Dragon's Gift: The Protector 02 Trial by Magic Read online

  I struggled to my feet, stepping away from him.

  Heaviness weighted my chest at the sight of his dead body. “Sorry I had to shoot you.”

  Cass staggered up, her jeans and brown leather jacket soaking and her red hair straggling around her face. “It’s okay. He was going to eat you. Slowly. Don’t feel bad.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know.” And I really didn’t want to be eaten—slowly or not. I turned from the body, spying my conjured bow about five feet down the way. I picked it up, inspecting it for damage. Still good.

  I looked up at Cass. “Let’s get a move on.”

  “Couldn’t agree more.”

  I shivered against the chill air that made my wet clothes feel icy. As I walked down the passage, I pulled my pack off my back and inspected the wrapped beaker within.

  “How is it?” Cass asked.

  “Still good.” I couldn’t see it well through the bubble wrap, but it didn’t look broken.

  Cass hurried to catch up. “Soon as we return the artifact, we can transport right out of here.”

  “It’s a shame we can’t just transport there.”

  “No can do. Magical protections.” Cass laughed lightly. “Which was smart of the original inhabitants, considering how many artifacts are back there.”

  Something unfamiliar sounded from behind me. “Do you hear that?”

  “Kinda. Voices?”

  “Eh, that’s not good.”

  If there were voices, then maybe I hadn’t screwed up my knot. Maybe they’d untied it. Which meant this wasn’t a caving club out for an adventure.

  I picked up the pace, trotting along the corridor. Fortunately, it was wider than that terrifying belly-crawl one from earlier.

  “We’re nearly there.” Cass pointed to the end of the tunnel, which was smaller and narrower.

  We ducked through. Light from my headlamp cut through the cavern, shining off of dozens of golden and copper artifacts that were placed on large tables made of stone. Jewelry and cups, daggers and buttons. Gold, copper, bronze. The table had probably been hewn from the rock walls thousands of years ago.

  There were hundreds of beakers as well, small clay vases that gave this culture their name. No doubt they hadn’t called themselves the Beaker people, but in the last three thousand years, their true names had been lost.

  I didn’t know if the human Beaker people had built their tombs—or whatever this was—in caves, but the supernaturals had.

  Many of the artifacts gave off magical signatures of all varieties. Scents of grass and dirt along with the feel of wind and rain. But none of the magic felt decayed, like our beaker’s had. Which meant all of these would stay put.

  I dug the bubble-wrapped package out of my bag and unwrapped it, revealing a small vase made of rough clay. Simple designs were imprinted on the surface.

  Cass pointed to a blank space on the table in the middle of the room. “It was sitting right there.”

  I approached, focusing my senses on the magical signatures that bombarded me from all sides. Whatever magic this beaker had contained, it was unidentifiable. Hoping for clues, I inspected the empty space where it had sat, along with the golden bracelets on either side and the three other beakers at the back.

  “I’m getting nothing.” I sighed as I set the beaker down. It’d been a long shot anyway.

  I turned to face Cass.

  Shit!

  From the tunnel entrance behind her, figures poured into the room.

  “Cass!” I cried.

  She whirled to face the oncoming threat. There were a dozen of them. All demons. Each was at least seven feet tall. They were all skinny and pale, with massively long claws and eyes of pure white. They didn’t carry any weapons, but they wouldn’t need them with their Wolverine-looking claws.

  I drew my bow, conjuring an arrow. As Cass sent a blast of lightning at the demon nearest her, I fired, piercing mine through his eye.

  But the demons were fast, charging us. Too close for my bow. As I conjured a sword to fight the nearest demon, two human figures stepped out of the tunnel.

  Both men. One had scraggly black hair and sallow skin. There was a tattoo on his neck, but I could only see a tiny bit because of his collar and couldn’t say what it was.

  He raised a hand. Magic swelled in the air, feeling like bugs crawling across my skin. A crack opened in the ceiling, and giant spiders flowed out.

  Shit! The creepy mage was responsible for the spiders. I didn’t even have time to focus on them. The demon nearest me lunged. I sliced out with my sword, taking off his hand. He howled. I stabbed him in the gut, then yanked my blade free.

  Across the way, Cass was hurling lightning at any demon who approached. She tried to hit the mage, but a demon threw himself in front of the guy, taking the bolt of lightning for his master.

  The other mage, who had limp blond hair and watery blue eyes, raised his hands, muttering something under his breath. His magic flowed, tasting like dust in my mouth.

  What the hell was he trying to do? Fear chilled my skin.

  “Get the beaker!” the dust mage shouted.

  Not our beaker? Shit.

  I tried to keep my gaze on the spiders climbing down the walls. Demons came at me from both sides. I managed to stab one, but another got me in the thigh with his claws. Pain flared as he sliced through muscle.

  I brought my blade around just as he was reaching for my waist. The shining steel severed his arm.

  Stone began to crack and crumble around us. A boulder dropped to the ground, crashing between me and Cass.

  “Time to get out of here!” Cass shouted.

  “Yeah!” We were so outnumbered. There were still five demons, numerous spiders, two insane mages, and now falling boulders.

  I stabbed a slender demon in the chest, yanking my blade free, and ran for Cass.

  She raced to me, colliding into my chest and then wrapping her arms around me. Her magic swelled on the air, and the ether sucked us in, throwing us through space.

  It spat us out on the street in front of our apartment. It was chilly in the late afternoon, with dark clouds obscuring the sun. Skeletal trees lined the park to the left, reaching toward the sky with bony branches. I stumbled away from Cass, wincing at the pain in my leg. The cold winter wind cut through my wet clothes, sending shivers across my skin.

  But at least we were out of there.

  “Who the hell were they?” Cass’s eyes were wide.

  “No idea.” I inspected the wound, which bled sluggishly. “I think they were after the same beaker we returned.”

  “Yeah.” These demons—or their master—was determined. “But we took the magic out.”

  “Maybe they didn’t know that.”

  “Or they want the beaker itself. But that doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

  Shit. Del. She was watching the shop. Alone. She’d agreed to do it while I went to the tomb with Cass to try to figure out the beaker’s magic.

  I met Cass’s gaze. Understanding lit her eyes.

  “Del.” Her voice was stark. Worried.

  “Let’s go.” I started off down the street, Cass racing at my side. Though my wound screamed, fear for Del pushed me on.

  As we neared Ancient Magic, the uneasy feeling grew. Not the usual nausea from the Destroyer magic, but something else.

  The sight of the broken glass glittering on the street just made it worse.

  “Shit.” I raced forward.

  One of the big windows was broken—the one with Ancient Magic painted in gold. Within, the place was ransacked. Artifact replicas were scattered all over the floor, some broken and their magic gone.

  Del, who stood in the middle, turned to face us, her black hair flying. Her blue eyes widened at the sight of us. “Guys.”

  “How many were there?” Cass asked.

  Had to be over a dozen if they were going to overpower Del. My gaze raked her, relieved to find only a few small wounds that seeped blood.

  “Fifteen. May
be more.” Del’s face crumbled with disappointment. A cut on her cheek dripped blood. “They got the replica of the beaker you just returned.”

  “Yeah. I figured. But at least you’re okay.” I stepped inside the shop, careful to avoid the shards of a shattered Ming vase replica. Thankfully, the original artifacts hadn’t been destroyed, but we’d lost a lot of magic—and money—in the replicas that had been broken.

  “That means they have both,” Cass said. “The real one and the replica.” Quickly, she explained to Del what had happened at the cave on the Yorkshire Dales.

  “Dang.” Del scowled.

  “So whatever they want to do with that magic, they can do.” I scrubbed a weary hand over my eyes. “We may not know what it does, but I sure as hell don’t want them having it.”

  “Same.” Del crouched down and picked up a replica stone arrowhead. It was a Clovis point, the oldest type in the US, and at least it hadn’t broken. Its ability to predict the weather remained intact. She squeezed it, her gaze darkening. “We need to find those bastards.”

  I wracked my brain, trying to remember what the mages had looked like when they’d ambushed us in the cave. They’d been the bosses. The demons were just their hired muscle. “Did you see a dragon tattoo on either of those mages? I saw something, but it could have been a tattoo of anything.”

  “I missed it,” Cass said. “And what are the odds, anyway?”

  “Nope, nothing,” Del said.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” I said. “There’s no reason to think they’re connected. I’m just paranoid.”

  A few days ago, we’d learned of the existence of some kind of mob boss whose minions all wore dragon tattoos. Though we didn’t know what the guy’s goal was, we wanted to. But it was a stretch to think they were connected.

  A car door slammed from behind me and I turned. Roarke, Del’s boyfriend, climbed out of his black Tesla. Concern shadowed his face, drawing his dark brows together.

  “Are you okay?” He hurried to Del.

  “It’s just a flesh wound.” She hugged him.

  I grinned at her Monty Python joke, one I was quite fond of making myself.

  Roarke stepped back and surveyed the place. “Bastards.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.” I stepped forward to pick up a fallen sword, but the pain in my leg made me wince. I straightened, giving a moment for it to calm down. “We need to find them.”

  Del’s eyes widened as she looked out onto the street. “Uh, Nix. You better turn around. Someone is here for you.”

  Dread chilled my skin as I turned. I knew what I’d see. And I wasn’t going to like it.

  Chapter Two

  As expected, I didn’t like what I saw.

  On the sidewalk stood Ares Warhaven, the ridiculously powerful and sexy vampire who was currently a giant thorn in my side. Actually, he was more like a stake in my side. A huge one.

  I kinda wanted to pull it out and stab him, but wood didn’t hurt vampires unless Hollywood wielded the stake.

  As usual, he wore dark jeans, boots, and a black shirt that was supposed to be casual but looked like haute couture on his huge frame. He had a warrior’s build—tall and strong with a stance that was ready to pounce—and a warrior’s face. Ruggedly handsome, but with a calm deadliness to the set of his features.

  His green eyes pierced me, making my stupid heart flutter. This guy held my life in his hands, and I didn’t like it. But still, my dumb hormones were off on their own agenda again.

  He stepped forward, surveying the damage. “What happened here?”

  His deep voice, tinged lightly with an accent that was distinctly vampiric, sent a second shiver down my spine.

  I really needed to call a cease-fire on all shivers. My body couldn’t be trusted.

  “Robbery.” I eyed him. “It’s time already? It’s only been a couple days. You said I’d have a week.”

  His timing was pure shit, what with this robbery and all.

  His gaze met mine, mysterious and deep. “I said I’d try to get you a week. But the Vampire Court will not wait. It’s time to prove your loyalty.”

  My shoulders slumped. Damn.

  “What the hell is he talking about?” Cass demanded.

  Del stepped between me and Ares, a human shield. “Back off, dude.”

  He smiled, not the least bit threatened. Anyone with an ounce of sense should feel threatened by Del or Cass—they were hardcore badasses who struck first and asked questions later—but Ares…

  He was damned tough himself. As the strongest vampire alive and half mage, he wouldn’t be easy to take down.

  Which was why I’d agreed to his terms. Terms I now had to explain to my deirfiúr.

  I turned to Cass and Nix. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you. I thought I had a week.”

  Understanding dawned in Cass’s green eyes. “This is because he knows you’re a FireSoul.”

  I nodded. “And Doyen and Magisteria know, too.”

  Between the three of them, that was the whole Vampire Court, which meant a whole lot of trouble for me.

  I drew in a breath. “They’ve agreed not to turn me in to the Order of the Magica.” Which basically saved my skin, since the Order would toss me in the Prison for Magical Miscreants. “At least, as long as I complete their interview and trials.”

  “Interview and trials?” Del nearly shrieked the words.

  “Bullshit.” Cass scowled at Ares.

  “We need to know that we can trust her. FireSouls have a…certain reputation.”

  “For murdering and stealing powers. Yeah, that’s not news,” I said.

  “And you know Nix,” Del said. “You know she’d never do that.”

  He nodded. “I’m almost sure of that.”

  Almost? Ouch. So he didn’t fully trust me.

  Which he’d said before, but I hadn’t liked hearing it. But then, it wasn’t like I trusted him.

  “But Doyen and Magisteria don’t know her,” Ares said. “They need proof they’re not letting a murderer go free. A magic stealer. Not to mention, she can walk in the Shadowlands. Something that should be impossible for her.”

  “It’s fine, guys.” I held up a hand to stop their words. “If I complete the trials—which I will—I’ll have Vampire Court protection.”

  We could really use them on our side. Maybe they’d back us if the Order ever found out what we were.

  “Is this true?” Cass demanded. “You’d protect her then?”

  He nodded, his gaze solemn. It was so serious that in that moment, I did trust him. At least in this.

  Roarke stepped forward. He was as big as Ares, but his features more refined. “But she has to pass your trials.” His gaze met mine, concern in their dark depths. “Do you know what’s coming for you? Because it won’t be easy.”

  “I can take it.”

  “I hope so.” Roarke frowned at Ares. “Did you tell her that only half of all who attempt it survive?”

  Guilt flashed in Ares’s eyes.

  “Jerk!” I glared at him. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me that?”

  “Because you don’t have a choice. You must complete these trials, or the Court will turn you in to the Order.” He stepped forward, stopping a few feet from me. “And you will succeed. I’ve seen you in action. You can handle this.”

  Still, it was risky. But he was right. I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t want to run, and I didn’t want to go to prison.

  That left one option—passing the damned trials and convincing the Vampire Court that I wasn’t a monster.

  “And I’ll be at your side,” Ares said. “I’ll help you however I can.”

  “I don’t want your help,” I snapped. He’d withheld valuable information from me. Could I trust him after that? It didn’t matter if I was attracted to him—that was nothing more than hormones and stupidity.

  “Doesn’t matter. You have it anyway.” He gestured toward the open door. “Are you ready to meet the Vampire Court?”
/>   I looked around the shop. At my deirfiúr. Then turned to Ares. “Give us a moment, okay?”

  He nodded, stepping back out onto the street. Once he was out of earshot, I turned to Del and Cass.

  “What are we going to do about this robbery?” I whispered. “I want to help hunt them.”

  “We can do it,” Cass said. “You go deal with these trials. Del and I will get started trying to find the thieves.”

  “We’re the best ones for the job, anyway,” Del said. “I actually saw the robbers here, and Cass saw them back at the cavern. That’ll help us track them.”

  She was right. They were both as qualified as me. More so, even.

  And I had to pass the vampire’s tests. Because if I didn’t, I’d take my deirfiúr down with me. Ares didn’t know they were FireSouls, too, but it was a punishable crime to harbor one. And once they were in custody for that, the Order would figure out what they were.

  Worse, their powerful boyfriends, Roarke and Aidan, would no doubt wage war to save them. Which would end up creating even more problems.

  So, yeah. I was up shit creek, and Ares was poking holes in my boat.

  “Okay.” I sighed. “You guys hunt the jerks who stole from us. I’ll deal with the Vampire Court.”

  “Show them what you’re made of,” Cass said.

  “Knock their socks off.” Del punched me lightly on the arm.

  “And know that we’re here if you need us.” Cass reached out and hugged me.

  Del joined in. “Yeah, just give us a call on the comms charm and we’ll come kick some vampire ass.”

  I pulled away. “You know I don’t want you to do that.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Cass waved her hand. “Starting an interspecies war would be a bad idea.”

  “Exactly.” I grinned, then turned, waving as I walked out. “Time to meet my destiny.”

  Ares’s gaze snapped up to meet mine. “Is that me?”

  “You weren’t supposed to hear that.” I zipped my jacket up, but it was still so wet it did little good. Fear over Del had made me forget that I was soaking wet. The cold reminded me. “I need to stop by my place and get cleaned up.”