Dragon's Gift - The Druid Complete series Box Set Page 21

  “Gentlemen.” Jude’s commanding voice cut through the room as she raised her hands. “That’s not helpful. Florian, continue.”

  “As you know, we have no record of how the castle was originally formed, other than that Arach gave her magic to create this place, back when she was a living dragon.”

  “No one has bothered to ask her?” Lachlan said.

  Florian arched his brows. “We’re not idiots, Arch Magus. We did ask her, but she didn’t know. No one knew. That was the point. Her magic was so powerful that it was hidden by two other dragons—two older dragons who knew that their time was coming. The knowledge was lost with them intentionally, and because of that, it was protected. They didn’t want anyone to find Arach’s magic. Even she didn’t know exactly where it was. Though she knew it was nearby, she didn’t know the precise spell by which it was imbued within this place.”

  “That way no one could get the information out of her.” Lachlan nodded. “Smart plan.”

  Magic swelled in the air, bringing with it a pale glow from the side of the room. I turned, squinting.

  Slowly, Arach appeared. The dragon spirit was in her human form, but she was paler than normal. Dimmer.

  “Arach!” Jude stood.

  “Sit.” Arach’s voice was weak as she drifted over to the table.

  “What’s wrong?” Hedy asked. “You look weak.”

  “I am.” She sank into an empty chair, her face drawn. “I think something is wrong. I feel…emptier.”

  Everyone at the table shared an uneasy glance. Normally, Arach was a powerhouse.

  “You look faded,” Jude said. “Weaker.”

  “I am.”

  “I think someone stole your magic from beneath the castle.”

  Arach’s eyes flared wide. “Is that where my heart was hidden?”

  “It seems most likely, yes,” Lachlan said. “Especially given that you’re experiencing weakness now.”

  “We should assume it was your magic,” Jude said. “And that someone tunneled though the earth to reach it.”

  “This is very bad,” Arach said. “The magic in my heart is what keeps my spirit here. Without it nearby, I will fade away soon. And the magic that hides the castle will go with me. Anyone will be able to find us.”

  Dread opened a hole in my stomach.

  Not Arach.

  Not the castle.

  Jude nodded, her expression grim. “We need to find your magic quickly.”

  I leaned forward. “I want to help.”

  “You’re still in training,” Jude said. “You need to finish that.”

  “I was allowed to help Lachlan last week.”

  “Last week, everyone was involved because there were so many ways the clue could be interpreted. We’ll put our best investigators on this. If we need more people, then you may be called in. But for now, you must continue your training.”

  “Enthusiasm will only get you so far,” Hedy said.

  I tried to keep the scowl from cutting too deeply into my face, but this sucked. Helplessness welled within me. “But I had the premonition that we’d find the trapdoor there.”

  “And if you have another one, let us know,” Jude said. “But your magic hasn’t been reliable lately, has it?”

  “No.” I bit the word out.

  “It’s because you need to continue your training. We can’t risk your life when we have so many other skilled investigators. But I promise, if we need more hands on this, we will let you know.”

  Arach met my gaze. “It is for the best, Ana. You must become stronger, or the risk is too great.”

  I nodded stiffly, unable to argue with Arach, but it wasn’t nearly over yet. If they were putting their best people on this, that meant Bree. She was on the PITs. I could help her.

  “Caro, Ali, and Haris will get started on this,” Jude said. “I’ll help as well, and we’ll call in some individuals from Ammons’ Demon Tracker Unit.”

  “Not Bree?” I asked.

  Jude’s starry blue eyes met mine, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.

  “She’s on a job to find a dangerous demon that is terrorizing Ireland.”

  Bree met my gaze. “I depart in the morning.”

  Dang.

  “We’ll have another meeting tomorrow,” Jude said. “In the meantime, let’s get to work.”

  I stood, my mind galloping away like a runaway horse. How was I going to get in on the investigation? Caro, Ali, and Haris were my friends, but they were also professionals. Jude had made it very clear what the score was, and they’d heard it.

  “I’m going to rest,” Arach said. “If I can think of anything helpful, you can find me in my office.”

  I studied her, my stomach twisting at the obvious weakness.

  As everyone left, Jude caught my eye from across the room. “You’ll be in class tomorrow night?”

  “Definitely.” I smiled, trying to make it look genuine.

  She nodded, then turned to say goodbye to Ammons.

  “You look like you just bit into a rotten banana,” Rowan whispered next to me. Bree had already headed off to prepare for her trip to Ireland.

  “You’re saying I’m a bad fake?”

  “The worst.”

  “I’ll be sure to practice more.”

  Jude approached. “Rowan, could I speak to you a moment?”

  “Sure.” Rowan squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

  “Yeah.” I left her, striding out of the room and down the hallway, my mind pounding with frustration and a thwarted desire to help.

  My magic was such a disaster, and it was holding me back.

  I stormed out of the castle, picking up speed as I strode across the lawn. I just needed some breathing room. From the Protectorate, from people, from…myself.

  I was the problem.

  I was slow to master my magic, and this was the result. It was probably smart of Jude not to put me on this case, but I hated it.

  I was the problem, and I couldn’t outrun myself.

  Desperate for some space, I followed the scent of the sea. The castle was built on a cliff overlooking the North Atlantic. Giant walls protected us on the land side, but the back was protected by a cliff that plunged hundreds of feet down to the sea. I could already hear waves crashing.

  As I neared the stone circle that sat between the castle and the cliffs, I studied it. As always, I was drawn to it. Yet I hesitated.

  There was something about that circle—something that attracted and repelled. I shivered.

  Nope. Not going near something that felt like that.

  I wasn’t the type to ignore my instincts.

  I skirted around the circle, catching sight of Muffin sitting on top of one of the towering stones. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. The Cat Sìth looked right at home there.

  He watched me pass. Don’t jump off the cliff.

  I shot him a one-fingered salute, and he grinned, fangs gleaming.

  The crashing waves called me, and I hurried toward the cliff edge. The brisk sea wind blew my hair back from my face. I sucked in a steadying breath.

  Slowly, my mind cleared.

  “You’re not going to jump, right?” Lachlan’s voice startled me into a little hop.

  I spun to face him. The moonlight gleamed on his dark hair. His cheekbones looked cut from glass, and he studied me, concern glinting in his eyes. Out here, in the middle of the Highlands, his tall, rugged build looked like a chieftain of old.

  “Muffin already advised me not to,” I said.

  “Smart cat.”

  “Why did you follow me?”

  “You seemed upset.”

  “You care?”

  Concern and irritation flashed in his eyes, along with something I didn’t recognize. “Of course I care.”

  I frowned. “All right.”

  I was being prickly. I knew it. But stopping it was hard.

  “You’re upset, then?”

  “I’m pissed. Pissed at m
yself for not learning my magic sooner. With the fact that it’s all weird and uncooperative and strange. Now there’s a situation that I want to help with, and I’m held back. Half a supernatural.”

  “Half? Hardly. Untrained, maybe. But never half.”

  I didn’t know what to say to that, so I went with nothing. The most I could manage was stewing over the cavern situation, anyway.

  But why did I have to let them make decisions for me?

  Sure, I wanted to become a full-fledged member of the Protectorate, but this was bigger than that. This was Arach. The heart and soul of this place. The magic that kept it running.

  I had to help.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked. “I can see the wheels turning.”

  “I’m thinking that Plan A was to ask them to let me help with this. Plan B is to take matters into my own hands.”

  He grinned.

  “She didn’t say I couldn’t help. Just that I needed to finish my training.”

  “It was strongly implied.”

  “Thanks, Sherlock, I caught that. Doesn’t mean I’m not going with Plan B. Gotta have a Plan B.”

  “You always have a Plan B?”

  “And a Plan C. Fortunately, we’re not there yet.”

  Lachlan nodded, as if he liked what he’d heard. “I’ll help you.”

  “Why? You’re already helping me learn my magic.”

  “Which we need to start immediately.”

  I nodded heartily. It was fair that the cloaked figure had been a priority. The FireSouls hadn’t been able to help since the cloak had a blocking charm on it, but now that Lachlan’s complex tracking potion was brewing, he had time. We needed to get on with the training.

  “But why are you helping me?” I asked again.

  “You’ll be helping me find the cloaked figure when my tracking potion finally has a lead. I don’t want you distracted by this.” He hesitated, his expression softening just slightly. He’d have hidden that if he could. “And it’s important to you.”

  “All right. Let’s do it.” I wasn’t going to say no to that kind of help. Or any kind of help, really. “First step… I’m going back into the cavern.”

  “Should you wait until Jude’s crew is done?”

  “No time. I’ve got to be in class tomorrow, remember?”

  “Fair enough.” He grinned. “We’ll be sneaky.”

  “We? You’re starting so soon?”

  “This is the best bit.”

  “All right, then. Let’s go find some answers.”

  3

  Lachlan and I headed back across the lawn as the moon shined bright overhead. We passed by the stone circle, and Muffin called out to us.

  “Meow.” What fish are you off to smell?

  “Is that some kind of cat greeting?” I asked.

  He gave me a look that suggested I was an idiot for not knowing, the sapphire glinting in his ear.

  “Could you go scout the library, and when it’s empty, meet me at the door?”

  He gave a decisive nod, then leapt off the stone and streaked across the lawn toward the castle. The little gremlin was fast, and cute in his own skinny, hairless way.

  “You have interesting friends,” Lachlan said.

  “Don’t I know it.”

  We stepped into the massive entry hall, and I spotted Rowan heading up the stairs to our apartments.

  “Rowan!” I called.

  She spun, her eyes landing on me and Lachlan. They moved back and forth between the two of us, curious. I hadn’t yet told her about the kiss because I knew both my sisters would heckle me to death, but she’d figure it out soon enough. We didn’t keep secrets from each other. Not for long, at least.

  She skipped down the steps. She wore all black, looking stark and beautiful with her jet-black hair and blue eyes. “Where were you?”

  “Getting some air. What did Jude want to talk to you about?”

  “She wants me to start training, even though my magic is still missing.”

  “Are you okay with that?”

  She shrugged. “I’m better with my weapons than I’ve ever been.” She was determined not to be helpless, even though she couldn’t access her magic. “So yeah, I’m fine with it. I’m sure it’ll kick my ass, but I want to contribute to my care and feeding.”

  I cracked a smile, but couldn’t blame her. Even though Bree and I didn’t mind taking care of Rowan while she got on her feet—she’d just recently escaped five years in captivity, after all—she was just like me. She wanted to take care of herself.

  “Want to help us scout out the cavern beneath the library?” I asked. “We could use a lookout.”

  “Heck yeah. Let’s do it.” She spun her finger in a let’s go motion, and we hurried off toward the library. I could always count on my sisters to be up for adventures.

  The halls were quiet as we passed. No doubt the PITs had gotten a head start on us, and everyone else was asleep.

  “Did you see how long ago the rest of the PITs went into the cavern?” I asked.

  “I think they started right away. You going to tell them you’re hunting?”

  “No. Don’t want to get them in trouble. I don’t think they’ll rat me out, but unless I have good info to give them to help them find a clue, there’s no reason to put them on the line.”

  “Good idea.”

  Lachlan was our silent shadow as we made our way down the old stone-lined hallway. The wide wooden floorboards creaked underneath our feet, and paintings of various supernatural creatures seemed to follow us with their eyes.

  “Sometimes I still can’t believe that we get to live here,” I murmured.

  “I know, right? Makes you want to pass the Academy and become a full member of the team.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Wistfulness whispered through me, followed quickly by determination.

  I slowed as I neared the library, grabbing Rowan’s arm to make sure she mimicked my action. “Muffin will be waiting out front if the coast is clear.”

  We slipped toward the side of the hall, near the nook where we’d hidden earlier. If we had to dart in there, we could hide.

  As we neared, the door creaked open and Muffin slipped out.

  “How the heck did he open that door?” Rowan whispered.

  “The Cat Sìth has magic you can’t imagine,” Lachlan said. I glanced back to catch a sexy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Mostly related to thievery, though.”

  “Opening doors falls into that category.” I strode toward Muffin. “Thanks, pal.”

  “Meow.” Anytime, pathetic hunter.

  “Pathetic hunter?”

  Why do you think Princess Snowflake III painted you the picture of the dead rat? Encouragement!

  “Thanks.” No way was I mentioning that I wouldn’t start rat hunting anytime soon.

  As quickly and quietly as we could, we made our way through the library. The Pugs of Destruction had departed their beds, no doubt to bunk with Bree, and the place was quiet. Muffin veered off toward the bejeweled lamp that was now short one red gemstone.

  “Off for more loot?” I asked.

  “Meow.”

  That was a definite yes.

  As we approached the door that led to the ghost library, I caught sight of Florian. He sat in a chair in the corner, looking at his hand, a confused expression on his face.

  “Florian? What’s wrong?” As I stepped nearer, I realized what it was. “You’re fading!”

  He looked up at me, face stark. “I am.”

  Dread made my chest feel empty. “Arach’s magic must help keep you here.”

  “It does.” He nodded. “Oh, this is very bad indeed.”

  Shit, shit, shit.

  We had to find Arach’s heart before Florian faded away entirely. We’d lose more than just the magic that hid us from the world and allowed us to continue our work and live in peace. We’d lose Arach and Florian. Our friends.

  “Don’t worry, Florian. We’ll find it.
”

  He nodded, hope flashing on his face.

  Determination fueled me as I turned, heading through the door toward the ghost library.

  Fortunately, the library allowed us to use the stairs, making them appear before us when we entered the massive space.

  “See? This is just evidence that the castle wants me to help,” I said.

  “Gotta say, I agree,” Rowan said.

  “Aye, I think you’re meant to do this.”

  We made our way silently toward the trapdoor. I stopped behind a bookshelf, and the others followed suit. We peered through books. Two guards stood by the trapdoor. One chewed vigorously on a ballpoint pen, while another hummed lightly under his breath.

  “Be ready to be quick,” Lachlan whispered.

  I barely felt his magic, though I knew he used it. Probably suppressing it so the guards didn’t sense what was coming.

  The one guard stopped chewing immediately, and the other ceased humming. They stood still as statues.

  “Sprint past!” I whispered at Rowan.

  Just like he’d done back in Paris, Lachlan had temporarily frozen time, so the guards wouldn’t realize that we’d passed.

  We raced by the guards, ducking low under their line of sight, then slipped down the stairs, deep into the earth. I kept my ears pricked for any sign that the guards had woken and sensed us, but heard nothing.

  About halfway down, Lachlan whispered, “We’re in the clear.”

  We made our way quickly into the cavern. It was just as magical as when we’d left. The glittering blue lights dripped from the ceiling, and the rest of the place was empty.

  “I bet they’re in the tunnel,” Rowan whispered.

  “Probably.” I headed straight for the glittering pond that surrounded the pedestal, hoping to find something. Rowan and Lachlan spread out, and we searched the cavern for any clues.

  When I turned up empty, I headed for the tunnel.

  Lachlan was already there, inspecting every inch of the area where the tunnel met the cavern. He turned as I neared. “We’ll have to go in.”

  I nodded, and stepped in. I heard nothing—no voices or footsteps. “I think the PITs are farther in.”

  “Good for us,” Rowan whispered.

  We crept quietly through the tunnel, which looked like it was freshly dug. Using what, though?