37. Bree

37

Bree

Cara brought a group of us through a gateway to a desert.

Although I didn't need physical contact to offer support, I held tight to Riggs's hand. Tez had done his best to filter what Nemi and Caliel had seen of Mykal, but there was no buffering the fact that Finn had devious plans for the boy. And that they involved aging him prematurely.

Riggs's pain reverberated through our link, along with his desire to do something about it, no matter how irrational it might be. Mykal was his son .

It wasn't the only thing bothering him. Tyrez should be at this meeting.

Cara is right. Until the council commits, it wouldn't be safe.

Now his concern was riddled with frustration. All I could do was squeeze his hand and send him a pulse of supportive warmth as we looked around us, and saw only endless dunes with not a tree in sight. Not a building, either, although there were outcroppings of yellow stone that rose above the sand.

Movement in the sky—Gryphons. Three of them, to be exact, flying toward us. They swirled in formation and then dropped. At first, I thought they'd disappeared into the sand—and then I saw the rift in the stone. You had to be almost on top of it to notice.

Riggs looked around him, and then he said, "I've been here before."

"Yes," Cara agreed.

Ash's eyes flashed as he glanced at Riggs. "Tyrez says you came with him when he was pulling resources together to fight Rindek."

Who is Rindek?

I hadn't realized Tez was following along. Now I caught a glimpse through his eyes—he was sitting on a cot, and Caliel was in a chair across from him.

The surge from Riggs cut off too quickly for me to identify. I squeezed his hand again, and he squeezed back, offering me a tense half-smile as I answered. He was the Archmage who was Finn's father, and the Torshin responsible for decimating the Dragon Legion.

He's dead? Tez asked.

Riggs jumped in, Dani killed him.

I shot him a look. I hadn't known that Tyrez's mate had finished off Rindek, and I was surprised that Riggs remembered it.

When we got to the edge, I saw the steps leading straight down to a structure built into the opposite cliff wall. The air cooled as we descended, and I admired the arched columns and sculpted stones. They appeared ancient.

On each side of the entrance, Sabres and Dires stood in beast form, their glowing eyes tracking not only us, but the Gryphons now folding their wings over their backs.

I sensed a burst of Tez's awe through the link. Those are Gryphons?

You haven't seen them before?

No. They are—awesome.

That is what Caliel was, I said sadly, before Isobel killed him.

I sensed Tez struggling to put the pieces together. Isobel was Aurora's boss?

Yes. She put Caliel's life essence into me. As well as that of the Ice Drake.

Cara approached the Gryphon and offered a small bow. "Eyresta, I am so grateful you could come."

The Gryphon's golden feathers shone even in the shadows cast by the surrounding walls. She blinked enormous violet eyes and clacked her beak. "This issue c-concerns us all."

"I agree," Cara stated. "I only hope others do as well."

The Gryphon's eyes moved to the Matriarch. "Eriana," she breathed. "It is so good to see you."

"And you too, Eyresta," the Matriarch offered with a smile.

Cara stood back and gestured for the Gryphon to precede us. "After you."

We followed their scaled hindquarters up the steps to the entrance. Just inside, two large men allowed the Gryphon and Cara to pass, but stepped in front of Riggs.

"I'm sorry, Sir," one said. "But all weapons must be left with us."

Riggs stared down at him. "This isn't just any sword," he explained. "I cannot leave it with you."

The young Sabre shifter's jaw jutted, ever so slightly. "No exceptions. It must remain here."

Riggs's stance altered subtly, and I blinked. All of a sudden, he was Razir, every inch the arrogant prince, glowering at the Sabre shifter. Who stiffened, but I saw a wary uncertainty appear in his expression.

"This sword," Razir said, "stays with me."

Cara stepped between them. "It is all right," she told the young guard. "I can vouch for Razir, and the sword."

I didn't think I imagined the hint of relief in the Sabre's face. He nodded, and stepped aside.

Your Dragon is showing, Tez commented.

More like his prince, I said.

He's a prince? Tez's amazement rippled through the words. I'm in some kinda weird mojo relationship with royalty? Why hasn't this come up before now? It should have been part of the prenup.

What in the heck is a prenup? Riggs groused.

An agreement between married—er, co-mingled, er, mated—people that states who gets what if they split up.

I did not willingly agree to this, growled Riggs.

Too late now, Tez pointed out . You're stuck with me.

Boys, I cut in. Can we just shut up and gawk?

There was a lot to gawk at. The headquarters of the Cryptid Council were stunning. Carved, arched columns framed the entrance hall. There were no windows—it was too deep underground—but natural light had been piped in through channels in the stone opening to the sky above. They must have tapped into aquifers, because water bubbled in ornate fountains. Tapestries and murals softened the harsh stone of the walls.

I'd never even heard of this place.

Does the Cryptid Council run the realms? Tez asked.

Not exactly, I said. They are the closest thing to a central governance the realms possess, but they have always relied on the Dragon Legion to provide muscle.

We passed through another phalanx of guards and entered the council's chambers.

The huge room was packed. The fifteen council members sat at a table on a raised dais along the far wall, but most of the space was dominated by a U-shaped table that framed a podium in the center.

All the seats were taken, and the area behind them was as well. I had never seen such a collection of individuals of all shapes and sizes. I didn't even recognize many—they'd come from all over the realms. But I was pretty sure that the only Dragons in the room were the ones that had come in with us.

As the largest non-shifters present, the Gryphons had been escorted along one wall closer to the dais. I saw Amadeus, the academy headmaster, seated on a chair to one side of the council, next to another table. Beside him were women with long white hair and faces so cold they appeared carved from stone.

Liberi Elders. Behind them stood their escorts, a row of Bellati.

As I scanned the room, my mouth hung open. It was Riggs who summed it up for me. This is Cara's doing. She's brought them all here. There was awe in his tone.

Cara led us directly to the podium, and we arranged ourselves around her. From here, I could see that the surrounding tables were scattered with familiar three-inch squares. Many picked up and held the photos, peering close.

When we'd entered, there'd been so many voices in the room that it had been nearly deafening. But as we walked to the podium, the sound dropped away. By the time we stopped, the volume had dropped to whispers.

They were focused on Lady Eriana.

She's quite beautiful, Tez commented. But why are they staring at her?

They thought she was dead, I said.

Ah. That would explain it. A pause, and I sensed him sifting through a myriad of questions. He settled on, Why was she dead?

Daize arranged to have Victor kill her in a fire. But we rescued her, and the rest of her family, from it.

Tez sighed. I think I need to see the movie.

Talk to Caliel, I suggested. He's up on it.

The slender, dark-haired woman in the center of the council's table rose, and in an instant, the room fell silent.

"For those of you that do not know," she said, "my name is Mivra, and I am president of the current Cryptid Council. I must warn you that I am also a powerful telepath. If any of the words spoken here are a lie, I will know."

She paused to let that sink in, and then continued. "This emergency meeting has been called to discuss allegations against the current Dragon Emperor and his entourage. If they are validated, we will decide on a course of action. At that time, we will approach the Emperor himself."

Her gaze scanned those present. "I realize that in years past, the Emperor or his delegates would have been invited to defend or refute the claims in person. But he has made it quite clear that he is no longer interested in dealing with the council or adhering to its current policies."

She straightened. "This new directive on his part has led to a significant increase in underworld power. But the allegations before us indicate that it may be much worse than we'd initially feared."

Mivra picked up one of the photographs. "The proof brought before us indicates that the recently minted Emperor is colluding with a new underworld coalition. I think most of you will appreciate how this changes the balance of power across the realms."

Murmurs throughout the room.

Mivra raised a hand, and the murmurs died off. "I am certain that you all have questions. You will be given an opportunity to ask them, but there is, unfortunately, more to this story. I yield the floor to the Watcher, Cara, who will explain."

"Thank you, Mivra," Cara said. And then she straightened and told the room about Daize's bloody climb to power.

The entire room was riveted by her narrative. When she finished, she gestured to Riggs, and stood back as he stepped forward.

Only I detected the hesitancy that was within Riggs, as it was the prince's voice that rang out across the room. "For those of you that do not know, I am a son of the old Emperor. The boy you see in the photograph is my firstborn, Mykal. He was spreading the word of Daize's betrayal when he was captured. Daize brought him to the underlord Victor, who is under the influence of Finn, the son of Rindek. Mykal is currently held captive by them."

My hand was still folded within his, offering physical as well as emotional support as he spoke. The pain piercing through him caused my breath to hitch.

As we backed away, the Matriarch stepped forward. "I am supposed to be dead. Daize arranged to have the underlord Victor exterminate my family. Only through the intervention of the Oracle," she gestured to Ash, "and another young Seer, were we rescued. But we have waited to obtain visual proof before bringing this matter to you." She raised her chin. "Daize is forging a new Empire that, you can be sure, will not be content with increasing commerce. He has already resorted to murder, including that of his own father, to put himself on the throne."

A stir ran through the room, and someone shouted, "I thought Taran was murdered by his brother, Tyrez."

Lady Eriana's eyes flashed. "Tyrez was set up in order to eliminate both him and the Emperor. Daize arranged the murder. I realize we have no proof of that, only Tyrez's word. Considering I was supposed to die in a fire, and my daughters and grandsons with me, I have reason to believe him."

When more questions arose, Mivra raised her hands. Silence was slower to come this time.

"In a moment, we will conduct questions in an orderly manner," she stated. "First, on the part of the council, I wish to know what you request of us?"

The question was directed to the Matriarch, but it was Cara who stepped up to answer it. "Mykal was spreading the word, and we have had many defections to us from the Legion. They are flocking to their Matriarch."

Mivra's eyes widened. "She is building an army? Will Dragons fight Dragons?"

"I think that is inevitable now," Cara said sadly. "In the wake of the Empire's dissolution, it is time for the council to decide its role across the realms. You now have an academy filled with talented students that represent a significant power base. So I ask you—where will you stand?"

"We have never gotten involved in Dragon politics," one of the councilmen stated.

"Yet you have relied upon the Legion to uphold the common good," the Matriarch countered. "Without it, you are crippled."

Silence fell.

"The realms have become a very different place over the last few years," Cara said. "The underworld is spreading across them. If we wish to preserve the way of life for many, it falls to the council to do so."

"How do you figure that?" another councilman demanded.

"Because there is no one else," Cara replied. "And power hates a vacuum. If you don't step forward, the underlords will."

The entire room erupted in chaos. And I sensed rage course through Riggs. But it wasn't him that pulled his hand free from me and strode forward. It was Razir who drew Excalibur.

Its power exploded through the room. As it glowed, and the runes danced along the blade, it silenced every voice.

Except Cara's. "Some of you may know this sword. It has many names, including Caledfwich, Calibur, Chaliburne, Escalibore, and Excalibur. It has surfaced a handful of times over the last few thousand years, but always when Fate recognized a need. She then reached out and selected someone to bear it. Prince Razir has accepted the honor." The Watcher straightened. "Its appearance, now, is no fluke. The realms need us to step forward. We cannot let the underworld rule."

Mivra placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. "What is it, specifically, that you think the council can do?"

Razir planted the tip of the sword on the floor, and its energy caused Cara's hair to lift ever so slightly from her shoulders as she spoke. "First, hold Daize accountable for his actions by withdrawing council support to the Empire until he is replaced. Second, affiliate the academy with the new warriors that now go by the name Talons, who are currently training in an undisclosed location. And last, support Daize's replacement as the Emperor with Tyrez, with his son, Treyton, as heir to the throne."

Murmurs and the restless movement of bodies and feet followed her requests. A few of the council members whispered urgently among themselves.

Cara wasn't done. "Agreement will set the council on a new path. One that provides them with the means and the muscle to enforce their policies across the realms."

The tall, thin Liberi Elder spoke up. "The students at the academy are, as yet, just that," she said. "What do you propose the council do with them?"

"They may be students," Cara stated, "but they are both capable and talented. If we integrate them with the new Talon forces and train them together—they will become the most powerful influence across the realms."

The room erupted in discussion, and Mivra had to hold up both hands and wait for silence. "Before the council adjourns to discuss these requests, I will open the room to questions. Please try to keep them to the point, or I will terminate the session."

And the circus begins, Tez commented, as the first questions were fired our way.

We sat in a room off the main council chamber, guarded by four huge Sabres in beast form.

It was the only way to stop the barrage of questions that had continued long after the council members, along with the Liberi Elders, had withdrawn to their inner rooms to debate the issues.

The Dragons couldn't stay still. Even the Matriarch paced, albeit much more slowly than Ganit or Riggs.

That's a whole lot of useless action, Tez noted.

Dragons hate sitting, I replied. Would I develop a desire to pace, once my Dragon emerged? If she emerged. At the moment, both she and my other scaly alter-ego seemed curiously content to lie quiet.

While I pondered that, Tez asked, How did the council come up with the idea of the academy?

I sat across the table from Cara and regarded her thoughtfully. "The academy was largely your idea, wasn't it?" I asked.

Her blue eyes twinkled at me. "Me and a few others. We saw the need."

My eyes narrowed. " Fore saw it?"

"No. The signs were obvious, if anyone had cared enough to look. The Watchers are in a unique position to interpret these things."

She's the true power behind realm preservation, Riggs said without breaking stride. She's ingenious as heck.

I barely know her, but I suspected, Tez commented.

We'd be screwed without the academy, I pointed out. Finn's creations would rule the realms.

Didn't say she wasn't right, Riggs added.

Time passed. Dragons paced. Tez lost interest, or more likely, had more important things to do.

Finally, there was a knock on the door, and Riggs opened it.

The Sabre shifter standing just outside offered a little bow to him. "The council has decided," he said.

My pulse accelerated. What would we do if they didn't step up? Because I knew that Riggs and his family would not back down. Without help, they could die trying to save the Dragon Empire.

The thought sent a mental shiver through me, and as we moved back into the main chambers, Riggs took my hand.

We'll figure out a way, regardless, he said.

Nervous whispers ran through the room as the Cryptid Council and the Elders reassembled. When Mivra stood, everyone fell silent.

"I don't need to tell you how difficult a discussion this was," she began. "The decisions today will have realm-wide repercussions, and with that in mind, we have reached a consensus." She took a deep breath. "We have agreed to withdraw council support to the Dragon Empire until this matter is settled. We will also support the campaign to place Tyrez as Emperor."

She met Cara's eyes. "That only leaves the academy question. The council will not permit its students to act as support for a Dragon initiative."

My gut twisted, but Mivra continued.

"If we are going to commit our resources, we demand a similar commitment in return. To get access to the academy, we demand that the new Talon Training Complex be placed under the joint jurisdiction of both the council and the Liberi Elders. The Talons can be trained alongside the Shade operatives, forming a cohesive unit for pursuing and enforcing council rules across the realms."

It was brilliant, really. The council was playing its trump card—the academy students—to force the Matriarch to commit Dragons to the Cryptid Council's banner. For the first time, Dragons would work for, rather than occasionally alongside, the council.

The Matriarch straightened. There was only one intelligent answer, and she gave it. "I agree to your terms," she said. "So long as the new Dragon Empire can appoint members to the Cryptid Council."

Mivra glanced around, and received fourteen nods. "Yes, that would be acceptable."

Ash stood silently beside me, eyes flashing like mad. Tyrez might not be here in person, but he certainly was keeping Ash hopping.

The Liberi Elder stood and faced Cara. "We have had our differences in the past," she said. "But these are difficult times. The Elders have agreed to offer the services of our Bellati warriors to the Talons."

As Riggs's hand tightened around my own, Tez came alive in our minds. There are more of those white-haired goons? he asked.

Those white-haired goons are some of the most powerful warriors across the realms, Razir said somewhat stiffly.

They look like Elves, Tez said.

I frowned. Elves?

Characters out of human fantasy books. Riggs surprised me by providing that information.

They aren't Elves? Tez asked.

Riggs did an eye roll that would have done Adilyn proud. They are not green and are certainly taller than three feet.

Not Leprechauns. Elves. Tall, willowy, walk like they have a stick up their ass, Tez stated.

Riggs quirked a brow. Well, that certainly fits.

Tez was on a roll. What's with those weird spiral swords they carry?

Those aren't just swords, I told him . They're horns. They shed them when they shift form.

Tez paused. Shift form? From what?

I exchanged an amused look with Razir.

Wait, Tez said. Don't tell me…

They're Unicorns, I told him.

Fucking hell, he complained. Just when I think I'm on top of it all, along comes a damned Unicorn…