Chapter 5

Sean led us into the manor, and I couldn't help but notice the pride in his eyes as my brother, Lisa, and I took in his place with looks of awe. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere enveloped us, the scent of fresh linen and the soft crackling of a fireplace offering a much-needed respite from the demons and dangers lurking outside. I glanced at my brother, seeing the same appreciation and comfort in his eyes, and felt a pang of gratitude for Sean's hospitality and the sense of safety it provided amid our troubles.

"Please, follow me to your rooms," Sean invited as he headed toward a hallway.

I was surprised we got our own rooms, but I could see why. The rooms were smaller than an American hotel room, only big enough to accommodate a queen-sized bed and a dresser. The bathroom was one of the smallest I'd ever seen. A tiny shower, a toilet, and a sink.

"It's perfect." Lisa smiled as she set her bag on the bed. "After being on that plane, I feel like I can finally breathe again."

I nodded. After the chaos and danger of our journey so far, the simple comfort of a quiet room and a soft bed felt like a luxury beyond measure.

I needed to do something normal, so I unpacked my suitcase. As I opened my drawers, something caught the corner of my eye. Again, my tattoo turned red-hot as if turning on the sirens. A dark shadow darted across the window, its movements too swift and deliberate to be a mere trick of the light.

I rushed to the window, my heart pounding, but I couldn't see anything. The grounds outside were still and silent as if they were holding their breath in anticipation of some unseen threat.

Had that been Maci? The thought chilled my heart, and I rubbed my warm arm. If she was here, watching us, we needed to be more careful than ever. The manor might be a sanctuary, but with a shadow dragon like Maci on our trail, nowhere was truly safe.

My bow and arrows were tucked in the bottom of the suitcase, and I quickly grabbed them. I glanced out the window, ready to fire an arrow into Maci's black heart if she showed herself, but I only saw the flower pots hanging from the front porch stuffed with purple, pink, red, and white heathers.

I carefully lowered my bow and arrow, but my arm still wouldn't stop the hot sensation warning me of danger. Something was out there. I couldn't see it with my human eyes, but I knew it was there, watching and waiting to strike.

Someone tapped lightly on my door. I turned to see my frowning brother.

"What's wrong?" Concern laced his voice.

"I thought I saw a dark shadow." I continued to scan the area outside the window.

Damon leaned against the doorframe, watching with an approving nod as I stashed my bow and arrows away.

He followed my movements. "Nice choice of weaponry. But remember, Maci's not going to go down with a sharp stick and a good aim. These kinds of things…they're tricky. You've got to hit them where it hurts. Usually, that's not the heart—if they even have one."

I released a long sigh. "I know, but I keep thinking of that dream I had on the plane. It's a warning. I know it is."

He caught the frustrated yet determined look in my eyes and came alongside me. "You're doing the right thing, staying alert. But that hot sensation, that's your instinct talking. It's worth more than any fancy weapons. Trust it."

He smirked as he glanced out the window at the peaceful scene disrupted by the looming threat. "Hey, if all else fails, we can always try bludgeoning her with one of those flower pots. I hear heathers are pretty hardy."

Despite the tension, his attempt at humor brought a fleeting smile to my face. He put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed gently. "Stay sharp, and keep your weapons close. Whatever's out there, we'll face it together. Remember, it's not only about seeing with your eyes. Sometimes, you've got to feel what's lurking in the shadows. Let's hope it's not a fan of gardening."

I didn't know why, but I hugged him, feeling the warmth and strength of his embrace. He was always there when I needed him, a constant source of support and comfort. As we held each other, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and love for my brother. I had a feeling this hunt would test us like never before, pushing us to our limits and beyond. Yet, with him by my side, I knew we could face whatever challenges lay ahead. We were Grants, and our father had taught us well. Together, we were unstoppable.

He pulled back and gave me a curious look. "What was that for?"

I shrugged. "Just wanted a family hug before we go on this next hunt."

"I was coming to get you because the big fang has called a meeting in the living room."

I scowled. "Will you quit calling Justice ‘fang?' I think he's proven himself more than once on this wild ride."

"Maybe, but he's still a vampire, and I don't trust them." Damon couldn't stop lumping Justice into the evil vampire barrel. He thought the only good vampire was a dead vampire. His vengeance for Mom was strong, and her death had left a permanent mark on him.

I followed Damon out of my room and into the living room, where I was immediately struck by the room's timeless elegance. The high ceiling crowned with ornate plasterwork seemed to stretch endlessly above me while the rich, dark wooden floor whispered of centuries past. My attention was drawn to the grand fireplace, its stone mantle adorned with intricate carvings that danced in the flickering firelight, casting cozy shadows across the collection of plush, velvet-upholstered furniture.

My gaze wandered to the tall, leaded glass windows that framed the misty Scottish landscape outside, the heavy drapes pulled back to allow the soft, ambient light to filter in. Along the walls, oil paintings of the Scottish Highlands and McDuff ancestors watched over the room, their presence a silent reminder of the enduring legacy surrounding them.

Everyone was waiting for us, including Sean McDuff and an older woman. He had his arm around her, and I suspected she was either his wife or a close friend.

As I took in the room's atmosphere, I felt a sense of sanctuary from the wilds of Scotland. I watched Justice, who stood among the gathered team, his presence commanding attention even in the grandeur of the living room. The firelight danced across his chiseled features, casting an ethereal glow that heightened his otherworldly allure.

Justice smiled and gestured for us to take the two remaining seats on wooden dining chairs.

My heart skipped a beat as I met his gaze, a familiar flutter of attraction stirring within me. I quickly looked away, trying to focus on the matter at hand, but the pull I felt toward him was undeniable. Something I couldn't admit to. Not yet.

"Good. Tomorrow, we have a choice to make." His gaze swept over us. "We can seek an audience with the Fae Queen, a beacon of light and wisdom who may offer guidance and sanctuary from your pursuer. Or…" He paused, the air around us seeming to thicken. "We venture into the heart of the forest to parley with the Unseelie King, whose knowledge of dark fae magic and the shadow realms might give us the edge we need against Maci."

Lisa frowned, weighing our options. "The Fae Queen's counsel would be invaluable, but the Unseelie King's insight into darker magics could be precisely what we need to counter Maci's power."

Brody's eyes grew troubled. "It's a risky move. Garrick is unpredictable. Last time, her father consumed his magic. Even if he could help, I'm not sure he would."

"I know," Justice admitted. "Garrick won't let that happen again. I'm sure he's combed his realm for a spell to keep his magic intact."

Damon scratched the back of his neck as he mulled over the risky play. "I don't know much about fairies."

Sean scowled. "They're not fairies. They're fae. Very powerful fae."

His tone shook with disdain, but that didn't bother my brother.

Damon only shrugged. "Maybe so, but look. Dealing with this fae royalty, as you call it, is like playing poker with a psychic. They've got their cards, and they're not showing them all. This Unseelie King might have a grudge, but he's got skin in the game. That makes him dangerous but also potentially useful."

Grady leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. "That's the understatement of the century," he commented, his voice tense. "It makes him as dangerous as a rattlesnake ready to strike."

Damon shifted his weight, locking eyes with each person in the room. "And this Queen Chelby, she's got power too, huh? A purple dragon, you said? Sounds like she could roast our problems without breaking a sweat. But aligning with powerful fae… there's always a price."

"Not with her." A slight smile played at the corners of Justice's mouth. "She was our leader in the Paranormal Mercenary Corps. Dr. Gould is her grandfather." A hint of pride echoed in his voice as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze flickering between Damon and Grady, gauging their reactions.

Lisa pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing. "From what you're all saying, it's a delicate balance between good and evil," she mused, her fingers tapping lightly on the arm of her chair. "We need to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before making a decision."

A sudden hush fell over the living room as if time itself had paused to hold its breath, leaving us all momentarily speechless.

Damon was the first one to speak. "We need to play this smart. Use what they know against Maci, sure, but we also gotta watch our own backs. These fae types are old, and old beings have long memories and weird motives. We go in knowing that."

With a half-smirk, he concluded, "So, we talk to both. Hear them out. Remember, we're not here to make friends with the fairy folk. We're here to save our hides and stop Maci. Let's not forget who the real enemy is."

As the others debated, I remained quiet, trying to listen intently to each argument. The shadows grew long in the living room, and I kept wondering if Maci was hiding in there, listening to the discussion, forming her own plan. She was a shadow dragon, after all. My rose tattoo was warm to the touch but not burning like earlier. That didn't mean anything.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, my arm burned hotter, reminding me of Maci's presence, the urgency of our quest, and the dangers ahead. With a resolve hardened by fear and the will to protect those I loved, I knew no matter which path we chose, the journey would demand everything of me to protect the people I loved.