Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Lorcan

T he dragon is young, but it’s clear he’s got an understanding of how serious Ember’s situation is.

“You know, my biological father was the last dragon king in Faere. They’re now a matriarchal society, but that’s a whole different story.” His strong jaw clenches as his head shakes. “Considering Ember’s lineage, it’s not crazy to imagine we’d find our way into some type of power position one day.” He exhales heavily. “But I don’t understand any of the wolves’ rules or customs, and that scares the shit out of me. How am I supposed to brainstorm possible problems and ways her enemies will attack?”

“I’m familiar with shifter culture, and I know how to pull my own weight.” Giving him a tight smile, I do my best to block the memories of my little brother and the mate he lost. “I truly didn’t foresee this. My gifts block anything too closely related to my own timeline.”

“That’s bizarre,” Veryn says. “We have a family friend who is a seer. She sees everything—even stuff for her own granddaughter.”

“Yes, well, I do not.” I shrug. Unlike my parents, I wasn’t born in Faere. I simply inherited their elven blood, but I was born in the human realm shortly after they migrated. Prophecy wasn’t a gift I was born with; it only began to develop over the last five hundred years. Who knows how powerful the skill will be in another five hundred, but for now, there are limitations. “My warnings were only meant to inform her of the dangerous game she was playing. Any involvement with the paranormal council is precarious for someone who is unique.”

I’ve interacted with many councils on many continents over many centuries. The North American Paranormal Council doesn’t reach the top five of terrible encounters, but they are currently hunting my dear friend Calyx.

It’s unclear if they think he’s guilty of something he hasn’t done, or possibly they’re hoping he’ll clean up a mess he didn’t create. It’s impossible to tell, and until we have a better understanding of which category their interest falls under, we’ve all decided to do our best to stay off their radar.

“Are you wanted by the paranormal council? How did you get involved with them, anyway?” The dragon eyes me carefully, scratching his stubble-covered jaw.

It might be pertinent to share those details with my mate’s other mate, so I repeat my line of thoughts, aloud this time. “I don’t believe I am. I’m not sure how they could know about me in the first place, but your council believes, mistakenly I might add, that Calyx is powerful enough to influence an entire pattern of evolution. Omegas have ceased to be born, simply because the universe deemed they weren’t being looked after properly.” I shrug, rolling my eyes. “Okay, that’s not necessarily a factual account, because no one knows for certain, but I’ve lived many lifetimes, and that’s my best guess.”

“We know several omegas of a variety of species,” the dragon says, sighing heavily. “They’ve just been safely tucked away behind the sanctuary ward surrounding Haven. Octavia—the town council leader—is leery of the paranormal council ever since an incident with one of my fathers…” He goes on to share a bit about how his father was kidnapped by a paranormal council agent and used to fuel his nefarious spells.

“That is truly heinous.” I bow my head. “It’s sad how the few can taint the image of the many.”

Magic users, especially those with dark gifts, are viewed negatively by the supernatural world.

Veryn sighs, stretching back against the couch cushion. “I need to make a few phone calls and ensure Ember’s family won’t storm the gates as soon as they hear the news.”

“Agreed, that would not be helpful.” I move to shove myself off the couch. “I’m going to strengthen the ward. If anyone with ill intent attempts to enter, it will wake me.”

“I should probably step outside, so I won’t wake her while I talk on the phone.”

I’m pleasantly surprised he seems to be open to working together.

Shifters are notoriously awful at sharing, but perhaps his upbringing lends to being more open-minded than most.

Or perhaps his beast senses the partially formed matebond I placed on Ember’s wrist? That’s probably the more likely option. Shifters respect matebonds above all else.

Either way, I’ve waited a millennium to finally meet my other half. He can have thoughts and feelings on the matter, but not a single one will stop me from making that little wolf mine.

I simply need to coax her into liking me, convince her to do her portion of the claiming ritual, and our bond will be complete.

My hands light, buzzing with the hum of magic. I edge to the side and continue to strengthen the ward. No one will breach the interior without me knowing about it.

“Shit, shit, shit,” Cohen hisses, jogging toward me while glancing back over his shoulder.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, checking on the dragon. He’s still on his phone, pacing back and forth, a bit like a caged lion.

“There’s a beautiful fae female and a nightmare hot on my trail. They are on the warpath.” Cohen trips over his tennis shoes, shoving his glasses up and coming to a stop all in one graceless motion.

“A male nightmare?” Veryn shoves his phone in his back pocket, striding toward us. “Or a female? This is important.”

“Female,” Cohen wheezes. “Good God, I’m out of shape.”

“They aren’t a threat.” The dragon chuckles. “Now, if Malice was with Rogue…that might be a bad sign.”

“I wouldn’t speak too soon,” the tall, willowy blonde fae says, appearing from the shadows next to the nightmare. I believe Rogue is the fae, but that’s a piece of information I picked up while watching Ember. “Why are you with Ethan Sanders? You know he’s our target.” She speaks to Veryn but gestures toward Cohen.

“That was at least three aliases ago.” I chuckle, shaking my head. Looking at the fae female, I ask, “Does your council even want you to succeed?”

I sense the change in the air but make no move to stop the nightmare who siphons from her spot to immediately behind me. The press of the blade against my throat leaves me questioning that decision.

“Are you The Doctor?” the nightmare asks.

“No, that is not one of my monikers.” My hands fly up, and I debate sliding my thumb over the sigil on my palm. It wipes me from someone’s memory as soon as I leave their sight. The other hand holds the rune for invisibility. Using them in tandem has gotten me out of more than a few tight spots over the years.

It takes someone exceptionally powerful to override my magic, and these two are nowhere close to the level of ancient they would need to be for me to worry about that.

“Calm down, Gemma.” Veryn huffs, his eyes glowing yellowy-green to signal his dragon’s displeasure. “He’s one of Ember’s mates. Even if he was who you’re searching for, you wouldn’t be able to turn him over to the council.”

The nightmare hums. “Damn.”

At the same time, Cohen says, “Wait, what?”

“Isn’t it a pleasant surprise?” I ask, unable to hold back the feral grin that crosses my face. “The universe has finally decided to grace me with a gift.”

“I’m incredibly confused,” Rogue mutters. That one seems to have an unpleasant disposition, and I frown back at her in return. “Did Ember really kill the alpha?”

“She did,” Veryn answers as I nod.

“This is all our fault,” the fae female says, shaking her head. “If we hadn’t been called away on that bullshit wild goose chase with Delta…”

“No one can stop Ember from doing what Ember wants,” the nightmare says, finally stepping away and removing the knife from my throat.

“We need a moment with Veryn,” Rogue says, nodding at the nightmare.

They proceed over to talk to the dragon as Cohen comes closer to me with wide eyes.

“She’s also Anders’s mate,” he murmurs in barely more than a whisper.

“And the dragon’s.” I nod my agreement. “There could be others. You remember the omegas of old. They easily collected five to seven. Sometimes more.”

“But she’s an alpha.” His eyes blink repeatedly behind his glasses.

“Times are changing. None of us know what to expect.” I clap him on the shoulder. “An alpha-omega-hybrid with the ability to defend herself, instead of having to rely on her mates for protection? It’s an ingenious evolutionary development.”

“Do you think there will be a surge of them?” Cohen asks, squinting. “If not, she’s going to be in even more danger than simply being a female alpha in control of a pack.”

“Let’s hope they become quite prolific,” I murmur as my mind races. “I’m still confused about why the North American Paranormal Council is so desperate to get their hands on Calyx.”

Cohen sighs. “I haven’t the first clue, but it’s complicated, and it sounds like you have more than enough to focus on here with your mate.” He shoves his glasses up. “Once I can slip away, I’ll check in on him and see if there’s been any progress on sussing out where his phylactery could be hidden.”

I nod. “I’m available if you need me, but I would prefer to stay close to Ember. She and the dragon are both young. Neither seems to know much about shifter culture, which is the downside of being raised in a sanctuary city.”

“You finally finding a mate, and her being an alpha wolf…” He chuckles. “You know how stubborn alphas can be.”

“Indeed,” I agree. “But, truthfully, I find her unabashed attitude wildly enticing.”

The female fae stomps over, giving Cohen a look I can’t decipher.

“I need you to answer a few—” She reaches out, grabbing his forearm.

The glossy, vacant look in her eyes is one I recognize.

Ahh, so Rogue is a soothsayer.

They’re the Seelie version of an oracle.

“Not a shifter at all,” she whispers, releasing Cohen and stumbling back. He reaches for her arms, steadying her. “Oh, shit.” The vacant gaze returns as her head tilts and her mouth falls open.

I step to the side, taking note of the strange look on Cohen’s face.

I’ve never seen someone with the ability to drag another being into a memory or vision. That being said, I have heard tales of it.

“That’s the vision face,” Gemma says.

I’ve also never seen a female nightmare. Not that I’ve seen many males of their species, but I’m intrigued. Where the hell have all these oddities been hiding? How have they been kept safe from the paranormal council?

The council has a reputation for collecting unique beings and forcing them to do their bidding.

“Are you a second-generation demon?” I ask, even though it’s far from being my business.

I’ve always had a fondness for knowledge, and to be fair, it’s what has kept me alive this long.

“Yes.” Gemma nods. “Rogue and I are sisters.”

My, my, that is interesting.

My gaze moves back to the Seelie fae and Cohen. They’re still holding on to one another for dear life, which is also intriguing.

“Wait, is that going to happen or has it already?” Cohen chokes out, looking a little dazed.

“I think that was the future,” Rogue says. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but…” Her face twists into a frown. “You need to take me to him. Now.”

“Whoa, take who, where?” the nightmare asks, her dark shadows swirling around her as she moves closer to her sister.

I would also like to know that information. Something in my gut says she just had a vision involving Calyx. I’d like my old friend to continue his long life, if at all possible, but I don’t know the nature of her gifts. Does she see all bits and pieces of the future, or only ones with dire outcomes?

Bloody hell.

My chest gets tight. I’ve become a bit spoiled over the centuries, always assuming I know all there is to know about a given subject. Being so in the dark is beginning to give me indigestion.

How can I possibly keep everyone safe if I can’t run the variables in my mind? It reminds me a little of what the young dragon alpha said regarding his lack of understanding of shifter culture.

“Rogue?” Gemma probes, frowning as she studies her sister’s face.

Rogue’s head shakes, and she turns to face the nightmare. “The plan hasn’t changed. Okay, just a tiny bit. You take Veryn to grab some of Ember’s things and to help settle her family’s frayed nerves. I have a lead I need to follow.”

“I can siphon Veryn to Haven and back in fifteen minutes,” Gemma says. “We should stick together.”

“You weren’t in my vision,” Rogue says, but her eyes don’t leave Cohen. “Also, the warlock and I have a few things to discuss.”

“It’s going to take a lot longer than fifteen minutes to talk Ember’s fathers out of coming here,” Veryn says calmly.

I’m much more interested in whatever Cohen saw in the fae female’s vision, but I know him well enough to recognize that he won’t betray her confidence unless they require my assistance.

“I hate it when you do this weird seer shit.” Gemma’s shadows spill out around her, darting toward Rogue. She tugs the fae to her, and they embrace.

I focus my gaze on Cohen. “You’ll call me if you need me?”

He nods.

After living for so long, it’s rare that anything genuinely surprises me. And yet, the last few days have been a whirlwind. I’m particularly giddy to see what comes next. I would consider myself mostly peaceful, but both the pack and the paranormal council should tread carefully.