t h e sh a r d.”

“ T h e sh a r d doesn ’t lea v e m e,” I a n sw er ed.

“ Y ou in sist on doin g t h is t h e h a r d w a y … . V er y w ell.” His

fin g er s da n ced in t h e a ir for a m om en t , bu t befor e h e cou ld do
a n y t h in g , Dr . Kost ich fin ish ed dr a w in g h is r u n es. T h e a ir in t h e
r oom su dden ly collect ed a t on e poin t , t h en pu n ch ed ou t w a r d
t ow a r d Ba lt ic w it h t h e for ce of a lu x u r y lin er . Ba lt ic’s st a r t led
y ell a s h e w a s sen t fly in g t h r ou g h t h e open door , st opped on ly
by h is dr a g on fr ien d, w a s a lm ost a s lou d a s t h e com pr ession
bla st m a de by t h e ex plosion .

“ My ea r s!” Cy r en e scr ea m ed, cla ppin g bot h h a n ds ov er h er

h ea d.

“ T h a t w a s n ot n ice, m a g e!” Ba lt ic ch a r g ed for w a r d w it h a

sn a r l, a ba ll of lig h t bu r st in g in t o bein g in fr on t of h im ,
st r et ch in g it self in t o a lon g , g lit t er in g blu e-w h it e sh a pe. It w a s
t h e lig h t bla de I’d seen h im w ield befor e, a w ea pon t h a t n o
dr a g on sh ou ld be a ble t o u se.

Dr . Kost ich g a w k ed a t it for a m om en t , st a m m er in g , “ T h a t is

a … y ou ca n n ot h a v e t h a t … . W h o are y ou ?”

“ W ou ld it be a clich é t o sa y y ou r w or st n ig h t m a r e?” I a sk ed.

“ Y es,” Ma a t a , Cy r en e, Na t h a n iel, a n d Obi a n sw er ed.

Dr . Kost ich w a s t oo bu sy st a r in g a t t h e sw or d Ba lt ic sw u n g
t ow a r d m e.

I didn ’t w a it for a n y m or e bon s m ot s t o occu r t o m e; I t ook on e

look a t Ba lt ic, a n d let t h e dr a g on sh a r d h a v e fr ee r ein .
 It sh ift ed m e im m edia t ely , a n d I t ook a dv a n t a g e of t h e
m om en t a r y su r pr ise in Ba lt ic’s bla ck ey es t o t a il-sla p h im
ba ck w a r ds, ou t t h e door a g a in .

Ma a t a a n d Na t h a n iel sh ift ed, a s w ell, t h eir silv er y sca les

r eflect in g t h e lig h t fr om t h e ov er h ea d ch a n delier a s t h ey
fla n k ed m e. Obi r em a in ed in h u m a n for m , clea r ly t or n bet w een
join in g u s a n d pr ot ect in g Cy r en e a n d Dr . Kost ich .

“ Y ou ’r e ou t n u m ber ed,” I ca lled ou t t o Ba lt ic, sa u n t er in g w it h

dr a g on ea se t o t h e door . “ Y ou m ig h t h a v e t h e lig h t bla de, bu t
a r e y ou st r on g en ou g h t o t a k e on fou r dr a g on s?”

“ Fou r dr a g on s a n d on e r ea lly pissed-off n a ia d,” Cy r en e sa id,

pu sh in g h er w a y bet w een Ma a t a a n d m e t o st a n d w it h h er
h a n ds on h er h ips.

“ T h a t ’s it ?” Ba lt ic sn eer ed. “ T h a t ’s a ll y ou h a v e t o oppose m e?

Do y ou h a v e a n y con cept of ju st w h a t pow er s I h a v e lea r n ed?
Ca n y ou ev en g u ess a s t o w h a t I cou ld do t o y ou a n d y ou r fr ien ds
w it h t h e m er est flick of m y fin g er s?”

I w a s r ea dy for t h e a t t a ck ev en befor e h e st a r t ed for w a r d.

W it h on e h a n d I sh ov ed Cy r en e ba ck w a r ds, a lit t le h a r der t h a n I
w ou ld h a v e lik ed, bu t sh e w a s v u ln er a ble, a n d I w ou ld n ot pu t it
pa st Ba lt ic t o st r ik e a t h er in a n a t t em pt t o w ea k en m e.

His sw or d fla sh ed a s it sw u n g t ow a r d m e. I spu n a r ou n d, m y

t a il sou n din g a w h ipcr a ck a s it sla m m ed in t o h im , bu t I w a sn ’t
qu it e fa st en ou g h —t h e lig h t bla de bit deep in t o m y leg , bu r n in g
m e w it h a n icy fir e t h e lik es of w h ich I’d n ev er befor e felt . I
sla m m ed sh u t t h e door in t h e fa ce of Ba lt ic’s com pa n ion , r oa r in g
m y fu r y a s Ma a t a a n d Na t h a n iel r u sh ed for w a r d in t o t h e fr a y .
Ba lt ic didn ’t sh ift t o a dr a g on for m ; h e sim ply pa r r ied a ll t h e
a t t a ck s w it h h is sw or d, look in g a lm ost bor ed, t h e ba st a r d.

“ En ou g h !” Dr . Kost ich bellow ed, h is h a n ds dr a w in g t h e la st of

a n ot h er set of r u n es. “ T h is w ill en d n ow !”

A n ot h er ex plosion of a ir a n d lig h t r ock ed t h e h ou se, sen din g

a ll of u s fly in g ba ck w a r ds—a ll bu t Ba lt ic.

Kost ich st a r ed a t h im w it h m in g led h or r or a n d con fu sion for a

m om en t befor e t h e dr a g on sh a r d, t ir ed of m y feeble a t t em pt s t o
dir ect m y for eig n dr a g on body a r ou n d, t ook ch a r g e of t h e
sit u a t ion . In a fla sh , I w a s on t op of Ba lt ic, h a v in g k n ock ed h im
t o t h e g r ou n d, h is bla de sk it t er in g a w a y on t h e m a r ble floor ,
g r ea t a r cs of lig h t fly in g fr om it a s it spu n . I sn a r led a n d bit a t
Ba lt ic a s h e flu n g m e off h im , lea pin g t o h is feet in or der t o r u n
a ft er h is sw or d.

“ Oh , n o, y ou don ’t ,” I g r ow led, lu n g in g for w a r d on t o h im ,

dr a g g in g m y cla w s dow n h is ba ck , cu t t in g deep t h r ou g h
m a t er ia l in t o h is flesh .

He scr ea m ed w it h pa in a n d spu n a r ou n d, t r y in g t o dislodg e

m y h old on h im . “ W e w ill fin ish t h is n ow ,” I y elled, bit in g h a r d
on h is sh ou lder . I t a st ed blood, spit t in g it ou t a s h e t h r ew h im self
on t o t h e floor in a r ollin g m ov e m ea n t t o loosen m y h old on h im .

It w or k ed. I slid a cr oss t h e floor , scr a bblin g desper a t ely w it h

m y cla w s for a h old. Ma a t a a n d Na t h a n iel r a ced t ow a r d h im ,
bu t Ba lt ic w a s t oo fa st in h u m a n for m —h e sn a t ch ed u p t h e
bla de, lea pin g ov er Ma a t a a s h e h ea ded t ow a r d m e.

Kost ich ’s bla st of lig h t m u st h a v e lit u p t h e block . It w a sn ’t t h e

sa m e sor t of com pr ession bla st of a ir a s h e’d u sed befor e—t h is on e
w a s a g olden h a lo of lig h t t h a t su dden ly bu r st t h r ou g h m e,
bu r st t h r ou g h t h e en t ir e block , beda zzlin g a n d blin din g a n d
br in g in g ev er y t h in g a n d ev er y on e t o a com plet e h a lt for a few
secon ds.

A s t h e lig h t dissipa t ed, I sh ook t h e da zzle fr om m y br a in , a n d

look ed a r ou n d for Ba lt ic.

He w a s g on e. T h e fr on t door st ood open , bu t w h en I r u sh ed t o

t h e st r eet , sh ift in g ba ck t o h u m a n for m a s I did so, it w a s ba r e of
dr a g on s. T h e few people t h a t st ood ou t side h a d odd ex pr ession s
on t h eir fa ces, a s if t h ey w er e bem u sed.

“ T h ey w ill n ot r em em ber w h a t h a ppen ed,” a v oice spok e

beh in d m e. “ Mor t a ls seldom do.”

I t u r n ed t o sea r ch t h e fa ce of t h e m a n beside m e. “ Y ou sa v ed
u s.”

“ No.” Kost ich sh ook h is h ea d, h is ex pr ession g r im . “ Y ou did

t h a t . A ll I did w a s g iv e y ou a lit t le t im e.”

“ W h a t ev er it w a s, it w or k ed.”

“ No,” h e r epea t ed. “ If it h a d w or k ed, h e w ou ld be

in ca pa cit a t ed a t best . Bu t w h ile ev er y on e else w a s st u n n ed by
t h e lig h t , h e esca ped. He sh ou ld n ot h a v e been a ble t o do t h a t .”

“ W h a t ex a ct ly w a s t h e lig h t ? It left m e feelin g st u n n ed.”

“ It w a s a n a r ca n e con cu ssion bla st , a m in im ized v er sion . A

fu ll con cu ssion w ou ld h a v e blow n ou t t h e w a lls of t h is h ou se. A s
it is, it m er ely ser v ed a s a br ief dist r a ct ion .” Kost ich look ed
w or r ied a s w e r et u r n ed t o t h e h ou se. “ T h e dr a g on sh ou ld h a v e
been a ffect ed by it a s w e w er e, bu t h e w a s n ot . A n d t h er e is t h e
bla de—h e sh ou ld n ot h a v e t h a t lig h t bla de. It belon g ed t o a
fa m ou s a r ch im a g e.”

Slow ly , I closed t h e door a n d lea n ed a g a in st it w h ile I

con sider ed Dr . Kost ich . “ I’m n ot g oin g t o a llow y ou t o sen d m e t o
t h e A k a sh a , y ou k n ow . I h a v e t oo m a n y t h in g s t o do h er e. Ba lt ic
is on e of t h ose t h in g s.”

He h esit a t ed for a m om en t , g la n cin g fr om Cy r en e t o t h e

dr a g on s a n d ba ck t o m e. “ I believ e w e m ig h t be a ble t o com e t o
a n a ccor d r eg a r din g t h a t .”

“ W h a t sor t of a n a ccor d?” Cy r en e a sk ed, com in g for w a r d. Sh e

st opped a t a look fr om m e. “ Sor r y , Ma y . I t h ou g h t y ou m ig h t
n eed a lit t le bit of h elp, bu t … n ev er m in d.”

“ W h a t sor t of a n a ccor d?” I a sk ed Kost ich .

“ On e w h ich w e w ill ea ch fin d sa t isfa ct or y . Y ou w ish t o be

pa r don ed, a n d I w ish t o h a v e t h e v on En dr es bla de. Do y ou t h in k
w e ca n h elp ea ch ot h er ?”

I st a r ed a t h im for a m om en t . “ Y ou w a n t Ba lt ic’s sw or d?”

“ Y es. It disa ppea r ed w h en t h e a r ch im a g e v on En dr es died. I

h a d t h ou g h t it lost t o u s, bu t t o see it n ow bein g w ielded by a
dr a g on …” He sh ook h is h ea d, h is ex pr ession pu zzled. “ I do n ot
u n der st a n d h ow it ca n be. No dr a g on ca n u se a r ca n e m a g ic.”

“ Per h a ps on e w h o w a s r esu r r ect ed ca n ,” I sa id slow ly .

Kost ich ’s look w a s pier cin g . “ He w a s r esu r r ect ed? Y ou a r e

cer t a in ?”

“ Fa ir ly . T h er e’s n o ot h er w ay h e cou ld be a liv e n ow

ot h er w ise.”
 “ I beg in t o see t h e lig h t ,” Kost ich sa id slow ly , h is g a ze dir ect ed
in w a r d. “ T h a t cou ld be w h y m y qu in t essen ce w a s st olen . If so …
v er y w ell. T h is w ill t a k e som e doin g . I w ill n ot be u n pr epa r ed
n ex t t im e I m eet h im . A t r iu m v ir a t e, I t h in k , w ill a n sw er . My
a ppr en t ices a r e r ipe for su ch a ch a llen g e, a n d w it h y ou r a id, I
believ e w e w ill be su ccessfu l. Y ou a g r ee t o m y t er m s?”

“ I don ’t ev en k n ow w h a t t h ey a r e,” I sa id ca u t iou sly .

“Tch.” He m a de a n im pa t ien t g est u r e. “ Y ou w ill a ssist m e in

a cqu ir in g t h e v on En dr es bla de, a n d I w ill g r a n t y ou a fu ll
pa r don for t h ose cr im es of w h ich y ou a r e ch a r g ed.”

“ Do y ou t h in k it ’s possible t o t a k e t h e sw or d a w a y fr om Ba lt ic?
If it ’s som et h in g im por t a n t , h e’s n ot lik ely t o let it g o w it h ou t a
ser iou s fig h t . A n d w h ile I’m u p t o k ick in g h im ou t of m y h ou se, I
don ’t k n ow t h a t it w ill be possible t o g et t h e sw or d fr om h im
w it h ou t k illin g h im .”

Dr . Kost ich ev iden t ly ca m e t o som e sor t of a decision , for h e

n odded h is h ea d t w ice a n d m u r m u r ed, “ Y es, it w ill be a g ood t est
for Ja ck . T u lly is w ea k er , bu t su ch a n ex per ien ce w ill be
in v a lu a ble t o h er .” He r a ised h is v oice a n d a dded, “ Does it
m a t t er if t h e dr a g on is dea d? Giv en y ou r r epu t a t ion , I w ou ld
h a v e t h ou g h t y ou w ou ld r elish a n officia l sa n ct ion t o dest r oy
h im .”

“ I a m n ot a h it m a n , if t h a t ’s w h a t y ou ’r e im ply in g ,” I sa id
r a t h er h u ffily , st r a ig h t en in g m y sh ou lder s a n d t r y in g t o look
dow n m y n ose a t h im . “ I’m a t h ief, a n d ev en t h en , t h er e a r e
ex t en u a t in g cir cu m st a n ces. I do n ot g o a r ou n d m u r der in g
dr a g on s, ev en t h ose t h a t t h r ea t en m e.”

He m a de a ca r eless g est u r e. “ W h et h er h e liv es or dies is n ot a

con cer n . T h e bla de is. Do w e h a v e a n a g r eem en t ?”

I bit m y lip a n d look ed a t t h e ot h er s in t h e r oom . Cy r en e

n odded h er h ea d a n d g a v e m e a t h u m bs-u p. Na t h a n iel a n d Obi
w a t ch ed m e ca r efu lly , bu t I sen sed t h eir a ppr ov a l. Ma a t a a lon e
look ed con cer n ed, h er silv er ey es da r k w it h w or r y .

“ Y es,” I sa id, com in g t o a decision . In for a pen n y , in for a

pou n d … “ Y es, w e h a v e a n a g r eem en t .”
 Ch a pt er Sev en

Dr . Kost ich h a dn ’t been k iddin g w h en h e com m en t ed t h a t a fu ll

a r ca n e con cu ssion bla st cou ld blow ou t t h e w a lls of Ga br iel’s
h ou se.
“ He u n der est im a t ed it , h ow ev er ,” I sa id t o Cy r en e a s w e sa t
h u ddled in a police ca r som e elev en h ou r s la t er . “ It blew ou t t h e
w a lls of t h e h ou ses on eit h er side, t oo. I h ope t h ey fin d t h e t w o
ca t s belon g in g t o t h e old la dy w h o liv es n ex t door .”

“ A n d h er fish ,” Cy r en e sa id, h u g g in g t h e bla n k et t h a t w a s t h e

on ly t h in g bet w een h er ba r e sk in a n d ev er y on e else. “ I feel so
ba d a bou t t h e fish . W h a t w a s Ba lt ic t h in k in g t r y in g t o blow u s
u p lik e t h a t ? He k n ew w e w ou ldn ’t be k illed.”

“ No, bu t w e’r e v u ln er a ble n ow ,” I sa id in a h u sh ed v oice a s

y et a n ot h er policem a n bu st led pa st , t a lk in g in t o h er r a dio a n d
ca r r y in g a clipboa r d. “ W e don ’t h a v e a st r on g h old t o k eep h im
a t ba y , a n d h e k n ow s it . W e’ll h a v e t o set u p ca m p a t a h ot el or
fin d a n ot h er h ou se. Bu t ev en t h a t —it w ou ldn ’t be sa fe a g a in st
Ba lt ic. Not u n t il w e’v e h a d som e t im e t o pu t in secu r it y
sy st em s.”

“ I k n ow a h ou se t h a t ’s sa fe fr om Ba lt ic,” Cy sa id, y a w n in g .

“ Rea lly ? W h er e?”

“ T h a t y u m m y Dr a k e. I bet h e’d t a k e u s in if y ou a sk ed
n icely .”

I open ed m y m ou t h t o pr ot est , bu t n ot h in g ca m e ou t . A n d
r ea lly , w h y sh ou ld I pr ot est ? A s I t h ou g h t t h e idea ov er , I
r ea lized ju st h ow sou n d it w a s. Dr a k e’s h ou se w a s su r e t o be
pr ot ect ed fr om u n a u t h or ized en t r a n ce. Not on ly t h a t , w e’d h a v e
t h e pow er of t h e g r een dr a g on s t o h elp in ca se Ba lt ic m ig h t ,
som eh ow , m a k e it in t o t h e h ou se. T h er e r ea lly w a s n o dow n side
t o t h e idea .

“ Con g r a t u la t ion s, Cy ,” I sa id, pu llin g ou t m y cell ph on e t o

ca ll Ga br iel a g a in . “ Y ou ’v e h a d y ou r fir st g ood idea . I’m so pr ou d
of y ou , I’v e g ot t ea r s in m y ey es.”

“ T h a t ’s w h a t y ou sa id t h e la st t im e I h a d a g ood idea ,” sh e sa id
sm u g ly .

“ W a y ba ck in 1 9 2 2 . Y ou m a y w a n t t o pa ce y ou r self ju st in
ca se y ou ov er loa d y ou r br a in ,” I sa id w it h a dea d-pa n fa ce.

Reg a r dless of m y jok in g , it w as a g ood idea , a n d a lt h ou g h

Ga br iel a ppr ov ed of t h e pla n , h e did sou n d som ew h a t w or r ied.
“ Dr a k e w ill n ot a llow h a r m t o com e t o y ou , bu t I don ’t lik e y ou
bein g u n der h is r oof for a n y len g t h of t im e.”

“ W or r ied I’ll su ccu m b t o h is ch a r m s?” I t ea sed.

“ Not in t h e lea st . A islin g w ou ld t u r n y ou in t o a slu g or

som et h in g equ a lly u n a ppea lin g if y ou so m u ch a s la id a fin g er
on h im . I’m m or e con cer n ed a bou t w h a t r ea ct ion t h e sh a r d w ill
h a v e a ft er a pr olon g ed ex posu r e t o h im . T h ey a r e n ot y ou r sept ,
bu t t h e sh a r d m ig h t n ot r ecog n ize t h a t fa ct , a n d m a y for ce y ou
t o a ct in a w a y t h a t is … er …”

“ Illicit ?”

“ In a ppr opr ia t e,” h e sa id. “ A s for y ou r fir st qu est ion , n o, w e

h a v e n ot fou n d Fia t , a lt h ou g h I believ e h is t r a il is fr esh . I h ope
t o h a v e h im by t h e m or n in g .”
 “ I m iss y ou ,” I t old h im , g la n cin g a r ou n d t o m a k e su r e I
w ou ldn ’t be ov er h ea r d. “ I m iss y ou a lot .”

“ A n d I y ou , lit t le bir d. Bu t n ow I m u st g o. W e a r e t a k in g
por t a ls t o ou r dest in a t ion in or der t o con ser v e t im e, a n d y ou
k n ow h ow t h ey discom pose m e.”

“ Bon v oy a g e,” I sa id, sm ilin g a t t h e m em or y of h ow r u m pled

por t a ls m a de Ga br iel a n d t h e ot h er dr a g on s feel. “ W ish m e lu ck
w it h t h e police. So fa r , t h ey believ e t h e st or y of a n u n ex pla in ed
bom bin g , bu t t h a t h a s m u ch t o do w it h Cy r en e h y st er ica lly
r ecou n t in g a t a le of a m ilit a n t ex t r em ist boy fr ien d.”

“ I sh ou ld h a v e been a n a ct r ess,” Cy r en e sa id w it h a sm u g look

on h er fa ce. “ I r ea lly a m g ood.”

It t ook a n ot h er t w o a n d a h a lf h ou r s befor e t h e police,

fir em en , a n d em er g en cy ser v ices people w er e w illin g t o r elea se
u s. A s I su r v ey ed t h e w r eck a g e of Ga br iel’s r en t ed h ou se, I didn ’t
bla m e t h e police for w on der in g h ow w e’d a ll su r v iv ed
u n sca t h ed. T h e ot h er silv er dr a g on s w h o h a d been pr esen t w h en
Ba lt ic m a de h is m idn ig h t secon d a ssa u lt h a d left on m y a dv ice—
I felt w e h a d a bet t er ch a n ce a t g lossin g ov er a n y t r ou ble poin t s
t h e m or t a l police m ig h t r a ise w it h on ly a cou ple of u s t o be
ex pla in ed.

“ Jim , y ou ca n t a lk , bu t if y ou bit ch a t m e on e m or e t im e, I
w ill do som et h in g ex t r em ely u n plea sa n t t o y ou ,” I t old t h e
dem on a s w e slu m ped in t o t h e ba ck of a sleek bla ck BMW ,
Na t h a n iel beh in d t h e w h eel.

“ Lik e bein g h it on t h e h ea d by a ch a ir a s it flew ou t t h e

w in dow ?” it qu ipped. “ How a bou t losin g t h e h a ir on h a lf of m y
h ea d? Or m a k in g a ll m y w h isk er s dr op ou t ? Oh , I h a v e it —h ow
a bou t poin t in g ou t t h e fa ct t h a t I w a s a lm ost blow n t o
sm it h er een s a cou ple h ou r s a ft er I r et u r n ed t o y ou ?”

I lift ed a fin g er . “ A n y t h in g m or e?”

“ No, sh eesh . It ’s n ot w or t h g et t in g ba n ish ed ov er . My

m a g n ificen t coa t w ill g r ow ba ck , ev en if I look lik e a leper u n t il
t h en . I w on der if t h ey m a k e pr ost h et ic w h isk er s?”

“ I’m sor r y a bou t y ou r h a ir a n d w h isk er s. Y ou don ’t look lik e a

leper ,” I sa id, a v er t in g m y ey es fr om t h e sin g ed side of it s h ea d.
“ A n d I t old y ou I’d t a k e y ou t o be g r oom ed a s soon a s possible. I
ow e y ou som et h in g a ft er y ou fou n d t h ose t w o ca t s for t h e la dy
n ex t door . A lt h ou g h y ou didn ’t h a v e t o dr ool on t h em qu it e so
m u ch .”

“ Eh . It w a s n o big g ie. T h ose ca t s w er e t oo bon y , a n y w a y . T h ey

w ou ldn ’t h a v e m a de a pr oper m ea l.”

“ Y ou m a de Mr s. Pa t t er son delir iou sly h a ppy by fin din g t h em ;

t h a t is cou n t in g h ea v ily in y ou r fa v or ,” I sa id, pa t t in g it on t h e
fu r r y side of it s h ea d. “ Bu t don ’t pu sh it . It ’s been a lon g da y for
a ll of u s.”

“ Y ea h .” Jim slu m ped for a m om en t , t h en per k ed u p. “ I ca n ’t

w a it t o see t h e look on Dr a k e’s fa ce w h en w e a ll com e t r oopin g in
a n d t ell h im Ba lt ic blew u p y ou r h ou se. He’s g oin g t o be
t or qu ed.”

“ I ju st w ish w e’d been a ble t o fin d Ma g ot h ,” I a n sw er ed, m or e

w or r ied ov er t h e m issin g dem on lor d t h a n a bou t Dr a k e. “ I
w on der w h er e h e g ot t o? He cou ldn ’t h a v e been h u r t , cou ld h e?
He’s n ot t ech n ica lly a dem on lor d a n y m or e. He’s n ot r ea lly
a n y t h in g .”
 “ Ju st im m or t a l,” Jim a g r eed. “ If y ou didn ’t fin d h is sev er ed
h ea d, oozin g a n d sm ok in g a n d cov er ed in g u ck , t h en h e’s a liv e
som ew h er e. Pr oba bly g ot t h e h ell ou t of Dodg e w h ile t h e g et t in g
w a s g ood.”

“ I w ish I’d t h ou g h t of doin g t h a t ,” Cy r en e g r u m bled, pu llin g

t h e bla n k et t ig h t er ov er h er ch est w h en Jim og led h er m ost ly
v isible br ea st s.

I don ’t k n ow h ow m ost people w ou ld r ea ct t o a sm a ll a r m y of

dr a g on s sh ow in g u p on t h eir door st ep, bu t Dr a k e w a s com plet ely
u n con cer n ed … u n t il A islin g h a u led h er self dow n st a ir s t o fin d
ou t w h a t w a s g oin g on .

“ Ju dg in g by t h e fa ct t h a t Jim ’s coa t —w h a t r em a in s of it —is

sm ok in g , Cy r en e a ppea r s t o be n a k ed u n der a bla n k et , Ma a t a is
w a lk in g cr ook ed, a n d Ma y is w ea r in g n ot h in g bu t on e of w h a t I
a ssu m e is Ga br iel’s sh ir t s, I g a t h er som et h in g h a ppen ed ov er a t
Ch ez Silv er Dr a g on s.”

“ Ba lt ic bom bed u s,” I sa id, t r y in g t o look a s ca lm a s Dr a k e.

W h en fa ced w it h u s on h is door st ep, h e h a d sim ply u sh er ed u s
in t o t h e h ou se, n ot ev en a sim ple “ W h a t h a ppen ed?” pa ssin g h is
lips. “ W e cou ld g o t o a h ot el if t h er e’s n ot r oom for u s.”

“ Don ’t be silly ,” A islin g sa id a s sh e st a r t ed dow n t h e st a ir s.

“ T h er e’s plen t y of r oom . Let ’s see. I’ll pu t y ou in t h e … n o,
Ca t a lin a com m a n deer ed t h a t r oom . How a bou t t h e … oh , w a it .
Ren é is t h er e. I k n ow ! Y ou ca n h a v e t h e y ellow r oom ; it h a s a
v iew of t h e r iv er . A n d Cy r en e ca n h a v e … h m m .”

“ I lik e r iv er s,” Cy r en e sa id, y a w n in g . “ T h e y ellow r oom w ill

be fin e for m e.”
 “ No, w a it —h a n g on ,” I sa id, h oldin g m y t w in ba ck w h en sh e
w a s a bou t t o g o u p t h e st a ir s. Gu ilt du g a t m e w it h spik y lit t le
fin g er s. “ I a ppr ecia t e y ou pu t t in g u s u p—I r ea lly ca n ’t t h in k of
a n y w h er e sa fer w e cou ld st a y —bu t if spa ce is sh or t , t h en Cy ca n
g o ba ck t o h er fla t . Sh e h a s on e in t ow n .”

“ So do y ou !” sh e cou n t er ed.

“ Not a n y m or e. I g a v e it u p a few w eek s a g o.”

“ Y ou ca n ’t ex pect m e t o g o ba ck t o m y fla t a lon e! A ll by

m y self?” sh e squ ea k ed. “ I’m em ot ion a lly dist r a u g h t ! I’m a
w r eck ! I sh ou ldn ’t be a lon e a t a t im e lik e t h is—ev er y on e k n ow s
t h a t !”

“ Y ou br ok e u p w it h a boy fr ien d, som et h in g y ou ’v e don e

sev er a l h u n dr ed t im es ov er t h e la st t h ou sa n d y ea r s, so I t h in k
y ou ca n h a n dle on e m or e,” I poin t ed ou t .

Sh e g la r ed a t m e. “ Y ou h a v e n o h ea r t , Ma y lin g .”

“ I h a v e a h ea r t . I a lso h a v e a n idea of h ow m a n y people

A islin g h a s cr a m m ed u n der h er r oof r ig h t n ow , a n d I’m su r e t h e
h ou se is a bou t a t ca pa cit y .”

Cy r en e g a v e A islin g a pa t h et ic look , a llow in g h er low er lip t o

qu iv er ju st a sm idg en . “ A islin g ?”

“ It is a bit t ig h t n ow ,” A islin g sa id.

Cy r en e sn iffled, a n d did h er u t m ost t o look pa t h et ic a n d fr a il.

“ Fin e. I’ll ju st g o ba ck t o m y cold, da r k , lon ely , em pt y fla t , a n d
t h in k cold, da r k , lon ely t h ou g h t s.”

“ Y ou for g ot em pt y ,” Jim sa id h elpfu lly .

 Sh e st epped on it s t oes.

“ Ow ! Y ou ’r e n ot a llow ed t o a bu se m e! On ly A islin g ca n do
t h a t ! Or I su ppose Ma y cou ld if sh e w a n t ed t o, bu t Ma y is
obv iou sly n ot t h e ev il t w in , a n d w ou ld n ev er do a n y t h in g so
cr u el a n d h ein ou s a s st eppin g on m y t oes.”

I pin ch ed it s ea r .

“ I’m g oin g t o be bla ck -a n d-blu e a ll ov er by t h e t im e A islin g

pops t h a t ba by ,” Jim g r u m bled, h u ffin g it s w a y ov er t o sit n ex t
t o A islin g .

“ T h er e is t h e a t t ic,” A islin g sa id slow ly , t a ppin g h er fin g er s

on h er belly a s sh e t h ou g h t . “ T h ose r oom s a r e h a bit a ble, a r en ’t
t h ey , Dr a k e?”

“ Y es, bu t t h ey h a v e n ot been decor a t ed sin ce t h e Fir st W or ld

W a r ,” h e a n sw er ed.

“ A n y t h in g is fin e, t r u ly ,” Cy r en e sa id, m a k in g la r g e pu ppy -

dog ey es a t h er . “ I ju st don ’t w a n t t o be a lon e.”

A islin g sm iled. “ I’m su r e w e’ll fit y ou in . T h er e a r e fou r a t t ic

r oom s, so t h a t sh ou ld t a k e ca r e of Cy r en e, Ma a t a , a n d t h e t w o
ot h er body g u a r ds.”

“ Y ou k n ow , I sh ou ld r ea lly h a v e t h e y ellow r oom ,” Cy r en e

sa id a s w e t r ooped dow n t h e h a llw a y . “ It h a s a r iv er v iew , a n d
a s a n a ia d, I’m t h e best ch oice for t h e r oom . Don ’t y ou t h in k ?”

I didn ’t bu y t h a t lin e of r ea son in g , a n d t old h er so, m u ch t o

h er ir r it a t ion . Despit e t h a t , it w a sn ’t lon g befor e w e w er e a ll
set t led in t o ou r r espect iv e r oom s. Dr a k e r efu sed t o a llow A islin g
t o do m or e t h a n br in g m e a n ew t oot h br u sh , a cou ple of t ow els,
a n d a ba r of soa p. A s g r een a n d silv er dr a g on s bu st led ba ck a n d
for t h , g et t in g bed lin en s a n d ot h er n ecessit ies, I pu lled A islin g
a side in t o t h e sm a ll r oom in t h e ba ck of t h e h ou se g iv en ov er t o
m e.

“ Y ou ’r e lim pin g . W er e y ou h u r t in t h e ex plosion ?”

“ No, t h a t ’s a sou v en ir fr om Ba lt ic’s ea r lier a t t a ck . Ma a t a did

t h e best sh e cou ld w it h t h e w ou n d, bu t it is st ill a lit t le t en der .”

“ I cou ld g et a g r een dr a g on h ea ler —” A islin g g est u r ed t ow a r d

a ph on e.

I w a v ed a side h er offer . “ It ’s n ot n ecessa r y . I’ll be fin e.”

“ A ll r ig h t , bu t if y ou ch a n g e y ou r m in d, let u s k n ow . I’m
sor r y t h a t y ou a n d Cy r en e w ill h a v e t o sh a r e a ba t h r oom w it h
Nor a a n d Ren é,” A islin g a polog ized a s I sa t on t h e edg e of t h e
bed. Sh e ea sed h er self in t o a n old g old a n d r ose da m a sk -cov er ed
a r m ch a ir . “ I’d dea r ly lov e t o boot Ca t a lin a ou t so y ou ca n h a v e
t h e r oom t h a t y ou a n d Ga br iel n or m a lly h a v e w h en y ou st a y
w it h u s, bu t I t h in k it w ou ld t a k e a n a t om ic bom b t o g et r id of
h er ,” A islin g sa id w it h a h ea v y sig h . “ I’m so g la d y ou h a v e a
n ice m ot h er -in -la w . I’d offer t o t r a de y ou , bu t I w ou ldn ’t w ish
Ca t a lin a on a n y on e.”

“ I didn ’t t h in k sh e w a s t h a t ba d,” I sa id w it h a lit t le sm ile. “ A

bit for cefu l, a n d r efu sed t o believ e m e w h en I sa id I w a sn ’t
der a n g ed, bu t som e people a r e lik e t h a t . A n d st op a polog izin g for
t h e a ccom m oda t ion s—w e’r e n ot h in g bu t g r a t efu l t h a t y ou a r e
w illin g t o pu t u s u p.”

“ I w a n t t o h ea r a ll a bou t w h a t h a ppen ed w it h y ou a n d
Ba lt ic,” sh e sa id, ca st in g a g la n ce t ow a r d t h e open door . “ Bu t
Dr a k e w ill be com in g ba ck a s soon a s h e g et s y ou r body g u a r ds
set t led, so it ’ll h a v e t o w a it u n t il m or n in g .”

“ A ct u a lly , I h a d som et h in g else I w a n t ed t o t a lk t o y ou a bou t .

Ra t h er , t a lk t o y ou a n d Nor a a bou t .” I g a v e h er a con cise
r ecou n t in g of t h e ev en t s w it h Ba el.

“ Holy m oly ,” sh e sa id w h en I fin ish ed. Her ey es w er e w ide a s

sh e look ed m e ov er . “ A dem on lor d’s pow er s, bu t n ot a dem on
lor d. Y ou ’r e n ot pr oscr ibed, so I a ssu m e y ou h a v en ’t u sed t h e
da r k pow er ?”

“ I don ’t k n ow w h a t t h a t is, so I g u ess n ot .”

“ Y ou ’d k n ow it if y ou u sed it . Ha v e y ou t r ied u sin g a n y of t h e

pow er ?”

“ No, n or do I in t en d t o. T h e dr a g on sh a r d possessin g m e is
qu it e en ou g h , t h a n k y ou .”

“ T h a t m u st be w h y y ou ’r e a ble t o k eep it fr om m essin g w it h

y ou t h e w a y it did m e,” sh e m u sed, h er h a n ds r u bbin g h er big
belly . “ It ju st a bou t dr ov e m e n u t s, bu t y ou ’v e g ot t h a t piece of
dr a g on in y ou , a n d ev er y on e k n ow s dr a g on s a r en ’t ea sily
con t r olled by a n y t h in g . In a w a y , it ’s lu ck y y ou h a v e t h e
sh a r d.”

I let t h a t com m en t g o. “ W h a t I w a n t t o k n ow is w h a t I ca n do
a bou t t h e sit u a t ion . I w a s h opin g y ou a n d Nor a w ou ld be a ble t o
a dv ise m e.”

“ A bsolu t ely ,” A islin g sa id qu ick ly . “ Sh e’ll be h a ppy t o h elp, a s

w ill I. Jim , w h a t t h e dev il do y ou h a v e on n ow ?”

Jim pa r a ded pa st t h e open ed door , t a n g led lon g bla ck st r a n ds

of h a ir st r a g g lin g fr om it s h ea d. “ W ig . Fou n d it in t h e a t t ic.
Needs a bit of t r im m in g , bu t I t h in k it ’ll do u n t il t h e r est of m y
coa t g r ow s ba ck .”

“ Oh , for h ea v en ’s sa k e …”

“ W ou ld y ou lik e m e t o ba n ish it for y ou ?” I a sk ed A islin g .

“ Ma y !” Jim sa id, on e ey eba ll g low er in g a t m e t h r ou g h t h e

m a ss of bla ck w ig . “ Ix n a y on t h e a n ish ba y , w ou ld y a ?”

“ It ’s t em pt in g , bu t n ot ju st y et ,” A islin g sa id, look in g

t h ou g h t fu l. “ If it g et s ov er ly sn a r k y , t h ou g h , feel fr ee t o
com m a n d it t o spen d t im e w it h Ca t a lin a .”

“ I’d r a t h er be ba n ish ed,” t h e dem on g r u m bled.

“ I’ll see y ou la t er in t h e m or n in g t o t a lk a bou t y ou r pr oblem ,

OK? Sleep w ell. Jim …” Sh e g a v e Jim a h elpless look , sh ook h er
h ea d, a n d left t h e r oom m u m blin g som et h in g a bou t t h er e bein g
n o w or ds t o descr ibe h er t h ou g h t s.

“ Hey ,” Jim sa id, sw in g in g it s h ea d so t h e lon g st r a n ds of h a ir

w a ft ed in t h e br eeze. “ How lon g do dr ea ds t a k e? Y ou t h in k Ga be
w ou ld set m e u p w it h som e?”

I slu m ped a lit t le, em ot ion a lly dr a in ed by t h e ev en t s of t h e

la st da y . “ Go t o bed, Jim . A n d plea se don ’t bot h er a n y on e,
especia lly A islin g .”

“ I t h in k it w ou ld be a g ood look for m e,” Jim sa id a s it

con t in u ed t o sw in g it s h ea d. “ It w or k s for Ga br iel; it cou ld w or k
for —”

I closed t h e door in it s fa ce a n d cr a w led in t o bed, ex h a u st ed,

w or r ied, a n d m issin g Ga br iel. W e h a dn ’t been pa r t ed m u ch
sin ce m y r et u r n fr om A ba ddon , a n d I w a s som ew h a t bem u sed
w it h ju st h ow ea sily ou r liv es h a d m esh ed. I felt com for t a ble
a r ou n d h im ; m or e t h a n com for t a ble, I felt r ig h t . It w a s a s if I
w er e sh a dow w a lk in g w h en h e w a sn ’t w it h m e, life t a k in g on a
blea k , in su bst a n t ia l ca st . T h in g s seem ed t o click in t o pla ce on ly
w h en h e w a s a r ou n d, a fa ct t h a t w or r ied m e t o n o en d.

“ W h a t do y ou look so pen siv e a bou t ?”

I ju m ped, st a r t led by t h e v oice. “ Cy , y ou a lm ost sca r ed m e t o

dea t h .”

“ Y ou ca n ’t die,” m y t w in sa id, closin g t h e door w it h a m ildly

disg r u n t led fla sh in h er ey es. “ A n d don ’t g iv e m e t h a t look —I
k n ock ed, bu t y ou didn ’t a n sw er . I ju st peek ed in t o see if y ou ’d
g on e t o sleep w it h t h e lig h t s on . A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ? Y ou h a v e t h e
st r a n g est ex pr ession on y ou r fa ce. How m u ch of t h e r iv er ca n
y ou see? Oh . Not m u ch of a v iew . A h , w ell.”

In decision w a r r ed w it h in m e, y et a n ot h er em ot ion t h a t w a s
u n fa m ilia r t o m e. I w a s n or m a lly a v er y decisiv e per son ,
m a k in g pla n s a n d follow in g t h em t h r ou g h . Now I w a s flooded by
st r a n g e em ot ion s, a n d t h ey w er e st a r t in g t o t a k e t h eir t oll on
m e.

“ Ma y lin g , it ’s ju st m e. Y ou ca n t ell m e w h a t ev er ’s bot h er in g

y ou ,” Cy sa id, ploppin g dow n on t h e en d of t h e bed, g iv in g m y
feet a lit t le pa t . “ Go on . I ca n see y ou w a n t t o t a lk .”

I open ed m y m ou t h t o t ell h er I w a s ju st fin e, t h a t n ot h in g

w a s bot h er in g m e, bu t t h a t ’s n ot w h a t ca m e ou t . “ It ’s Ga br iel.
I’m w or r ied.”
 “ A bou t Ch u a n Ren h u r t in g h im ?”

“ No, I k n ow h e ca n t a k e ca r e of h im self w ell en ou g h . It ’s w h a t

Ga br iel m ea n s t o m e,” I sa id, m iser a ble en ou g h t h a t I w a s
w illin g t o sh a r e m y con cer n s w it h m y less-t h a n -sen sible t w in .

“ Y ou lov e h im .”

“ Y es, I do. A n d h e lov es m e. T h e lov in g pa r t isn ’t t h e issu e.”

“ T h en w h a t is? Oh !” Her ey es, so m u ch lik e m in e, open ed

w ide w it h u n der st a n din g . “ Y ou don ’t lik e t h e fa ct t h a t y ou lov e
h im .”

“ W h a t a r idicu lou s t h in g t o sa y ,” I sa id scor n fu lly .“ W h y

w ou ld I n ot w a n t t o lov e t h e m a n w h o lov es m e?”

“ Beca u se it m ea n s y ou ’r e n ot on y ou r ow n a n y m or e. Beca u se
n ow y ou ’r e t ied t o h im , bou n d t o h im , a n d n ot h in g w ill ev er be
t h e sa m e. Let ’s see, y ou ’v e been liv in g w it h h im for a lm ost t w o
m on t h s… . Y u p. T h a t ’s a bou t r ig h t . T h e bloom is off t h e
h on ey m oon , a n d n ow y ou ’v e r ea lized w h a t t h e r ela t ion sh ip is
r ea lly a bou t .”

I st a r ed a t h er w it h su r pr ise. “ How on ea r t h do y ou k n ow
t h ese t h in g s? Y ou ’v e n ev er h a d a r ela t ion sh ip t h a t la st ed m or e
t h a n a few w eek s.”

“ I’v e been w it h Kost y a a lm ost a s lon g a s y ou h a v e been w it h

Ga br iel,” sh e poin t ed ou t . “ Lon g er if y ou cou n t t h e t im e w e
spen t t og et h er w h ile y ou w er e t r a pped in A ba ddon .”

“ Do I h a v e t o r em in d y ou t h a t y ou officia lly de-boy - fr ien ded

Kost y a t oda y ?”
 T h e look sh e sh ot m e w a s v en om ou s. “ No, y ou don ’t . Up t o t h e
m om en t w h en h e du m ped m e, cr u elly a n d h ea r t lessly , a n d
w h olly w it h ou t ca u se, ju st so h e cou ld g o off a n d be Mr .
Im por t a n t W y v er n , u p t o t h a t t im e w e w er e a v er y su ccessfu l
cou ple. So don ’t t ell m e I don ’t k n ow a bou t r ela t ion sh ips, beca u se
I do. I’v e h a d en ou g h of t h em t o lea r n a t h in g or t w o.”

I dig est ed t h is st r a n g e n ew a w a r en ess in Cy r en e, a n d

a dm it t ed t h a t sh e h a d com e close t o pin poin t in g m y con cer n s. “ I
don ’t r eg r et lov in g Ga br iel. I w elcom e it , w elcom e h im in t o m y
life. W h a t w or r ies m e is t h e fa ct t h a t he’s becom e m y life.”

“ Dom in a t in g , y ou m ea n ? He didn ’t st r ik e m e lik e t h a t . Dr a k e,

n ow , h e’s dom in a t in g .”

“ No, n ot dom in a t in g .” I t h ou g h t for a m om en t , t r y in g t o pu t

t h e feelin g s in t o w or ds. “ He’s ev er y t h in g t o m e, Cy . Not ju st t h e
r om a n t ic st u ff lik e t h e m oon a n d st a r s a n d a ll t h a t —I m ea n t h a t
w h en h e’s n ot w it h m e, life seem s t o be n ot r ig h t , n ot qu it e r ea l.”

“ A n d t h a t w or r ies y ou ?” Sh e sm iled. “ T h a t sou n ds lik e t r u e

lov e t o m e.”

“ I t old y ou t h a t t h e lov e w e sh a r e is n ot t h e issu e. I’m

con fiden t in t h a t .”

“ So y ou ’r e w or r ied t h a t beca u se life doesn ’t h a v e a spa r k le

w h en h e’s n ot t h er e t o sh a r e it w it h y ou , t h a t y ou ’r e … w h a t ?
T oo depen den t on h im ?”

“ No. I k n ow h e n eeds m e ju st a s I n eed h im . T h e pr oblem is …”

I st opped, n ot w a n t in g t o spea k t h e w or ds a lou d.

“ W h a t ?”
 I bit m y low er lip.

“ Ma y lin g , y ou ’r e m y t w in . I lov e y ou . I w a n t t o h elp y ou if I

ca n , a n d w e bot h k n ow I n ev er g et t h e ch a n ce t o h elp y ou
beca u se y ou ’r e a lw a y s t oo bu sy h elpin g m e, in st ea d. Bu t I k n ow
m en , a n d I k n ow r ela t ion sh ips, a n d by Nept u n e’s g r a ce, y ou ’r e
g oin g t o be h elped! Now , t ell m e w h a t t h e pr oblem is so I ca n
r ea ssu r e y ou t h a t it ’s n ot a s ba d a s y ou t h in k it is, a n d t h en I
ca n g o t a k e a n ice lon g soa k in t h e t u b.”

I la u g h ed a t h er det er m in ed fa ce. “ I’m n ot t r y in g t o den y y ou

a m om en t in t h e su n , I a ssu r e y ou . It ’s ju st t h a t it w ill sou n d
silly .”

“ I’m a ll ov er silly ,” sh e sa id w it h per fect ser iou sn ess. “ Spill.”

I look ed dow n a t m y h a n ds, m y fin g er s t h eir n or m a l st r on g ,

ca pa ble-look in g selv es. Bu t I k n ew differ en t ly . I k n ew h ow ea sily
t h ey cou ld ch a n g e in t o dig it s t ipped w it h cu r v ed, w ick edly
sh a r p cr im son cla w s. “ W h a t if it ’s t h e dr a g on sh a r d m a k in g m e
feel lik e t h is?”

“ Y ou t h in k it is?” sh e a sk ed, g iv in g t h e t h ou g h t ser iou s

con sider a t ion .

“ I don ’t k n ow . Bu t if it is, t h en it follow s t h a t it ’s t h e sh a r d

t h a t Ga br iel is r ea ct in g t o. He t old m e on ce t h a t h e h a d n ev er
becom e in v olv ed ph y sica lly w it h a n y t h in g bu t fem a le dr a g on s.
I w a s h is fir st h u m a n . W h en w e m a k e lov e, h e lik es m e in
dr a g on for m , Cy . It ’s m or e t h a n lik e… . I t h in k h e prefers m e in
dr a g on for m .”

“ W ell … h e is a dr a g on ,” sh e poin t ed ou t .

“ I k n ow , bu t …” I h esit a t ed, w ish in g I’d n ev er spok en , bu t

u n a ble t o k eep fr om pou r in g ou t a ll m y w or r ies. “ W h a t if it ’s t h e
sh a r d h e lov es? Oh , t h a t sou n ds so silly —I k n ew I sh ou ldn ’t sa y
it . I k n ow h e lov es m e. He lov ed m e befor e t h e sh a r d. I k now
t h a t . Bu t … oh , n ev er m in d. It ’s t oo idiot ic for w or ds.” I cov er ed
m y fa ce w it h m y h a n ds t o k eep m y self fr om sh a dow in g . I ju st
w a n t ed t o cr a w l in t o a h ole a n d let t h e w or ld g o by w it h ou t m e
for a w h ile.

Cy r en e su r pr ised m e y et a g a in by n ot m a k in g lig h t of my
con cer n . “ I t h in k I k n ow w h a t y ou m ea n ,” sh e sa id a ft er a few
m om en t s of ch ew in g it ov er . “ Y ou ’r e w or r ied t h a t h e lov es y ou
m or e n ow beca u se of t h e sh a r d. Bu t does h e r ea lly lov e y ou
m or e?”

“ Y es,” I sa id w it h ou t h a v in g t o t h in k a bou t it . I u n cov er ed m y

fa ce, dr iv en by som e u r g e t o m a k e h er u n der st a n d. “ W h en I
fir st m et Ga br iel, w e w er e … w ell, it w a s a n in st a n t a t t r a ct ion .
Pa r t of it w a s t h e biolog ica l fa ct t h a t I w a s h is m a t e, bu t t h er e
w a s a lso som et h in g t h a t t r a n scen ded t h a t , a fit t in g t og et h er , if
y ou w ill. A n d sex u a lly …” I g a v e h er a w r y sm ile.

“ I k n ow . Y ou don ’t bu r n dow n a h ot el if t h in g s a r en ’t g ood in

t h e sex depa r t m en t ,” sh e sa id w it h a n a n sw er in g g r in , a n d t h en
pa t t ed m y foot a g a in . “ I w ill a dm it t h a t I w a s w or r ied a bou t y ou
a t fir st , Ma y lin g . Y ou ’d n ev er been w it h a m a n , a n d I w or r ied
t h a t y ou la ck ed t h e ex per ien ce of sh a r in g y ou r life w it h
som eon e.”

“ I sh a r e it w it h y ou ,” I poin t ed ou t .

“ Bu t w e’r e n ot lov er s, a n d Ga br iel w a s. Oh , don ’t pu ff u p a n d

t ell m e y ou w er e on t op of it —so t o spea k —beca u se I cou ld see w ell
en ou g h t h a t y ou g u y s w er e g et t in g on ju st fin e.”
 “ W e w er e.W e did.W e st ill do. Bu t t h er e’s a differ en ce—w e’v e
set t led in t o a life t og et h er . I r ea lly k n ow w h a t it ’s lik e t o h a v e
h im be a pa r t of m e. I k n ow w h a t h e’s lik e in t h e m or n in g , w h en
h e’s ju st w ok en u p, a n d is k in d of g r u m py u n t il I k iss h im . I
k n ow w h a t m a k es h im la u g h , k n ow w h a t h e v a lu es, k n ow w h a t
m a k es h im a n g r y .”

“ T h a t sou n ds per fect ly n or m a l t o m e,” sh e sa id.

“ It is. A n d y et … I didn ’t h a v e t h is in sig h t in t o h im befor e t h e

ph y la ct er y ex ploded. Hen ce m y con cer n a bou t w h a t w ill
h a ppen bet w een u s w h en t h e sh a r d is deca n t ed in t o a n on liv in g
ph y la ct er y .”

Sh e n odded h er u n der st a n din g .

I g a v e h er a lon g look . “ Not g oin g t o t ell m e I’m bein g foolish

a n d im a g in in g t h a t Ga br iel lov es m e m or e n ow beca u se of t h e
sh a r d, a n d on ce t h e sh a r d is g on e, w e’ll be ju st fin e?”

“ No, I’m n ot .” Her g a ze m et m in e w it h u n flin ch in g h on est y .

“ I’m n ot beca u se I t h in k it ’s v er y possible t h a t w h a t y ou sa y is
t r u e.”

My h ea r t cr u m bled.

“ Ga br iel is a dr a g on . Y ou bea r a piece of a dr a g on h ea r t in side

y ou . Of cou r se h e’s g oin g t o r ea ct t o t h a t . It w ou ld be im possible
for h im n ot t o. It w ou ld be lik e m e t u r n in g m y ba ck on a pool of
ca lm w a t er .”

“ Y ou cou ld if y ou h a d t o,” I g r u m bled, feelin g h u r t a n d

deject ed by t h e r ea liza t ion t h a t sh e spok e t h e t r u t h .

“ No, I cou ldn ’t .” Sh e t ook m y h a n d, squ eezin g m y fin g er s

u n t il I look ed u p. “ Ma y lin g , t h is is h a r d for y ou t o u n der st a n d
beca u se y ou ’r e n ot a w a t er elem en t a l. Bu t w a t er isn ’t ju st a n
in t er est —it ’s m y life. It r u les m e; it dr iv es m e; t h e focu s of m y
bein g is com plet ely on it . W h en I’m n ea r a st r ea m , I h a v e t o see
it , h a v e t o t ou ch it , h a v e t o g lor y in it s bea u t y a n d pu r it y . I am
t h e st r ea m , Ma y . Do y ou u n der st a n d t h a t ? It ’s a s m u ch a pa r t of
m e a s m y a r m s a n d leg s a n d br a in a r e—I’m a n ex t en sion of it ,
t h a t ’s a ll. Ju st a n ex t en sion . A n d I im a g in e t h a t ’s h ow Ga br iel
feels a bou t t h e dr a g on sh a r d—it ’s pa r t of t h e h ea r t t h a t bea t s in
a ll dr a g on s. It ’s a n in t eg r a l pa r t of h im , ju st a s w a t er is t o m e.
A n d n ow , t o h im , y ou ’r e pa r t of t h a t equ a t ion .”

“ So lon g a s I bea r t h e sh a r d,” I sa id du lly .

Sh e look ed a t m e for a m om en t , t h en slid off t h e bed. “ I k n ow

y ou ’v e been w or r ied t h a t y ou ’r e losin g y ou r self t o t h e dr a g on
sh a r d, bu t h a s it ev er occu r r ed t o y ou t h a t t h e r ev er se m ig h t be
t r u e?”

“ Hu h ?”

Sh e pa dded ov er t o t h e door , pick in g u p t h e t ow el sh e’d set on

t h e dr esser . “ I t h in k t h e sh a r d is ch a n g in g y ou , Ma y . Bu t m a y be
y ou ’r e ch a n g in g it , t oo. Ma y be w h en it ’s g on e, y ou w on ’t be w h o
y ou u sed t o be. Ma y be y ou ’ll be w h o y ou w er e m ea n t t o be. A n d
m a y be y ou ’ll ch a n g e t h e dr a g on sh a r d t o be som et h in g m or e
t h a n ju st a piece of t h e h ea r t .”
 Ch a pt er Eig h t

I pu zzled ov er Cy r en e’s biza r r e su g g est ion for som e t im e, u n t il

t h e sk y st a r t ed t o flu sh w it h r osy lig h t . Cy r en e didn ’t r ea ssu r e
m e t h a t Ga br iel w ou ld lov e m e a s m u ch w h en t h e sh a r d w a s
g on e a s h e did n ow , bu t I r ea lized I v a lu ed h er h on est r eply m or e
t h a n a n y pla t it u des. I r u bbed t h e sm a ll sca r on m y ch est w h er e
t h e sh a r d h a d en t er ed m y body , a n d st a r ed ou t a t t h e st r ea k s of
r ed a n d g old a s t h ey lit t h e h or izon , w on der in g w h a t Ga br iel
w a s doin g , con t en t , a t lea st , t o k n ow h e m issed m e a s m u ch a s I
m issed h im .
I w en t dow n st a ir s a few h ou r s la t er , t ir ed fr om la ck of sleep
a n d t oo m u ch in t r ospect ion . I t h ou g h t I w a s seein g t h in g s w h en
Jim a m bled t ow a r d m e fr om t h e din in g r oom .

“ Hey a , Ma y lin g . Y ou look lik e y ou w er e pu lled t h r ou g h

A ba ddon ba ck w a r ds on a por cu pin e.”

“ Jim … didn ’t y ou lose pa r t of y ou r fu r ?” I t ou ch ed t h e side of

it s h ea d t h a t h a d been sin g ed, t h en slid m y fin g er s low er , t o it s
ch est , r u bbin g a la r g e w h it e spot . “ A n d w h er e did t h is com e
fr om ? Is it pa in t ? Dy e?”

“ Na w , I h a d A sh sen d m e t o A ba ddon for a cou ple of m in u t es so

I cou ld g et a n ew for m , on e w it h a ll t h e fu r on it . Y ou lik e?” T h e
dem on t w ist ed a r ou n d t o ex a m in e it self. “ T h e t a il’s n ot qu it e a s
flu ffy , bu t t h is for m h a s t h e w h it e spot , w h ich ev er y on e k n ow s
is a ba be m a g n et . Oh , a n d look ! T h r ee w h it e t oes! Kin da r a cy ,
h u h ?”

“ V er y h a n dsom e,” I a g r eed. “ I’m … er … sor r y . I didn ’t r ea lize

t h e la ck of fu r w a s bot h er in g y ou so m u ch . I h ope y ou didn ’t
pest er A islin g .”
 “ Jea lou s?” it a sk ed w it h a w a g g le of it s ey ebr ow s.

“ Cer t a in ly n ot .”

“ Uh -h u h . I ca n t ell y ou ’r e peev ed I didn ’t h a v e y ou sen d m e t o

A ba ddon , bu t y ou ca n r est ea sy , sw eet ch eek s—I h a d A islin g do it
beca u se sh e w a s u p a n d t r y in g t o a v oid t h e cr a zy la dy , a n d
besides, I w a sn ’t su r e y ou k n ew h ow t o do it .”

“ Cr a zy la dy ? Oh , Dr a k e’s m ot h er ?”

Jim g a v e a sh u dder a n d look ed ov er it s sh ou lder . “ Sh e’s in

t h er e n ow w it h A islin g . Dr a k e is r efer eein g . I’m off for w a lk ies
w it h Su za n n e. Y ou w a n n a com e? I’m pr a ir ie dog g in ’ a bit , bu t I
pr om ise n ot t o pin ch a loa f r ig h t in fr on t of y ou , if y ou do w a n t
t o com e.”

“ How v er y con sider a t e. I t h in k I’ll pa ss ju st n ow , if y ou don ’t

m in d.”

Su za n n e, Ist v á n ’s g ir lfr ien d, w h o a ct ed a s cook t o A islin g a n d

Dr a k e’s h ou seh old, em er g ed fr om a ba ck r oom w it h a lea sh a n d
a h a n dfu l of pla st ic ba g s.

“ W a lk in g s t im e,” sh e sa id in a h ea v ily a ccen t ed v oice. “ Y ou

w ill com e w it h u s, Ma y ?”

“ Not t h is m or n in g , t h a n k s. Jim , I’m su r e A islin g a lr ea dy t old

y ou t h is, bu t in ca se sh e didn ’t —beh a v e.”

Jim r olled it s ey es a s it m a r ch ed t o t h e fr on t door , Su za n n e in

t ow . “ W h y does ev er y on e t h in k t h ey h a v e t o t ell m e t h a t ? It ’s
n ot lik e I ev er m is beh a v e… .”

T h a n k fu lly t h e door sh u t on t h e dem on ’s com pla in in g ,

a lt h ou g h it open ed a g a in a bou t t w o secon ds la t er .

I t ook on e look a t t h e w om a n w a lk in g in , a n d felt a st r a n g e

sen se of r elief. “ Ka a w a !”

“ W in t ik i!” Ga br iel’s m ot h er , a t a ll, eleg a n t fig u r e in silv er

a n d bla ck lin en t u n ic a n d pa n t s, r u sh ed for w a r d t o h u g m e. Sh e
h a d sk in t h e color of r ich m ilk ch ocola t e, sh ou lder -len g t h h a ir
t h a t w a s pu lled ba ck in t o a bu n , a n d a sm ile t h a t w a r m ed m e t o
m y t oes. I felt en v eloped in com for t , w r a pped in a cocoon t h a t
w h isper ed t o m e of t h e w in d a n d t h e sk y a n d t h e cr ea t u r es t h a t
da n ced in a n d ou t of t h e Dr ea m in g . Ka a w a w a s a sh a m a n , of t h e
ea r t h , bu t t r a n scen din g m er e m or t a lit y t o becom e som et h in g
m or e, som et h in g w h olly u n iqu e.

“ I’m so h a ppy t o see y ou ,” I sa id, h u g g in g h er for a ll I w a s

w or t h , g r a t efu l t h a t Ga br iel h a d su ch a w on der fu l m ot h er .

“ Y ou a r e w ell, lit t le n ig h t bir d?” sh e a sk ed, h oldin g m e a t

a r m ’s len g t h , h er g a ze st r ippin g a w a y la y er s of m y bein g t o
peer st r a ig h t in t o m y sou l. “ My Ga br iel is m a k in g y ou h a ppy ?”

“ Delir iou sly so,” I sa id, pu sh in g dow n t h e w or r y t h a t seem ed

t o be ev er pr esen t .

Sh e sa id n ot h in g for a m om en t , sim ply cu ppin g t h e side of m y

fa ce w it h on e h a n d w h ile sh e con t in u ed t o pier ce t h r ou g h t o m y
v er y cor e. “ Y ou a r e h a ppy , y es, bu t t h er e is a sh a dow on y ou r
h ea r t . A ll is n ot w ell?”

“ A ll is fin e,” I r ea ssu r ed h er . “ I’m ju st a bit st r essed a bou t t h e

dr a g on sh a r d.”

Sh e n odded, let t in g h er h a n d dr op. “ It dist r esses y ou . Ga br iel

sa id y ou w er e w or r ied it w a s t a k in g ov er . W e w ill see t h a t it does
n ot .”

“ T h a n k y ou . Ha v e y ou m et A islin g ?”

Her ey es lit w it h in t er est a s w e t u r n ed t ow a r d t h e sit t in g

r oom , h er a r m a r ou n d m y w a ist . “ No, bu t I h a v e h ea r d m u ch
a bou t h er fr om Ga br iel. A t on e t im e I t h ou g h t … bu t t h a t is
u n im por t a n t .”

I g r it t ed m y t eet h for a m om en t a t h er t r a in of t h ou g h t , t h en
la u g h ed ou t lou d. Sh e pa u sed t o ca st m e a qu est ion in g look .

“ Jea lou sy is n ev er pr et t y , bu t it ca n be fu n n y som et im es,” I

sa id, t h en con t in u ed w h en sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s. “ I k n ow
t h a t a t on e t im e Ga br iel t h ou g h t ser iou sly a bou t ch a llen g in g
Dr a k e for A islin g . I’m OK w it h t h a t . W ell, n ot OK, bu t I
u n der st a n d it .”

“ Beca u se y ou k n ow h e w ou ld n ev er h a v e been h a ppy w it h

h er ?” sh e a sk ed, h er h ea d t ipped t o t h e side a s sh e w a t ch ed m e.

My sm ile g r ew . “ Mor e beca u se I k n ow Dr a k e w ou ld n ev er h a v e

let Ga br iel h a v e A islin g . A n d sh e w ou ld h a v e m a de h is life a
liv in g h ell if Dr a k e slipped u p a n d let h er g o.”

Sh e la u g h ed, squ eezin g m y w a ist a s I open ed t h e door . “ Y ou

a r e a w ise w in t ik i.”

If I h a d w or r ied w h a t t h e v ola t ile Ca t a lin a w ou ld m a k e of

Ga br iel’s m u ch m or e dow n -t o-ea r t h m ot h er , I didn ’t a ft er seein g
t h e t w o w om en t og et h er . Ca t a lin a m ig h t t r ea t A islin g w it h
r u den ess, m or e or less ig n or in g h er , bu t sh e set t led dow n
com for t a bly en ou g h w it h Ka a w a t o discu ss com m on dr a g on
a cqu a in t a n ces.
 “ Nor a h a d a lit t le issu e sh e h a d t o dea l w it h —som et h in g a bou t
a k obold ou t br ea k in Islin g t on . Bu t a s soon a s sh e’s don e clea n in g
t h a t u p, w e’ll pu t ou r h ea ds t og et h er a bou t y ou r pr oblem ,”
A islin g sa id.

“ I don ’t w a n t t o pu t y ou t o a n y t r ou ble,” I sa id, g la n cin g a t

h er la r g e st om a ch . “ Y ou pr oba bly don ’t feel lik e m ov in g a r ou n d
m u ch . Is t h er e a n y w or d on w h en t h e ba by m ig h t com e?”

Sh e sig h ed a n d pa t t ed h er belly . “ Bea n —m y m idw ife—sa id sh e

cou ld t r y in du cin g la bor , bu t sh e didn ’t r ecom m en d it .
Ev iden t ly , it ’s n ot u n h ea r d of for a ba by of m ix ed pa r en t s t o t a k e
a bit lon g er t h a n n or m a l. So I’m g oin g t o t ou g h it ou t a few da y s
m or e befor e w e decide if it ’s t im e t o for ce t h e la t est g r een dr a g on
t o h a t ch .”

“ Ha t ch ?” I look ed a t h er in h or r or . “ Y ou don ’t m ea n —”

“ No, n o, n o eg g s!” sh e sa id, la u g h in g . “ Dr a g on s a r e bor n in

h u m a n for m . A n d st op w or r y in g a bou t a sk in g for h elp; I don ’t
m in d doin g it a t a ll. In fa ct —” Sh e ca st a sw ift g la n ce a cr oss t h e
r oom t o w h er e Ka a w a a n d Ca t a lin a sa t deep in con v er sa t ion . “ In
fa ct , I’d be g r a t efu l for a n ex cu se t o do t h in g s ot h er t h a n list en t o
m y m ot h er -in -la w t ell m e h ow in a dequ a t e I a m , so y ou r
pr oblem w ill be a w elcom e dist r a ct ion .”

“ W h a t pr oblem is t h a t ?” Dr a k e a sk ed a s h e st r olled ov er t o
h a n d h is w ife a bot t le of w a t er .

I sa t silen t , feelin g g u ilt y a bou t in v olv in g A islin g w h en sh e

m u st be focu sed on t h e a ppr oa ch in g bir t h .

Dr a k e look ed fr om m e t o A islin g , h is em er a ld ey es n a r r ow in g .
“ W h a t pr oblem ?” h e r epea t ed, a bit m or e for cefu lly t h is t im e.
 “ It ’s n ot h in g , sw eet ie, ju st a lit t le … issu e … Ma y h a s r u n in t o.
Not h in g t o g et y ou r k n ick er s in a t w ist ov er .”

Dr a k e’s g a ze w en t w a r y . “ Y ou a r e n ot doin g a n y t h in g ev en
r em ot ely da n g er ou s, k incs em .”

“ I w ou ldn ’t con sider a n y su ch t h in g ,” sh e r eplied, sm ilin g u p

a t h im . “ Not so close t o ba by t im e, a n y w a y . Ma y sim ply h a s a
lit t le poin t r eg a r din g dem on lor ds sh e’d lik e clea r ed u p, a n d I
k n ow if Nor a a n d I pu t ou r h ea ds t og et h er , w e ca n g iv e h er a n
a n sw er .”

T h e w a r y g a ze slid t o m e, a ssessin g m e for pot en t ia l h a za r ds t o

h is m a t e. I sm iled a t h im , a s w ell. “ I ju st w a n t a lit t le
in for m a t ion , a n d w on ’t r equ ir e A islin g t o do a n y t h in g a t a ll
ot h er t h a n t h in k .”

“ See t h a t y ou don ’t .” He r ejoin ed h is m ot h er a n d Ka a w a a ft er

g iv in g u s bot h a w a r n in g look .

“ Bossy ,” A islin g m u t t er ed fon dly a s h e left . “ Oh , g ood, t h er e’s

Nor a n ow . W e h a v e a lit t le issu e for y ou t o w or k on ,” sh e t old t h e
w om a n w h o en t er ed t h e sit t in g r oom , Jim follow in g h er . Nor a
w a s, I k n ew , t ech n ica lly A islin g ’s m en t or , bu t I su spect ed t h eir
r ela t ion sh ip w a s m or e on pa r w it h pa r t n er s t h a n a t ea ch er a n d
st u den t . Nor a w a s in h er ea r ly for t ies, bla ck , w it h w a r m ,
da n cin g ey es beh in d r ed-r im m ed g la sses.

“ W h a t sor t of a n issu e? Good m or n in g , Ma y . I u n der st a n d

y ou ’v e com e t o v isit A islin g for a bit .”

“ Ju st a few da y s u n t il w e ca n fin d a n ew h ou se. Ou r s w a s

dem olish ed by a v er y a n g r y dr a g on .”

Jim sn or t ed. “ Un der st a t em en t of t h e y ea r , ba be.”

 “ Don ’t y ou h a v e som et h in g t o do?” I a sk ed t h e dem on .

“ Did it , a n d I w on ’t g o in t o specifics beca u se A sh ’ll t ell m e I’m

disg u st in g ,” Jim sa id w it h a lit t le Mu t t ley sn ick er .

“ Y ou ’v e been w a t ch in g ca r t oon s a g a in , h a v en ’t y ou ?” A islin g

a sk ed it .

It did t h e w h eezin g sn ick er a g a in .

I g a v e Nor a a br ief r eca p of t h e ev en t s of t h e la st few da y s,

in clu din g m y v isit t o Ba el.

Her ey es g r ew w ider a n d w ider a s I ex pla in ed.

“ He g a v e y ou Ma g ot h ’s pow er s?” sh e a sk ed in disbelief.

I n odded. “ I don ’t w a n t t h em , so t h e qu est ion is, w h a t ca n I do

t o g et h im t o t a k e t h em ba ck ?”

Sh e look ed a t A islin g . A islin g g a v e m e a h a lf sm ile. “ Y ou k n ow

Ba el a s w ell a s I do, Ma y . Pr oba bly bet t er .

Ca n y ou im a g in e m a k in g h im do a n y t h in g , m u ch less t a k e
ba ck som et h in g h e for ced on y ou a g a in st y ou r w ill?”

“ No.” My sh ou lder s slu m ped. “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t , of cou r se, bu t I

w a s h opin g on e of y ou m ig h t h a v e som e sor t of t r ick u p y ou r
sleev e t h a t I cou ld u se. I ca n ’t k eep t h em . Not w it h t h e dr a g on
sh a r d—it ’s ju st t oo da n g er ou s.”

“ A bsolu t ely ,” Nor a a g r eed.

“ T h e on ly t h in g I ca n t h in k of is t o pa ss t h em on t o som eon e
else, som eon e y ou t r u st n ot t o u se t h em ,” A islin g sa id.
 “ T h e people I t r u st I w ou ldn ’t bu r den w it h t h e pow er s, a n d t h e
on es I don ’t t r u st I’d n ev er con sider , so I’m k in d of a t a loss—”

T h e door sla m m ed open , st a r t lin g ev er y on e in t h e r oom .

“ T h ou g h t y ou cou ld h ide fr om m e, eh ?” Ma g ot h sh ou t ed,

h a u lin g a g r een dr a g on in beh in d h im .“ T h ou g h t y ou cou ld
sim ply lea v e m e t o sizzle a w a y in t h e ba sem en t w h ile y ou …
w h ile y ou …” He ca m e t o a st op, a n d n ot beca u se t h e dr a g on w h o
a n sw er ed t h e door t o h im fin a lly m a n a g ed t o h a lt h im . He
st a r ed a t m e. He squ in t ed. He st ood, h a n ds on h ips, h is m ou t h
h a n g in g slig h t ly open a s h e ex a m in ed m e a s if h e h a dn ’t seen
m e befor e.

“ I’m sor r y ,” t h e g r een dr a g on a polog ized, ca st in g a n er v ou s

g la n ce a t Dr a k e. “ He g ot pa st m e befor e I cou ld t ell h im t h a t I’d
a sk t h e silv er m a t e if sh e w ou ld see h im .”

“ Y ou ’v e g ot da r k pow er s,” Ma g ot h sa id fin a lly , ju st a split

secon d befor e r ea liza t ion st r u ck h im .

“ Oh , g od, n o,” I m u r m u r ed, w a n t in g t o slip in t o t h e sh a dow

w or ld. I con t en t ed m y self w it h slu m pin g ov er a n d dr oppin g m y
for eh ea d t o m y h a n ds.

“ Hoo, boy , n ow it ’s g on n a h it t h e fa n ,” Jim sa id, sa u n t er in g

ov er t o m e. “ Ma n , A sh , I sa id ‘it ,’ n ot t h e ot h er w or d. St op
look in g a t m e lik e t h a t !”

“ Y ou h a v e m y pow er s!” Ma g ot h bellow ed, h is fin g er s flex in g a s

h e st a lk ed st iff-leg g ed t ow a r d m e. T h e dr a g on sh a r d, r iled u p
a lr ea dy , t r ied t o pu sh m e t ow a r d h im . “ Y ou t r ea ch er ou s lit t le
bit ch ! Y ou t h iev in g , con n iv in g , despica ble lit t le t w o-t im in g
ba ck st a bber .” T h e w or ds ev iden t ly st r u ck h im , for h e pa u sed for
a m om en t befor e su dden ly t h r ow in g h im self a t m y feet , pr y in g
on e of m y h a n ds off m y h ea d a n d clu t ch in g it in or der t o pr ess
ch illed, w et k isses t o it . “ Fir e a n d br im st on e! Y ou a r e t h e m ost
per fect w om a n I’v e ev er m et !”

“ Oh , g od,” I sa id a g a in , h ea d st ill in m y r em a in in g h a n d,
squ elch in g dow n h a r d on t h e sh a r d. I w ou ld n ot g iv e in t o it . I
h a d fou g h t it a n d w on , a n d I w ou ld con t in u e t o fig h t it .

Jim sm ir k ed. “ Oh y ea h . Not h in g t u r n s on a dem on lor d m or e

t h a n a t ou ch of m a leficen ce. Nicely don e, Ma y .”

“ Oh g od, oh g od, oh g od,” I m oa n ed in t o m y h a n d.

“ I k n ew on e da y y ou w ou ld a dm it t h a t y ou w a n t ed m e,”
Ma g ot h sa id, st ill pr essin g slobber y k isses on t o m y k n u ck les.
“ Y ou ’v e m a de m e t h e h a ppiest dem on lor d on ea r t h . T a k e m e,
m y a dor a bly ev il on e. T a k e m e lik e a t w o-bit g ig olo! Ride m e lik e
a r en t ed m u le! Bit ch sla p m e a s y ou ’v e n ev er bit ch sla pped
befor e! On ly w it h y ou r t a il, beca u se y ou k n ow h ow m u ch I lov e
t h a t .”

“ I believ e t h a t w ill be en ou g h ,” Dr a k e sa id, t a k in g ch a r g e of

t h e sit u a t ion .

Ma g ot h g la r ed ov er h is sh ou lder a t t h e w y v er n . “ W h o a r e
y ou ?”

“ Dr a k e V ir eo, w y v er n of t h e g r een dr a g on s, a n d t h e ow n er of
t h is h ou se. I a m a lso a fr ien d t o Ga br iel, a n d I ca n a ssu r e y ou h e
w ou ld n ot a ppr ecia t e y ou w ipin g y ou r lips a ll ov er h is m a t e’s
h a n ds.”

Ma g ot h g ot t o h is feet , st ill h oldin g m y h a n d, t ossin g h is h ea d

a n d lev elin g Dr a k e a look t h a t h a d in t im ida t ed m a n y a m in ion
ov er t h e cen t u r ies. “ Sh e is m y con sor t . I h a v e t h e r ig h t t o pu t
m y lips w h er ev er I lik e on h er , dr a g on .”

“ No, y ou don ’t ,” I sa id, fin a lly m a n a g in g t o g et m y h a n d fr ee

fr om h is g r ip. I sh ov ed h im n on e t oo g en t ly a side. “ Y ou div or ced
m e sev er a l w eek s a g o.”

He don n ed a su lt r y pou t . “ I didn ’t m ea n it . I w a s a n g r y .

Besides, it t a k es m or e t o div or ce a con sor t t h a n sim ply sa y in g
y ou w a n t t o div or ce h er .”

“ Su ch a s?” I a sk ed.

“ Dea t h ,” Nor a sa id.

A islin g n odded. “ Ba n ish m en t w or k s, t oo, a lt h ou g h t h a t ’s

t r ick ier t o pu ll off, sin ce t ech n ica lly t h e ba n ish ee is st ill a liv e.”

“ T h er e is a lso a r epu dia t ion cer em on y ,” Nor a con t in u ed a s sh e

ey ed Ma g ot h . He g a v e h er a qu ick leer , t h en sn a t ch ed u p m y
h a n d a g a in , r u bbin g m y k n u ck les in a w a y t h a t m a de m y t eet h
g r in d. “ Bu t a s t h a t r equ ir es t h e sa cr ifices of fift een v ir g in sou ls,
it ’s n ot oft en don e.”

“ A islin g did it w it h ch ick en s on e t im e,” Jim piped u p.

I st a r ed a t h er in su r pr ise.

“ Ba el didn ’t specify w h o t h e sou ls h a d t o belon g t o,” A islin g

sa id w it h a n on ch a la n t g est u r e. “ I t h ou g h t r oa st ch ick en s w er e
idea l beca u se t h ey w er e a n a n sw er t o h is dem a n ds, a n d din n er ,
a ll in on e.”

“ It ’s a desser t t oppin g ! It ’s a floor w a x !” Jim sa id. “ It ’s t h e

a n sw er t o a ll y ou r dem on lor d pr oblem s!”
 “ No m or e Saturday Night Live r er u n s for y ou ,” A islin g t old it
fir m ly .

“ So w h a t y ou ’r e sa y in g is t h a t I’m st u ck w it h h im ?” I a sk ed
Nor a .

“ W h a t is g oin g on ov er h er e? W h o is t h is da r k a n d com pellin g

m a n w h o w ea r s t h e t ig h t br eech es?” Ca t a lin a dem a n ded t o
k n ow a s sh e a n d Ka a w a ca m e ov er t o join t h e fu n . Sh e ey ed
Ma g ot h a s if h e w er e a piece of ca n dy bein g offer ed t o h er .

He didn ’t so m u ch a s t h r ow a g la n ce h er w a y .

“ T h is is Ma g ot h , m y … er … for la ck of a bet t er w or d, boss,” I

sa id, in t r odu cin g h er . “ Ma g ot h , t h is la dy is Dr a k e’s m ot h er ,
doñ a Ca t a lin a de Elfér ez.”

“ I h a v e n o in t er est in ot h er w om en n ow t h a t y ou h a v e sh ow n
y ou r t r u e color s t o m e, m y da r k a n d dea dly on e,” Ma g ot h
m u r m u r ed a s h e su ck ed m y k n u ck les.

I t r ied t o w r en ch m y h a n d fr ee. He ju st du g h is fin g er s in

h a r der , sen din g m e a sm older in g look .

“ He sm ells lik e t h e dem on s,” Ca t a lin a sa id, st r ollin g a r ou n d

beh in d h im t o g et a look a t t h e r ea r v iew . “ He h a s m a g n ificen t
bu t t ock s, t h ou g h .”

Ma g ot h st opped su ck in g m y k n u ck le t o t u r n a n d look a t h er .

Sh e og led h is pa n t s for a m om en t . “ Very t ig h t br eech es. I lik e

t ig h t br eech es.”

“ Mot h er ,” Dr a k e sa id, w it h a look on h is fa ce t h a t spok e

v olu m es.
 “ Do n ot m in d h im ,” Ca t a lin a sa id, h er ey es h a lf-sh u t a s sh e
g a v e Ma g ot h a com e-h it h er look . “ He does n ot lik e t o t h in k of h is
m a m a h a v in g lov er s. Bu t I a m differ en t . Y ou r em in d m e a bit of
m y h u sba n d. Dr a k e, does h e n ot look lik e y ou r a ccu r sed fa t h er ?”

“ No,” Dr a k e sa id a da m a n t ly a t t h e sa m e t im e Ma g ot h
pou n ced on a w or d I k n ew h e w ou ld en joy .

“ A ccu r sed?” h e a sk ed, g iv in g Ca t a lin a a r et u r n og le. “ Y ou

h a v e t h e u n m ist a k a ble a u r a of on e w h o t r u ly u n der st a n ds t h e
n eeds a n d desir es t h a t a ll dem on lor ds feel. T ell m e, m y Spa n ish
bea u t y , h ow do y ou feel a bou t r est r a in t s w it h r eg a r ds t o
lov em a k in g ?”

“ T h ey a r e m ost n ecessa r y ,” sh e sa id w it h a lit t le sh r u g . “ How

w ou ld y ou be a ble t o t or m en t y ou r pa r t n er if h e cou ld st op
y ou ?”

Ma g ot h dr opped m y h a n d a n d a ll bu t sh im m ied ov er t o h er ,
pr essin g h is lips t o h er pa lm . “ I lik e h ow y ou t h in k , m y ex ot ic
lit t le oliv e. A n d n ipple cla m ps? Y ou r opin ion on t h em ?”

“ A g a in , n ecessa r y ,” Ca t a lin a sa id. “ A lt h ou g h I pr efer

pier cin g s t o cla m ps. Mu ch m or e r elia ble w h en u sed for lea sh in g
pu r poses.”

A lit t le sh u dder of ecst a sy sh ook Ma g ot h a s h is t on g u e sw ept

ou t ov er h er pa lm . “ Y ou a r e a w om a n w h o k n ow s h er
plea su r es.”

“ St op lick in g m y m ot h er !” Dr a k e dem a n ded, a n d look ed lik e

h e w a s g oin g t o u se bodily for ce t o st op Ma g ot h .

“ W or ds I n ev er t h ou g h t I’d h ea r ,” Jim sn ick er ed.

 “ On t h e ot h er h a n d, w h ips are ov er r a t ed,” Ca t a lin a
v olu n t eer ed. “ A ca t , h ow ev er …”

Ma g ot h t r em bled, h is ey es closin g for a m om en t . “ On e w it h

h u n dr eds of t in y lit t le ba r bs?”

“ Ex cellen t for en su r in g t h a t y ou h a v e y ou r pa r t n er ’s fu ll
a t t en t ion ,” sh e a g r eed.

“ Dea r h ea v en , w h a t h a t h w e w r ou g h t ?” A islin g a sk ed,

g est u r in g t o Dr a k e, w h o a ssist ed h er t o h er feet . “ Pot t y br ea k . Be
ba ck in a m in u t e. Or m a y be lon g er if t h ey ’r e g oin g t o g o in t o
a n y m or e specifics. Jim , h eel.”

“ W h a t ? Hey ! I w a n n a w a t ch a n d see if Ma g ot h is g on n a por k

Dr a k e’s m om —”

T h e door closed on t h e dem on ’s object ion s.

Ka a w a , w h o h a d been st a n din g w a t ch in g t h e scen e w it h a

slig h t sm ile, m et m y g a ze. “ Per h a ps n ow w ou ld be a g ood t im e
for u s t o discu ss w h a t y ou w ill n eed t o do t o r e-for m t h e dr a g on
h ea r t .”

“ A bsolu t ely ,” I sa id, w it h h ea r t felt a ppr ecia t ion a t t h e

su g g est ion . A n y t h in g t h a t g ot m e ou t of Ma g ot h ’s w a y w a s
g oin g t o h a v e m y fu ll a ppr ov a l. “ Dr a k e, I h a t e t o dist u r b y ou
w h en y ou ’r e bu sy scow lin g a t Ma g ot h , bu t is t h er e a r oom w e
ca n u se?”

“ Mot h er !” Dr a k e sa id a bit m or e for cefu lly , h is g r een ey es

g lit t er in g a t Ma g ot h , w h o, I’m su r e it n eed n ot be sa id, t ot a lly
ig n or ed h im . “ Y ou w ill r em em ber y ou r a g r eem en t —y ou m a y
st a y h er e so lon g a s y ou do n ot u pset A islin g .”
 “ Sh e’s n ot ev en in t h e r oom ,” Ca t a lin a cooed, bit in g Ma g ot h ’s
ea r .

“ Y ou k n ow w h a t I m ea n .”

I t u g g ed on Dr a k e’s sleev e u n t il I h a d h is a t t en t ion , sa y in g

soft ly , “ He ca n ’t h u r t y ou r m ot h er , ca n h e? I m ea n t h a t sin ce
sh e’s a w y v er n ’s m a t e, sh e’s im m or t a l, cor r ect ?”

“ Im m or t a l, y es. Possessin g g ood t a st e?” He t u r n ed ba ck t o

g la r e a t Ma g ot h . “ Clea r ly sh e’s fa iled in t h is r eg a r d.”

“ T h en if y ou don ’t m in d, I’d a ppr ecia t e it if y ou let t h em … er

… for la ck of a m or e cir cu m spect ph r a se, g o a t it .”

Dr a k e look ed a t m e in su r pr ise. Ka a w a h id a lit t le ch ir r u p of

la u g h t er beh in d h er h a n d a s sh e pr et en ded t o cou g h .

“ It w ill k eep h im off m y ba ck w h ile I lea r n w h a t I n eed t o do

w it h t h e sh a r ds,” I ex pla in ed.

He didn ’t lik e it , bu t in t h e en d, A islin g h elped m e per su a de

h im t h a t t h ey cou ldn ’t do a n y h a r m t o ea ch ot h er .

“ T h in g s a r e st a r t in g t o g et a bit t ig h t a r ou n d t h e sea m s, bu t I
t h in k w e ca n squ eeze y ou in ,” A islin g sa id t o Ka a w a a s w e slow ly
m a de ou r w a y u pst a ir s. “ T h er e’s on e la st r oom fr ee, a lt h ou g h
it ’s n ot n or m a lly on e I’d pu t a g u est in , especia lly su ch a
dist in g u ish ed g u est a s Ga br iel’s m om .”

“Ps ht,” Ka a w a sa id, w a v in g a w a y t h e a polog y . “ I spen d m ost

of m y da y s ou t in t h e bu sh , so a soft bed a n d a r oof ov er m y h ea d
w ill be a lu x u r y .”

“ T h er e’s t h e pr oblem of Ma g ot h , t h ou g h ,” A islin g sa id, h er

for eh ea d w r in k lin g .“ I’m a fr a id w e’r e fr esh ou t of r oom s. I
su ppose h e cou ld sleep on t h e sofa or som et h in g .”

“ He w ill n ot sleep h er e,” Dr a k e sa id decisiv ely fr om beh in d

h er , g iv in g h er a lit t le boost t o m a k e it u p t h e la st few st eps. “ I
w ill n ot h a v e a dem on lor d in t h e sa m e h ou se a s y ou w h ile y ou
a r e in su ch a delica t e st a t e.”

Sh e spu n a r ou n d so qu ick ly sh e w h om ped h im w it h h er belly .

“ I’m h a r dly delica t e, Dr a k e. I’m a s big a s a lev ia t h a n , a n d t w ice
a s u n g a in ly .”

“ T h r ee t im es, a ct u a lly ,” Jim sa id, ey ein g h er . “ Y ou k n ow , it ’s

a ct u a lly a w on der y ou ca n fit t h r ou g h a door w it h t h a t t h in g . I
w on der if y ou ’ll ju st k eep g r ow in g u n t il on e da y y ou ex plode.”

“ Ma y I?” I a sk ed A islin g a s sh e st opped in fr on t of a door .

“ Plea se do.”

“ Do w h a t ?” Jim a sk ed, it s ey es su spiciou s. “ Ow ! Ow , ow , ow !

Som eon e ca ll t h e dem on -a bu se h ot lin e! I’m bein g a bdu ct ed by a
sa dist ic doppelg a n g er !”

I g r a bbed Jim by on e fu zzy bla ck ea r a n d h a u led it u pst a ir s

w it h m e t o m y r oom . T h er e I lect u r ed it a g a in a bou t
in a ppr opr ia t e com m en t s t o A islin g .

“ No on e a r ou n d h er e ca n t a k e a jok e a n y m or e,” it g r u m bled

w h en I w a s don e. “ I didn ’t m ea n sh e w a s r ea lly g oin g t o
ex plode.”

“ Per h a ps n ot , bu t sh e’s m or e w or r ied t h a n sh e let s on a bou t

t h e ba by t a k in g it s t im e, so y ou ju st lig h t en u p w it h t h e
ex plosiv e com m en t s,” I sa id, pa t t in g it on t h e h ea d. Jim w a s
fon d of A islin g , I k n ew , a n d w ou ldn ’t r ea lly w a n t t o h u r t h er ,
bu t obv iou sly h a d n ot been a s obser v a n t a s it m ig h t h a v e been .
“ Go w a t ch som e m ov ies or som et h in g , bu t w a t ch t h e cr a ck s t o
A islin g a bou t t h e ba by .”

“ A w , do I h a v e t o? I w a n t t o h ea r h ow t o r e-for m t h e dr a g on
h ea r t ,” it sa id a s I u sh er ed Ka a w a in t o a sm a ll u pst a ir s sit t in g
r oom t h a t Dr a k e h a d t old u s w e cou ld u se. It w a s da r k a n d
slig h t ly m u st y -sm ellin g , a s if it h a dn ’t been occu pied m u ch .

“ W h y on ea r t h w ou ld y ou w a n t t o do t h a t ?” I a sk ed, open in g
t h e cu r t a in s.

Jim sh r u g g ed. “ Y ou n ev er k n ow w h en som et h in g lik e t h a t

m ig h t com e in h a n dy .”

I g la n ced a t Ka a w a .

“ I don ’t m in d if t h e dem on st a y s,” sh e sa id, w a t ch in g Jim

closely . “ It a ppea r s t o be on e of t h e r a r e six t h -cla ss dem on s, a n d
t h u s sh ou ld n ot pose a h a za r d t o y ou .”

“ It ’s n ot m e I’m w or r ied a bou t ,” I sa id, w on der in g w h a t sor t s

of pow er s a dem on in possession of t h e dr a g on h ea r t w ou ld be
a ble t o w ield. T h e t h ou g h t left m e a bit sick t o m y st om a ch , so I
m ov ed on .

T h e follow in g t w o h ou r s w er e spen t lea r n in g t h e st eps of t h e

cer em on y t o deca n t t h e sh a r d, m ost of w h ich w a s r ot e
m em or iza t ion of a cou ple of in ca n t a t ion s. T h e la n g u a g e t h e
in ca n t a t ion s w er e spok en in w a s Zila n t , a Sla v ic la n g u a g e t h a t
a ll dr a g on s lea r n ed ea r ly on , a n d t h a t , u n t il r ecen t cen t u r ies,
h a d been t h e com m on la n g u a g e bet w een t h e sept s. I’v e n ev er
been m u ch of a lin g u ist , a n d it t ook m e sev er a l t r ies, a ided by
copiou s n ot es, befor e I felt com for t a ble con du ct in g t h e
in v oca t ion t h a t w ou ld sepa r a t e t h e sh a r d fr om m y body , a n d
a llow it t o r e-for m t h e dr a g on h ea r t .

“ W h er e did y ou lea r n a ll t h is?” I a sk ed a s I closed t h e n ot ebook

in w h ich I’d been m a k in g n ot es. “ Ga br iel sa id y ou w er e v er y
lea r n ed in dr a g on lor e, bu t I’m su r pr ised y ou k n ow so m u ch
a bou t som et h in g so ou t side of y ou r n or m a l in t er est s.”

Sh e sm iled, a n d con t in u ed t o r u b Jim ’s belly a s sh e h a d been

doin g for t h e la st h a lf h ou r . T h e dem on w a s on it s ba ck , leg s
k ick in g g en t ly in t h e a ir , soft lit t le h a lf m oa n s, h a lf sn or es of
plea su r e com in g fr om it s fu r r y bla ck lips a s it slept . “ Y ou k n ow
of Y solde de Bou ch ier .”

I n odded. “ Y ou ’v e m en t ion ed h er befor e. Sh e left som e

n ot ebook s beh in d a bou t h er ex per ien ces w it h t h e sh a r d a ft er sh e
beca m e a ph y la ct er y , r ig h t ?”

“ T h a t is cor r ect .”

“ T h a t ’s r ea ssu r in g . If t h e in v oca t ion w or k ed for Y solde, it ’s a

su r e t h in g t o w or k for m e. Despit e t h e in t er est in g ex per ien ce of
t u r n in g in t o a dr a g on , t h er e’s n ot h in g I w a n t m or e t h a n t o g et
r id of t h e sh a r d.”

Her ey es w iden ed slig h t ly . “ I did n ot m ea n t o im ply t h a t t h e

in v oca t ion w a s foolpr oof, w in t ik i. T h er e is st ill a v er y la r g e
elem en t of t h e u n k n ow n t o t h e pr ocess of r e-for m in g t h e h ea r t .
Mu ch of w h a t I’v e t old y ou is specu la t ion .”

“ Bu t y ou h a d Y solde’s n ot ebook s,” I sa id, su dden ly w or r ied. I

h a d a ssu m ed a ll a lon g t h a t I w ou ld be a ble t o g et r id of t h e
sh a r d. Bu t w h a t if I cou ldn ’t ? W h a t if I w a s st u ck w it h it ?
For ev er ?

My st om a ch dr opped a t t h e t h ou g h t .

“ Y es, bu t t h ey did n ot pr ov ide a det a iled st ep-by -st ep g u ide t o

r iddin g on eself of a dr a g on sh a r d. T h ey m er ely g a v e
in for m a t ion a bou t w h a t Y solde h er self did, a n d w h a t sor t s of
t h in g s cou ld h a ppen sh ou ld on e t r y t o r e-for m t h e h ea r t , or u se
t h e sh a r ds by t h em selv es.”

My h ea r t sa n k t o join m y st om a ch . “ So y ou don ’t h a v e a n y
idea if t h e cer em on y is g oin g t o w or k ?”

Sh e sh ook h er h ea d, sy m pa t h y r ich in h er ey es a n d fa ce. “ I

w ish t h er e w a s a foolpr oof m et h od, bu t w e a r e t a lk in g a bou t t h e
dr a g on h ea r t . It is n ot con t r olled, n ev er con t r olled. If it w ish es
y ou t o, it w ill a llow y ou t o u se it , bu t n ev er a g a in st it s w ish es.”

“ Y ou spea k of it a s if it ’s a liv e,” I sa id, g en t ly t ou ch in g t h e

m a r k on m y ch est w h er e t h e sh a r d h a d en t er ed m y body .

Sh e sm iled. “ It h a s pow er s, lit t le n ig h t bir d. It m a y n ot be

a liv e in t h e sen se t h a t y ou a r e a liv e, bu t it is sen t ien t . It w ill n ot
a llow y ou t o u se it if it does n ot a ppr ov e of y ou , or t h e u se t o
w h ich y ou w ish t o pu t it .”

“ W ell, g r ea t . Her e I a m t r y in g t o g et r id of t h is sh a r d, a n d it ’ll

pr oba bly g o t ell t h e r est of t h em w h a t a h or r ible per son I a m ,
a n d t h ey ’ll a ll r efu se t o r e-for m .”

Sh e la u g h ed a n d pa t t ed m y h a n d a s sh e st ood u p, m u ch t o
Jim ’s u n h a ppin ess. “ It is n ot that y ou h a v e t o w or r y a bou t .”

“ Oh r ea lly ?” I ca u g h t som et h in g in h er t on e t h a t m a de m e
u n ea sy . “ Is t h er e som et h in g else I sh ou ld be w or r y in g a bou t ?”
 Sh e h esit a t ed a secon d befor e sa y in g n o.

“ Ka a w a ,” I sa id, r isin g a s sh e r ea ch ed for t h e door .

Sh e st opped, h er sh ou lder s slu m pin g for a m om en t befor e sh e

t u r n ed ba ck t o fa ce m e w it h a per fect ly in n ocen t ex pr ession .
“ Y es, w in t ik i?”

“ I a ppr ecia t e y ou t r y in g t o pr ot ect m e, bu t I a ssu r e y ou I ca n

t a k e ca r e of m y self. Ga br iel k n ow s t h a t . T h a t ’s w h y h e’s n ot
fu ssin g a r ou n d w h ile I t a k e ca r e of t h is. So if t h er e’s a da n g er
in v olv ed—ot h er t h a n t h e obv iou s on e of bein g v u ln er a ble w h ile
t h e deca n t in g a n d r e-for m in g pr ocesses a r e g oin g on —I’d r ea lly
a ppr ecia t e y ou t ellin g m e w h a t it is, so I ca n be r ea dy for it .”

Her h esit a t ion a n d con cer n w er e a lm ost pa lpa ble, m a k in g m e

w or r y a n ew .

“ I w ou ld n ot for t h e w or ld in su lt y ou , Ma y , a n d I w ou ld n ev er
h ide som et h in g t h a t y ou cou ld u se t o pr ot ect y ou r self.”

“ Bu t ?” I a sk ed, w a it in g for h er t o fin ish .

“ Bu t y ou possess m a n y qu a lit ies of h u m a n s, a n d n ot so m a n y

of dr a g on s.” Sh e look ed a w a y , obv iou sly n ot w a n t in g t o m eet
m y g a ze.

I w en t ov er ev er y t h in g sh e h a d t old m e a bou t t h e sh a r ds,

ev er y t h in g t h a t Y solde de Bou ch ier h a d don e … a n d
en lig h t en m en t da w n ed.

“ Ka a w a ?”

Sh e h eld on t o t h e door a s if sh e w a n t ed t o esca pe. “ Y es, ch ild?”

 “ Did Y solde disa ppea r im m edia t ely a ft er sh e r e-for m ed t h e
dr a g on h ea r t , or did sh e v a n ish w h en Ba lt ic died?”

Her da r k ey es, r ich a s m a h og a n y , a n d filled n ow w it h

sa dn ess, st u died m in e. “ W e don ’t k n ow . It ’s … it w a s a con fu sin g
t im e, y ou m u st u n der st a n d. T h r ee t h in g s a ppa r en t ly h a ppen ed
a t t h e sa m e t im e: t h e bla ck dr a g on h eir k illed h is w y v er n ,
Y solde r e-for m ed t h e h ea r t a n d sh a r ded it in t o t h eir
ph y la ct er ies, a n d t h e silv er dr a g on w y v er n disa ppea r ed.”

A few secon ds of dig g in g a r ou n d in m y m em or y pu lled u p a

n a m e. “ Con st a n t in e Nor k a ? W a sn ’t h e a lso su pposed t o be m a t ed
t o Y solde?”

Sh e w a s silen t a few m om en t s, h er fin g er s a bsen t ly r u bbin g

on t h e edg e of t h e door . “ No on e k n ow s for cer t a in w h a t
h a ppen ed. Un t il n ow , it w a s t h ou g h t a ll w er e dea d, bu t w it h
Ba lt ic h a v in g r et u r n ed, per h a ps h e cou ld clea r it u p a n d t ell u s
w h a t ex a ct ly did t r a n spir e.”

I a lm ost sn or t ed a t t h e t h ou g h t of Ba lt ic doin g a n y t h in g bu t
spou t in g m y st er iou s, a m big u ou s com m en t s. “ I’m n ot g oin g t o
h old m y br ea t h w a it in g for h im t o ex pla in . So ba sica lly , t h e
t h eor y is t h a t sh e w a s eit h er Ba lt ic’s m a t e or Con st a n t in e’s, a n d
w h en t h ey died, sh e died, t oo? Or w a s it t h e dr a g on h ea r t t h a t
did h er in ?”

“ W e don ’t k n ow ,” sh e sa id, look in g ev en sa dder . “ Her dia r ies

don ’t sa y .”

I sw a llow ed ba ck m y fea r . “ Y ou ’r e a sh a m a n , Ka a w a . Y ou see

t h in g s t h a t m ost people ca n ’t ev en im a g in e ex ist . Y ou ca n look
in t o t h e sh a dow s, look pa st t im e a n d spa ce. W h a t do you t h in k
h a ppen ed?”
 Her fin g er s t ig h t en ed on t h e door . “ T h a t is n ot a w ise qu est ion
t o a sk , w in t ik i.”

“ Un w ise beca u se y ou don ’t w ish t o a n sw er it , or beca u se I

w on ’t lik e w h a t y ou h a v e t o sa y ?”

“ Per h a ps bot h .”

I look ed a t m y h a n ds for a m om en t , a bsor bin g w h a t sh e

h a dn ’t sa id. “ Y ou t h in k t h e dr a g on h ea r t k illed Y solde.”

“ No.”

I g la n ced u p.

“ I t h in k it u sed h er u p,” sh e sa id. “ I t h in k —I h a v e n o pr oof,

m in d y ou ; t h is is a ll sim ply specu la t ion —bu t I t h in k t h a t
Con st a n t in e Nor k a t r ied t o sa v e h er , a n d w a s dest r oy ed a lon g
w it h h er .”

“ W ou ld t h e dr a g on h ea r t do t h a t t o dr a g on s?” I a sk ed, sick a t

t h e t h ou g h t of r isk in g Ga br iel. I k n ew w it h ou t t h e slig h t est
dou bt in m y sou l t h a t h e w ou ld sa cr ifice h im self t o sa v e m e.

“ It h a s t h e pow er t o dest r oy t h e en t ir e w ey r ,” sh e sa id
w ea r ily . “ Per h a ps ev en t h e m or t a l w or ld.”

“Agathos daim on,” I sw or e u n der m y br ea t h . I h a d a lw a y s

a ssu m ed t h a t t h e dr a g on h ea r t w a s a ben ig n t h in g , a r elic of t h e
fir st dr a g on t h a t r epr esen t ed ev er y t h in g dr a g on k in w er e a n d
w ou ld be, som et h in g t h a t en com pa ssed t h e best pa r t s of a ll t h e
dr a g on s. Bu t w h a t if it w a s a h a r bin g er of t h e pow er dr a g on s
t a pped in t o r a t h er t h a n a celebr a t ion of t h eir a bilit ies? W h a t if
it w a s, in fa ct , a cu r se, n ot a boon ?
 Now I u n der st ood w h y Ka a w a h a d w a r n ed m e r epea t edly of it s
pow er .

“ Do n ot look so g r im , ch ild. Y solde de Bou ch ier ’s pa t h is n ot

y ou r s,” Ka a w a sa id qu iet ly .

“ I don ’t k n ow w h a t ’s g oin g t o st op m e fr om en din g u p lik e

h er ,” I sa id, g iv in g in t o a m om en t of despa ir .

Sh e ca m e ba ck in t o t h e r oom a n d k issed t h e t op of m y h ea d
befor e r et u r n in g t o t h e door . “ Y solde did n ot h a v e w h a t y ou
h a v e.”

“ Y ou ?” I a sk ed, g r a t efu l for h er w isdom a n d in sig h t , ev en if it

did g iv e m e m om en t s of t er r or .

“ My son .” Her ey es g lit t er ed w it h h u m or for a m om en t . “ His

fa t h er t r a in ed h im t o be a w a r r ior , a st r on g w y v er n a n d
pr ot ect or of a ll silv er dr a g on s, bu t h e lea r n ed m u ch fr om m e,
t oo. Ga br iel w ill n ot a llow a n y t h in g t o h a ppen t o h is m ir a cle.”

I sm iled a t t h e w or d, a w a r m , com for t a ble feelin g w a sh in g

ov er m e a t h er w or ds. Per h a ps sh e w a s r ig h t . Per h a ps Ga br iel
a n d I t og et h er cou ld g et t h e bet t er of t h e dr a g on h ea r t . Y solde
h a d been a lon e, t or n bet w een t w o w a r r in g w y v er n s, bu t I h a d
Ga br iel’s st r en g t h t o see m e t h r ou g h a n y t h in g .

I w a s a bou t t o sa y ju st t h a t w h en Ka a w a su dden ly h eld u p h er

h a n d, h er ex pr ession a bst r a ct ed. “ List en . Do y ou h ea r it ?”

I st illed for a m om en t , t h en sig h ed. “ It ’s m y t w in . Bu t I h a v e

n o idea w h y sh e’s y ellin g , u n less … oh , m er cifu l spir it s, t ell m e
h e didn ’t sh ow u p, t oo.”
 Ch a pt er Nin e

Ka a w a st epped a side w it h n im ble a w a r en ess a s I da sh ed pa st h er

a n d dow n t h e st a ir s. I st opped ju st sh or t of plow in g in t o Kost y a
a s h e st ood, leg s br a ced a pa r t , a r m s cr ossed ov er h is ch est , h is
fa ce t ig h t w it h a n g er a s Cy r en e h a r a n g u ed h im .
“ … a n d I don ’t ca r e if h e is y ou r br ot h er —I w a s h er e fir st , a n d
t h a t m ea n s y ou h a v e t o fin d som ew h er e else t o st a y .”

I st epped a side t o a dm ir e h er for m for a m om en t . Her ey es

w er e lit w it h fu r y , h er h a n ds w a v in g w ildly a s sh e t h r ew
a ccu sa t ion s a t Kost y a .

“ Y ou follow ed m e h er e! A dm it it —y ou follow ed m e h er e so y ou
cou ld be w it h m e w it h ou t a polog izin g .”

Kost y a ’s v oice ca m e ou t a g r ow l. “ I didn ’t follow y ou h er e. I

ca m e t o m y br ot h er ’s h ou se—m y brother’s h ou se—beca u se I h a d
n o ch oice, y ou in sa n e n a ia d, n ot beca u se I w a s follow in g y ou !”

“ W ell, y ou ca n ju st t h in k t w ice a bou t t h a t , Kon st a n t in

Fek et e,” Cy r en e sa id, clea r ly on a r oll a n d n ot a bou t t o st op for
a n y t h in g lik e a br ea t h or con v er sa t ion a l g iv e-a n d-t a k e,
“ beca u se I sa id I w a s t h r ou g h w it h y ou , a n d so I a m ! It ’s ov er ,
g ot t h a t ? Ov er !”

“ I’m n ot h er e beca u se I w a n t t o see y ou a g a in !” Kost y a ’s g r ip

on h is t em per , n ev er v er y st r on g , sn a pped. He lea n ed for w a r d
a n d bellow ed in t o Cy r en e’s fa ce, “ In fa ct , if I n ev er sa w y ou
a g a in , I’d die a h a ppy dr a g on !”

“ Y ou ca n ’t die, y ou odiou s, fir e-br ea t h in g bea st ,” Cy r en e

y elled ba ck . “ Mor e’s t h e pit y ! If I h a d m y w a y , I’d dr ow n y ou in
a —”

“ I t h in k t h a t ’s a bou t en ou g h , Cy ,” I in t er r u pt ed, t a k in g h er
a r m a n d pu llin g h er ba ck a few feet . “ W h a t ev er y ou r
r ela t ion sh ip issu es a r e, Kost y a is r ig h t in t h a t t h is is Dr a k e’s
h ou se.”

“ Bu t —bu t —” sh e spu t t er ed.

“ A n d Dr a k e h a s v er y k in dly a llow ed u s a ll t o st a y h er e, a fa ct
I’d a ppr ecia t e y ou t o r em em ber .”

Sh e spu t t er ed a bit m or e, bu t con t en t ed h er self w it h look in g

da g g er s a t Kost y a w h en I a sk ed, “ W h a t did y ou m ea n y ou didn ’t
h a v e a ch oice? I t h ou g h t y ou h a d a h ou se in Lon don ?”

“ He does,” Cy r en e sa id, look in g dow n h er n ose a t h im . “ It ’s n ot

v er y n ice, t h ou g h .”

“ Cy ,” I sa id, g iv in g h er a w a r n in g look .

Sh e sn iffed a n d feig n ed in t er est in a pict u r e on t h e w a ll.

“ My h ou se, m y perfectly nice hous e w it h a n ex pen siv e secu r it y

sy st em t h a t w a s in st a lled a ft er m y la ir w a s r epea t edly bu r g led
—” Kost y a sh ot m e a m ea n in g fu l look , pa u sin g w it h dr a m a t ic
g r a ce for a few secon ds. “ My ch a r m in g a n d w ell-fu r n ish ed h ou se
w a s dest r oy ed som et im e du r in g t h e n ig h t . W h en I r et u r n ed t o it
fr om t h e a ir por t , I fou n d n ot h in g bu t t h e scor ch ed r em a in s of
w h a t w a s on ce a desir a ble r esiden ce, m iles of cr im e-scen e t a pe,
a n d sev er a l ex t r em ely t h or ou g h a r son in v est ig a t or s w h o
in t er v iew ed m e ex t en siv ely for t h e la st fiv e h ou r s. T h a t , m y
a n n oy in g lit t le w a t er spr it e, is w h y I a m h er e r a t h er t h a n
w h er e I w ou ld m u ch r a t h er be.”
 Cy r en e st iffen ed a t t h e w a t er spr it e com m en t , bu t a w a r n in g
pr essu r e on h er a r m r em in ded h er of h er pa r t y m a n n er s a n d
sh e h a r r u m ph ed h er w a y ov er t o a ch a ir in t h e cor n er , a ll t h e
w h ile g iv in g h er ex -boy fr ien d a look t h a t w ou ld pr oba bly h a v e
k illed a m or t a l.

“ Y ou r h ou se bu r n ed dow n ? W h a t —oh , I’m sor r y . Kost y a , do

y ou k n ow Ka a w a , Ga br iel’s m ot h er ?”

Kost y a st iffen ed for a m om en t , t h en sw u n g a r ou n d t o fla sh a n

ov er ly br ig h t sm ile a t Ka a w a . He bow ed, sa y in g , “ I h a v e n ot
h a d t h a t plea su r e, a lt h ou g h I h a v e m et h er m a t e on m or e t h a n
on e occa sion .”

Ka a w a h a d been st a n din g a t t h e st a ir s w a t ch in g t h e scen e,

join ed by Jim , w h o ev iden t ly h a d been w ok en by t h e n oise. Sh e
ca m e in t o t h e r oom n ow , a ck n ow ledg in g Kost y a ’s bow , h er ey es
br ig h t on h im for a few m om en t s befor e sh e sa id, “ Y es, I
r em em ber . Y ou a lm ost k illed h im t w ice.”

“ A w k w a r d,” Jim sa id, sn u fflin g Kost y a ’s sh oes befor e ploppin g

it s big bu t t dow n on m y left foot . “ Hey a , Kost y a . Y ou h a v e fu n
in Pa r is?”

“ He w a sn ’t in Pa r is, n osy dem on ,” I sa id, sh ov in g Jim off m y

foot . My t oes h a d g on e t o sleep. “ He w a s in La t v ia w it h u s,
r em em ber ?”

“ Y u h -h u h . Bu t y ou ca n ’t t ell m e t h a t h e h a sn ’t been in Pa r is
in t h e la st t w elv e h ou r s, beca u se t h er e’s n o pla ce ot h er t h a n t h e
Cit y of Lig h t s t h a t lea v es su ch a pu n g en t scen t on sh oes.”

Ka a w a a n d I bot h look ed a t Kost y a , w h o w a s su dden ly

in t en t ly in t er est ed in pick in g a piece of flu ff fr om h is sleev e.
 “ Did y ou t a k e a flig h t t h a t w en t t h r ou g h Pa r is?” I a sk ed, n ot
su r e w h y it m a t t er ed.

“ Y ou don ’t g et it , Ma y ,” Jim sa id befor e Kost y a cou ld a n sw er .

“ He’s been in Pa r is. In t h e city, n ot in t h e a ir por t . Ou t w a lk in ’ in
t h e …” He sn u ffled Kost y a ’s n ea r est sh oe a g a in . “ Sm ells lik e t h e
Fou r t een t h A r r on dissem en t .”

“ I don ’t believ e t h er e’s a la w a g a in st g oin g in t o Pa r is,” Kost y a

sa id dr y ly .

“ No, of cou r se n ot ,” I a g r eed. “ A lt h ou g h y ou g a v e t h e

im pr ession t h a t y ou ’d r et u r n ed t o En g la n d st r a ig h t fr om
La t v ia . Spea k in g of w h ich , h ow is y ou r la ir ?”

His ey es n a r r ow ed on m e. “ W h y do y ou a sk ?”

“ If y ou r h ou se bu r n ed, I ex pect y ou r la ir w a s en da n g er ed.

Un less it w a s deep u n der g r ou n d, a n d h ea v ily pr ot ect ed fr om
ev er y t h in g sh or t of pla n et w ide dest r u ct ion , lik e Ga br iel’s is.”

His n ost r ils fla r ed. “ Ga br iel h a s a la ir in Lon don ? I t h ou g h t

t h a t w a s in New Zea la n d.”

Da m m it . Ma y be I w a sn ’t su pposed t o let it be k n ow n t h a t
Ga br iel h a d a n ew la ir . St ill, t h er e w a s n ot h in g Kost y a cou ld do
a bou t it ; t h e la ir w a s w ell pr ot ect ed, ev en w it h t h e r em a in s of a
dest r oy ed h ou se on t op of it . “ He h a d a n ew on e bu ilt t o h ou se
t h e sh a r ds w h ile w e w er e a ssem blin g t h em .”

“ In t er est in g ,” h e sa id, t u r n in g a w a y a s Dr a k e em er g ed fr om
below st a ir s.

“ Y ou didn ’t a n sw er m y qu est ion ,” I poin t ed ou t .

 “ I’m a w a r e of t h a t .” He st r olled ov er t o g r eet h is br ot h er ,
dism issin g u s.

“ Ju st a s if w e w er e u n im por t a n t g n a t s,” Cy r en e ca lled fr om

h er cor n er ex ile, h er ey es sh oot in g ev il look s a t h is ba ck . “ How
in t h e n a m e of Nept u n e a m I su pposed t o st a y in t h e sa m e h ou se
w it h him ?”

“ W h a t ’s so im por t a n t a bou t Pa r is?” I m u sed a lou d, w on der in g

if Kost y a a v oided m y qu est ion a bou t t h e st a t e of h is la ir sim ply
beca u se dr a g on s h a t ed t o a n sw er qu est ion s a sk ed of t h em , or if
h e h a d a n u lt er ior m ot iv e t o n ot a ddr ess t h e issu e. “ Cy , does
Kost y a h a v e a h ou se t h er e?”

“ I w ou ldn ’t k n ow ,” sh e sa id, sn iffin g ir r it a t edly a s sh e

con t in u ed t o g la r e a t Kost y a . Her v oice r ose n ot icea bly . “ I h a v e
w a sh ed ou t of m y br a in a n y a n d a ll fa ct s a bou t su ch a
det est a ble, loa t h som e, t w o-fa ced, h y pocr it ica l, self-ser v in g ,
t r a it or ou s—”

“ I t h in k y ou m a de y ou r poin t ,” I sa id.

“ Y ou for g ot slim y , disr epu t a ble, a n d u n t r u st w or t h y ,” Jim

t old Cy r en e.

“ —slim y , disr epu t a ble, a n d u n t r u st w or t h y dr a g on !” sh e

fin ish ed in a y ell.

Kost y a ’s ba ck st iffen ed.

“ I’m g oin g sw im m in g !” sh e a dded, st om pin g on t h e floor a s

sh e lea ped t o h er feet a n d st or m ed t ow a r d t h e st a ir s t o t h e
ba sem en t .

“ Don ’t dr ow n ,” Kost y a sa id in a v oice so sw eet it cou ld ch ok e a

m oose.

Sh e st opped lon g en ou g h t o bla st h im w it h a g la r e. “ Oh , blow

it ou t y ou r … y ou r … y ou r fir e h ole, dr a g on !”

“ Got t a g iv e h er fiv e ou t of fiv e for st y le,” Jim sa id, w a t ch in g

a s sh e r a ced dow n st a ir s.

“ Sh e’s v er y in t er est in g , y ou r t w in ,” Ka a w a sa id in a
som ew h a t t h ou g h t fu l v oice. “ Not a t a ll lik e y ou .”

“ Sh e g a v e u p h er com m on sen se t o cr ea t e m e. T h a t ex pla in s a

lot a bou t h er . A n d sh e’s r ea lly a v er y lov ely per son on ce y ou g et
t o k n ow h er ,” I sa id, dr iv en by loy a lt y t o defen d m y som et im es
a n n oy in g t w in . “ Sh e’s ju st a bit em ot ion a l r ig h t n ow , bu t on ce
sh e set t les dow n a g a in , y ou ’ll see t h a t w e’r e n ot t oo h or r ibly
dissim ila r .”

Ka a w a didn ’t r eply t o t h a t st a t em en t . Sh e sim ply m u r m u r ed

som et h in g a bou t ca llin g som e a cqu a in t a n ces, a n d disa ppea r ed
u p t h e st a ir s t ow a r d h er r oom .

“ Jim , does Kost y a h a v e a h ou se in Pa r is?” I a sk ed, fig u r in g

per h a ps t h e dem on w ou ld k n ow .

“ Not t h a t I’v e ev er h ea r d of,” Jim sa id, sn u fflin g t h e floor

w h er e Kost y a h a d st ood. “ He st a y s a t Dr a k e’s h ou se w h en h e’s
t h er e.”

“ So t h en w h a t did Kost y a fin d so ir r esist ible in Pa r is t h a t h e’s

h a d t o h ide h is v isit t h er e?” I w a s r ea lly t h in k in g ou t lou d, n ot
ex pect in g a n a n sw er , bu t t o m y su r pr ise, Jim g a v e m e on e. Of a
sor t .

“ Y ou ’r e n ot a sk in g t h e r ig h t qu est ion ,” it sa id.

 I g la n ced ov er t o w h er e Dr a k e a n d Kost y a st ood in qu iet
con v er sa t ion . Dr a k e n odded a t som et h in g h is br ot h er sa id; t h en
t h e t w o of t h em pa r t ed, Dr a k e g oin g dow n st a ir s w h ile Kost y a
h ea ded u pst a ir s. I w a it ed u n t il t h ey w er e ou t of sig h t befor e I
t u r n ed ba ck t o t h e dem on . “ Y ou don ’t st r ik e m e a s t h e sor t of
dem on w h o st ick s t oo t ig h t ly t o t h e r u les.”

Jim sh r u g g ed, a n a m u sed g lin t in it s ey es. “ I’m six t h -cla ss,

r em em ber ?”

“ Fa llen a n g el, I k n ow . Y ou w er en ’t bor n t o A ba ddon , a n d t h u s,

y ou a r e t h e w ea k est of a ll t h e dem on ic bein g s.”

“ W e pr efer ‘ben ig n ’ r a t h er t h a n ‘w ea k ,’ ” it sa id w it h a sn iff.

“ Sor r y , ben ig n . A ll r ig h t , t h en , sin ce y ou w a n t t o st ick t o t h e

r u les t h a t sa y a dem on ca n ’t offer in for m a t ion u n less dir ect ly
a sk ed, let ’s pla y a g a m e of t w en t y qu est ion s.”

It w a g g led it s ey ebr ow s. “ How a bou t t h e st r ip v er sion ? If y ou

a sk t h e w r on g qu est ion , y ou h a v e t o t a k e off a piece of clot h in g .”

My k n ife slid ou t of t h e a n k le h olst er w it h t h e fa in t est of

h on ed-st eel w h isper s.

“ Reg u la r v er sion is fin e w it h m e,” it sa id qu ick ly , ba ck in g

aw ay .

I sm iled a n d t u ck ed t h e k n ife a w a y . “ Let ’s st a r t w it h , w h a t

dr a g on s liv e in Pa r is?”

“ Y ou ’r e k iddin g , r ig h t ? ’Ca u se t h er e h a s t o be a t lea st a

h u n dr ed of t h em .”

“ A ll r ig h t , let ’s n a r r ow it dow n .” I t h ou g h t a m om en t . “ W h a t
dr a g on s do y ou k n ow w h o liv e in Pa r is?”

“ W h o do I k n ow per son a lly ?” it a sk ed, scr u n ch in g u p it s fa ce.

“ W h o y ou k n ow w h o h a v e a h om e in Pa r is.”

“ W ell, t h er e’s Dr a k e.”

“ Ot h er t h a n Dr a k e.”

Jim look ed t h ou g h t fu l. “ Gr een dr a g on s or ot h er sept s?”

“ A n y dr a g on s.”

“ Fu ll-blooded dr a g on s, or h a lv esies, t oo?”

I closed m y ey es for a m om en t , g r ippin g m y pa t ien ce. “ A n y

dr a g on .”

“ T h a t ’s a lot of dr a g on s,” it poin t ed ou t .

“ A ll r ig h t . Let ’s g o w it h dr a g on s w h o Kost y a w ou ld k n ow .”

“ Hm m .” Jim look ed t h ou g h t fu l. “ Liv in g or dea d?”

“ Jim !” I g r ow led, t h e dr a g on sh a r d beg g in g t o t a k e con t r ol.

“ I’m ju st t r y in g t o pin poin t w h a t it is y ou w a n t t o k n ow ,” it

sa id w it h a n in ju r ed sn iff.

I t ook sev er a l deep br ea t h s. “ I w a n t t o k n ow w h a t dr a g on s liv e

in Pa r is w h o Kost y a m ig h t k n ow . Liv in g dr a g on s, of a n y sept ,
a n y h er it a g e, w h o a r e n ot Dr a k e.”

“ Y ou k n ow , y ou ’r e t u r n in g k in da r ed. Ma y be y ou sh ou ld h a v e
y ou r blood pr essu r e ch eck ed—”
 It s w or ds w er e ch ok ed off w h en I let loose t h e sh a r d, sh ift ed
in t o dr a g on for m , a n d w r a pped m y t a il a r ou n d t h e dem on ’s
m iddle, h oist in g it h ig h .

“ Fia t liv es t h er e!” T h e w or ds t u m bled ou t of t h e dem on ’s

m ou t h . “ He h a s a h ou se t h er e.”

“ W h er e?”

“ How a m I su pposed—”

I h u n g it u pside dow n .

“ Left Ba n k , Left Ba n k ! A ck ! A ll t h e blood is r u sh in g t o m y

h ea d! I’m g on n a bla ck ou t !”

“ W h er e ex a ct ly on t h e Left Ba n k ?”

“ Ru e Dela m br e, n ea r t h e Rosebu d Ba r , w h er e Or son W elles

u sed t o h a n g ou t . Ca n y ou let m e dow n n ow ? I’m seein g spot s.”

“ W h ich a r r on dissem en t ?”

“ Fou r t een ! Ev er y t h in g is g oin g bla ck … .”

I sh ift ed ou t of dr a g on for m , w h ich m ea n t I h a d n o t a il t o h old

Jim . T h e dem on fell a few feet t o t h e m a r ble floor w it h a lou d
w hum p.

It lift ed it s h ea d u p a n d g la r ed a t m e. “ Y ou cou ld h a v e pu t m e
dow n fir st !”

I sm iled a n d du st ed it off a s it g ot t o it s feet . “ A n d y ou cou ld

h a v e a n sw er ed m y qu est ion fiv e m in u t es a g o. So Kost y a w a s
v isit in g Fia t , h m m ?”
 “ Not n ecessa r ily .” Jim sa t a n d lick ed a few spot s of fu r t h a t
h a d been r u m pled. “ I ju st sa id Fia t h a d a h ou se t h er e.”

“ Y ou t h in k Ba st ia n h a s t a k en it ov er ?”

It sh r u g g ed. “ Du n n o. I t h in k I bit m y t on g u e w h en y ou
dr opped m e. Is it bleedin g ?” It st u ck it s t on g u e ou t a t m e.

“ No,” I sa id, st ill t r y in g t o fig u r e ou t w h y Kost y a w ou ld w a n t

t o k eep a v isit t o Fia t secr et . “ I w on der if it h a s a n y t h in g t o do
w it h t h e s árk ány t om or r ow ?”

“ Y ou g ot m e, sist er ,” Jim sa id.

“ St op ca llin g m e t h a t . I a m not y ou r sist er .” I g la n ced a t t h e

clock .

“ If I didn ’t k n ow bet t er , I’d sa y y ou w er e m iffed a bou t

som et h in g ,” Jim sa id, it s h ea d t ipped t o t h e side a s it w a t ch ed
m e. “ Y ou ’v e g ot t h a t pissy look t h a t A islin g g et s som et im es, a n d
fa bu lou s a s I a m , I k n ow it ca n ’t h a v e a n y t h in g t o do w it h m e.
W h a t ’s u p?”

“ Ga br iel,” I sa id a bsen t ly . T h e dem on st a r t ed t o leer , bu t I

qu elled it w it h a slig h t t w it ch of m y fin g er s t ow a r d m y k n ife.
“ A n d y ou ca n ju st r efr a in fr om m a k in g t h e obscen e com m en t I
k n ow y ou w er e a bou t t o m a k e. I w a s r efer r in g t o t h e fa ct t h a t
Ga br iel is u pper m ost on m y m in d a t t h e m om en t . He sh ou ld
h a v e ca lled by n ow .”

“ Y ou jea lou s?” Jim a sk ed, st ill w a t ch in g m e closely . “ Y ou

t h in k h e’s g et t in ’ it on w it h som e ot h er dr a g on ? Y ou t h in k h e
a n d T ipen e a r e ou t cr u isin ’ for ba bes w h ile y ou ’r e st u ck h er e
lea r n in g h ow t o m a k e a n a t t r a ct iv e a n d n u t r it ion a l m ea t loa f
ou t of a bit of h a m bu r g er a n d a cou ple of dr a g on sh a r ds?”
 “ Of cou r se I’m n ot jea lou s,” I sa id qu ick ly , h opin g t h e dem on
w ou ld t a k e w a r n in g fr om m y fr ow n . “ I t r u st Ga br iel
im plicit ly .”

T h e cor n er of Jim ’s fu r r y m ou t h t w it ch ed u pw a r d.

“ T h er e is n ot h in g t o be jea lou s of,” I in sist ed. “ He t r u st s m e

ju st a s I t r u st h im . T h er e’s n o w a y h e w ou ld g o ou t cr u isin g for
a n y on e ot h er t h a n Fia t . A n d n o, I don ’t m ea n h e’s bisex u a l.”

Jim , w h o h a d been a bou t t o com m en t , sn a pped it s t eet h sh u t

w it h a g r u m ble.

“ Ga br iel is a n h on or a ble m a n ,” I poin t ed ou t . “ He w ou ld

n ev er bet r a y m e in t h a t fa sh ion .”

“ He pr oba bly ca n ’t h elp it . Ba be m a g n et s lik e h im u su a lly

h a v e t o bea t t h e ch ick s off t h em w it h big st ick s. I k n ow —I’v e
seen it w it h Dr a k e. A islin g is a lw a y s scor ch in g t h e h a ir of som e
w om a n or ot h er w h o g og g les a bit t oo m u ch a t Dr a k e.”

“ Oh , st op it . Ga br iel is h a n dsom e, bu t w om en don ’t flin g

t h em selv es a t h im . A n d I a m n ot A islin g .”

It sh r u g g ed. “ Den ia l is a r iv er in Eg y pt .”

“ A n d ju st w h a t ’s t h a t su pposed t o m ea n ?” I a sk ed, m y fin g er s

t w it ch in g slig h t ly .

Jim w h ist led a t u n eless lit t le w h ist le for a few secon ds. “ Ju st
t h a t I’v e seen t h e w a y m or t a l w om en look a t h im —Ga be’s
defin it ely a ba be m a g n et . If h e w a s m y dr a g on , I’d su r e a s
sh oot in g n ev er let h im g o off on h is ow n w h er e h e cou ld be
sw a r m ed by g r ea t big h er ds of lu st -cr a zed w om en .”
 “ Gr ea t big h er ds of w om en ,” I sn or t ed, seein g t h r ou g h t h e
dem on ’s feeble a t t em pt s t o r ile m e. T h a t is, I sa w t h r ou g h t h em
u n t il t h e dr a g on sh a r d r em in ded m e of ju st h ow h a n dsom e
Ga br iel w a s. No, h a n dsom e w a sn ’t t h e w or d—h is m er cu r ia l ey es
set a g a in st t h e w a r m , la t t e-color ed sk in w er e en ou g h t o m a k e
m y br ea t h ca t ch in m y t h r oa t . A dd in dim ples t h a t cou ld m elt
k n ees a t fift y pa ces, a n in fect iou s la u g h , a n d a body t h a t
posit iv ely scr ea m ed con t r olled pow er a n d g r a ce. Bu t ev en t h a t
w a sn ’t w h a t bou n d m e t o h im —it w a s h is essen ce, h is sen se of
self, t h a t in descr iba ble dr a g on bein g t h a t lit u p h is g or g eou s
body , a n d en sn a r ed m y h ea r t . If it cou ld do t h a t t o m e, w h a t
ch a n ce did m or t a l w om en h a v e a g a in st it ?

My m a t e, t h e dr a g on sh a r d sn a r led, a n d for a m om en t , I
ser iou sly con t em pla t ed fly in g ou t t o Ga br iel in or der t o set fir e
t o ev er y w om a n w h o w a s n ea r h im .

“ Ma y ? Y ou OK? Y ou r ey es ju st w en t a ll fu n n y , lik e Dr a k e’s

w h en h e g et s w h a t A islin g ca lls dr a g on n y .”

A t t h e sou n d of Jim ’s v oice, sa n it y m a n a g ed t o bu lly it s w a y

t h r ou g h t h e in t en se jea lou sy . I blin k ed a cou ple of t im es a n d
r ea lized t h e pa in in m y pa lm s w a s du e t o sca r let cla w s dig g in g
in t o t h e t en der flesh . I de-dr a g on ed m y h a n ds, a n d r u bbed t h e
r ed m a r k s. “ I’m fin e. Ju st … t h in k in g . Y ou h a v en ’t a ct u a lly seen
a n y w om en t h r ow t h em selv es a t Ga br iel, h a v e y ou ?”

“ Oh , n o, y ou ’r e n ot jea lou s a t a ll,” it a n sw er ed, g r in n in g .

“ Y ou h a v e?” Fu r y r oa r ed t h r ou g h m e. “ W h o?”

“ W h o w h a t ?” Cy r en e a sk ed a s sh e ca m e u p t h e st a ir s.

“ Not h in g .” I g la r ed a t t h e dem on for a m om en t befor e t u r n in g

t o h er . “ I t h ou g h t y ou w er e g oin g sw im m in g .”

“ I w a s, bu t A islin g w a n t ed t o u se t h e pool. T h e m idw ife is

h er e, a n d t h ou g h t t h a t if sh e w er e t o floa t a r ou n d in t h e w a t er a
bit , it m ig h t h elp t h in g s a lon g .” Sh e sig h ed. “ A n d t h a t bea st is
dow n t h er e w it h h er a n d Dr a k e. W h o w er e y ou t a lk in g a bou t ?”

“ No on e,” I sa id qu ick ly , bu t n ot qu ick ly en ou g h .

“ Sh e’s g ot h er pa n t ies in a bu n ch beca u se Ga be is ou t on h is

ow n .”

“ I a m n ot in t h e lea st bit bu n ch ed,” I t old it g r im ly . “ I ju st g ot

don e t ellin g y ou t h a t I t r u st Ga br iel.”

“ Y es, bu t it ’s n ot h im y ou h a v e t o w or r y a bou t ,” Cy r en e sa id,

t o m y g u t -w r en ch in g dism a y .

“ I a m not jea lou s,” I r epea t ed.

“ I’m n ot sa y in g y ou a r e, or ev en t h a t y ou sh ou ld be. Ga br iel is

dev ot ed t o y ou . A n y on e ca n see t h a t .”

“ I’m g la d y ou a g r ee,” I sa id, g la d t h e m a t t er w a s closed. I t old

t h e dr a g on sh a r d t o g o ba ck t o sleep, in t en t on r eg a in in g con t r ol
ov er m y er r a n t em ot ion s. I h a d a list of t h in g s I w a n t ed t o do
befor e Ga br iel r et u r n ed, a n d n ow w a s a s g ood a t im e a s a n y t o
g et st a r t ed on t h em .

“ Min d y ou , I’m n ot sa y in g t h a t ot h er w om en a r e g oin g t o

r espect t h a t ,” sh e con t in u ed t h ou g h t fu lly . “ He’s a h a n dsom e
m a n , a v er y h a n dsom e m a n . W it h t h ose ey es a n d t h ose dim ples
a n d t h a t lov ely , lov ely ch est —”

“ I w ill t h a n k y ou t o st op og lin g m y m a t e’s ch est ,” I sa id,

g r in din g m y t eet h ju st a sm idg en .

“ W ell, y ou ca n st op m e fr om doin g t h a t , bu t y ou ca n ’t st op t h e
r est of t h e w or ld, Ma y lin g . A n d t r u st m e, ot h er w om en h a v e
n ot iced h is ch est , t oo.”

My m ou t h dr opped open a t in y bit . “ Do y ou g u y s h a v e som e

sor t of a n a r r a n g em en t t o su dden ly t r y t o dr iv e m e in t o a n
in sa n e fit of jea lou sy ov er Ga br iel?”

“ Of cou r se n ot . Don ’t be silly .” Cy r en e m a de a dism issiv e

g est u r e. “ I’m ju st t r y in g t o poin t ou t t h a t a lt h ou g h y ou m a y
t r u st h im n ot t o w illin g ly bet r a y y ou , t h e m or t a l w om en of t h e
w or ld m a y n ot g iv e h im t h a t opt ion .” Sh e t h ou g h t for a
m om en t . “ A n d som e of t h e im m or t a l w om en , t oo.”

“ On t h e con t r a r y , I w ill be m ost fa it h fu l t o m y sw eet Ma y

on ce sh e g iv es h er self t o m e,” Ma g ot h sa id, st r ollin g ou t of t h e
sit t in g r oom . He pa u sed for a few secon ds befor e a dm it t in g ,
“ Per h a ps ‘fa it h fu l’ isn ’t t h e best w or d. Sh a ll w e sa y ‘dev ot ed,’
in st ea d, g iv en a ll t h e m or t a l a n d im m or t a l w or ld t h a t t h e
delect a ble Cy r en e so w isely r ea lizes fin ds m e com plet ely
ir r esist ible?”

“ W e w er en ’t t a lk in g a bou t y ou ,” Cy sa id w it h a bit of a fr ow n
t h a t Ma g ot h com plet ely m issed beca u se h e w a s t oo bu sy g la r in g
a t Jim .

“ W h y do y ou a lw a y s h a v e t h a t dem on w it h y ou ?” h e a sk ed
m e. “ Y ou a r e a dem on lor d’s con sor t , n ot a lor d it self. It is
u n fit t in g t h a t y ou sh ou ld be a t t en ded by a six t h -cla ss dem on . If
y ou w ish t o h a v e a com pa n ion , y ou m a y h a v e on e of m y w r a t h
dem on s.”
 “ Oh , y ea h , lik e Dr a k e’s g oin g t o a llow a w r a t h y in h is h ou se,”
Jim dr a w led.

“ I’m t a k in g ca r e of Jim w h ile it s m a st er is bu sy , w h ich y ou

v er y w ell k n ow , sin ce I ex pla in ed it t o y ou ea r lier . Rea lly ,
Ma g ot h , is it t oo m u ch t r ou ble for y ou t o pa y a t t en t ion t o m e
w h en I t a lk t o y ou ?”

“ Y es,” h e sa id blit h ely , g iv in g Jim on e la st g la r e befor e

t u r n in g t o m e. “ I pr efer a ct ion s t o w or ds. Let u s g o h a v e sex a n d
I a ssu r e y ou I w ill h a n g on t o y ou r ev er y g est u r e.”

“ T h a t ’s it . I h a v e n o m or e pa t ien ce left ,” I sa id sim ply , a n d

g r a bbed m y pu r se. “ I’m g oin g h om e—w h a t r em a in s of it —per
t h e r equ est of t h e police a n d fir e in v est ig a t or s. Hopefu lly , som e
of ou r t h in g s w ill h a v e su r v iv ed t h e bla st .”

“ I’ll com e w it h y ou ,” Cy r en e sa id qu ick ly , sn a t ch in g u p h er

coa t .

“ I t h in k it w ou ld pr oba bly be bet t er if I did t h is a lon e.”

“ Y ea h ,” Jim t old h er . “ Y ou ’ll ju st see t h e pu ddles left by t h e

fir em en a n d w a n t t o spla sh a r ou n d in t h em .”

“ Y ou ’r e n ot com in g , eit h er ,” I t old t h e dem on .

“ W h y n ot ?” It open ed it s ey es r ea lly w ide. “ I’ll be g ood!

Pr om ise!”

“ Y ou don ’t k n ow t h e m ea n in g of t h e w or d ‘g ood,’ ” I sa id
a cidly .

It st u ck ou t it s low er lip. “ No, bu t I ca n pr et en d.”

 “ Com e on , it ’ll be fu n . Ju st t h e t h r ee of u s,” Cy sa id
per su a siv ely . Sh e t ook m y h esit a t ion for a n ot h er den ia l, a n d
a dded a pla in t iv e, “ I r ea lly don ’t w a n t t o h a v e t o be h er e by
m y self w it h t h a t r a t ba st a r d.”

“ Su r ely y ou ca n com e u p w it h som e bet t er in su lt s for m e t h a n

‘r a t ba st a r d’?” Ma g ot h a sk ed, idly sor t in g t h r ou g h a st a ck of
m a il t h a t sa t on a sm a ll h a ll t a ble. He h eld on e u p t o t h e lig h t .
“ Y ou u sed t o be qu it e in v en t iv e.”

“ Not ev er y con v er sa t ion r ev olv es a r ou n d y ou ,” Cy r en e sa id,

m a k in g in dig n a n t lit t le n oises. “ I w a s r efer r in g t o m y
boy fr ien d. Ex -boy fr ien d. On e I r ea lly don ’t w a n t t o be a lon e
w it h .”

Ma g ot h open ed a let t er a n d sca n n ed t h e con t en t s. I deba t ed

ch a st isin g h im for t h a t , bu t fig u r ed a n y t r u ly im por t a n t m a il
w ou ld h a v e been g iv en t o Dr a k e or A islin g a lr ea dy .

“ T h e h ou se is a bou t r ea dy t o ex plode w it h people,” I t old

Cy r en e, feelin g g u ilt y n on et h eless. “ Y ou ’r e h a r dly a lon e.”

“ Y ou k n ow w h a t I m ea n . Plea se, Ma y lin g .”

“ Me lov e y ou lon g t im e. Y ou t a k e m e. Plea se w it h dog h a ir on

t op,” Jim beg g ed.

“ Squ a lid lit t le m a t t er s.” Ma g ot h t ossed t h e let t er on t o t h e

t a ble a n d look ed ov er t o w h er e I st ood, h esit a t in g . “ W h er e a r e
w e g oin g ?”

“ We a r e g oin g n ow h er e. I a m g oin g t o see t h e police. I su ppose

if y ou t w o w ish t o com e, y ou ca n , bu t , Jim , y ou h a v e t o be silen t
a r ou n d m or t a ls,” I t old Jim a s I open ed t h e door a n d st epped ou t
in t o a g loom y dr izzle. “ Cy r en e, y ou w ill plea se r em em ber t h a t
y ou a r e a g u est of Dr a k e, a n d n ot r efer t o h is br ot h er a s a
ba st a r d.”

Sh e h a r r u m ph ed.

“ Let m e t h in k … . T h er e is a n ew cock fig h t in g a r en a t h a t I

h a v e been a sk ed t o open , bu t t h a t is n ot u n t il t h is ev en in g ,”
Ma g ot h sa id w it h a g la n ce a t h is w a t ch . “ A n d m y a ppoin t m en t
t o g et a Br a zilia n w a x is ea r ly a ft er n oon . T h er e is a collect ion of
cir cu s-fr ea k m em or a bilia u p for pr iv a t e a u ct ion t h a t I w ish t o
per u se—so m a n y g ood m em or ies t h er e—bu t I ca n pu t t h a t off,
sin ce t h e ow n er , a deliciou sly w ick ed polt er g eist , w ish es m e t o
sh ow h er h ow t o desig n a t r u ly effect iv e ir on m a iden . Y es, I w ill
be a ble t o a ccom pa n y y ou n ow , w ife, a lt h ou g h if y ou w ish t o
pa r t icipa t e in sex a ft er w a r d, w e w ill h a v e t o h u r r y . I r efu se t o
be r u sh ed w h en it com es t o plea su r es of t h e flesh .”

I st a r ed a t Ma g ot h . “ Y ou ’r e ju st on e lon g , u n en din g pa in in
t h e bu t t , a r en ’t y ou ?”

A leer t ou ch ed h is lips. “ I w ou ld be h a ppy t o do so, a lt h ou g h I

h a d n o idea y ou r t a st e r a n t o t h a t .”

I closed m y ey es for a secon d, ba t t lin g bot h ir r it a t ion a n d t h e

dr a g on sh a r d, w h ich h a d been t r y in g t o for ce m e in t o con t a ct
w it h Ma g ot h . I h a d n o idea w h y t h e sh a r d w a s su dden ly seek in g
pow er fr om w h a t ev er sou r ce it cou ld fin d, bu t det er m in a t ion
filled m e. I w ou ld n ot y ield t o it . “ I’m lea v in g n ow . A n d st op
ca llin g m e w ife.”

I m a r ch ed dow n t h e st a ir s, n ot ca r in g w h o follow ed a n d w h o
st a y ed.

“ I t h ou g h t cock fig h t s w er e illeg a l?” Cy r en e’s v oice dr ift ed t o

m y ea r s a s I st opped a t a cor n er for a t r a ffic lig h t .

“ Mor t a ls a r e so u pt ig h t a bou t t h in g s lik e t h a t ,” Ma g ot h

a n sw er ed h er . I w a s a w a r e h e st opped dir ect ly beh in d m e, sin ce
t h e a ir n ea r m y spin e cooled a g ood t en deg r ees. “ Bu t sin ce t h ey
h a v e ou t la w ed h u m a n ba t t les t o t h e dea t h , on e m u st t a k e on e’s
plea su r es w h er e on e ca n .”

“ I t a k e it ba ck w h a t I sa id a bou t y ou w h en y ou cou ldn ’t h ea r

m e,” Jim sa id soft ly , br u sh in g m y h a n d a s it ca st a g la n ce
ba ck w a r ds t ow a r d Ma g ot h . “ Y ou ’r e n ot n ea r ly a s ba d a s a r ea l
dem on lor d.”

T h e r ide t o t h e Met r opolit a n Police st a t ion w a s lon g a n d filled

w it h m y w a r n in g a ll t h r ee m em ber s of m y lit t le t r ou pe t o
beh a v e t h em selv es.

“ No t a lk in g in fr on t of a n y on e m or t a l,” I t old Jim , on e ey e on

t h e t a x i dr iv er . He h a d a sm a ll por t a ble r a dio bla r in g ou t Middle
Ea st er n m u sic, so I dou bt ed h e’d h ea r .

Jim sig h ed a n d a dopt ed a m a r t y r ed look . “ Ju st on ce I’d lik e t o

g o som ew h er e w it h ou t som eon e t ellin g m e t o sh u t m y y a p.”

“ T h a t da y w ill n ev er com e. A n d y ou …” I pu sh ed Ma g ot h ’s
h a n d off m y t h ig h a n d fix ed h im w it h a st er n , u n y ieldin g look .
“ … y ou r em em ber w h a t Ga br iel sa id h e’d do if y ou t r ied t o t ou ch
m e a g a in .”

I w a n t ed ba dly t o la y dow n t h e la w t o Ma g ot h , bu t k n ew it
w ou ld do n o g ood. He w a s st ill t ech n ica lly m y em ploy er , a n d
a lt h ou g h I m ig h t h a v e h is pow er s, h e w a s m or e t h a n a w a r e t h a t
I’d n ev er u se t h em .

He g a v e m e a coy look , lollin g ba ck on t h e sea t of t h e t a x i,

t a k in g u p fa r m or e t h a n h is fa ir sh a r e of t h e sea t . “ A n d w h a t
w ill y ou do if I a m g ood, sw eet on e? W ill y ou r ew a r d m e?”

“ Rew a r d y ou h ow ?” I a sk ed ca u t iou sly .

His ey elids dr opped t o h a lf-m a st . T h e look h e g a v e m e w ou ld

h a v e m elt ed a lesser w om a n , a n d a s it w a s, I h a d a h a r d t im e
st r u g g lin g w it h t h e sh a r d t o k eep m y h a n ds in m y la p. “ I t h in k
som e pla y t im e w ill be in or der . Sa y t on ig h t ? T en o’clock ? Y ou r
r oom ? Br in g y ou r dr a g on sca les.”

“ Ew ,” Jim sa id, sh u dder in g . “ T h a t ’s ju st so w r on g . A dem on

lor d a n d a dr a g on .”

“ Don ’t w or r y , it ’s n ot g oin g t o h a ppen ,” I t old it . “ Ma g ot h w ill

beh a v e h im self.”

He ex a m in ed a fin g er n a il a n d sa id in a decept iv ely bla n d

v oice, “ Y ou h a v e n o w a y of en su r in g I do so. I u n der st a n d t h e
m or t a l police t a k e v er y ser iou sly a ccu sa t ion s of a r son .”

“ Y ou w ou ldn ’t da r e,” I sa id, fu r y sh ov in g a side t h e ir r it a t ion

t h a t w a s m y n or m a l r espon se t o h im .

“ No?” He r a ised h is ey ebr ow s a n d g a v e a lon g cool look .

“ Per h a ps n ot . Bu t per h a ps y ou sh ou ld r econ sider m y in v it a t ion
for t on ig h t . A ccept a n ce of su ch is lik ely t o sa t isfy m e for a
w h ile.”

I g r ou n d m y t eet h , a n n oy ed a t h a v in g t o dea l w it h h im , bu t
t h er e w a s n o w a y sh or t of lock in g h im u p som ew h er e t h a t I
cou ld st op h im . “ Fin e, y ou w a n t t o com e t o m y r oom t on ig h t a t
t en so I ca n t a il sm a ck y ou a r ou n d? Y ou g ot it . Ju st br in g a
ju m bo bot t le of a spir in , beca u se I pla n on k n ock in g y ou ou t cold
for h ou r s.”
 He sh iv er ed in delig h t , su dden ly lu n g in g for w a r d t o g r a b m e,
h is fin g er s dig g in g in t o m y a r m s a s h e k issed m e. T h e dr a g on
sh a r d r oa r ed t o life, m a k in g m e pa r t m y lips u n der t h e
on sla u g h t of h is m ou t h a n d t on g u e, bu t ev en a s it delig h t ed in
t h e con t a ct , m y h ea r t sh u dder ed a n d sh r a n k a w a y . T h e m ou t h
m ov in g on m in e w a sn ’t w a r m a n d spicy . T h e t on g u e m ov in g in
a sin u ou s da n ce didn ’t st ir m e. A n d t h e bla ck ey es t h a t bu r n ed
dow n in t o m in e h eld n o h ea t . I g a t h er ed u p m y st r en g t h a n d
h ea v ed, sh ov in g Ma g ot h ba ck w a r ds.

“ Ga br iel w ill k ill y ou for t h a t ,” I sa id, w ipin g m y m ou t h .

Ma g ot h sm iled a lon g , slow sm ile. “ He ca n t r y .”

 Ch a pt er T en

Ga br iel ca lled w h ile I sa t in t h e office of t h e a r son -in v est ig a t ion

u n it .
“ I ca n ’t r ea lly t a lk r ig h t n ow ,” I sa id, sm ilin g br ig h t ly a cr oss
t h e desk a t a m iddle-a g ed, ba ldin g m a n a s h e sh u ffled t h r ou g h
som e pa per w or k . “ Det ect iv e In spect or Flor es is ex pla in in g t o
Ma g ot h a n d m e t h e r esu lt s of t h eir in v est ig a t ion t h u s fa r .”

Ga br iel sw or e. “ W h a t is he doin g t h er e?”

I pu lled m y h a n d ba ck fr om w h er e Ma g ot h h a d been ca r essin g

it . “ Oh , y ou k n ow Ma g ot h . W h it h er does h e w a n der , a n d a ll
t h a t .”

“ My w ife m u st be spea k in g w it h h er lov er ,” Ma g ot h t old t h e

police in spect or , w h o sh ot m e a st a r t led look .

“ Er m … is sh e?” h e sa id.

I sm iled a g a in , t r y in g n ot t o st r a n g le Ma g ot h on t h e spot .
“ Ig n or e h im ,” I t old t h e in spect or . “ He fou n d a few m u sh r oom s
in t h e pa r k t h is m or n in g a n d a t e t h em . W e’r e h opin g h is
h a llu cin a t ion s fa de soon .”

Ga br iel m u t t er ed a few ch oice w or ds u n der h is br ea t h t h a t I

w h oleh ea r t edly a g r eed w it h . “ Ca n y ou n ot g et r id of h im ? Is h e
m a k in g t h in g s difficu lt for y ou ?”

“ No, a n d of cou r se, bu t I’m copin g . Ma g ot h w a s m ost

in t er est ed t o h ea r , a s w a s I, t h a t it w a s a fa u lt y g a s lin e t h a t
blew u p t h e h ou se, a n d w a sn ’t a r son a t a ll, a s w e t h ou g h t .”

“ Most in t er est ed,” Ma g ot h sa id, g r a bbin g m y ch a ir a n d

h a u lin g it closer t o h im so h e cou ld dr a pe a n a r m ov er m y
sh ou lder s. “ My da r lin g on e, sit closer t o m e. I ch er ish t h e
n ea r n ess of y ou r lu sh , r ipe body .”

T h e in spect or pu r sed h is lips a n d look ed fr om Ma g ot h t o m e,

specu la t ion r ife in h is ey es.

“ A h , so it w a s a fa u lt y g a s lin e?” Ga br iel a sk ed, h is v oice

a m u sed for a m om en t . Clea r ly h e h a dn ’t h ea r d Ma g ot h in t h e
ba ck g r ou n d. “ I a m r eliev ed t o h ea r it w a s t h a t , a n d n ot
som et h in g m or e w or r isom e, su ch a s a m u r der ou s dr a g on ben t
on ou r dest r u ct ion .”

“ Y es, I t h ou g h t y ou ’d be h a ppy t o h ea r t h a t .”

“ Ou r r ela t ion sh ip is com plica t ed,” Ma g ot h t old t h e in spect or

in a con fiden t ia l t on e, h is fin g er s t r a ilin g dow n t h e ba ck of m y
n eck . I g r it t ed m y t eet h a g a in st t h e t ou ch , n ot w a n t in g t o
pr ot est lest Ga br iel h ea r . “ Sh e h a s on e lov er ; I h a v e t h ou sa n ds.
Bu t w e sh a r e a lov e of t h e sa m e t h in g s: v iolen t for epla y , t h e
t or t u r e of m in ion s, t h r ea t en in g t o disem bow el t h ose w h o cr oss
u s—a n d it ’s t h a t sor t of bon d t h a t t r u ly m a k es a r ela t ion sh ip
la st , isn ’t it ?”

“ Sig n t h er e? Cer t a in ly .” Ha st ily , I scr ibbled ou t a sig n a t u r e

on a r elea se t h a t w ou ld r eliev e t h e Met r opolit a n Police fr om a n y
r espon sibilit y for ou r w elfa r e sh ou ld w e in sist on ex a m in in g t h e
r em a in s of t h e h ou se. A t t h a t poin t , I w ou ld do a n y t h in g t o
esca pe fr om t h e in spect or ’s office.

“ A r e t h e m or t a l police g iv in g y ou m u ch t r ou ble?” Ga br iel

a sk ed.

“ Not m u ch . I sh ou ld be t h r ou g h h er e in a few m in u t es.”

 “ T h a t ’s n ot t o sa y t h a t m y sw eet Ma y a n d I obt a in sex u a l
fu lfillm en t fr om t h e sa m e sor t s of t h in g s. Not a t a ll. Nor w ou ld I
w a n t u s t o—sim ila r sex u a l pr ocliv it ies a r e n ot som et h in g y ou
sh ou ld seek in a sex u a l pa r t n er ,” Ma g ot h con t in u ed t o en lig h t en
t h e by -n ow -w ild-ey ed policem a n . “ How a r e y ou g oin g t o t r u ly
en joy t y in g dow n y ou r pa r t n er t o a Ca t h er in e w h eel a n d
t or m en t in g h er if y ou k n ow sh e secr et ly en joy s it ? Y ou m a y
t a k e m y w or d t h a t su ch a t h in g t a k es a ll t h e fu n ou t of t h e
ex per ien ce.”

“ How a r e t h in g s g oin g for y ou ? Ha v e y ou fou n d w h a t y ou

w er e look in g for ?” I a sk ed Ga br iel, h opin g h e w ou ldn ’t h ea r t h e
desper a t e n ot e in m y v oice a s I g la r ed a t Ma g ot h .

“ Not ex a ct ly .”

T h e police in spect or st a r ed open m ou t h ed a t Ma g ot h . “ Y ou ’r e a

w a ck job, y ou k n ow t h a t ?”

“ I a m a con n oisseu r of sex ,” Ma g ot h sa id sim ply w it h a

n on ch a la n t lit t le sh r u g . “ It is m or e or less t h e sa m e t h in g .”

I sm iled a n ot h er t oot h -la den sm ile a t t h e policem a n , a n d

sw iv eled slig h t ly in m y ch a ir a s h e g a v e Ma g ot h on e la st lon g
look befor e en t er in g som e in for m a t ion in t o h is com pu t er . “ How
do y ou m ea n ? Y ou didn ’t fin d h im ?”

“ Is Kost y a t h er e, t oo?”

I fr ow n ed a t t h e qu est ion . A lt h ou g h Ga br iel som et im es

ex h ibit ed t h e dr a g on t r a it of a n sw er in g a qu est ion w it h a
qu est ion , h e w a s n or m a lly for t h com in g w it h in for m a t ion w h en
I a sk ed. “ Not w it h u s, if t h a t ’s w h a t y ou m ea n , bu t y es, h e’s ba ck
fr om La t v ia . He … er … h a d a lit t le a cciden t w it h h is h ou se, t oo.”
 T o m y su r pr ise Ga br iel w a sn ’t t h e slig h t est bit in t er est ed in
t h a t . “ St a y a w a y fr om h im , lit t le bir d.”

“ T h a t ’s g oin g t o be a bit on t h e difficu lt side, sin ce h e’s st a y in g

in t h e sa m e h ou se a s u s,” I sa id ca u t iou sly .

“ Kost y a is a t Dr a k e’s h ou se?” Ga br iel’s v oice w a s sh a r p w it h

ir r it a t ion . “ W h y is h e t h er e?”

I cov er ed m y cell ph on e’s m ou t h piece for a m om en t , spea k in g

t o t h e det ect iv e. “ I’m sor r y . My m a —u m —pa r t n er is h a v in g a
lit t le fa m ily issu e. I r ea lly n eed t o t a k e t h is ca ll. I w on ’t be lon g .”

“ No dou bt t h ey w ish t o in du lg e in ph on e sex ,” Ma g ot h sa id,

pick in g u p a file fr om t h e in spect or ’s desk a n d flippin g t h r ou g h
it . “ T h ey a r e a lw a y s h a v in g sex .”

T h e in spect or sn a t ch ed t h e file a w a y fr om Ma g ot h , sa y in g , a s
I g ot t o m y feet , “ W e w ill n eed a st a t em en t fr om Mr . T a u h ou , a s
w ell.”

I n odded a n d w ou n d m y w a y t h r ou g h a dozen or so ot h er desk s

t o t h e h a llw a y .

“ My lov e t o t h e bea st m a st er ,” Ma g ot h ca lled a ft er m e.

I g r ow led t o m y self a s I h u r r ied ou t of t h e office a n d dow n a

h a llw a y t o a dist a n t st a ir w ell. Lu ck ily , it w a s em pt y . “ Sor r y ,
Ga br iel. I w a s in t oo pu blic a pla ce t o t a lk . W h a t in t h e n a m e of
m idn ig h t is g oin g on ? W h a t do y ou m ea n , y ou didn ’t ex a ct ly
fin d Fia t ? A n d w h y sh ou ld w e st a y a w a y fr om Kost y a ? Does t h is
h a v e som et h in g t o do w it h h is t r ip t o Pa r is?”

Ga br iel’s v oice, w h en h e fin a lly spok e, w a s g u a r ded a n d t en se.

“ Did h e t ell y ou h e w en t t o Pa r is?”
 “ No. A s a m a t t er of fa ct , h e w ou ldn ’t a n sw er m e w h en I a sk ed
h im t h a t , bu t Jim sa id h e’d been t h er e. W h a t ’s h a ppen ed?”

“ W e m issed Fia t by w h a t m u st h a v e been m in u t es, bu t a

ca llin g ca r d w a s left for u s.”

Fea r pok ed ir r a t ion a lly a t m y g u t . T h e silv er dr a g on s h a d n o

bon e t o pick w it h Fia t , a n d y et I h a d a pr em on it ion t h a t boded
ill. I clea r ed m y t h r oa t a cou ple of t im es befor e I cou ld a sk ,
“ W h a t sor t of ca llin g ca r d?”

Silen ce a n sw er ed m e for t h e cou n t of eig h t . “ T h er e a r e six t y -

eig h t dea d blu e dr a g on s in Fr a n ce.”

“Agathos daim on,” I w h isper ed, h or r or cr eepin g u p m y flesh .

“ He k illed h is ow n sept m em ber s?”

“ No. T h e dr a g on s k illed w er e t h ose w h o follow ed Ba st ia n , n ot

Fia t .”

“ He’s in sa n e,” I sa id, m y m in d n ot a ble t o g et pa st t h e idea of

su ch a h or r ible sla u g h t er .

“ T h er e is n o on e w h o w ill disa g r ee w it h t h a t .” His v oice

sou n ded w ea r y , a n d m y h ea r t w en t ou t t o h im . Ga br iel w a s a
w y v er n , st r on g a n d a r r og a n t , bu t h e w a s a lso a h ea ler , a n d I
k n ew h e t ook t h a t r ole v er y ser iou sly . Fa cin g su ch a w h olesa le
sla u g h t er of in n ocen t people w ou ld w ou n d h im g r iev ou sly on a
deeply per son a l lev el. “ It w ill t a k e m e a n ot h er da y befor e I ca n
r et u r n h om e t o y ou , bu t u n t il t h a t t im e, I m u st k n ow t h a t y ou
a r e sa fe.”

“ I don ’t u n der st a n d w h a t Fia t g oin g on a m u r der ou s r a m pa g e

h a s t o do w it h Kost y a . How a r e t h e t w o con n ect ed?”
 A g a in , silen ce a n sw er ed m y qu est ion for a few m om en t s. “ Fia t
cou ld n ot h a v e a ct ed a lon e. T h er e a r e t oo m a n y dea t h s for t h e
sm a ll ba n d of ou r obor os dr a g on s w h o follow h im ,” h e sa id
slow ly , a n d I cou ld feel t h e r eg r et t h a t su r r ou n ded h im . “ I
su spect h e left t h e a ct u a l k illin g t o h is a ccom plice.”

“ W h o is t h a t ? Y ou don ’t m ea n Kost y a , do y ou ? T h a t doesn ’t

m a k e sen se, Ga br iel. He’s k eepin g h is n ose clea n r ig h t n ow
beca u se of t h e s árk ány.”

“ T h er e w ill be n o s árk ány t oda y . Ch u a n Ren a n d I m u st see t o

t h in g s h er e befor e w e ca n r et u r n t o En g la n d for t h e m eet in g .”

“ I u n der st a n d t h a t , bu t y ou h a v en ’t ex pla in ed w h y y ou t h in k
Kost y a is in v olv ed. Ga br iel …” I h esit a t ed for a m om en t , u n su r e
of h ow t o sa y w h a t I w a n t ed. “ T h er e h a v e been g r a v e pr oblem s
bet w een y ou a n d h im , bu t ev en so, I don ’t see h im elim in a t in g
h a lf of Ba st ia n ’s sept for Fia t . He m ig h t be a lit t le ou t of lin e
w h er e it con cer n s t h e silv er dr a g on s, bu t h e’s n ot ou t r ig h t
in sa n e. He w ou ld k n ow t h a t if h e su ppor t ed Fia t , t h e w ey r
w ou ld n ot r ecog n ize h is sept , or h is r ig h t t o lea d it , a n d h e w a n t s
t h a t a bov e a ll else. He w ou ldn ’t en da n g er t h a t .”

A m u ffled v oice sou n ded ov er h is sig h . “ I w ill be r ig h t t h er e.

Ma y lin g , I m u st g o. I’m bein g ca lled t o t en d a su r v iv or . I k n ow it
g oes a g a in st y ou r g r a in t o do som et h in g w it h ou t a r ea son , bu t
plea se t r u st m e on t h is—st a y a w a y fr om Kost y a a t a ll cost s.”

“ He w ou ldn ’t —” I st a r t ed t o sa y , bu t Ga br iel cu t m e off w it h a

sh a r p w or d.

“ Kost y a w a s seen lea v in g t h e scen e in Pa r is. Do y ou

u n der st a n d? He w a s t h er e, Ma y . He w a s seen . Get m y m ot h er
a n d Ma a t a a n d t h e ot h er s, a n d g et ou t of Dr a k e’s h ou se. I m u st
g o. I w ill ca ll la t er , w h en I ca n .”

T h e ph on e click ed off a s I st a r ed w it h u n seein g ey es a t a n

officia l police n ot ice pin n ed t o t h e st a ir door .

“ Ms. Nor t h cot t ?”

It t ook a few m in u t es for m e t o r ea lize t h a t t h e det ect iv e

in spect or w a s sa y in g m y n a m e. I dr a g g ed m y m in d fr om t h e
a by ss of con fu sion t h a t h a d cla im ed it , a n d r a llied m y sca t t er ed
w it s. “ I’m sor r y ?”

“ I a sk ed if y ou w er e u n w ell. Y ou look dist r essed.”

“ Ju st a lit t le fa m ily issu e, I’m a fr a id. Did y ou h a v e m or e

for m s for m e t o sig n ?”

“ No. I w ou ld, h ow ev er , r equ est t h a t y ou t a k e y ou r h u sba n d

h om e. He is per ilou sly close t o bein g ch a r g ed w it h a ssa u lt .”

I h u r r ied ba ck in t o t h e office t o r et r iev e Ma g ot h , w h o sa t

per ch ed on a fem a le police officer ’s desk , open ly leer in g dow n
h er blou se.

“ Y ou pr om ised t o beh a v e,” I sa id a s I g r a bbed h is a r m a n d

pu lled h im a w a y fr om t h e poor w om a n .

“ Ha v e I m en t ion ed I lov e it w h en y ou g et dom in a n t ?” h e

pu r r ed, follow in g m e ou t t o t h e lobby . “ A n d I a m beh a v in g . I
didn ’t on ce m ock t h e m or t a ls a s I w ish ed. I didn ’t t ell t h em w h o
y ou r ea lly w er e, or w h a t y ou r sca ly boy fr ien d w a s. I didn ’t ev en
cor r ect t h eir m ist a k en im pr ession t h a t ou r h ou se w a s blow n u p
by a g a s lin e.”

“ It ’s Ga br iel’s h ou se, a n d ou r dea l is off. W h er e’s Cy r en e a n d

Jim ?”

I look ed a r ou n d t h e bu sy lobby , bu t m y t w in a n d t h e la r g e
dem on w er en ’t a n y w h er e t o be fou n d.

“ I a m a pr in ce of A ba ddon ,” Ma g ot h sa id, st r a ig h t en in g h is
sleev e. “ I a m n ot a div in er .”

“ Y ou ’r e a pa in in …” I st opped befor e I g ot ca u g h t u p in
a n ot h er a r g u m en t . “ St a y h er e w h ile I look for t h em . Ma y be sh e
w en t t o t h e la dies’ r oom .”

I don ’t k n ow w h y I ex pect ed Ma g ot h t o a ct u a lly do som et h in g I

a sk ed. He didn ’t let m e dow n , follow in g m e in t o t h e r est r oom ,
m u ch t o t h e ch a g r in of t h e w om en in t h er e. Un for t u n a t ely ,
Cy r en e w a sn ’t on e of t h em .

“ Sh e pr oba bly sa w som et h in g sh in y , a n d t h e m a g pie in h er

dem a n ded sh e g o see it ,” I sa id, t ig h t -lipped w it h a n n oy a n ce a s I
em er g ed fr om t h e bu ildin g t o see t h e st r eet lin ed w it h
fa sh ion a ble sh ops. “ Gr ea t . It ’ll t a k e a t lea st a n h ou r t o fer r et h er
ou t .”

“ Sh e a lw a y s w a s ea sily dist r a ct ed,” Ma g ot h com m en t ed,

follow in g a s I h ea ded for t h e n ea r est sh op. “ I h a v e n o idea h ow
y ou pu t u p w it h som eon e w h o is so ea sily —oooh , lea t h er !”

“ I’m g oin g t o ch eck ou t t h is side of t h e st r eet . Y ou ca n do t h e

ot h er ,” I t old h im . I’d ju st r ea ch ed t h e sh op door w h en I h ea r d
m y n a m e bein g ca lled. I spu n a r ou n d, ca t ch in g sig h t of a fu r r y
bla ck t a il disa ppea r in g in t o a sm a ll pu b. I dodg ed pedest r ia n s t o
cr oss t h e r oa d, pa u sin g for a m om en t a s I en t er ed t h e ba r t o let
m y ey es a dju st . “ Jim ?” I sa id, squ in t in g a lit t le bit .

T h er e w er e on ly a cou ple of people in t h e ba r , n on e of w h om

w a s Cy r en e. T h er e w a s a lso n o sig n of Jim .

“ I’m sor r y t o dist u r b y ou , bu t h a v e y ou seen a la r g e bla ck

dog ?” I a sk ed a cou ple w h o w er e sit t in g a t a t a ble. T h ey sa t
st iffly , a s if u n com for t a ble. “ He ca m e in ju st a m in u t e a g o.”

“ Jim is in t h e ba ck , a lon g w it h y ou r t w in ,” a sm oot h v oice

sa id beh in d m e. I fr oze a s t h e It a lia n a ccen t filt er ed t h r ou g h m y
br a in . T h e cou ple a t t h e t a ble r ose t o fa ce m e, a n d I n ot iced
im m edia t ely t h a t t h ey w er en ’t h u m a n s—t h ey w er e dr a g on s.

Blu e dr a g on s.

I t u r n ed slow ly . Fia t h eld a bu sin esslik e bla ck g u n ,

u n for t u n a t ely poin t ed a t m y for eh ea d. “ I’m su r e t h ey w ill bot h
be delig h t ed t o see y ou .”

“ Y ou do k n ow I’m a doppelg a n g er , y es?” I a sk ed. “ Not on ly a m

I im m or t a l; I ca n slip in t o t h e sh a dow w or ld, w h er e y ou a n d
y ou r bu llet s ca n ’t h a r m m e.”

“ Bu t t h ey ca n h a r m y ou r t w in , ca n t h ey n ot ?” h e a sk ed
sm oot h ly .

“ Sh e’s a n a ia d. A ll sh oot in g h er w ou ld do is m a k e h er v er y
a n g r y , a n d y ou ca n t a k e m y w or d for it t h a t y ou don ’t w a n t t o
be in a con fin ed spa ce w h en sh e’s a n g r y . Sh e t en ds t o g et a bit
elem en t a l, if y ou g et m y dr ift .”

Befor e h e cou ld a n sw er , Ma g ot h st r olled in t o t h e ba r , cla d in a

bla ck lea t h er v est a n d m a t ch in g sk in t ig h t pa n t s … on es w it h ou t
t h e sea t .

“ A ssless ch a ps, Ma g ot h ?” I a sk ed, dist r a ct ed en ou g h t h a t I ju st

h a d t o a sk h im .
 He posed so I cou ld see t h e m u scles of h is beh in d flex . “ T h ey
a r e m a de of t h e soft est bu ll-scr ot u m lea t h er .”

“ Y es, bu t … as s les s ch a ps?”

He flex ed a cou ple m or e t im es. “ T h e m or t a ls in t h e lea t h er

sh op lik ed t h em . T h ey offer ed t o t a t t oo m y a r se, a s w ell, bu t I
sh ow ed t h em t h e cu r se on m y cock a n d t h ey sa id t h ey cou ldn ’t
m a t ch t h a t , so I ju st t ook t h e clot h es a n d left . W h a t a r e y ou
doin g h er e?” He sn iffed a cou ple of t im es. “ Ba h . Mor e dr a g on s.
W h o is h e, a n ot h er of y ou r lov er s? W h y is h e h oldin g a fir ea r m
on y ou ? A r e y ou h a v in g pot en t ia lly let h a l for epla y w it h ou t
m e?”

T h e qu est ion s w er e a sk ed of m e, bu t dir ect ed t o Fia t , w h o, I

w a s a m u sed t o n ot e, look ed som ew h a t discon cer t ed w h en
Ma g ot h m a r ch ed ov er a n d pu t h is a r m a r ou n d m e. Nor m a lly I
w ou ldn ’t h a v e t oler a t ed su ch a n em br a ce, bu t I fig u r ed t h er e
w er e t im es w h en t h e dev il y ou k n ew w a s bet t er t h a n t h e dr a g on
y ou didn ’t .

“ W h o a r e you?” Fia t cou n t er ed.

Ma g ot h g a v e h im on e of h is su per ior look s, t h e k in d h e

r eser v ed for w r a t h dem on s belon g in g t o ot h er dem on lor ds. “ I
a m Ma g ot h , pr in ce of A ba ddon , a n d t h is is m y con sor t . I a sk
a g a in —w h y a r e y ou poin t in g a fir ea r m a t h er ? If y ou a r e
pla n n in g on u sin g t h a t t o h a v e sex w it h h er , y ou ’ll h a v e t o
in clu de m e, a s w ell.”

Fia t dr a g g ed h is bem u sed g a ze t o m e. “ Y ou a r e con sor t t o a

bisex u a l dem on lor d?”

“ I’m n ot bisex u a l. I’m a ll-sex u a l,” Ma g ot h sa id, bu ffin g h is

n a ils a n d pr een in g a lit t le. “ I’m a n equ a l-oppor t u n it y dem on
lor d.”

Fia t con sider ed t h is for a m om en t befor e a sk in g m e, “ Is it n ow

m a n da t or y t h a t a ll w y v er n s’ m a t es h a v e som e t ie t o A ba ddon ?”

“ Cou ld be A islin g a n d I a r e st a r t in g a n ew t r en d,” I sa id

a g r eea bly , elbow in g Ma g ot h w h en h is fin g er s t r ied t o slip dow n
in t o m y sh ir t . “ I don ’t su ppose y ou ’d lik e t o ex pla in w h y y ou ’v e
a ppa r en t ly k idn a pped m y t w in a n d a dem on ?”

“ No,” Fia t sa id sim ply , a n d g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e ba ck of t h e

ba r . “ Go.”

I t oy ed w it h t h e idea of r efu sin g a n d sh a dow in g , bu t bot h Fia t

a n d I k n ew t h a t a lt h ou g h h e cou ldn ’t k ill Cy r en e w it h h is g u n ,
h e cou ld da m a g e h er m in d en ou g h t h a t sh e w ou ld n ot r ecov er
h er fa cu lt ies. It w a s a t h r ea t t h a t a ll im m or t a ls liv ed w it h —a
body t h a t liv ed on w h ile a m in d w a s dest r oy ed—a n d w e t en ded
t o t a k e su ch t h r ea t s ser iou sly .

“ A la s, I ca n n ot a ccom pa n y y ou ,” Ma g ot h sa id, ey ein g t h e

r eflect ion of h is ba r ed beh in d in a m ir r or n ex t t o t h e door . “ I
h a v e a ppoin t m en t s t h a t m u st n ot be m issed. I a ssu m e y ou w ill
dea l w it h t h is dr a g on a n d be a t y ou r bed a t t h e a ppoin t ed
t im e?”

“ I w ou ldn ’t cou n t on h er bein g in h er bed a n y m or e t h a n I

w ou ld cou n t ” —Fia t g est u r ed t ow a r d t w o m en w h o sa t n ea r t h e
door ; t h ey r ose a n d t ook u p posit ion s in fr on t of it —“ on y ou
m a k in g y ou r a ppoin t m en t s.”

“ Per h a ps a t a t t oo of m y self du r in g m y film da y s on t h e left

ch eek ,” Ma g ot h m u r m u r ed befor e Fia t ’s w or ds sa n k in . He
st opped a dm ir in g h im self a n d t u r n ed a ch illy g la r e on Fia t .

I st illed, n ot in g t h a t a lt h ou g h Ma g ot h w a s a lm ost pow er less,

h e st ill h a d a lit t le cor on a of bla ck n ess a r ou n d h im t h a t , w h en
h e w a s r iled, sn a pped ou t a t t h e u n w a r y .

“ Y ou da r e t o defy m e, dr a g on ?” h e a sk ed, h is v oice a s slick a s

ice.

I k n ew t h a t v oice. I k n ew t h a t look in h is ey es. W h a t I didn ’t

k n ow w a s w h et h er Fia t w ou ld r espon d t o t h e t h r ea t t h a t
su dden ly soa k ed t h e v er y a ir a r ou n d u s.

Fia t lea n ed for w a r d a n d sm iled a t Ma g ot h . “ Gossip flies

qu ick ly in t h e Ot h er w or ld. I h a v e h a d w or d of y ou , a n d k n ow
t h a t y ou h a v e been ex pelled fr om A ba ddon w it h ou t y ou r
pow er s.”

Ma g ot h ’s g a ze sh ift ed t o m e for a m om en t , a n d I fr oze solid,

t er r ified h e w ou ld do or sa y som et h in g t h a t w ou ld br in g
a t t en t ion t o t h e fa ct t h a t I n ow h a d h is pow er s. “ My con sor t h a s
in it ia t ed a n a ppea l. My r ein st a t em en t sh ou ld be for t h com in g
soon , a fa ct y ou w ou ld be w ise t o r em em ber lest I seek pa y m en t
for t h e in su lt y ou do m e.”

Ma g ot h w a s ly in g t h r ou g h h is t eet h a bou t t h e a ppea l, bu t n o

on e bu t h e a n d I k n ew it , a n d I cer t a in ly w a sn ’t g oin g t o cor r ect
h im . He w ou ld n ev er g o t o Ga br iel of h is ow n a ccor d a n d t ell
h im I w a s in t r ou ble, bu t w h en it beca m e k n ow n t h a t Cy r en e,
Jim , a n d I w er e m issin g , Ga br iel w ou ld h u n t dow n Ma g ot h a n d
g et t h e t r u t h ou t of h im .

Fia t m a de a m ock sig h . “ Ev er y on e fig h t s m e. No on e sees t h e

sen se in ju st doin g a s I a sk . Ren a ldo?”
 On e of t h e t w o blon d dr a g on s beh in d Ma g ot h t ook a st ep
for w a r d, t h en w h ipped h is a r m a r ou n d fr om w h er e h e’d been
h oldin g it beh in d h is ba ck . Befor e I cou ld ca ll ou t a w a r n in g , h e
w a lloped Ma g ot h on t h e h ea d w it h a w eig h t ed lea t h er bla ck ja ck .

Ma g ot h ’s ex pr ession t u r n ed t o on e of ecst a sy for a m om en t ;

t h en h is ey es r olled ba ck a n d h is body slu m ped t o t h e g r ou n d.

“ Now h e’s g oin g t o w a n t y ou t o do t h a t ev er y n ig h t ,” I t old t h e

dr a g on n a m ed Ren a ldo a s h e a n d t h e ot h er m a n pick ed u p
Ma g ot h .

Fia t pok ed m e in t h e side w it h t h e g u n . “ Y ou w ill com e w it h

m e n ow .”

“ Look s lik e I h a v e n o ch oice,” I sa id ca lm ly , a n d w en t dow n

t h e pa ssa g e h e in dica t ed, Ma g ot h h a u led beh in d u s.
 Ch a pt er Elev en

T h e on ly t h in g t h a t su r pr ised m e a bou t t h e h ou se w a s t h a t it
w a s so r em a r k a bly n or m a l-look in g .
“ Nor m a l if y ou ’r e u sed t o g or g eou s T u dor r edbr ick m a n sion s,
t h a t is,” I m u r m u r ed t o m y self a s w e dr ov e t h r ou g h t h e
secu r it y g a t es a n d u p a m ile-lon g dr iv e. T h e h ou se sa t on t h e
cr est of a g en t le h ill, fr a m ed by a sem icir cle of st a t ely w illow
a n d lim e t r ees a lon g t h e sides a n d ba ck of t h e h ou se, bey on d
w h ich I cou ld see t h e g lin t of w a t er —pr oba bly a la r g e pon d or a
sm a ll la k e.

“ W h a t a r e y ou t a lk in g a bou t ?” Cy r en e a sk ed.

“ Not h in g . W h a t did y ou a sk m e t o do?”

“ Uh -oh . Y ou ’r e n ot h ea r in g v oices, a r e y ou ? A sh st a r t ed doin g

t h a t , a n d it t u r n ed ou t r ea lly ba d,” Jim sa id, cov er t ly w ipin g it s
m ou t h on Fia t ’s sh oes.

Cy r en e sh ot a g la n ce t ow a r d Fia t , m oodily look in g ou t t h e

w in dow , befor e sh e lea n ed in close t o w h isper in t o m y ea r ,
“ Don ’t lea v e m e a lon e w it h h im .”

I let m y g a ze fea st on t h e h ou se. It t r u ly w a s su per b: a lov ely

ex a m ple of T u dor a r ch it ect u r e a t it s fin est , a ll st on e qu oin s,
pa r a pet s, a n d a solid, st u r dy squ a r e cen t er t h a t r ose t h r ee
st or ies. I’d seen som e lov ely h ou ses du r in g t h e la st few m on t h s
w it h t h e dr a g on s, bu t t h is on e m a de m y m ou t h w a t er . T h e
pa r k la n d r olled a w a y fr om it lik e g r een v elv et pou r in g dow n
t ow a r d u s, t h e r ig h t side en din g in w h a t look ed t o be a y ew
m a ze, w h ile t h e left w a s a for m a l g a r den , r ig h t n ow a bloom in a
r iot of br on ze a n d or a n g e a n d pin k flow er s. I fell m a dly in lov e
w it h t h e g a r den , t h e g r ou n ds, a n d t h e h ou se a t t h a t v er y
m om en t .“ It ’s so per fect . So ex qu isit e. I w on der if Ga br iel w ou ld
lik e it . It ’s v er y ea r t h y , don ’t y ou t h in k ? He lik es ea r t h y . I’m
w illin g t o bet h e lik es v elv et y g r een la w n s, a n d lov ely flow er s,
a n d h edg es a n d t r ees, a s w ell.”

I ca u g h t a g lim pse of t h e look Cy r en e w a s g iv in g m e ju st a s

Jim sa id, “ Gr ea t . Ma y ’s m in d h a s sn a pped. Got t a be t h e v oices.”

Fia t con t in u ed t o ig n or e u s, so I a ddr essed Cy r en e a n d Jim a s I

g a zed w it h w on der ou t of t h e w in dow a s w e a ppr oa ch ed t h e
h ou se. “ My m in d is per fect ly sou n d, t h a n k y ou . Mer cifu l deit ies,
is t h a t a folly in t h e dist a n ce? Cou ld t h is pr oper t y be a n y m or e
per fect ?”

“ Ma y lin g !” Cy r en e n u dg ed m e h a r d in t h e r ibs. I dr a g g ed m y
g a ze off t h e w h it e ir on filig r eed st r u ct u r e in t h e dist a n ce,
bey on d t h e flow er g a r den s.

“ W h a t ?”

Sh e g la n ced sig n ifica n t ly t ow a r d Fia t . I look ed a t h im . He

st a r ed ou t of t h e w in dow a s if w e bor ed h im t o dea t h . My g a ze
slid pa st h im t o t h e sig h t of a silv er y st r ea m t h a t cu r led a r ou n d
t h e y ew h edg es a n d disa ppea r ed a r ou n d t h e ba ck of it . “ A
st r ea m . Of cou r se. Not t oo deep, bu t deep en ou g h t o spla sh
a r ou n d in on a lon g , h ot su m m er a ft er n oon . Ju st befor e y ou
st r oll beh in d t h e y ew m a ze a n d t a k e a r efr esh in g dip in t h e
la k e.”

“ St r ea m ? La k e?” Cy r en e w a s m om en t a r ily dist r a ct ed en ou g h

by t h e t h ou g h t of fr esh w a t er sou r ces t o sh ov e m e ba ck w a r ds so
sh e cou ld peer ou t of t h e w in dow . “ It does look lik e a v er y pu r e
st r ea m . It pr oba bly feeds in t o t h e la k e. I bet t h e w a t er isn ’t t oo
cold t o sw im in … .” Sh e pa u sed a n d g a v e m e a dir t y look . “ Y ou
did t h a t deliber a t ely . St op t r y in g t o div er t m e.”

I sig h ed a n d m a de su r e Fia t w a s st ill ig n or in g u s befor e I

a n sw er ed in a low v oice, “ I t old y ou t h a t it ’s m e Fia t w a n t s t o
u se a s a ba r g a in in g ch ip. I’m su r e h e h a s som e ev il pla n u n der
w a y t h a t r equ ir es t h e u se of m e a s h ost a g e t o g et Ga br iel t o do
w h a t ev er it is h e w a n t s don e. OK? Ha ppy n ow ? Good. A r e t h ose
m u llion ed w in dow s? Oh , m y , t h ey r ea lly a r e ou t st a n din g . Fia t ’s
t a st e cer t a in ly h a s im pr ov ed fr om t h a t h ou se in It a ly . I w on der
if h e’d con sider sellin g ?”

“ He w a n t s t o st ea l m e for h is m a t e,” Cy r en e w h isper ed a s w e

pu lled u p ou t side t h e fr on t door s. I w h im per ed soft ly t o m y self a t
t h e sig h t of t h e flu t ed w h it e colu m n s a n d cu t -g la ss pa n els on
eit h er side of t h e door s. I w a n t ed t h is h ou se w it h a n
ov er w h elm in g n eed t h a t w a s a lm ost a lien t o m e, a n d y et w a s so
fa m ilia r I w on der ed w h y I’d n ev er felt it befor e w it h a n y t h in g
bu t Ga br iel.

Fia t ’s t w o blon d body g u a r ds lea ped ou t of t h e fr on t t o open t h e

ca r door .

“ Ma y !”

T h e w or r y in h er v oice filt er ed t h r ou g h t h e h ou se lu st t h a t
h eld m e in it s g r ip. I sh ook im a g es of m y self st r ollin g t h r ou g h
t h e h ou se fr om m y h ea d, a n d focu sed on m y dist r essed t w in .
“ Cy , w e’v e been ov er t h is sev er a l t im es a lr ea dy —y ou ’r e n ot a
w y v er n ’s m a t e.”

“ I a m m a t e lit e. I t old y ou t h a t ! A n d besides, if I w a sn ’t , w h y

w ou ld Fia t w a n t t o st ea l m e a w a y fr om Kost y a ?”
 “ Got t a pee. Ba ck in a m o. Don ’t g o com plet ely w a ck o u n t il I’m
ba ck t o see it ,” Jim sa id, lea pin g ou t of t h e ca r a n d h ea din g for a
sh r u bber y .

Fia t ex it ed t h e ca r . Ma g ot h , st ill u n con sciou s, r olled off t h e

sea t a n d on t o t h e lim o floor , h is h ea d t h u m pin g lik e a r ipe
m elon on t h e floor .

“ I ca n ju st a bou t g u a r a n t ee y ou t h a t Fia t isn ’t g oin g t o t r y t o

st ea l y ou for h is m a t e,” I sa id, pa t t in g h er on t h e a r m . Sh e w a s
t r u ly w or r ied a bou t su ch a possibilit y , I k n ew , w h ich didn ’t ea se
m y ex a sper a t ion w it h h er , bu t it did let m e t em per m y v oice so
it w a sn ’t qu it e so obv iou s.

“ T h a t ’s w h a t y ou sa y ,” sh e sa id w it h a da r k look a t m e. “ Bu t
y ou h a v en ’t seen t h e w a y h e w a t ch es m e! He w ants m e!”

“ Of cou r se h e does. Y ou ’r e v er y pr et t y —a lot of m en w a n t

y ou .”

“ Not t h a t w a y ,” sh e sa id, w a t ch in g h im n a r r ow ly t h r ou g h
t h e open ed ca r door a s h e spok e t o h is body g u a r ds. “ He w a n t s m e
for h is m a t e so h e ca n t a k e ov er t h e dr a g on s.”

I w a sn ’t qu it e su r e h ow h er r ea son in g w en t fr om st ea lin g
a n ot h er w y v er n ’s m a t e t o con t r ol of t h e w ey r , bu t I didn ’t h a v e
t im e t o in du lg e m y cu r iosit y . In st ea d I sim ply sa id, “ St op
w or r y in g . I w on ’t let h im t a k e y ou .”

“ Com e,” Fia t sa id, t u r n in g t ow a r d u s a n d h oldin g ou t a h a n d.

Im pa t ien ce w a s ev iden t in h is v oice, so ev iden t I h a lf ex pect ed
h im t o sn a p h is fin g er s a t u s. It w a s on t h e t ip of m y t on g u e t o
sa y som et h in g t h a t I w a s su r e I w ou ld r eg r et , bu t I r em em ber ed
in t im e t h a t t h e h ou se w a s h is, a n d if I w a n t ed a n y ch a n ce a t a ll
of ca llin g it m in e, polit en ess w ou ld be t h e or der of t h e da y .

I pu sh ed a side t h e qu est ion of w h y I w a s su dden ly possessed

w it h t h e desir e t o ow n t h e h ou se. No, “ desir e” w a sn ’t t h e r ig h t
w or d—I h a d a deep, bu r ied n eed t o h a v e t h e h ou se. “ It h a d on ce
been a h om e, a n d it w ill be on e a g a in ,” I sa id on a br ea t h .

Cy r en e g a v e m e a n ot h er odd look , bu t it w a s n ot h in g t o t h e
con fu sion I felt ov er m y st a t em en t . W h a t on ea r t h h a d I m ea n t ?

“ Com e!” Fia t sa id m or e for cefu lly , a n d t h is t im e h e did sn a p

h is fin g er s.

Cy r en e br ist led a t t h e g est u r e, bu t I g r a bbed h er a r m a n d

h a u led h er ou t of t h e ca r a ft er m e, det er m in ed t o be polit e a n d
per su a siv e. “ T h is is a n a bsolu t ely st u n n in g h ou se,” I t old Fia t ,
a llow in g h im t o a ssist m e ou t of t h e ca r , m y ey es dr in k in g in t h e
g lor iou s sig h t of t h e fr on t of t h e h ou se. T h e a ft er n oon su n
ca r essed t h e w a r m r ed st on e, slid a lon g t h e fr esh ly pa in t ed
w h it e t r im , a n d set t led it self t o g lit t er on t h e n u m er ou s lea ded
w in dow s, w in k in g lit t le fla sh es t h a t m esm er ized m e.

Fia t look ed ov er t h e h ou se w it h a cr it ica l ey e a n d sh r u g g ed.

“ It is t oler a ble.”

T oler a ble? My m in d sh r iek ed a t t h e w or d, so pr ofa n e w a s it

w h en a pplied t o t h e h ou se.

“ I pr efer som et h in g m or e m oder n , bu t I su ppose it is in a

plea sa n t set t in g . Plea se r em em ber t h a t y ou r t w in w ill be a t m y
m er cy sh ou ld y ou t r y a n y t h in g .” A sm ile lit h is ey es, bu t it
w a sn ’t a t a ll fr ien dly . “ A n d m er cy is a qu a lit y t h a t I
pa r t icu la r ly la ck .”

W e en t er ed t h r ou g h t h e door s, a n d pa ssed t h r ou g h a r ecept ion

h a ll. I br ea t h ed deeply t h e h ea dy scen t of fu r n it u r e polish a n d
lem on s, closin g m y ey es for a m om en t t o en joy it befor e fea st in g
on w h a t I k n ew w ou ld be a n ou t st a n din g in t er ior .

T h e st a ir ca se w a s a w or k of a r t , a ll da r k w ood w it h Cor in t h ia n
n ew el post s, a n ela bor a t e ba lu st r a de, a n d m a t ch in g da r k
pa n elin g on t h e w a lls. T a pest r ies cov er ed m u ch of t h e w a lls,
som e v ibr a n t , bu t m ost fa ded w it h t h e pa ssin g of t im e. I st opped
befor e on e t h a t look ed v a g u ely fa m ilia r , g a w k in g w h en I
r ecog n ized a n a m e. “ Is t h a t … t h a t isn ’t W illia m t h e Con qu er or ,
is it ?”

“ It is,” Fia t a n sw er ed.

I squ in t ed closer a t t h e t a pest r y . It w a s pr ot ect ed by a w a ll-

m ou n t ed con ser v a t ion ca se, t h e k in d w it h specia l lig h t in g t h a t
w ou ld n ot fa de t h e t r ea su r e w it h in . “ It look s ju st lik e som et h in g
ou t of t h e Ba y eu x T a pest r y .”

“ It is t h e Ba y eu x T a pest r y .”

I spu n a r ou n d bot h a t t h e w or ds a n d t h e v oice. It w a sn ’t Fia t

w h o h a d a n sw er ed m e, a s I h a d t h ou g h t —t h e m a n w h o st ood
n ex t t o h im w it h h is a r m s cr ossed h a d da r k br ow n h a ir , n ot
blon d, w it h a pr on ou n ced w idow ’s pea k , a n d ebon y ey es t h a t
g lit t er ed lik e t h e w in dow s. “ Hello a g a in , Ba lt ic. W h a t a r e y ou
doin g w it h t h e Ba y eu x T a pest r y ?”

He st r olled pa st m e t o a dm ir e it . “ It ’s on ly pa r t of t h e
t a pest r y : W illia m ’s cor on a t ion . It plea ses m e t o displa y it , sin ce
it r em in ds m e of a h a ppy t im e.”

“ Y ou w er e t h er e?” I a sk ed.

“ Not a t t h e cor on a t ion , n o, bu t I did h elp t h e m or t a ls fig h t

m a n y t im es.”

“ I w a s t h er e. It w a s n ot h in g ex cit in g ,” Cy r en e sa id, g iv in g
Fia t a h ost ile g la r e. He fr ow n ed a t h er in r espon se. “ Lon don w a s
v er y dir t y t h en , a n d t h e people w er e v er y r u de, a lw a y s
t h r ow in g r ot t en v eg et a bles. I m u ch pr efer r ed Pa r is.”

“ W h y w ou ld y ou w a n t t o h elp t h e m or t a ls fig h t ?” I a sk ed
Ba lt ic, m om en t a r ily dist r a ct ed by t h e idea of a dr a g on
in t er fer in g w it h h u m a n issu es.

He sm iled. “ Ha v e y ou n ev er beh eld t h e sig h t of a ba t t lefield, a

sw or d g r ipped t ig h t ly in on e h a n d, y ou r sh ield in t h e ot h er , a
blood-en r a g ed dest r ier bet w een y ou r leg s? Ha v e y ou n ot
br ea t h ed deeply of t h e scen t of blood a n d bow els a n d ea r t h a s
m or t a ls sla u g h t er ed ea ch ot h er ? Ha v e y ou n ev er felt t h e ba t t le
lu st g r ip y ou r bein g , y ou r h ea r t pou n din g so lou d it a lm ost
dr ow n s ou t t h e scr ea m s of m en , y ou r a r m bu r n in g w it h t h e
st r a in of h a ck in g a n d h ew in g , sla sh in g fir st t o t h e left t o t a k e
dow n a pik em a n , t h en t o t h e r ig h t t o cu t t h e leg s ou t fr om
u n der a n a t t a ck in g in fa n t r y m a n ?”

“ No,” I sa id, feelin g fa in t ly sick a t t h e pict u r e t h a t r ose in m y

m in d.

He sh r u g g ed. “ T h en y ou w ou ld n ot u n der st a n d. Fia t , y ou

m a y lea v e.”

T h e pen n y dr opped t h en . “ T h is is your h ou se?” I a sk ed, feelin g

slig h t ly sick a t t h e t h ou g h t of su ch a m a g n ificen t st r u ct u r e in
h is possession . It sh ou ld be m in e, a lit t le v oice in m y h ea d
dem a n ded.

“ Y es.” He flick ed a g la n ce m y w a y . “ I h a d it bu ilt a s a g ift for

m y m a t e.”

“ Y solde?” T h e t h ou g h t t h a t t h e h ou se w a s Y solde’s m a de m e
feel a sm idg en bet t er , a lt h ou g h I cou ldn ’t qu it e decide w h y . For
a ll I k n ew , sh e cou ld h a v e been ju st a s dest r u ct iv e a s Ba lt ic,
a lt h ou g h I su spect ed n ot .

His g a ze sh ift ed fr om m e t o t h e pa n eled w a ll, bu t I dou bt ed h e

w a s r ea lly seein g it . For a m om en t , for a t in y lit t le m om en t in
t im e, Ba lt ic’s ex pr ession soft en ed, h is ey es g oin g fr om a h a r d,
g lit t er in g obsidia n t o som et h in g w it h sh a dow s, lik e a sh a ft of
su n lig h t pier cin g a deep pon d. His v oice ch a n g ed, a s w ell, losin g
som e of it s clipped ca den ce, t h e w or ds st r ik in g a r ich er t on e,
m or e Sla v ic in fla v or . “ Sh e h elped m e desig n t h e h ou se, bu t sh e
w ou ld h a v e n o ot h er h a n d w or k in g on t h e g a r den s, so sh e la id
t h em ou t h er self. Sh e lov ed flow er s, w a n t ed t h em bloom in g
y ea r -r ou n d. I t old h er t h is w a sn ’t t h e clim a t e for t h a t , bu t sh e
h a d been bor n h er e, a n d w ou ld n ot h ea r of liv in g a n y w h er e
else.”

“ W h a t I sa w of t h em look ed ex qu isit e,” I sa id, m ea n in g ev er y

w or d. I w a s filled w it h a st r a n g e sen se of k in sh ip, of sh a r in g a
g r ea t lov e w it h t h is m a n , bu t t h a t w a s in sa n e. It didn ’t m a k e
sen se. I sh ook m y h ea d, t r y in g t o disper se t h e odd feelin g .

“ Sh e w a n t ed t o h a v e t h e a ccept a n ce cer em on y in t h e g a r den ,

su r r ou n ded by h on ey su ck le a n d lim e t r ees,” h e sa id, st ill
look in g in w a r d a t t h e m em or ies. “ Sh e sa id it w a s fit t in g t h a t sh e
sh ou ld for m a lly becom e m y m a t e h er e, in t h e h ou se I bu ilt for
h er .”

“ Y ou did a n ou t st a n din g job w it h t h e h ou se. It ’s a lm ost

bey on d descr ipt ion ; it ’s so per fect . I don ’t k n ow w h y , bu t it
seem s a lm ost t o spea k t o m e. It ’s a s if … I don ’t k n ow . It ’s h a r d t o
pu t in t o w or ds. It ’s ju st … per fect .”

“ Y es, it is.” He t u r n ed ba ck t o m e w it h a h a lf sm ile on h is lips,

a n d su dden ly , I w a s in h is a r m s, ca u g h t u p in t h e m em or ies h e
h a d sh a r ed, in t h e em ot ion s t h a t t h e h ou se st ir r ed w it h in m e.

“ Y ou lov ed h er ,” I sa id, m y br ea t h on h is lips.

“ Mor e t h a n life it self,” h e a n sw er ed, h is m ou t h br u sh in g

m in e.

“ W h oa ! I didn ’t see t h a t on e com in g !” I h ea r d Jim sa y ju st a s

Ba lt ic’s a r m s t ig h t en ed a r ou n d m e. T h e sen se of k in sh ip g r ew ,
a ccom pa n ied by a r ig h t n ess t h a t filled m e w it h v a g u e sh a dow
m em or ies, im a g es t h a t da n ced on t h e edg e of m y a w a r en ess.

“ Ma y ? Goodn ess—Ma y ?” Cy r en e’s v oice dr ift ed t h r ou g h a r ed

h a ze of fier ce n eed in m e, bu t I cou ld n o m or e a t t en d t o it t h a n I
cou ld st op t h e r u sh of em ot ion in side m e.

Un t il Ba lt ic k issed m e.

T h e secon d h is lips possessed m in e, a cold w a v e of dislik e

squ elch ed t h e fir es t h e dr a g on sh a r d w a n t ed so desper a t ely t o
fa n .

“ Y solde,” h e m u r m u r ed a g a in st m y m ou t h .

I pu t bot h h a n ds on h is ch est a n d sh ov ed h im ba ck h a r d,
ca t ch in g t h e fleet in g ex pr ession of su r pr ise in h is ey es befor e it
t u r n ed t o ca lcu la t in g a n g er .

“ I a m n ot Y solde,” I sa id sim ply .

“ Ma y , w h a t a r e y ou doin g ?” Cy r en e t u g g ed a t m y a r m ,
g iv in g Ba lt ic a w a r y look . “ I k n ow y ou a r e jea lou s of a ll t h e
w om en w h o a r e n o dou bt t r y in g t o sedu ce Ga br iel, bu t t h is is
n ot t h e a n sw er ! Y ou m u st t r u st m e on t h is—I h a v e m u ch m or e
ex per ien ce w it h m en t h a n y ou do, a n d I ca n a ssu r e y ou t h a t
t r y in g t o m a k e a m a n jea lou s by t oy in g w it h a n ot h er on e is n ot
t h e w a y t o g o. It ju st en ds u p v er y poor ly , u su a lly w it h on e m a n
dea d.”

“ It w a s t h e sh a r d,” I sa id, st ill feelin g it t h r u m in side m e, a n d

sh a k en t o m y v er y cor e by w h a t h a d h a ppen ed. W h en t h e sh a r d
r ea ct ed t o Ma g ot h , I k n ew it for w h a t it w a s—a n a t t em pt t o seek
pow er . Bu t t h is w a s differ en t —t h is w a s t ied u p t o t h e fa in t est
sh a dow s of Y solde. Sh e h a d lov ed Ba lt ic, I r ea lized a t t h a t
m om en t . Sh e h a d lov ed h im desper a t ely , a bsolu t ely , bey on d a ll
r ea son . A n d h e h a d bu ilt a h ou se for h er , ju st t o plea se h er ,
beca u se h e, t oo, lov ed w it h a n a ll-con su m in g pa ssion . I cou ld
on ly g u ess a t t h e dept h of t h e pa in h e felt a t losin g h er … bu t it
did n ot ex cu se h is a ct ion s. I lift ed m y ch in a n d g a v e h im a lon g ,
lev el look . “ T h e sh a r d is w h a t ’s m a k in g m e r ea ct t o t h e h ou se …
t o y ou .”

Ba lt ic look ed bor ed. “ Y ou bea r t h e sh a r d m y m a t e on ce

possessed. I h a v e n o dou bt sh e im pr in t ed som et h in g of h er self
u pon it . A ll t h e m or e r ea son for m e t o h a v e it .” He t u r n ed t o
lea v e a n d sa w Fia t . He fr ow n ed. “ W h a t a r e y ou st ill doin g h er e?
I t old y ou t h a t I h a d n o fu r t h er n eed of y ou . Y ou m a y lea v e.”

A pa r a de of em ot ion s pa ssed ov er Fia t ’s t oo-h a n dsom e fa ce;

disbelief w a s qu ick ly follow ed by a n g er , w h ich set t led in t o a
deep fu r y . I’ll sa y t h is for h im —h e k ept h is em ot ion s in ch eck ,
t h e on ly h in t of h is feelin g s v isible in t h e g lin t t o h is ey es.

“ T a k e t h em below ,” Ba lt ic sa id, w a v in g t ow a r d Cy r en e a n d
m e a s h e t u r n ed t o lea v e t h e r oom .
 T w o dr a g on s em er g ed fr om t h e sh a dow s, on e of w h om w a s t h e
m a n w h o’d a ccom pa n ied h im t o Ga br iel’s h ou se.

“ Below w h er e?” Jim a sk ed som ew h a t n er v ou sly , pr essin g in t o

m e. “ Below a s in a com for t a ble su it e w it h dig it a l T V a n d a h ot
t u b?”

Ba lt ic pa u sed a t t h e door a n d sm iled a g a in . It w a sn ’t a n ice

sm ile. “ It pa in s m e t o be clich éd, bu t I believ e in k eepin g a
du n g eon t r a dit ion a l in it s a ccou t r em en t s. Y ou m ig h t n ot fin d
t h e t or t u r e dev ices a s en t er t a in in g a s dig it a l t elev ision , bu t I
cer t a in ly w ill.”

“ No,” I sa id sim ply .

Ba lt ic g a v e m e a disbeliev in g look . “ Y ou w ill n ot defy m e,

m a t e.”

“ I t h in k I ju st did,” I sa id ca lm ly , h opin g m y u su a l pla cid

ex pr ession w a s h idin g t h e fa ct t h a t m y h ea r t w a s bea t in g
w ildly , m y pa lm s su dden ly sw ea t y . “ I w ill n ot m ov e on e foot
fr om t h is spot u n t il y ou t ell u s w h y y ou ’v e h a d Fia t k idn a p u s.”

“ I don ’t h a v e t o ex pla in a n y t h in g t o y ou ,” h e sa id, h is br ow s

low er in g . He t ook a m en a cin g st ep t ow a r d m e. I r a ised m y ch in
a sm idg en a n d g a v e h im m y bla n dest look .

“ It ca n ’t be t h e dr a g on sh a r d. Y ou w ou ldn ’t k idn a p Cy r en e
a n d Jim t o g et t h a t —y ou ’d ju st lop off m y h ea d a n d t a k e t h e
sh a r d. T h er efor e, y ou m u st w a n t u s a ll for a specific pu r pose,
a n d t h e on ly on e I ca n t h in k of is t h a t it ’s a t r a p of som e sor t ,
a n d w e’r e t h e ba it .”

“ Clev er lit t le w it ch ,” h e sa id, m ov in g close en ou g h t o m e t h a t

I cou ld feel h is br ea t h on m e. I felt som et h in g else, t oo,
som et h in g fa m ilia r , som e sen se of déjà v u t h a t I cou ldn ’t
pin poin t . “ T oo clev er for y ou r ow n g ood, a s t h e sa y in g g oes.”

“ Ga br iel isn ’t st u pid,” I t old h im , cla m pin g dow n on t h e sen se

of fa m ilia r it y . I didn ’t w a n t t o be fa m ilia r w it h Ba lt ic. I didn ’t
w a n t a r epea t of t h a t k iss or , m or e im por t a n t , of t h e sen se of
k in sh ip t h a t I h a d felt w it h h im w h en h e t a lk ed a bou t t h e h ou se
a n d Y solde. I didn ’t w a n t h er m em or ies of h im ; I w a n t ed h im a t
a r m ’s len g t h , ba ck t o t h e st a t u s of a n ev il, despised foe, n ot of a
m a n w h o lov ed a w om a n so m u ch h e w a s w illin g t o g iv e h er
ev er y t h in g h e h a d. “ He’s n ot g oin g t o w a lk blin dly in t o a n y
t r a p y ou set , n o m a t t er if y ou u se m e a s ba it or n ot .”

Ba lt ic look ed a t m e lon g a n d h a r d, a s if h e cou ld see m y

t h ou g h t s. A t len g t h h e m er ely a sk ed, “ W h a t m a k es y ou t h in k I
w a n t Ga br iel?”

I st a r ed a t h im in in com pr eh en sion . If h e didn ’t w a n t t o t r a p

Ga br iel, w h y k idn a p m e?

Fia t ’s body g u a r ds st a g g er ed in t o t h e h ou se w it h Ma g ot h .
Ba lt ic, on ce a g a in on h is w a y ou t of t h e r oom , h esit a t ed a s h e
look ed a t t h e dem on lor d, t h en spu n a r ou n d t o g iv e m e a
qu est ion in g look .

“ Su r ely y ou k n ow by n ow t h a t I n ev er t r a v el a n y w h er e
w it h ou t m y lit t le posse,” I sa id, n oddin g t ow a r d Ma g ot h .

He didn ’t a ppr ecia t e m y jok e, w h ich w a s fin e, a s I didn ’t

a ppr ecia t e h is k idn a ppin g u s.

“ Let u s see if y ou a r e st ill la u g h in g t om or r ow ,” w a s a ll h e sa id

befor e lea v in g t h e r oom .

“ T om or r ow ? Y ou n ev er a n sw er ed m e a bou t w h a t y ou h a v e
pla n n ed for u s. Ba lt ic! Da m n h im .” I ca lled a ft er h im , m ov in g
t ow a r d t h e door t o follow h im . His m en block ed m y w a y , bot h of
t h em la r g e en ou g h t h a t it g a v e m e pa u se. I ey ed t h em for a
secon d, t r y in g t o decide if I cou ld t a k e t h em bot h on in dr a g on
for m , a n d w h a t r eper cu ssion s su ch a n a ct m ig h t h a v e, w h en
Fia t ex ploded.

“Che caz z o s tai dicendo?” h e sn a r led, m a k in g m e g la d for a

m om en t I didn ’t spea k t h e la n g u a g e. He pu sh ed pa st m e t o flin g
open t h e side door t h a t Ba lt ic h a d ju st u sed t o lea v e, a n d
scr ea m ed a ft er t h e ot h er dr a g on , “Nes s uno m e lo ficca in culo!”

Jim look ed sh ock ed.

“ On a pr ofa n it y sca le of on e t o t en , h ow ba d w a s w h a t Fia t ju st

sa id?” I a sk ed t h e dem on soft ly .

“ Fift een .”

“ Ou ch .” I g r a bbed Cy r en e a n d pu lled h er ou t of t h e w a y w h en
Fia t spu n a r ou n d, h is fa ce bla ck w it h a n g er a s h e st or m ed pa st
u s. On ly h e didn ’t pa ss u s—h e v eer ed off a n d g r a bbed m e by t h e
a r m , in st ea d.

“ I w ill n ot t oler a t e t h is! Y ou a r e m y pr ize, n ot h is! If h e t h in k s

h e ca n t r ea t m e a s a m in ion , h e w ill soon see ju st w h a t a for ce I
a m ,” h e g r ow led a s h e h a lf dr a g g ed m e a cr oss t h e r oom .

“ A ck !” Cy r en e y elled, du ck in g beh in d m e despit e t h e fa ct t h a t

Fia t w a sn ’t ev en t ou ch in g h er . “ It ’s st a r t ed! He’s t r y in g t o st ea l
m e! He t h in k s y ou a r e m e!”

“Fanculo,” Fia t spa t a t h er , ba ck h a n din g h er a t t h e sa m e t im e,

sen din g h er r eelin g ba ck w a r ds in t o t h e w a ll.
 T h e dr a g on sh a r d w ou ld h a v e bu r st in t o a ct ion , bu t m y ow n
t em per w on ou t . Befor e Cy r en e ev en h it t h e w a ll, I h a d m y
da g g er ou t a n d w a s pr essin g t h e t ip of it in t o h is t h r oa t , r ig h t
w h er e h is ju g u la r v ein pu lsed. “ No on e,” I sa id in a v oice h oa r se
w it h a n g er , “ no one h u r t s m y t w in .”

Fia t sh ift ed, t h e flesh ben ea t h m y bla de g oin g fr om beig e t o

blu e in a n in st a n t . He sw u n g a h ea v y sca led a r m a t m y h ea d,
bu t I du ck ed, in st in ct iv ely sh a dow in g . T h e r oom w a s w ell lit ,
bu t n ot so br ig h t t h a t I w a s en t ir ely obv iou s w h en sh a dow ed.
“ Jim , pr ot ect Cy ,” I or der ed, fla t t en in g m y self on t h e floor for a
few secon ds w h en Fia t spu n a r ou n d sea r ch in g for m e, h is t a il
w h ippin g ov er m y h ea d by t h e ba r est of in ch es.

W it h iden t ica l sh ou t s of a n g er , Fia t ’s t w o body g u a r ds dr opped

Ma g ot h ’s u n con sciou s body a n d sh ift ed in t o dr a g on for m , a s
w ell. I scu r r ied ou t of t h eir w a y , t r y in g t o st ick t o t h e less-lit
a r ea s of t h e r oom , bu t t h a t idea w en t t o h ell in a h a n dba sk et
w h en Ba lt ic’s t w o a t t en da n t s, w h o h a d been or der ed t o t a k e u s
dow n st a ir s, a lso sh ift ed. I m a de a m en t a l n ot e t h a t t h ey w er e
bla ck in color , n ot w h it e lik e Ba lt ic.

“ It ’s a dr a g on pa looza ,” Jim sa id, st a n din g g u a r d ov er Cy r en e

a s sh e pu sh ed h er self u p in t o a sit t in g posit ion , sh a k in g h er
h ea d.

“ Ma y lin g ?” sh e ca lled, sea r ch in g for m e, squ ea k in g in h or r or

w h en on e of t h e bla ck dr a g on g u a r ds lu n g ed t ow a r d h er . He w a s
h ea din g for Fia t ’s m en , h ow ev er , lea pin g on t h e ba ck of t h e on e
n a m ed Ren a ldo. T h e t w o of t h em w en t dow n in a flu r r y of
sca les, cla w s, dr a g on fir e, a n d scr ea m s t h a t ech oed dow n t h e
len g t h of t h e lon g h a ll. T h e secon d bla ck dr a g on t a ck led t h e
ot h er blu e body g u a r d w h en h e w en t t o sa v e h is bu ddy , t h e
for m er y ellin g som et h in g in w h a t I a ssu m ed w a s Zila n t .
 T h e dr a g on sh a r d dem a n ded I sh ift a n d con fr on t Fia t , w h o
w a s st a n din g in t h e cen t er of t h e r oom , peer in g a r ou n d for m e. I
pr essed m y self deeper in t o t h e sh a dow ca st by a h u g e sideboa r d,
k n ow in g t h a t h e w ou ld see m e if h e spen t a n y t im e ex a m in in g
t h e a r ea .

“ Com e ou t h er e, cara,” h e ca lled, h is v oice a lm ost n or m a l—

a lm ost . “ I t old y ou w h a t w ou ld h a ppen if y ou w er e t o h ide fr om
m e.”

T h e lig h t s in t h e r oom su dden ly dim m ed. Cy r en e st ood a t a

pa n el n ea r t h e en t r a n ce, pu n ch in g off a r ow of lig h t s a s fa st a s
sh e cou ld. Jim w a s a t on e of t h e h u g e w in dow s, h a u lin g closed
h ea v y da r k blu e dr a per ies. Bless t h em , t h ey w er e t r y in g t o g iv e
m e a n ev en pla y in g g r ou n d.

“ A n d let y ou t a k e ou t on m e t h e fa ct t h a t y ou ’r e pissed a t
y ou r boss?” I ca lled t o Fia t a s h e spu n a r ou n d, st a r t in g t ow a r d
Cy r en e. I h a d t o g et h is a t t en t ion ba ck on m y self. “ I’m n ot t h a t
st u pid, Fia t .”

He t u r n ed ba ck t ow a r d m e, la sh in g ou t w it h h is t a il a s
Ren a ldo a n d on e of t h e bla ck dr a g on s r olled pa st h im , blood
st a in in g t h e floor w it h sm ea r ed, in k y st r ea k s. I u sed t h e
oppor t u n it y pr ov ided by t h e dist r a ct ion t o r a ce a cr oss t o t h e
ot h er side of t h e r oom , deep in t h e sh a dow s n ow , t h a n k s t o Jim .

“ He is n ot m y boss,” Fia t sn a r led, h is h ea d sw eepin g ba ck a n d

for t h a s h e sea r ch ed for m e. “ Open t h ose dr a pes so I ca n see h er ,”
h e sn a pped a t h is m en , bu t t h ey w er e t oo in v olv ed t o do a s h e
com m a n ded.

“ No? Y ou su r e t a k e or der s fr om h im a s if h e w a s. Ju st w h a t is
y ou r con n ect ion w it h h im , Fia t ? Do y ou t h in k h e’ll h elp y ou
r et a k e con t r ol of t h e blu e dr a g on s?” I in ch ed m y w a y dow n t h e
lon g r oom , a w a y fr om Cy r en e.

“ I h a v e n o n eed for a n ot h er sept ,” Fia t a n sw er ed, t a k in g t h e

ba it . His ey es bu r n ed w it h blu e in t en sit y a s h e sea r ch ed t h e
sh a dow s for m e, slow ly follow in g . “ I a m w y v er n of t h e r ed
dr a g on s.”

“ I t h in k y ou ’ll fin d Ch u a n Ren w ill disa g r ee w it h t h a t . Sh e’s

ba ck , y ou k n ow . Oh , bu t y ou m u st k n ow —Ga br iel sa id y ou w er e
h idin g fr om h er .” I sa id t h e la st w it h deliber a t ion , k n ow in g Fia t
w ou ld n ot t a k e su ch a blow t o h is eg o w it h ou t r ev en g e.

He sn a r led a n d lea ped for w a r d, su dden ly n ot m or e t h a n a foot

a w a y fr om m e, h is fin g er s dig g in g deep in t o m y t h r oa t . I g a sped
a n d g r a bbed h is h a n d w it h bot h of m in e, t r y in g t o ea se t h e
in t en se pr essu r e on m y t h r oa t .

“ If Ba lt ic did n ot w a n t y ou a liv e, I w ou ld k ill y ou r ig h t h er e

for t h a t in su lt ,” h e g r ow led, h is t a il slidin g a r ou n d m y leg s t o
h old t h em in a v ise. I cou ldn ’t r ea ch m y da g g er , cou ldn ’t g et
en ou g h of a pu r ch a se on t h e floor t o fig h t h im , cou ldn ’t ev en
dr a w a br ea t h . Spot s da n ced la zily in fr on t of m y ey es a s I st a r ed
silen t ly in t o h is.

Sh ift ! t h e dr a g on sh a r d dem a n ded, a n d w it h n o ot h er ch oice, I

did so. I t r ied t o sh ov e h im off m e, t ea r in g desper a t ely a t t h e
fin g er s so deep in t h e flesh of m y n eck t h ey m u st su r ely be
t ou ch in g , bu t despit e m y bein g in dr a g on for m , h is st r en g t h
w a s ju st t oo m u ch for m e.

“ T h en a g a in , t h e plea su r e it w ou ld g iv e m e t o k ill y ou w ou ld
fa r ou t w eig h Ba lt ic’s displea su r e a t t h e a ct ,” Fia t h issed, h is fa ce
sh ov ed in t o m in e. T h er e w a s m a dn ess in h is ey es, m a dn ess a n d
a bloodlu st t h a t sca r ed m e t o dea t h . His fa ce w a s beg in n in g t o g o
g r a y , t o lose focu s, a n d I r ea lized w it h a sh ock t h a t h e w a s
k illin g m e, cu t t in g off blood a n d ox y g en t o m y br a in , a n d t h a t I
w ou ld n ev er see Ga br iel a g a in .

“ Lov e spor t w it h ou t m e? T h is w ill n ev er do. I m u st in sist on

h a v in g t h e pr em ier e r ole in it , a lt h ou g h if y ou beg n icely ,
per h a ps w e’ll a llow y ou t o join in , a s w ell.”

T h e v oice t h a t spok e bey on d Fia t w a s cool, bu t a bit r a g g ed

a bou t t h e edg es. It h a d t h e desir ed effect , h ow ev er —Fia t jer k ed
h is h ea d t o see w h o w a s beh in d h im , bu t h e w a sn ’t fa st en ou g h .
Ma g ot h sw u n g a h u g e a n dir on sh a ped lik e a pea cock in fu ll
displa y a t Fia t ’s h ea d, con n ect in g w it h a h or r ible sm a sh ed-
m elon sou n d.

Fia t st a r ed a t h im in su r pr ise for a m om en t befor e h e

cr u m pled t o t h e g r ou n d, blood spr a y in g in a fin e a r c on t h e
w ood t iles ben ea t h h im .

T h e la st t h in g m y br a in r eg ist er ed befor e t h e bla ck n ess

en v eloped m e w a s Ma g ot h ’s sm ile.
 Ch a pt er T w elv e

“ T h e sh a dow w or ld is n ot r ea lly so m u ch a w h ole differ en t w or ld

a s it is sim ply a n ex t en sion of w h a t w e k n ow a s r ea lit y . It g oes
by m a n y n a m es, a n d ca n be a ccessed by a n u m ber of m et h ods—
fa e folk a r e pa r t icu la r ly com for t a ble t h er e, a lt h ou g h t h ey r efer
t o it a s t h e bey on d, w h ich , n ow t h a t I t h in k a bou t it , is a pr et t y
g ood descr ipt ion of w h a t it is. It is bey on d. Not h in g m or e,
n ot h in g less.”
“ W h y a r e y ou t ellin g m e t h is?”

T h e v oice t h a t spok e w a s m a le, deep, sm oot h a s silk on w a t er ,

a n d ju st h ea r in g it m a de m e sm ile. It t ook a few m in u t es befor e
t h e m ea n in g of w h a t t h e v oice sa id filt er ed t h r ou g h t h e
bem u sem en t t h a t h eld m e so t ig h t ly . Slow ly , in ch by in ch , m y
body cea sed floa t in g on a n in fin it ely soft bed of obliv ion , a n d
r et u r n ed t o t h e dom a in of m y m in d. I r ea lized w it h a n odd st a r t
t h a t t h e fir st v oice t h a t h a d spok en w a s m in e.

My ey es popped open t o beh old a fa ce lea n in g ov er m e,

w a t ch in g m e w it h a m ix t u r e of a m u sem en t , desir e, a n d r elief.
“ Ga br iel?”

“ Y ou r w it s h a v e r et u r n ed. I w a s con cer n ed t h a t y ou h a d

su ffer ed som e t r a u m a .”

T h er e w a s a cer t a in t r a n slu cen t qu a lit y t o t h e fa ce t h a t h a d

m y spir it s dr oppin g . “ W e’r e in t h e sh a dow w or ld, a r en ’t w e?”

T h e a m u sem en t left h is ey es. “ Y es. Y ou w er e u n con sciou s.

W h a t h a ppen ed?”

Im a g es fla sh ed in m y m in d, of a h ou se so per fect , so

a st ou n din g ly desir a ble, it left m e sa liv a t in g . “ T h e h ou se. I w a n t
t h e h ou se. Agathos daim on, h ow I w a n t t h e h ou se. Y ou ’d lik e it ,
t oo, Ga br iel. T h er e is a la w n so sm oot h it cou ld be m a de of sa t in ,
a n d t r ees a n d flow er s a n d w h a t look ed lik e it w a s a m a ze w h er e
w e cou ld r u n a n d h ide a n d m a k e lov e ou t in t h e open . W e
w ou ldn ’t h a v e t o sw im in t h e la k e if y ou didn ’t w a n t t o. Bu t y ou
w ou ld lik e t h e m a ze.”

“ Y es,” h e a g r eed solem n ly . “ I w ou ld lik e a m a ze. I w ou ld lik e

t o m a k e lov e t o y ou ou t side, w it h t h e su n sh in in g dow n on y ou r
lov ely flesh . I w ou ld a llow y ou t o m a k e lov e t o m e u n der t h e
st a r s, w it h t h e cool n ig h t a ir ca r essin g y ou r deliciou s lit t le
br ea st s a s y ou a r ch ed a bov e m e, r idin g m e, y ou r h ips m ov in g in
t h a t w a y t h a t dr iv es m e in sa n e, a n d w h en y ou sh a dow ed w it h
y ou r clim a x , I w ou ld k n ow t h a t y ou r ea lly w er e m y lit t le n ig h t
bir d, m y w in t ik i.”

“ I w a n t t o m a k e lov e t o y ou r ig h t n ow ,” I sa id, m y fin g er s

t w it ch in g im pot en t ly , desper a t ely w a n t in g t o t ou ch h im , t o
pu ll h im dow n on t o m e. I n eeded t o feel h is m ou t h on m in e, t o
ca t ch h is br ea t h a s I t ou ch ed h im , t o t a st e h im a s h e en t er ed m y
body . T h e n eed for t h e h ou se w a s t a n g led u p som eh ow w it h m y
n eed for h im , bu t h e w a s on ly a pr oject ion in t o t h e sh a dow
w or ld, n ot r ea lly h er e. “ I w a n t t o t ou ch y ou , Ga br iel. I w a n t t o
slide m y self a cr oss y ou r ch est , t a st in g y ou , st r ok in g y ou r lov ely
w a r m flesh . I w a n t t o h a v e for epla y . I w a n t t o t a k e y ou in m y
m ou t h lik e w e’v e t a lk ed a bou t , bu t n ev er seem t o be a ble t o do
beca u se y ou dr iv e m e t ot a lly a n d com plet ely w it less t h e secon d
y ou t ou ch m e. I w a n t y ou bu r ied so deep in side m e, I ca n feel
y ou r h ea r t bea t .”

Ga br iel g r oa n ed a n d closed h is ey es for a m om en t , h is h a n ds

fist s a s h e k n elt n ex t t o m e. “ Do y ou h a v e a n y idea w h a t y ou ’r e
doin g t o m e? I’m n ot n ea r y ou , Ma y . I’m n ot ev en in t h e sa m e
cou n t r y a s y ou , a n d y et I’m h a r d a n d bu r n in g for y ou r h ea t .”

I w a s silen t for a m om en t a s t h e la st sh r eds of m y w it s t h a t

h a d been sca t t er ed by Fia t ’s a t t em pt t o k ill m e g a t h er ed u p a n d
coa lesced in t o m y n or m a l r ea son . “ W h er e a r e y ou ?”

“ Fr a n ce. I w ill be h om e soon . I w ill be in y ou r a r m s soon er .

W h a t h a ppen ed t o y ou ?” He r ea ch ed for m e, a s if h e w er e g oin g
t o st r ok e t h e h a ir fr om m y ch eek , h is h a n d fist in g a g a in a s h e
dr opped h is a r m t o h is side.

“ Fia t t r ied t o k ill m e.”

He w a s so st ill t h a t for a m om en t I t h ou g h t h e h a dn ’t h ea r d
m e.

“ T h en h e w ill die for t h a t folly .”

I sm iled, w a r m ed t o t h e t ips of m y t oes by t h e cold, icy t h r ea t

in h is v oice. “ He didn ’t su cceed.”

“ So I g a t h er ed. Fia t ? Y ou a r e su r e, Ma y lin g ?”

“ Qu it e.”

He sw or e. “ How did h e slip pa st u s? W e w er e w a t ch in g a ll

m ea n s of t r a n spor t a t ion , m on it or in g a ll t h e por t a lin g
com pa n ies.”

“ I h a v e n o idea , bu t h e’s defin it ely h er e, a n d Kost y a w a sn ’t

w it h h im .”

“ W h a t h a ppen ed?”

I g a v e h im a br ief r u n dow n of t h e ev en t s t h a t led u p t o u s

m eet in g Fia t in t h e ba r . “ Fia t m or e or less w en t off, a n d pick ed
m e a s a lik ely r ecipien t of h is spleen v en t in g . A n d m u ch a s it
dist r esses m e t o a dm it it , h e m ig h t h a v e su cceeded if I h a dn ’t
been r escu ed.”

Ga br iel w a t ch ed m e for a few secon ds, em ot ion r u n n in g so

h ig h in h im I cou ld sw ea r I felt it ev en ov er t h e dist a n ce I k n ew
sepa r a t ed u s. “ W h o r escu ed y ou ?”

“ I n ev er believ ed I’d ev er a ct u a lly h a v e ca u se t o sa y t h ese

w or ds, bu t Ma g ot h sa v ed m e. He cosh ed Fia t ov er t h e h ea d w it h
a n eig h t een t h -cen t u r y a n dir on in t h e sh a pe of a pea cock , w h ich
I h a v e t o a dm it is som ew h a t fit t in g . Ga br iel, it ’s n ot Kost y a Fia t
is w or k in g w it h —it ’s Ba lt ic. He’s h er e. T h is is a ct u a lly h is h ou se.
How or w h y h e g ot Fia t t o k idn a p u s is bey on d m e.”

Ga br iel st iffen ed. “ W h er e is t h is h ou se?”

“ A bou t t w o h ou r s ou t side of Lon don .” I descr ibed t h e r ou t e

w e’d t a k en ou t of Lon don . “ Ba lt ic sa id h e a n d Y solde desig n ed t h e
h ou se. He sa id sh e w a s g oin g t o h a v e a n a ccept a n ce cer em on y
h er e.”

“ I a m less in t er est ed in h ist or y t h a n I a m in w h y Ba lt ic h a s

t a k en y ou ,” Ga br iel sa id g r im ly . He g la n ced ov er h is sh ou lder .
“ Do n ot m ov e. I w ill r et u r n in a m in u t e or t w o.”

I la u g h ed a s I look ed a r ou n d m e. Du r in g t h e con v er sa t ion

w it h Ga br iel, I’d t a k en in t h e su r r ou n din g s. Ev en t h ou g h I w a s
in t h e sh a dow w or ld, it r et a in ed en ou g h sim ila r it y t o t h e r ea l
w or ld t h a t I k n ew ex a ct ly w h er e I w a s—in t h e bow els of t h e
h ou se, deep dow n in a dim ly lit , ea r t h -w a lled r oom t h a t ser v ed
a s a du n g eon .

I slid off t h e t a ble u pon w h ich I’d been sit t in g , a n d ex a m in ed

t h e pr ison . T h er e w a s on e sm a ll door set a t t h e fa r w a ll, n o
w in dow s, a n d on ly t h e fa in t est flick er a n d bu zz fr om a ba r e
elect r ic lig h t ov er h ea d. A lt h ou g h som et im es t h e sh a dow -w or ld
v er sion of a n en v ir on m en t cou ld look sig n ifica n t ly differ en t
fr om w h a t w e k n ew a s r ea l, t h er e w a s n on e of t h a t feel a bou t
t h is r oom . T h e a n g les w er e a ll t r u e, n ot slig h t ly off, a s w a s
fr equ en t in t h e sh a dow w or ld. T h er e w er e a t a ble a n d t h r ee
ch a ir s, a ll br ok en a n d ly in g in a h ea p in t h e cor n er . T h e r oom
w a s m u st y a n d ea r t h y sm ellin g , bu t t h er e w a s a n a cid n ot e t o
t h e a ir t h a t h a d m y n ose w r in k lin g . I cou ldn ’t fig u r e ou t qu it e
w h a t it w a s, t h ou g h , a n d t ook a few t en t a t iv e sn iffs t o see if I
cou ld pin poin t t h e or ig in s.

“ It is fea r , lit t le bir d,” Ga br iel sa id beh in d m e.

I spu n a r ou n d. He look ed t ir ed a n d depr essed, t h e lig h t in h is

n or m a lly sh in in g ey es dim m ed som ew h a t . “ W h a t ’s fea r ?”

“ T h e scen t y ou sm ell. I r ecog n ize it .”

“ Ug h . W h a t ’s w r on g ?” I a sk ed, w a n t in g t o soot h e a w a y t h e
dist r ess I cou ld see in h is h a n dsom e fa ce.

T h e look h e g a v e m e spok e v olu m es. “ My m a t e h a s been t a k en

by a n ot h er w y v er n , m y h ou se dest r oy ed, m or e t h a n six t y
dr a g on s a r e dea d by t h e h a n d of a w y v er n I sh ou ld h a v e st opped
lon g a g o, a n d Ch u a n Ren is bein g u n u su a lly difficu lt .”

“ Sor r y . T h a t w a s a st u pid qu est ion . Don ’t w or r y a bou t m e—I

w ill g et u s ou t of h er e ju st a s soon a s I m a k e su r e ev er y on e is
u n h a r m ed. A s for Fia t —h e’s n ot y ou r r espon sibilit y , Ga br iel.
He’s a big boy , a n d k n ow s w h a t h e’s doin g . Don ’t t a k e u pon
y ou r self a n y bla m e t h a t sh ou ld lie solely on h is h ea d.”
 Ga br iel w a s silen t for a m om en t , h is h a n d r a ised t o t ou ch m y
ch eek . I felt n ot h in g bu t t h e fa in t est of br eezes, h ow ev er . “ If I
sa id it w a s m y job t o r escu e y ou , w h a t w ou ld y ou sa y ?”

I k issed t h e a ir w h er e h is pa lm w a s. “ I’d t ell y ou t o st op bein g

silly , a n d h u r r y u p a n d com e h om e so w e ca n r e-for m t h e h ea r t
a n d g et r id of t h e sh a r d on ce a n d for a ll.”

“ I h a v e a ler t ed t h e ot h er s t o t h e fa ct t h a t Fia t h a s slipped

t h r ou g h ou r fin g er s,” h e a n sw er ed. “ Do n ot do a n y t h in g r a sh ,
m a t e.”

I sm iled a t t h e r ou g h n ot e h is v oice h a d t a k en . “ I lov e y ou ,

t oo.”

Ca u t iou sly , I slipped ou t of t h e sh a dow w or ld, bu t I r ea lly h a d

n o n eed of cov er t n ess.

“ Ma y lin g !” Cy r en e sa id a s I st epped a w a y fr om t h e w a ll, ou t of

t h e deepest sh a dow s I h a d in st in ct iv ely sou g h t . Relief dr ipped
fr om h er v oice. “ T h er e y ou a r e. Ha v e y ou fou n d a w a y ou t ?”

I st epped ov er a pr on e for m , t h en a secon d on e. “ W h a t on

ea r t h h a ppen ed h er e?” I a sk ed, ig n or in g Cy r en e’s qu est ion .

“ Y ou r t w in t old Fia t t h a t it w a s Ma g ot h w h o slu g g ed h im ,”

Jim sa id fr om w h er e it sa t on Fia t ’s ch est . “ So t h e F-m a n st a r t ed
du k in g it ou t w it h Ma g ot h , scr ea m in g h e w a s g oin g t o h a v e
r ev en g e, on ly Ma g s is a bit la ck in g in t h e pow er depa r t m en t , so
w h en Fia t w en t a ll dr a g on on h im , Cy a n d I decided w e’d bet t er
ev en t h in g s u p.”

I look ed fr om t h e t w o m en spr a w led u n con sciou s on t h e floor

t o Cy r en e. “ So y ou h it t h em bot h ov er t h eir r espect iv e h ea ds?”
 “ No, of cou r se n ot ,” Cy r en e sa id, pu llin g h er self u p w it h a n
in dig n a n t sn or t . “ W h a t do y ou t a k e m e for ? I a m a n a ia d! I a m
dev ot ed body a n d sou l t o t h e w or t h y a n d a lt r u ist ic ca u se of
ben efit in g t h e pla n et ! My bein g , m y v er y r ea son for ex ist en ce, is
t o bet t er t h e w or ld for m or t a lk in d. For y ou t o ev en su g g est t h a t
I w ou ld do som et h in g so h ein ou s, so ev il, a s ba sh som eon e ov er
t h e h ea d ju st beca u se h e w a s a n n oy in g a n d w ou ld n ot sh u t u p
n o m a t t er h ow m u ch I t h r ea t en ed h im is t h e pu r est sla n der .
Pures t s lander!”

I w a it ed for a m in u t e. “ A r e y ou fin ish ed?”

“ Not qu it e.” Sh e t ook a deep br ea t h . “ I w ou ld n ev er do

a n y t h in g t o h a r m a n y on e. Ev er !”

I let t h e silen ce sa y it a ll.

“ I a m g ood,” sh e sa id w it h m u ch dig n it y . “ I a m n ot in t h e
lea st bit ba d.”

“ Y ea h , ’ca u se h oldin g som eon e dow n w h ile a dem on lor d bea t s

t h e sn ot ou t of h im isn ’t ba d a t a ll,” Jim sa id, sn ick er in g .

“ Holdin g som eon e’s a r m s is n ot t h e sa m e a s h oldin g t h em

dow n ,” Cy r en e sa id w it h a g la r e a t t h e dem on .

“ Y u h -h u h . I see n ow w h y y ou a n d Ma g ot h h ook ed u p.”

“ Oh !” Cy r en e sa id, ou t r a g ed.

“ En ou g h bick er in g , y ou t w o.”

“ I didn ’t h old Fia t dow n ,” Cy r en e r ea ssu r ed m e. “ I ju st h elped

Ma g ot h g et a t in y lit t le edg e.”
 “ W h a t ev er . Ca n w e m ov e on ?” I a sk ed.

“ T h a t ’s w h y y ou w er e da n cin g a r ou n d y ellin g , ‘Sm a sh t h e t a r

ou t of h im , Ma g s!’ t h e w h ole t im e?” Jim a sk ed.

Cy r en e g a sped. “ Lies! Sca n da lou s lies! Y ou t a k e t h a t ba ck !”

Jim m a de a m ot ion t h a t on a h u m a n w ou ld be a sh r u g . “ OK,

OK, don ’t g et y ou r pa n t ies in a w a d. I t a k e it ba ck . Ma g ot h didn ’t
bea t t h e sn ot ou t of Fia t . T h er e w a s en ou g h left in h im t o br a in
Ma g ot h a few t im es on t h e r a ck ov er t h er e befor e Cy r en e bopped
h im u pside t h e h ea d w it h a ca t .”

Cy r en e, t o m y ex t r em e su r pr ise, w a s h oldin g a r u st -st a in ed

ca t -o’-n in e-t a ils, sw in g in g it g en t ly fr om side t o side. “ T h a t w a s
pu r ely self-defen se, a n d t h u s doesn ’t fa ll u n der t h e h ea din g of
ba d,” sh e sa id, g iv in g t h e ca t a lit t le t w ir l. “ I k n ew if Fia t h a d
m e a lon e, h e’d t r y t o cla im m e.”

I let t h e cla im in g com m en t g o a n d ey ed m y t w in for a few

secon ds. “ W h y t h e su dden em ph a sis on bein g g ood? Oh , Cy .
Y ou ’r e n ot in t r ou ble a g a in , a r e y ou ?”

“ No,” sh e sa id qu ick ly , bu t h er g a ze dr opped. “ Not r ea lly . It ’s

ju st t h a t Nept u n e is st ill a bit a n n oy ed a bou t t h a t w h ole t h in g
w it h let t in g m y spr in g g et t a in t ed w h ile I w a s t a k in g ca r e of
Kost y a , a n d w h en h e g a v e it ba ck t o m e la st m on t h , h e m a de m e
sw ea r t h a t I w ou ldn ’t do a n y t h in g t h a t cou ld be con sider ed
det r im en t a l t o eit h er t h e Ot h er w or ld or t h e m or t a l w or ld for a
y ea r , or h e’ll t a k e a w a y t h e spr in g per m a n en t ly . A n d y ou k n ow
I cou ldn ’t let h im do t h a t .”

“ No, of cou r se n ot ,” I sa id, m en t a lly g iv in g k u dos t o Nept u n e.

Per h a ps h e cou ld con t r ol m y w ild t w in w h er e I cou ld n ot .
 “ He r ea lly is t h e m ost u n r ea son a ble of per son s, y ou k n ow .
He’s a ll blon d a n d su r fer boy , a n d h a s t h ose lov ely w h it e t eet h ,
a n d r ea lly im pr essiv e biceps, bu t h e’s n ot a t a ll a s
sca t t er br a in ed a s h e look s. A n d I sw ea r h e h a s it in for m e. He’s
a lw a y s pick in g on m e.”

I let t h a t com m en t g o, t oo, a n d focu sed on w h a t w a s

im por t a n t . “ W e n eed t o g et ou t of h er e. Door ?”

“ Bolt ed fr om t h e ot h er side,” Jim sa id, g et t in g u p off Fia t a n d

sh a m blin g ov er t o m e, n u zzlin g m y h a n d for a m om en t befor e
cock in g a ca n in e ey ebr ow . “ A n y ot h er br ig h t idea s?”

I g la n ced a r ou n d t h e r oom . “ Not r ea lly . Cy , is t h er e a n y t h in g

y ou ca n do?”

“ Flood t h e r oom ?” sh e a sk ed, a lso look in g a r ou n d.

“ T h a t w ou ld do n ot h in g bu t dr ow n u s.”

Sh e st illed for a m om en t , h er ey es closed a s sh e open ed h er self

u p t o t h e ea r t h . “ T h e pon d is t oo sh a llow , a n d t h e st r ea m is a t it s
low est pea k . Neit h er sou r ce w ou ld be effect iv e a g a in st t h e
fou n da t ion of t h e h ou se. Ot h er t h a n t h ose t w o, t h er e a r e n o
sou r ces of w a t er n ea r by t h a t I cou ld u se.”

“ Da m n .” I ey ed Jim . “ I k n ow dem on lor ds ca n m ov e t h r ou g h

spa ce t h e w a y dem on s ca n , bu t I don ’t k n ow h ow t o do it . Do y ou
h a v e a n y poin t er s?”

“ Y ea h . Don ’t do it .”

“ W h y n ot ?” I a sk ed t h e dem on .

It sh ook it s h ea d. “ A islin g t r ied it a n d g ot pr oscr ibed. I don ’t

t h in k y ou w a n t t o en d u p t h a t w a y , beca u se it w ou ld g iv e Ba el
som e sor t of con t r ol ov er y ou , w h a t w it h y ou bein g bou n d t o
Ma g ot h a n d a ll.”

“ Good poin t ,” I sa id, r elu ct a n t ly r elea sin g t h e idea of u sin g

t h e da r k pow er . “ W h a t w e n eed is for a dem on t o r ip open t h e
fa br ic of spa ce for u s so w e cou ld lea v e.”

“ W e h a v e a dem on ,” Cy r en e sa id, poin t in g t o Jim .

“ No ca n do,” it a n sw er ed, sh a k in g it s h ea d. “ I’d lik e t o, bu t I

ca n ’t . Got t a h a v e a dir ect or der fr om m y dem on lor d. My real
dem on lor d, n ot som eon e w it h t h e t em por a r y a bilit y t o
com m a n d m e.”

“ Da m n ,” I sa id a g a in , t h in k in g fu r iou sly . “ W e cou ld w a it for

Ga br iel t o sa v e u s, bu t t h a t cou ld t a k e lon g er t h a n w e h a v e.”

“ T h er e’s Ma g ot h ,” Cy r en e sa id, pok in g h im w it h t h e t oe of h er

sa n da l. He m oa n ed g en t ly .

“ I a m n ot g iv in g h im h is pow er s w h ile h e’s in t h e m or t a l

w or ld,” I sa id h a st ily .

“ No, n ot a ll of t h em —ju st t h e a bilit y t o t r a v el t h r ou g h r ips

a n d su ch .”

I t h ou g h t a bou t t h a t for a m in u t e, t h en look ed a t Jim . “ Is t h a t

possible?”

“ Ma y be for som eon e w h o w a s fa m ilia r w it h t h e pow er , a n d

h a d a fir m g r ip on it , bu t y ou ?” It m a de a lit t le fa ce. “ Nope. Not
doa ble.”

“ W h a t a bou t Jim ?” Cy r en e a sk ed br ig h t ly .
 “ I ju st t old y ou I ca n ’t do t h a t w it h ou t a dir ect or der —”

“ No, n o,” sh e in t er r u pt ed, t u r n in g t o m e w it h a su n n y sm ile.

“ W h a t if y ou g iv e Jim Ma g ot h ’s pow er s? T h en it ca n open u p a
r ip for u s a n d w e ca n esca pe.”

“ Lea v in g Jim in fu ll possession of a dem on lor d’s pow er s,” I

poin t ed ou t .

“ I a m so beh in d t h a t idea ,” Jim sa id.

“ W ell, I’m n ot . Cy —it ’s a dem on . A s in … dem on.”

“ W h y do people a lw a y s t a lk a bou t m e lik e I’m n ot h er e?” Jim

a sk ed n o on e in pa r t icu la r .

“ It ’s a g ood dem on ,” sh e poin t ed ou t .

Sh e h a d a poin t . Not a big on e, bu t it w a s a poin t . I ey ed Jim

for a few m om en t s, a m u sed despit e m y self by t h e big pu ppy dog
ey es it w a s g iv in g m e. “ No,” I sa id, decidin g it w a s ju st t oo big of
a r isk . “ I ca n ’t do it .”

“ Oh , for h ea v en ’s sa k e, t h en g iv e t h e pow er s t o m e,” sh e sa id,

disg u st ed.

“ Y ou ? Miss ‘I a m t h e pu r est t h in g t h a t ev er w a lk ed on t w o
leg s’? T h e on e w h o pledg ed a n oa t h t o n ot do a n y t h in g w r on g for
t h e n ex t y ea r ? I bet Nept u n e w ou ld t a k e a dim v iew of a
pr oscr ibed n a ia d.”

Sh e w h om ped m e on t h e a r m . “ I’m a n elem en t a l bein g , silly .

W e ca n ’t be pr oscr ibed.”

“ Y ou ca n ’t ?” I’d n ev er h ea r d t h a t befor e. “ Sin ce w h en ?”

 “ Sin ce a lw a y s. W h y do y ou t h in k I su r v iv ed Ma g ot h
en t h r a llin g m e? A t h r a ll k ills m ost bein g s, bu t n ot u s.
Elem en t a l bein g s a r e pa r t icu la r ly r esist a n t t o da r k pow er s.
Ev er y on e k n ow s t h a t .”

“ I didn ’t k n ow ,” I sa id slow ly , w ish in g for a secon d t h a t

doppelg a n g er s w er e con sider ed elem en t a l bein g s.

“ W ell, n ow y ou do. A n d don ’t pu ll Nept u n e on m e a g a in —

u sin g t h e pow er t o g et u s ou t of h er e is a g ood a ct , n ot ba d. He
ca n ’t sa y a t h in g a bou t it .”

“ Y es, bu t w h o’s t o sa y t h a t y ou w on ’t in a dv er t en t ly u se t h e
pow er s in som e ot h er w a y ?”

Sh e st r a ig h t en ed u p, g iv in g m e a look t h a t w a s a lm ost
in t im ida t in g . “ I a m ov er a t h ou sa n d y ea r s old, Ma y lin g . I t h in k
I ca n h a n dle a lit t le dem on ic pow er .”

I w a sn ’t con v in ced, bu t a ft er a n ot h er t w en t y m in u t es of
a r g u in g t h e poin t , I con ceded t h a t t h er e r ea lly w a s n o ot h er
opt ion , a n d pr oceeded t o—r elu ct a n t ly , a n d w it h m a n y dir e
w a r n in g s r eg a r din g t h e m isu se t h er eof—t r a n sfer t h e pow er t o
h er .

“ T h is is g oin g t o be so h a n dy ,” Cy r en e sa id, h er v oice filled

w it h ex cit em en t a s Jim g u ided h er t o t h e pr oper pr ocedu r e for
t ea r in g open t h e fa br ic of spa ce. “ I ca n ’t believ e I n ev er t h ou g h t
of doin g t h is befor e. No m or e fly in g , Ma y lin g ! No m or e lon g lin es
a t a por t a l st a t ion . No m or e t r a in s a n d ca r s a n d sh ips! Ju st a r ip
a n d a t ea r , a n d a sh ov e t h r ou g h t h e fa br ic, a n d v oilà ! In st a n t
t r a n spor t a t ion .”

Sh e sw u n g h er h a n ds a r ou n d a s sh e spok e, t ea r in g off lit t le

st r ips of r ea lit y .

“ Don ’t for g et t o focu s on w h er e y ou ’r e g oin g ,” Jim w a r n ed,

du ck in g a s on e of h er sw in g s w en t a bit w ild. “ Y ou h a v e t o k eep
t h a t focu s or y ou ’ll en d u p in T im bu k t u . Ma n a liv e! Y ou a lm ost
t ook off m y ea r !”

“ Sor r y . Focu sin g .” Her fa ce scr u n ch ed u p a s sh e h eld a n

im a g e in h er m in d. “ Now t ea r ?”

“ Y ea h .” Jim r et r ea t ed ba ck t o w h er e I st ood, w ell ou t of h er

r ea ch . “ Y ou do k n ow t h a t t h er e’s g oin g t o be a pr ice t o pa y for
t h is, r ig h t ?”

“ W h a t do y ou m ea n , a pr ice?” sh e a sk ed, h er ey es st ill

scr ew ed t ig h t a s sh e r ea ch ed ou t blin dly t o select ju st t h e r ig h t
possibilit y , t h e t h r ea ds of loca t ion t h a t w ou ld t a k e u s w h er e sh e
w a n t ed.

“ Da r k pow er isn ’t fr ee. Y ou u se it , y ou pa y a pr ice.”

“ I’m elem en t a l—”

“ Y ea h , y ea h , y ou ca n ’t be pr oscr ibed, bu t y ou st ill pa y a

pr ice.”

On e of h er ey es popped open a s I a sk ed, “ W h a t sor t of a pr ice?

It ’s n ot h in g da n g er ou s, is it ?”

W or r y g a t h er ed in m y belly . Ha d I ju st don e som et h in g

ex t r em ely st u pid?

T h e dem on sh r u g g ed. “ W on ’t k n ow u n t il y ou u se it .”

“ I’m a n elem en t a l bein g ,” Cy r en e sa id w it h a sh a k e of h er

h ea d a s sh e r ea ch ed ba ck ou t t o fin d t h e t h r ea ds sh e w a n t ed.
“ T h er e’s n ot h in g da r k pow er ca n do t o m e.”

“ Fa m ou s la st w or ds, eh ?” Jim sa id fiv e m in u t es la t er a s it

r elea sed Ma g ot h ’s feet . I h ea v ed t h e u pper pa r t of h im on t o m y
bed in A islin g ’s y ellow bedr oom , a n d let h im dr op w it h a n
a u dible g r u n t .

“ A n d I t h ou g h t Fia t w a s h ea v y ,” I g r u m bled, r u bbin g m y

ba ck a s I st r a ig h t en ed u p. Fia t w a s spr a w led, st ill u n con sciou s,
on t h e a r m ch a ir n ex t t o t h e bed. I m a de su r e bot h m en w er e st ill
ou t befor e I t u r n ed t o look a t m y t w in , flin ch in g ju st a lit t le a s
t h e lig h t h it h er fu ll on .

Cy r en e st a r ed in h or r or a t h er r eflect ion in t h e sm a ll m ir r or
n ex t t o t h e door . On e h a n d r ose slow ly t o t ou ch h er h a ir . “ It ’s …
w h it e. I’m …”

“ Bla ck ,” Jim sa id, g iv in g h er a v isu a l on ce-ov er .

Sh e t u r n ed t o look a t m e, h er ex pr ession fr ozen . “ My ey es …”

“ Or a n g e,” I sa id, t r y in g t o a bsor b t h e n ew look t o m y t w in . “ I

t h in k y ou ’v e don e a flip color w ise, Cy . A ll t h e color s a r e
r ev er sed. Y ou r sk in is n ow v er y da r k br ow n , y ou r h a ir is w h it e,
a n d y ou r on ce-blu e ey es a r e or a n g e. It ’s a n in t er est in g look .”

“ T h a t ’s on e w a y of pu t t in g it ,” Jim sa id, it s h ea d t ipped a s it

con sider ed h er . “ It ’s lik e y ou ’r e a n eg a t iv e im a g e of y ou r self.
Fu n .”

Sh e blin k ed a t m e w it h t h ose eer ie ey es a n d t h en open ed t h e

door , h er fa ce st ill fr ozen in sh ock . “ I n eed w a t er . Lot s of w a t er .
I’ll be in Dr a k e’s pool.”
 “ I ju st h ope A islin g isn ’t dow n t h er e g iv in g bir t h ,” I sa id a s
sh e t ot t er ed off.

Jim cock ed it s h ea d. “ No scr ea m in g . Besides, sh e w a s g oin g t o

do t h a t in t h e big t u b befor e sh e ch a n g ed h er m in d a n d decided
on som e sor t of big ch a ir w it h a h ole in t h e sea t .”

“ Bir t h in g ch a ir s a r e v er y com m on , I believ e. I su ppose I’d

bet t er g o t ell Dr a k e h e h a s a g u est .”

“ Y ea h , I’d bet t er ch eck on A sh a n d let h er k n ow w e’r e ba ck .

Sh e w or r ies a bou t t h a t sor t of t h in g , a n d t h a t ’s pr oba bly n ot t oo
g ood for h er r ig h t n ow .”

I r u ffled t h e dem on ’s h ea d a s I follow ed it in t o t h e h a ll. “ Ju st

w h en I g et t h in k in g y ou ’r e n ot h in g bu t a pa in in t h e bu t t , y ou
g o a n d sh ow y ou ’r e ju st a big soft y .”

“ Lov e y a , t oo, ba be,” it sa id, r u bbin g it s h ea d on m e a s w e

h ea ded dow n t h e h a llw a y .
 Ch a pt er T h ir t een

I k n ew t h e secon d Ga br iel en t er ed Dr a k e’s h ou se. T h e a ir

t h ick en ed, a n d seem ed t o v ibr a t e w it h en er g y . I fr oze, t h e w or ds
I h a d been spea k in g dr y in g u p on m y lips.
“ Ma y ? A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ?” A islin g a sk ed. Sh e w a s t u ck ed in t o
bed, w it h Dr a k e lou n g in g beside h er , bot h of t h em w it h
a t t en t iv e ex pr ession s on t h eir fa ces a s I t old t h em a bou t ou r
a dv en t u r es w it h Fia t a n d Ba lt ic.

I lea ped t o m y feet , ev er y n er v e in m y body su dden ly t in g lin g

a s I r a ced ou t of t h e r oom a n d dow n t h e st a ir s. Beh in d m e, I
cou ld h ea r A islin g a sk in g Dr a k e w h a t w a s g oin g on .

“ Her m a t e is h er e.” His v oice dr ift ed ou t a ft er m e, bu t I pa id

lit t le m in d t o m y ba d m a n n er s, in t en t on on ly on e t h in g .

Ga br iel m et m e h a lfw a y u p t h e st a ir s, a fr a n t ic, desper a t e

look in h is bea u t ifu l ey es. I flu n g m y self off t h e t op of t h e st a ir s
on t o h im , k n ock in g h im ba ck w a r ds in t o t h e w a ll, m y a r m s a n d
leg s w r a ppin g a r ou n d h im a s I k issed ev er y in ch of h im m y
m ou t h cou ld r ea ch .

“ Ma t e,” h e g r ow led, h is n or m a lly lov ely v oice r ou g h w it h

n eed, dr a g on fir e r u n n in g h ig h w it h in h im . His m ou t h bu r n ed
m in e, lit er a lly bu r n ed it , w h en I du g m y fin g er s in t o t h e
fa m ilia r soft dr ea dlock s a n d su ck ed h is t on g u e a s it did a n
en t icin g lit t le da n ce in m y m ou t h .

“ Good ev en in g , Ma y ,” a m a le v oice sa id g en t ly .

It w a s a n effor t , bu t I m a n a g ed t o st op k issin g Ga br iel’s fa ce

lon g en ou g h t o g r eet h is secon d body g u a r d. “ Ev en in g , T ipen e.
Ma a t a ’s in t h e a t t ic. Nice t o h a v e y ou ba ck .”

He bow ed, st r u g g lin g t o k eep h is fa ce st r a ig h t a s I r et u r n ed t o

k issin g Ga br iel, t h e scen t a n d feel of h im fillin g m y m in d t o t h e
ex clu sion of ev er y t h in g else.

“ Fia t ’s h er e,” I sa id in bet w een k isses, squ ir m in g a g a in st h is

body w h en h is h a n ds st r ok ed dow n ov er m y beh in d. “ A islin g
h a sn ’t h a d h er ba by . Cy h a s Ma g ot h ’s dem on lor d pow er s. I n eed
y ou . Right now !”

“ I n eed y ou , t oo, m a t e,” h e g r ow led, h is ey es scor ch in g m e a s I

g a v e m y self u p t o a n ot h er on e of h is br ea t h -defy in g k isses, t h e
dr a g on sh a r d h u m m in g t o it self a s it m a de su g g est ion s, t r y in g
t o for ce m e t o sh ift .

I g r oa n ed w h en Ga br iel bit m y ea r , h is r a g g ed br ea t h t h e
sw eet est m u sic I’d ev er h ea r d. His body w a s t en se a n d h a r d, a n d
I k n ew h e w a s ju st a s a r ou sed a s I w a s. Dr a g on s, I r em em ber ed,
h a d a n ov er w h elm in g n eed t o cla im t h eir m a t es w h en t h ey h a d
been sepa r a t ed, a policy I w h oleh ea r t edly em br a ced. I t r ied t o
peel m y self off Ga br iel so w e cou ld a t lea st g o t o m y r oom , bu t
h is scen t , t h a t w oodsy , ea r t h y , pr im a l scen t t h a t m a de m y sou l
sin g , set m e a lig h t . I r ea r ed ba ck , m y leg s st ill w r a pped a r ou n d
h is w a ist , a n d r ipped t h e bla ck r a w -silk sh ir t r ig h t off h is body .

“ I m issed y ou so m u ch ,” I a lm ost sobbed, k issin g a h ot lin e

a cr oss h is ch est . He m oa n ed, h is fin g er s dig g in g in t o m y beh in d
a s I t ook on e a dor a bly per t lit t le n ipple in m y m ou t h , a n d
br ea t h ed fir e on it .

T h e dr a g on sh a r d dem a n ded I g iv e in t o it , t o do t h in g s t o h im
t h a t w ou ld be im possible in h u m a n for m , bu t I w a s det er m in ed
t o be in con t r ol.
 “ Ma t e, y ou m u st st op or I’ll t a k e y ou r ig h t h er e on t h e st a ir s,”
Ga br iel m a n a g ed t o sa y , h is v oice a lm ost h oa r se w it h desir e. His
body w a s u r g en t a g a in st m in e, a t h ou sa n d lit t le t ou ch es
spea k in g w or dlessly of h is em ot ion s, of h is n eeds.

I u n lock ed m y leg s a n d slid dow n h is body , pa n t in g w it h t h e

effor t , a llow in g m y ey es t o fea st on h im . He w a s so bea u t ifu l, so
u n iqu ely w on der fu l, it m a de m e w a n t t o w eep w it h joy . He w a s
m in e, a ll of h im , ev er y la st lit t le bit of h im , ev er y t h in g fr om
t h ose g lit t er in g a r g en t ey es t o m obile lips t h a t w er e t h e sw eet est
on ea r t h , r ig h t on dow n h is body , ev er y sin g le pa r t of h im m a de
t o sa t isfy m e.

“ I m u st h a v e y ou n ow ,” h e sa id r ou g h ly , pick in g m e u p a n d
lea pin g u p t h e st a ir s. “ I ca n ’t w a it , lit t le bir d. Y ou w er e t a k en
fr om m e—I ca n ’t w a it . W h ich r oom a r e w e in ?”

“ T h ir d floor ,” I st a r t ed t o sa y , t h en r em em ber ed t h a t
a lt h ou g h Dr a k e h a d r em ov ed Fia t t o a secu r ed r oom dow n st a ir s,
h e h a d left Ma g ot h ly in g a cr oss m y bed. “ Da m m it ! Ma g ot h is
t h er e.”

Ga br iel pa u sed a t t h e h ea d of t h e st a ir s, t u r n in g fir st on e

w a y , t h en a n ot h er . “ T h er e m u st be a r oom w e ca n u se. Sit t in g
r oom ?”

“ T oo pu blic. Jim t en ds t o w a n der a t n ig h t .”

“ Dr a k e’s st u dy .”

“ Dr a k e is oft en u p a t a ll h ou r s fet ch in g som et h in g for

A islin g .”

His fin g er s t ig h t en ed on m e. “ Kit ch en .”

 “ Ist v á n a n d h is g ir lfr ien d sleep r ig h t off t h e k it ch en . T h ey ’d
h ea r a n y t h in g w e did t h er e—”

He g r ow led, a ct u a lly g r ow led. “ T h er e h a s t o be som ew h er e!”

“ T h er e’s t h e pool, bu t I t h in k Cy r en e is g oin g t o be t h er e for a

v er y lon g t im e.”

“ Ga h !”

I slid ou t of h is a r m s, t h e em ot ion s a n d im a g es pou r in g ou t

fr om t h e dr a g on sh a r d fin a lly t oo m u ch for m e. I t ook a st ep
ba ck fr om h im , m y fin g er s cu r lin g in t o fist s, t h e sh a r p cla w s
bit in g in t o m y pa lm s a s I look ed a w a y for a m om en t , t r y in g t o
g a t h er t h e st r en g t h I w ou ld n eed.

“ I w ill a sk A islin g ,” Ga br iel st a r t ed t o sa y , bu t a s h e w a lk ed

pa st m e, I slid a h a n d dow n h is ba ck . He fr oze, h a lf-t u r n in g
t ow a r d m e, h is ey es so br ig h t t h ey w a r m ed m y sou l.

I lea n ed t ow a r d h im a s if I w a s g oin g t o k iss h im , pu r sin g m y

lips t o blow a br ea t h on h is m ou t h , in st ea d.

His ey es w iden ed a s h e r ea lized w h a t I w a s doin g . “ Ma t e?”

I t u r n ed m y ba ck on h im , w a lk in g t o t h e st a ir s, t h e dr a g on
sh a r d ch eer in g w it h in m e.

“ Ma t e,” h e sa id a g a in , h is v oice a n oct a v e low er , t h e w or d so

fu ll of sex u a l in t en t I a lm ost clim a x ed r ig h t t h er e.

Ha lfw a y dow n t h e st a ir s I t h r ew a look ov er m y sh ou lder . He

w a s st ill st a n din g in t h e sa m e spot a s if r oot ed t h er e, h is body
t a u t , h is ey es a g low , a sm a ll r in g of fir e a r ou n d h is feet . I
sm iled.
 He su ck ed in h is br ea t h .

“ I lov e y ou ,” I t old h im ju st befor e I spu n a r ou n d a n d lea ped

dow n t h e la st of t h e st a ir s.

A ch a llen g in g r oa r ech oed t h r ou g h t h e h ou se a s I r a ced dow n

t h e da r k en ed h a llw a y , dr iv en by t h e u r g es of t h e dr a g on sh a r d,
bu t for a ch a n g e fu lly in con t r ol of it . It w a n t ed m e t o pla y w it h
Ga br iel, t o t r ea t h im a s if I w er e a dr a g on , t o in it ia t e lov e pla y ,
a n d so I w ou ld—bu t on m y t er m s. Dr a g on pla y , I h a d lea r n ed
ov er t h e la st few m on t h s, in v olv ed ch a ses. Fem a les fled; m a les
pu r su ed. It w a s a ll v er y ch a u v in ist ic, m y m oder n m in d
t h ou g h t a s I da sh ed t h r ou g h t h e h a ll in t o a pit ch -bla ck k it ch en ,
sea r ch in g fr a n t ica lly for a n ex it —bu t it w a s t h e w a y of t h e
dr a g on s, a n d Ga br iel lov ed it . He lov ed h u n t in g m e, a n d I lov ed
bein g fou n d. Usu a lly t h e dr a g on sh a r d ov er w h elm ed m e,
for cin g m e in t o dr a g on for m for t h e ch a se, bu t t h is t im e, I h a d it
fir m ly in con t r ol.

“ Y ou ca n n ot h ide fr om m e, lit t le bir d,” I h ea r d Ga br iel ca ll.

He w a s close, t oo close. I ca u g h t a br ief h in t of h is scen t , a n d
r a ced t h r ou g h t h e door t h a t led t o t h e ou t side of t h e h ou se,
pa u sin g for a m om en t t o con sider t h e la y ou t of t h e a r ea .

“ Y ou w ish t o t oy w it h m e? T o dr iv e m e in sa n e w it h desir e for

y ou ? Y ou do n ot h a v e t h a t fa r t o g o, Ma y lin g , w h ich y ou w ill
r ea lize on ce I fin d y ou .” His v oice w a s r ich w it h bot h pr om ise
a n d pa ssion . I sh iv er ed in r espon se.

I h a d t o fin d a spot for u s, som ew h er e w it h pr iv a cy ,

som ew h er e w e bot h cou ld g iv e v en t t o t h e em ot ion s r u n n in g so
h ot ly t h r ou g h u s.

“ Pa r k ,” I sa id soft ly t o m y self, r em em ber in g t h a t t h er e w a s a

la r g e pa r k ju st a few block s a w a y , on e w it h a sm a ll la k e, a
boa t h ou se, a n d sev er a l bea u t ifu l g a r den a r ea s. Most im por t a n t ,
it w ou ld be closed a t n ig h t , pr ov idin g a silv er -ey ed dr a g on a n d
h is m a t e r oom t o pla y .

I lea ped ov er t h e t r a sh ca n s a n d r a n a r ou n d t h e side of t h e

h ou se t ow a r d t h e st r eet , w h er e la t e-n ig h t t r a ffic dr on ed soft ly in
t h e ba ck g r ou n d, Ga br iel’s v oice ca llin g ou t ov er it . “ Do y ou
t h in k t o lose m e in t r a ffic, m a t e? Do y ou t h in k y ou w ill g et a w a y
fr om m e?”

I sm iled t o m y self a s I r a n a s fa st a s I cou ld, dodg in g t h e

pedest r ia n s a n d ca r s, ig n or in g bot h t h e odd look s a n d occa sion a l
bla st s of h or n s a s I da sh ed a cr oss t h e st r eet s, h ea din g for t h e
bu lk y bla ck ou t lin es of t r ees t h a t I cou ld g lim pse bet w een
bu ildin g s.

“ Y ou h a v e n ev er been a ble t o g et a w a y fr om m e befor e. I h a v e

a lw a y s fou n d y ou , a n d I w ill do so t h is t im e, a s w ell.”

A s if I w a n t ed t o g et a w a y fr om h im . Ha ppin ess sa n g in m y
ea r s, m in g led w it h a h ea lt h y dose of m y libido a s I r a ced t ow a r d
m y g oa l.

“ T h er e w ill be r et r ibu t ion for t h is a ct , y ou k n ow . Gr a v e

r et r ibu t ion .” La u g h t er w a s in h is v oice n ow , la u g h t er a n d a
t en sion t h a t bespok e h is en joy m en t of t h e pla y . I ju st h oped I’d
be a ble t o la st lon g en ou g h t o see t h e ch a se t h r ou g h t o t h e en d,
r a t h er t h a n flin g in g m y self u pon h im a s I w a n t ed.

I fou n d on e of t h e g a t es t o t h e pa r k a t la st . T h e lock ed g a t e
g a v e m e n o t r ou ble, n ot ju st beca u se I didn ’t st op t o u n lock it . I
sim ply sw a r m ed u p t h e w r ou g h t ir on fen ce, lea pin g off t h e t op
t o la n d on m y feet on t h e ot h er side, t a k in g a m om en t t o g et m y
bea r in g s befor e I set off t ow a r d w h a t I r em em ber ed w a s a
t r a dit ion a l En g lish g a r den loca t ed in t h e sou t h ea st cor n er .

“ W ise lit t le bir d. A pa r k . V er y fit t in g . T h er e w ill be n o

w it n esses t o see w h a t it is I w ill do w h en I ca t ch y ou .”

A lit t le r ipple of plea su r e w en t u p m y ba ck a t t h e v elv et edg e

of h is v oice. Beh in d m e, I h ea r d t h e sou n d of m et a l on m et a l, ju st
a s if som eon e else w a s clim bin g t h e g a t e. I sm iled a g a in , a n d
da sh ed pa st t h e boa t h ou se, su dden ly spin n in g 1 8 0 deg r ees t o
r u n a lon g side t h e boa t h ou se, w a din g in t o t h e w a t er a s qu iet ly a s
I cou ld. It w a s cold a g a in st m y n ow -fev er ed flesh , a n d
m om en t a r ily t ook m y br ea t h a w a y . I h eld it for a m om en t , n ot
w a n t in g Ga br iel, w it h h is h eig h t en ed h ea r in g , ca t ch in g t h e
sou n d of m e g a spin g , bu t a ft er w h a t seem ed lik e a n
in t er m in a ble a m ou n t of t im e, I g r ew a ccu st om ed t o t h e cold. I
sw a m ou t u n der t h e dock con n ect ed t o t h e boa t h ou se, clu t ch in g
a pilla r a s I peer ed a r ou n d it t o see w h a t Ga br iel w ou ld do.

I h a d t o w a it on ly a few secon ds t o see. T h e m oon w a s n ot fu ll,

bu t g a v e en ou g h lig h t for m e t o see t h e silh ou et t e of a m a n a s h e
r a ced pa st t h e boa t h ou se. I h eld m y br ea t h a g a in , n ot w a n t in g
h im t o h ea r ev en t h e slig h t est h in t of sou n d.

He pa u sed, obv iou sly scen t in g t h e a ir for m e. “ W h er e a r e y ou ,

lit t le bir d?” h e a sk ed, slow ly t u r n in g a r ou n d t ow a r d t h e
dir ect ion h e ca m e. “ Y ou a r e n ea r , I k n ow . I ca n feel m y fir e in
y ou . T h e br eeze w h isper s y ou r n a m e, so y ou m u st h a v e ju st
pa ssed by h er e. Sh ow y ou r self t o m e, a n d I w ill t a k e m er cy u pon
y ou .”

I g r in n ed. I k n ew h is idea of m er cy w ou ld in v olv e en dless

r a pt u r e for m e, bu t I a lso k n ew ju st h ow m u ch h e en joy ed
a n t icipa t in g t h a t t im e. Silen t ly , I div ed u n der t h e w a t er a n d
sw a m close t o t h e sh or e. He h a d m ov ed a few y a r ds a w a y ,
t a k in g h esit a n t st eps a w a y fr om m e, bu t h e obv iou sly r ea lized it
w a s t h e w r on g dir ect ion .

“ Ma y lin g ,” h e sa id a g a in , h is v oice deep a n d r ich a n d filled

w it h a ll sor t s of pr om ises. “ I a ppr ecia t e y ou r desir e t o pla y w it h
m e, bu t y ou w er e t a k en fr om m e. Ou r sepa r a t ion w a s n ot of ou r
doin g , a n d t h u s I m u st r ecla im y ou .”

I sh a dow ed a n d qu iet ly h a u led m y self ou t of t h e w a t er , on t o

t h e ba n k beh in d h im , st ea lt h ily pick in g m y w a y dow n t h e pa t h
u n t il I w a s a bou t t w en t y y a r ds beh in d h im .

“ Y ou h a v e t o ca t ch m e befor e y ou ca n cla im m e,” I sa id,

desh a dow in g a s I spu n a r ou n d t o r u n for a lin e of t r ees.

He w h ir led ev en a s h e sh ift ed in t o dr a g on for m , h ot on m y

h eels. I r a n a s I’d n ev er r u n , r elish in g t h e m a d bea t in g of m y
h ea r t , m y lu n g s su ck in g in t h e cool n ig h t a ir , a bu r n in g
w a r m t h beh in d m e t h a t I k n ew w a s Ga br iel. He w a s g a in in g on
m e, a n d I cou ldn ’t h elp m y self—I la u g h ed w it h t h e sh eer joy of it
a ll. Moon lig h t a n d dim blu ish w h it e lig h t s fr om n ea r by
st r eet la m ps da ppled t h e g r ou n d a s I w ov e t h r ou g h t h e t r ees,
ca llin g ov er m y sh ou lder , “ Y ou ’r e losin g y ou r t ou ch , Ga br iel.
T h e la st few t im es w e did t h is, y ou h a d m e in u n der t h r ee
m in u t es.”

“ Y ou w ill pa y for su ch in solen ce,” h e a n sw er ed, la u g h in g , a s

w ell. T h e lin e of t r ees w a s en din g , bu t I ca u g h t sig h t of a sm a ll
r ock g a r den t o t h e r ig h t . I m a de a da sh for it , bu t n ev er st ood a
ch a n ce. Silv er fla sh ed in m y per iph er a l v ision , a n d t h en h e w a s
on m e, flin g in g m e t o t h e g r ou n d, h is body t w ist in g in m ida ir ,
cu r lin g a r ou n d m e pr ot ect iv ely so it w a s h im , n ot m e, t h a t h it
t h e h a r d ea r t h . He g r u n t ed a s I la n ded on h im , h is body sh ift in g
ba ck t o t h a t of a h u m a n , h is h a n ds h a r d on m e, a low g r ow l
com in g fr om h is lips ju st befor e t h ey cla im ed m y m ou t h . “ Y ou
h id fr om m e in t h e w a t er . T h a t w a s n ot fa ir .”

“ A ll’s fa ir in lov e a n d dr a g on ch a ses,” I sa id, slidin g m y h a n ds

u p t h e h a r d, w a r m pla n es of h is ch est , n ippin g h is t on g u e.

“ Y ou w ish t o do t h is a s h u m a n s?” h e a sk ed, h is h a n ds bu sily

r em ov in g m y w et clot h in g . I sh iv er ed a lit t le, bot h a t t h e cool
n ig h t a ir on m y flesh a n d a t t h e look in h is ey es.

“ Y es. Lov e m e, Ga br iel. It ’s been so lon g .”

“ T w o da y s,” h e a g r eed, losin g a n y fin esse h e h a d a n d sim ply

sh r eddin g t h e r est of m y clot h es off m y body . “ A n et er n it y .”

“ Sh ou ld w e ev en t r y for for epla y ?” I a sk ed, m oa n in g w h en h is

fin g er s fou n d sen sit iv e flesh . I t u g g ed a t h is belt bu ck le u n t il it
ca m e u n don e, qu ick ly r elea sin g h im fr om h is jea n s.

“ T h e ch a se w a s for epla y ,” h e a n sw er ed a n d, befor e I cou ld

r espon d, lift ed m e u p ov er h im befor e plu n g in g m e dow n . I w a s
r ea dy for h im , m or e t h a n r ea dy , a n d m oa n ed a g a in w h en h e
slid in t o m y body , t h e feel of h im so h a r d a n d in t r u siv e, a n d y et
a t t h e sa m e t im e so v er y m u ch a pa r t of m e. He bu ck ed ben ea t h
m e, h is h a n ds slidin g u p t o m y br ea st s, g en t ly pa lm in g m y
h ig h ly sen sit iv e n ipples u n t il I t h ou g h t I w ou ld com e u n don e.
My ba ck a r ch ed a g a in st t h e sen sa t ion ev en a s m y m u scles
t ig h t en ed a r ou n d h is in t r u sion .

“ Ma y , I’m sor r y … . I m u st … I k n ow y ou w a n t t o do t h is a s
h u m a n s… .” Pa in la ced h is v oice a s h is h ips pis-t on ed u pw a r d
in t o m e.

I lea n ed dow n t o k iss h im . “ Fir e. Giv e m e y ou r fir e, Ga br iel.”

 He sh ift ed t h en , h is body elon g a t in g a n d st r et ch in g , t h e
lov ely w a r m sk in sh im m er in g in t o flow in g silv er sca les. He
lift ed m e off h im , t w ist in g a s h e did so u n t il I w a s on m y k n ees,
w it h h im beh in d m e. I clu t ch ed h is a r m a s h e pa r t ed m y leg s
a n d ca m e in t o m e a g a in , t h e h a r d in v a sion of h im en ou g h t o
pu sh m e ov er t h e edg e. I cr ied ou t h is n a m e a s h e ben t m e dow n ,
h is belly on m y ba ck , h is body m a k in g h a r d, deep t h r u st s in t o
m in e u n t il h e t ipped h is h ea d ba ck a n d bellow ed ou t m y n a m e.

It t ook m e a lon g t im e befor e I w a s a ble t o r a lly m y w it s. I

lift ed m y h ea d a n d look ed ov er m y sh ou lder a t t h e m a n w h ose
body w a s dr a ped pr ot ect iv ely ov er m in e. “ I’m n ot com pla in in g —
t h er e’s a bsolu t ely n ot h in g in y ou r t ech n iqu e t h a t I cou ld fin d
fa u lt w it h ev en if I w a n t ed t o, a n d I don ’t —bu t ju st on ce I t h in k
I’d lik e t o t r y t r a dit ion a l for epla y .”

On e silv er ey e open ed t o con sider m e. Ga br iel’s ch est w a s st ill

h ea v in g a g a in st m y ba ck , t est a m en t t o t h e fa ct t h a t h e w a s a s
ex h a u st ed by ou r lov em a k in g a s I w a s. “ T h a t sou n ds v er y m u ch
lik e dissa t isfa ct ion .”

I r olled on t o m y side so I cou ld fa ce h im , m y h a n ds u n a ble t o

k eep fr om t ou ch in g h is ch est .“ On t h e con t r a r y . It ’s ju st t h a t …
w ell, let ’s t a k e y ou r ch est , for in st a n ce.”

“ I’d r a t h er t a k e y ou r s,” h e sa id w it h a leer , h is h a n ds w a r m

on m y br ea st s.

I t r ied t o su m m on u p a st er n look . “ St op dist r a ct in g m e.”

He sig h ed a n d r olled ov er on t o h is ba ck , h is a r m s open w ide.

“ Y ou ’v e becom e a dem a n din g lit t le bir d t h ese la st few m on t h s.
Y ou w ish t o w or k y ou r fem in in e w iles u pon m y h u m a n for m ?”
 “ Oh y es.” I g ot t o m y k n ees, sit t in g ba ck on m y h eels a s I
look ed ov er t h e v a st pa n oply of m a n ly in g befor e m e. “ Ev er y
t im e I look a t y ou r ch est , I w a n t for epla y .”

“ My ch est ?” He lift ed h is h ea d a n d look ed dow n a t h im self,

t ou ch in g t h e m iddle of it w it h a h a n d. “ W h y ?”

“ It ’s ju st so …” I bit m y low er lip, t h en slid m y h a n d dow n t h e

lov ely cu r v es of h is t or so. In st a n t ly , in t er est lit h is ey es. “ No,” I
t old h is ey es.

“ ‘No’ is n ot t h e w or d I w a n t t o h ea r ,” h e a n sw er ed.

“ No, a s in n o, y ou ’r e n ot g oin g t o dist r a ct m e by m a k in g lov e

t o m e. Y ou t old m e m on t h s a g o w e cou ld do for epla y .”

“ A n d y ou t old m e y ou didn ’t n eed it .”

“ I’v e ch a n g ed m y m in d.” My h a n d m ov ed low er , dow n t o h is

belly bu t t on . He su ck ed in h is br ea t h . “ Besides, ev en y ou r
m ot h er t h in k s w e sh ou ld m a k e t im e for for epla y .”

He g r in n ed a t m e. A n y ot h er m a n w ou ld be sh ock ed or
a ppa lled t h a t h is m ot h er a n d lov er w er e discu ssin g h is sex u a l
t ech n iqu e, bu t Ga br iel w a s n ot a n y ot h er m a n . “ My m ot h er h a s
ex cellen t a dv ice, a lt h ou g h I seem t o r eca ll y ou bein g h or r ified
w h en y ou fou n d ou t I h a d t a lk ed t o h er a bou t m y la ck of con t r ol
w it h y ou .”

“ T h a t w a s ju st beca u se w e w er e n ew ly m a t ed. W e’r e old

h a n ds a t t h is n ow ,” I sa id, sw ir lin g m y fin g er s a r ou n d h is belly
bu t t on . “ Ka a w a sa y s t h a t sh e r a ised y ou t o be con sider a t e of a
lov er , a n d t h a t t h e fa ct t h a t y ou ca n ’t seem t o con t r ol y ou r self
a r ou n d m e spea k s v olu m es a bou t y ou .”
 He m a de a lit t le fa ce. “ Per h a ps, bu t sh e k n ow s t h e w a y of
dr a g on k in . Sh e, a s a m a t e, is a w a r e t h a t t h er e a r e t im es w h en a
dr a g on m u st h a v e h is m a t e in t h e m ost elem en t a l of w a y s.”

“ Y es, bu t w e seem t o h a v e a n a w fu l lot of elem en t a l

ex per ien ces. W h a t I’d lik e is t h e ch a n ce t o ex per ien ce w h a t ot h er
people do.”

“ Y ou m ea n m or t a ls.”

“ A n d im m or t a ls. Non dr a g on im m or t a ls. Y ou r ch est is lov ely ,

Ga br iel. I lik e look in g a t it . I lik e t ou ch in g it . I w a n t t o t a st e it .”

Fir e lit deep in h is ey es a n d body .

“ I w a n t t o t a st e y ou . A ll of y ou . I’v e h ea r d t h a t or a l sex ca n be
m ost g r a t ify in g . I’d lik e t o t r y t h a t .”

He st opped br ea t h in g .

I sm iled a secr et lit t le sm ile a n d ben t dow n t o flick m y t on g u e

ov er h is n ipple. “ It a ll st a r t s w it h y ou r ch est , y ou see, beca u se
it ’s so v er y w on der fu l. It doesn ’t h a v e a h u g e a m ou n t of h a ir ,
bu t it ’s n ot ba r e a s a plu ck ed ch ick en , eit h er .”

“ I’m g la d y ou t h in k so,” h e sa id, h is v oice sou n din g lik e h e

w a s g a r g lin g cem en t . “ I h a v en ’t spen t m u ch t im e t h in k in g
a bou t it .”

“ T h a t ’s a ll r ig h t , beca u se I h a v e.” I pa u sed, st r u ck by a

t h ou g h t . “ Did y ou ch oose t h is for m , t h e w a y a dem on ch ooses
it s? Or did y ou on e da y sh ift t o h u m a n for m , a n d t h is is w h a t
h a ppen ed?”

“ Hu m a n for m is a lw a y s a m a t t er of ch a n ce, ju st a s it is for

m or t a ls,” h e a n sw er ed, su dden ly st illin g , h is ey es g oin g w a r y .
“ Y ou a r e t r ou bled by t h e fa ct t h a t I a ppea r et h n ica lly differ en t
fr om y ou ?”

“ Mor t a ls m a k e m u ch ou t of differ en ces in ou t w a r d

a ppea r a n ce,” I sa id, k issin g t h e su dden dou bt r ig h t ou t of h im .
“ W e a r e n ot t h em . W e bot h look bey on d a m er e for m t o t h e
per son w it h in .”

He r ela x ed, h is h a n ds r ea ch in g for m e a g a in .

“ Ha n ds fla t on t h e g r ou n d, plea se,” I in st r u ct ed, w a it in g u n t il

h e com plied befor e I r ew a r ded h im w it h a n ot h er k iss, on e t o
ea ch dim ple. “ W h er e w a s I? Oh , y es, t h is t r a il of h a ir , n ow ,” I
sa id, st r ok in g t h e silk y lin e of h a ir t h a t g a t h er ed in t h e cen t er of
h is t or so, a n d h ea ded t o r eg ion s sou t h . “ T h is t r a il m a k es m e g o
a ll w ea k in m y k n ees.”

He g r oa n ed, h is ey es sh u t a s I let m y fin g er s w a n der a r ou n d

h is h ips a n d belly , a v oidin g h is r a pidly g r ow in g er ect ion .

I k issed m y w a y dow n h is ch est , sa v or in g t h e sa lt y t a n g of it ,

t a k in g a t en t a t iv e lit t le n ibble on h is r ibs.

“ T h is is g oin g t o k ill m e, Ma y .”

“ No, it isn ’t . Y ou ’r e a st r on g m a n . Y ou ca n do t h is.”

“ I’m n ot a m a n . I’m a dr a g on , a n d dr a g on s t a k e t h eir m a t es

w h en t h ey in sist on t ou ch in g a n d t or m en t in g a n d t a st in g . Dea r
g od. Do t h a t a g a in .”

I ch u ck led a s I dipped m y h ea d dow n t o h is fla n k , lick in g t h e

lov ely in den t a t ion a r ou n d h is h ip join t w it h lon g , sw eepin g
st r ok es of m y t on g u e, a lin e of fir e follow in g m y m ou t h . “ Y ou
see? I k n ew y ou w ou ld en joy t h is.”

His body t w it ch ed a s I k issed a pa t h ov er t o h is belly , pa u sin g

t o bit e it g en t ly , blow in g fir e on it , t oo.

“ I’m sor r y , Ma y . I k n ow y ou w a n t t o do t h is, bu t —”

His h a n ds closed on m y sh ou lder s, obv iou sly r ea dy t o pu ll m e

ov er h im a g a in , bu t I h eld h im ba ck w it h a h a n d on h is fa r -t oo-
delect a ble ch est . “ I ca n see I’m g oin g t o h a v e t o t a k e y ou r
m ot h er ’s a dv ice a ft er a ll.”

His ey ebr ow s r ose. “ W h ich a dv ice?”

“ Sh e t old m e t h a t if y ou cou ldn ’t con t r ol y ou r self, I w ou ld

h a v e t o do it for y ou .”

I cou ld feel h is con fu sion a s I m ov ed a w a y fr om h im a few

y a r ds, dig g in g t h r ou g h t h e w et pock et s of t h e jea n s t h a t look ed
a s if t h ey ’d been t h r ou g h a sh r edder . Lu ck ily , t h e object s I
br ou g h t ou t su r v iv ed Ga br iel’s m et h od of r em ov in g clot h in g .

“ Y ou in t en d t o r est r a in m e?” h e a sk ed a s h e sa w t h e t h in
st r ips of r ope I h eld.

“ Mot h er k n ow s best ,” I sa id w it h a sm ile a s I t ied on e of t h e

r opes a r ou n d h is w r ist . I look ed a r ou n d for som et h in g t o a n ch or
t h e r ope. “ A h , t h a t ’ll do n icely .”

W e w er e close en ou g h t o a t r ee t h a t I cou ld loop t h e r ope

a r ou n d it s n a r r ow t r u n k , t h en ba ck t o Ga br iel, w h er e I t ied it
a r ou n d h is fr ee h a n d, sh or t en in g t h e r ope so t h a t h is h a n ds w er e
pu lled u p t o h is ea r s.

He fr ow n ed. “ Ma y , I a m a w y v er n .”
 “ I k n ow y ou a r e.”

I ch eck ed t h e k n ot s on h is fir st w r ist . T h ey look ed solid.

“ W y v er n s a r e n a t u r a lly dom in a n t . W e do n ot lik e bein g

r est r a in ed.”

“ Mm h m m . Is t h e r ope t oo t ig h t ?”

He con sider ed h is h a n ds, w ig g lin g h is fin g er s. “ No. I t h in k w e

sh ou ld discu ss t h e fa ct t h a t , a bou t t h is, m y m ot h er m a y be
w r on g .”

“ Y ou t h in k so?” I sa t ba ck a n d a dm ir ed m y h a n diw or k . “ I
h a v e t o a dm it , Ga br iel, t h er e is som et h in g st r a n g ely ex cit in g
a bou t seein g y ou spr ea d ou t befor e m e, ev er y g lor iou s in ch of
y ou ju st ly in g t h er e w a it in g for m e t o t ou ch y ou , a n d t h er e’s n ot
a t h in g y ou ca n do a bou t it . Y ou ca n ’t dist r a ct m e, y ou ca n ’t
t ou ch m e, y ou ca n ’t st op m e. Oh , y es. Ka a w a is a g en iu s.”

His fr ow n fa ded a s h e g a v e m e a ja ded look . “ It w ou ld t a k e

m or e t h a n a bit of r ope t o k eep m e fr om t ou ch in g y ou , lit t le
bir d.”

“ Oh , w e bot h k n ow y ou cou ld sn a p t h a t r ope lik e it w a s a piece

of t h r ea d,” I a g r eed. “ Bu t t h a t ’s n ot it s r ea l pu r pose. Y ou ’r e w ell
a w a r e t h a t t h e on ly r ea son I t ied y ou r h a n ds is beca u se it ’s
im por t a n t t o m e t o be a ble t o t ou ch y ou t h e w a y I w a n t t o.”

His ey es g lit t er ed w it h t h e cold lig h t of t h e m oon . “ Y ou did n ot

t ell m e t h a t y ou w er e t r ou bled by t h e m et h od of ou r
lov em a k in g , m a t e. I h a v e a llow ed m y self t o in du lg e in dr a g on
w a y s beca u se y ou bea r t h e sh a r d, a n d t h ou g h t y ou u n der st ood
a n d sh a r ed t h ose plea su r es, bu t I r ea lize t h ey a r e for eig n t o y ou .
I w ill a da pt t o y ou r desir es in t h e fu t u r e.”
 I k issed h im qu ick ly , h is br ea t h h ot on m y lips a s I sa id, “ Don ’t
y ou da r e—I t old y ou I h a d n o com pla in t s, a n d I m ea n t it . T h e
w a y y ou do t h in g s is ju st fin e w it h m e, Ga br iel, a s if y ou w er en ’t
a w a r e t h a t y ou m a k e m e m in dless w it h plea su r e. I ju st w a n t t o
t r y t h is, t oo.”

He g la n ced ov er a t on e of h is bou n d h a n ds, t h en sig h ed. “ V er y

w ell,” h e sa id, let t in g h is h ea d fa ll ba ck t o t h e g r ou n d. “ Pr oceed.
A lt h ou g h I sh ou ld w a r n y ou t h a t I a m u n com for t a ble w it h t h e
idea of bein g bou n d, a n d t h u s a m lik ely t o n ot r espon d t h e w a y I
w ou ld sh ou ld y ou r elea se m e a n d a llow ev en t s t o pr oceed in a
m a n n er befit t in g dr a g —g la r g er n !”

T h e g ibber ish w or d spilled ou t of h im ju st a s I ben t dow n a n d

t ook h im in t o m y m ou t h . Despit e bein g bou n d t o t h e sex iest
dr a g on in t h e h ist or y of t h e pla n et , I h a d n ev er m a n a g ed t o
fu lfill m y w ish t o plea su r e h im w it h m y m ou t h . Un for t u n a t ely ,
on ce I h a d h im in t h a t posit ion , I w a sn ’t t oo su r e of h ow t o
con t in u e.

“ Ga br iel?” I a sk ed a ft er a m om en t of m or e or less r ollin g h im

a r ou n d m y t on g u e.

“ Hr n ?”

“ I’m n ot qu it e su r e w h a t I sh ou ld be doin g . Ma y be y ou cou ld

g iv e m e a lit t le dir ect ion ?”

“ Neff.”

I look ed dow n a t h im . His pen is w a s n ow slick w it h sa liv a ,

w a v in g g en t ly in t h e br eeze a s h is g r oin m u scles t w it ch ed, h is
leg s t a u t , h is belly r ig id. He w a s g r ippin g t h e r ope in eit h er
h a n d, t h e v ein s in h is a r m s st a n din g ou t st a r k ly , g iv in g h in t t o
t h e st r a in of h oldin g h im self st ill for m e.

Lov e filled m e a t su ch self-sa cr ifice. I m a de a m en t a l v ow t o

r ew a r d su ch dev ot ion , a n d ben t t o m y t a sk , decidin g t h a t I’d
ju st t r y ou t a few t h in g s a n d see if I g ot a n y r espon se.

I sw ir led m y t on g u e a r ou n d h im , g en t ly cu ppin g h is t est icles,

ca u sin g h im t o m oa n n on st op, h is h ips bu ck in g u pw a r d.

“ Now , isn ’t t h is fu n ?” I a sk ed, a n a u dible pop sou n din g a s I

pu lled m y m ou t h off h im . “ I’m en joy in g t h is. Y ou t a st e so
w on der fu l, Ga br iel. A ll w oodsy a n d ea r t h y a n d dr a g on n y . Not
a t a ll lik e a u r in a l ca k e, lik e Cy r en e sa id m en t a st e, a lt h ou g h
h ow on ea r t h sh e k n ow s w h a t a u r in a l ca k e t a st es lik e is bey on d
m e. Y ou a r e en joy in g t h is, a r en ’t y ou ?”

He g u r g led a t m e.

“ Good. Cy sw ea r s by som et h in g ca lled Pin k Ma n g o Ma ssa g e

Oil. I t h ou g h t w e cou ld t r y t h a t n ex t . I h a v e a lit t le sa m ple of it
in m y pock et . I t h in k if I dr ibbled it a r ou n d y ou r pen is a n d
slick ed y ou u p—”

I m ov ed ov er t o m y jea n s, r ea ch in g for t h e t in y pla st ic

con t a in er , w h en I w a s y a n k ed ba ck w a r ds, t h e g r ou n d su dden ly
ben ea t h m e, a n d Ga br iel a bov e, sh r edded bit s of r ope t r a ilin g
fr om h is w r ist s. “ My t u r n !”

“ I don ’t n eed t o be r est r a in ed,” I sa id a s h e w r a pped a bit of

r ope a r ou n d fir st on e w r ist , t h en t h e ot h er . “ Ga br iel! T h a t ’s m y
Pin k Ma n g o Ma ssa g e Oil.”

“ Not a n y m or e, m y lit t le t or m en t or ,” h e sa id, sn a t ch in g t h e

pa ck et fr om m y h a n d. He bit off t h e soft pla st ic t op, spit t in g it
ou t befor e dr ibblin g oil in a ser pen t in e pa t t er n dow n m y ch est ,
t o m y g r oin . He g r in n ed, h is dim ples fla sh in g a t m e, ca u sin g
h ea t t o flu sh u pw a r d fr om m y belly . “ Now let u s see h ow y ou
lik e bein g t h e r ecipien t of t h e a t t en t ion of a w y v er n .”

My t oes cu r led a t t h e look h e g a v e m e. He spr ea d t h e m a ssa g e

oil a cr oss m y br ea st s, k n ea din g t h em w it h st r ok es t h a t h a d m e
w r it h in g on t h e g r ou n d.

“ Sh a ll I t ell y ou w h a t I’m g oin g t o do w it h t h is oil? I w ill st a r t

w it h it a t y ou r br ea st s, t h ose t w o delect a ble m ou n ds t h a t fit so
per fect ly in m y h a n ds a n d m ou t h . I sh a ll blow g en t ly on y ou r
deliciou s ch ocola t y n ipples, sa v or in g t h e t a st e of t h em a n d y ou
a s I w h ip y ou in t o a fr en zy . I w ill r u b m y w h isk er s on t h em ,
m a k in g y ou m oa n a n d beg m e t o en d t h e t or m en t . I w ill t a k e
t h em in t o m y m ou t h a n d bit e t h em g en t ly , ca u sin g y ou t o
w r it h e u n con t r olla bly .”

My br ea t h ca u g h t in m y t h r oa t a n d didn ’t seem t o m ov e a s
h is w or ds filled m y h ea d.

“ T h en I w ill spr ea d t h e oil a r ou n d y ou r belly , u sin g it t o

ca r ess a ll of t h ose lov ely cu r v es, ov er t o y ou r h ips, t h e sw eet lin e
of w h ich m a k es m e w a n t t o fa ll t o m y k n ees. Ju st w h en y ou
t h in k y ou ca n bea r it n o m or e, I w ill r u b it low er , in t o y ou r sex ,
ca r essin g it in t o y ou , a ft er w h ich I w ill lick it a ll off. I w ill br in g
y ou t o m y m ou t h , a n d sh ow y ou t h a t t w o ca n pla y a t or a l sex .
A n d t h en , w h en I h a v e w r u n g a t lea st t h r ee m or e or g a sm s ou t
of y ou , I w ill pu sh m y self in t o y ou r Pin k Ma n g o-fla v or ed self,
deep in t o y ou r fier y dept h s, a n d g iv e y ou fu lfillm en t lik e y ou ’v e
n ev er h a d.”

I a lm ost for g ot h ow t o br ea t h e—so ex cit in g w er e t h e im a g es h e

br ou g h t t o m y m in d. My body st r a in ed a g a in st h is t ou ch ,
w a n t in g t o feel a ll of it , a ll of it r ig h t n ow . Bu t t h en h e pu t h is
m ou t h dow n t o m y n ow -h a r d n ipples, a n d I st opped t h in k in g
a lt og et h er . “ Agathos daim on! T h a t ’s … t h a t ’s … oh , m y , y es!
Mor e m ou t h ! Mor e fir e!”

His m ou t h w a s on m y st om a ch , sw ir lin g lit t le cu r licu es of fir e

a r ou n d it a s h e lick ed u p t h e m a ssa g e oil, a n d ev er y t h in g w a s
ju st fin e u n t il I slid m y leg u p a lon g side h is, r u bbin g m y foot
dow n t h e lon g , m u scled lin es of h is ca lf.

He r ea r ed ba ck a s if h e’d been sh ot , st a r ed a t m e w it h ey es of
pu r est m er cu r y , t h en w a s bet w een m y leg s, lift in g m y h ips t o
m eet h is t h r u st , t h e bu r n in g br a n d of h im deep in m y body t h e
m ost ex qu isit e of sen sa t ion s. It t ook ev en less t im e t h a n ou r
pr ev iou s bou t , h is clim a x com in g a lm ost im m edia t ely , w it h
m in e follow in g a s t h e la st ech oes of h is r oa r of com plet ion fa ded
a w a y in t o t h e n ig h t .

I didn ’t r ecov er for a t lea st t en m in u t es, bu t w h en I did, I

cou ldn ’t h elp bu t la u g h .

“ I don ’t ev en h a v e t h e st r en g t h t o open m y ey es t o see w h a t it

is y ou fin d so fu n n y . Y ou h a v e w or n m e ou t , m a t e, a n d t h a t is
n ot som et h in g t h a t h a ppen s fr equ en t ly t o a dr a g on ,” h e sa id,
a n d t h en defied h is w or ds by open in g bot h ey es a n d r ollin g ov er
on t o h is side, pu llin g m e close a g a in st h is body . “ W h a t is it y ou
fin d a m u sin g ?”

I k issed h is n ose, t u g g in g g en t ly on on e dr ea dlock u n t il h e

g a v e m e h is fir e. “ I w a s t h in k in g t h a t t h e people in t h is
n eig h bor h ood a r e g oin g t o r epor t u s if w e k eep it u p. I lov e y ou ,
Ga br iel.”

“ A n d I lov e y ou , m y a dor a ble lit t le dom in a t r ix . I fa iled a t

for epla y a g a in , didn ’t I?”
 “ Y es, bu t I’m n ot com pla in in g .”

He sm iled, a n d it w a s a sm u g sm ile, a pu r ely m a le sm ile, a

g est u r e t h a t a ck n ow ledg ed h is a w a r en ess t h a t h e h a d plea su r ed
m e t o t h e t ips of m y t oes.

I bit h is sh ou lder a n d sn u g g led u p a g a in st h is ch est , a ll

w or r ies t em por a r ily dr iv en a w a y by t h e dr a g on w h o la y cu r led
pr ot ect iv ely a r ou n d m e.
 Ch a pt er Fou r t een

T h e sa n ct u a r y w e h a d fou n d in t h e pa r k en ded w it h t h e sou n d of

a police sir en pa ssin g by . Ga br iel st r et ch ed a n d g en t ly pr ied m e
off h im so h e cou ld g et u p. “ I su ppose w e sh ou ld r et u r n t o Dr a k e’s
h ou se. I w ish t o see Fia t .”
I g r oa n ed a s I sa t u p, m u scles w or n a n d w ell u sed in t h e
v ig or ou s lov em a k in g t h a t w a s so com m on w it h Ga br iel. “ He
w a s con sciou s w h en I w en t t o bed. Ma d a s h ell, bu t con sciou s. I
t h in k Dr a k e w a s g oin g t o w a it u n t il y ou a r r iv ed t o t a lk t o h im .”

“ Dr a k e k n ow s it is m y r ig h t t o k ill h im ,” h e sa id m a t t er -of-
fa ct ly a s h e pu lled on h is pa n t s a n d sh oes.

I look ed w it h dism a y a t t h e r em a in s of m y clot h in g . “ Y ou ’r e

n ot g oin g t o k ill h im . Cr a p. I r ipped y ou r sh ir t off y ou , didn ’t I?
How a m I g oin g t o g et ba ck t o Dr a k e’s h ou se?”

“ W h y sh ou ldn ’t I?” He ig n or ed m y la st qu est ion t o a ddr ess m y

st a t em en t , offer in g m e h is h a n d. I t ook it a n d let h im pu ll m e t o
m y feet .

“ Beca u se y ou ’r e n ot a v in dict iv e per son ,” I sa id, look in g

a r ou n d for a n y t h in g I m ig h t u se a s a cov er in g . He pick ed m e u p
in h is a r m s.

“ Sh a dow . I w ill ca r r y y ou h om e.”

“ T h a t ’s g oin g t o look a lit t le odd,” I poin t ed ou t a s h e st a r t ed

off t o t h e g a t e.

“ It ca n ’t be h elped.”

He w a s silen t a s h e st r ode t h r ou g h t h e st r eet s, k eepin g ou t of

t h e st r eet lig h t s a s m u ch a s possible. He did, in fa ct , g a r n er a few
odd look s fr om pa sser sby a s h e ca r r ied a n a ppa r en t ly in v isible
bu r den , bu t t h e st r eet w a s da r k en ou g h t h a t I dou bt ed if a n y on e
sa w m y n a k ed for m .

Ist v á n open ed t h e door t o Dr a k e’s h ou se. Ga br iel h a d set m e

dow n , st a n din g in fr on t of m e a s t h e lig h t spilled ou t of t h e h ou se
on t o t h e fr on t st eps.

“ Ma y w e bor r ow y ou r sh ir t ?” Ga br iel a sk ed Ist v á n .

T h e g r een dr a g on blin k ed a few t im es, bu t obedien t ly peeled

off h is sh ir t a n d h a n ded it ov er t o Ga br iel, w h o sh ov ed it beh in d
h is ba ck . I t ook it , pu llin g it on ov er m y h ea d, sh iv er in g w it h
t h e cold n ow t h a t I didn ’t h a v e Ga br iel t o w a r m m e.

Ist v á n sa id n ot h in g a s Ga br iel st epped a side a n d I en t er ed t h e

h ou se cla d in on ly t h e sh ir t .

“ It ’s a lon g st or y ,” I t old Ist v á n .

He ju st g r in n ed, closin g t h e door beh in d u s.

“ Is Ma g ot h st ill u n con sciou s?” I a sk ed a s w e h ea ded for t h e

st a ir s.

“ No.” He m a de a fa ce. “ He is w it h Ca t a lin a .”

Ga br iel r a ised h is ey ebr ow s.

“ Y ou don ’t w a n t t o k n ow ,” I t old h im . “ Neit h er , for t h a t

m a t t er , do I. I’m g oin g t o bed.”

Ga br iel didn ’t join m e for a n h ou r , a n d t h en h e h a d on ly ju st

fa llen a sleep befor e it w a s t im e t o w a k e h im u p for t h e s árk ány.
 “ I h a t e t o do it ,” I t old Ka a w a a s w e w a lk ed slow ly u p t h e st a ir s
fr om t h e br ea k fa st r oom . “ He on ly g ot t o sleep a n h ou r a n d a
h a lf a g o, sin ce h e in sist ed on dr a g g in g Fia t fr om h is bed.”

“ Is t h a t w h a t a ll t h a t y ellin g w a s a bou t ?” Ka a w a a sk ed a s w e
r ou n ded t h e la n din g a n d st a r t ed on t h e secon d flig h t . “ I
w on der ed a bou t t h a t w h en I h ea r d h is v oice r a ised in a n g er , bu t
sin ce t h er e w a s n o g en er a l ou t cr y , I a ssu m ed it w a s som e dr a g on
bu sin ess.”

“ He ev iden t ly w en t in t o sca r e t h e cr a p ou t of Fia t , bu t y ou

k n ow h ow h ot h ea ded Fia t is. He t h r ea t en ed t o dism em ber m e, or
som et h in g a lon g t h ose lin es, a n d Ga br iel sn a pped. I w a s g oin g t o
st a y ou t of it , sin ce t h e sig h t of m e seem s t o en r a g e Fia t , bu t
w h en I h ea r d Ga br iel bellow , I decided a ca lm er m in d m ig h t be
n eeded. I g ot t h er e ju st a s Ga br iel t r ied t o deca pit a t e Fia t , bu t
lu ck ily , Dr a k e w a s t h er e a h ea d of m e, a n d h e a n d h is m en , a n d
T ipen e a n d Ma a t a , m a n a g ed t o pu ll Ga br iel off Fia t befor e h e
cou ld do a n y t h in g m or e t h a n slice h im u p a bit .”

“ I ca n ’t t h in k of t h e la st t im e Ga br iel t r u ly lost h is t em per ,”

Ka a w a sa id a s w e r ea ch ed t h e t op of t h e st a ir s. W e pa u sed
ou t side t h e door t o m y r oom . “ How v er y u n u su a l of h im .”

I sa id n ot h in g for a m om en t , r em em ber in g h ow Ga br iel

w ielded a sh a dow sw or d a g a in st Ba lt ic. “ He r ea lly n eeds h is
sleep, bu t I g u ess t h er e’s n ot h in g for it bu t t o w a k e h im u p.”

I h a d m y h a n d on t h e door w h en Pá l em er g ed a t t h e fa r en d of
t h e h a ll. “ T h er e y ou a r e,” h e sa id, com in g u p t o u s. “ Dr a k e
w ish es t o see y ou .”

“ Now ?” I g la n ced a t Ka a w a ’s w a t ch . “ I h a v e t o g et Ga br iel u p

for t h e s árk ány. How ’s Fia t , spea k in g of t h a t ?”
 He m a de a fa ce. “ He h ea led.”

“ Fig u r es.”

“ Dr a k e sa id it w a s m ost u r g en t ,” Pá l u r g ed.

I follow ed h im dow n a flig h t of st a ir s t o A islin g ’s bedr oom .

“ —t h e m ost u n r ea son a ble, a r r og a n t , st u bbor n dr a g on in t h e

w h ole en t ir e h ist or y of dr a g on s—oh , Ma y , t h a n k g od. A v oice of
sa n it y . W ill y ou plea se t ell t h is der a n g ed w y v er n I’v e m a r r ied
t h a t it ’s per fect ly sa fe for m e t o r ide in a ca r ?”

Pá l m elt ed a w a y , closin g t h e door qu iet ly a ft er h a v in g

deliv er ed m e t o t h e r oom . I look ed fr om a n obv iou sly dist r a u g h t
A islin g t o Dr a k e, st a n din g st oic a n d silen t in t h e m iddle of t h e
r oom , h is a r m s cr ossed, a n d ov er t o Jim , w h o la y on a la r g e dog
bed set a g a in st t h e w in dow , ev iden t ly pla y in g w it h a h a n dh eld
g a m e dev ice.

“ Didn ’t I t ell y ou t o st a y ou t of A islin g ’s w a y ?” I a sk ed it .

“ Y ea h , bu t sh e sa id I cou ld st a y in h er e so w e cou ld pla y ou r

PSPs t og et h er . A h , da m n . Y ou m a de m e cr a sh in t o Da r t h V a der .
Now I h a v e t o st a r t t h is lev el ov er a g a in .”

A look in Dr a k e’s ey es w a r n ed a g a in st t h e flip com m en t I w a s

g oin g t o m a k e a bou t dr a g on s bein g ov er pr ot ect iv e. Per h a ps
t h er e w a s a r ea son h e w a n t ed A islin g a t h om e ot h er t h a n
g en er a l st u bbor n n ess. “ I a ssu m e y ou ’r e peev ed beca u se h e’s
in sist ed y ou ca n ’t g o t o t h e s árk ány?”

“ Bin g o,” Jim sa id, look in g u p fr om it s g a m e con sole. “ Giv e t h e

g ir l a cig a r .”
 “ I’m h is da m n ed m a t e,” sh e sa id, g la r in g a t Dr a k e, h er h a n ds
on h er h ips. “ He’s m a de su r e I a m dr a g g ed off t o ev er y ot h er
dr a g on ev en t , bu t n ow h e is bein g t ot a lly a n d com plet ely
u n r ea son a ble!”

“ Bea n sa id t h e ba by h a d t u r n ed. Y ou cou ld g o in t o la bor a t

a n y m om en t ,” Dr a k e sa id, h is ey es som ew h a t w a r y .

I bit ba ck a sm ile. “ Bea n t h e m idw ife?”

A islin g n odded. “ Sh e’s a lov ely per son , r ea lly , bu t sh e’s

a dm it t ed h er self t h a t sh e’s n ev er dea lt w it h a h u m a n h a v in g a
dr a g on ba by , a n d t h a t t h e t im elin e is a bit off beca u se of t h a t . So
t h er e is n o r ea son w h a t soev er I sh ou ld n ot g o t o t h e s árk ány.”

“ Y ou a r e n ot lea v in g t h e h ou se,” Dr a k e sa id fir m ly . Sh e t ook a

deep br ea t h , obv iou sly a bou t r ea dy t o y ell. He h eld u p a h a n d t o
st op h er , a ddin g qu ick ly , “ Sin ce it m ea n s so m u ch t o y ou t o be
t h er e, a n d m or e im por t a n t ly , sin ce I a m u n w illin g t o lea v e y ou
a t t h is t im e, w e w ill br in g t h e s árk ány t o u s.”

A islin g blin k ed a t h im a cou ple of t im es, h er m ou t h a ja r

slig h t ly . “ Y ou ’r e h a v in g it h er e?” sh e a sk ed, clea r ly a st ou n ded.

I k n ew h ow sh e felt . A s árk ány, so Ga br iel h a d t old m e, w a s a

for m a l m eet in g of w y v er n s, u sed t o a ddr ess issu es of t h e g r a v est
im por t a n ce. T h ey w er e som et im es v ola t ile m eet in g s, on es t h a t
cou ld h a v e dea dly r eper cu ssion s, su ch a s t h e on e t h a t h a d been
h eld w h en Ba lt ic st or m ed in , h is g u n s lit er a lly bla zin g .

“ I t h ou g h t it w ou ld plea se y ou ,” Dr a k e sa id sm oot h ly .

“ Oh . W ell … it does plea se m e.” Sh e g a v e h im a blin din g sm ile.

Jim click ed it s t on g u e a n d w en t ba ck t o pla y in g it s g a m e
m a ch in e. “ I k n ew y ou cou ld be r ea son a ble if y ou t r ied. I sh ou ld
pr oba bly g o ch eck w it h Su za n n e t o m a k e su r e w e h a v e som e
sn a ck s a n d bev er a g es. Jim ! Heel.”

“ Bu t I’m a bou t t o g o a ft er V a der ,” it com pla in ed, sh a m blin g

a ft er h er . “ Y ou ’r e ju st pissed beca u se y ou ca n ’t m a k e it pa st t h e
Y oda lev el.”

I w a it ed u n t il t h e t w o of t h em w er e dow n t h e h a ll a n d ou t of
ea r sh ot befor e I t u r n ed ba ck t o Dr a k e. “ I a ssu m e Ga br iel t old y ou
a bou t w h a t h e a n d t h e ot h er s fou n d?”

His ex pr ession t u r n ed da r k . “ It w a s n ot Kost y a .”

I st u died h is fa ce for a m in u t e. Dr a k e w a s a h a r d m a n , I
su ppose t ech n ica lly h a n dsom e, w it h br ig h t g r een ey es, da r k
h a ir , a n d a n obst in a t e ja w , bu t h e w a sn ’t w h a t I t h ou g h t of a s
pa r t icu la r ly flex ible. He w a s, I su spect ed, v er y loy a l.

It w a s for t h a t r ea son I pick ed m y w or ds w it h ca r e. “ I fin d it

difficu lt t o believ e t h a t Kost y a w ou ld do som et h in g so h ein ou s,
bu t Ga br iel in sist s t h a t Kost y a w a s seen . Ha v e y ou spok en t o
h im ?”

“ Kost y a ?”

I n odded.

Dr a k e’s ex pr ession g r ew bla ck er . “ Br iefly . I t old h im t h e

s árk ány w a s m ov ed t o t h is h ou se, a n d a sk ed if a ll w a s in
r ea din ess on h is en d. He a ssu r ed m e it w a s. I do n ot fea r for t h e
sa fet y of A islin g w it h h im a r ou n d, if t h a t is w h a t y ou a r e so
ca r efu lly h in t in g . He is m y br ot h er . I k n ow h im . He h a s been
t or t u r ed a n d t or m en t ed for m a n y deca des, a n d h e h a s m u ch
da r k n ess in side h im , bu t h e w ou ld n ot a ct in t h e w a y Ga br iel
su g g est s.”
 T h er e w a sn ’t m u ch I cou ld sa y a bou t t h a t . I h a ppen ed t o
a g r ee w it h h im , bu t I w a s v er y cog n iza n t of t h e fa ct t h a t I w a s
ex pect ed t o sh ow n ot h in g bu t su ppor t for Ga br iel’s decision s.
A lt h ou g h I felt a cer t a in a m ou n t of len ien cy t ow a r d t h a t
a r ch a ic r u le cou ld be sh ow n w h ile I w a s a r ou n d Dr a k e a n d
A islin g , I didn ’t w a n t t h em t h in k in g I w ou ldn ’t ba ck u p Ga br iel
n o m a t t er w h a t ch oices h e m a de.

T h e fa ct t h a t I’d sim ply per su a de h im a w a y fr om doin g

a n y t h in g st u pid w a s beside t h e poin t .

“ I ju st h ope y ou h a v e a lot of g r een dr a g on s w h o ca n k eep

ev er y on e civ il,” I sa id. “ If Kost y a is pla n n in g on br in g in g h is fu ll
deleg a t ion , a n d t h e ot h er w y v er n s br in g t h eir m em ber s, t h e
h ou se is g oin g t o be v er y , v er y fu ll.”

“ W e w ill open u p t h e dow n st a ir s r oom s,” Dr a k e a g r eed. “ It

w a s on ce a ba llr oom —it w ill su ffice.”

A n d so it w a s t h a t slig h t ly ov er t h r ee h ou r s la t er I st ood n ex t
t o Ga br iel a t on e en d of t h e lon g r oom t h a t r a n t h e len g t h of t h e
h ou se. It h a d been div ided u p in t o t h r ee sm a ller r oom s, m a k in g
u p t h e la r g e sit t in g r oom , a sm a ll m or n in g r oom , a n d t h e
din in g r oom , bu t n ow t h e scr een s n or m a lly cov er in g t h e foldin g
w a lls w er e pu lled a side, m ost of t h e fu r n it u r e h a d been
r em ov ed, a n d t h e lon g h ea v y din in g t a ble w a s pu lled in t o a
cen t r a l posit ion w it h fiv e h ea v y w ooden ch a ir s set a r ou n d it .

I br u sh ed Ga br iel’s h a n d, n eedin g t h e com for t of h is t ou ch ,

bu t n ot w a n t in g t o do a n y t h in g t h a t cou ld be con sider ed
in a ppr opr ia t e in fr on t of t h e ot h er dr a g on s.

He t ook m y h a n d w it h ou t look in g a t m e, h is fin g er s r u bbin g

a cr oss m y k n u ck les. “ Do n ot fea r , lit t le bir d. I w ill n ot a llow Fia t
t o dist u r b t h e s árk ány.”

I sa id n ot h in g , ju st st r a ig h t en ed m y sh ou lder s, slidin g a qu ick

g la n ce t o m y left a t Ma a t a . Beh in d u s st ood Obi, Na t h a n iel, a n d
T ipen e. Lik e t h e ot h er silv er dr a g on s, t h ey w or e w h a t I t h ou g h t
of a s t h e for m a l dr a g on w ea r : k n ee-len g t h t u n ics of a bla ck
m a t er ia l t h a t seem ed im possibly da r k , h ea v ily em br oider ed
w it h silv er t o t h e poin t w h er e t h e fa br ic ben ea t h w a s a lm ost
im possible t o see. T h e em br oider y con sist ed of a bst r a ct sh a pes
a n d sw ir ls, a det a iled, in t r ica t e pa t t er n t h a t seem ed t o sh ift a n d
m ov e in t h e lig h t . Ga br iel’s t u n ic w a s h ea v y w it h silv er , r ea l
silv er , I k n ew fr om ex a m in in g it ea r lier , g lit t er in g a s br ig h t a s
h is ey es, pa t t er n ed in t o sev er a l fa n t a st ica l sh a pes of dr a g on s
lea pin g a n d ca v or t in g . He h a d pr esen t ed m e w it h a t u n ic, a s
w ell, on e bea r in g on ly on e dr a g on , bu t I lov ed it t h e m ost —it w a s
clea r ly ba sed on Ga br iel’s dr a g on for m , a n d t h e h ea d of it la y
dir ect ly ov er m y h ea r t .

Ga br iel a lso w or e a belt slu n g low ov er h is h ips, a fa m ilia r

sw or d h a n g in g fr om it . It w a s t h e sh a dow sw or d I’d t a k en fr om
Ba el’s w r a t h dem on , a pow er fu l w ea pon t h a t I pr a y ed h e w ou ld
n ot n eed t o u se.

“ Sh ow t im e,” I sa id u n der m y br ea t h , st r a ig h t en in g m y
sh ou lder s a n d t r y in g t o look ca lm a n d collect ed a s Kost y a st r ode
t h r ou g h t h e door w a y . He w a s follow ed by t w o w om en a n d on e
m a n , a ll t h r ee of h is a t t en da n t s da r k -h a ir ed a n d da r k -ey ed.

“ Is t h a t h is en t ou r a g e?” I a sk ed Ga br iel qu iet ly .

“ His g u a r d, y es. Dr a k e m en t ion ed h e h a d a t la st for m a lized

t h em .”

Kost y a st opped in t h e m iddle of t h e r oom , a n d m a de a for m a l

bow fir st t o h is br ot h er , t h en t o Ga br iel. T h e la t t er t en sed, bu t
did n ot h in g ot h er t h a n r et u r n t h e for m a l g r eet in g . A s árk ány, I
h a d lea r n ed, w a s a v er y r ig id a ffa ir , a n d follow ed in n u m er a ble
r u les, ev iden t ly pu t in t o pla ce t o k eep t h e v ola t ile dr a g on s fr om
k illin g on e a n ot h er sh ou ld t em per s r u n h ig h .

“ T h e ot h er s h a v e n ot a r r iv ed y et ?” Kost y a a sk ed Dr a k e.

“ Fia t is h er e,” Dr a k e a n sw er ed w it h t h e br iefest of g la n ces

t ow a r d u s. “ Ch u a n Ren w ill n o dou bt be h er e. Ba st ia n ca lled a
sh or t w h ile a g o a n d sa id h is flig h t w a s dela y ed, bu t h e w ou ld be
h er e im m edia t ely u pon la n din g . I ex pect h im m om en t a r ily .”

W h ile Dr a k e t a lk ed w it h h is br ot h er , I st u died Kost y a a n d h is

lit t le g r ou p, n ot icin g a s I did so t h a t Ga br iel, n or m a lly a v er y
socia ble per son , m a de n o effor t t o join t h eir discu ssion . I k n ew
Fia t ’s in v olv em en t w it h Ba lt ic h a d t h r ow n h im a bit , for w h ich I
w a s fr a n k ly g r a t efu l. I h a d n o desir e t o g et on Dr a k e’s ba d side
sh ou ld Ga br iel pu r su e t h e idea t h a t Kost y a w a s beh in d t h e
m u r der s of a ll t h ose in n ocen t dr a g on s.

“ T h ose t w o w om en don ’t look lik e t h ey cou ld t a k e dow n a

cu r t a in , let a lon e a dr a g on in t en t on a t t a ck in g Kost y a ,” I
m u r m u r ed t o Ga br iel.

Ma a t a , on m y left , h ea r d m e a n d sn or t ed u n der h er br ea t h .

“ Kn ow in g Kost y a a s I do,” Ga br iel sa id, h is dim ples fla r in g

br iefly t o life, “ I su spect t h ey a r e t h er e m or e for effect t h a n
a ct u a l u se.”

I h a d t o a g r ee. T h e w om en w er e of a v er a g e h eig h t a n d slen der

bu ilds, look in g m or e lik e ex pen siv e m odels t h a n body g u a r ds.
T h ey w er e dr essed in bla ck , m a t ch in g lea t h er bu st ier s t r im m ed
w it h st r a ps a n d ch a in s, a n d t ig h t bla ck pa n t s t h a t look ed lik e
t h ey ’d been pa in t ed on . On e w or e sh in y lea t h er st ilet t o boot s
t h a t pr oba bly cou ld h a v e pu t som eon e’s ey e ou t ; t h e ot h er h a d
open -t oed sa n da ls w it h la ces t h a t cr isscr ossed u p t h e ca lv es of
h er pa n t s. T h e m a n w a s ju st a s som ber a s h is com pa n ion s, h is
lon g h a ir pu lled ba ck in a sh or t pon y t a il, h is g oa t ee n ow h er e
n ea r a s ch a r m in g a s Ga br iel’s.

“ He w ou ld h a v e t o br in g t h em h er e. I ca n ’t beg in t o t ell y ou
w h a t sor t of h ell t h er e w ill be t o pa y if Cy r en e sees Kost y a w it h
h is lit t le h a r em ,” I sa id soft ly .

Ga br iel sh ot m e a qu est ion in g g la n ce. “ I t h ou g h t sh e br ok e u p

w it h Kost y a ?”

“ Cy ’s m et h od of br ea k in g u p isn ’t fin a l u n t il t h e m a n dies or

m ov es t o a n ot h er con t in en t ,” I sa id w ea r ily . “ Sh e’ll k eep m opin g
ov er h im for a t lea st six m on t h s. If w e’r e lu ck y , sh e’ll fin d
som eon e n ew w h o w ill dr iv e a ll t h ou g h t s of t h e fa it h less Kost y a
fr om h er m in d.”

“ Ma y .” Kost y a a ppr oa ch ed, g iv in g m e y et a n ot h er bow . “ It is

a plea su r e t o see y ou a g a in .”

Min dfu l of m y m a n n er s a n d dr a g on et iqu et t e, I sm iled, a n d

did n ot a sk h im if h e cold-bloodedly m u r der ed six t y -eig h t
dr a g on s in t h e la st few da y s. “ T h a n k y ou .” I sea r ch ed t h r ou g h
a v a ila ble t opics of con v er sa t ion t h a t w ou ld n ot a ddr ess a n y
t ou ch y su bject s. “ I im a g in e y ou ’r e h a ppy t h e s árk ány is fin a lly
bein g ca lled. It m u st h a v e been a difficu lt t w o m on t h s for y ou .”

T h er e w a s a qu est ion in g look in h is ey e a s if h e sen sed I m ig h t

be in su lt in g h im , bu t h e sim ply in clin ed h is h ea d in a g r eem en t .
“ I a m in deed. A s, n o dou bt , y ou h a v e been w a it in g for t h is.”
 He w a v ed a h a n d a n d t h e m a le bla ck dr a g on st epped for w a r d,
pu llin g fr om h is in side coa t pock et a lon g ebon y ca se. Kost y a
t ook it , h is g a ze sh ift in g t o Ga br iel. “ I w ill n ot in su lt y ou by
a sk in g if y ou in t en d t o h on or y ou r a g r eem en t .”

“ I h a v e y et t o be a ccu sed of v iola t in g a v ow ,” Ga br iel sa id

ca lm ly , a lt h ou g h h is pla cid ex pr ession h id a v er it a ble in fer n o of
em ot ion s.

Kost y a st u died h im for a n ot h er few secon ds, t h en h a n ded h im

t h e lon g w ooden box , t u r n in g a w a y a n d r et u r n in g t o h is
br ot h er ’s side w it h ou t a n ot h er w or d.

T h e t w o su per m odel g u a r ds ey ed fir st Ga br iel, t h en m e, t h eir

ex pr ession s a s bla n k a s a w a ll. T h ey follow ed Kost y a , silen t a n d
st a lw a r t , a lt h ou g h I n ot iced on e of t h em , t h e sm a ller of t h e t w o,
w a s g iv in g Ga br iel a look t h a t bespok e a per son a l in t er est .

T h e da m n ed h u ssy . Ey ein g h im r ig h t in fr on t of m e.

Ga br iel slid a side a m et a l lock a n d open ed t h e w ooden ca se for

a m om en t . Ly in g on a bed of da r k n a v y v elv et w a s a lon g g la ss
t u be w r a pped in in t r ica t e g old filig r ee. In side t h e t u be, a
g lit t er in g cr y st a l w a s su spen ded in som e for m of v iscou s liqu id. I
t h ou g h t a t fir st it w a s a clea r cr y st a l, som ew h a t qu a r t zlik e in
a ppea r a n ce, bu t a s Ga br iel ex a m in ed t h e ph y la ct er y , I r ea lized
t h a t t h e sh a r d w a sn ’t clea r —it h eld in n u m er a ble color s, ea ch of
w h ich fla sh ed a s lig h t ca u g h t a pla n e of t h e sh a r d. It w a s
in cr edibly bea u t ifu l a n d ju st a s in cr edibly im pr essiv e,
posit iv ely r eek in g of pow er .

“ So t h a t ’s t h e Moda n a Ph y la ct er y ,” I sa id a s Ga br iel closed t h e

ca se a n d h a n ded it t o T ipen e. “ It ’s r ea lly lov ely .”
 “ Ma y , I ca n ’t believ e y ou w ou ld do t h is t o m e—so it ’s t r u e!”

“ Oh , n o,” I sa id, m y h ea r t sin k in g a s Cy r en e st ood posed in t h e

door w a y , g la r in g dr a m a t ica lly a t Kost y a .

“ Y ou a r e h a v in g a s árk ány n ow ! Y ou deliber a t ely t r ied t o

ex clu de m e! A n d w h o a r e t h ose … t h ose … hus s ies st a n din g
a r ou n d t h a t pig of a dr a g on ?”
 Ch a pt er Fift een

“ Da m m it , Jim ,” I sa id in a low t on e t o t h e dem on w h o st r a g g led

in beh in d m y t w in . “ Y ou w er e su pposed t o k eep h er sh oppin g .”
“ Hey , t h er e’s on ly so m u ch a dem on ca n do in t h e fa ce of a
r a m pa g in g n a ia d! T h e secon d Cy r en e h ea r d t h e s árk ány w a s for
t h is a ft er n oon in st ea d of bein g pu t off u n t il t om or r ow , lik e som e
per fidiou s doppelg a n g er t old h er , sh e dr opped ev er y t h in g a n d
ca m e r oa r in g h om e.”

“ A n d ju st h ow did sh e h ea r t h a t ?” I sn a pped, pin ch in g it s ea r .

“ No pin ch in g ! Ow ! It m ig h t h a v e slipped ou t , t h a t ’s a ll. Ma n ,

I’m g oin g ba ck t o A islin g . Sh e m ig h t lose on e or t w o of m y t oes,
bu t sh e doesn ’t pin ch m e a ll t h e t im e!”

Jim ba ck ed ou t of t h e door a s Kost y a st r ode for w a r d a few feet .

“ Y ou h a v e n o pla ce h er e, n a ia d,” h e sa id scor n fu lly , look in g

dow n h is n ose a t Cy r en e, h is t w o m odels posin g on eit h er side of
h im . “ Y ou a r e n ot a m em ber of a n y sept , n or a r e y ou a dr a g on ,
a n d y ou su r e a s h ell a r en ’t a m a t e.”

“ Oh , n o,” I m oa n ed soft ly . “ He didn ’t sa y t h a t .”

“ Y ou w ou ld t h in k h e w ou ld h a v e lea r n ed by n ow w h a t a r ed
fla g t h a t is t o h er ,” Ga br iel a g r eed, m om en t a r ily div er t ed by
t h e scen e t o r ela x a sm idg en .

“ Oh !” Cy r en e bellow ed, st om pin g for w a r d w it h su r pr isin g

n oise con sider in g h ow pet it e sh e w a s. Sh e st opped dir ect ly in
fr on t of Kost y a , less t h a n a foot a w a y , t u r n in g h er g la r e fir st on
on e h u ssy , t h en t h e secon d befor e fin a lly set t lin g it on t h e focu s
of h er ir e. “ Y ou t a k e t h a t ba ck ! Y ou k n ow fu ll w ell I w a s y ou r
m a t e u n t il y ou let g r eed a n d a v a r ice t a k e h old of y ou .”

“ I h a v e a llow ed n ot h in g t o t a k e h old of m e bu t g ood sen se. Y ou

a r e n ot a w y v er n ’s m a t e,” Kost y a g r ou n d ou t , h is h a n ds fist ed. I
w a t ch ed h im w a r ily , r ea dy t o spr in g for w a r d if h e sh ou ld lose
h is t em per a n d t r y t o g et v iolen t w it h Cy r en e. I didn ’t dispu t e
t h a t sh e w a s en ou g h t o t r y a n y on e’s pa t ien ce, bu t I w ou ld n ot
a llow h im t o h u r t h er .

“ I’m n ot t a lk in g a bou t bein g a w yvern’s m a t e,” Cy r en e

sh ou t ed, t a k in g m e by su r pr ise. Ju dg in g by t h e look s on t h e
fa ces of t h e ot h er s a r ou n d u s, t h ey w er e su ffer in g fr om a sim ila r
em ot ion .

“ T h en w h a t a r e y ou bla t h er in g a bou t ?” Kost y a a sk ed, a n d t h e

t w o m odels t ook a st ep t ow a r d Cy r en e, t h eir a t t it u des
m en a cin g .

“ How ba d a br ea ch of et iqu et t e is it t o pu n ch a n ot h er
w y v er n ’s body g u a r ds in t h e fa ce?” I a sk ed Ga br iel.

T h e dim ple n ea r est m e qu iv er ed for a m om en t . “ Ba d. Plea se

do n ot in du lg e y ou r self.”

I sig h ed. “ A ll r ig h t , bu t I w a n t br ow n ie poin t s for r est r a in t .”

“ I’m t a lk in g a bou t t h e per son m ea n t for y ou , y ou idiot !”

Cy r en e y elled, pu n ch in g h im in t h e ch est . He r u bbed it
a bsen t ly , fr ow n in g dow n a t h er , a s sh e con t in u ed. “ Not a
dr a g on ’s m a t e, ju st your m a t e. Y ou k n ow , t h e per son y ou lov e
a n d a dor e a n d w a n t t o spen d a cou ple of cen t u r ies w it h . Y ou t old
m e y ou lov ed m e! Y ou sa id y ou cou ldn ’t liv e w it h ou t m e!”

Kost y a , t o m y g r ea t a m u sem en t , look ed em ba r r a ssed, h is g a ze

flick er in g a r ou n d t h e r oom a t u s a s w e a ll w a t ch ed w it h in t er est
w h ile Cy r en e la m ba st ed h im .

“ T h a t w a s spok en in a pr iv a t e m om en t ,” h e sa id in a low
v oice, sen din g h er a fu r iou s look .

“ Scr ew pr iv a t e!” sh e sn a pped, pok in g h im in t h e ch est a g a in .

“ Y ou t old m e y ou lov ed m e. Y ou sa id w e w er e m ea n t t o be
t og et h er . T h en y ou let t h a t st u pid la ir r u in ev er y t h in g . Y ou ’r e
ju st a pig , Kost y a ! No, y ou ’r e a pig -dog ! A pig -dog dr a g on , a n d I
loa t h e t h e v er y sig h t of y ou ! I n ev er w a n t t o see y ou a g a in . Do
y ou h ea r m e? Nev er w a n t t o see y ou a g a in !”

Cy r en e w a s pa n t in g w it h em ot ion , h er ey es bla zin g a s sh e

sh ov ed h im in t h e ch est a t h ir d t im e.

Kost y a st a r ed dow n a t h er w it h a bla ck ex pr ession for a bou t

h a lf a secon d; t h en w it h a g r ow led pr ofa n it y , h e g r a bbed h er ,
pu llin g h er u p a g a in st h is ch est a s h e k issed t h e liv in g da y lig h t s
ou t of h er . T h a t la st ed for a bou t fiv e secon ds befor e Kost y a
y elped, lift in g h is h ea d w it h su r pr ise. T h er e w a s blood on h is lip.

“ Pig -dog !” Cy r en e sn a r led a t h im .

“ In sa n e w a t er y t a r t ,” h e spa t ba ck .

T h ey st a r ed a t ea ch ot h er for a n ot h er few secon ds; t h en t h is

t im e, Cy r en e flu n g h er self a t h is h ea d a n d lock ed h er m ou t h
ov er h is.

“ W ell,” I sa id, clea r in g m y t h r oa t , bu t cou ldn ’t t h in k of

a n y t h in g t o sa y .

T h e t w o m odels look ed a t ea ch ot h er in st u n n ed su r pr ise for a

m om en t . T h en bot h n a r r ow ed t h eir ey es a n d g la r ed a t t h e ba ck
of Cy r en e’s h ea d. Kost y a h oist ed h er u p, h is h a n ds on h er
beh in d, a s h e con t in u ed t o k iss h er , Cy r en e m a k in g h a ppy lit t le
m oa n in g n oises a s sh e w r a pped h er leg s a r ou n d h is h ips.

“ I’m so g la d Jim isn ’t h er e t o see t h is,” I sa id t o Ga br iel.

He ch u ck led befor e h is ex pr ession t u r n ed ser iou s a g a in a s

Ch u a n Ren en t er ed t h e r oom , follow ed by t w o r ed dr a g on s. On e I
r ecog n ized a s h er h a n dsom e son , Jia n ; t h e ot h er w a s a m a n I
h a dn ’t seen befor e.

Ch u a n Ren w a s n ot m y fa v or it e dr a g on . Ou t w a r dly sh e
r esem bled a t a ll, eleg a n t Ch in ese doll, a ll por cela in sk in a n d
lon g silk y bla ck h a ir , bu t sh e w a s m ea n er t h a n Ma g ot h , a n d
t w ice a s dea dly . Sh e look ed a r ou n d t h e r oom w it h da r k br ow n
ey es w it h deep r ed lig h t s, h er g a ze pa u sin g for a m om en t on t h e
sig h t of Kost y a a n d Cy r en e lock ed in a k iss.

“ W h er e is Fia t ?” sh e a sk ed a ft er g iv in g t h em a look filled w it h

scor n a n d disg u st .

“ He w ill be h er e w h en t h e s árk ány is ca lled t o or der ,” Dr a k e

sa id pla cidly .

“ Y ou w ill h a n d h im ov er t o m e n ow ,” Ch u a n Ren dem a n ded

in h er officiou s m a n n er . “ Y ou a g r eed I cou ld pu n ish h im for t h e
a t t em pt t o t a k e ov er m y sept .”

“ Ch u a n Ren . Y ou h a v e m et m y m a t e, Ma y , I believ e?” Ga br iel

in t er r u pt ed h er , pu llin g m e for w a r d a s h e a ppr oa ch ed h er .

Sh e spa r ed m e on ly a h a r sh g la n ce befor e t u r n in g h er
a t t en t ion on h im . “ I h a v e a ck n ow ledg ed h er a s su ch , y es.”

Ga br iel w a it ed a m om en t .
 Sh e m a de a n a n n oy ed sou n d a n d g est u r ed sh a r ply t o h er t w o
com pa n ion s. “ I pr esen t t o t h e silv er m a t e m y m a t e, Li, a n d son ,
Jia n .”

“ It ’s a plea su r e t o m eet y ou ,” I t old t h e m a n w h o w a s h er

m a t e. He sm iled, a n d bow ed, a s did Jia n .

“ I a m g la d t o see y ou in g ood h ea lt h ,” t h e la t t er sa id, t a k in g

m y h a n d t o pr ess a k iss t o t h e ba ck of it . “ W e ow e y ou m u ch in
r et u r n in g Ch u a n Ren t o u s.”

“ Ev er t h e diplom a t ,” sh e sa id in a con t em pt u ou s t on e t o h er
son .

I w a sn ’t su r pr ised. Ch u a n Ren seem ed t o feel for ce w a s t h e

on ly w a y t o a ch iev e a g oa l.

“ Y ou a r e in com m a n d of t h e r ed dr a g on s a g a in ?” Ga br iel
a sk ed h er .

“ Did y ou dou bt I w ou ld t a k e con t r ol t h e secon d I w a s r elea sed

fr om A ba ddon ?”

He sm iled. “ I k n ew y ou w ou ld n ot t oler a t e a n ot h er r u lin g t h e

r ed sept , bu t y ou sa id y ou h a d n ot fou n d h im t o ch a llen g e h im .
He r et u r n ed t o En g la n d w h ile w e w er e h u n t in g for h im in
Eu r ope. How , t h en , did y ou ch a llen g e h im for con t r ol?”

Her ey es n a r r ow ed on h im . “ I do n ot n eed t h e st u pidit y of a

ch a llen g e t o t a k e con t r ol of w h a t is m in e,” sh e sa id in a low ,
m ea n v oice. “ T h e r ed dr a g on s belon g t o m e a n d n o ot h er .”

“ W h a t did I m iss? I h ea r d y ellin g ,” A islin g sa id a s sh e r u sh ed

in t o t h e r oom , Jim a t h er h eels. Sh e ca m e t o a n a br u pt h a lt a t
t h e sig h t of Kost y a a n d Cy r en e, st ill en g a g ed in a k iss. “ Good
g od.”

“ Fir es of A ba ddon ,” Jim sa id, g og g lin g . “ He’s g on n a boin k h er

r ig h t t h er e!”

“ Qu iet , dem on ,” A islin g or der ed a bsen t ly , blin k in g a t t h e

sig h t of t h e t w o lov er s.

Dr a k e w a s im m edia t ely a t h er side, g en t ly pu llin g h er ov er t o

a ch a ir . “ Kincs em , I sa id I w ou ld fet ch y ou w h en it w a s t im e. Y ou
a r e ea r ly . Y ou w ill t ir e y ou r self.”

“ St op fu ssin g ,” sh e sa id, bu t t h er e w a s lov e in h er ey es a s sh e

k issed h is ch eek w h en h e ben t ov er h er . “ I’m fin e. W h a t ’s
h a ppen ed ot h er t h a n Cy r en e a n d Kost y a ch eck in g ea ch ot h er ’s
fillin g s?”

“ It w ou ld a ppea r t h a t Ch u a n Ren h a sn ’t for m a lly t a k en ov er

con t r ol of h er sept y et ,” I sa id, w a t ch in g t h e r ed w y v er n .

Her lip cu r led a t m e. “ Ga br iel, t ell y ou r m a t e I w ill n ot r epea t

m y self t o h er . I a m t h e r ed w y v er n . Not h in g t h a t pu lin g lit t le
t u r d Fia t ca n do w ill ch a n g e t h a t , a s y ou w ill see if y ou w ill
h a v e h im br ou g h t t o m e so I m a y t or t u r e h im a s h e deser v es.”

“ Ex cellen t ! I t h ou g h t w e m ig h t be la t e, bu t w e’r e ju st in t im e
for t h e t or t u r e,” Ma g ot h sa id, flin g in g open t h e door . He w a s
dr essed in h is u su a l pa ir of bla ck lea t h er pa n t s, w it h a bla ck
sh ir t open t o h is n a v el, h is fa v or it e bu llw h ip w r a pped a r ou n d
h is w a ist . Nex t t o h im w a s t h e su lt r y -ey ed Ca t a lin a , list in g
som ew h a t t o t h e side a s if sh e cou ldn ’t st a n d u p st r a ig h t .

“ Mot h er ?” Dr a k e t ook a few st eps for w a r d, fr ow n in g fir st a t h is

m ot h er , t h en a t Ma g ot h . “ W h a t h a s h a ppen ed t o y ou ?”
 Ma g ot h leer ed. “ W e h a d a v er y in t er est in g n ig h t . Y ou r
m ot h er is m ost … in v en t iv e … in h er idea s of plea su r e.”

Ca t a lin a ’s h a ir w a s m u ssed, h er clot h in g w r in k led, h er

m ou t h r ed a n d sw ollen , a n d h er ey es look ed a bit v a g u e, a s if
sh e’d been t h r ou g h a pa r t icu la r ly st r en u ou s or g y . “ In v en t iv e,”
Ca t a lin a a g r eed, h er ex pr ession da zed.

Dr a k e sw or e u n der h is br ea t h a s h e t idied h er blou se t o cov er

a br ea st t h a t w a s a lm ost ex posed. “ I ex pect ed bet t er of y ou ,
Mot h er . Y ou look lik e a loose w om a n .”

“ Loose.” Sh e w ea v ed a t h im , look in g lik e sh e m ig h t fa ll ov er .

Ma g ot h g r a bbed h er qu ick ly a n d pr opped h er u p a g a in st t h e

door fr a m e, r u bbin g h is h a n ds a s h e en t er ed t h e r oom . “ W h a t
sor t of t or t u r e a r e y ou h a v in g a t t h is dr a g on g a t h er in g , h m m ?
I’m h a ppy t o a ct a s con su lt a n t a s t o w h a t is t h e best for la r g e-
g r ou p pa r t icipa t ion .”

“ No on e w ill be t or t u r ed a t t h e s árk ány,” Dr a k e sa id,

g est u r in g t ow a r d h is m ot h er . Im m edia t ely Pá l a n d Ist v á n , w h o
h a d been st a n din g a t t h e ot h er en d of t h e r oom , m ov ed t o h er
side a n d st a r t ed t o t a k e h er ou t .

T h e w or d “ t or t u r e” seem ed t o br in g h er a r ou n d.

“ Relea se m e,” sh e sa id, sh a k in g h er h ea d a s if t o clea r it . “ I

ca n w a lk .” Sh e g a v e bot h dr a g on s a h a u g h t y look befor e
st r a ig h t en in g h er sh ou lder s, lift in g h er ch in , a n d sa ilin g in t o
t h e r oom w it h a pa le im it a t ion of h er n or m a l a plom b.

Sh e w a s fin e u n t il sh e spot t ed t h e t w osom e. T h e sig h t of t h em

seem ed t o g iv e h er n ew en er g y .
 “ W h a t is t h is?” sh e dem a n ded, st a lk in g in t o t h e r oom t o st a n d
n ex t t o t h e Cy r en e/Kost y a en t it y . “ W h o is t h is besom su ck in g
t h e fa ce of m y fir st bor n , m y deliciou s Kost y a ? Dr a k e, w h a t a r e
y ou t h in k in g a llow in g t h is?”

“ Kost y a is old en ou g h t o dea l w it h h is w om en a s h e lik es,”

Dr a k e sa id sm oot h ly , a lt h ou g h h e sh ot h is br ot h er a look a s h e
sa id it . “ I w ou ld, h ow ev er , a ppr ecia t e it if h e m a n a g ed t o r efr a in
fr om ou t r ig h t sex u a l in t er cou r se du r in g t h e s árk ány.”

“ Y ou k n ow h ow t o t a k e t h e fu n ou t of a n y g et -t og et h er ,” Jim
sa id.

“ I in sist t h a t h e st op!” Ca t a lin a sa id, h a n ds on h er h ips. Sh e

n odded t o t h e t w o m odels. “ Rem ov e t h a t n a ia d fr om t h e per son
of m y dea r son .”

T h e t w o m odels h esit a t ed, ey ein g Cy r en e. “ I da r e n ot

con t r a dict t h e w y v er n ,” on e of t h em fin a lly sa id.

“ Y ou w ill do a s I sa y ,” sh e sa id, g a in in g con t r ol of h er self w it h

ev er y pa ssin g m om en t . “ Rem ov e h er !”

“ W e ca n n ot ,” t h e secon d m odel sa id, ca st in g a n a ppea lin g

g la n ce t ow a r d t h e m a le body g u a r d.

“ W e a n sw er on ly t o t h e w y v er n ,” h e ex pla in ed, som ew h a t

la m ely t o m y ea r s.

Ca t a lin a didn ’t lik e t h a t .

“ Dr a k e!” sh e dem a n ded. “ Do som et h in g ! Sh e w ill sm ot h er

h im .”

“ Mot h er , I t old y ou t h a t y ou r pr esen ce, n o m a t t er h ow

ch a r m in g , w a s n ot r equ ir ed a t t h e s árk ány,” Dr a k e sa id,
m ov in g t ow a r d h is m ot h er , pa u sin g on ly t o g la r e a t Ma g ot h a s
h e t r ied t o look dow n A islin g ’s t op.

Sh e dr ew a w a r d in t h e a ir t h a t h a d t h e dem on lor d lea pin g

ba ck w it h a y elp.

“ Y ou obv iou sly a r e n ot y ou r self r ig h t n ow . Y ou w ill r et u r n t o

y ou r r oom a n d r est ,” Dr a k e con t in u ed, t a k in g h is m ot h er by t h e
a r m a n d pr opellin g h er t ow a r d t h e door .

“ Y ou w ill n ot or der m e a r ou n d lik e t h a t ! I did n ot r ip y ou

scr ea m in g fr om m y body on ly t o h a v e y ou or der m e a r ou n d
n ow ! Madre de dios , sh e w ill k ill h im ! Sh e w ill su ck t h e life ou t of
h is body ! Dr a k e! Y ou w ill cea se pu sh in g m e ou t t h e door .” Sh e
lu r ch ed t o t h e side of t h e door , clu t ch in g t h e door fr a m e.

“ On ly dr a g on s in sept s r ecog n ized by t h e w ey r m a y a t t en d

t h e s árk ány,” Dr a k e a n sw er ed, pr y in g h er fin g er s off t h e fr a m e.
“ Y ou a r e a bla ck dr a g on , a n d t h e bla ck dr a g on s h a v e n ot y et
been r ecog n ized. I w ill t ell y ou la t er a ll t h a t h a ppen s.”

“ I w ill n ot h a v e t h is!” Ca t a lin a y elled a s Pá l a n d Ist v á n , ea ch

t a k in g a n a r m , h a u led h er t ow a r d t h e st a ir s.

“ In v en t iv e, bu t a la s, a bit on t h e sh ou t y side,” Ma g ot h sa id,

t a k in g m y h a n d a n d pr essin g a w et k iss t o t h e ba ck . “ It is bet t er
sh e is t a k en off. Y ou look deliciou s a s ev er , w ife. I see y ou r t w in
w ill be h ost in g a n or g y . Da r e I h ope t h a t w ill t a k e pla ce du r in g
t h e t or t u r e?”

I y a n k ed m y h a n d fr om h is, bu t I r ea lly n eedn ’t h a v e

bot h er ed.

Ga br iel lift ed Ma g ot h u p by t h e n eck , a n d st a r t ed t o squ eeze.

 “ Ma y , do som et h in g ,” Ma g ot h squ ea k ed, h is fa ce t u r n in g r ed.

“ Y ou k n ow bet t er t h a n t o ba it Ga br iel,” I t old h im , bu t

m in dfu l of t h e scen e m y t w in w a s a lr ea dy cr ea t in g , I decided
t h a t cir cu m spect ion w a s t h e best cou r se. I t ou ch ed Ga br iel on
t h e a r m a n d g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e floor .

He h esit a t ed a m om en t ; t h en h e, t oo, r ea lized t h a t st r a n g lin g

Ma g ot h on t h e spot w ou ldn ’t be in t h e best in t er est s of t h e
s árk ány. He r elea sed h im w it h a w a r n in g of, “ T ou ch h er a g a in ,
a n d I w ill r em ov e y ou r cu r se.”

“ Y ou ca n ’t r em ov e it ,” Ma g ot h sa id blit h ely , t h en fr oze a s t h e

m ea n in g sa n k in t o h is lu st -fog g ed br a in . His h a n ds m ov ed
pr ot ect iv ely ov er h is g r oin a s h e g la r ed a t Ga br iel. “ W ife, on e of
t h ese da y s y ou r lov er w ill g o t oo fa r .”

“ St op ca llin g m e t h a t ,” I sa id a s Dr a k e m a r ch ed ov er .

“ Y ou r pr esen ce is n ot r equ ir ed, eit h er ,” h e sa id, g est u r in g

t ow a r d t h e door . “ Lea v e.”

“ I t h in k n ot ,” Ma g ot h sa id, sit t in g dow n in a ch a ir set a t t h e

w a ll.

“ Y ou a r e n ot a dr a g on . T h is is a s árk ány, a m eet in g of t h e

w ey r . Y ou ca n n ot be a llow ed t o st a y ,” Dr a k e in sist ed.

“ A h , bu t m y con sor t is h er e, a n d w h er e sh e g oes, so g oes m e. I.

Me. W h ich ev er . T h ose a r e t h e r u les, a n d sin ce y ou a r e su ch a
st ick ler for su ch , I’m su r e y ou w ill h a v e n o difficu lt y a g r eein g I
sh ou ld follow t h em .”

Dr a k e sh ot m e a qu est ion in g look .

 “ Un for t u n a t ely ,” I sa id, m y sh ou lder slu m pin g a lit t le a s I
lea n ed in t o Ga br iel, “ h e’s cor r ect . T h e r u les sa y h e ca n dem a n d
t o be in m y pr esen ce a t a n y t im e.”

Dr a k e sa id som et h in g t h a t w a sn ’t v er y com plim en t a r y t o

a n y on e, bu t let it g o, t u r n in g w h en t h e door open ed a g a in t o
a dm it a v er y h a n dsom e blon d m a n , follow ed by t w o ot h er m en ,
bot h w it h lig h t br ow n h a ir a n d br ig h t blu e ey es. “ A t h ou sa n d
a polog ies for ou r la t en ess. T h e flig h t w a s dela y ed.”

“ Ba st ia n ,” A islin g ca lled fr om h er ch a ir . “ How n ice t o see y ou .

Did y ou h a v e m u ch t r ou ble g et t in g in t o Fia t ’s la ir ?”

“ Non e a t a ll, dea r la dy . Y ou look r a dia n t a s ev er . W ill y ou be

h a v in g t h a t ch ild soon ?” h e a sk ed, bow in g ov er h er h a n d.

Dr a k e g r ow led a n d elbow ed h im a side.

A islin g la u g h ed. “ V er y soon , I h ope. For g iv e Dr a k e—h e’s

ov er dosed on ex pect a n t -fa t h er g en es.”

“ A h , bu t it is u n der st a n da ble.” Ba st ia n g r eet ed Ch u a n Ren ,

w h o n odded coldly t o h im . He t u r n ed t o u s w it h a w a r m sm ile.
“ T h e blu e dr a g on s offer g r eet in g s t o Ga br iel a n d h is ch a r m in g
m a t e. Ma y , I pr esen t t o y ou Du a r t e a n d Godh in o, m y g u a r ds.
A n d is t h a t y ou r t w in w h o Kost y a is k issin g ?”

“ I’d sa y t h e r ev er se w a s t ech n ica lly t h e t r u t h , bu t by n ow , it ’s

a m oot poin t . Y es, t h a t ’s Cy r en e. Plea se ig n or e t h em . T h ey
a ppea r t o be t r y in g t o br ea k a w or ld r ecor d,” I sa id, sm ilin g a t
t h e blu e dr a g on body g u a r ds a s t h ey g r in n ed ba ck a t m e befor e
m ov in g on t o ch a t w it h T ipen e a n d Ma a t a .

“ A n d t h is is … er …” Ba st ia n didn ’t qu it e k n ow h ow t o t a k e
Ma g ot h , I cou ld see. “ T h is is … ?”
 “ I a m Ma g ot h , six t h pr in ciple spir it of A ba ddon , lor d of t h ir t y
leg ion s, m a r qu is of t h e or der of dom in a t ion s,” h e sa id w it h a n
odd ex pr ession of con cen t r a t ion a s h e sca n n ed Ba st ia n ’s fa ce.
“ Don ’t I k n ow y ou ?”

Ba st ia n look ed st a r t led. “ No. I’v e n ev er m et a dem on lor d

befor e. Ot h er t h a n A islin g , of cou r se, bu t sh e doesn ’t r ea lly
cou n t beca u se sh e is n ot ev il.”

“ Y es, I do. I k n ow y ou ,” Ma g ot h sa id, con t in u in g h is scr u t in y .

“ It w a s Mila n in t h e la st cen t u r y . I w a s t h er e for a n open in g of
on e of m y film s, a n d y ou w er e in t h e v illa n ex t t o m in e. Y ou
t r ied t o sedu ce m e. I w ou ld n ot let y ou beca u se I w a s, a t t h a t
t im e, bu sy en t h r a llin g a cer t a in n a ia d w h o a ppa r en t ly h a s t h e
a bilit y t o h old h er br ea t h for a n in or din a t ely lon g a m ou n t of
t im e, bu t it w a s y ou —of t h a t I’m su r e. W ell, w ell, w ell. A n d n ow
y ou ’r e a w y v er n ?”

Ba st ia n look ed a bit w ild a r ou n d t h e ey es. “ I’v e n ev er seen y ou

befor e. I’v e n ev er h a d a v illa in Mila n ! My v illa is in Sa n t a
Ch r ist in a !”

“ I k now it w a s y ou ,” Ma g ot h in sist ed.

“ It cou ld h a v e been Fia t ,” I sa id t h ou g h t fu lly . “ Y ou look

a lm ost iden t ica l, a lt h ou g h it ’s odd t h a t Fia t didn ’t r em em ber
y ou .”

Ma g ot h g r u n t ed h is a g r eem en t . “ I a m u n for g et t a ble a s a

lov er .”

T h a t w a s pr oba bly t h e u n der st a t em en t of t h e cen t u r y . “ I

didn ’t k n ow t h a t Fia t w a s of t h a t per su a sion , bu t I su ppose
a n y t h in g is possible.”
 Ma g ot h sh r u g g ed a n d look ed a w a y , bor ed. “ He h a d h is cock
bu r ied in t h e w ife of t h e loca l m a y or a t t h e t im e h e
pr oposit ion ed m e, so h e pr oba bly does a s I do—w h a t ev er plea ses
h im a t t h e m om en t .” He g la n ced ba ck a t Ba st ia n , a bou t t o a sk
a n obv iou s qu est ion .

“ No,” Ba st ia n sa id qu ick ly , m u ch to h is body g u a r ds’

a m u sem en t . “ I a m n ot in t er est ed.”

“ Y ou r loss, a s m y sw eet Ma y ca n t ell y ou ,” Ma g ot h sa id,

blow in g m e a k iss.

Ga br iel m ov ed so fa st I didn ’t ev en see h im . Ma g ot h did,

t h ou g h . Or r a t h er , h e felt t h e r esu lt of Ga br iel’s fist sm a sh in g
in t o h is n ose. Ma g ot h ’s h ea d sn a pped ba ck , sla m m in g in t o t h e
w a ll.

“ My a polog ies,” Ga br iel sa id t o t h e r oom a t la r g e, r et u r n in g t o

m y side. Ma a t a sn ick er ed. T ipen e g r in n ed br oa dly . I sig h ed. “ I
h a d a m u scle spa sm , a n d m y h a n d m u st h a v e h it Ma g ot h .”

“ Mu scle spa sm ,” I sa id, g iv in g h im a look .

His dim ples fla r ed t o life, a n d I con sider ed for a m om en t

du plica t in g m y t w in ’s a ct ion , a n d lea pin g on t h e m a n I lov ed.

“ La t er , lit t le bir d,” h e sa id, t h e dr a t t ed m a n r ea din g m y

m in d a g a in . He t ook m y h a n d a n d t u ck ed it in t o h is a r m . “ T h en
y ou m a y h a v e y ou r w a y w it h m e a g a in .”

“ En ou g h !” Ch u a n Ren sa id in a dem a n din g t on e. “ Let u s beg in

t h e s árk ány so t h a t I m ig h t seek m y r ev en g e a g a in st t h a t w or m
Fia t .”

I ey ed Ga br iel, t h in k in g a ll sor t s of t h ou g h t s t h a t w er en ’t a t
a ll a ppr opr ia t e t o a s árk ány, a s t h e dr a g on s g a t h er ed a r ou n d t h e
t a ble.

“ Kost y a ,” Dr a k e sa id, st a n din g n ex t t o h is br ot h er .

Neit h er Kost y a n or Cy r en e st opped t h eir epic k iss.

“ Kon st a n t in Fek et e,” Dr a k e sa id in a lou der v oice, in v ok in g

Kost y a ’s fu ll n a m e t o g et h is a t t en t ion . W h en Kost y a st ill didn ’t
r espon d, h e g a v e h im a h a r d sh ov e, sa y in g in a low er t on e, “ For
g od’s sa k e, Kost y a , w e’v e seen en ou g h . Pu ll y ou r self t og et h er .
T h e s árk ány is r ea dy t o st a r t .”

Kost y a m a n a g ed t o pu ll ba ck fr om Cy r en e, a da zed look on h is

fa ce. “Sárk ány?” h e a sk ed, clea r ly n ot r eg ist er in g t h e w or d.

“ Oh , Kost y k in s,” Cy r en e cooed, slidin g dow n h is body u n t il

h er feet w er e u n der h er a g a in . “ I k n ew y ou ca r ed. I ju st k n ew it .
Y ou a dm it it , don ’t y ou ? Y ou lov e m e m or e t h a n som e silly
t r ea su r e.”

Kost y a ’s ex pr ession h a r den ed a s in t ellig en ce r et u r n ed t o h is

ey es. A fa in t du sk y flu sh r ode h is ch eek s a s h e g la n ced a r ou n d
t h e r oom . “ Er m … I w a s m om en t a r ily dist r a ct ed. I a polog ize for
su ch beh a v ior .”

“ Oh n o, y ou ’r e n ot g et t in g a w a y fr om m e befor e y ou a dm it
it ,” Cy r en e sa id, la t ch in g on t o t h e fr on t of h is bla ck t u n ic. “ Y ou
h a v e t o sa y it befor e w it n esses. I’m n ot g oin g t o r epea t w h a t I’v e
g on e t h r ou g h t h ese la st cou ple of da y s. Y ou sa y it .”

“ Now is n ot t h e t im e, w om a n ,” Kost y a sa id, pr y in g Cy r en e’s

h a n ds off h is sh ir t .

“ Of cou r se it is. Sa y it !”
 “ T h e s árk ány is a bou t t o beg in . W e w ill dea l w it h ou r per son a l
issu es la t er ,” Kost y a in sist ed, t a k in g Cy by t h e w r ist a n d pu llin g
h er ov er t o a ch a ir n ex t t o t h e w a ll. He sh ov ed h er dow n in t o it
befor e st r idin g ov er t o t h e t a ble.

“ Lik e h ell w e w ill! Sa y it !” Sh e w a s t h er e in fr on t of h im

a g a in . “ Sa y it or so h elp m e, I’ll sm it e y ou a s y ou ’v e n ev er been
sm it ed!”

“ ‘Sm it t en ,’ I t h in k , is t h e w or d. Is it n ot ?” Ba st ia n a sk ed
Du a r t e. “ W h ich t en se is t h a t ? En g lish h a s a lw a y s con fu sed m e.”

“ Y ou ca n ’t sm it e m e,” Kost y a sa id w it h a sm u g qu ir k t o h is
lips. “ Na ia ds don ’t sm it e.”

“ Oh , n o,” I sa id, su dden ly r ea lizin g w h er e t h e con v er sa t ion

w a s g oin g t o g o. I g la n ced a t Ma g ot h , m y fin g er s t ig h t en in g
a r ou n d Ga br iel’s h a n d. “ Cy r en e, I h a t e t o a g r ee w it h Kost y a ,
bu t r ea lly , a n ot h er t im e w ou ld pr oba bly be bet t er for t h is.”

Ga br iel w a sn ’t slow on t h e u pt a k e. He g la n ced dow n a t m y

h a n d for a m om en t ; t h en h is br ow clea r ed. “ I a g r ee w it h m y
m a t e. A n ot h er t im e, Cy r en e.”

“ Y ou t h in k y ou k n ow ev er y t h in g , don ’t y ou ?” Cy r en e sa id,
g low er in g a t Kost y a . “ W ell, y ou don ’t !”

I dr opped Ga br iel’s h a n d a n d h u r r ied ov er t o m y t w in .

Ma g ot h , bla st h is h ide, m u st h a v e ca u g h t on e of m y g la n ces
t ow a r d h im , beca u se h e st ood u p, w a t ch in g m e w it h close
a t t en t ion . “ Cy , r ea lly , t h is isn ’t a g ood t im e. Y ou ca n y ell a t
Kost y a la t er , a ft er ev er y on e’s g on e, OK?”

Sh e com plet ely m issed t h e em ph a sis I pu t on t h e w or d

“ ev er y on e.”
 “ St op y a n k in g m e,” sh e sn a pped, jer k in g h er a r m ou t of t h e
g r ip I h a d on h er . “ A n d st op sidin g w it h t h a t pig -dog !”

“ Y ou w ill cea se ca llin g m e t h a t ,” Kost y a spa t , a t r u ly w or ld-

cla ss g la r e poin t ed a t h er . “ It is u n fit t in g , a n d y ou a r e ou t of
con t r ol.”

Cy r en e ca st h er a r m s w ide, a n d bla ck spa r k s sn a pped off h er

fin g er s, sen din g t h e t w o cov er -m odel dr a g on s squ ea lin g a s t h ey
scr a m bled ba ck w a r ds. “ I’ll sh ow y ou w h o’s ou t of con t r ol!”

“ Ma y !” T h e r oa r of a n g er a lm ost sh ook t h e h ou se.

I closed m y ey es for a m om en t , t h en open ed t h em a n d m et

Ga br iel’s sy m pa t h et ic g a ze. “ T oo la t e,” I t old h im .

He sm iled. “ Y ou ca n a lw a y s sh ift and k n ock h im

u n con sciou s?”

“ T h a t is m y pow er !” Ma g ot h bellow ed, I m ea n , r ea lly

bellow ed. T h e k in d of bellow t h a t m a k es w in dow s r a t t le. Dr a k e
st ood pr ot ect iv ely in fr on t of h is w ife, look in g da g g er s a t
Ma g ot h . “ Sh e h a s m y pow er s! T h a t … t h a t …”

Cy r en e t u r n ed on Ma g ot h w it h a look t h a t w ou ld h a v e sca r ed
a lesser dem on lor d. St r ea k s of bla ck lig h t n in g edg ed w it h g old
cr a ck led bet w een h er h a n ds, a m a n ifest a t ion of t h e da r k pow er .
“ T h a t w hat?”

“ T h a t is m y pow er ,” h e sn a r led, st r idin g t ow a r d h er , lit t le

t en dr ils of bla ck cr a ck lin g off h im , floa t in g t o t h e g r ou n d a s a
fin e ebon y pow der . “ Y ou st ole it ! By t h e dom in ion s ov er w h ich I
r u le, y ou w ill r et u r n it t o m e, or I w ill g r in d y ou in t o t h e ea r t h
y ou so fer v en t ly w or sh ip!”
 “ Get Nor a ,” A islin g sa id, t u g g in g on Dr a k e’s sh ir t . He sa id
n ot h in g , ju st n odded a t Pá l, w h o h a d r et u r n ed w it h Ist v á n . Pá l
disa ppea r ed ou t t h e door .

“ I didn ’t st ea l a n y t h in g ,” Cy r en e squ ea k ed, su dden ly look in g

a fr a id despit e t h e fa ct t h a t sh e w a s in possession of m or e pow er
t h a n sh e k n ew h ow t o u se. Her ey es w iden ed a s h e con t in u ed
t ow a r d h er , t h e bla ck g low bet w een h er h a n ds fa din g t o n ot h in g
a s sh e poin t ed. “ Ma y g a v e it t o m e!”

Ma g ot h w h ir led a r ou n d a n d pin n ed m e ba ck w it h a look t h a t

ch illed m e t o m y t oen a ils. “ Y ou I w ill dea l w it h la t er , sla v e.”

“ T h is isn ’t g ood,” I m u t t er ed t o Ga br iel. He w r a pped a n a r m

a r ou n d m e, n a r r ow in g h is ey es a t Ma g ot h u n t il t h e la t t er
t u r n ed ba ck t o m y t w in .

“ Ret u r n it , a n d I w ill let y ou liv e,” Ma g ot h sa id, g lidin g

t ow a r d h er .

Cy r en e’s g a ze flick er ed fr om m e t o h im . “ I … I … Ma y w ou ldn ’t

lik e t h a t .”

“ No, I w ou ldn ’t , a n y m or e t h a n I lik e Ma g ot h t h r ea t en in g

y ou . If y ou h a v e a bon e t o pick w it h a n y on e, it ’s m e, so st op
t r y in g t o in t im ida t e Cy r en e. Sh e h a s n o idea h ow t o g iv e y ou r
pow er a w a y , a n d sh e w ou ldn ’t do so ev en if sh e did.”

Ma g ot h t u r n ed slow ly t o fa ce m e a s I spok e, h is ey es bla ck

pools t h a t pr om ised r et r ibu t ion .

In st a n t ly , Ga br iel w a s in fr on t of m e, t h e w r a t h dem on ’s
sw or d h eld ea sily in h is h a n d, h is leg s br a ced in a n obv iou s
ba t t le st a n ce.
 Nor a a n d Pá l a ppea r ed in t h e door w a y ju st a s Ma g ot h sa id,
“ Y ou t h in k y ou ca n st op m e w it h a pa t h et ic bla de, dr a g on ?”

Ga br iel r a ised t h e sw or d. “ T r y m e.”

I t h in k Ma g ot h w ou ld h a v e—I t r u ly t h in k t h a t ev en t h ou g h h e
k n ew h e didn ’t h a v e en ou g h pow er t o con fr on t Ga br iel a n d w in ,
h e w a s en r a g ed en ou g h t h a t h e w ou ld t r y t o g et t h r ou g h
Ga br iel t o r ea ch m e. Lu ck ily , Nor a t ook t h e sit u a t ion in a lm ost
im m edia t ely , a n d sla pped a bin din g w a r d on h im .

He sn a r led a n d spa t ou t cu r ses w h ile sh e qu ick ly dr ew a n

ev en -st r on g er con fin em en t cir cle a r ou n d h im .

“ I’m sor r y , Dr a k e, bu t I w ill n eed A islin g ’s h elp. I’v e n ev er

don e t h is befor e,” sh e sa id a few m in u t es la t er .

Dr a k e st a r t ed t o object , bu t A islin g g r a bbed h is a r m a n d u sed

it t o h a u l h er self t o h er feet . “ On it , Nor a . Dr a k e, st op g la r in g —
y ou r fa ce w ill fr eeze lik e t h a t . Y ou ca n h old m e, if y ou lik e,
w h ile w e do t h is.”

Ma g ot h r ea lized a t t h a t ex a ct m om en t w h a t t h ey in t en ded,
a n d t u r n ed h is ir e on t o m e.

“ W ife!” h e bellow ed. “ I w ill t a k e y ou w it h m e! By a ll t h a t is

u n h oly , t h is I sw ea r t o y ou —y ou w ill pa y for t h e t r ea ch er y y ou
h a v e per for m ed t h is da y !”

I lea n ed in t o Ga br iel, dr a w in g st r en g t h fr om h im . “ T h is isn ’t

g oin g t o be pr et t y , y ou k n ow .”

He t u r n ed m e t o fa ce h im , h is m ou t h w a r m on m in e a s h e
spok e. “ I ca n st op it .”
 “ No. It r ea lly is t h e on ly w a y . I ju st h ope Nor a is fa st , beca u se
Ma g ot h k n ow s t h a t h e w ill h a v e v er y lit t le t im e t o in flict a
pu n ish m en t on m e befor e I’m su m m on ed ba ck .”

“ Is t h er e n o ot h er w a y ?” h e a sk ed, lick in g m y lips w it h

dr a g on fir e.

“ No. Ju st t ell h er t o be qu ick , OK?”

Ma g ot h scr ea m ed, a h or r ible sou n d t h a t w a s pu n ct u a t ed by

sev er a l ex plosion s of g la ss object s in t h e r oom s.

“ I’m so g la d w e h a d t h e w in dow g la ss dem on -pr oofed,” I h ea r d

A islin g sa y a s Ma g ot h ’s scr ea m r ose h ig h er a n d h ig h er , pier cin g
m y br a in .

I w r a pped m y a r m s a r ou n d Ga br iel’s h ea d, clu t ch in g h im

t ig h t t o m e a s I k issed h im , t a k in g in h is dr a g on fir e, let t in g it
w r a p a r ou n d m e, w r a p a r ou n d u s, bon din g u s t og et h er in a
fier y m eldin g of lov e, r eg r et , a n d pa ssion .

“ Sh a dow , lit t le bir d,” w a s t h e la st t h in g I h ea r d befor e

Ma g ot h , ba n ish ed by A islin g a n d Nor a t o t h e A k a sh ic Pla in ,
su m m on ed m e t o h is side.

I h it t h e g r ou n d r u n n in g , sh a dow in g in st in ct iv ely a s Ma g ot h
g a t h er ed w h a t r em a in ed of h is pow er a n d w h ipped it a r ou n d
m e, y a n k in g m e ba ck t o h im .

“ Did y ou t h in k y ou w ou ld esca pe t h is?” h e sn a r led, h is ey es

bu r n in g w it h bla ck r ev en g e.

A t best g u ess, Nor a w ou ld t a k e a bou t t h r ee m in u t es t o

com plet e t h e su m m on in g , w h ich m ea n t I h a d t o st a y a liv e lon g
en ou g h for t h er e t o be a n y t h in g left of m e t o su m m on . T h er e
w a s on ly on e a n sw er for t h a t —I sh ift ed in t o dr a g on for m a n d
sla m m ed m y t a il u pside Ma g ot h .

A n in t er est in g n ot e a bou t t h e A k a sh a : beca u se it is ou t side t h e

r ea lm of r ea lit y , w h a t a pplies bey on d it does n ot n ecessa r ily
a pply w it h in . A lt h ou g h Ma g ot h h a d been st r ipped of m ost of h is
pow er s, in t h e A k a sh a , w h a t h e h a d w a s a m plified, en la r g ed,
a n d st r en g t h en ed. He didn ’t h a v e t h e a bilit y t o g et h im self ou t ,
bu t h e w a s ov er a ll m ore t h a n h e w a s in ou r r ea lit y .

I t h r ew ev er y t h in g I h a d in t o t h e sla m a g a in st h im , a n d fu lly
ex pect ed h im t o g o fly in g . He didn ’t . He g r a bbed m y t a il a s I h it
h im , a n d u sed t h e m om en t u m t o t h r ow m e a g ood fift y feet ,
st r ik in g a spik ed ou t cr oppin g of r ock w it h en ou g h for ce t o k n ock
m e ou t for a few secon ds.

W h en I ca m e t o, I w a s in h u m a n for m a g a in , a n d Ma g ot h w a s
cr ou ch ed ov er m e, m y da g g er in h is h a n ds, bot h of w h ich w er e
r a ised ov er m y ch est .

“ Fir st I w ill dig ou t y ou r h ea r t a n d slow ly cr u sh it ben ea t h

m y h eel. T h en I w ill h a ck off a ll y ou r lim bs, slow ly , so y ou ca n
feel ea ch st r ok e of y ou r bla de; t h en I w ill sev er t h e v ein s in y ou r
n eck on e a t a t im e, so t h a t y ou ca n feel ea ch ex qu isit e m om en t
a s y ou r br a in is st a r v ed of blood. T h e la st t h in g y ou see w ill be
m e, lick in g y ou r blood off t h e da g g er . T h e la st t h ou g h t y ou h a v e
w ill be t h a t I dest r oy ed y ou ev en a s I h elped m a k e y ou .”

“ Y ou a lw a y s w er e su ch a h a m ,” I sa id, ev er y a t om of m y
bein g a ch in g . “ Ov er a ct in g ev er y scen e, ju st a s y ou a r e n ow .”

“Cunnus ,” h e sn a r led, plu n g in g t h e da g g er in t o m y h ea r t .

 Ch a pt er Six t een

“ …W h a t m or t a ls som et im es t h in k of a s lim bo, a pla ce w h er e

bein g s a r e sen t t o be pu n ish ed.”
“ I k n ow w h a t it is. I m a y be a n elem en t a l bein g , bu t I a m
fa m ilia r w it h t h in g s bey on d m y dom a in , lik e t h e A k a sh a . W h a t
I don ’t k n ow is h ow y ou ex pect ed t o g et Ma y lin g out of t h er e.”

“ It ’s t r ick y , bu t n ot im possible. It h elps t h a t Nor a h a d

su m m on ed h er fr om A ba ddon befor e. T h er e’s som e sor t of a
sy m pa t h et ic lin k bet w een t h e t w o of t h em n ow t h a t ea ses t h e
m or e difficu lt su m m on in g fr om t h e A k a sh a , w h ich is w h y it
on ly t ook Nor a t h r ee t r ies t o g et Ma y . Oh g ood, it look s lik e
Ga br iel h a s br ou g h t h er a r ou n d.”

I open ed m y ey es t o fin d t h ose of t h e pu r est silv er peer in g

dow n a t m e w it h con cer n .

“ I’m n ot dism em ber ed?” I a sk ed t h e ey es.

T in y lit t le la u g h lin es a ppea r ed a r ou n d t h em a s Ga br iel

sm iled. “ No.”

“ I st ill h a v e m y h ea r t ?”

“ Y es. It w a s pier ced, bu t it ’s h ea led n ow .”

“ T h e dr a g on sh a r d?” I t ou ch ed m y ch est , w or r ied.

“ Is st ill in y ou . For n ow .”

“ Ma g ot h ?”

“ Su ccessfu lly ba n ish ed.”

 I r ela x ed. “ A n d m y silv er -ey ed w y v er n ?”

“ St ill m a dly in lov e w it h y ou . How do y ou feel?”

“ A ll r ig h t . A bit w oozy .” I let h im h elp m e u p in t o a sit t in g

posit ion on t h e din in g t a ble t h a t h a d ser v ed, I g a t h er ed, a s a
m a k esh ift oper a t in g t a ble. I g la n ced dow n a t t h e r u in ed t u n ic,
g en t ly fin g er in g t h e g a pin g h ole on t h e fr on t w h er e t h e
em br oider ed dr a g on ’s h ea d h a d been . “ He r u in ed m y dr a g on .”

“ That dr a g on ca n be r epla ced,” Ga br iel sa id w it h poin t ed

em ph a sis a s I g ot t o m y feet . He h a d a n a r m a r ou n d m y w a ist ,
h oldin g on t o m e w h ile I w a it ed t o see if m y leg s w er e g oin g t o
cooper a t e. “ Y ou lost qu it e a bit of blood, bu t w e g ot t h e da g g er
ou t a n d t h e w ou n d sea led a s qu ick ly a s possible.”

I sw a y ed in t o h im , a n d w h isper ed v er y qu iet ly ,“ I k n ow I w a s
t a k en fr om y ou , bu t if y ou h a d pla n s t o sw eep m e off m y feet
a n d t a k e m e u p t o t h e bedr oom —”

He st opped m e w it h a qu ick , h ot k iss, h is ey es t w in k lin g a n d

h is dim ples bla r in g a s h e sa id ju st a s soft ly , “ T h e st a n da r d r u les
do n ot a pply w h en t h e m a t e in qu est ion h a s been in ju r ed. A t
lea st , n ot for a n h ou r or t w o.”

“ Dea l,” I sa id, w a r m in g u p n icely by t h e look in h is ey es.

“ Ma y , I ca n n ot believ e t h a t y ou didn ’t t ell Ma g ot h I h a d h is

pow er s,” Cy r en e sa id, h er h a n ds on h er h ips a s Ga br iel escor t ed
m e ov er t o a ch a ir .

A islin g m u r m u r ed som et h in g a bou t ju ice a n d cook ies, bu t

t h a n k fu lly , t h e g la ss Ga br iel h a n ded m e w a s filled w it h t h e
spicy r ed dr a g on ’s-blood w in e t h a t I k n ew w ou ld do m or e t o
r est or e m e t h a n ju ice ev er cou ld.
 “ I didn ’t t ell h im beca u se I k n ew h e w ou ld h a v e ex a ct ly t h e
sa m e r ea ct ion a s h e did, a n d I w a n t ed t o a v oid bein g for ced t o
ba n ish h im t o t h e A k a sh a ,” I sa id w h en I cou ld spea k a g a in . I
ey ed t h e g la ss of w in e. It h a d cou r sed t h r ou g h m e w it h t h e
su bt let y of a bu lldozer , fillin g m e w it h fir e. I w a it ed u n t il t h e
scor ch ed feelin g in m y esoph a g u s fa ded befor e a ddin g , “ Lu ck ily ,
h e ca n on ly do so on ce ev er y h a lf-y ea r . Besides, I t h ou g h t y ou ’d
h a v e en ou g h sen se t o k eep fr om m en t ion in g it in fr on t of h im .”

“ Sen se,” Kost y a sa id, sn or t in g . “ Sh e h a s n o sen se.”

Cy r en e t u r n ed on h im . “ I’m n ot don e w it h y ou ! Y ou st ill h a v e

t o sa y it !”

“ Sit dow n ,” Kost y a g r ow led, a n d h is t w o m odels closed in on

Cy . Sh e spu n a r ou n d a n d g a v e t h em su ch a w a r n in g look t h ey
ba ck ed off a cou ple of st eps.

“ A r e t h ey st ill a t it ?” I a sk ed Ga br iel, r u bbin g m y fa ce on h is

t u n ic for a m om en t a s I br ea t h ed in t h e w on der fu lly w oodsy
scen t of h im .

His h a n d w a s w a r m on t h e ba ck of m y n eck . “ T h ey h a v en ’t
st opped.”

“ W e did so,” Cy r en e sa id, in t er r u pt in g h er self t o sn a p a t

Ga br iel. “ W e st opped w h ile Nor a su m m on ed Ma y , a n d t h en
w h ile y ou pu lled t h e da g g er ou t of h er ch est . Bu t w e h a v e
u n fin ish ed bu sin ess, a n d I in sist t h a t it be t a k en ca r e of befor e
t h e m eet in g is st a r t ed.”

“ Ou r bu sin ess h a s n ot h in g t o do w it h t h e w ey r ,” Kost y a

g r ow led.

“ It does, a n d y ou k n ow it . Y ou ’r e ju st in den ia l, bu t I’m don e

h u m or in g y ou . I k n ow y ou w er e t or m en t ed a n d t or t u r ed a n d
h eld pr ison er for deca des, bu t y ou ’r e fr ee n ow , a n d it ’s t im e t o
m ov e on , em ot ion a lly spea k in g . It ’s t im e t o a dm it y ou r
feelin g s.” Cy r en e look ed m ea n en ou g h t o a r m -w r est le a g r izzly .
“ If y ou don ’t sa y it n ow , I’ll … I’ll …”

“ Y ou ’ll w h a t ?” h e a sk ed, n ose t o n ose w it h h er n ow , a n d

h on est ly , I didn ’t k n ow w h a t t o t h in k . “ Y ou ’ll sm it e m e?”

Cy r en e st r a ig h t en ed u p, h er ba ck a s st iff a s a br oom h a n dle.

“ I w ill lea v e y ou .”

Kost y a beg a n t o t u r n a w a y , obv iou sly dism issin g h er t h r ea t .

“ Rea lly lea v e y ou . Forever.”

He fr oze, a n d I k n ew t h en t h a t it w a sn ’t w h a t sh e sa id t h a t
st opped h im , bu t t h e w a y sh e sa id it . T h e pa in in h er v oice ca m e
fr om h er h ea r t . I w a s a bit su r pr ised—Cy r en e h a d fa llen in a n d
ou t of lov e w it h r eg u la r it y ov er t h e cen t u r y I’d k n ow n h er , bu t
h er h ea r t h a d n ev er r ea lly been t ou ch ed. Un t il n ow , it seem ed …
a n d w it h Kost y a of a ll people.

Kost y a ’s ex pr ession g r ew bla ck er a n d bla ck er u n t il I t h ou g h t

h e w a s g oin g t o bu r st . A n d t h en h e did. “ Fin e! Y ou w a n t m e t o
a dm it it ? Y ou w a n t m e t o ba r e m y sou l t o y ou ? I lov e y ou , y ou
der a n g ed w a t er t w it ! I a ccept y ou a s m y m a t e! A r e y ou h a ppy
n ow ?”

T h e ech oes of Kost y a ’s decla r a t ion fa ded soft ly a w a y a s w e a ll

st a r ed in disbelief a t t h e t w o people st a n din g in t h e cen t er of t h e
r oom .

“ Ca n h e do t h a t ?” I w h isper ed t o Ga br iel. “ A ccept h er a s a

m a t e if sh e’s n ot on e?”
 “ Y es,” h e sa id, t a k in g m e by su r pr ise a g a in . “ Sh e is n ot a
dr a g on ’s m a t e, bu t h e h a s a ccept ed h er a s a su bst it u t e. It is
bin din g . I a m cu r iou s t h a t h e h a s ch osen t o do so in fr on t of so
m a n y w it n esses, h ow ev er . T h a t g iv es y ou r t w in st a t u s in t h e
ey es of t h e w ey r .”

“ T h a t ’s n ot r ea lly t h e a ct ion of a m a n w h o is so in t en t on
dest r oy in g t h e sept or w ey r ,” I poin t ed ou t , ey ein g Cy r en e a s sh e
flu n g h er self on Kost y a a n d st a r t ed k issin g h im a ll ov er h is fa ce.

“ On t h e con t r a r y ,” h e sa id, g est u r in g t o T ipen e, w h o pu lled a

ch a ir n ex t t o h is a t t h e t a ble. He h elped m e ba ck u p t o m y feet —
a g est u r e I fou n d oddly t ou ch in g —a n d t ook m y h a n d t o lea d m e
t o t h e t a ble. “ It cou ld be a v er y clev er st r a t eg y , g iv en t h e pow er
sh e bea r s.”

“ Cy w ou ld n o m or e u se t h e da r k pow er a g a in st a n y on e t h a n I
w ou ld,” I sa id g en t ly , r u bbin g h is h a n d a g a in st m y ch eek for a
m om en t . A lt h ou g h t h e m em or y of m y few m in u t es spen t in t h e
A k a sh a w a s fa din g , a few t en dr ils of despa ir st ill r em a in ed,
m a k in g m e in fin it ely t h a n k fu l for Ga br iel. “ Less, r ea lly , sin ce
sh e doesn ’t h a v e a dr a g on sh a r d t r y in g t o m a k e h er do a ll sor t s
of in cit in g t h in g s.”

He sa id n ot h in g t o t h a t , bu t I k n ew h e w a sn ’t con v in ced, n or
w a s h e en t ir ely ea sy w it h t h e idea of Cy r en e n ow bein g g iv en
for m a l st a t u s.

A s for Kost y a , h e su ffer ed Cy r en e’s en t h u sia st ic em br a ce for a

few secon ds, t h en sa id som et h in g in h er ea r t h a t h a d h er
st a n din g a t h is side in a r ea son a ble fa csim ile of a per son in
con t r ol of h er w ild em ot ion s.

T h e r oom w a s clea r ed of n on dr a g on s, w it h t h e ex cept ion of

m a t es, m a t e su bst it u t es, a n d dem on s in sh a g g y -dog for m .
A islin g ev iden t ly felt sor r y for silen cin g Jim .

“ Y ou ca n spea k , so lon g a s y ou don ’t in t er r u pt pr oceedin g s,”

sh e t old it befor e sh e or der ed it ov er t o a spot n ea r t h e w a ll.

It r olled it s ey es a s it st om ped ov er t o t h e a ppoin t ed spot .

“ Y ou ’v e been t a k in g m ea n lesson s fr om Ma y , h a v en ’t y ou ? Boss,
boss, boss, t h a t ’s a ll t h e t w o of y ou ev er do. Does it occu r t o eit h er
of y ou t o ju st a sk m e t o do som et h in g ? Nooo, it ’s a ll a bou t
pu sh in g in n ocen t lit t le dem on s a r ou n d.”

“ Did y ou w ant t o see Cecile t h is w eek en d?” A islin g a sk ed

sw eet ly .

Jim g la r ed m u t ely a t h er , obv iou sly g et t in g t h e poin t .

“ W h o’s Cecile?” I a sk ed Ga br iel.

His ey es w er e solem n a s h e w a t ch ed Kost y a t a k e h is sea t , g et

t h u m ped on t h e ba ck of t h e sh ou lder by Cy r en e, a n d lea p u p t o
g et a ch a ir t o pla ce n ex t t o h is. “ A n elder ly W elsh cor g i. Sh e is
ow n ed by A islin g ’s fr ien d in Pa r is. I do n ot lik e it , Ma y .”

“ I ca n t a k e or lea v e cor g is m y self, bu t —”

“ No, I m ea n t h a t I do n ot lik e t h e a ir of con t en t m en t Kost y a is

w ea r in g . Y ou m ig h t n ot believ e h e is pa r t of t h e h ein ou s cr im es
com m it t ed y est er da y , bu t h e is u p t o som et h in g .”

“ T h e s árk ány w ill beg in ,” Ch u a n Ren sa id lou dly , sla m m in g

h er h a n d dow n on t h e t a ble.

“ Ug h . Don ’t t ell m e it ’s h er t u r n t o ch a ir ?” I a sk ed Ma a t a in a
w h isper .
 Sh e n odded, h er fa ce in scr u t a ble. Bot h sh e a n d T ipen e st ood
beh in d Ga br iel. I t h ou g h t it w a s in t er est in g t h a t despit e t h er e
bein g t h r ee—fou r if y ou cou n t ed Kost y a —w y v er n s w it h m a t es,
on ly fiv e ch a ir s h a d been set a r ou n d t h e t a ble—on e for ea ch
r ecog n ized w y v er n , a n d t h e fift h for Kost y a , w h o a ssu m a bly
w ou ld be r ecog n ized a t t h is m eet in g . Ea ch w y v er n h a d t o br in g
a n ex t r a ch a ir t o t h e t a ble for h is or h er m a t e—t h e sy m bolism
did n ot esca pe m e.

“ Br in g Fia t !” Ch u a n Ren , n ev er on e t o ex pen d en er g y on ex t r a

w or ds w h en a few sh a r p com m a n ds w ou ld do, a lm ost y elled t h e
or der t o Dr a k e.

He m er ely r a ised h is ey ebr ow s. A islin g n a r r ow ed h er ey es,

a n d I cou ld see h er fin g er s t w it ch in g , a s if sh e w a s dy in g t o dr a w
a w a r d.

“ I believ e t h e a g en da list s t h e pet it ion by Kost y a for

r ecog n it ion ,” Dr a k e sa id ca lm ly .

Ch u a n Ren g r ipped t h e edg e of t h e t a ble u n t il h er fin g er s w er e

w h it e, bu t sh e didn ’t com e u n g lu ed a s I h a lf ex pect ed. Sh e
m er ely g a v e Kost y a a pier cin g look . “ Kon st a n t in Fek et e, t h e
w ey r a ck n ow ledg es y ou r pet it ion for r ecog n it ion a n d
r ein st a t em en t of t h e sept of t h e bla ck dr a g on s. Y ou a r e fa m ilia r
w it h t h e la w s w h ich g ov er n m em ber s of t h e w ey r —do y ou n ow
a g r ee t o a bide by a n d u ph old t h ose la w s?”

Kost y a r ose, look in g a t ev er y on e for a lon g , lon g m om en t .

“ T h e bla ck dr a g on s h a v e been v a lu ed m em ber s of t h e w ey r
sin ce it s in cept ion , a n d ou r in clu sion w it h in it is lon g ov er du e.
A lt h ou g h w e h a v e h a d a som ew h a t t r ou bled h ist or y —”

Ga br iel st iffen ed a s Kost y a sh ot h im a qu ick g la n ce.

 “ —w e h a v e r esolv ed ou r differ en ces a n d a r e w illin g t o let t h e
g h ost s of t h e pa st r est ea sily .”

I w on der ed if h e r ea lly w ou ld, w h et h er h e h a d r ea lized w h a t a

folly it w a s t o t r y t o ba t t le t h e silv er dr a g on s, or w h et h er it w a s
a ll a h or r ible decept ion m ea n t t o lu ll u s in t o a fa lse sen se of
secu r it y . On t h e w h ole, I believ ed h e w a s sin cer e. He w a n t ed t o
be ba ck in t h e w ey r ju st t oo m u ch t o en da n g er it by pu r su in g
t h e idiot ic idea of r ecla im in g t h e silv er dr a g on s.

“ A s w y v er n by r ig h t of t a n ist r y , h eir t o t h e for m er w y v er n

Ba lt ic—” He ch ok ed ju st a sm idg en on t h a t n a m e, bu t h e
r ecov er ed n icely . “ A s h eir , I sw ea r u pon m y life t h a t t h e bla ck
dr a g on sept w ill a bide by a n d u ph old t h e la w s of t h e w ey r .”

Ch u a n Ren look ed bor ed a n d im pa t ien t . Ba r ely h a d Kost y a

fin ish ed h is lit t le speech a n d sa t dow n befor e sh e w a s on h er feet ,
dem a n din g t o k n ow , “ Y ou h a v e h ea r d t h e pet it ion for
r ecog n it ion . How sa y t h e w y v er n s?”

“ A y e,” Dr a k e sa id clea r ly . “ T h e g r een dr a g on s w ill w elcom e

t h e r ein st a t em en t of t h e bla ck dr a g on s t o t h e w ey r .”

A islin g sm iled a t Cy r en e, w h o w a s posit iv ely bou n cin g in h er

ch a ir n ex t t o Kost y a . I fr ow n ed a t h er , bu t sh e ju st g r in n ed ba ck
a t m e, a n d blew m e a k iss.

Ch u a n Ren ’s n ost r ils fla r ed, bu t sh e sa id n ot h in g , ju st look ed

poin t edly a t Ba st ia n .

He clea r ed h is t h r oa t a n d st ood, bow in g t o t h e t a ble in g en er a l

befor e sa y in g , “ A s t h e r ig h t fu l w y v er n of t h e blu e dr a g on s, I,
t oo, sa y a y e. W e w ill be delig h t ed t o see Kost y a a n d h is dr a g on s
in t h e w ey r on ce a g a in .”
 “ I lik e h im ,” Cy r en e sa id t o Kost y a . I t h in k sh e m ea n t it t o be
a w h isper , bu t sh e w a s so ex cit ed, ev er y on e h ea r d. “ He’s so
m u ch n icer t h a n h is n eph ew .”

Ba st ia n fla sh ed h er a qu ick sm ile befor e sit t in g dow n .

Ch u a n Ren t ook a deep br ea t h , h er fin g er s st ill t en se on t h e

t a ble, a s sh e g la n ced t o Ga br iel.

Ga br iel w a t ch ed Kost y a closely for a m om en t , h is ex pr ession

ben ig n , bu t h is ey es bla zed. “ T h er e is a fa ct a bou t w h ich t h e
w ey r is ig n or a n t t h a t I believ e sh ou ld be t a k en in t o
con sider a t ion .”

“ Fa ct ? W h a t fa ct ?” Kost y a sh ot Ga br iel a n ir r it a t ed look .

“ Y ou w er e seen in Pa r is,” Ga br iel a n sw er ed. “ Sh or t ly befor e it

w a s discov er ed t h a t six t y -eig h t dr a g on s liv in g in Fr a n ce h a d
been br u t a lly sla u g h t er ed.”

Kost y a ’s ey es n a r r ow ed. “ A n d y ou t h in k I h a d som et h in g t o do

w it h t h a t ?”

“ I t h in k it ’s possible t h a t y ou r r ela t ion sh ip w it h Ba lt ic w a s n ot

dest r oy ed w h en h e w a s,” Ga br iel sa id ev en ly . “ I t h in k y ou
con cea l y ou r t r u e in t en t ion s fr om u s. I t h in k y ou a r e ca pa ble of
k illin g in n ocen t dr a g on s in t h e pu r su it of w h a t ev er g oa l y ou feel
w or t h y .”

T h e look on Kost y a ’s fa ce w a s t ellin g . Disbelief m in g led w it h

a n g er , follow ed by a fu r iou s look t h a t t old m e m or e t h a n m er e
w or ds t h a t h e w a s ou t r a g ed by Ga br iel’s st a t em en t . Kost y a w a s
in n ocen t of t h e dea t h s; of t h a t I w a s su r e. “ I h a d believ ed t h e
silv er dr a g on s st ill possessed som e h on or . I see n ow I w a s w r on g .”
 Ga br iel st iffen ed a n d r ose slow ly . Ma a t a m a de a ch eck ed
m ov em en t , a s if sh e w a s h oldin g h er self ba ck .

Dr a k e sig h ed a n d sh ook h is h ea d.

“ Y ou spea k of ou r h on or ?” Ga br iel a sk ed, h is lov ely v oice h a r d

a n d br it t le.

“ I do.” Kost y a lift ed h is ch in . “ I w a s in Pa r is, a n d t h u s I m u st

be r espon sible. T h a t is t h e w a y of y ou r t h in k in g , is it n ot ?”

“ Do y ou den y y ou w er e in Pa r is a t t h e t im e?”

“ No.”

T h e r oom w a s silen t for a m om en t a s ev er y on e dig est ed t h a t .

“ If y ou w er e n ot in v olv ed in Fia t ’s dest r u ct ion of t h e blu e

dr a g on s, w h a t w er e y ou doin g t h er e?”

A m u scle in Kost y a ’s ja w t ig h t en ed. “ Y ou h a v e n o r ig h t t o a sk

m e t h a t . I a m n ot oblig a t ed by a n y la w in t h e w ey r t o m a k e y ou
pr iv y t o m y m ov em en t s, or t h e r ea son s beh in d a n y a ct ion I
t a k e.”

T h e silen ce g r ew t h ick w it h su spicion a n d a n im osit y .

“ Kost y a —” Dr a k e st a r t ed t o sa y w ea r ily , bu t h is br ot h er cu t
h im off w it h a g est u r e.

“ Reg a r dless, I w ill ex pla in m y pr esen ce in Pa r is, beca u se I

w ish t o fu r t h er g oodw ill bet w een t h e bla ck a n d silv er sept s.”

Ma a t a sn or t ed. I h a d t o a dm it I didn ’t qu it e bu y h is a lt r u ism .

“ My m en h a d been w a t ch in g a h ou se in Pa r is t h a t w e believ ed
Ba lt ic w a s u sin g . I w a s a ler t ed t h a t t h er e h a d been u n u su a l
a ct iv it y , a n d w en t t o see for m y self if it w a s a n y t h in g w h ile on
m y w a y ba ck fr om Rig a .”

Ga br iel w a it ed, h is post u r e r ela x ed, bu t I k n ew bet t er . I cou ld

feel t h e t en sion t h r u m m in g t h r ou g h h im .

“ T h er e w a s a ct iv it y , a s m y m a n h a d r epor t ed, bu t it w a s Fia t ,

n ot Ba lt ic. I h a d n o idea of w h a t Fia t w a s u p t o, or I w ou ld h a v e
st opped h im .” His g a ze m ov ed t o t ou ch on ev er y on e in t h e r oom .
“ I r et u r n ed t o En g la n d sh or t ly a ft er v er ify in g t h a t Ba lt ic w a s
n ot pr esen t . I did n ot h ea r a bou t t h e m a ssa cr es u n t il la t er .”

I w a t ch ed Ga br iel, feelin g t h e dept h of em ot ion in h im , bu t

n ot su r e w h a t h e w a s t h in k in g . W ou ld h e believ e Kost y a ? I did.
T r u t h r a n g ou t in h is v oice. He m ig h t n ot be for t h com in g w it h
ev er y t h in g , bu t I did n ot believ e h e h a d pa r t icipa t ed in t h e
w h olesa le m u r der of a ll t h ose in n ocen t people.

Kost y a m u st h a v e felt Ga br iel’s u n w illin g n ess t o a ccept h is

ex pla n a t ion , beca u se h e m a de a qu ick , fr u st r a t ed g est u r e a n d
a dded in a v oice r ife w it h ir r it a t ion , “ For Ch r ist ’s sa k e, Ga br iel—
h a v e I h a r m ed a n y on e sin ce I w a s r elea sed fr om t h e a er ie? Ha v e
I a t t a ck ed a n y of t h e silv er dr a g on s? Ha v e I h a r m ed y ou r sept in
a n y w a y ? W h a t ev er else y ou m a y t h in k of m e, I’v e n ev er g iv en
y ou g r ou n ds t o cla im I’m a psy ch opa t h !”

Ga br iel w a s st ill silen t , obv iou sly w eig h in g Kost y a ’s w or ds.

“ Ga br iel?” Ch u a n Ren pr odded h im w it h a n im pa t ien t w or d.

“ How sa y y ou a bou t t h e bla ck sept ?”

A ll ey es w er e on u s.

“ I a ccept y ou r ex pla n a t ion ,” Ga br iel sa id fin a lly . “ A n d I

r et r a ct m y st a t em en t of y ou r g u ilt in t h a t m a t t er .”

Kost y a in clin ed h is h ea d in a ck n ow ledg m en t of t h e a polog y .

Cy r en e bea m ed a t u s a n d h u g g ed h is a r m .

“ Ou r h ist or y w it h t h e bla ck dr a g on s is k n ow n t o a ll h er e,”

Ga br iel sa id slow ly , h is v oice on ce a g a in r ich a n d sm oot h . “ It
ca n n ot be den ied t h a t w e h a v e lon g sou g h t a u t on om y fr om
t h em , a n d y et , t h ey w er e on ce ou r fr ien ds, ou r fa m ily . T h ey
w er e a pa r t of u s. A n d w h ile w e do n ot pu r su e eit h er ju st ice or
r ev en g e a g a in st t h em for a ct s don e in t h e pa st , w e a r e n ot so
qu ick t o la y ou r g h ost s.”

Kost y a st iffen ed in h is ch a ir , h is br ow s low er in g .

“ T oo m a n y liv es h a v e been lost t o t h e bla ck dr a g on s.” Ga br iel

w a s silen t for a m om en t , a n g u ish deep w it h in h im . “ T oo m a n y
fa m ilies w er e dest r oy ed for u s t o sim ply for g et t h ose w h o
sa cr ificed, or w er e sa cr ificed. W e h on or t h eir m em or ies n ow a s
w e a lw a y s w ill.”

I h eld m y br ea t h . I k n ew t h a t u n der n or m a l cir cu m st a n ces

Ga br iel w a s t oo h on or a ble t o g o ba ck on h is w or d t o Kost y a . Bu t
w h a t if h e felt h e w a s ju st ified? W h a t w ou ld t h e w ey r do if t h e
bla ck a n d t h e silv er dr a g on s w er e on ce a g a in ba t t lin g w it h ea ch
ot h er ? T h er e h a d been w a r r ecen t ly in t h e w ey r , on e t h a t h a d
been for ced t o a n en d, m u ch t o Ch u a n Ren ’s disg u st . W ou ld
a n ot h er on e be t h e r esu lt of t h e da y ’s a ct ion s?

“ Nor ca n w e for g et t h e pr ice t h a t t h ose of u s w h o su r v iv ed

h a v e pa id. It w a s on ly by a m ir a cle of t h e m ost pr ofou n d n a t u r e
t h a t I h a v e fou n d a m a t e, t h e ot h er h a lf of m y bein g , bu t t h e
ot h er silv er dr a g on s m u st bea r t h e pu n ish m en t a bla ck dr a g on
pla ced u pon t h em .”
 Kost y a sh ift ed in h is ch a ir , bu t sa id n ot h in g . Cy r en e’s sm ile
h a d fa ded du r in g Ga br iel’s speech u n t il sh e look ed lost , h er g a ze
m ov in g bet w een Kost y a , Ga br iel, a n d m e. I felt Ga br iel’s sor r ow
ev en a s I w a s w a r m ed by h is decla r a t ion , bu t it dr ov e h om e t h e
fa ct t h a t ev en if t h e bla ck dr a g on s r ejoin ed t h e w ey r , t h ey cou ld
n ot r em ov e t h e cu r se.

On ly Ba lt ic cou ld do t h a t .

Ga br iel’s silk y v oice r a n g ou t st r on g a n d clea r in t h e silen ce of

t h e r oom . “ Bu t ev en a s w e h a v e a ck n ow ledg ed t h a t pa in , w e
h a v e sou g h t t h is m om en t , t h e da y w h en old w ou n ds cou ld a t
la st h ea l. T h e silv er dr a g on s w elcom e ou r lon g -lost br ot h er s t o
t h e w ey r w it h open h ea r t s.”

T ea r s bu r n ed br iefly a t t h e ba ck s of m y ey es a s Ga br iel sa t
dow n beside m e, t a k in g m y h a n d in h is. I r u bbed m y t h u m b
a g a in st h is, t r y in g t o t ell h im w it h ou t w or ds h ow pr ou d I w a s of
h im , h ow m u ch I lov ed h im .

“ W ell-don e, Ga br iel,” A islin g sa id soft ly .

Cy r en e g a v e a m oist sn iffle a n d du g t h r ou g h h er pu r se for a

t issu e. T h er e w a s a n ech o of a sn iffle fr om t h e side of t h e r oom ,
w h er e Jim sa t . I g la n ced a t it , bu t it w a s lick in g it s fr on t leg .

Kost y a st a r ed a t Ga br iel for a lon g , lon g t im e, t h en n odded h is

h ea d a g a in , a n d t u r n ed ex pect a n t ly t o Ch u a n Ren .

“ I a m in a g r eem en t w it h t h e ot h er w y v er n s,” sh e sa id cr isply .

“ T h e sept of t h e bla ck dr a g on s is h er ew it h r ecog n ized a s a
m em ber of t h e w ey r , a s Kon st a n t in Fek et e is r ecog n ized a s
w y v er n . T h e s árk ány h a s t h u s been fu lfilled a n d is a t a n en d.
Fet ch Fia t !”
 Ch a pt er Sev en t een

“ So, a r e t h er e g oin g t o be sn a ck s for t h e dr a g on -h ea r t t h in g ?

Beca u se I m issed lu n ch , bein g Cy r en e’s decoy , a n d t h a t g y r o sh e
bou g h t m e isn ’t g oin g t o la st u n t il din n er . Hey , Fia t , lon g t im e
n o k idn a p. Ma ssa cr e a n y on e la t ely ?”
“ Jim , so h elp m e g od, on e m or e w or d ou t of y ou , a n d y ou ’r e
g oin g t o be v isit in g Ma g ot h ,” A islin g sn a pped.

I h u r r ied ov er t o w h er e t h e dem on sa t , w a t ch in g Dr a k e’s t w o

m en br in g Fia t in t o t h e r oom , filled w it h con t r it ion . “ I’m sor r y ,
A islin g . I sh ou ld h a v e been w a t ch in g it . Jim —”

“ T h er e’s n o n eed for you t o y ell a t m e, t oo,” it sa id w it h a n

in ju r ed sn iff a s it plopped it self dow n in fr on t of t h e fir epla ce.
“ A sh a lr ea dy ch ew ed m y a ss off. Ma n . Gr u m py m u ch ?”

“ I’v e ju st h a d it w it h y ou ,” A islin g sa id, m ov in g

u n com for t a bly in h er ch a ir . I w a s a bou t t o r ejoin Ga br iel, bu t I
st opped n ex t t o h er .

“ A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ? Did t h e s árk ány t ir e y ou ou t ?” I a sk ed.

“ Y es, I’m fin e.”

I ex a m in ed h er fa ce. Sh e look ed t ir ed, bla ck sm u dg es u n der

h er ey es.

Sh e w a v ed a h a n d t ow a r d h er belly . “ It ’s ju st t h e ba by . I w ish
sh e w ou ld m a k e u p h er m in d t o com e. Dr a k e a ct u a lly t old t h e
m idw ife sh e h a s t o m ov e in w it h u s t on ig h t . He w a n t s h er t o do
a C-sect ion , bu t sh e doesn ’t t h in k t h er e’s a n eed for t h a t y et .”

I pa t t ed h er on h er sh ou lder . “ I’m sor r y t h a t I’v e been so

dist r a ct ed I h a v en ’t been w a t ch in g Jim lik e I sh ou ld.”

A sm ile lit h er t ir ed ey es. “ Don ’t w or r y a bou t it . T o be h on est ,

I m issed t h e big g a loot w h en it w a s a t y ou r h ou se. It ’s ju st t h a t
t h in g s a r e a bit t en se w it h a ll t h e w y v er n s bein g pr ick ly w it h
on e a n ot h er , a lt h ou g h , t h a n k g od, t h e issu es w it h Kost y a a r e
n ow ov er . T h a t st r ess, a t lea st , is g on e.”

“ I k n ow Dr a k e w ill pr oba bly h a v e a fit a t t h e idea , bu t w ou ld

y ou lik e Ga br iel t o m a k e su r e ev er y t h in g is OK w it h y ou ?
Ma y be t h e ba by is m ov in g or som et h in g .”

“ Oh , sh e’s m ov ed. Sh e’s a lw a y s m ov in g , u su a lly k ick in g m e

r ig h t in t h e bla dder ,” A islin g a n sw er ed, sh ift in g a g a in . Sh e
h ea v ed a sig h t h a t seem ed t o com e a ll t h e w a y u p fr om h er t oes.
“ I ju st h ope sh e decides t o com e soon , beca u se I’m a w fu lly t ir ed
of feelin g lik e a fu lly loa ded Goody ea r blim p.”

I g la r ed a t Jim a s it open ed it s m ou t h . “ Don ’t y ou da r e!”

“ Sh eesh !” w a s a ll it sa id, look in g a w a y .

A islin g la u g h ed, dr a w in g Dr a k e’s a t t en t ion fr om Fia t , w h o

w a s lou dly dem a n din g t o be r elea sed. He h u r r ied ov er t o u s ju st
a s Ka a w a en t er ed t h e r oom a lon g w it h Nor a .

“ A r e y ou in pa in , k incs em ?” Dr a k e a sk ed.

“ No. Ju st n eed t o u se t h e ex pect a n t Goody ea r blim p’s r oom .

Help m e u p?”

He lift ed h er u p, w a t ch in g w it h w or r ied ey es a s sh e t oddled

ou t t h e door .

“ Ga br iel w ou ld be h a ppy t o ch eck h er ov er if y ou ’r e w or r ied,”

I t old Dr a k e, feelin g a slig h t pa n g of bet r a y a l t ow a r d A islin g ,
sin ce I k n ew sh e h a t ed t o be fu ssed ov er .

He a ct u a lly t h ou g h t a bou t it for a m om en t befor e sh a k in g h is

h ea d. “ Ou r m idw ife w ill be h er e in a few h ou r s. If A islin g g oes
in t o la bor befor e t h en , w e w ill h a v e Ka a w a a t t en d t o h er .”

I’d for g ot t en t h a t Ga br iel’s m om w a s a m idw ife, a s w ell. “ I’m

su r e sh e’ll be h a ppy t o be of h elp. I’m a fr a id I’m u t t er ly u seless
w h en it com es t o t h is sor t of t h in g , bu t I w a n t y ou a n d A islin g t o
k n ow t h a t if I ca n do a n y t h in g t o m a k e h er m or e com for t a ble,
I’ll be delig h t ed t o do it .”

Dr a k e t h a n k ed m e, a n d m ov ed t ow a r d t h e door , ost en sibly t o

g r eet Fia t , bu t clea r ly w a it in g for A islin g t o r et u r n . I w a n der ed
ov er t o w h er e Ka a w a a n d Nor a w er e ch a t t in g .

“ Do y ou m in d if I w a t ch t h e sh a r d bein g r e-for m ed?” Nor a

in t er r u pt ed h er self t o a sk m e, h er ey es br ig h t w it h in t er est
beh in d t h e r ed r im s of h er g la sses. “ Fr om w h a t Ka a w a t ells m e,
it ’s t r u ly a r em a r k a ble occa sion , a n d I w ou ld dea r ly lik e t o
w it n ess it , if I m a y .”

“ Of cou r se. I don ’t k n ow t h a t t h er e’s g oin g t o be a n y fir ew or k s,

bu t y ou ’r e w elcom e t o st a y a n d w a t ch . I ju st h ope I don ’t bu n g le
t h e cer em on y .” I h oped n o on e sa w qu it e h ow n er v ou s I w a s
a bou t t h e u pcom in g ev en t . My st om a ch felt lik e it w a s filled
w it h ju m pin g bea n s, a n d I h a d a n u n com for t a ble pr esen t im en t
t h a t som et h in g w a s g oin g t o g o h or r ibly w r on g .

“ Y ou ’ll be fin e, I’m su r e,” Nor a sa id, fla sh in g a sm ile a t m e. “ I

h a v e n o dou bt Ka a w a pr epa r ed y ou w ell for it .”

“ My da u g h t er cou ld do n o less,” Ka a w a sa id w it h sim ple

m a jest y , m a k in g m e feel sim u lt a n eou sly u n w or t h y of su ch
t r u st a n d filled t o ov er flow in g w it h a det er m in a t ion t o do bot h
Ga br iel a n d h er pr ou d.

A per sist en t w or r y soon t ook ca r e of a n y w a r m , fu zzy feelin g I

m ig h t h a v e h a d a t Ka a w a ’s pr a ise.

“ A r e y ou su r e n ow is a g ood t im e t o do t h is?” I a sk ed Ga br iel,

pu llin g h im a side for a m om en t . “ Kost y a is h er e, a n d Ba lt ic is
st ill ou t t h er e doin g g od k n ow s w h a t , a n d n ow Fia t is h er e a n d is
pissed a s h ell. Ma y be w e sh ou ld do t h is la t er , w h en n o ot h er
dr a g on s a r e a r ou n d.”

He w r a pped a n a r m a r ou n d m e a n d pu lled m e t o h im ,
spea k in g in t o m y t em ple. “ Do n ot fea r , lit t le bir d. I w on ’t let
a n y t h in g h a ppen t o y ou or t h e dr a g on h ea r t .”

“ I k n ow y ou w on ’t , bu t …” I st opped, u n a ble t o pu t in t o w or ds
t h e h ea v y feelin g t h a t h u n g ov er m y h ea r t . T h e dr a g on sh a r d
h a d been oddly qu iet in side m e, m u ch t o m y su r pr ise. I h a d been
g r a t efu l t h a t it h a dn ’t t r ied t o g et m e t o t h r ow m y self on a n y of
t h e ot h er w y v er n s pr esen t , bu t n ow t h a t I h a d a ch a n ce t o t h in k
a bou t it , it h a dn ’t been pr om pt in g m e t o do a n y t h in g
pa r t icu la r ly dr a g on ish . It w a s a s if it w a s h oldin g it s br ea t h in
a n t icipa t ion .

T h a t t h ou g h t m a de m e m or e n er v ou s t h a n a n y t h in g else.

“ No, I w ill n ot sit dow n ! I h a v e h a d en ou g h of t h is t r ea t m en t !

Y ou w ill r elea se m e n ow or pa y t h e con sequ en ces!” Fia t y elled,
jer k in g h is a r m ou t of Ist v á n ’s h old.

Ev er y on e st opped t a lk in g t o ey e h im .

“ I h a v e been u n fa ir ly det a in ed by Dr a k e a n d Ga br iel,” Fia t

y elled. “ Y ou a r e a ll w it n esses t o t h is fa ct ! I dem a n d t h a t a
s árk ány be ca lled t o pu n ish t h em !”

Ch u a n Ren ’s ey es n a r r ow ed on h im . W h en Fia t h a d en t er ed
t h e r oom , bot h h er son a n d h er h u sba n d h a d been block in g h er ,
obv iou sly in t en din g t o pr ev en t h er fr om k illin g h im dea d on t h e
spot . “ Y ou h a v e n o st a t u s in t h e w ey r ,” sh e sa id n ow , pu sh in g
a side h er son t o st r ide for w a r d.

I sa w t h e g lin t of m et a l in h er h a n d befor e I cou ld spea k , bu t

sh e w a sn ’t fa st en ou g h .

Dr a k e h a d ju st u n lock ed t h e h a n dcu ffs t h a t h eld Fia t , w h ich

w a s a lu ck y t h in g con sider in g Fia t ca u g h t Ch u a n Ren ’s w r ist
ju st a s sh e w a s a bou t t o plu n g e t h e da g g er in t o h is h ea r t .

“ Oh , plea se,” h e sa id, scor n dr ippin g fr om h is v oice a s h e

t w ist ed h er w r ist . “ Do y ou t h in k I h a v e been w y v er n a s lon g a s I
h a v e w it h ou t a n t icipa t in g a ssa ssin a t ion a t t em pt s?”

Sh e sn a r led som et h in g t h a t w a s m ost lik ely obscen e, bu t

y ielded w h en bot h Dr a k e a n d Jia n g r a bbed h er a r m s. W it h a n
im m en se a m ou n t of con t r ol, sh e sh ook off bot h m en a n d st ood
w a t ch in g Fia t w it h h ooded ey es. “ I r epea t : y ou a r e n o lon g er
r ecog n ized by a n y sept w it h in t h e w ey r .”

“ Y ou a r e m ist a k en ,” Fia t sa id ju st a s ca lm ly , r u bbin g h is

w r ist w h er e t h e h a n dcu ffs h a d bou n d h im . “ I a m t h e w y v er n of
t h e r ed dr a g on s.”

“ Y ou lie,” Ch u a n Ren spa t . “ Y ou h a v e n ev er ch a llen g ed m e

for m y sept . Y ou w er e t oo cow a r dly t o ev en fa ce m e w h en I w a s
r elea sed fr om A ba ddon .”

“ I don ’t h a v e n eed t o ch a llen g e y ou ,” h e sa id, sh a k in g h is

h ea d a s if sa dden ed by h er ig n or a n ce. “ I ch a llen g ed, a n d
defea t ed, t h e pr ev iou s w y v er n , t h e on e w h o t ook ov er w h en y ou
w er e ba n ish ed. T h u s, by t h e la w s t h a t g ov er n t h e w ey r , I a m
t h e r ecog n ized w y v er n , n ot y ou .”

Ch u a n Ren seet h ed, posit iv ely seet h ed w it h fu r y .

“ I’m su r pr ised sh e’s n ot ex plodin g a ll ov er h im ,” I m u r m u r ed

in Ga br iel’s ea r .

“ Sh e h a s been w y v er n for m or e t h a n a m illen n iu m ,” h e

a n sw er ed in a n equ a lly low t on e. “ Y ou do n ot r em a in in pow er
t h a t lon g w it h ou t h a v in g t h e a bilit y t o con t r ol y ou r em ot ion s.”

“ Dr a k e w ill t ell y ou t h a t I a m r ig h t ,” Fia t sa id, n oddin g

t ow a r d t h e g r een w y v er n . His ey es flick er ed a r ou n d t h e r oom ,
pa u sin g for a m om en t on h is u n cle Ba st ia n befor e m ov in g on t o
u s. “ A s w ill Ga br iel. T ell h er . T ell h er t h a t I a m t h e w y v er n .”

Dr a k e a n d Ga br iel a n d Ba st ia n a ll ex ch a n g ed g la n ces t h a t
w er e silen t , bu t filled w it h m ea n in g .

“ I do n ot h a v e t o ch a llen g e y ou . Ba o w a s n ev er w y v er n , so
y ou defea t in g h er did n ot h in g ot h er t h a n elim in a t e a
t r ou blesom e sept m em ber .”

“ A n d y et y ou r ow n son a ck n ow ledg ed h er a s w y v er n ,” Fia t

sa id sm oot h ly .

Ev er y on e look ed a t Jia n , w h o a v oided m eet in g h is m ot h er ’s

ey e.

“ Is t h is so?” sh e dem a n ded.

He h esit a t ed a m om en t , t h en n odded.
 “ Y ou see? Ev er y on e k n ew y ou w er e in A ba ddon a n d w ou ld n ot
be r elea sed a n y t im e soon .” Fia t sh ot m e a n a cid look befor e
con t in u in g . “ T h u s m y ch a llen g e a n d v ict or y ov er Ba o w a s
per fect ly v a lid, a n d it is y ou , m y dea r , w h o is ou r obor os, n ot
m e. I h a v e been g r a ciou s in a llow in g y ou t o liv e despit e y ou r
a t t em pt s t o u su r p m e, bu t sh ou ld y ou con t in u e t o t r y m y
pa t ien ce, I m a y r eg r et su ch g en er osit y .”

Ch u a n Ren t u r n ed t o st on e, or a t lea st t h a t w a s w h a t it look ed

lik e t o m e. Sh e fr oze for a bou t for t y secon ds, h er body so t ig h t ly
st r u n g I w a s su r e ev en h er v a u n t ed con t r ol w ou ld sn a p, bu t sh e
w a s m a de of st er n er st u ff t h a n I h a d im a g in ed.

Slow ly , in ch by in ch , h er m u scles r ela x ed. Her h u sba n d a n d

son w a t ch ed h er w a r ily , t h ou g h , a s if sh e m ig h t g o off a t a n y
secon d. “ Y ou r w or ds a r e m ea n in g less, a s u su a l. It m a t t er s n ot
w h et h er m y son r ecog n ized Ba o—h e is n ot m y h eir .”

Jia n sh ot h er a st a r t led look .

“ Per h a ps n ot , bu t t h e r est of y ou r sept a ccept ed h er , a s w ell,

a s did t h e w ey r ,” Fia t sa id.

“ I t h in k t h e t im e is r ig h t , m a t e, for y ou t o t ell ju st w h a t y ou
sa w t w o m on t h s a g o,” Ga br iel in t er r u pt ed, ca u sin g ev er y on e t o
look in su r pr ise a t h im , in clu din g m e.

W e h a d a g r eed n ot t o m en t ion t h ose ev en t s, sin ce it w ou ld

lea v e m e open t o a ch a llen g e by Fia t , bu t ev iden t ly Ga br iel h a d
ch a n g ed h is m in d. Or per h a ps g iv en t h e cu r r en t sit u a t ion , h e
felt t h er e w a s lit t le t o fea r .

“ A ppr ox im a t ely sev en w eek s a g o m y t w in , Ga br iel’s g u a r d

Ma a t a , a n d I m a de a cov er t ca ll on Fia t ’s h ou se in It a ly .”
 Fia t spu n a r ou n d a n d focu sed h is sa pph ir e g a ze on m e,
m a k in g m e feel st r ipped a n d pow er less. Ga br iel’s h a n d br u sh ed
m in e, r est or in g m y ba la n ce.

“ W e en t er ed t h r ou g h a su bt er r a n ea n pa ssa g e sev er a l m et er s
ben ea t h t h e su r fa ce of t h e la k e. T h er e w e w er e w it n ess t o a scen e
bet w een Fia t , Ba o, a n d Ba lt ic.”

“ T h is is n ew s t o m e,” Ba st ia n sa id, fr ow n in g a s h e t u r n ed t o
Dr a k e. “ W er e y ou pr iv y t o t h is in for m a t ion ?”

“ Y es.”

Ba st ia n didn ’t lik e t h a t , bu t w a s w ise en ou g h t o h old h is

t on g u e.

“ It w a s clea r t o a ll of u s t h a t Fia t a n d Ba lt ic h a d som e pla n

u n der w a y , a lt h ou g h w h a t t h a t w a s w e didn ’t k n ow . W h en
Ba lt ic left , Fia t w a s left a lon e w it h Ba o. T h e t w o of t h em w er e
a lso w or k in g t og et h er , a r ela t ion sh ip t h a t en ded w h en Fia t
sn a t ch ed u p a sw or d a n d beh ea ded h er w h en sh e w a s off h er
g u a r d.”

Silen ce h eld t h e r oom in it s g r ip for a few secon ds, lon g

en ou g h for t h e sou n d of a door closin g in t h e ba ck of t h e h ou se t o
r ea ch u s.

“ T h er e w a s n o ch a llen g e,” I sa id, m eet in g Fia t ’s fu r iou s g a ze.

“ He sim ply g r a bbed a sw or d off t h e w a ll a n d h a ck ed off h er
h ea d, t h en t old h is m en t o clea n u p t h e m ess—m ea n in g , w e
su pposed, h er g u a r ds.”

“ W h y did y ou n ot com e for w a r d w it h t h is in for m a t ion

ea r lier ?” Ba st ia n dem a n ded t o k n ow ju st a s Ch u a n Ren spa t ou t
som e ex t r em ely r u de w or ds t ow a r d m e.
 In st a n t ly Ga br iel m ov ed bet w een h er a n d m e. “ Ma y w a s
silen t a t m y r equ est . Dr a k e a n d I discu ssed t h e issu e, a n d
decided t h a t it w ou ld be bet t er t o k eep Fia t in a posit ion w h er e
h e w ou ld be v isible, a n d t h u s m on it or ed.”

“ A n d look w h a t a fin e job y ou did of t h a t ,” Ch u a n Ren sn a r led,

t u r n in g h er ba ck on u s a ll. “ How m a n y dr a g on s did y ou let be
m u r der ed by h im ?”

Ba st ia n ’s fa ce w a s pa le, h is ex pr ession a n g u ish ed a t Ch u a n

Ren ’s w or ds, bu t t h a t w a s n ot h in g t h a t ca m e close t o t ou ch in g
t h e pa in I felt w it h in Ga br iel.

“ W e did n ot a n t icipa t e Fia t g oin g on a k illin g spr ee,” Dr a k e

sa id qu ick ly w h en Ga br iel fa lt er ed. “ T h e bla m e lies on bot h of u s
for t h a t . I sh ou ld h a v e g u essed t h a t Fia t w ou ld r et a lia t e for
Ch u a n Ren r et u r n in g .”

“ T h is isn ’t g oin g t o en d ea sily ,” I w h isper ed t o Ga br iel.

“ No, it is n ot .”

“ He’s g oin g t o fig h t n o m a t t er w h a t t h e ou t com e.”

“ I k n ow . Dr a k e w ill n ot be h a ppy w it h A islin g pr esen t .”

“ I ca n t a k e ca r e of t h a t .”

Ga br iel slid m e a qu est ion in g g la n ce. I lea n ed in t o h is side a n d

sa id a lm ost silen t ly , “ A islin g g a v e m e a T a ser t h is m or n in g , in
ca se som et h in g lik e t h is h a ppen ed.”

A slig h t fr ow n m a r r ed h is br ow . “ I do n ot lik e it , lit t le bir d.”

“ I k n ow . Bu t it ’s bet t er t h a n som eon e g et t in g h u r t .”

 “ A ll t h is is u n im por t a n t ex cept for on e t h in g ,” Ch u a n Ren
sa id, in t er r u pt in g Dr a k e a s h e con t in u ed t o ex pla in w h y n o on e
h a d t h ou g h t t o w a t ch in n ocen t dr a g on s. Sh e spu n a r ou n d, h er
lon g bla ck h a ir w h ippin g ou t beh in d h er , a n d st a lk ed for w a r d
u n t il sh e w a s a few feet a w a y fr om Fia t , h er ey es sn a ppin g w it h
pu r e, u n dilu t ed h a t r ed. “ A s r ig h t fu l w y v er n of t h e r ed dr a g on s,
I dem a n d t h a t Fia t be t u r n ed ov er t o u s for pu n ish m en t for h is
a t t em pt ed ch a llen g e t o m y con t r ol of t h e sept .”

“ No!” Ba st ia n t ook a deep, sh a k y br ea t h , t h en st epped for w a r d

t o st a n d n ex t t o Ch u a n Ren . “ Fia t w a s m y pr oblem , m y
r espon sibilit y . He esca ped fr om u s, a n d it w a s blu e dr a g on s h e so
br u t a lly sla u g h t er ed. He m u st fa ce t h e pen a lt ies for t h e cr im es
h e h a s com m it t ed a g a in st m y sept .”

Fia t sh ot h is u n cle a poison ou s look . “ Y ou don ’t ev en h a v e t h e

a bilit y t o k eep y ou r pr eciou s dr a g on s sa fe. How do y ou ex pect t o
pu n ish m e, old m a n ?”

“ He is ou r s, n ot y ou r s,” Ch u a n Ren sn a pped a t Ba st ia n .

“ I beg t o disa g r ee w it h y ou . T h e m ost h ein ou s of cr im es w er e

a g a in st blu e dr a g on s, n ot r ed,” h e a r g u ed.

“ T h is is r idicu lou s. I w ill n ot st a n d for t h is,” Fia t sa id, a n d

st a r t ed t o sh ift in t o dr a g on for m .

I w a s r ea dy for h im t h is t im e. Befor e h e g ot so m u ch a s a
t oen a il t r a n sfor m ed, I sh a dow ed, slipped beh in d h im , a n d h a d
t h e T a ser pla n t ed a t t h e ba ck of h is n eck .

“ Not a g a in ,” h e m a n a g ed t o g et ou t befor e h e fell t o t h e floor ,

t w it ch in g a n d spa sm in g a s t h e elect r ic ch a r g e cou r sed t h r ou g h
h is st ill-h u m a n body .
 “ Con sider it poet ic ju st ice,” I t old h im befor e t u r n in g off t h e
dev ice.

“ Br a v a ,” Ba st ia n br ea t h ed, g iv in g m e a pr ofou n d look of

a ppr ecia t ion . T h a t look died w h en Ch u a n Ren g est u r ed h er
m en folk for w a r d.

“ T a k e h im .”

“ No! He is m in e!” Ba st ia n st r a ddled h is n eph ew ’s body .

“ I do n ot a ck n ow ledg e y ou r cla im ,” Ch u a n Ren sa id

st u bbor n ly .

Ba st ia n h esit a t ed a secon d, t h en t u r n ed t o Dr a k e. “ I w ill let

t h e w ey r decide w h o sh a ll r eceiv e Fia t if Ch u a n Ren sw ea r s t o
a bide by t h e decision .”

Sh e look ed lik e m u r der for a m om en t ; t h en h er fa ce beca m e a s

im pla ca ble a s ev er . “ V er y w ell. T h e w ey r sh a ll decide.”

“ Kost y a ?”

Kost y a a n d Cy r en e h a d been silen t du r in g t h e en t ir e scen e

w it h Fia t , a fa ct I fou n d in t er est in g g iv en su spicion s a bou t
Kost y a ’s in v olv em en t w it h t h e r og u e blu e w y v er n .

His bla ck ey es m ov ed fr om Fia t t o h is br ot h er . “ T h e bla ck

dr a g on s feel t h a t Ba st ia n ’s cla im is st r on g er t h a n Ch u a n Ren ’s.”

Sh e didn ’t lik e t h a t , bu t t u r n ed h er g a ze t o Dr a k e.

He w a s silen t for a few m om en t s befor e sa y in g slow ly , “ A bou t

t h is, I a m in a g r eem en t w it h Kost y a . Ba st ia n ’s cla im is
st r on g er .”
 “ Y ou pa t h et ic lit t le m ew lin g ba st a r d,” Ch u a n Ren sa id. “ Ev er
a fr a id t o g o a g a in st popu la r opin ion . W h a t a bou t y ou ?” Her ey es
w en t t o Ga br iel. “ T h in k w ell befor e y ou v ot e, for I w ill n ot
r elea se t h e Son g Ph y la ct er y sh ou ld y ou r v ot e ca u se m e t o lose
con fiden ce in y ou .”

My ja w sa g g ed for a m om en t a t t h e a u da cit y in h er t h r ea t .

“ W e h a d a n a g r eem en t ,” Ga br iel sa id, h is v oice a lit t le r ou g h

a r ou n d t h e edg es. T en sion bu ilt in side h im , bu t lik e Ch u a n Ren ,
h e h a d m a st er fu l con t r ol ov er h is em ot ion s. “ Y ou w er e r elea sed
fr om A ba ddon a s pa r t of t h a t a g r eem en t . Y ou m u st h on or t h a t ,
or r u n a fou l of t h e w ey r .”

Mu scles in h er ja w w or k ed for a secon d. “ T h e w ey r does n ot

con t r ol m e!”

“ My v ot e is a lso for Ba st ia n t o h a v e Fia t ,” Ga br iel sa id in

defia n ce of h er fu r y . “ It is h is dr a g on s w h o h a v e su ffer ed t h e
m ost by Fia t ’s a ct ion s, a n d t h e su r v iv or s m u st det er m in e h ow
ju st ice w ill be m et ed ou t . T h e r ed dr a g on s su ffer ed lit t le in
com pa r ison .”

“ Y ou h a v e ju st da m n ed y ou r m a t e t o bea r t h e sh a r d for ev er ,”
Ch u a n Ren sn or t ed, t ossin g h er h ea d.

“ No, h e h a sn ’t .”

T h e v oice t h a t spok e w a s low a n d soft , bu t fir m in it s in t en t .

Ch u a n Ren look ed fir st in sh ock , t h en u n m a sk ed r a g e a s Jia n
w a lk ed ov er t o Ga br iel, bow ed, a n d pr esen t ed h im w it h a g olden
box . “ I m a de t h e a g r eem en t on beh a lf of m y m ot h er . I w ill h on or
it ev en if sh e is t em por a r ily of a n ot h er m in d.”

Ga br iel didn ’t w a it for Ch u a n Ren t o r espon d. He sim ply t ook

t h e box , h a n din g it t o Ma a t a befor e t h a n k in g Jia n . “ It w ill be
r et u r n ed sh or t ly .”

“ I k n ow ,” Jia n sa id sim ply , t u r n in g t o fa ce h is m ot h er ’s

w rath .

“ W e a r e don e h er e,” sh e sn a r led, h er h a n ds fist s a s sh e sh ov ed

h im ou t of t h e w a y , pa u sin g a t Ga br iel. “ I ex pect t h e ph y la ct er y
t o be in m y h a n ds by t h e t im e t h e su n set s t on ig h t , or I w ill
dest r oy y ou a n d y ou r lit t le m a t e.”

Ga br iel sa id n ot h in g , ju st a r ch ed a br ow a t h er . Sh e m u t t er ed
u n der h er br ea t h a s sh e ch a r g ed ou t of t h e r oom , Li sca t t er in g
m u t t er ed a polog ies a s h e follow ed in h er w a k e.

Jia n in clin ed h is h ea d t o ev er y on e a n d left , a s w ell.

“ I w ou ldn ’t w a n t t o be in h is sh oes,” I sa id soft ly .

Ga br iel sm iled a slow sm ile. “ I t h in k h e w ill m a k e a v er y fin e

w y v er n on e da y .”

“ W y v er n ? I didn ’t t h in k it w a s possible for t h e ch ild of a

w y v er n t o be on e, a s w ell. Don ’t y ou h a v e t o h a v e a h u m a n
pa r en t ?”

“ Y es.” Ga br iel lea n ed close a n d w h isper ed in m y ea r , “ I

t h ou g h t a t fir st t h a t h e w a s h er a ct u a l son , bu t h a v e sin ce
lea r n ed t h a t m y fir st su spicion w a s cor r ect —h er ch ildr en a r e a ll
dea d. T h e t er m ‘son ’ in t h is in st a n ce im plies a n h eir r a t h er t h a n
a blood r ela t ion sh ip.”

“ Bu t sh e ju st sa id h e w a sn ’t h er h eir , a n d h e a ck n ow ledg ed
Ba o a s w y v er n .”
 “ Sh e w a s w a r n in g h im t h a t sh e w ou ld disin h er it h im sh ou ld
h e g o a g a in st h er w ish es. A s for Ba o—I a m n ot pr iv y t o w h a t
w en t on w it h in t h e r ed sept , bu t I su spect h e w a s follow in g t h e
w isest cou r se.”

“ T h a n k y ou ,” Ba st ia n sa id, w a t ch in g a s h is g u a r ds h eft ed t h e
n ow -com a t ose Fia t on t o t h eir sh ou lder s a n d h a u led h im ou t of
t h e r oom . He r ea ch ed in t o h is pock et a n d pu lled ou t a slim
lea t h er en v elope, h a n din g it t o Ga br iel. “ T h e Ma r cella
Ph y la ct er y . I k n ow y ou w ill g u a r d it w ell.”

“ In deed w e w ill,” Ga br iel sa id, a ccept in g it . A sen se of r elief

filled m e—w e h a d a ll t h e sh a r ds n ow , a ll t h e pieces n eeded t o r e-
for m t h e dr a g on h ea r t .

Ba st ia n h esit a t ed. “ I w ou ld lik e t o see t h e h ea r t r e-for m ed, bu t

I w ill u n der st a n d if y ou a r e n ot com for t a ble w it h t h e t h ou g h t of
m e bein g h er e.”

“ T h e decision is n ot m in e t o m a k e,” Ga br iel sa id, t u r n in g t o

m e. “ Ma y m u st per for m t h e cer em on y . If sh e w ish es pr iv a cy t o
do so, I ca n n ot g a in sa y h er .”

I g la n ced a t Ga br iel, t r y in g t o ju dg e w h et h er h e h a d a
pr efer en ce, befor e I a n sw er ed. “ It w on ’t bot h er m e t o h a v e y ou
pr esen t , Ba st ia n , a lt h ou g h I don ’t pr om ise t h er e w ill be m u ch t o
see.”

He sm iled. “ I w ill ju st m a k e su r e t h a t Fia t is t a k en ca r e of,

t h en . I w ill r et u r n a s qu ick ly a s possible.”

“ T h a t w a s v er y ex cit in g ,” Nor a sa id, h er ey es a lig h t w it h

in t er est . “ I h a d n o idea y ou cou ld be so dea dly , Ma y . W h en y ou
v a n ish ed fr om sig h t , a n d t h en r ea ppea r ed beh in d Fia t , I g a sped.
I t r u ly g a sped. It w a s m a g n ificen t .”

“ W e m a t es h a v e t o do w h a t w e ca n t o t a k e ca r e of ou r
w y v er n s,” Cy r en e piped u p, pu t t in g h er a r m t h r ou g h Kost y a ’s
a n d g iv in g h im a n a dor in g look .

My lips t w it ch ed a lit t le a t t h e m a r t y r ed ex pr ession on h is

fa ce.

“ A r e y ou su r e y ou k n ow w h a t y ou ’r e doin g ?” I cou ldn ’t h elp

bu t a sk h im .

“ No,” h e sa id, t h en sm iled w h en Cy r en e bit h is a r m . “ Bu t it

seem s I h a v e lit t le ch oice. Y ou r t w in in sist s I ca n ’t liv e w it h ou t
h er , a n d u n for t u n a t ely , sh e’s cor r ect . Ma dden in g , bu t cor r ect .”

I la u g h ed a t t h e look of ou t r a g e on Cy ’s fa ce a s sh e pok ed h im
in t h e ch est , a n d w ou ld h a v e w a r n ed Kost y a of w h a t h e cou ld
ex pect liv in g w it h h er , bu t a t t h a t m om en t , t w o t h in g s
h a ppen ed.

A islin g a ppea r ed. “ Dr a k e, t h a t t h ief t a k er is a t t h e door . Pá l

w on ’t let h im in u n t il y ou g iv e h im t h e OK.”

Dr a k e st a r t ed t o lea v e, bu t sh e st opped h im by pu t t in g a h a n d
on h is a r m . “ T h er e’s on e ot h er t h in g .”

He fr ow n ed dow n a t h er .

“ My w a t er br ok e w h ile I w a s in t h e ba t h r oom . I t h in k t h e
ba by ’s a n n oy ed, beca u se sh e g a v e m e a h ell of a con t r a ct ion ,
a n d I h a v e a n a st y , su spiciou s feelin g t h a t a n ot h er on e is—”

Her fa ce scr ew ed u p in pa in a s sh e g a sped a n d dou bled ov er .

 Dr a k e r oa r ed a n d scooped h er u p, ca r r y in g h er u p t h e st a ir s
a s h e ca lled ov er h is sh ou lder , “ Get t h e m idw ife!”
 Ch a pt er Eig h t een

“ T h a t ’s pr oba bly t h e m idw ife,” I sa id, lea pin g dow n t h e la st

cou ple of st a ir s t o r u n t o t h e fr on t door . “ I’ll g et it , Ist v á n . Y ou g o
ba ck a n d k eep Dr a k e fr om m u r der in g Ga br iel, w ill y ou ? Sa v ia n
t r ied, bu t g ot k n ock ed ou t cold for h is effor t s.”
Ist v á n r olled h is ey es bu t , a t t h e sou n d of Dr a k e y ellin g , bolt ed
u p t h e st a ir s.

“ Ou ch ,” Jim sa id fr om w h er e it sa t on a set t ee, ca lm ly

r ea din g t h e pa per . A cr a sh r ev er ber a t ed t h r ou g h t h e h ou se.
“ Did t h a t sou n d t o y ou lik e t h e n oise a w y v er n ’s h ea d m a k es
w h en h e’s sla m m ed u p a g a in st t h e w a ll? ’Ca u se t h a t ’s w h a t it
sou n ded lik e t o m e.”

“ I t old Ga br iel t o st a y ou t of t h e w a y a n d let h is m om dea l

w it h A islin g , bu t h e in sist ed t h a t h e’s h a d m or e ex per ien ce w it h
dr a g on s t h a n sh e h a s. I ju st h ope Dr a k e ca lm s dow n a n d r ea lizes
h e’s t r y in g t o h elp.” I g la n ced a t on e of t h e secu r it y sy st em s t h a t
sca n n ed v isit or s a t t h e fr on t door , sa w t h e g r een lig h t t h a t
in dica t ed t h e per son w a s n ot a r m ed, a n d pu n ch ed in t h e code t o
u n lock t h e door , flin g in g it open w it h a r eliev ed, “ T h a n k
h ea v en s y ou ’r e h er e. A islin g isn ’t fu lly dila t ed, bu t Dr a k e is
g oin g ber ser k —oh .”

T h e per son st a n din g on t h e st eps w a sn ’t t h e m idw ife, w a sn ’t

ev en a dr a g on for t h a t m a t t er .

“ My in t er est is n ot w it h A islin g Gr ey t oda y , fu lly dila t ed or

n ot ,” Dr . Kost ich sa id, br u sh in g pa st m e in t o t h e h ou se, follow ed
by a m a n a n d a w om a n . “ I t old y ou t h a t I w ou ld r et u r n ju st a s
soon a s m y a ppr en t ices cou ld be su m m on ed. T h is is Ja ck a n d
T u lly . W e a r e h er e t o m a k e pla n s r eg a r din g t h e dr a g on y ou
r efer t o a s Ba lt ic.”

“ I’m sor r y , bu t t h in g s a r e a lit t le h ect ic r ig h t n ow . Per h a ps

y ou cou ld com e ba ck la t er ? A islin g h a s g on e in t o la bor , a n d
ev er y on e is r u n n in g a r ou n d m a k in g su r e sh e’s com for t a ble.”

“ I ju st t old y ou m y bu sin ess w a s n ot w it h h er ,” Dr . Kost ich

a n sw er ed, st r ippin g off lea t h er g lov es a n d r em ov in g h is h ea v y
ov er coa t . “ W e w ill m eet w it h t h e g r een a n d silv er w y v er n s t o
discu ss m a t t er s. I h a v e ex a ct ly t w o h ou r s I ca n g iv e t h is
su bject .”

“ Y es, bu t —”

He pin n ed m e ba ck w it h a look t h a t h a d m e w a n t in g t o
sh a dow . “ T h is is n ot a cou r t esy v isit , Mei Lin g , n or is y ou r
pa r t icipa t ion opt ion a l.”

I w a s a w a r e of a su bt le pr essu r e t o do a s h e ba de, a pr essu r e

t h a t w ou ld pr oba bly h a v e sen t a m or t a l r u n n in g t o do a s h e
w a n t ed w it h ou t t h in k in g t w ice a bou t it . Bu t I w a s n ot a m or t a l,
n or w a s I a bou t t o let h im r u n r ou g h sh od ov er ev er y on e.

“ Ooh , a dem on . Ca n I pet it ?” t h e m a n n a m ed Ja ck a sk ed a s h e

ex a m in ed Jim .

“ If y ou g iv e m e fiv e bu ck s, I’ll let y ou r u b m y belly ,” Jim sa id,

r ollin g ov er on t o it s ba ck .

Ja ck la u g h ed a n d oblig ed.

I t u r n ed ba ck t o Dr . Kost ich . “ I’m sor r y , bu t t h in g s a r e t oo

dist u r bed r ig h t n ow t o h a v e t h is m eet in g . A islin g is in la bor .”

“ A n d, a ccor din g t o y ou , w ill pr oba bly be so for h ou r s,”

sn a pped Kost ich , sh ou lder in g m e a side a n d h ea din g for t h e
sit t in g r oom . “ W e cou ld h a v e t h is bu sin ess don e befor e sh e h a s
n eed of h er w y v er n .”

I h esit a t ed a secon d, w on der in g if w e cou ld dea l w it h Kost ich

a n d g et r id of h im befor e A islin g g a v e bir t h . Fr om w h a t I k n ew
of bir t h in g s, t h ey w er en ’t fa st or im m edia t e.

He t ook m y h esit a t ion a s a ck n ow ledg m en t , g est u r in g t ow a r d

m e a s h e w en t in t o t h e sit t in g r oom . “ Let u s be don e w it h t h is
bu sin ess qu ick ly .”

A s h e disa ppea r ed, I st a r ed a ft er h im , w a n t in g t o g iv e h im t h e

r ou g h side of m y t on g u e, bu t k n ow in g it w ou ldn ’t be a w ise
cou r se.

“ A r r og a n t , pu sh y m a g e,” I sa id u n der m y br ea t h .

T h e m a n n a m ed Ja ck ev iden t ly h ea r d m e.

“ A r ch im a g e, a ct u a lly . T h a t ’s t h e differ en ce, y ou k n ow ,” h e

sa id, look in g u p fr om w h er e h e w a s squ a t t in g n ex t t o a g en t ly
m oa n in g Jim , scr a t ch in g t h e dem on ’s belly . “ W e low ly m a g es
don ’t g et t o pu sh a n y on e a r ou n d, bu t t h e secon d y ou becom e a n
a r ch im a g e? Bla m m o! Y ou ’r e da m a n .”

“ Sor r y . I didn ’t m ea n t o be r u de,” I m u t t er ed.

He st opped scr a t ch in g Jim (ov er t h e dem on ’s pr ot est s) a n d

st r olled ov er t o m e, a fr ien dly sm ile on h is fa ce. “ No offen se
t a k en . I’v e n ev er seen a r ea l doppelg a n g er befor e. Y ou ’r e n ot
w h a t I ex pect ed.”

He w a s slig h t ly t a ller t h a n m e, w it h sh or t , br ig h t r ed h a ir ,
a n d a h ea v y spla t t er in g of fr eck les.
 “ I h a v e t o a dm it t h a t I’m h a v in g a bit of t r ou ble w it h y ou , a s
w ell,” I sa id w it h a sm ile. “ Y ou a r e a m age, y es?”

“ W ou ld m y a ppr en t ices be a n y t h in g bu t m a g es?” Dr . Kost ich

a sk ed fr om t h e door w a y . He look ed a n n oy ed. “ Is t h is a dela y
t a ct ic?”

“ No. I’ll g et t h e ot h er s, a lt h ou g h I m a k e n o g u a r a n t ee t h a t
Dr a k e w ill be w illin g t o lea v e A islin g . Or Ga br iel, for t h a t
m a t t er .”

He g r u n t ed a n d r et u r n ed t o t h e r oom .

Ja ck ’s sm ile ch a n g ed t o a n ou t r ig h t g r in . “ He m a y seem a bit

br u squ e, bu t h e’s a ct u a lly r ea lly con cer n ed a bou t t h is dr a g on
m a g e.”

“ I h a v e n o dou bt h e is.” I t ook h is coa t , a n d t h e on e h a n ded t o

m e by t h e silen t w om a n .

“ Ja ck !” Kost ich y elled fr om t h e r oom . “ Br in g m e t h e sa t ch el!”

Ja ck g r a bbed a lea t h er ca se a n d w a g g led h is ey ebr ow s a t m e

a s h e h u r r ied off t o do h is m a st er ’s biddin g .

“ Hiy a . I’m Jim ,” t h e dem on sa id, st r ollin g ov er t o sn iff t h e

w om a n . It look ed pu zzled for a m om en t . “ Y ou ’r e n ot a m a g e.”

“ Y es, I a m . W ell, I’m a n a ppr en t ice,” sh e sa id, g iv in g Jim ’s

h ea d a qu ick pa t befor e t u r n in g t o m e. “ Dr . Kost ich sa id y ou
w er e a dr a g on ’s m a t e?”

“ T h a t ’s r ig h t . I’m Ma y . Ga br iel, t h e silv er w y v er n , is m y

m a t e.”
 Sh e ex a m in ed m e cu r iou sly for a few secon ds befor e ex cu sin g
h er self w it h a slig h t sm ile. “ I’m sor r y . I’m bein g in t oler a bly
r u de, a r en ’t I? It ’s ju st t h a t I’v e n ev er seen a w y v er n ’s m a t e. I
ex pect ed y ou t o be … big g er .”

“ Un lik e Ja ck , y ou look ju st h ow I ex pect a m a g e t o look ,” I sa id

w it h a lit t le sm ile of m y ow n .

“ How ’s t h a t ?” sh e a sk ed, h er ey ebr ow s r isin g slig h t ly . Sh e

w a s a t a ll w om a n , t a ll a n d w illow y , w it h lon g , st r a ig h t a sh
blon d h a ir , ey es so da r k t h ey w er e a lm ost bla ck , a n d a n a r r ow ,
delica t e-bon ed fa ce. T h er e w a s som et h in g com for t a ble a bou t
h er , a sen se of ea se a n d w a r m t h t h a t r em in ded m e of t h e
plea su r e fou n d in r et u r n in g h om e a ft er a lon g t r ip.

“ W ell … I h ope t h is doesn ’t sou n d r u de, bu t it ’s been m y

ex per ien ce t h a t m a g es a r e a lw a y s v er y r eser v ed, k eepin g t o
t h eir ow n . T h ey ’r e v er y con t r olled, a s w ell. A n d ex t r em ely
m y st er iou s, lik e t h ey a r e h oldin g t ig h t t o a n y n u m ber of
secr et s, a n d t h a t plea ses t h em .”

Her sm ile g r ew a few deg r ees w a r m er . “ T h a t is a v er y a pt

descr ipt ion of m a g es, bu t I’m a fr a id t h a t I a m a m u ch du ller
cr ea t u r e t h a n t h a t . I a m n ot a v er y su ccessfu l a ppr en t ice, y ou
see. Dr . Kost ich h opes t h a t t h e ex per ien ce t o be g a in ed by
h elpin g w it h t h is m y st er iou s dr a g on w ill g o fa r t o fu r t h er m y
edu ca t ion .”

“ I’m su r e it w ill.” I n odded t ow a r d t h e sit t in g r oom . “ If y ou

w a n t t o g o in t h er e, I’ll g o see if I ca n g et t h e ot h er s, a lt h ou g h
h on est ly , t h is w ou ld be bet t er don e a n ot h er t im e.”

“ A ccor din g t o Dr . Kost ich , t h er e is n o t im e left ,” T u lly sa id,

g lidin g t ow a r d t h e door . I w a t ch ed h er for a m om en t , st a r t led
by t h e w or d a s it popped in t o m y m in d. Sh e didn ’t ju st w a lk ; sh e
g lided, h er m ov em en t s so g r a cefu l t h ey w er e a lm ost dr ea m lik e.

“ Ma y ,” Jim sa id, n u dg in g m y h a n d w it h it s w et n ose.

“ W h y do I h a v e a feelin g t h a t ’s a t r u er st a t em en t t h a n I’d
lik e?” I a sk ed m y self a s I m a de a beelin e for t h e st a ir s.

“ Beca u se it is t r u e,” Jim sa id, follow in g m e.

I g la n ced dow n a t it . “ W h a t do y ou m ea n ?”

“ T h a t T u lly per son isn ’t a m a g e.”

“ Sh e sa id sh e w a s.”

“ Y ea h , w ell, sh e lied. Or n o …” T h e dem on ’s fa ce t w ist ed in t o

a n a bst r a ct ed ex pr ession . “ Not lied. Ju st w a sn ’t spea k in g t h e
t r u t h .”

“ W h a t ’s t h e differ en ce?” I a sk ed a s w e h ea ded dow n t h e h a ll

t ow a r d A islin g ’s r oom . I fr oze for a m om en t w h en I sa w w h o w a s
st r et ch ed ou t on t h e floor , T ipen e h ov er in g ov er h im , befor e I
bolt ed t h e la st few st eps. “ Ist v á n ! I a sk ed y ou t o st op Dr a k e fr om
k illin g Ga br iel. How ba dly is h e h u r t ?”

“ Not ser iou sly ,” t h e lov e of m y life a n sw er ed, h is lip split , a n d

h is r ig h t ey e sw ollen sh u t . “ Dr a k e w a s a lit t le u pset w h en
A islin g h a d a pa r t icu la r ly h a r d con t r a ct ion . Sa v ia n t r ied t o
in t er v en e.”

“ I t h in k I’m dea d,” Sa v ia n m oa n ed fr om w h er e h e la y on t h e

floor of t h e ba t h r oom n ex t t o Ca t a lin a ’s r oom .

“ I’d h a t e t o see w h a t Dr a k e w ou ld do w h en h e’s r ea lly u pset ,” I

sa id, g en t ly t ou ch in g Ga br iel’s fa ce. “ Y ou w ou ld in sist on bein g
in t h er e.”

“ My h ea d is k illin g m e.” Sa v ia n h a u led h im self u p t o a sit t in g

posit ion , h is h a n d g in g er ly feelin g h is fa ce. He t ou ch ed a t en der
spot , w obbled for a m om en t , t h en fell ba ck w a r ds on t o t h e ba t h
m a t . “ Ow .”

Ga br iel g r im a ced a s T ipen e a pplied a bit of sa lv e t o h is lip a n d

ey e. “ I h a v e deliv er ed m or e dr a g on s t h a n m y m ot h er . Her
ex per ien ce is m ost ly w it h m or t a ls, bu t Dr a k e did n ot feel t h a t
m a t t er ed. He pr efer r ed h er t o m e.”

“ Ser iou sly , I t h in k I’m dea d. Cou ld on e of y ou n ice h ea ler s

com e a n d h ea l m y br ok en h ea d?”

“ I t h in k , m y lov e, t h a t in t h is y ou sh ou ld h a v e h eeded y ou r
m ot h er ,” I sa id, g en t ly k issin g h is n ose w h en T ipen e h a d
fin ish ed w it h h im .

He g a v e m e a lopsided sm ile. “ I’m w illin g t o con cede t h a t

poin t . Is t h e m idw ife h er e?”

“ I’m a g h ost , a r en ’t I? I died a n d n ow y ou a ll ca n ’t h ea r m e,

a n d I’m g oin g t o spen d t h e r est of m y life h a u n t in g t h is
ba t h r oom w it h a h ea da ch e t h a t w ou ld dr op a n eleph a n t . Hello,”
Sa v ia n sa id a s Jim w a n der ed ov er a n d peer ed dow n in t o t h e
t h ief t a k er ’s fa ce. “ A r e y ou a n a n g el?”

“ Ex -spr it e, n ow a dem on . A sh isn ’t g oin g t o lik e y ou bleedin g

a ll ov er h er ba t h r oom . Y ou g on n a clea n a ll y ou r br a in s a n d
g u n k u p? Som eon e cou ld slip on t h em a n d h u r t h im self.”

“ My br a in s,” Sa v ia n w h im per ed, a n d I t ook pit y on h im .

 “ No m idw ife a s y et , a lt h ou g h sh e’s ex pect ed m om en t a r ily .
T ipen e, w ou ld y ou ?” I a sk ed, n oddin g t ow a r d t h e pr ost r a t e
Sa v ia n .

Sa v ia n g r eet ed h im w it h soft lit t le coos of r elief.

“ I’m su r e y ou r m ot h er w ill do ju st fin e w it h A islin g ,” I t old

Ga br iel a s I h elped h im t o h is feet . “ Un for t u n a t ely , t h e per son a t
t h e door w a s Dr . Kost ich .”

Ga br iel’s sm ile slipped. “ Don ’t t ell m e h e’s h er e t o discu ss t h e

sit u a t ion w it h Ba lt ic?”

“ Y es. Do y ou t h in k Dr a k e w ill be w illin g t o lea v e A islin g ?”

He open ed h is m ou t h t o spea k , bu t befor e h e cou ld do so, a

t r em en dou s bla st sh ook t h e h ou se, t h e for ce of it so g r ea t I cou ld
feel t h e en t ir e st r u ct u r e sh a k e.

I sh a dow ed ou t of sh eer in st in ct , follow in g Ga br iel a s h e spu n

a r ou n d a n d r a ced dow n t h e st a ir s. Beh in d m e I cou ld h ea r
Dr a k e’s bellow ed qu est ion , bu t I pa id t h a t lit t le m in d a s I lea ped
dow n t h e la st cou ple of st eps in t o t h e en t r a n ce h a ll.

A n ot h er per cu ssion bla st sh ook t h e h ou se, t h e sh ock w a v e of

w h ich ca u sed pa in fu l pr essu r e on m y ea r s. “ Agathos daim on!
W h a t is it ?” I a sk ed a s I desh a dow ed.

T h e t h r ee people st a n din g st a r in g a t t h e fr on t door slow ly

t u r n ed t o fa ce u s. T ipen e a n d Ma a t a sk idded t o a st op beh in d u s.

“ W e’r e t oo la t e,” Dr . Kost ich sa id, h is fa ce u t t er ly bla n k . “ He’s

h er e.”

A t h ir d bla st h it t h e h ou se. I cov er ed m y ea r s, bit in g ba ck a

cr y of pa in .

Dr a k e a n d h is body g u a r ds ju m ped ov er t h e ba lu st r a de fr om
t h e floor a bov e, la n din g a s lig h t on t h eir feet a s ca t s. “ Da m n
h im ,” Dr a k e sn a r led, pu n ch in g a few bu t t on s on t h e secu r it y -
sy st em pa n el. “ He w ou ld pick n ow t o do t h is. Ist v á n , pu t ou t t h e
ca ll t o t h e ot h er s t h a t w e w ill n eed t h em . Pá l, r ea dy t h e la ir . I’ll
t a k e A islin g dow n t o it . He ca n br in g t h e h ou se dow n a r ou n d ou r
ea r s, bu t sh e’ll be sa fe in t h er e. Kost ich , w h a t a r e y ou doin g
h er e?”

“ T r y in g t o pr ev en t disa st er , bu t I fea r I a m t oo la t e.” He ey ed

u s a ll for a m om en t , t h en spok e qu ick ly . “ W e w ill do w h a t w e
ca n t o a id y ou . Ja ck , see t o t h e sea ls on t h e g r ou n d floor . T u lly ,
y ou t a k e t h e u pst a ir s r oom s. Do n ot for g et t o set t r a ps a t a n y
en t r a n ce poin t , n o m a t t er h ow in sig n ifica n t it m ig h t seem .”

Ja ck h u r r ied off t o do a s h e w a s bidden . T u lly h esit a t ed a

secon d. “ I don ’t k n ow t h a t m y t r a ps a n d sea ls a r e st r on g en ou g h
t o st op a dr a g on , m a st er .”

“ T h ey don ’t h a v e t o st op t h em . T h ey ju st h a v e t o a ler t u s t o
a n y br ea ch . Go n ow . I, m y self, w ill see t o st r en g t h en in g t h e
fr on t door , sin ce t h a t a ppea r s t o be w h er e t h e focu s of h is a t t a ck
is bein g m a de.”

Kost ich su it ed a ct ion t o w or d, h is h a n ds fly in g in in t r ica t e

pa t t er n s a s h e w ov e a n et m a de of a r ca n e m a g ic a cr oss t h e fr on t
door .

Dr a k e w a t ch ed h im for a m om en t befor e decidin g it w a s

a dequ a t e. He t u r n ed t o u s. “ Ga br iel?”

“ T h is is m y fig h t a s m u ch a s y ou r s,” Ga br iel a n sw er ed,

pu llin g ou t t h e sh a dow sw or d. “ Mor e so, sin ce it con cer n s m y
m a t e. W e w ill for m t h e fr on t lin e defen se.”

“ Oh m a n , it ’s Ba lt ic?” Jim h a d m a n a g ed t o m a k e it dow n t h e

st a ir s w it h ou t bein g h ea r d, som et h in g n ot com m on for t h e h eft y
dog . “ He’s g ot a h ell of a sen se of t im in g .”

I left t h em pla n n in g t h eir defen se t o h u r r y ov er t o Jim .

“ W h a t a r e y ou doin g h er e? Go ba ck a n d pr ot ect A islin g ,” I

or der ed it .

“ Sh e w a n t ed t o k n ow w h a t w a s g oin g on . A n d sh e t h r ea t en ed
t o ca st r a t e m e beca u se I’m m a le, a n d t h a t som eh ow m a k es m e
t o bla m e for t h e pa in .”

“ W ell, g o ba ck a n d h elp Ka a w a g et h er r ea dy t o m ov e,” I sa id,

sh ooin g it .

“ I’m a dog ,” it sa id in a n ex a sper a t ed v oice. “ No opposa ble

t h u m bs, r em em ber ?”

“ Y ou ’r e r ig h t .” I n a r r ow ed m y ey es a t it for a m om en t ,
pu sh ed pa st m y lim it on pa t ien ce. “ Effr ijim , by t h e pow er
g r a n t ed t o m e by y ou r dem on lor d, I com m a n d y ou t o t a k e
h u m a n for m . Clothed h u m a n for m .”

“ Oh , m a n … ,” it sa id, it s v oice a w h in e t h a t t r a iled off a s it s

body sh ift ed for m in t o t h a t of a bla ck -h a ir ed, bla ck -ey ed m a n of
bu lk y bu ild in jea n s a n d a T -sh ir t . It look ed dow n a t it self.
“ How ’m I ev er g oin g t o t ell Cecile a bou t this ?”

“ Y ou ca n g o ba ck t o y ou r n or m a l for m ju st a s soon a s w e t a k e
ca r e of t h is sit u a t ion ,” I sa id qu ick ly , sh ov in g it t ow a r d t h e
st a ir s. “ Go h elp Ka a w a a n d A islin g . A n d don ’t sca r e h er .”
 “ Lik e sh e’s n ot g on n a fr ea k w h en sh e sees m e com e m a r ch in g
in w it h ou t m y fa bu lou s for m ?” Jim t r u dg ed u p t h e st a ir s,
loosen in g t h e belt of it s pa n t s a s it clim bed. “ I ju st bet y ou —a w ,
da m n ! I w a s r ig h t ! T h is for m t ot a lly su ck s in t h e pa ck a g e
depa r t m en t !”

“ GO!” I y elled, poin t in g a t t h e t op of t h e st a ir s.

A fou r t h bla st r ock ed t h e h ou se, t h is t im e a ccom pa n ied by t h e

sou n d of g la ss t in k lin g in on e of t h e ba ck r oom s.

Nor a a ppea r ed a t t h e t op of t h e st a ir s, h er ey es w ide a s sh e

st a r ed beh in d h er . “ I’m n ot qu it e su r e… . W a s t h a t Jim ?”

“ Y es. Is A islin g a ll r ig h t ?” I a sk ed a s Dr a k e ca m e ov er t o u s.

“ Sh e’s fin e, ju st con cer n ed a bou t w h a t ’s g oin g on .”

“ I’m t a k in g h er t o t h e la ir ,” Dr a k e sa id, m ov in g pa st u s a t a
speed t h a t w a s m ost defin it ely n ot h u m a n . “ Nor a , y ou a n d Ren é
w ill st a y w it h h er ?”

“ Of cou r se. Ren é is w it h h er n ow , t r y in g t o dist r a ct h er . Let

m e g et som e t h in g s t o m a k e h er m or e com for t a ble… .”

Nor a r a n a ft er Dr a k e, t h e t w o of t h em h ea din g u pst a ir s, a s

T ipen e a n d Ma a t a sca t t er ed, a ssu m a bly t o ch eck t h e w in dow s.

Kost y a su dden ly em er g ed fr om t h e ba sem en t , t u ck in g h is

sh ir t in t o h is pa n t s, h is h a ir slick ed ba ck a n d w et . Cy r en e w a s
on h is h eels, h er h a ir lik ew ise w et , h er clot h in g ju st a s
disa r r a n g ed.

“ W h a t ’s g oin g on ?” Kost y a a sk ed. “ W e h ea r d a n ex plosion .”

 “ W e t h ou g h t a t fir st it w a s ju st r ea lly fa bu lou s sex , bu t t h en
w e n ot iced t h e t ow els w er e com in g off t h e sh elf n ex t t o t h e
sa u n a , a n d w e r ea lized som et h in g else w a s g oin g on ,” Cy r en e
sa id, h u r r iedly bu t t on in g h er blou se. “ It ’s Fia t , isn ’t it ? He’s
com e t o st ea l m e n ow t h a t h e k n ow s I’m r ea lly a n d t r u ly
Kost y a ’s m a t e! I ju st k n ew h e w ou ld.”

Kost y a fr oze for a m om en t . “ It ’s n ot Fia t . It ’s Ba lt ic,” h e sa id,

h is v oice filled w it h a n g er .

“ Oh , h im ,” Cy r en e sa id, fr ow n in g . “ He doesn ’t seem t o w a n t

t o st ea l m e. W h a t does h e w a n t n ow ?”

Ev er y on e look ed a t m e.

I sig h ed. “ Me, I’m a fr a id. Or , r a t h er , t h e sh a r d.”

“ Not ju st on e sh a r d,” Ga br iel cor r ect ed. “ A ll of t h em . He

w a it ed u n t il a ll t h e sh a r ds w er e br ou g h t t og et h er befor e
a t t a ck in g .”

“ He w a n t s t h e dr a g on h ea r t ,” Kost y a sa id soft ly , a n d t h er e
w a s so m u ch bla ck n ess in h is v oice, I sh iv er ed a n d m ov ed closer
t o Ga br iel.

In st a n t ly , h is a r m w a s w a r m a r ou n d m e, offer in g bot h
com for t a n d pr ot ect ion . “ I w ill n ot let h im h a r m y ou , lit t le
bir d.”

“ I k n ow ,” I sa id, sm ilin g u p a t h im . “ I h a v e ev er y con fiden ce

t h a t w e’ll be a ble t o r epel h im a s w e’v e don e befor e, bu t , Ga br iel,
t h is h a s t o st op.”

“ It w ill st op. It w ill st op now ,” Kost y a sa id, st r idin g ou t of t h e

h a ll t o Dr a k e’s st u dy . He r et u r n ed a m om en t la t er w it h a cou ple
of lon g sw or ds in h is h a n ds, sen din g Cy r en e a qu er y in g g la n ce.
“ I a ssu m e y ou don ’t k n ow h ow t o u se t h is?”

“ Y ou a ssu m e w r on g ,” sh e sa id, obv iou sly t a k in g h im by

su r pr ise, a s sh e h eld ou t h er h a n d for t h e sw or d. “ A ll t h e sist er s
of Hy dr ia des a r e v er sed in sw or dpla y . W e h a d a r et r ea t sev en or
so h u n dr ed y ea r s a g o, a ft er som e cr u sa der s g ot a lit t le fr isk y
w it h ou r m em ber s, a n d w e a ll lea r n ed h ow t o u se lon g sw or ds,
sh or t sw or ds, fla ils, a n d h a lber ds. I did t h e opt ion a l cou r se on
t h r ow in g a x es a n d cu lv er in s, bu t I m u ch pr efer a n ice Glock t o
t h e la t t er .”

Kost y a st a r ed a t h er for a m om en t befor e sh a k in g h is h ea d

a n d t a k in g u p a st a n ce a t t h e fr on t door , t h e ba r r a g e fr om
ou t side h a v in g m om en t a r ily st opped. “ St a y in t h e ba ck ,
Cy r en e, a n d pr ot ect y ou r self. Y ou w ill n ot be ba t t lin g m or t a l
cr u sa der s t h is t im e.”

“ Y ou w ill cea se spea k in g of m e a s if I a m a h in dr a n ce,” sh e

sa id, st r a ig h t en in g u p t o h er fu ll h eig h t , in dig n a t ion ca u sin g
h er ba ck t o st iffen . “ I h a v e pr ot ect ed m y self for cen t u r ies befor e
y ou w er e bor n , dr a g on . Besides, I h a v e dem on lor d pow er s n ow . I
ca n u se t h ose, t oo.”

Kost y a r olled h is ey es a n d t u r n ed h is a t t en t ion ba ck on t h e

fr on t door .

“ Y ou k n ow , Dr a k e w ou ld pr oba bly be h a ppy for a n ex t r a h a n d

t o pr ot ect A islin g ,” I sa id t h ou g h t fu lly , w a n t in g t o g et h er ou t of
t h e im m edia t e ba t t le a r ea . Despit e t h e t r u t h in h er st a t em en t , I
w or r ied ov er t h e t h ou g h t of h er t r y in g ou t n ew fou n d pow er s
w it h ou t su per v ision . “ Sh e a n d Nor a w ou ld be a ble t o g iv e y ou
a dv ice a bou t Ma g ot h ’s pow er s, t oo.”
 Cy r en e t h ou g h t a bou t t h a t for a m om en t , obv iou sly
ch er ish in g a m en t a l v ision of h er self a s a fem a le Sa in t Geor g e
r ea dy t o sla y a dr a g on . “ Bu t t h en I w ou ldn ’t be a ble t o h elp
Kost ie.”

“ Kost ie w ill h a v e u s t o h elp h im ,” I sa id, fig h t in g a sm ile.

“ T h is is n ot a m om en t for t h ou g h t s of g lor y , Cy r en e. A islin g is
in a v er y v u ln er a ble st a t e a n d Dr a k e’s dr a g on s w ill be st r et ch ed
r a t h er t h in .”

Sh e n odded. “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t . Poor A islin g . I w ill g o a n d defen d

h er a n d h er ba by . No on e w ill g et pa st m e. Ma y be Nor a ca n t ell
m e h ow t o su m m on u p a ll of Ma g ot h ’s leg ion s? I bet I cou ld or der
t h em t o h elp pr ot ect h er , t oo.”

I h a d a h or r ible m om en t w h er e I en v ision ed t h e h ou se fu ll of
dem on s r u n n in g a m ok u n der Cy ’s com m a n d, bu t r ea lized t h a t
t h er e w a s n o w a y Nor a w ou ld ev er let Cy r en e su m m on
a n y t h in g . “ T h a n k s, Cy . W e’ll h old dow n t h e for t h er e.”

“ Viva la bla ck dr a g on s,” sh e ca lled ou t , blow in g Kost y a a k iss

befor e h ea din g for t h e k it ch en a n d t h e st a ir s dow n in t o t h e
u n der g r ou n d la ir .

Sa v ia n st a g g er ed dow n t h e st a ir s, list in g t o st a r boa r d a n d

w ea v in g som ew h a t , bu t r ela t iv ely h a le a n d h ea r t y a s h e join ed
u s.

“ Y ou don ’t t h in k sh e’ll r ea lly su m m on dem on s, do y ou ?”

Kost y a a sk ed m e, look in g m om en t a r ily u n su r e.

“ Oh , sh e’ll w a n t t o, bu t n o on e w ill t ell h er h ow , a n d Cy

doesn ’t h a v e a clu e a bou t h ow t o do it on h er ow n . I’m beg in n in g
t o t h in k sh e’s t h e idea l per son for Ma g ot h ’s pow er s. Sh e’ll n ev er
u se t h em .”

He n odded a n d t u r n ed ba ck t o t h e door .

“ W h er e a r e y ou r su per m odels?” I a sk ed, su dden ly r ea lizin g

w h a t w a s m issin g .

“ My w h a t ?”

“ Y ou r fem a le g u a r ds.”

He look ed n on plu ssed. “ T h ey … er … Cy r en e t h ou g h t t h ey

w ou ld be bet t er su it ed t o du t y elsew h er e.”

“ A h .” I bit m y low er lip t o k eep fr om la u g h in g . I h a d n o dou bt

t h a t on e of t h e fir st t h in g s Cy w ou ld do w a s t o g et r id of h is
h a r em .

Bu t befor e I cou ld sa y a n y t h in g , befor e Kost y a cou ld t u r n ba ck

t o t h e door , befor e so m u ch a s a secon d pa ssed, t h e en t ir e fr on t
en t r y w a y of t h e h ou se ex ploded, sen din g u s fly in g ba ck w a r ds in
a ba r r a g e of g la ss, w ood, pla st er , a n d m et a l.
 Ch a pt er Nin et een

I w a s st u n n ed for a few secon ds, sh a dow in g w it h ou t k n ow in g it ,

h ea r in g on ly t h e r in g in g in m y ea r s fr om t h e ex plosion . W h en
m y h ea d clea r ed, I r ea lized t h e n oise I h ea r d w a s n ot a n ech o—
t h e cla n g of m et a l on m et a l sou n ded lou d a n d sh a r p.
“ T h is da y is n ev er g oin g t o en d, is it ?” a fa m ilia r m a le v oice
sa id in deep r esig n a t ion n ex t t o m e. “ T h e w or ld is n ot g oin g t o be
con t en t u n t il it ba sh es in m y poor h ea d on ce a n d for a ll. Ow . Oh ,
ow .”

I y a n k ed a br oca de ch a ir off t h e on ce-a g a in -pr on e for m of

Sa v ia n , y ellin g a s I g ot t o m y feet , “ Ga br iel!”

“ I lik e t h a t . I’m r ig h t h er e, w it h m y r ibs cr u sh ed in , a n d m y

spleen v en t ila t ed, a n d bit s of m y br a in s h a n g in g ou t , a n d sh e is
w or r ied a bou t h er im m or t a l boy fr ien d. Did I sa y ‘ow ’? Beca u se
ser iou sly , ow .”

“ If y ou ca n com pla in , y ou ’r e fin e,” I t old Sa v ia n a s I peer ed

t h r ou g h t h e clou d of du st for a fa m ilia r for m .

“ St a y ba ck , Ma y ,” Ga br iel ca lled, lea pin g u pw a r d sev er a l feet

a s a dr a g on sw u n g low a t h is leg s w it h a h u g e sw or d.

“ T h e m a t e is h er e,” a n ot h er y elled, a n d poin t ed a t m e. I

cou n t ed qu ick ly a s a fa m ilia r fig u r e st r ode t h r ou g h t h e t w ist ed,
sm ok in g , g a pin g h ole t h a t h a d been t h e fr on t door . T h er e w er e
on ly t h r ee dr a g on s, t h e r edh ea ded w om a n , a n d Ba lt ic—h a r dly a
h u g e for ce. W e m or e t h a n ou t n u m ber ed t h em .

“ T a k e h er , t h en loca t e t h e ot h er sh a r ds,” Ba lt ic ca lled ou t ,

su r v ey in g t h e dest r oy ed en t r y w a y . His ey es lit on Ga br iel w it h
a m u sem en t . “ I t old y ou I w ou ld be ba ck .”

“ A n d I t old y ou t h a t y ou w ou ld n ev er h a v e m y m a t e,”
Ga br iel sn a r led, a n d sh ift ed in t o dr a g on for m , h a n dily
deca pit a t in g t h e dr a g on w h o w a s a bou t t o sk ew er h im .
“ Sh a dow , Ma y !”

I didn ’t a r g u e; I sh a dow ed, cou g h in g on t h e du st g en er a t ed by

t h e ex plosion .

“ Fin d t h e m a t e,” Ba lt ic dem a n ded, t h en lea ped a side a n d

scr ea m ed a s Ga br iel lu n g ed t ow a r d h im . On e of h is g u a r ds h it
Ga br iel fu ll in t h e ch est , a n d t h e t w o of t h em w en t dow n .

A g r ow l beh in d m e h a d m e cr ou ch in g in defen se, bu t t h e m a n

w h o sh ov ed a side t h e ch a ir n ex t t o m e w a s n o da n g er t o m e.
“ Oh , sh e didn ’t com e. T ell m e sh e didn ’t com e,” Sa v ia n sa id, h is
ey es a lig h t a s h e focu sed on t h e r edh ea d, st a n din g a s st ill a s a
st a t u e n ex t t o Ba lt ic. “ T h e w or ld cou ld n ot be so g ood t o m e.”

A slow sm ile spr ea d a cr oss h is lips a s h e ig n or ed h is bloody

h a n ds t o cr a ck h is k n u ck les.

“ I t a k e it y ou ’r e su dden ly feelin g bet t er ?” I a sk ed.

He didn ’t t a k e h is ey es off h er . “ Oh , y es. It ’s pa y ba ck t im e. I

ca n ’t t ell y ou h ow m u ch I’v e been look in g for w a r d t o t h is.” He
h eft ed a bit of br ok en fu r n it u r e, w eig h ed it in h is h a n d for a
m om en t or t w o, t h en t ipped h is h ea d ba ck a n d h ow led befor e
ch a r g in g a t t h e w om a n .

A ll h ell br ok e loose. Dr a g on s fou g h t dr a g on s. Sa v ia n , w it h t h e

a dv a n t a g e of su r pr ise, t h r ew h im self on t h e r edh ea d, a n d w a s
on t h e floor r ollin g a r ou n d w it h h er , h is piece of w ood fla ilin g
m a dly , w h ile Dr . Kost ich … Agathos daim on! T h e ex plosion ! Dr .
Kost ich h a d been n ea r t h e door , st ill w or k in g on it w h en Ba lt ic
h a d blow n it u p.

I a v oided bein g seen by Ba lt ic’s h en ch m a n w h o r u sh ed t ow a r d

w h er e I h a d been st a n din g , sk ir t in g t h e edg es of t h e r oom u n t il I
ca m e t o t h e r em a in s of t h e fr on t door . A lon g piece of t h e m et a l
h a d t w ist ed off it , em beddin g it self in t h e floor . A s I st a r t ed t o
m ov e a r ou n d it , I sa w m ov em en t . Kost y a w a s u n der n ea t h t h e
door , pin n ed t o t h e floor by t h e lon g spea r lik e st r ip of m et a l.

“ Don ’t m ov e,” I w h isper ed, m a k in g su r e n on e of t h e dr a g on s

w a s n ea r m e a s I br a ced m y self a g a in st t h e w a ll, u sin g m y fu ll
st r en g t h t o y a n k t h e im pa lin g m et a l fr om h is body . It t ook t h r ee
t r ies, bu t I g ot it ou t a t la st . I dr opped t o m y k n ees, cr ou ch in g
w h en a dr a g on , a ler t ed by t h e n oise of t h e m et a l fa llin g , ca m e
ov er t o in v est ig a t e. “ How ba d a r e y ou ?”

Kost y a w a it ed u n t il t h e dr a g on h a d m ov ed off befor e

a n sw er in g . “ W ell en ou g h t o do w h a t n eeds t o be don e.”

“ Good. I h a v e t o fin d Dr . Kost ich .”

I pu lled h is sw or d ov er t o h is h a n d, t h en m ov ed off a s h e
cla w ed h is w a y t o h is feet , list in g h ea v ily a g a in st t h e w a ll,
lea v in g a lon g sm ea r of blood on t h e g old a n d g r een w a llpa per a s
h e fin a lly pu sh ed h im self u pr ig h t .

T h e ex pr ession on Ba lt ic’s fa ce a s h e ca u g h t sig h t of Kost y a

w a s on e of sh eer delig h t . He r oa r ed som et h in g in Zila n t , k ick in g
a side a bit of debr is a s h e r a n for h im , h is body ch a n g in g in t o
t h e for m of a w h it e dr a g on .

Kost y a y elled, lea pin g t o t h e side a n d sh ift in g in t o dr a g on

for m , a s w ell, h is sw or d da n cin g in h is h a n d a s Ba lt ic descen ded.
 Ga br iel h a d k illed a secon d of Ba lt ic’s m en , a n d w a s n ow
ba t t lin g t h e t h ir d, w h o h a d cea sed sea r ch in g for m e w h en
Ga br iel descen ded u pon h im , ey es bla zin g , sw or d fla sh in g . I
a v er t ed m y ey es fr om t h e sig h t of t h e cor pse, k n ow in g t h ey
w ou ld h a v e dest r oy ed u s w it h ou t a sin g le t h ou g h t , a n d sea r ch ed
t h r ou g h t h e r u bble for a n y sig n s of Kost ich .

I fou n d h im a s Ga br iel a n d Kost y a ba t t led fu r iou sly .

“ Dr . Kost ich , ca n y ou h ea r m e?”

“ Y es.”

He lift ed h is h ea d a s I pu lled a piece of w a ll off h im , h is fa ce

ba t t er ed a n d bloody , pa in du llin g h is ey es. “ Ca n y ou m ov e, or
a r e y ou ba dly in ju r ed?”

“ Not ba dly . I sh ielded m y self w it h a cu sh ion , bu t I believ e m y

a r m is br ok en .” He w in ced w h en I pu lled a piece of t w ist ed m et a l
a n d w ood off h is left side.

I g r im a ced. “ It look s lik e it .”

“ W r a p it for m e,” h e sa id, g r it t in g h is t eet h .

I look ed a g a in a t t h e bloody , t or n m a ss of h is a r m .“ I do n ot
h a v e t h e h ea lin g a bilit ies of t h e silv er dr a g on s—”

“ I k n ow t h a t . Ju st bin d t h e da m n ed t h in g so I ca n m ov e.”

I w ill do m y u t m ost t o for g et t h e fiv e m in u t es t h a t follow ed. I

cer t a in ly h ope Dr . Kost ich does, a s w ell, a lt h ou g h h e didn ’t sa y a
sin g le w or d a s I r ipped off t h e bot t om h a lf of m y em br oider ed
t u n ic, u sin g it a n d som e of t h e w ood t o fa sh ion a cr u de splin t .
 He w a s pa le a n d sh a k in g , sw ea t bea din g h is br ow despit e t h e
cold a ir pou r in g in a r ou n d u s, by t h e t im e I w a s don e. I didn ’t
feel m u ch bet t er , bu t I m a n a g ed t o g et h im t o h is feet , t h e ba t t le
st ill r a g in g a r ou n d u s a s I pr opped h im u p a g a in st t h e st a ir s,
w ell ou t of t h e w a y of t h e ba t t le. “ My a ppr en t ices,” h e cr oa k ed,
h is body sh a k in g w it h sh ock . “ I n eed t h em t o ch a n n el for m e.”

“ Ma st er , w e a r e h er e,” Ja ck sa id fr om beh in d u s. He em er g ed
fr om t h e sh a dow s, h a lf-dr a g g in g , h a lf-ca r r y in g T u lly ou t of t h e
pa ssa g e lea din g t o t h e k it ch en . T h er e w a s blood on h er h a ir a n d
fa ce, a n d sh e look ed da zed a n d con fu sed, a s if sh e w a s on ly
pa r t ia lly con sciou s.

“ Y ou a r e in ju r ed,” Kost ich sa id, m om en t a r ily closin g h is ey es.

“ T u lly h u r t h er h ea d, a n d I a m cu t u p by fly in g g la ss, bu t I

a m a ble t o ser v e y ou .”

“ Get h er t o sa fet y , t h en r et u r n t o m e,” Kost ich or der ed, h is

v oice a pa le im it a t ion of it s n or m a l self.

“ Go below , t o t h e ba sem en t ,” I t old Ja ck . “ T h e la ir is dow n

t h er e. T a k e h er t h er e a n d Ka a w a w ill t en d t o h er .”

T u lly r ou sed h er self en ou g h t o pr ot est . “ T a k e h er t o t h e

k it ch en , t h en ,” I sa id, poin t in g . “ Sh e ca n r ecov er t h er e.”

A n ot h er cr a sh sh ook t h e r oom , bu t t h is t im e it w a s fr om t h e
im pa ct of a h ea v y dr a g on body bein g sla m m ed in t o t h e w a ll.

Ba lt ic scr ea m ed for h is m a n t o g et m e, a n d h ea ded t ow a r d ou r

spot on t h e st a ir s. Ga br iel, fig h t in g t o k eep t h e dr a g on a s fa r
fr om m e a s possible, lik ew ise scr ea m ed. “ Ma y ! Go t o t h e
Dr ea m in g !”
 I st a r ed a t Ga br iel for a m in u t e, t h en n odded a n d sh a dow ed.

Ba lt ic st opped h is ch a r g e, la u g h in g a s h e fa ded fr om sig h t .

He’d g on e in t o t h e sh a dow w or ld, fu lly believ in g h e’d fin d m e
t h er e.

Clev er , clev er Ga br iel.

Dr . Kost ich g ot t o h is feet w it h Ja ck ’s h elp. “ Did h e ju st … ?” He

g est u r ed t o t h e spot w h er e Ba lt ic h a d disa ppea r ed.

“ Y es,” Ja ck sa id g r im ly , on e a r m a r ou n d t h e a r ch im a g e’s
w a ist . “ Ca n y ou w a lk , sir ?”

“ T h is is u n pr eceden t ed,” Kost ich m u t t er ed a s I h u r r ied,

u n seen a n d silen t , u p t h e st a ir s. W it h ev er y on e dow n in t h e
la ir , a t t en t ion w a s dr a w n a w a y fr om t h e u pper floor s, ju st a s
Ga br iel h a d k n ow n it w ou ld be. His ploy t o g et Ba lt ic ou t of t h e
w a y for a few m in u t es w a s ju st w h a t I n eeded t o esca pe w it h ou t
a n y on e n ot icin g w h er e I w en t .

“ I ju st h ope I ca n do t h is,” I m u r m u r ed t o m y self a s I fled dow n

t h e h a llw a y of t h e t h ir d floor t o t h e r oom t h a t h a d been g iv en
ov er t o m e. I pu lled ou t t h e st r on g box t h a t Ga br iel h a d t old m e
w ou ld be u n der t h e bed, a n d per su a ded t h e lock t o open .

T h e ph y la ct er ies la y w it h in . I spr ea d t h em ou t on t h e bed,

pu llin g ou t a n ot h er box , t h is on e u n lock ed, bea r in g t h e fiv e
g old-bou n d cr y st a l a m u let s w e’d ch osen t o h ou se t h e sh a r ds.
Ea ch u n filled ph y la ct er y w a s ch a sed w it h g old, bea r in g t h e
em blem of a sept . Ga br iel a n d I h a d w or k ed h a r d on t h e desig n s,
a n d I t ou ch ed t h em n ow , plea sed w it h t h e r esu lt s.

A r oa r fr om below a ler t ed m e t o t h e fa ct t h a t Ba lt ic h a d
discov er ed I w a sn ’t in t h e sh a dow w or ld w it h h im .
 “ Do it , Ma y . Ga br iel’s g oin g t o r u n ou t of w a y s t o k eep Ba lt ic
dist r a ct ed,” I scolded m y self, m y h a n ds cold a n d sh a k in g a s I
k n elt by t h e bed, t r y in g desper a t ely t o ca lm m y m in d a n d
h ea r t . Ka a w a h a d st r essed t h e fa ct t h a t t h e dr a g on h ea r t m u st
a g r ee w it h m y w ish es for t h e r e-for m a t ion t o be su ccessfu l, a n d
it w ou ldn ’t a ppr ecia t e m y fu ll-fledg ed ca se of t h e n er v es. I
spr ea d m y fin g er s ov er t h e fou r sh a r ds t h a t la y befor e m e,
a w a r e of a du ll h ea t in side m e w h er e t h e sh a r d r esided. It
h u m m ed w it h en er g y , a n d I k n ew it r ecog n ized bot h m y in t en t
a n d t h e n ea r n ess of t h e ot h er sh a r ds.

I clea r ed m y m in d a n d, w it h a pr a y er t h a t w en t ou t t o a n y
deit ies t h a t m ig h t w ish t o a n sw er it , beg a n t h e in ca n t a t ion . T h e
w or ds, spok en in Zila n t , w er e t h em selv es m ea n in g less t o m e,
bu t Ka a w a h a d ex pla in ed w h a t I w a s sa y in g . “ In m y t h ou g h t s I
h a v e seen t h e h ea r t t h a t is w it h in a ll dr a g on s, ech oin g w it h
essen ce of t h e Fir st . I a m h u m bled befor e t h ee, befor e it , befor e
a ll dr a g on k in . I beseech t h ee t o sh ow m e t h e br illia n ce of t h e
Fir st a g a in , in or der t h a t I m ig h t en su r e it s sa fet y a n d pu r it y
for a ll a g es. Heed m e, h ea r t of t h e dr a g on , a n d len d t h y self t o
m y h a n d t h a t I m ig h t pr eser v e t h ee.”

T h e w or ds h u n g h ea v y a n d a w k w a r d in t h e a ir , a s sou n ds of
ba t t le dr ew n ea r er . I pu t a w a y fr om m e t h e w or r y t h a t Ga br iel
w ou ld n ot k eep Ba lt ic fr om m e, t h a t I’d r e-for m t h e h ea r t ju st in
t im e for h im t o st ea l it a n d dest r oy ev er y t h in g , pu t a w a y ev en
t h e dist r ess t h a t I w a sn ’t dow n st a ir s fig h t in g w it h h im . I focu sed
on t h e sh a r d, dou ble-ch eck ed m y m em or y , a n d spok e t h e w or ds
a g a in . “ Heed m e, h ea r t of t h e dr a g on , a n d len d t h y self t o m y
h a n d t h a t I m ig h t pr eser v e t h ee.”

Not h in g h a ppen ed. T h e sou n ds of fig h t in g h a d r ea ch ed t h e

floor below m e. I r a n desper a t ely ov er t h e cer em on y t h a t Ka a w a
h a d descr ibed, m y ow n h ea r t w a ilin g t h a t I h a d fa iled.
 “ In m y t h ou g h t s I h a v e seen t h e h ea r t t h a t is w it h in a ll
dr a g on s—” I st a r t ed t o sa y a t h ir d t im e, t h en st opped. It w a s
w r on g . I cou ld feel t h e sh a r d r ea ct in g t o w h a t I w a s sa y in g , a n d
it w a s u n m ov ed by it . T h e for m a l w or ds w er en ’t w h a t it w a n t ed
fr om m e. Ka a w a w a s g oin g by t h e descr ipt ion Y solde g a v e w h en
sh e r e-for m ed t h e h ea r t —per h a ps t h e w or ds h a d t o be u n iqu e for
ea ch per son ?

I block ed ou t t h e n oise of fig h t in g dr a g on s (g r ow in g ev er

closer ), a n d t h ou g h t a bou t t h e cer em on y , t h ou g h t a bou t w h a t it
w a s I w a n t ed t o t ell t h e sh a r d.

“ I’m n ot g oin g t o m iss y ou t r y in g t o g et m e in t o dr a g on for m

a ll t h e t im e,” I sa id h esit a n t ly , feelin g silly t a lk in g t o it , bu t n ot
k n ow in g w h a t else t o do, “ bu t I do a ppr ecia t e y ou g iv in g m e a n
u n der st a n din g of w h a t it is t o be a dr a g on . I w ill for ev er h old
t h a t in m y h ea r t , ju st a s I h old Ga br iel t h er e. I r esen t ed y ou a t
fir st beca u se I felt y ou w er e t r y in g t o t a k e m e ov er a n d m a k e m e
in t o a dr a g on .”

I cou ld h ea r Ga br iel’s v oice n ow , h ea r Kost y a ’s ba t t le cr y ,

h ea r Kost ich ch a n t a s h e ca st a r ca n e spells in t en ded t o slow
dow n or dest r oy t h e dr a g on s. T h ey w er e close, a lm ost t o t h is
floor . I or der ed m y br a in t o com e u p w it h som e n ice t h in g s t o
sa y t o t h e sh a r d. “ I w ill m iss h a v in g t h e ex per ien ce of sh a pe-
sh ift in g . I w ill m iss t h e sca r let cla w s. I w ill m iss t h e dr a g on
ch a ses t h a t Ga br iel a n d I h a d, a n d I w ill defin it ely m iss
k n ock in g Ma g ot h ou t cold w it h on e sw ipe of m y t a il.”

T h e sh a r d w a s pa y in g a t t en t ion —I cou ld feel t h a t —bu t st ill, it

w a sn ’t en ou g h . It didn ’t w a n t h on ey ed w or ds. It w a n t ed w h a t
w a s in m y h ea r t .

“ I didn ’t w a n t t o be a dr a g on . I w a n t ed t o be m y self. Bu t n ow I
k n ow t h a t I a m a dr a g on —if n ot in ph y sica l bein g , t h en in h ea r t .
I a m Ma y Nor t h cot t , w y v er n ’s m a t e a n d doppelg a n g er , a dr a g on
of t h e silv er sept , a n d I t h a n k y ou for m a k in g m e su ch .”

Ben ea t h m y fin g er s, t h e ph y la ct er ies g r ew h ot , t h e sh a r d

in side m e su dden ly bu r n in g w it h a sea r in g h ea t t h a t I k n ew w a s
t h e fir st dr a g on ’s fir e. It bu r st ou t of m e in a bla ze of fir e t h a t
g low ed so br ig h t it m om en t a r ily blin ded m e.

I st a r ed open m ou t h ed in w on der a s t h e sh a r ds g a t h er ed
t og et h er befor e m y fa ce, h a n g in g in m ida ir , slow ly t w ist in g
t h em selv es in t o a n in t r ica t ely spu n cir cle of fir e. Beh in d it , t h e
a ir g a t h er ed, a n d a v ision coa lesced, t h a t of a dr a g on ’s h ea d,
slow ly t u r n in g t o r eg a r d m e w it h ey es t h a t r eflect ed t h e a g es. It
w a s a w h it e dr a g on , bu t n ot w h it e—it h eld a ll t h e color s of t h e
spect r u m , lig h t sh im m er in g a lon g it s sk in lik e a m illion
fir eflies. T h e dr a g on h ea d sh ift ed, ch a n g ed in t o t h a t of a m a n ,
a n d for a m om en t , for t h e in fin it esim a lly sm a ll t im e bet w een
h ea r t bea t s, I w a s ju dg ed by t h e fir st dr a g on .

T h e h ea r t , t h e spin n in g fir e t h a t m a de u p t h e h ea r t , su dden ly

bu r st in t o a g lor iou s n ov a of lig h t t h a t m a de m y sou l sin g w it h
joy . It w a s a t h ou sa n d t im es st r on g er t h a n t h e feelin g t h e
qu in t essen ce g a v e m e, a t r illion t im es st r on g er , a n d in t h e t im e
it t ook t o bu r st , I felt t h e h ea r t of ev er y dr a g on in t h e w or ld
su dden ly lig h t en a n d sin g w it h m in e.

I w a s ju dg ed a n d fou n d w or t h y . T h e h ea r t r e-for m ed, t h en

ex ploded w it h a son g t h a t sa n g t o t h e h ea v en s. I sa n k ba ck on t o
m y h eels a s t h e lig h t fr om t h e n ow -sh a t t er ed h ea r t fa ded; I w a s
m ov ed so pr ofou n dly I cou ldn ’t beg in t o sor t t h r ou g h t h e
em ot ion s.

T h e sh a r d w a s g on e. It la y befor e m e g low in g soft ly in it s

cr y st a l ca se, a lon g side fou r ot h er ca ses. I sm iled w h en I sa w it ,
t ou ch in g t h e n ew ly filled ph y la ct er y w it h r ev er en t fin g er s.
Ga br iel a n d I h a d a r g u ed ov er w h a t t o pu t on t h e ph y la ct er y for
m y sh a r d. He cla im ed t h a t it n ow belon g ed t o t h e silv er
dr a g on s, sin ce I possessed it , bu t I in sist ed t h a t it be left
u n m a r k ed, t h in k in g w e w ou ld w or k ou t la t er t o w h om it r ea lly
belon g ed.

“ Sm a r t sh a r d,” I sa id, sm ilin g a s m y fin g er s st r ok ed ov er t h e

g old sy m bol of t h e silv er dr a g on s t h a t n ow bou n d t h e
ph y la ct er y . “ W e w ill see t h a t y ou a r e w ell t a k en ca r e of.”

T h e door beh in d m e flu n g open . Ga br iel t h r ew h im self a cr oss

t h e door w a y , on ce a g a in in h u m a n for m , t u r n in g h is ba ck t o m e
a s h e fou g h t lik e a m a dm a n t o k eep Ba lt ic ou t of t h e r oom .

Ba lt ic g r a bbed h im by t h e n eck a n d y a n k ed h im for w a r d,

spin n in g t o flin g h im dow n t h e h a ll. He t u r n ed ba ck t o m e,
pa n t in g h ea v ily , blood st r ea m in g fr om sev er a l w ou n ds on h is
a r m s a n d t or so, h is ey es lit w it h a n u n h oly lig h t .

“ Ma t e,” h e sn a r led.

“ T r u e en ou g h , bu t I w ill n ev er be y ou r s,” I a n sw er ed,

scoopin g u p t h e ph y la ct er ies a n d du m pin g t h em ba ck in t o t h e
st r on g box .

“ I felt som et h in g . W h a t h a v e y ou don e?”

“ Not h in g y ou ca n ch a n g e.”

He sn a r led a t m e. “ Y ou t h in k n ot ?”

I sh ov ed t h e st r on g box beh in d m e, a n d pu lled ou t m y da g g er

a s h e r ea ch ed for m e. “ W h a t y ou felt w a s t h e dr a g on h ea r t bein g
r e-for m ed a n d r esh a r ded. I sa w t h e fir st dr a g on , Ba lt ic. I sa w
h im , a n d I k n ow .”

He fr oze, con fu sion in h is ey es. “ Y ou … k n ow ?”

“ I sa w h im . Y ou w on ’t h a v e t h e dr a g on h ea r t n ow . It ’s been
sh a r ded a g a in .”

Ga br iel r ea ch ed h im ju st a s h e t h r ew ba ck h is h ea d a n d
r oa r ed h is a n g er . Ey es a s br ig h t a s t h e fu ll m oon , Ga br iel
ju m ped on t o Ba lt ic, t w ist in g h is body a s h e did so, u sin g t h e
m om en t u m t o pu ll Ba lt ic fr om t h e r oom , ba ck ou t in t o t h e
h a llw a y , y ellin g ov er h is sh ou lder , “ Fly , lit t le bir d!”

I fled in t o t h e sh a dow w or ld, t a k in g t h e box of ph y la ct er ies

w it h m e, slippin g pa st w h er e h e a n d Kost y a ba t t led Ba lt ic, on ce
a g a in in dr a g on for m . Ba lt ic m u st h a v e sen sed m e pa ssin g h im ,
for h e su dden ly spu n a r ou n d a n d ch a r g ed t ow a r d m e. Ga br iel
y elled a n d t h r ew h im self on t h e dr a g on ’s ba ck , sh ift in g a s h e did
so. He br ou g h t Ba lt ic t o t h e g r ou n d, t h eir sleek dr a g on bodies
t w ist ed t og et h er a s t h ey fell. I pa u sed a t t h e t op of t h e st a ir s, n ot
w a n t in g t o lea v e Ga br iel, bu t k n ow in g I sh ou ld g et t h e
ph y la ct er ies t o sa fet y .

Kost y a sh ift ed t o h u m a n for m , y ellin g a t Ga br iel, “ He is

m in e!”

Sa v ia n st a g g er ed u p t h e st a ir s, on e a r m h a n g in g lim p, h is
u sa ble h a n d st ill clu t ch in g h is piece of w ood. “ T ook ca r e of t h a t
r edh ea ded sh e-w olf. Ju st t h e on e dr a g on left ? Good,” h e sa id,
t h en k eeled ov er on t h e floor .

“ Mu st I do t h is a g a in ?” Kost y a bellow ed, r a isin g h is sw or d

ov er h is h ea d. “ How m a n y t im es m u st I k ill y ou befor e y ou st a y
dea d?”

“ Ga br iel!” I y elled, com in g ou t of t h e sh a dow w or ld.

“ Ma y , g o!” Ga br iel sh ift ed a t t h e la st secon d a n d lea ped ou t of

t h e w a y of Kost y a ’s dow n sw in g . T h e sw or d fla sh ed in t h e a ir a s
it pa ssed t h r ou g h t h e spot t h a t a n a n osecon d befor e w a s
occu pied by Ba lt ic, a n d em bedded it self deeply in t o t h e floor .
 Ch a pt er T w en t y

“ W h er e’s Ba lt ic?” A islin g a sk ed, h er fa ce r ed a n d sh in y w it h

sw ea t . “ W h a t ’s h a ppen —oh , g od, n ot a n ot h er on e!”
I w a it ed u n t il h er con t r a ct ion w a s ov er befor e h a n din g t h e
lock box con t a in in g t h e ph y la ct er ies t o Dr a k e, w h o r ose w h en I
en t er ed t h e sm a ll in n er r oom t h a t w a s pa r t of h is la ir . I t r ied t o
k eep fr om look in g a r ou n d, k n ow in g h ow t ou ch y dr a g on s w er e
a bou t h a v in g t h eir t r ea su r es r eg a r ded by ot h er dr a g on s, bu t I
cou ldn ’t h elp bu t r a ise m y ey ebr ow s a t a cou ple of fa m ilia r -
look in g pa in t in g s h a n g in g on t h e w a ll. I w on der ed if t h e
a ppr opr ia t e m u seu m s k n ew t h ey h a d for g er ies a s I ey ed t h e g old
it em s, ch a lices a n d a qu a m a n iles, a s w ell a s n u m er ou s ot h er
t r ea su r es, a ll g lin t in g w a r m ly , m a k in g m y sk in feel sen sit iv e
a n d h ot .

“ W ou ld y ou lik e a Ca ju n cr isp?” Ren é sa id, offer in g h er a

pa ck a g e of pot a t o ch ips. “ Or I h a v e a ch ocola t e or a n g e if y ou ’d
lik e som et h in g sw eet .”

“ No … or a n g e … ju st … Ba lt ic … ,” A islin g pa n t ed a s sh e w or k ed
t h r ou g h t h e con t r a ct ion . A t la st it w a s ov er a n d sh e w a v ed a
feeble h a n d a t m e. “ Som eon e t ell m e w h a t ’s h a ppen in g .”

I oblig ed h er . “ Ba lt ic is g on e. He disa ppea r ed in t o t h e sh a dow

w or ld a g a in . For som eon e w h o bea r s t h e t it le dr ea d w y v er n , h e
su r e r u n s a w a y fa st en ou g h w h en a ba t t le doesn ’t g o h is w a y .”

“ W e felt t h e h ea r t r e-for m in g ,” A islin g sa id, st ill pa n t in g a

lit t le, t a k in g a sip of w a t er fr om a g la ss Nor a h eld for h er . “ Y ou
g ot it sh a r ded a ll r ig h t ?”

“ Y es.” I g la n ced a t Dr a k e a s h e h eld t h e st r on g box cla m ped

u n der on e a r m . “ T h ey ’r e a ll t h er e, a ll fiv e. Ga br iel w ou ld lik e
y ou t o k eep t h em sa fe u n t il t h ey ca n be dist r ibu t ed t o t h eir
pr oper ow n er s.”

Dr a k e r elea sed A islin g ’s h a n d, n odded, a n d pu t t h e st r on g box

on t o a sh elf. I did look a r ou n d t h en , a m a zed a t t h e objet s d’a r t
t h a t Dr a k e h a d g a t h er ed ov er t h e cen t u r ies. “ T h is is a n
im pr essiv e collect ion . Bu t n ot so m u ch g old a s I ex pect ed t o see.”

A islin g la u g h ed, t w it ch in g a t t h e sh eet t h a t cov er ed h er . Sh e

w a s ly in g on som e sor t of a r a ised pla t for m , a m a t t r ess fr om a
bed h a v in g been la id on t op of it . “ Y ou h a v en ’t seen w h a t I’m
g iv in g bir t h on , h a v e y ou ? Ren é, w ou ld y ou ?”

I w a s a bit su r pr ised t o fin d Ren é in t h e in n er r oom w it h

A islin g w h ile sh e la bor ed, bu t ev iden t ly A islin g w a s com for t a ble
w it h h im t h er e. He g r in n ed a n d pu lled u p t h e cor n er bot t om of
t h e m a t t r ess so I cou ld see w h a t w a s u n der n ea t h .

It w a sn ’t a t a ble, lik e I’d t h ou g h t . It w a s a lon g w ooden ca se

w it h a g la ss t op, lit fr om w it h in w it h soft lig h t s t h a t ca r essed
t h e su r fa ces of t h e g old coin s t h a t filled it a lm ost t o t h e r im .

“ I ju st h ope t h a t Ga br iel doesn ’t m a k e y ou g iv e bir t h on t op of

h is h oa r d of g old,” A islin g sa id w it h a n ot h er la u g h t h a t t r a iled
a w a y in t o a sh r iek of pa in .

Ka a w a bu st led ov er a s Dr a k e h elped A islin g in t o a sit t in g

posit ion , a llow in g h er t o pr ess ba ck a g a in st h im a s sh e st r a in ed.

“ T h is is look in g g ood,” Ka a w a sa id fr om h er posit ion bet w een

A islin g ’s leg s. “ A n ot h er cou ple of g ood pu sh es, a n d I t h in k t h e
h ea d w ill cr ow n .”

“ T im e for m e t o lea v e,” I m u r m u r ed, a v er t in g m y ey es fr om

t h e sig h t . T h er e w er e som e t h in g s I w a s qu it e h a ppy t o lea v e a s
a m y st er y u n t il su ch t im e a s I n eeded t o k n ow . “ Good lu ck ,
A islin g . W e’r e a ll ou t side t h in k in g of y ou .”

Her ey es scr ew ed u p a s sh e con t in u ed t o scr ea m , bu t sh e

m a n a g ed t o w a v e a h a n d a t m e t o let m e k n ow sh e’d h ea r d.

I left t h e in n er r oom , pa ssin g t h r ou g h t o t h e ou t er on e, w h er e

Ist v á n st ood g u a r d a t t h e la ir en t r a n ce. He open ed t h e door for
m e, a sk in g h ow it w a s g oin g .

“ Hea d’s a bou t t o cr ow n , so it pr oba bly w on ’t be m u ch lon g er .

Dr a k e look s ex h a u st ed.”

Ist v á n sm iled a s Ga br iel, ou t side t h e la ir w a it in g for m e, st ood

u p. “ I h ope it is fa st . Dr a k e t old m e h e w a s n ev er g oin g t o g o
t h r ou g h t h is a g a in .”

I la u g h ed a n d a llow ed Ga br iel t o g a t h er m e in t o h is a r m s,
br ea t h in g deeply of t h e scen t of h im . Kost y a sa t on a ben ch
lea n in g a g a in st t h e w a ll a s T ipen e t en ded t o t h e da m a g e on h is
t or so, Cy r en e clin g in g t o h is h a n d a s sh e w ept ov er h im .

“ Did y ou t ell Dr a k e t h a t I w ou ld be h a ppy t o offer m y

a ssist a n ce w it h A islin g ? Did y ou t ell h im t h a t I h a v e m or e
ex per ien ce w it h dr a g on bir t h s t h a n m y m ot h er ?” Ga br iel a sk ed,
n u zzlin g m y ea r in a w a y t h a t sen t sh iv er s dow n m y a r m s a n d
ba ck .

“ Y es,” I lied.

He n ipped m y ea r lobe. “ Y ou do n ot lie w ell, lit t le bir d. How do

y ou feel?”

I look ed u p a t h im in su r pr ise.
 “ Y ou n o lon g er bea r t h e sh a r d. Do y ou m iss it , or is it a r elief
t o h a v e it g on e?”

I r em em ber ed t h e sen sa t ion of seein g t h e fir st dr a g on , of

h a v in g h im see m e, a ck n ow ledg e m e, ju dg e m y h ea r t a n d sou l,
a n d fin d t h em n ot w a n t in g . I r em em ber ed t h e w isdom in t h ose
ey es, t h e h ist or y t h a t t h ey h a d seen , a n d con t in u ed t o see, a n d I
sm iled. “ I a m a dr a g on n ow . T h e dr a g on h ea r t is a pa r t of m e
ju st a s it is a pa r t of y ou , so n o, I don ’t m iss t h e sh a r d. It w ill
r em a in w it h u s for ev er .”

“ I g iv e t h a t a bou t a t h r ee poin t t w o on t h e pr ofou n d-o-m et er ,”

a m a le v oice sa id.

I st opped n u zzlin g Ga br iel’s n eck t o look beh in d m e. Jim st ood

t h er e, it s h a n ds on it s h ips, a n ex t r em ely disg r u n t led look on it s
fa ce.

“ Ca n I h a v e m y m a g n ificen t for m ba ck n ow ? Or is t h er e
som et h in g else y ou ’d lik e m e t o do? T ot e a ba r g e? Ha u l a ba le?
Or ju st st a n d a r ou n d a n d be a la u g h in g st ock t o a m u se
ev er y on e?”

“ Oh , Jim , I’m sor r y . I didn ’t m ea n t o for g et a bou t y ou . Bu t

y ou ’r e n ot a la u g h in g st ock , I’m su r e. Y ou ’r e a ct u a lly a v er y
h a n dsom e m a n in t h a t for m . Isn ’t h e h a n dsom e, Ga br iel?”

“ Eh .”

I pok ed h im in t h e r ibs.

“ I su ppose a s h u m a n for m s g o, it ’s n ot ou t r ig h t r epu lsiv e,”

Ga br iel a llow ed, h is dim ples dim plin g .

“ Ig n or e h im . Y ou ’r e v er y h a n dsom e. I pa r t icu la r ly lik e t h e

cleft ch in .”

“ He la ck s a cer t a in s om ething,” Sa v ia n sa id fr om w h er e h e
w a s fla k ed ou t in side t h e sa u n a , r ecov er in g , h e sa id, fr om t h e
v a r iou s t r a u m a s h is body h a d g on e t h r ou g h in t h e la st few
h ou r s. “ He look s lik e t h e sor t of m a n w h o w ou ld dr ool on a n ot h er
m a n w h en h e w a s ly in g in a pool of h is ow n br a in s a n d blood.”

Jim n a r r ow ed it s ey es a t t h e t ow el-cla d Sa v ia n . “ Dr a k e’s

g oin g t o be a ll pissy if h e k n ow s y ou ’v e been k eepin g t h e door t o
t h e sa u n a open w h ile y ou h a v e it r u n n in g .”

Sa v ia n pu r sed h is lips for a m om en t , a n d con sider ed w h et h er

h e w a n t ed Dr a k e pissed.

“ Don ’t list en t o Sa v ia n —h e’s feelin g ch a llen g ed beca u se h e

doesn ’t h a v e t h e cor n er a n y m or e on t h e u n a t t a ch ed-h a n dsom e-
m a n m a r k et ,” I t old h im .

Ga br iel pin ch ed m y beh in d. “ Y ou t h in k I’m h a n dsom e!”

I g r a bbed t w o h a n dfu ls of h is h a ir a n d pu lled h im dow n for a

qu ick k iss. “ Mor e t h a n a n y ot h er m a n on t h e pla n et , bu t I did, in
fa ct , sa y unattached h a n dsom e m a n .”

“ Y ea h , y ea h , h a n dsom e, r iiig h t ,” Jim a n sw er ed, m a k in g a

r u de fa ce. “ T h a t ’s w h y A islin g a lm ost h a d a h ea r t a t t a ck w h en I
w en t u p t o h elp h er , lik e y ou or der ed m e t o do.”

“ Y ou pr oba bly ju st t ook h er by su r pr ise,” I sa id, lick in g

Ga br iel’s low er lip.

He g r ow led a t m e, h is ey es br ig h t w it h in t er est , t h en g a v e m e
w h a t I w a n t ed a n d k issed m e w it h a ll h is fir e, a ll h is pa ssion ,
a n d a ll h is lov e.
 “ Ka a w a y elled a t m e beca u se A islin g w a s la u g h in g so h a r d
w h en sh e sa w m e t h a t sh e t ot a lly blew off pu sh in g du r in g a
con t r a ct ion . T h a t a in ’t h a n dsom e, sist er .”

Ga br iel lift ed h is h ea d. “ Don ’t ca ll h er t h a t .”

I la u g h ed w h en Jim m a de a n ot h er disg u st ed fa ce. “ Go a h ea d

a n d ch a n g e ba ck t o y ou r pr efer r ed for m . I’m su r e A islin g w ill
t h a n k y ou la t er for a ll t h e h elp y ou g a v e h er a n d Dr a k e.”

T h e dem on ’s for m sh im m er ed a n d con den sed dow n t o a la r g e

bla ck sh a g g y dog . It sig h ed w it h r elief. “ Oh , m a n , t h a t ’s so
m u ch bet t er .” It lift ed a leg a n d ch eck ed, t h en plopped it s bu t t
dow n a n d cock ed a n ey ebr ow a t m e. “ W h ew . Pa ck a g e is A -OK.
A ll r ig h t , g et on w it h t h e n it t y g r it t y . W h a t h a ppen ed w it h
Ba lt ic? How com e t h er e’s n ot a big ole dr a g on cor pse r ot t in g
a w a y u pst a ir s? W h y did Sa v ia n in sist Dr a k e lock t h a t
r edh ea ded ch ick in t h e st or a g e r oom ? A n d w h y is Dr . Kost ich so
pissed?”

Befor e I cou ld a n sw er , t h e door t o t h e la ir open ed a n d Nor a

popped ou t , flu st er ed bu t ex cit ed. “ W ell! It ’s h a ppen ed! It ’s a boy !
Dr a k e is t h r illed. A islin g is fu r iou s. Sh e in sist s t h a t Ka a w a h a s
m a de a m ist a k e, beca u se sh e k n ow s sh e is su pposed t o h a v e a
g ir l, bu t I look ed, a n d t h er e’s n o m ist a k e. It ’s a boy .”

I lea n ed in t o Ga br iel, pu sh in g h im in t o t h e w a ll a s h e w a s
a bou t t o m ov e t ow a r d t h e la ir . “ Giv e A islin g a n d Dr a k e ou r
con g r a t u la t ion s, plea se.”

“ Ma y lin g , plea se let m e g o. My m ot h er is n ot a s ex per ien ced a s

I a m w it h dr a g on —”

I cla pped a h a n d ov er h is m ou t h a n d sm iled a t Nor a a s sh e

la u g h ed a n d w en t ba ck in t o t h e la ir .

“ Y ou r m om is doin g ju st fin e,” I t old h im a s h e g en t ly bit m y

h a n d. “ Y ou , h ow ev er , w ou ld ju st ca u se Dr a k e t o g o ba llist ic. Y ou
w ill st a y h er e a n d ex pla in t o Dr . Kost ich w h a t h a ppen ed t o
Ba lt ic, beca u se if h e y ells a t m e on ce m or e, I’m g oin g t o g o st ea l
som et h in g else fr om h im , a n d t h is t im e I w on ’t g iv e it ba ck .”

Ga br iel la u g h ed, squ eezin g m e t ig h t ly . “ A ll r ig h t . Let u s g o

u pst a ir s a n d dea l w it h t h e a r ch im a g e. T ipen e pr oba bly h a s h is
a r m h ea led by n ow .”

W e m a de it t w o st eps befor e Nor a a ppea r ed a t t h e door a g a in ,

t h is t im e look in g h a r r ied a n d flu sh ed. “ It ’s … it ’s a g ir l!”

W e a ll st opped a n d st a r ed a t h er . “ I t h ou g h t y ou sa id it w a s a
boy ?” Cy r en e a sk ed. “ Y ou sa id y ou ch eck ed. Didn ’t sh e sa y sh e
ch eck ed?” sh e a sk ed Kost y a , w h o n odded.

“ I h a v e a n iece, n ot a n eph ew ?” h e a sk ed.

“ I did sa y I ch eck ed, a n d I did. Ch eck , t h a t is. Bu t n o, y ou ’r e

n ot u n der st a n din g m e—it ’s a g ir l, too. A islin g h a s h a d t w in s. Er
… r ea l t w in s, n ot lik e y ou t w o,” sh e sa id, g la n cin g bet w een
Cy r en e a n d m e.

“ T w in s. Dou ble con g r a t u la t ion s, t h en ,” I sa id, a n d w on der ed

a lou d w h a t A islin g a n d Dr a k e w ou ld do a bou t n a m es. “ How is
A islin g h oldin g u p?”

“ A lot bet t er t h a n Dr a k e,” Nor a g ig g led. “ A n d a s for n a m es, I

cou ldn ’t sa y for cer t a in , bu t I do k n ow t h e n a m es A islin g h a d
pick ed ou t w er e Ia r la it h if it w a s a boy , a n d Ilon a if it w a s a g ir l,
so I a ssu m e t h ey w ill u se t h ose. I h a d bet t er g et ba ck . T h er e w a s
a bit of blood a n d flu ids a n d su ch lik e befor e t h e fir st ba by ca m e
ou t , a n d Ren é fa in t ed a t t h e sig h t of it . Men a r e so silly , r ea lly . I
sh ou ld g o r ev iv e h im . T h is is su ch a n ex cit in g da y !”

Nor a disa ppea r ed in t o t h e la ir a g a in .

Jim m a de h a ck in g n oises. “ Ba by g u ck ! Ma y , ca n y ou plea se

t a k e m e t o Pa r is so I ca n st a y w it h Cecile u n t il A islin g g et s ov er
g u sh in g ou t ba bies a n d ook y st u ff?”

“ I’m su r e w e’ll fin d a w a y for y ou t o g o v isit y ou r g ir lfr ien d

w h ile A islin g is r ecov er in g ,” I sa id, sh ooin g t h e dog u pst a ir s. W e
follow ed, pa u sin g on ce w e g ot t o t h e h a llw a y .

Dr a k e’s ca ll for r ein for cem en t s h a d br ou g h t a n u m ber of

g r een dr a g on s t o h is h ou se, m ost of w h om w er e n ow dev ot in g
t h em selv es t o clea r in g u p t h e m ess, a n d beg in n in g t h e r epa ir s.
Pá l w a s ov er seein g bot h , a sk in g u s for n ew s a s w e t r ooped in t o
t h e sit t in g r oom , w h ich lu ck ily r em a in ed m or e or less in t a ct .

“ T w in s, boy a n d g ir l. A islin g ’s fin e, Dr a k e is a m ess, a n d Ren é

fa in t ed.”

Pá l la u g h ed. “ He w a s boa st in g t o A islin g a bou t h is sev en

ch ildr en , a n d h ow u sefu l h e w a s t o h is w ife in t h e deliv er y
r oom . T h a t ’s w h y sh e a sk ed h im t o st a y w it h h er . T h a t , a n d t o
dist r a ct Dr a k e.”

“ Sou n ds lik e h e w a sn ’t h or r ibly su ccessfu l on eit h er fr on t .”

“ I’m ex h a u st ed,” Cy r en e sa id, t u g g in g on Kost y a ’s a r m . “ I

t h in k I’m g oin g t o g o t a k e a n a p. I’ll see A islin g a n d t h e ba bies
la t er , on ce t h ey ’r e clea n ed u p. Kost y a ’s t ir ed, t oo. A ll t h a t bein g
st a bbed a n d fig h t in g w or e h im ou t .”

Kost y a look ed su r pr ised for a m om en t , t h en ca u g h t t h e g lin t

in h er ey e a n d a g r eed. “ Per h a ps a n a p w ou ld be a g ood idea ,” h e
sa id, a n d g a v e h er a w olfish g r in t h a t h a d h er g ig g lin g a n d
r u n n in g u p t h e st a ir s.

I sh ook m y h ea d a s t h ey left , a n d sa id soft ly t o Ga br iel, “ I

don ’t k n ow t h a t I’m ev er g oin g t o g et u sed t o t h a t .”

“ Y ou a n d m e bot h ,” h e sa id w it h a w olfish g r in of h is ow n , a n d
I t h ou g h t ser iou sly for a few m in u t es a bou t dem a n din g a n a p.

“ T h er e is st ill m u ch w e m u st do,” h e sa id, a ccu r a t ely r ea din g

m y m in d. “ Bu t la t er , on ce it is don e, t h en I w ill do a ll t h ose
t h in g s y ou a r e t h in k in g a bou t . Pa r t icu la r ly t h e on e w h er e y ou
a r e on y ou r h a n ds a n d k n ees a n d I t a k e y ou fr om beh in d—”

I st opped h is w or ds w it h a qu ick k iss, t h en st r a ig h t en ed m y

sh ou lder s a n d en t er ed t h e sit t in g r oom .

Dr . Kost ich w a s t h er e, bu t h e w a sn ’t a lon e.

“ Sa lly ?” My br a in , som ew h a t fr ied by t h is poin t , slu g g ish ly

t r ied t o fig u r e ou t w h a t on ea r t h t h e n ew est dem on lor d in
A ba ddon w a s doin g in A islin g ’s sit t in g r oom , ch a t t in g h a ppily
w it h Dr . Kost ich .

“ —Ma m a a lw a y s sa id t h a t t h er e’s a pla ce for ev er y t h in g a n d

ev er y t h in g in it s pla ce, a n d I a lw a y s believ ed t h a t w a s t r u e, bu t
y ou k n ow , m y t im e spen t in A ba ddon h a s been qu it e t h e ey e-
open in g ex per ien ce. I see n ow t h a t m y dea r m a m a ju st w a sn ’t
r ig h t , n o, sh e w a sn ’t . Beca u se h on est ly , h ow do y ou ex pla in
por t a ls? If y ou r a r ca n e m a g ic w a s a s st r on g a s y ou sa y , w h y ,
t h en , y ou cou ld ju st sea l por t a ls t o A ba ddon a n d n o cr eepy
cr a w lies w ou ld ev er g et t h r ou g h , w ou ld t h ey ? Bu t t h ey do.
T h er efor e, da r k m a g ic h a s t o be t h e st r on g er . Ma y ! Y ou look
h or r ible, su g a r , ju st h or r ible. A r e y ou u sin g t h a t sa lt scr u b I
r ecom m en ded?”

Sa lly cea sed pa t t in g Dr . Kost ich ’s h a n d, w h ich w a s a g ood

t h in g , sin ce h e w a s st a r in g a t h er w it h u n a du lt er a t ed disbelief.

“ W h a t a r e y ou doin g h er e? How did y ou g et in ?” I a sk ed,

look in g a r ou n d t h e r oom t o see if a n y ot h er dem on s w er e in
a t t en da n ce. I k n ew Dr a k e h a d som e sor t of a dem on a la r m , bu t
it m u st h a v e been disa bled w it h t h e a t t a ck a n d su bsequ en t
r ebu ildin g .

“ Oh , som e v er y n ice w or k m en let m e in w h en I sa id I w a s a

fr ien d of y ou r s.” Sh e sm iled h er sh a r k y sm ile a t m e.

Dr . Kost ich t r a n sfer r ed h is h or r ified g a ze fr om h er t o m e.

“ T h is … w om a n … is y ou r fr ien d?”

“ W ell …” Sa lly ’s ey ebr ow s r ose.

I clea r ed m y t h r oa t , n ot w a n t in g t o ca u se t r ou ble. “ Sa lly is a

dem on lor d, a n d sh e ser v ed a s Ma g ot h ’s a ppr en t ice for a few
w eek s. I k n ow h er fr om w h en I w a s t r a pped in A ba ddon .”

“ I see.” His br ow s low er ed.

“ Y es, w e did m eet t h er e, a n d w e h a d ev er su ch a lov ely t im e,

didn ’t w e, Ma y ? W e h a d lot s of fu n t a lk in g a bou t a ll sor t s of g ir l
t h in g s, lik e in t er est in g w a y s t o a ccessor ize spik es, a n d h ow t o
g et bloodst a in s ou t of lea t h er h a r n esses, a n d ju st ex a ct ly w h a t
Ma g ot h ’s pen is cu r se sa y s. Bu t silly ch a t t er box m e, h er e I’m
k eepin g y ou st a n din g t h er e w h en y ou clea r ly n eed t o g et som e
r est . I’ll g et r ig h t t o t h e poin t : I’m h er e beca u se of Ma g ot h .”

“ Agathos daim on—h e’s ou t ?” I a sk ed, t r y in g t o fig u r e ou t h ow

h e cou ld h a v e g ot t en ou t of t h e A k a sh a .

Sh e ben t a st er n look u pon m e. “ No, a n d t h a t w a s v er y

n a u g h t y of y ou t o h a v e h im ba n ish ed w it h ou t t ellin g Lor d Ba el.
He w a s m ost displea sed w h en h e h ea r d w h a t y ou ’d don e.”

“ W h y w ou ld Ba el ca r e w h a t h a ppen ed t o Ma g ot h ?” Ga br iel
a sk ed.

“ W h y ? Beca u se Ma y is bou n d t o Ma g ot h ,” Sa lly sa id ju st a s if

t h a t ex pla in ed ev er y t h in g . “ A n d Ma g ot h w a s a su bser v ien t
pr in ce t o Lor d Ba el.”

“ T h e k ey w or d t h er e bein g w as ,” I poin t ed ou t .

“ Ex a ct ly .” Sh e sm iled a n d pa t t ed m e on t h e ch eek .

I sa g g ed a g a in st Ga br iel. “ Sa lly , I don ’t h a v e t h e en er g y t o

pla y clev er w or d g a m es. Ju st spit ou t w h a t it is y ou w a n t t o
sa y .”

“ W ell, I w ill, bu t I h a v e t o sa y I don ’t m u ch a ppr ecia t e y ou r

a t t it u de,” sh e sa id cr ossly . “ Y ou w er e bou n d t o t h e dem on lor d
Ma g ot h , y es?”

“ Y es,” I sa id, a n u n ea sy feelin g spr in g in g t o life in m y

st om a ch . I lea n ed a lit t le h a r der a g a in st Ga br iel, r elish in g t h e
feelin g of h is a r m a r ou n d m y w a ist .

“ Bu t Ma g ot h is in t h e A k a sh a , a n d y ou ca n ’t be a dem on lor d if
y ou ’r e ba n ish ed t o lim bo, ca n y ou ?”

“ I g u ess,” I sa id w a r ily , t h e ba d feelin g g r ow in g .

“ Ma g ot h is n o lon g er a dem on lor d, a n d t h u s y ou r ex ist en ce is

n eg a t ed.”

I blin k ed a t h er in con fu sion . “ W h a t on ea r t h does t h a t

m ea n ?”

“ It m ea n s, su g a r , t h a t y ou ow e ser v it u de t o a dem on lor d, a n d

sin ce Ma g ot h is ba n ish ed t o t h e A k a sh a a n d t ech n ica lly n o
lon g er a dem on lor d, t h en y ou m u st be bou n d t o som e ot h er
lor d. Lor d Ba el con sider ed t h is pr oblem for a v er y lon g t im e, a n d
decided t h a t y ou sh ou ld be bou n d t o m e. So I’m h er e t o t a k e y ou r
oa t h of fea lt y , a ft er w h ich w e ca n discu ss y ou r sch edu le a n d
du t ies.”

My con fu sion t u r n ed t o ou t r ig h t h or r or .

“ T h a t is ou t of t h e qu est ion ,” Ga br iel sa id fir m ly . “ I h a v e

n ev er h ea r d of su ch a t h in g , a n d I w ill n ot h a v e it .”

“ I a ssu r e y ou t h er e’s pr ov ision m a de for t h is sit u a t ion in t h e

Doct r in e of Un en din g Con sciou s, a n d sin ce Ma y w a s bou n d t o
Ma g ot h , a n d h e w a s g ov er n ed by t h ose la w s, t h en t h ey a pply t o
h er n ow .”

I look ed u p a t Ga br iel, a h or r ibly h opeless feelin g g r ippin g m e.

I didn ’t w a n t t o be bou n d t o Sa lly . I didn ’t w a n t t o be bou n d t o
a n y on e a n y m or e ot h er t h a n Ga br iel.

Ga br iel’s lov ely ey es n a r r ow ed. “ W h a t w ou ld h a ppen if

Ma g ot h w er e r et u r n ed t o t h e m or t a l w or ld? W ou ld Ma y st ill be
con sider ed bou n d t o h im ?”

“ Y es,” Sa lly a n sw er ed, pick in g a t a fin g er n a il. “ Bu t Lor d Ba el

w ou ld n ot be h a ppy a bou t t h a t . He t r u ly w ou ld n ot . A n d y ou
k n ow , Ma y a n d I w ou ld h a v e fu n t og et h er . I w ou ld g r ea t ly en joy
h a v in g h er by m y side a s I m a de m y m a r k h er e.”
 I sh u dder ed. “ Her e? Her e a s in t h e m or t a l w or ld?”

“ W h y , y es, su g a r !” Her sm ile w iden ed u n t il I cou ld see ev er y

la st on e of h er t eet h . “ Didn ’t I t ell y ou ? Lor d Ba el feels I’m ju st
t h e per son t o r ein st a ll t h e con cept of h ell on ea r t h t o t h e
m or t a ls. He is su ch a doll, isn ’t h e? Im a g in e m e a s t h e su pr em e
ov er lor d of a ll m or t a ls? It ’s en ou g h t o g iv e a g ir l g oose pim ples!”

I look ed a t Ga br iel. Ga br iel look ed a t m e. Dr . Kost ich sw or e.

“ I’ll h a v e h im br ou g h t ba ck ,” I sa id w ea r ily .

Ga br iel n odded, look ed t h ou g h t fu l for a m om en t ; t h en slow ly

a sm ile cu r led h is a dor a ble y et m a n ly lips. “ Y eees, I t h in k t h a t
w ill w or k qu it e w ell.”

“ W h a t w ill w or k ?” I a sk ed, w a t ch in g h im closely . “ W h a t

br illia n t pla n h a v e y ou con coct ed?”

His g a ze t ou ch ed on Sa lly for a m om en t , specu la t ion r epla cin g

a m u sem en t .

“ Ma g ot h h a s n o w a y t o con t a ct t h e w or ld bey on d t h e A k a sh a ,
isn ’t t h a t so?” h e a sk ed m e.

“ No w a y w h a t soev er .”

“ T h en y ou w ill h a v e t o g o ba ck t h er e, lit t le bir d. Y ou w ill

pr esen t h im w it h a n offer —h e w ill be r et u r n ed t o t h e m or t a l
w or ld, bu t on ly a ft er h e pa y s a pr ice.”

En lig h t en m en t bu r st in t o g lor iou s bein g .

“ Oh , y ou don ’t w a n t t o do t h a t ,” Sa lly sa id, fin ish in g w it h h er

cu t icle ex a m in a t ion . “ Lor d Ba el w ou ld n ot lik e t h a t , a n d y ou
don ’t w a n t t o cr oss h im . He’s n ot h a ppy w it h y ou a s is, a n d if h e
w a s r ea lly a n n oy ed? Noooo, n ot g ood a t a ll.”

I beg a n t o ch u ck le.“ Ba el’s h a ppin ess is n ot m y con cer n

a n y m or e. Especia lly if I’m n o lon g er bou n d t o Ma g ot h .”

“ Bu t h ow —” Sh e fr ow n ed u n t il sh e, t oo, r ea lized w h a t Ga br iel

h a d fir st h it u pon .

Dr . Kost ich look ed t h ou g h t fu l. “ Clev er . V er y clev er . Bu t n o

con cer n of m in e. I m u st g o fin d m y a ppr en t ices so t h a t w e ca n
r et u r n t o la y ch a r g es a g a in st t h is dr a g on .”

He left t h e r oom a s I k issed Ga br iel v er y g en t ly . “ Sex y a s sin ,

dim ples t o die for , ey es t h a t cou ld m elt ice, a n d a br a in . Y ou , sir ,
a r e on e fa bu lou s dr a g on .”

He la u g h ed a n d pu lled m e t o h is ch est , k issin g m e u n t il I

st opped list en in g t o Sa lly pr ot est beh in d u s. W h en w e fin a lly
ca m e u p for a ir , Sa lly w a s lea v in g t h e r oom .

“ W h o a r e y ou ?” Ga br iel ca lled t o h er a s sh e w en t t h r ou g h t h e
door .

Sh e fr oze a n d look ed ba ck a t h im , h er fa ce a m ir r or of
con fu sion . “ I beg y ou r pa r don ?”

“ W h o a r e y ou ?”

Sa lly sm iled a s sh e t ipped h er h ea d t ow a r d m e. “ Per h a ps h e’s

n ot quite a s br ig h t a s y ou t h in k , su g a r .”

It occu r r ed t o m e t h en w h a t Ga br iel w a s a sk in g , a n d w h y .
“ Y ou ’r e n ot r ea lly a dem on lor d, a r e y ou ?”
 “ I a ssu r e y ou I a m ,” sh e sa id sm oot h ly . “ Lor d Ba el h im self
a ppoin t ed m e.”

“ No, I m ea n t h a t y ou ’r e n ot r ea lly dem on lor d m a t er ia l.

Y ou ’r e a bit w ick ed, a n d I t h in k y ou ’r e en joy in g a ll t h is g r ea t ly ,
bu t y ou ’r e n ot …” My h a n ds flu t t er ed for a m om en t . “ … n ot
ev il.”

Sh e look ed in su lt ed.

“ Y ou h a v en ’t r ea lly don e a n y t h in g t r u ly r epr eh en sible,” I

poin t ed ou t . “ Oh , y ou t a lk t h e t a lk , bu t y ou r a ct ion s spea k
lou der t h a n t h a t .”

“ Na m e on e g ood t h in g I’v e don e,” sh e sa id, st r a ig h t en in g h er

sh ou lder s w it h a bellig er en t g la r e a t m e. “ Ju st on e!”

“ I ca n n a m e t h r ee.” I t ick ed t h em off m y fin g er s. “ Y ou sa v ed

m e fr om t h e t h ief t a k er in Pa r is.”

“ I t old y ou t h en —t h ey w er e t h e g ood g u y s. I don ’t do g ood

g u y s,” sh e sa id h u ffily .

“ Uh -h u h . T h en y ou poin t ed ou t t o Ma g ot h t h a t , w it h m e a s a
con sor t , h e cou ld lea v e A ba ddon a n d en t er t h e m or t a l w or ld.”

“ I h a r dly see h ow u n lea sh in g a dem on lor d on t h e m or t a l

w or ld is a g ood t h in g ,” sh e sa id w it h a n a cer bic st in g in h er
v oice.

“ On e w h o is effect iv ely st r ipped of h is pow er s? On t h e

con t r a r y , t h a t w a s v er y clev er ,” Ga br iel sa id. “ A n d it a llow ed
Ma y t o r et u r n t o m e.”

I n odded. “ I h a v e a bsolu t ely n o dou bt w h a t soev er t h a t y ou

w er e t h e on e pu sh in g Ba el t o ex pel Ma g ot h for g ood, w h ich en ded
u p w it h h im per m a n en t ly ou t of com m ission , pow er less a n d
in effect iv e.”

Sh e look ed a w a y , bu t I cou ld h a v e sw or n I sa w t h e t in iest h in t

of a sm ile. “ T h a t w a s ju st a n u n for t u n a t e con sequ en ce of a
r ea lly ex cellen t pla n t o st a b y ou bot h in t h e ba ck .”

“ A n d n ow h er e y ou a r e, w a r n in g u s t h a t u n less w e do
som et h in g , Ba el w ill cla im m y bon da g e t o Ma g ot h , w it h t h e en d
r esu lt t h a t w e see a w a y clea r t o fr eein g m e fr om h im for ev er .
A n ev il per son w ou ldn ’t do t h a t .”

“ Y ou t h in k n ot ?” Sh e m a de a lit t le fa ce. “ Y ou ’ll h a v e Ma g ot h

h a n g in g a r ou n d y ou r n eck for t h e r est of y ou r liv es. If t h a t ’s n ot
ev il, I don ’t k n ow w h a t is.”

“ A n n oy in g , bu t n ot ev il. I ca n liv e w it h Ma g ot h w h in in g a t
m e so lon g a s I’m n o lon g er bou n d t o h im ,” I sa id qu iet ly .

“ So w h o a r e y ou ?” Ga br iel a sk ed, t a k in g a st ep closer t o

h er .“ Y ou ca n ’t be fr om t h e Cou r t of Div in e Blood. Ba el w ou ld
r ecog n ize t h a t t a in t t o y ou . Y ou a r en ’t a Gu a r dia n . Y ou a r en ’t
ev en im m or t a l—or y ou w er en ’t u n t il y ou beca m e a dem on lor d.
W h o, t h en , does t h a t lea v e?”

Silen ce fell for a few secon ds w h ile sh e look ed a t h im , r ea lly

look ed a t h im . Her g a ze w a s sh a r p a s a w h ip, bu t a m u sed. Sh e
sa id n ot h in g , ju st sm iled, t h en w en t t h r ou g h t h e door .

“ W h a t do y ou t h in k ?” I a sk ed Ga br iel w h en w e h ea r d t h e
fr on t door close. “ Cou ld it be a g la m ou r t o con fu se u s?”

“ No.” He r u bbed m y ba ck a bsen t ly w h ile h e t h ou g h t . “ I don ’t

k n ow w h o sh e is, bu t I do k n ow t h is—sh e h a s been a t r u e fr ien d
t o u s, a n d I w ill n ot for g et t h a t .”

“ I’ll g o see if Nor a is u p t o sen din g m e t o t h e A k a sh a ,” I sa id,

h ea din g for t h e door . “ I t h in k I’m r ea lly g oin g t o en joy this
v isit .”

It t ook a lm ost fiv e h ou r s t o a ccom plish ou r g oa ls of sen din g m e

t o t h e A k a sh a a n d n eg ot ia t in g m y fr eedom fr om Ma g ot h .
A islin g , Ga br iel t old m e la t er , h a d w a n t ed t o be t h er e t o w a t ch
Nor a con du ct t h e ba n ish in g a n d r esu m m on s, bu t Dr a k e r efu sed
t o let h er ou t of bed, a n d I dou bt if sh e a r g u ed t h a t poin t t oo
m u ch .

Ga br iel w a s w a it in g for m e w h en Nor a r esu m m on ed m e. I fell

st r a ig h t in t o h is a r m s, clin g in g t o h im w h ile I t r ied t o for g et t h e
m ia sm a of despa ir t h a t filled t h e A k a sh a .

“ Lit t le bir d,” h e m u r m u r ed in t o m y h a ir , h is h a n ds bu sily

ch eck in g t o m a k e su r e a ll m y per t in en t pa r t s w er e w h er e h e
h a d la st seen t h em . “ Y ou a r e sh a k in g ?”

“ Ju st w it h h a ppin ess,” I sa id, let t in g h im fill m e w it h dr a g on

fir e.

He st iffen ed, a n d I felt a cold w h oosh beh in d m e.

“ It ’s a bou t t im e,” Ma g ot h sn a pped, g la r in g a t t h e t h r ee of u s.

“ W h er e is t h is fou l docu m en t I m u st sig n ?”

Ga br iel g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e t a ble. Ma g ot h sw or e a color fu l

v a r iet y of oa t h s a s h e r ea d ov er t h e em a n cipa t ion pa per s. He
g r it t ed h is t eet h , bu t h e sig n ed t h em , sn a t ch in g t h e k n ife
Ga br iel h eld ou t , a n d m a k in g a sm a ll cu t on h is t h u m b. He
pr essed a bloody m a r k n ex t t o h is n a m e, a n d t h r ew it a t m e.
“ T h er e. I a m fr ee of y ou r in g r a t it u de a t la st .”
 “ Not qu it e y et ,” Ga br iel sa id, a n d slid a n ot h er pa per t ow a r d
h im . “ T h er e is t h is y ou m u st sig n , a s w ell.”

I cr a n ed m y n eck t o see w h a t Ma g ot h w a s su pposed t o sig n . “ A

div or ce decr ee?”

Ga br iel w in k ed a t m e. “ Ma y w ill be m y w ife, a n d n o ot h er ’s.”

Ma g ot h r olled h is ey es, bu t sig n ed t h e docu m en t w it h on ly a

few t est y w or ds.

“ Y ou don ’t h a v e t o do t h a t , y ou k n ow ,” I m u r m u r ed t o t h e
lov e of m y life. “ I’m n ot a m or t a l w h o h olds w it h su ch
con v en t ion s a s m a r r ia g e.”

“ I k n ow . I ju st don ’t lik e h im r efer r in g t o y ou a s h is w ife,”

Ga br iel sa id. “ Besides, m y m ot h er w ish es u s t o be m a r r ied in
fr on t of h er people, a n d t h is w ill m a k e ev er y t h in g ea sier .”

“ Don e,” Ma g ot h sn a pped, sla m m in g dow n t h e pen a n d k n ife.

“ Now y ou ow e m e on e t h in g .”

“ W e ju st g a v e y ou y ou r fr eedom . W h a t cou ld w e possibly ow e

y ou n ow ?” I a sk ed.

He g r ow led. “ Y ou w ill t ell m e w h er e t h a t bet r a y er Sa lly is.

Sh e w ill pa y for h er per fidy —of t h a t I sw ea r . T ell m e h er
w h er ea bou t s t h a t I m a y ex a ct m y len g t h y a n d in cr edibly
u n plea sa n t r ev en g e u pon h er .”

“ I t h in k sh e sa id som et h in g a bou t g oin g t o Los A n g eles,” I sa id

w it h ou t on ce blin k in g m y ey es. I look ed a t Ga br iel. “ Didn ’t sh e
sa y Los A n g eles?”

“ Y es,” h e lied, a lso w it h ou t t h e slig h t est h esit a t ion . “ T h a t is

w h a t sh e sa id.”

“ T h en t h a t is w h er e I w ill g o,” Ma g ot h decla r ed, h is fa ce t ig h t

w it h in t en sit y . “ Los A n g eles! T h e Cit y of A n g els w ill w eep by t h e
t im e I a m t h r ou g h t ea r in g it a pa r t t o fin d h er ! Good-by e, for m er
w ife. I w ill r et u r n t o dea l w it h y ou on ce I h a v e m et ed ou t ju st ice
t o Sa lly .”

He w a s g on e w it h a dr a m a t ic flou r ish t h a t w ou ld h a v e don e a

Sh a k espea r ea n a ct or pr ou d.

Nor a h a d been silen t du r in g t h e en t ir e con v er sa t ion , bu t sh e

look ed t h ou g h t fu lly a t t h e door n ow , a n d sa id, “ I’m a fr a id t o a sk ,
bu t w h y is h e so a n g r y a t t h e dem on lor d Sa lly ?”

“ Pr oba bly beca u se I t old h im Sa lly w a s beh in d ev er y t h in g ,

in clu din g con v in cin g u s t o ba n ish h im .”

Sh e r eg a r ded m e fr om beh in d h er r ed-fr a m ed g la sses, h er

ey es u n r ea da ble. “ Bu t t h a t is n ot t h e t r u t h .”

“ No, bu t it g iv es h im a focu s for h is w r a t h .”

Sh e look ed slig h t ly pu zzled. “ Y ou sa id t h a t y ou con sider Sa lly

y ou r fr ien d.”

“ W e do.”

“ A n d y et y ou w ou ld set Ma g ot h on h er ?”

“ Not r ea lly , n o. W e t old h im sh e w a s in LA . Sh e’s n ot . Sh e sa id

som et h in g ea r lier a bou t g oin g t o Ger m a n y .”

“ Bu t w on ’t h e sim ply r ea lize sh e’s n ot t h er e a n d t u r n

elsew h er e t o fin d h er ?”
 “ I h ig h ly dou bt if h e’ll ev en t h in k a bou t h er on ce h e h it s LA .
He r ea lly is t h e big g est h a m a t h ea r t . He’ll g et ou t t h er e, be
sm it t en a ll ov er a g a in w it h a ll t h e Holly -w ood g lit z a n d
g la m ou r , a n d w ill flin g h im self ba ck in t o t h e w or ld of a ct in g . He
r ea lly did lov e h is y ea r s t h er e, y ou k n ow . I h a v e ev er y
ex pect a t ion t h a t in a few y ea r s w e’ll see h im ba ck on t h e silv er
scr een .”

It t ook h er a m om en t , bu t a t la st sh e sm iled. “ T h a t w a s v er y
sm a r t of y ou . Con g r a t u la t ion s on bot h y ou r fr eedom a n d y ou r
u pcom in g n u pt ia ls. If y ou h a v e n o fu r t h er n eed for m e, I believ e
I w ill g o see if A islin g n eeds a n y t h in g . Sh e’s a bit lon ely n ow
t h a t Jim is in Pa r is w it h Cecile for a few da y s, a n d I m u st
r ea ssu r e h er t h a t it w a s qu it e h a ppy w h en I deliv er ed it t h er e.”

“ Life,” I t old Ga br iel a ft er sh e left , k issin g h is n ose t o

em ph a size m y poin t , “ cou ld n ot be bet t er .”
 Ch a pt er T w en t y -on e

“ Did y ou see t h e lit t le on es?” Ren é a sk ed sev er a l h ou r s la t er

w h en I en t er ed t h e n ow -t idy sit t in g r oom . “ I a ided A islin g t o
bir t h t h em , a n d I ca n t ell y ou t h a t , w it h t h e ex cept ion of m y
ow n , t h ey a r e t h e t w o m ost per fect bébés in t h e w or ld.”
“ I h a v en ’t seen t h em y et . My a ppoin t m en t is for ” —I g la n ced a t
t h e ca r d t h a t Ist v á n h a d g iv en m e—“ h a lf a n h ou r fr om n ow .
Don ’t y ou t h in k it ’s a lit t le odd t h a t Dr a k e m a de u p a n
a ppoin t m en t sch edu le t o see t h e ba bies? Is t h a t n or m a l?”

“ Eh .” Ren é sh r u g g ed. “ He is a n ew pa pa a n d v er y pr ot ect iv e.

T o h im , it m a k es sen se.”

“ Bu t t o g o so fa r a s t o don su r g ica l g a r b w h en v isit in g t h em ?

My ca r d sa y s I h a v e t o be ou t side A islin g ’s r oom fiv e m in u t es
ea r ly so I ca n pick u p st er ile clot h in g .”

“ He is a lit t le ov er pr ot ect iv e.”

“ A n d t h en t h er e’s t h e ba by -h oldin g t r a in in g cla ss h e m a de u s

t a k e a ft er lu n ch . I t h ou g h t t h a t in st r u ct or w a s r a t h er r u de
im ply in g t h a t ju st beca u se Cy r en e a n d Kost y a a n d Ga br iel a n d
Nor a a n d I didn ’t h a v e ch ildr en , w e w ou ldn ’t k n ow h ow t o h old a
n ew bor n .”

Ren é cou ldn ’t r ea lly a r g u e w it h t h a t , especia lly sin ce Dr a k e

h a d m a de h im , t h e fa t h er of sev en , a t t en d t h e cla ss, a s w ell. “ He
is very ov er pr ot ect iv e,” Ren é fin a lly sa id.

“A nd th e blood t est s a n d r et in a l sca n s t o v er ify ou r

iden t it ies?”

“ He is doin g blood t est s?” Ren é a sk ed, in t er est ed. “ I did n ot

h a v e a blood t est .”

“ Y ou w ill. Pá l is w a n der in g a r ou n d t h e h ou se ja bbin g

ev er y on e lik e som e sor t of biza r r e dr a g on -v a m pir e h y br id.”

“ Bu t w h a t is t h e t est for ?”

“ No idea , bu t h on est ly , r et in a sca n s? Does Dr a k e ser iou sly

believ e som eon e is g oin g t o g o t o t h e t r ou ble of t r y in g t o pr et en d
t h ey ’r e a n y of u s ju st t o g o in a n d see h is ch ildr en ?”

Ren é sig h ed, a n d g a v e a sh or t lit t le la u g h . “ He w ill lea r n , I

t h in k . A islin g w ill n ot a llow h er ch ildr en t o g r ow u p coddled in
t h e w ool of cot t on . Y ou m u st g iv e Dr a k e a lit t le t im e. A n d y ou ,
h ow do y ou fa r e n ow t h a t y ou h a v e fou n d y ou r self?”

“ I w a sn ’t a w a r e t h a t I h a d been lost ,” I sa id ca r efu lly .

“ A h . T h en I a m m ist a k en .”

Silen ce fell for a bou t a m in u t e. Ren é soft ly h u m m ed t o

h im self a n d look ed ou t t h e w in dow a t t h e w or k m en w h o w er e
bu sily r ebu ildin g t h e fr on t en t r y w a y .

“ Y ou ’r e t a lk in g a bou t t h e dr a g on h ea r t , a r en ’t y ou ?” I a sk ed,
u n a ble t o k eep qu iet a n y lon g er .

He sm iled. Ju st sm iled.

“ Y ou fa t es ca n be v er y a n n oy in g som et im es,” I sa id, soft en in g

t h e in su lt w it h a sm ile of m y ow n . “ A s it h a ppen s, y es, I fou n d
m y self.”

“ Did y ou t ell y ou r Ga br iel?”

“ Y es.” I t h ou g h t for a m om en t . “ Bu t h e didn ’t believ e m e. Or ,

r a t h er , didn ’t u n der st a n d.”

“ T h a t is t h e w a y w it h dr a g on s,” Ren é sa id sa g ely . “ Bu t y ou

w ill sh ow h im , hein?”

I lift ed m y h a n d a n d w a t ch ed a s t h e fin g er s cu r v ed a n d
elon g a t ed in t o sca r let cla w s, t h e sk in sh im m er in g in t o silv er
sca les t h a t sw ept u p m y a r m . I sm iled. “ Y es, w h en t h e t im e’s
r ig h t , I’ll sh ow h im .”

“ He w ill be h a ppy . Bu t w ill y ou ?”

“ Y es, I t h in k I w ill be. I r ea lize n ow w h y t h e dr a g on sh a r d

ch ose m e,” I sa id, let t in g t h e sca les slide ba ck in t o h u m a n flesh . I
flex ed m y fin g er s. “ It w a n t ed m e t o st op bein g a sh a dow of
som eon e else, a n d st a r t bein g m y self.”

“ A n d t h a t ca n on ly be a g ood t h in g .” Ren é g la n ced at th e

clock a n d ts k ed. “ Bu t I a m m a k in g y ou la t e for y ou r ba by v isit . I
w ill be qu iet n ow , a n d let y ou g o see t h e a dor a ble lit t le on es. I
m u st pick m y w ife u p fr om t h e t r a in st a t ion in a sh or t w h ile.
Sh e h a s com e t o see t h e bébés , a s w ell.”

I sa id n ot h in g m or e a s h e bu st led ou t of t h e r oom , a n d follow ed

m or e slow ly a s I sa v or ed t h e feelin g of r elief. I w a s fr ee fr om
Ma g ot h a t la st . Not h in g w ou ld ev er t a k e m e fr om Ga br iel a g a in ,
a n d I w a s h a ppy w it h w h o I w a s—n ot st r ict ly a doppelg a n g er ,
n ot st r ict ly a dr a g on , bu t som et h in g in bet w een , som et h in g
u n iqu e.

Ga br iel em er g ed fr om Dr a k e’s st u dy , g iv in g Ma a t a a ppr ov a l

on t h e h ou se sh e fou n d for u s t o r en t . “ T ell t h em w e w ill t a k e a
lea se for a y ea r , bu t on ly u pon Ma y ’s a ppr ov a l,” h e sa id befor e
ca t ch in g sig h t of m e. He g a v e m e a r u efu l sm ile a s I m ov ed
a u t om a t ica lly t o h is side, h is fin g er s im m edia t ely seek in g m in e.
“ A r e y ou r ea dy for t h e foolish n ess?”

“ Not r ea lly , bu t I do w a n t t o see A islin g a n d t h e ba bies. Did

y ou h a v e t h e blood t est ?”

He sig h ed, ou r fin g er s en t w in ed a s w e m ou n t ed t h e st a ir s. “ I

w ou ld sa y Dr a k e h a d lost a ll h is r ea son , bu t it is com m on for
m a le dr a g on s t o be v er y pr ot ect iv e of t h eir spa w n . Dr a k e is m ost
lik ely ov er r ea ct in g beca u se of a ll t h e people in t h e h ou se.”

“ No dou bt . W e’v e been so bu sy w it h Ma g ot h , it ’s t ot a lly

slipped m y m in d, bu t w h a t w ill h a ppen w it h T h a la ?”

He sh ot m e a cu r iou s look . “ I do n ot k n ow , lit t le bir d. Kost y a

h a s cla im ed h er a s a pr ison er of w a r , bu t w h et h er Dr a k e w ill
r elea se h er t o h im is in qu est ion . Sh e m u st a n sw er m a n y
qu est ion s t o t h e w ey r .”

“ Ba lt ic w ill be ba ck for h er .”

“ Possibly . Bu t I do n ot t h in k h e w ill fin d it so ea sy t o fr ee h er ,”

Ga br iel sa id dr y ly a s w e a r r iv ed a t t h e r oom t h a t h a d been
g iv en ov er t o r a ck s of st er ile su r g ica l w ea r . W e qu ick ly ch a n g ed
ou r clot h in g , a n d pr esen t ed ou r selv es a n d ou r a ppoin t m en t
ca r ds t o Ist v á n , w h o st ood g u a r d ou t side Dr a k e’s bedr oom .

“ W e h a v en ’t seen t h e la st of h im , y ou k n ow ,” I sa id in a
w h isper w h en Ist v á n w en t in t o ch eck if Dr a k e w ou ld clea r u s for
t h e v isit .

“ No. T h e w ey r w ill m eet t o discu ss t h e issu e h e pr esen t s. W e

ca n n ot let h im con t in u e dest r oy in g dr a g on s. He w ill h a v e t o be
st opped.”
 “ Do y ou t h in k h e’ll seek r ev en g e for u s k eepin g t h e dr a g on
h ea r t ou t of h is r ea ch ?”

“ It is possible, bu t y ou k n ow I w ill a lw a y s k eep y ou sa fe. Do n ot

fea r , Ma y lin g —y ou a r e m y m a t e, a n d m y h ea r t . Not h in g a n d n o
on e ca n ch a n g e t h a t ,” Ga br iel sa id, k issin g m e a s t h e door
open ed u p a n d Ist v á n bow ed u s in t o t h e r oom .

Dr a k e h u r r ied ov er t o u s a s w e en t er ed. He g a v e Ga br iel a

su spiciou s look befor e ey ein g u s qu ick ly t o m a k e su r e w e m et
w it h h is st a n da r ds. “ Do n ot m en t ion t h e a ppoin t m en t ca r ds or
t h e secu r it y m ea su r es,” h e sa id qu ick ly in a low v oice. “ I w ill
n ot h a v e A islin g u pset by t r iv ia lit ies.”

I bit m y lip t o k eep fr om la u g h in g , n ot in g t h a t Ga br iel’s

dim ples w er e fig h t in g t o com e ou t .

“ Ma y ! Ga br iel! I t h ou g h t y ou ’d n ev er com e t o see m y ba bies.

W h a t on ea r t h a r e y ou w ea r in g ? Dr a k e! I t old y ou t o st op
m a k in g people dr ess in t h ose silly ou t fit s.” A islin g w a s pr opped
u p on a h u g e bed, h er color h ig h , h er fa ce a bit dr a w n , bu t
r a dia t in g pr ide a n d h a ppin ess. T w o bea u t ifu lly ca r v ed w ooden
cr a dles st ood n ex t t o h er , dr a ped in pr ist in e la ce.

“ Un t il w e k n ow t h e ch ildr en ’s im m u n it ies a r e st r on g , I w ill

n ot a llow g er m s n ea r t h em ,” Dr a k e sa id st er n ly .

A islin g r olled h er ey es. “ No on e is g oin g t o en da n g er t h em .

Ma y , w ou ld y ou lik e t o h old Ilon a ? Ga br iel, w h a t do y ou t h in k of
t h em ? A r en ’t t h ey t h e m ost bea u t ifu l ba bies y ou ’v e ev er seen ? I
k n ow a ll m ot h er s sa y t h a t , bu t y ou h a v e t o a dm it , t h ese t w o
r ea lly a r e ou t st a n din g ly g or g eou s.”

I look ed dow n a t t h e blot ch y -sk in n ed, r ed-fa ced, poin t y -

h ea ded ba bies, a n d sa id w it h a bsolu t e con v ict ion , “ T h ey a r e
com plet ely a n d u t t er ly a dor a ble, A islin g . I’m su r e t h ey ’r e g oin g
t o g r ow u p t o be ju st a s bea u t ifu l a s y ou a n d Dr a k e.”

Ga br iel du ly a dm ir ed t h e ba bies, t h en g a v e Dr a k e a lon g look

befor e g r in n in g a n d pu n ch in g h im in t h e sh ou lder . “ Y ou h a v e
fin e ch ildr en , m y fr ien d. T h ey w ill g r ow u p st r on g a n d w ise.”

Dr a k e r et u r n ed t h e com plim en t by sock in g Ga br iel in t h e

a r m ; t h en t h e t w o m en em br a ced.

“ T h ey a r e bey on d fin e. T h ey a r e ex t r a or din a r y ,” Dr a k e sa id,

look in g w it h obv iou s pr ide a t h is ba bies. “ Bu t I ex pect ed n ot h in g
less fr om A islin g .”

“ T h a t ’s n ot w h a t y ou sa id w h en I t h r ea t en ed t o pu ll y ou r
scr ot u m ov er y ou r h ea d so y ou cou ld sh a r e t h e ex per ien ce of
n a t u r a l ch ildbir t h w it h m e,” sh e sa id w it h a g r in .

He clea r ed h is t h r oa t , a dju st ed a bla n k et in fin it esim a lly , t h en

w a v ed u s t o ch a ir s. “ Y ou w er e in pa in . Mu ch ca n be for g iv en
w h en a w om a n is in t h e t h r oes of ch ildbir t h .”

W e sa t w it h t h em for a h a lf h ou r befor e A islin g beg a n look in g

t ir ed, a n d left h er w it h a pr om ise t o r et u r n t h e n ex t da y .

Dr a k e t u ck ed h er in , ch eck ed t h e ba bies, t h en a ccom pa n ied u s

ou t of t h e r oom . “ T h e m or t a ls h a v e a cu st om t o celebr a t e w it h
w h isk y a n d cig a r s. Y ou w ill join m e?” h e a sk ed.

“ Of cou r se. Ma y ?”

“ I’ll pa ss on t h e cig a r s, bu t a lit t le sh ot of w h isk y w ou ld g o a

lon g w a y r ig h t n ow ,” I sa id.
 Dr . Kost ich w a s w a it in g for u s w h en w e r ea ch ed Dr a k e’s
st u dy . He g low er ed a t u s for a m om en t befor e sa y in g t o Ga br iel,
“ On e of m y a ppr en t ices, T u lly , is u n w ell.”

“ I w ill see t o h er , n a t u r a lly . A n d y ou ? T ipen e h a s t en ded t o

y ou r a r m ?”

“ He h a s. T h e silv er dr a g on s w ell deser v e t h eir r epu t a t ion for

h ea lin g a bilit ies,” Kost ich sa id st iffly .

Ga br iel sm iled a t t h e g r u dg in g com plim en t , a n d w en t off t o

t h e sit t in g r oom t o ch eck on t h e a ppr en t ice.

“ I w ish t o spea k w it h y ou ,” Dr . Kost ich t old m e.

Dr a k e m u r m u r ed som et h in g a bou t bein g in h is st u dy w h en I

w a s fr ee, a n d r et r ea t ed t o t h a t r oom .

Dr . Kost ich con sider ed m e for a m om en t befor e sa y in g , “ I

beg in t o r eg r et m y len ien cy w it h r eg a r ds t o y ou .”

“ I h a v e don e ev er y t h in g y ou a sk ed of m e,” I poin t ed ou t .

“ Y ou m isled m e.”

“ Misled y ou h ow ?”

“ Y ou w it h h eld in for m a t ion fr om m e a bou t t h e dr a g on lor d

Ba lt ic, in for m a t ion t h a t w a s v it a l for ou r su ccess. A n d beca u se
y ou sa w fit t o w it h h old it , I h a v e n eit h er t h e lig h t bla de of
A n t on ia v on En dr es n or t h e dr a g on h im self, w h o I a ssu r e y ou
w ill a n sw er t o t h e a ct s of v iolen ce h e h a s per pet r a t ed u pon m y
per son , a n d t h ose of m y a ppr en t ices.”

“ T h er e’s a lso a lit t le m a t t er of m or e t h a n six t y blu e dr a g on s

w h o w er e br u t a lly sla u g h t er ed, bu t I g u ess y ou don ’t ca r e a bou t
t h a t ,” I sa id, a n n oy ed t h a t h e cou ld m a k e so lig h t of t h a t
a t r ocit y .

Dr . Kost ich ’s ex pr ession did n ot ch a n g e. “ Cr im es a g a in st

dr a g on k in a r e bey on d t h e a u t h or it y of t h e L’a u -delà .”

I a ck n ow ledg ed t h a t it w a s so. “ I m er ely w ish t o poin t ou t t h a t

a lt h ou g h w e h a v e a ll su ffer ed a t t h e h a n ds of Ba lt ic, t h er e a r e
t h ose w h o h a v e su ffer ed fa r m or e.”

“ Y ou did n ot t ell m e t h a t t h e dr a g on in qu est ion cou ld a ccess

t h e bey on d,” Dr . Kost ich a ccu sed, h is g a ze on ce a g a in pin n in g
m e dow n .

“ No, I didn ’t . I didn ’t t h in k it w a s per t in en t , a n d t o be h on est ,

I’m n ot su r e w h y y ou t h in k it is.”

He a lm ost sig h ed, bu t ca u g h t h im self in t im e. “ Dr a g on k in

ca n n ot en t er t h e bey on d. It is a w ell-k n ow n fa ct t h a t on ly by
ex t r a or din a r y m ea n s ca n on e do so, a n d y et t h is on e a ppea r ed t o
en t er it w it h ea se, a n d w it h ou t a n y a ssist a n ce fr om on e w h o h a s
r ou t in e a ccess. T h is dr a g on is clea r ly som et h in g … u n u su a l.”

“ Bu t y ou k n ew t h a t . Y ou k n ew h e h a d t h e a bilit y t o ca st
a r ca n e spells, a n d t o u se t h e lig h t sw or d.”

“ Y es, bu t I did n ot k n ow h e cou ld a lso en t er t h e bey on d. A

dr a g on w h o u n der st a n ds a n d h a r n esses a r ca n e pow er is
ex t r a or din a r y , bu t it m ig h t possibly be ex pla in ed. Bu t on e w h o
ca n en t er t h e bey on d—t h a t is t r u ly m ir a cu lou s, a n d I do n ot lik e
m ir a cles.” He bit off t h e la st few w or ds a s if t h ey left a n a st y
t a st e in h is m ou t h .

“ I’m sor r y . I didn ’t k n ow . He’s sou g h t r efu g e in t h e bey on d so

m a n y t im es, I didn ’t t h in k a bou t ju st h ow u n u su a l it w a s. W h a t
differ en ce it cou ld h a v e m a de t o t oda y ’s ev en t s is, pu n a side,
bey on d m e.”

“ He h a s esca ped u s!” Dr . Kost ich sa id, h is v oice icy . “ Ha d I

k n ow h e cou ld u se t h e bey on d a s a w a y t o a v oid ca pt u r e, I w ou ld
h a v e pu t pr eca u t ion s in t o pla ce t o en su r e h e cou ld n ot sim ply
v a n ish ju st a s w e w er e a bou t t o t a k e h im .”

I w on der ed h ow h e cou ld a r r a n g e for t h a t , bu t fig u r ed m a g es

m u st h a v e a bilit ies in t h e sh a dow w or ld t h a t w er e fa r g r ea t er
t h a n m in e. “ I’m sor r y , bu t I ju st didn ’t t h in k t o t ell y ou . Bu t if
y ou a r e w or r ied t h a t w e h a v e seen t h e la st of Ba lt ic, y ou ca n
r est y ou r m in d. He isn ’t t h e sor t of dr a g on t o let a lit t le t h in g
lik e defea t st op h im for lon g . I h a v e ev er y ex pect a t ion t h a t h e’ll
be ba ck r a isin g h ell soon . W e m ig h t h a v e st opped h im fr om
g et t in g t h e dr a g on h ea r t or sh a r ds, bu t I h a v e n o dou bt h e’ll
con t in u e t o be a t h or n in ou r side, a n d soon er or la t er , t h e w ey r
w ill h a v e t o do som et h in g a bou t h im .”

“ W h a t t h e w ey r does is n on e of m y con cer n ,” h e sa id da r k ly .

“ I w ill h a v e t h a t sw or d. W h er e did y ou pu t t h e pr ison er y ou
t ook ?”

“ T h a la ? Dr a k e h a s h er in a st or a g e r oom , I believ e.”

“ I w ill qu est ion h er . Per h a ps sh e ca n be of som e u se t o u s,” h e

sa id, t u r n in g on h is h eel a n d st r idin g t ow a r d t h e ba ck of t h e
h ou se.

I follow ed h im a few st eps, deba t in g w h et h er I w a n t ed t o g o

w it h h im , let Dr a k e ply m e w it h w h isk y , or see h ow t h e
a ppr en t ice w a s doin g . A st r on g , ov er w h elm in g n eed t o be w it h
Ga br iel w on ou t , sen din g m e t o t h e lon g sit t in g r oom . I fou n d
Ga br iel k n eelin g n ex t t o t h e a ppr en t ice T u lly , w h o sa t h u n ch ed
ov er in a n a r m ch a ir in t h e cor n er of t h e r oom . Sa v ia n w a s
fla k ed ou t on t h e cou ch , cov er ed w it h a bla n k et .

I sa t on m y h eels n ex t t o Ga br iel a s h e a sk ed T u lly t o

con t in u e.

“ I’m … it ’s difficu lt ,” sh e sa id slow ly , h er v oice t h ick w it h

som e st r on g em ot ion . Pa in ? Loss? It w a s som et h in g sh e felt
deeply . “ T h er e w a s som et h in g —som et h in g in descr iba ble. It
filled m e w it h h a ppin ess a n d dr ea d a t t h e sa m e t im e, a s if I w a s
bein g t or n fr om pa r a dise a n d flu n g in t o A ba ddon . A lig h t sh on e
t h r ou g h m e, a br illia n t g olden lig h t , so pu r e it m a de m e w a n t t o
w eep w it h joy , bu t t h en it w a s g on e, a n d bla ck n ess filled it s
v oid.”

“ Sh e is descr ibin g t h e r e-for m in g of t h e h ea r t ,” Ga br iel sa id

soft ly , h is h a n ds on h er k n ees. “ Sh e felt t h e dr a g on h ea r t r e-
for m a n d be sh a t t er ed.”

“ I t h ou g h t on ly dr a g on s cou ld feel t h a t ?” I a sk ed.

He n odded. “ A ll dr a g on k in felt t h e r e-for m in g of t h e h ea r t . It

con n ect s a ll of u s. Bu t t h is m a g e …” His g a ze didn ’t w a v er off h er
for a secon d.

T u lly , clea r ly u n com for t a ble w it h h is r eg a r d, cov er ed h er

fa ce w it h h er h a n ds a n d sobbed.

“ W h a t is w r on g w it h h er ?” Sa v ia n a sk ed fr om w h er e h e la y
on t h e cou ch .

I look ed a t Ga br iel. “ Dr a g on s ca n ’t be m a g es.”

His g a ze m ov ed fr om T u lly t o m e, h is ey es t r ou bled. “ On e h a s

m a n a g ed t o do so.”

“ Bu t … su r ely t h er e is n o con n ect ion ?”

“ I h a v e n ev er don e a bet t er da y ’s w or k , a n d I h a v e g u ided

w ell ov er a h u n dr ed n ew sou ls in t o t h is w or ld.” Ka a w a en t er ed
t h e r oom , st r et ch ed, a n d look ed a r ou n d h er w it h plea su r e. “ I a m
g la d t o see y ou r et u r n ed fr om y ou r v isit t o t h e A k a sh a , w in t ik i.
Y ou r jou r n ey w a s su ccessfu l?”

“ Y es, it w a s. I’m officia lly fr ee fr om Ma g ot h .” I st ood u p t o

g r eet Ka a w a , m ov in g slig h t ly a w a y fr om T u lly t o do so. A t t h e
sou n d of a n ot h er v oice, T u lly st opped sobbin g in t o h er h a n ds,
fu m blin g in h er pock et for a t issu e t o w ipe h er ey es.

Ka a w a st a r t ed t ow a r d u s, ca u g h t sig h t of t h e w om a n on t h e
ch a ir , a n d fa lt er ed, h er fa ce su dden ly fr ozen w it h sh ock . Sh e
lift ed a h a n d a n d poin t ed a t T u lly , h er m ou t h m ov in g , bu t n o
sou n d com in g ou t .

“ W h a t ’s w r on g ?” I a sk ed a s Ga br iel w en t for w a r d t o h er side.

“ Mot h er ? A r e y ou u n w ell?”

“ Sh e,” Ka a w a sa id, st ill st a r in g in a bsolu t e a st on ish m en t a t

T u lly . Her fin g er w a v er ed a lit t le a s sh e poin t ed. “ It ’s h er .”

“ T h e m a g e a ppr en t ice?” I a sk ed, g la n cin g a t T u lly . Sh e look ed

u p in com plet e befu ddlem en t a t Ga br iel’s m ot h er , clea r ly n ot
u n der st a n din g w h y t h e ot h er w om a n w a s so st u n n ed t o see h er .

“ No.” Ka a w a sh ook h er h ea d, t h en sa id t h e la st t h in g in t h e
w or ld I ex pect ed h er t o sa y . “ T h a t is n o a ppr en t ice. T h a t is n o
m a g e.”
 Ga br iel a n d I ex ch a n g ed con fu sed g la n ces befor e look in g ba ck
a t h is m ot h er .

Sh e st a r ed a t T u lly w it h a n in t en sit y t h a t r a ised t h e h a ir s on

t h e ba ck s of m y a r m s.

Sa v ia n pr opped h im self u p on t h e cou ch , w a t ch in g w it h

in t er est a s T u lly r ose fr om t h e ch a ir , on e h a n d a t h er t h r oa t .
“ I’m sor r y . I don ’t … do I k n ow y ou ?”

“ T h a t is a n ot a m a g e. T h a t is a bla ck dr a g on ,” Ka a w a
a n n ou n ced, h er v oice r in g in g pu r e a n d clea r in t h e silen ce of
t h e r oom . “ T h a t is a w y v er n ’s m a t e.”

Goose bu m ps cr a w led u p m y spin e a s I look ed a t T u lly .

“ T h a t is his m a t e. T h a t is Y solde de Bou ch ier . Sh e is a liv e.

Ba lt ic’s m a t e is a liv e.”
 Rea d on for a peek a t

Lov e in t h e T im e of Dr a g on s

A Novel of the Light Dragons

by Ka t ie Ma cA list er
Com in g fr om Sig n et in Ma y 2 0 1 0
I st ood in t h e k it ch en door w a y a n d w a t ch ed a s a g r ou p of fou r
m en r ode in t o t h e ba iley , a ll a r m ed for ba t t le.
“ Y solde! W h a t a r e y ou doin g h er e? W h y a r en ’t y ou u p in t h e
sola r t en din g t o La dy Su sa n ? Mot h er w a s look in g for y ou !”
Ma r g a r et , m y older sist er , em er g ed fr om t h e dept h s of t h e
k it ch en t o scold m e.

“ Did t h ey g et h er ou t of t h e pr iv y , t h en ?” I a sk ed w it h a ll
in n ocen ce. Or w h a t I h oped pa ssed for it .

“ A y e.” Her ey es n a r r ow ed on m e. “ It w a s odd, t h e door bein g

st u ck sh u t t h a t w a y . A lm ost a s if som eon e h a d don e som et h in g
t o it .”

I m a de m y ey es a s r ou n d a s t h ey w ou ld g o, a n d t h r ew in a few
blin k s for g ood m ea su r e. “ Poor , poor La dy Su sa n . T r a pped in t h e
pr iv y w it h h er bow els r u n n in g a m ok . T h in k y ou sh e’s been
cu r sed?”

“ A y e, a n d I k n ow by w h a t . Or , r a t h er , w h om .” Sh e w a s
clea r ly a bou t t o sh ift in t o a lect u r e w h en m ov em en t in t h e
ba iley ca u g h t h er ey e. Sh e g la n ced ou t side t h e door w a y a n d
pu lled m e ba ck w a r ds, in t o t h e dim n ess of t h e k it ch en . “ Y ou
k n ow bet t er t h a n t o st a n d a bou t w h en Fa t h er h a s v isit or s.”
 “ W h o a r e t h ey ?” I a sk ed, look in g a r ou n d h er a s sh e peer ed ou t
a t t h em .

“ A n im por t a n t m a g e,” sh e a n sw er ed, h oldin g a plu ck ed g oose

t o h er ch est a s sh e w a t ch ed t h e m en . “ T h a t m u st be h im , in t h e
bla ck .”

A ll of t h e m en w er e a r m ed, t h eir sw or ds a n d m a il g lin t in g

br ig h t ly in t h e su n , bu t on ly on e did n ot w ea r a h elm . He
dism ou n t ed, lift in g h is h a n d in g r eet in g a s m y fa t h er h u r r ied
dow n t h e st eps of t h e k eep.

“ He doesn ’t look lik e a n y m a g e I’v e ev er seen ,” I t old h er ,

t a k in g in t h e m a n ’s ea sy m ov em en t s u n der w h a t m u st be a t
lea st fift y pou n ds of a r m or . “ He look s m or e lik e a w a r lor d. Look ,
h e’s g ot br a ids in h is h a ir , ju st lik e t h a t Scot w h o ca m e t o see
Fa t h er a few y ea r s a g o. W h a t do y ou t h in k h e w a n t s?”

“ W h o k n ow s? Fa t h er is r en ow n ed for h is pow er s; n o dou bt t h is

m a g e w a n t s t o con su lt h im on a r ca n e m a t t er s.”

“ Hr m ph . A r ca n e m a t t er s,” I sa id, a w a r e I sou n ded g r u m py .

Her m ou t h qu ir k ed on on e side. “ I t h ou g h t y ou w er en ’t g oin g

t o let it bot h er y ou a n y m or e?”

“ I’m n ot . It doesn ’t ,” I sa id defen siv ely , w a t ch in g a s m y fa t h er

a n d t h e w a r lor d g r eet ed ea ch ot h er . “ I don ’t ca r e in t h e lea st
t h a t I didn ’t in h er it a n y of Fa t h er ’s a bilit ies. Y ou ca n h a v e t h em
a ll.”

“ W h er ea s y ou , lit t le ch a n g elin g , w ou ld r a t h er m u ck a bou t in

t h e g a r den t h a n lea r n h ow t o su m m on a ba ll of blu e fir e,”
Ma r g a r et la u g h ed, pu llin g a bit of g r a ss fr om w h er e it h a d been
ca u g h t in t h e la ces on m y sleev e.
 “ I’m n ot a ch a n g elin g . Mot h er sa y s I w a s a g ift fr om God, a n d
t h a t ’s w h y m y h a ir is blon d w h en y ou a n d sh e a n d Pa pa a r e
r edh ea ds. W h y w ou ld a m a g e r ide w it h t h r ee m en ?”

Ma r g a r et pu lled ba ck fr om t h e door , n u dg in g m e a side. “ W h y

sh ou ldn ’t h e h a v e g u a r ds?”

“ If h e’s a s pow er fu l a m a g e a s Fa t h er , h e sh ou ldn ’t n eed

a n y on e t o pr ot ect h im .” I w a t ch ed a s m y m ot h er cu r t sied t o t h e
st r a n g er . “ He ju st look s … w r on g . For a m a g e.”

“ It doesn ’t m a t t er w h a t h e look s lik e—y ou a r e t o st a y ou t of

t h e w a y . If y ou ’r e n ot g oin g t o t en d y ou r du t ies, y ou ca n h elp
m e. I’v e g ot a m illion t h in g s t o do, w h a t w it h t h r ee of t h e cook s
dow n w it h som e sor t of a pox , a n d Mot h er bu sy w it h t h e g u est .
Y solde? Y solde!”

I slipped ou t of t h e k it ch en , w a n t in g a bet t er look a t t h e

w a r lor d a s h e st r ode a ft er m y pa r en t s in t o t h e t ow er t h a t h eld
ou r liv in g qu a r t er s. T h er e w a s som et h in g a bou t t h e w a y t h e
m a n m ov ed, a sen se of coiled pow er , lik e a boa r befor e it
ch a r g es. He w a lk ed w it h g r a ce despit e t h e h ea v y m a il, a n d
a lt h ou g h I cou ldn ’t see h is fa ce, lon g , ebon y h a ir sh on e g lossy
a n d br ig h t a s a r a v en ’s w in g .

T h e ot h er m en follow ed a ft er h im , a n d a lt h ou g h t h ey , t oo,
m ov ed w it h t h e ea se t h a t bespok e pow er , t h ey didn ’t h a v e t h e
sa m e a ir of lea der sh ip.

I t r a iled beh in d t h em , ca r efu l t o st a y w ell ba ck , lest m y

fa t h er see m e, cu r iou s t o k n ow w h a t t h is st r a n g e w a r r ior -m a g e
w a n t ed. I h a d ju st r ea ch ed t h e bot t om st ep a s a ll bu t t h e la st of
t h e m a g e’s pa r t y en t er ed in t o t h e t ow er , w h en t h a t g u a r d
su dden ly spu n a r ou n d.
 His n ost r ils fla r ed, a s if h e’d sm elled som et h in g , bu t it w a sn ’t
t h a t w h ich sen t a r ipple of g oose bu m ps dow n m y a r m s. His ey es
w er e da r k , a n d a s I w a t ch ed t h em , t h e pu pils n a r r ow ed, lik e a
ca t ’s w h en br ou g h t fr om t h e da r k st a ble ou t in t o t h e su n . I
g a sped a n d spu n a r ou n d, r u n n in g in t h e ot h er dir ect ion , t h e
sou n d of t h e st r a n g e m a n ’s la u g h t er follow in g m e, m ock in g m e,
ech oin g in m y h ea d u n t il I t h ou g h t I w ou ld scr ea m .

“ A h , y ou ’r e a w a k e.”

My ey elids, lea den w eig h t s t h a t t h ey w er e, fin a lly m a n a g ed

t o h oist t h em selv es open . I st a r ed dir ect ly in t o t h e da r k br ow n
ey es of a w om a n loca t ed less t h a n a n in ch fr om m y ow n , a n d
scr ea m ed in su r pr ise. “ A a a g h !”

Sh e lea ped ba ck w a r ds a s I sa t u p, m y h ea r t bea t in g m a dly , a

fa in t , lin g er in g pa in lea v in g m e w it h t h e sen sa t ion t h a t m y
br a in it self w a s br u ised.

“ W h o a r e y ou ? A r e y ou pa r t of t h e dr ea m ? Y ou a r e, a r en ’t
y ou ? Y ou ’r e ju st a dr ea m ,” I sa id, m y v oice a cr oa k . I t ou ch ed
m y lips. T h ey w er e dr y a n d cr a ck ed. “ Ex cept t h ose people w er e
in som e sor t of m ediev a l clot h in g , a n d y ou ’r e w ea r in g a pa ir of
jea n s. St ill, it ’s in cr edibly v iv id, t h is dr ea m . It ’s n ot a s
in t er est in g a s t h e la st on e, bu t st ill in t er est in g a n d v iv id. V er y
v iv id. En ou g h t h a t I’m ly in g h er e, ba bblin g t o m y self.”

“ I’m n ot a dr ea m , a ct u a lly ,” t h e in -m y -fa ce dr ea m w om a n

sa id. “ A n d y ou ’r e n ot a lon e, so if y ou ’r e ba bblin g , it ’s t o m e.”

I k n ew bet t er t h a n t o lea p off t h e bed t o esca pe t h e clea r ly

der a n g ed per son , n ot w it h t h e sor t of h ea da ch e I h a d. Slow ly , I
slid m y leg s off t h e edg e of t h e bed, a n d w on der ed if I st ood u p, if
I’d st op dr ea m in g a n d w a k e u p t o n or m a l life.
 A s I t r ied t o st a n d, t h e dr ea m la dy seized m y a r m , h oldin g on
t o m e a s I w obbled on m y u n st ea dy feet . Her g r ip w a s a n y t h in g
bu t dr ea m lik e.

“ Y ou ’r e r ea l.”

“ Y es.”

“ Y ou ’r e a r ea l per son , n ot pa r t of t h e dr ea m ?”

“ I t h in k w e’v e est a blish ed t h a t fa ct .”

I felt a n ir r it a t ed ex pr ession cr a w l a cr oss m y fa ce—cr a w l

beca u se m y br a in h a dn ’t y et w ok en u p w it h t h e r est of m e. “ If
y ou ’r e r ea l, w ou ld y ou m in d m e a sk in g w h y y ou w er e ben t ov er
m e, n ose t o n ose, in t h e w or st Ja pa n ese h or r or m ov ie sor t of
w a y , on e t h a t g u a r a n t eed I’d ju st a bou t w et m y self t h e m in u t e I
w ok e u p?”

“ I w a s ch eck in g y ou r br ea t h in g . Y ou w er e m oa n in g a n d
m a k in g n oises lik e y ou w er e g oin g t o w a k e u p.”

“ I w a s dr ea m in g ,” I sa id, a s if t h a t ex pla in ed ev er y t h in g .

“ So y ou ’v e sa id. Repea t edly .” T h e w om a n , h er sk in t h e color

of oiled m a h og a n y , n odded. “ It ’s g ood. Y ou a r e beg in n in g t o
r em em ber . I w on der ed if t h e dr a g on sh a r d w ou ld n ot spea k t o
y ou in su ch a m a n n er .”

Dim lit t le w a r n in g bells w en t off in m y m in d—t h e sor t t h a t

a r e set off w h en y ou ’r e t r a pped in a sm a ll r oom w it h som eon e
w h o is obv iou sly a few w een ies sh or t of a cook ou t . “ W ell, isn ’t
t h is ju st lov ely ? I feel lik e som et h in g a ca t cr a pped, a n d I’m
t r a pped in a r oom w it h a cr a zy la dy .” I cla pped a h a n d ov er m y
m ou t h , a ppa lled t h a t I’d spok en t h e w or ds r a t h er t h a n ju st
t h ou g h t t h em . “ Did y ou h ea r t h a t ?” I a sk ed a r ou n d m y fin g er s.

Sh e n odded.

I let m y h a n d fa ll. “ Sor r y . I m ea n t n o offen se. It ’s ju st t h a t …

w ell … y ou k n ow . Dr a g on s? T h a t ’s k in d of ou t t h er e.”

A slig h t fr ow n set t led bet w een h er br ow s. “ Y ou look a bit

con fu sed.”

“ Y ou g et t h e u n der st a t em en t -of-t h e-y ea r t ia r a .W ou ld it be

r u de t o a sk w h o y ou a r e?” I g en t ly r u bbed m y for eh ea d, let t in g
m y g a ze w a n der a r ou n d t h e r oom .

“ My n a m e is Ka a w a . My son is Ga br iel T a u h ou , t h e silv er

w y v er n .”

“ A silv er w h a t ?”

Sh e w a s silen t , h er ey es sh r ew d a s t h ey a ssessed m e. “ Do y ou
r ea lly t h in k t h a t ’s n ecessa r y ?”

“ T h a t I a sk qu est ion s or r u b m y h ea d? It doesn ’t m a t t er —bot h

a r e y es. I a lw a y s a sk qu est ion s beca u se I’m a n a t u r a lly cu r iou s
per son . A sk a n y on e. T h ey ’ll t ell y ou . A n d I r u b m y h ea d w h en it
feels lik e it ’s been st om ped on , w h ich it does.”

A n ot h er silen ce follow ed t h a t st a t em en t . “ Y ou a r e n ot w h a t I
ex pect ed.”

My ey ebr ow s w er e w or k in g w ell en ou g h t o r ise a t t h a t

st a t em en t . “ Y ou sca r ed t h e cr a p ou t of m e by st a r in g a t m e fr om
a n in ch a w a y , a n d I’m n ot w h a t you ex pect ed? I don ’t k n ow
w h a t t o sa y t o t h a t sin ce I don ’t h a v e t h e slig h t est idea w h o y ou
a r e, ot h er t h a n t h a t y ou r n a m e is Ka a w a a n d t h a t y ou sou n d
lik e y ou ’r e A u st r a lia n , or w h er e I a m , or w h a t I’m doin g h er e
bey on d n a ppin g . How lon g h a v e I been sleepin g ?”

Sh e g la n ced a t t h e clock . “ Fiv e w eek s.”

I g a v e h er a look t h a t t old h er sh e sh ou ld k n ow bet t er t h a n t o

t r y t o fool m e. “ Do I look lik e I ju st r olled off t h e g u llible w a g on ?
W a it —Ga r et h pu t y ou u p t o t h is, didn ’t h e? He’s t r y in g t o pu ll
m y leg .”

“ I don ’t k n ow a Ga r et h ,” sh e sa id, m ov in g t ow a r d t h e en d of
t h e bed.

“ No … ” I fr ow n ed a s m y m in d, st ill slow ed by t h e a f t er effect s

of a lon g sleep, slow ly ch u g g ed t o life. “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t . Ga r et h
w ou ldn ’t do t h a t —h e h a s a bsolu t ely n o sen se of h u m or .”

“ Y ou fell in t o a st u por fiv e w eek s a n d t w o da y s a g o. Y ou h a v e

been a sleep ev er sin ce.”

A ch ill r olled dow n m y spin e a s I r ea d t h e t r u t h in h er ey es.

“ T h a t ca n ’t be.”

“ Bu t it is.”

“ No.” Ca r efu lly , v er y ca r efu lly , I sh ook m y h ea d. “ It ’s n ot

t im e for on e. I sh ou ldn ’t h a v e on e for a n ot h er six m on t h s. Oh
g od, y ou ’r e n ot a der a n g ed m a dw om a n fr om A u st r a lia w h o lies
t o in n ocen t people, a r e y ou ? Y ou ’r e t ellin g m e t h e t r u t h ! Br om !
W h er e’s Br om !”

“ W h o is Br om ?”

Pa n ic h a d m e lea pin g t o m y feet w h en m y body k n ew bet t er .

Im m edia t ely , I colla psed on t o t h e floor w it h a lou d t h u d. My leg s
felt lik e t h ey w er e m a de of r u bber , t h e m u scles t r em blin g w it h
st r a in . I ig n or ed t h e pa in of t h e fa ll a n d cla w ed a t t h e bed t o g et
ba ck t o m y feet . “ A ph on e. Is t h er e a ph on e? I m u st h a v e a
ph on e.”

T h e door open ed a s I st ood u p, st ill w obblin g , t h e floor t ilt in g

a n d h ea v in g u n der m y feet . “ I h ea r d a —Oh . I see sh e’s u p. Hello,
Y solde.”

“ Hello.” My st om a ch lu r ch ed a lon g w it h t h e floor . I clu n g t o

t h e fr a m e of t h e bed for a few secon ds u n t il t h e w or ld set t led
dow n t o t h e w a y it sh ou ld be. “ My n a m e is T u lly , n ot Y solde.
W h o a r e y ou ?”

Sh e sh ot a pu zzled look t o t h e ot h er w om a n . “ I’m Ma y . W e m et

befor e. Don ’t y ou r em em ber ?”

“ Not a t a ll. Do y ou h a v e a ph on e, Ma y ?”

If sh e w a s su r pr ised by t h a t qu est ion , sh e didn ’t let on . Sh e

sim ply pu lled a cell ph on e ou t of t h e pock et of h er jea n s a n d
h a n ded it t o m e. I t ook it , st a r in g a t h er for a m om en t . T h er e
w a s som et h in g a bou t h er , som et h in g t h a t seem ed fa m ilia r …
a n d y et I w a s su r e I’d n ev er seen h er befor e.

Men t a lly , I sh ook a w a y t h e fa n cies a n d beg a n t o pu n ch in a

ph on e n u m ber , bu t pa u sed w h en I r ea lized I h a d n o idea w h er e I
w a s. “ W h a t cou n t r y is t h is?”

Ma y a n d Ka a w a ex ch a n g ed g la n ces. Ma y a n sw er ed. “ En g la n d.
W e’r e in Lon don . W e t h ou g h t it w a s bet t er n ot t o m ov e y ou v er y
fa r , a lt h ou g h w e did t a k e y ou ou t of Dr a k e’s h ou se sin ce h e w a s a
bit cr a zy w h a t w it h t h e t w in s bein g bor n a n d a ll.”

“ Lon don ,” I sa id, st r u g g lin g t o peer in t o t h e bla ck a by ss t h a t

w a s m y m em or y . T h er e w a s n ot h in g t h er e, bu t t h a t w a sn ’t
u n com m on a ft er a n episode. Ra pidly , I pu n ch ed in t h e n u m ber .

T h e ph on e bu zzed g en t ly a g a in st m y ea r . I h eld m y br ea t h ,
cou n t in g t h e r in g s befor e it w a s a n sw er ed.

“ Y ea h ?”

“ Br om ,” I sa id, w a n t in g t o w eep w it h r elief a t t h e sou n d of h is

pla cid, u n r u ffled v oice. “ A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ?”

“ Y ea h . W h er e a r e y ou ?”

“ Lon don .” I slid a g la n ce t ow a r d t h e sm a ll, da r k -h a ir ed

w om a n , w h o look ed lik e sh e cou ld h a v e st epped st r a ig h t ou t of
som e silen t m ov ie. “ W it h … u h … som e people.” Cr a zy people, or
sa n e … t h a t w a s y et t o be det er m in ed.

“ Y ou ’r e st ill in Lon don ? I t h ou g h t y ou w er e on ly g oin g t o be

t h er e for t h r ee da y s. Y ou sa id t h r ee da y s, Su lliv a n . It ’s been
ov er a m on t h .”

I h ea r d t h e n ot e of h u r t in h is v oice. I h a t ed t h a t . “ I k n ow . I’m
sor r y . I … Som et h in g h a ppen ed. Som et h in g big .”

“ W h a t k in d of big ?” h e a sk ed, cu r iou s n ow . He g et s t h a t fr om

m e.

“ I don ’t k n ow . I ca n ’t t h in k ,” I sa id, bein g qu it e lit er a l. My

br a in felt lik e it w a s soa k in g in m ola sses. “ T h e people I’m w it h
t ook ca r e of m e w h ile I w a s sleepin g .”

“ Oh , that k in d of big . I fig u r ed it w a s som et h in g lik e t h a t .

Ga r et h w a s pissed w h en y ou didn ’t com e ba ck . He ca lled y ou r
boss u p a n d ch ew ed h im ou t for k eepin g y ou so lon g .”
 “ I su ppose I sh ou ld t a lk t o Ga r et h ,” I sa id, n ot w a n t in g t o do
a n y su ch t h in g .

“ Ca n ’t . He’s in Ba r celon a .”

“ Oh . Is Ru t h t h er e?”

“ No, sh e w en t w it h h im .”

Pa n ic g r ipped m e. “ Y ou ’r e n ot a lon e, a r e y ou ?”

“ Su lliv a n , I’m n ot a ch ild,” h e a n sw er ed, sou n din g in dig n a n t

t h a t I w ou ld qu est ion t h e w isdom g a in ed du r in g h is lifet im e, a ll
n in e y ea r s of it . “ I ca n st a y by m y self.”

“ Not for fiv e w eek s y ou ca n ’t —”

“ It ’s OK. W h en Ru t h a n d Ga r et h left , a n d y ou didn ’t com e

ba ck , Pen n y sa id I cou ld st a y w it h h er u n t il y ou ca m e h om e.”

I sa g g ed a g a in st t h e bed, u n m in dfu l of t h e t w o w om en
w a t ch in g m e so closely . “ T h a n k t h e st a r s for Pen n y . I’ll be h om e
ju st a s soon a s I ca n g et on a pla n e. Do y ou h a v e a pen ?”

“ Sec.”

I cov er ed t h e ph on e a n d look ed a t t h e w om a n n a m ed Ma y . “ Is
t h er e a ph on e n u m ber I ca n g iv e m y son in ca se of a n
em er g en cy ?”

“ Y ou r son ?” sh e a sk ed, h er ey es w iden in g . “ Y es. Her e.”

I t ook t h e ca r d sh e pu lled fr om h er pock et , r ea din g t h e

n u m ber off it t o Br om . “ Y ou st a y w it h Pen n y u n t il I ca n g et y ou ,
a ll r ig h t ?”
 “ Geez, Su lliv a n , I’m n ot a t a r d.”

“ A w h a t ?” I a sk ed.

“ A t a r d. Y ou k n ow , a r et a r d.”

“ I’v e a sk ed y ou n ot t o u se t h ose sor t s of … Oh , n ev er m in d.

W e’ll discu ss w or ds t h a t a r e h u r t fu l a n d sh ou ld n ot be u sed
a n ot h er t im e. Ju st st a y w it h Pen n y , a n d if y ou n eed m e, ca ll m e
a t t h e n u m ber I ju st g a v e y ou . Oh , a n d, Br om ?”

“ W h a t ?” h e a sk ed in t h a t pu t -u pon v oice t h a t n in e-y ea r -old

boy s t h e w or ld ov er ca n a ssu m e w it h su ch ea se.

I t u r n ed m y ba ck on t h e t w o w om en . “ I lov e y ou bu n ch es. Y ou
r em em ber t h a t , OK?”

“ K.” I cou ld a lm ost h ea r h is ey es r ollin g . “ Hey , Su lliv a n , h ow

com e y ou h a d y ou r t h in g n ow ? I t h ou g h t it w a sn ’t su pposed t o
h a ppen u n t il a r ou n d Ha llow een ?”

“ It isn ’t , a n d I don ’t k n ow w h y it h a ppen ed n ow .”

“ Ga r et h ’s g oin g t o be pissed h e m issed it . Did y ou … y ou k n ow

… m a n ifest t h e g ood st u ff?”

My g a ze m ov ed slow ly a r ou n d t h e r oom . It seem ed lik e a

pr et t y n or m a l bedr oom , con t a in in g a la r g e bu r ea u , a bed, a
cou ple of ch a ir s, a sm a ll t a ble w it h a r u ffly clot h on it , a n d a
w h it e st on e fir epla ce. “ I don ’t k n ow . I’ll ca ll y ou la t er w h en I
h a v e som e in for m a t ion a bou t w h en I’ll be la n din g in Ma dr id, a ll
r ig h t ?”

“ La t er , Fr en ch -m u st a ch ioed w a it er ,” h e sa id, u sin g h is

fa v or it e ch ildh ood r h y m e.
 I sm iled a t sou n d of it , m issin g h im , w ish in g t h er e w a s a w a y
t o m a g ica lly t r a n spor t m y self t o t h e sm a ll, ov er cr ow ded, n oisy
a pa r t m en t w h er e w e liv ed so I cou ld h u g h im a n d r u ffle h is
h a ir , a n d m a r v el y et a g a in t h a t su ch a n in t ellig en t , w on der fu l
ch ild w a s m in e.

“ T h a n k y ou ,” I sa id, h a n din g t h e cell ph on e ba ck t o Ma y . “ My

son is on ly n in e. I k n ew h e w ou ld be w or r ied a bou t w h a t
h a ppen ed t o m e.”

“ Nin e.” Ma y a n d Ka a w a ex ch a n g ed a n ot h er g la n ce. “ Nin e …

y ea r s?”

“ Y es, of cou r se.” I sidled a w a y , ju st in ca se on e or bot h of t h e

w om en t u r n ed ou t t o be cr a zy a ft er a ll. “ T h is is v er y a w k w a r d,
bu t I’m a fr a id I h a v e n o m em or y of eit h er of y ou . Ha v e w e
m et ?”

“ Y es,” Ka a w a sa id. Sh e w or e a pa ir of loose-fit t in g bla ck

pa la zzo pa n t s, a n d a bea u t ifu l bla ck t op em br oider ed in silv er
w it h a ll sor t s of A bor ig in a l a n im a l desig n s. Her h a ir w a s t w ist ed
in t o sev er a l br a ids, pu lled ba ck in t o a sh or t pon y t a il. “ I m et y ou
on ce befor e, in Ca ir o.”

“ Ca ir o?” I pr odded t h e solid bla ck m a ss t h a t w a s m y m em or y .

Not h in g m ov ed. “ I don ’t believ e I’v e ev er been in Ca ir o. I liv e in
Spa in , n ot Eg y pt .”

“ T h is w a s som e t im e a g o,” t h e w om a n sa id ca r efu lly .

Per h a ps sh e w a s som eon e I h a d m et w h ile t r a v elin g w it h Dr .

Kost ich . “ Oh ? How lon g a g o?”

Sh e look ed a t m e silen t ly for a m om en t , t h en sa id, “ A bou t

t h r ee h u n dr ed y ea r s.”