Brutal 3f4v1m

Brutal Circle of the Stars Book Three

Sadie Jacks

© 2020 Sadie Jacks

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at [email protected]

Cover by Natasha Williams from DAZED designs. Editing by Niki Trento-Spencer

1st Edition

Circle of the Stars Breakaway Bonded Brutal Brilliance

Iron Serpent Chronicles Not your typical PNR RH. This series takes a wide step to the side in of harems. Please note, not all characters introduced at the beginning of the series are in one harem. But every main character does get their happily ever after.

Caged Magic Wild Magic Warring Magic Broken Magic Magic Freed

Amatucci Family A dark billionaire mafia romance series. Traditional MF couple for the first three books. Books 4-8 follow a different couple in the family.

Chase the Pain His Love is Pain Sweet Pain Needing Arturo Loving Talia Finding Domenico Freeing Massimo Keeping Raphael

Dedication

First and always…God. For all the myriad reasons.

Niki and Cherrie, your on this book has sured all expectations and imaginings. I literally couldn’t have done it without you both. So much love!

To my alpha team, you know who you are. I can’t thank you enough so I won’t try to.

Mom and Dad: Even when you’re driving me crazy, I know you this crazy writing thing I’m doing. I couldn’t be happier or prouder to be your daughter. I’ll tell my siblings that I’m your favorite kid. No worries.

Glossary Hollyn Parker (HALL-en PARK-er) Thane Ladon (THANE LAY-don) Tagan Ladon (TAYG-an LAY-don) Toven Ladon (TOVE-n LAY-don) Drace McKeenish ([Rhymes with Grace] Mac-KEEN-ish) Brigid (BREET) Arianrhod (AIRY-on-tod) Cailleach (CAL-EE-och) Arawn (Aaron) Gwynn ap Nudd (GWEN ap kneed)

Corcra: Irish for purple Garinion: Irish for granddaughter

Brutal: adjective.

Savagely violent Direct and without attempting to disguise unpleasantness Imposing or constituting a physical, mental, or figurative load With force Exhausting all effort Having or showing ion in the pursuit of a goal

Disclaimer. This book is for mature readers. Please be aware, there is talk of potentially triggering topics within this book with references and/or detailed descriptions of violence, physical, mental abuse, rape, and other sensitive topics that some readers may find offensive.

Chapter 1 – Hollyn

We might not win the war, love. Drace’s words from two days ago danced across my mind for the millionth time. I sighed as I dragged my spoon through the bowl of cereal again. Not even my Alphabets cereal was providing me with any inspiration today. “We’ll win this, Stretch,” Thane said—for the billionth time. I lifted my head, smiled. Nodded. Neither of us really believed it, but we were trying to stay positive. Tove slid some toast onto my plate. Two egg yolks made eyes and a piece of bacon made a smile. “Come on. We’re not going to win with this crap attitude. Dig in, eat your breakfast. Then we get to start the ever wonderful training again.” Thane snorted. “Plummeting towards my death from the top of my home isn’t really what I would call wonderful training.” “That’s because you’re not focusing. Maybe I should push Hollyn off the roof. I bet you’d be real good at flying then,” Drace said as she ed us at the kitchen island for breakfast. Two of my three men snarled. Tag and Finn were probably still battling it out in the gym. In the two days since our grand showdown, their aggression levels had risen like the tides. The weirdos really liked early morning beat the crap out of the other person sessions. No one else wanted to play with them, so they got to get their hostility out together. Drace chuckled. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I wouldn’t really throw corcra off the roof.” She bumped her shoulder to mine. “But a balcony a couple floors down isn’t off the possibilities list.”

I laughed. “Not happening and still not funny, Drace,” Thane insisted. “If you can’t find some kind of inner motivation to do better, then I’ll resort to whatever methods necessary. Patrick has Matilda Matheson, in case you’ve forgotten that very important fact. Hollyn needs more than three sexy men standing at her side. She needs her dragons. Her mated dragons.” Drace stared at Tove and Thane, a glint in her eye. I winced as my guys snarled again. They didn’t understand the destructive force of bad magic. Not really. Not in a way that changed behaviors or frightened the soul. They would learn. I just hope it didn’t come with the price I’d had to pay all those years ago. Drace stole my bacon, and my toast, before going to the far end of the island. “Hey.” I curled around the rest of my plate like it was a child I was protecting. I blinked big sad eyes up at Tove. “Can I have some more of your meat, please?” He snorted. “Anytime you want, Hols.” He slid a couple more slices on my plate. I stuck my tongue out at Drace. “Rude.” She put her chin in her hand, fluttered her eyelashes. “Darling Tove, can I have some of your meat, darling?” “You’d best be chatting about the bacon I can smell, Dracealina, or we’re going to have some more words,” Finn said as he walked around the corner. His Irish accent a song on the morning currents of air conditioning. He wiped sweat from his face and neck with a towel. His towering height put my six-five triplets to shame. The man had to be close to seven feet tall. And considering Drace was just an inch shy of my own five-ten, they made an odd pairing. Which didn’t even take into their personalities. Drace’s back stiffened. “You stay out of it, Finnegan Kennedy. I’ll get whatever meat I want, where I want.”

I cleared my throat. “I understand where you’re going with that one. And as long as it’s not my men’s meat, I fully you, Drace.” I turned to Finn. Gave him a glare for good measure. Before I winked at him. The fact that this gentle giant could rattle Drace so completely charmed me in ways I didn’t really understand. Whatever it was about them as a couple, I couldn’t wait to see it spring to life. I felt a shift in the air. “Someone’s coming,” I announced. I fought not to pat myself on the back. For once, something magical was easy for me after learning and practicing it. I couldn’t tell who was coming yet, but once I got familiar with the magical ‘flavor’ of a person, I could tell who it was each time. Tag’s body made a sickening ripping sound before he pulled me into his hybrid dragon arms. Finn manifested some fierce-looking blades from somewhere on his person. Thane, Tove, and Drace all branched out to give themselves room to transform if needed. The room danced with light for a brief moment. With a slight pop, Ari stood in the room. Her deep blue eyes shimmered as she caught sight of all of us. Strands of her long dark hair rose as if she were encased in a ball of static electricity. “Well, it seems you’ve gotten some news,” she said. She dipped her pointed chin, a smile on her wide mouth. “I do, too. Shall we see who’s is better?” I snickered as I pulled from Tag’s arms. My grandmother, who looked younger than my own thirty years, had a playful light in her eyes. “It appears that Patrick has raised the European Star Mistress from the dead. Can you beat that?” I asked, one dark purple eyebrow raised. Ari’s face went slack as her mouth dropped open. She blinked a couple times. Shook her head. “No. No I can’t.” I turned back to my group. My hand raised in what I’d learned was called a highfive. None of my men were watching. Drace was staring at Ari as if she’d lost her mind. I sighed. Right before I dropped my hand, Finn’s giant hand came down and tapped my palm. I beamed up at him. “Thank you, Finn.”

He winked at me. “Not my fault your boys left you hanging.” That shook all of my men into looking away from Ari. Snarls and growls rose from throats as eyebrows dropped low over fiery orange, tropical blue, and steel gray eyes. “We never leave her hanging,” Tag, my steely eyed hybrid dragon, said. I snorted. “But you just did.” Biting back my smile, I stuck my nose in the air and turned back towards Ari. I started counting. I bet myself that I would make it to five before one of them attempted to correct me. I didn’t have to wait long. Not even a full five count went by before hard hands gripped my arms and turned me around. “Cheeks,” Tag began. My laugh burst out. “It was a high five, Grumpy. No need for worries.” I pushed up to my toes, pressed my lips to his scaled face. He reached down, grabbed my hand. He slapped his open palm to mine. Glared up at Finn. “Ever.” Ari snorted. “Thank you for that moment to process, garinion.” I smiled. “Sure, Ari. What’s your news?” She rearranged her face into a brighter expression. “Well, good news first. Merlin is still safely stuck in his tomb. It will take more than Patrick has available to raise him.” “Even if he has Matilda Matheson as a supernatural battery?” Finn asked. Ari flinched. “No. That would be sufficient power, but he would need to be willing to risk killing her.” I snorted. “He had no problems raping his niece. I doubt he’d have problems killing someone he doesn’t even know. Not if it would get him more power. He’d do that without qualm or hesitation.” Ari stiffened her mouth. Nodded. “Then my next news moves from bad to terrible. According to my man about, the three families you named?”

Tove answered from behind me. “The Kavanaughs, the Cananachs, and the Christiansens.” Ari nodded. “Those. The Kavanaughs and the Cananachs have started bloody rituals to open Alder Valley. They –” I held up my hand. “Do you mean bloody as in damned or bloody as in actual blood?” “Both. Apparently, they’ve been doing so for about –” “Sixty years,” Tove answered. Ari glared at all of us. “Please refrain from interrupting me. And if you had all of this information, why did I need to leave to go speak to my ?” She slammed her fists on her hips, tapped the toe of her shoe. I winced. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have no idea what anyone else is talking about. Only the part about Patrick. That’s all I know.” I unashamedly threw the rest of my friends and family under the wagon wheels in the face of Ari’s disappointment. One of my men snorted. Since Thane curled his hand around my waist and pulled me into him, I was going to guess it was him. “We were doing our own research before you ended up on our radar, Ari. News headlines dating back to the nineteen sixties in that area of the country were linked to those family names. We read them no less than a week ago. We were just waiting for outside confirmation.” Ari nodded. “Then consider this your confirmation. It also appears that someone who left Alder Valley was helping them over the last thirty years. This is as close as they have been to successfully opening it from the outside. Only those on the inside—and those with enough power—can cross back and forth.” The night I crashed into Thane sprang into my mind in brilliant color. I turned to him. His fiery orange eyes were already watching me. He nodded. I nodded back. I shifted around to look at Ari again. “I can through.”

Ari’s smile was fierce and a little wicked. “Then I say we train up and go bag ourselves an ollpheist.”

Chapter 2 – Tagan

I looked at my brothers. At Sweetcheeks. Confused expressions covered their faces to varying degrees. Finn and Drace looked ready for war. I cleared my throat as I transformed back to fully human. “I’m guessing ollpheist isn’t some weird elephant then.” The three others laughed. “Means monster in Irish,” Drace said, the slightest lilt to her voice. I nodded. “Then yes, let’s go bag ourselves a monster.” Tove, Thane, and Cheeks all nodded as well. Victorious smiles on their faces. Ari smiled. “First, we do need to train. If Patrick is drawing from the ley lines that shadow and protect Alder Valley, then we need to be at the tops of our games. This is not a time for hesitation nor bravery. We need routine. We need learned movements. We need learned reactions that take the place of our current thoughts, feelings, and actions.” She looked at each of us. “Our replacement at our company is supposed to be here today around noon,” Thane said. Ari nodded. “Excellent. Once this person arrives, you will have today and tomorrow to set things up. I will take Hollyn, Drace, and Finn with me to Caer Sidi and begin training there. We wi—” I raised my hand. Waited through the glower and the harrumph of annoyance. “You’re more than welcome to take Drace and Finn with you. Hollyn stays with us. Always.” Thane and Tove nodded.

Ari narrowed her eyes. “And if I press the issue?” I felt the fire of my dragon heat my belly. He wasn’t too happy with the idea of being separated from our mate either. “Then you’re going to find out what three somewhat trained dragon shifters can do when they’re pissed off and frantic.” Ari’s happy laugh wasn’t really the response I was expecting. I clenched my fists, tried to see what kind of game she was playing. She walked forward, her steps silent on the hardwood floors. Nothing but the whisper of her long blue skirts marked her movement. She stood directly in front of me. “You are a strong and fierce warrior. I’m glad my granddaughter has bonded to such men.” She turned, included Thane and Tove. “We will wait. But you need to hurry. Every minute we wait could be a minute the Kavanaughs and Cananachs achieve their goals. If we can kill Patrick before they enter Alder Valley, then they will have no conduit from which to draw on the power of the ley lines. If they forces…” she left the threat unstated. “We need to kill Patrick. And for more than just what he did to me,” Cheeks said. Ari nodded. “If he has been siphoning from the ley lines, then he has become an access point for them. We cannot afford for untrained humans to have access to that kind of raw power.” “Why not? Not that I think we should just hand over Patrick or anything. But seriously, why not?” Ari chuckled as she backed up again. “Druids—at least of the ancient lines—are genetically able to manipulate and carry magic. Humans are not. I’ve seen some devastating outcomes from humans touching raw magical power.” She shivered delicately. “Humans have a magic all their own. It resonates at different frequencies, but they do have their own. When the two powers clash, the results are catastrophic. Have you ever heard of Pompei? The lost city of Atlantis?” My mouth fell open in shock. Ari’s smile was sad. “Exactly. The ley lines that bolster Alder Valley and innervate Earth are the only lines we have left of our original magic. If we lose them, there is no telling what horrors might resurface.”

Chapter 3 – Hollyn

On that grim note, the doorbell rang. I jolted at the unexpected sound. My chuckle was a little strained. I think the jolt was the least of the available options and I was pretty proud of myself for being so restrained. It wasn’t every day I received the news: Hey, kill your psychotic, incestuous, rapist uncle or unleash a living hell on Earth. But hey, no pressure or anything. I shook off the negative voice inside me. I could do this. I snorted mentally. I would do this. I had to. Not just for me. But for my men. Drace and Finn and their thunder. For Ari. For my mom. I had to do this and I had to win. By any means possible. Grumpy cleared his throat. “Um, cheeks, clothes. Now.” I looked down. Sighed. My magical clothes had disappeared again and I had no idea when. “Thank the bloody gods,” Finn whispered as I walked by. I hunched my shoulders. Magical clothes weren’t quite second nature yet, spank me. Jeez, it wasn’t like I was trying to flash Finn and Drace. I sighed. I guess until I got it right, I would need to wear at least something. It wasn’t fair of me to walk around naked if it bothered Drace and Finn. Even though they were both nice enough not to say anything most of the time. They were usually too busy swiping at each other to notice anyone else in the room with them. I rushed to Grumpy’s room, grabbed some clothes. Threw them on. I shoved my arms through the holes of my tank as I hurried back out into the living room. I wasn’t going to miss a moment of anything that might crop up. An unfamiliar female was laughing as I rounded the last corner. “Oh, Tove, you rascal.”

I jerked to a halt. Rascal? A scowl settled over my face as I moved around the mountain of Finn. Intruder amongst us. I narrowed my eyes at the petite blonde with her perky boobies and shapely ass. Her perfect white teeth matched her perfect button nose. Her nails were perfect. Everything about her was perfect. I hated her. She needed to leave. And take her hand off my mate. Now. Clearing my face, I sauntered over. A sway in my hips that felt like I was about to pop them out of t. I slid my hands over Tove from behind, peeking over his shoulder at the tiny interloper. “Batman, who is your friend?” I pressed my lips to his cheek. He shivered. “Hols, this i—” “I’m Charyn Helms,” she said as she stuck her hand out. Her pale blue eyes lit with challenge as she moved into Tove’s space. “I’m going to be handling the Ladons’…business while their gone.” I snorted. Moved around Tove’s body. I pushed into her personal space, forced her to back up and tip her head to keep looking at me. “Listen up, Charyn. I’m super happy you’re here to help my men. But touch another one of them and I’ll throw you off the balcony. ‘K? Great. Thanks, honeypie.” Her mouth fell open as Drace’s snorting giggle filled the room. I didn’t look away from the woman who was trying to encroach on my territory. My men. My life. Not happening, short stack. Not in this lifetime. Grumpy’s chuckling cough from behind me had Charyn’s eyes narrowing. She pressed forward until her boobs rested against my lower rib cage. “I’m not so easy to run off, Beanstalk.” I laughed in her face. Patted the top of her head. “Jack was a sneaky guy.” I leaned down, put my mouth right next to her ear. “And I’m simply stating a fact. They’re mine. All three of them. Touch them again, I will end you. And no one will ever find the body.”

I straightened. “Feel free to ask my good friend, Drace.” I pointed at her with a tip of my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drace give the tiny bitch a little finger wave. “I’ll help her.” Thane sighed. “We’re spoken for, Charyn. And yes, all three of us. Is there going to be a problem here?” Charyn blinked rapidly without saying anything for a few moments. Finally, she shook her head. She looked me up and down, a sneer on her face. “I’m afraid I can’t take the temporary CEO position, Thane. I didn’t know your… preferences…ran this dark.” I felt Grumpy move up behind me along with Tove. “Say another word that even smacks of disrespect, and I’ll show you dark preferences, Ms. Helms,” Grumpy said, his voice colder than ice. “And I’ll help him,” Drace added, her voice just as icy. “As will I,” Finn ed in. “Oh enough of this,” Ari said, pulling Charyn’s attention. My grandmother muttered something under her breath, snapped her fingers. The room exploded with light. When I could see again, Charyn was gone. I spun around. “Where did you send her?” “She’s back on the street. Thinking she feels ill.” Ari smiled. My mouth curled up at the corner. “How? How did you do that?” “Along with the night sky, I’m also the Goddess of Enchantment.” She bumped a single shoulder in the air. “It will eventually wear off, so you’ll need a good story as to why she’s no longer coming to assume the duties of your company. But I’m sure a good phone call would take care of that problem.” Thane hissed out a breath. “Except it just creates new problems. We need someone directing the company while we’re gone. She was the best fit for what we needed, the contracts we have coming up.”

Ari’s face fell. “Well, allowing her to stay would have fractured everyone’s attention. Training is hard enough with full effort and concentration. We don’t need to do Patrick’s job of hurting us for him.” Drace cleared her throat. “If I can offer a solution?” My men turned to her, nodded. She smiled. “We have a fairly well-known retired CEO as part of our thunder. I could call him, see if he would be willing to step in for the next few months.” Thane studied her. “What’s this CEO’s name?” Finn chuckled. “Harrington Castleworth the Fourth.” “Castleworth of Castleworth Investments?” Thane asked. Awe laced his voice. “Castleworth of Castle Games Inc.?” Tove said, his voice equally as reverent. “Castleworth of Worth Pharmaceuticals and Supplies?” Grumpy added. He didn’t sound awed, just intrigued. Finn and Drace both nodded. “Yes, yes, and yes. He’s quite –” “Amazing,” Thane answered for her. “Yes, we would love for him to step in. If he’s part of your thunder, I assume he’s trustworthy.” Drace nodded. “Harry is a wily reptile, but in business, his ethics are above reproach.” Thane nodded again. “Yes, please. If he’s willing, we would love to have him take over for us during all of this.” Drace smiled, pulled her phone from her back pocket and stepped away. We all turned back to Ari. “Assuming this goes well, and it should, we should be able to leave for Caer Sidi by tonight. If you have any questions, or Harry does, we can still communicate through our dragons,” Finn said.

The Ladon guys’ mouths dropped open as if on cue. “Really? Do all dragons hear all other dragons all the time?” Tove asked. Finn shook his head. “No. Although I do understand how you came to that conclusion. I forget that you’re largely unaware of how things work in a thunder or for shifters in general.” “I know absolutely nothing about shifters, so if you want to tell me—starting from the very beginning—that would be fantastic.” I smiled, nodded. Finn chuckled. “Of course. How much of the beginning are you wanting?” I looked at my guys. Looked back at Finn. “As far back as you want to go. I’ll pepper you with questions as they come.” Thank you, Stretch, Thane said over our mate bond. I love you, sweet girl, Grumpy added. What they said, but better and sexier, Tove said. “Well, dragons were plentiful in the early days of Earth. As man came and grew, we lost numbers. When the full dragon numbers dwindled almost into extinction, the gods and goddesses came together and created shifters. The gods and goddesses—of all faith systems—bestowed upon dragon shifters the highest honors of power, magic, and majesty.” “And what does that mean?” I asked. Finn smiled. “Well, we are the rulers of the shifters. Although we are more like your supreme court system. We encourage the different animals to govern and police themselves. Issues only come to us from within thunders or if all attempts at the species level have failed.” My eyes widened. “There are more than just dragon shifters?” Ari chuckled. “For every major animal group you can think of, there are human/beast shifters for it. From those that live in the sky to the depths of the sea.”

“Orcas,” I said. Ari nodded. “Yes. And dolphins, and sea turtles and sea horses.” “Bears,” Tove said. “And mountain goats and rams and deer,” Finn said. “So not just predatory animals then?” Grumpy asked. Ari shook her head. “No. All animals of all species. If there were only predatory animals, prey would soon be extinct. If prey becomes extinct, so do predators. We all have a part to play in this grand world.” “Are there other worlds?” Thane asked, his brow furrowed. Ari nodded. “There are. But unless someone possesses the power to cross those dimensions and thresholds, the beings are left to inhabit the world they are born on.” “Can the gods and goddesses cross between worlds?” Thane asked. Ari smiled. “Some can. I, for one, do not possess that ability.” Tove’s face screwed up in thought as he chewed on his lower lip. “But if you can’t cross dimensions or thresholds, how did we get to Caer Sidi?” Ari gave Tove a look I’d always wished to receive from my teachers back in the Village. “Excellent question. In those particular instances, we are talking about two different things. Caer Sidi exists in an Earth adjacent realm. I am the creator of Caer Sidi, so I can travel there whenever I would like. I have open access to some of my siblings’ dimensions. Others, I have been barred from.” “So as long as the dimension is Earth adjacent, you have the ability to access it?” Thane clarified. Ari nodded. “Exactly.” “So what would be an example of a non-adjacent world?” Tove asked. “A world that requires the use of a temporal-spatial bridge. Or Gateway.”

My head was spinning. “You’re saying that there is a space-time bridge somewhere that interconnects all the different worlds and dimensions?” Ari nodded again. “Don’t think about it too hard. Earth hasn’t advanced enough to even know of alternate world existence yet. They’ve theorized about it, but that is all. There are special governing bodies of magical people who guard the Gateways. Both here on Earth and on other worlds.” Grumpy snorted. “Magical police? Seriously?” Ari and Finn both nodded. “Yes. And they take their jobs very seriously. If we are not careful, we could draw their notice. They do not like being left out of magical happenings that could threaten all of magical kind.” “Do they show up with sirens and magical bullets of some kind? What kind of being is considered the tippy top of magical beings?” “Fae vampires,” Drace said as she reed us. “Officially called the Wardens, they keep track of most magicks, latent and active. And believe me when we say you don’t want to come to their notice.” “If they’re so big and scary, why haven’t they stomped down on Patrick? On the Valley?” I asked. “Heinous crimes were being committed in the Valley. And almost all of them involved magic of some kind.” “Just as dragons are the top of shifters, the Wardens are the top of all magicks. They were not gifted their powers, but rather, were born with them.” “We were born as shifters,” Grumpy said, a bite in his voice. “Yes. But only in certain families and certain cases are you shifters. Had you been born to a different family, you would not be shifters,” Drace explained. “The Wardens are Fae. Their entire race is from a different world. One that is so far advanced that we probably seem to have just dragged ourselves from the ooze. They are ancient, they are evolved, they are deadly.” “So how is this supposed to work then? We take Patrick out, but only on the downlow so that we don’t come to the notice of these Wardens,” Grumpy said. He looked at Ari. “Do you answer to these Wardens?”

She shook her head. “No. If you can prove to have power beyond their capabilities, then they do not extend their reach because to do so would be impractical and foolish. Fae are many things, but they are neither impractical nor foolish. At least in of policing power and keeping the peace between magicks.” “So I might not be under their thumb?” I asked. Ari smiled. “I doubt you will be. But that doesn’t mean your men won’t be subject to their edicts.” I snorted. “If I’m above these Wardens, then so are my mates.” “Then you take on the task of policing them. If they do something that draws the ire of a different group, you would be in charge of punishment,” Drace said. Her eyes were wide as she shook her head. “There aren’t a lot of options for punishment in the magical community, corcra. You don’t want to be in charge of it.” I shook my head. I knew she was trying to tell me something, but I didn’t have the foggiest idea of her true meaning. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say, Drace. Can you please just say it plainly?” “She means you might have to kill one of us,” Grumpy said softly. I jerked back. Shook my head. “Over my dead body will someone be killing one of my mates. And I sure as all black hell won’t be doing it myself.” “Then stay off the Warden’s radar,” Finn warned. “We are not playing. This is not some elaborate game. This is real life. Life and death.” I nodded. “Stay off the Warden’s radar. Check and check.” No one was taking my men. And I’d rain down pure star fire to anyone who attempted it.

Chapter 4 – Thane

I looked at Drace. “Are we good to go with Castleworth?” I still couldn’t believe the man was a dragon shifter. His business skills were legendary. They were taught in my MBA classes. He was an example in my ethics seminars of professional conduct and sound judgment. Drace smiled. “Yeah, he’s coming. He should be here by nightfall if he can travel with the setting sun.” I tried to keep the smile off my face. This was not Christmas and I was a grown ass man. Getting to meet one of my professional heroes should not make me want to jump up and down like a little kid. Or Stretch when she finally took her clothes off at the end of the day. “Wonderful. Then let’s gather what we will need for training,” Ari said. “I have not been able to locate a garden here. Gardens are necessary for magic.” I shook my head. “We were going to get one put together for Hollyn, but we’ve been a bit busy. What do you need?” Ari’s smile was a bit toothy. “I’ll make you a list. I’ll bring some clippings back when we return from Caer Sidi. Many of the others are easily found in Earth’s greenhouses or nurseries.” “Great. So what do we do for the next ten hours while we wait for Castleworth to get here?” Drace and Finn both smiled. “Get ready to start shifting and sharing information. I would suggest one of you at a time, unless you’re Tagan. The building can handle the weight of his shift. But I don’t want to test the architect’s skills by having four full size dragons up here,” Drace said with a chuckle. She rubbed her hands together. “Tove, you’re up. I think Thane’s got a couple shifts on you. You’re going to shift and then attempt to reach out to Harry.”

I looked at my youngest brother. “Good luck with that.” He flipped me off. Bumping his shoulders in the air, he danced up and down on his toes looking like he was getting ready for a UFC championship fight. “How will I know it’s Harry?” Tove asked, taking testing jabs with his fists. “Oh, you’ll have no doubt who it is if you find him,” Finn said, a laughing note in his voice. I turned to Ari and Stretch. “What can we do with this time while I’m waiting on my turn?” Ari shook her head. “I’m not sure I can help you with your dragon shifting. But I will be taking my granddaughter to the balcony for some lessons in accessing power. You remain here, learn what you can from observing. We’ll give you a shout if we need you.” I nodded. I was more of a doer than an observer, but if my job was to watch and learn, then I’d be the best damn observer in this room. I heard the balcony sliding doors open and then slide shut moments later. Prayed I could keep my focus on my brothers and our instructors. This would be the first time Stretch was near and we had to actively ignore her. I wasn’t sure how successful I would be at that, but I’d give it the old college try. “You’re already losing points, Thane,” Drace said, her voice dry. I stiffened. “Dammit. What’d I miss?” Tag snorted. “A boring speech about how great dragons are.” Drace glared at my brother. “We already know dragons are the best. What else do we need to know about them?” I asked, looking between Drace and Tag. Off to the side, Finn and Tove were in a hushed conversation I couldn’t really make out.

Drace heaved a sigh, drawing my full attention back to her. “Dragon physiology. You need to know how they’re put together, how they work. You need to be as familiar with your dragon side as you are with your human side. Since we don’t really have a health class for dragons, get your freaking head out of your ass and pay attention.” I bit back the words on the tip of my tongue. I nodded. “Do I need a pad of paper and pen?” She shook her head. “No. It would only be burned later. Rule number one: humans can’t know . The fastest way to get the Wardens on our asses is to have humans start up with their gossip and rumors. Social media has made it virtually impossible for us to do daytime flights or anything else. Social media and camera phones.” She shook her head. “Only the Librarians get to record our history.” “What about medical care?” Tag asked, his brow furrowed. “I was a Navy Corpsman with the Marines. They produced paperwork like they were trying to repopulate forests with sheets of paper.” Drace shook her head again. “No. We have tomes and books and diagrams and everything else. But all healing is done by apprenticeship.” Tag snorted. “That’s ridiculous. If the knowledge could be encrypted and shared, then it would help dragon healers move beyond reaction and potentially into prevention.” Drace shrugged. “I’ll let you take that up with the Elders.” She smiled. “And good luck with that. If you think your older human generations are stuck in the ‘old days,’ just wait until you meet our governing council.” Tag sighed. “Great.” He settled his shoulders. “Well, I’ll try to tackle that when the threat of world collapse isn’t trying to give me an enema without lube or explanation.” We all chuckled. Drace cleared her throat. “Alright, kidlets, let’s begin our first lesson. Dragons are big. We weigh a lot. But our bones are hollow, ridiculously strong, and exceptionally long. Most of the weight of a dragon comes from the scales, the

larger internal organs, the wings, and the tail.” She took a deep breath and continued as if she had to get it all out in one big rush. “Tails are used for a number of different functions: protection, balance and stability, flight, attacking, locomotion. Although the last is a very advanced dragon skill. I’ve yet to master it. Since my wings do most of the work, I don’t try to use my tail very often to help with forward movement.” She took a breath. “Any questions?” I raised my hand. She ignored me. “Good, let’s continue. Much like a bird’s bones are hollow, so are ours. This allows for flight. Different from a bird’s though, ours aren’t really going to be crushed by someone stepping on them. If this building fell and hit us, then we would be out, but humans can’t really hurt us.” Her lips twisted. “Human weapons can hurt us, though. So make sure you don’t stick around if the idiots are playing with guns, spears, harpoons, javelins, cannons, or anything else that is sharp with enough force.” “Arrows?” Tag asked without raising his hand. The jerk. Drace nodded. “Definitely arrows. But that’s more through the wing. Our wings are both delicate and tough. A regular arrow will bounce off our scales. It can slice through or penetrate our wings. Depending on the tip. Best move, remove the human’s ability to use the bow and arrows.” “Can we actually breathe fire?” I asked, not raising my hand. Suck on that, Drace. Drace smiled, winked at me. “Depends on the type of dragon you are. There are fire, frost, acid, and poison gas types. We’ll do some testing once we get to Caer Sidi to see which one you each hold.” She tipped her head to the side as she looked at Tag. “I’m not sure what to expect from you, since I’m assuming most of your internal physiology is still human, but we’ll test that as well.” “Somewhat related concern. My spinal spikes sliced Stretch almost clear through the first time she touched them. The guys got her down from my back. I think

they were more concerned with the bigger cuts and she healed herself when she woke back up. But when I caught her in the air, she said they felt good. I think you were also surprised that she wasn’t cut to ribbons,” I said. Drace nodded. “Right.” She tapped a finger to her lips. “Our scales and spikes are equally sharp. I have no idea why she reacted differently to your spikes than to your scales.” She shook her head. “I can’t answer that one. I have no idea. Even the human riders we have in our thunder have to be careful of our scales. We have special harnesses for our riders. Some kind of magical cloth that protects them. I’m not sure how she wasn’t sliced to ribbons when she landed on your belly. It could just be her and her magic, or how her magic reacts to you as mates?” She shook her head. “That’s something else we can ask Harry when he gets here.” I nodded. “Can we be hurt by other dragons?” Our dragon instructor nodded, her eyes wide. “Yes. Although most dragons in the world today aren’t really doing a lot of battle. If you run across either a rogue or an outcast, they can be bitchy and hostile.” “Do they attack dragons in a thunder?” Tag asked. Drace shook her head. “Not typically. Think of them like lone wolves. They’ll attack for protection, but rarely will they start an altercation unless they’ve been alone too long and have gone looney.” “Avoid crazy dragons, check,” Tag said drily. Drace laughed, shot him a thumb’s up. “Next up is anatomy. Similar to our human forms, the same bones make up the front ‘legs’ of our dragons. Humerus, radius, ulna. We don’t have carpals in our dragon form, but rather metacarpals.” Tag leaned over to me. “The long bones in the palm of your hand.” I nodded. “Gotcha.” Drace continued. “In dragon form, your thumb is free. You can use it to grasp things. But you’ve got anywhere from a five- to twelve-inch dagger as a claw. So make sure you know what you’re aiming for. Speaking of claws, razor sharp. More so than your spikes or scales. We’re talking they can skin a whale

with one stroke.” I felt my anger start to rise. “But you thought it was okay to let Hollyn sit in my curled palm?” She nodded. “Yes. It was either risk the possibilities of cutting her or letting her splatter like hot oatmeal on the ground. We can heal cuts. We can’t heal mush.” She watched me steadily. My anger deflated like a balloon with a hole in it. Hollyn could heal herself, had healed herself the first time she’d come into with my spikes. I had no doubt that she’d be able to do so again if my claws caught her. But Drace was right. If there wasn’t enough of her to scoop up with a spoon, then there would be no healing at all. I shuddered at the very idea of not having Stretch around. Of seeing her lively, animated face still and lifeless. “The little bones of our hands create the stabilization points for our wings. From there, except for your tails, and being on all fours, everything is essentially the same. Any questions?” I didn’t even bother raising my hand this time. Just nodded. She smiled. “Good. Onward and upward.” The floor shook slightly as Tove finally changed into his dragon form. “Wonderful. Show and tell time.” She waved us over to Tove. “Extend your right wing please.” Tove’s wing shot out. We ducked as it created a canopy that was almost the full size of our living room. Drace hunched under the wing with us. “Now, wings are very sensitive. They have to be for flying. We need to know how the air is moving in order for us to do what we need to do in order to stay in the air.” She ran her fingertips over the inside of Tove’s wing. It shuddered the slightest degree as his voice ran through our minds. Sacred stars, that feels amazing. Tove’s voice was full of wonder. It better just be your wing, Toven Ladon, Stretch said from her spot out on the

balcony with Ari. I looked over my shoulder. Stretch’s face was smashed up against the glass wall, her lavender eyes narrowed as she glared at Drace. Her nose was smooshed and condensation fogged the glass with each exhale. Tell Drace I’ve got my eyes on her, Stretch demanded. I repeated her words to our instructor. Drace’s head tipped back as she laughed. “I’m not taking your men, Hollyn. Get back to your lessons.” “I won’t allow her to molest your mates any more than needed for instruction, Mistress. Your mates are safe with me,” Finn said, his voice raised. Stretch, a smile flirting with the edge of her mouth, glared at Drace one more time. Then she turned to Finn, shot him a full blown smile and a kiss. “No kisses!” Tag shouted at her. She gave him a little finger wave before turning back to Ari and her own lessons. Tag growled low in his throat as he looked back at Finn with narrowed eyes. Finn rolled his eyes. He tipped his head in Drace’s direction. Tag seemed to catch himself, lost the scowl. Nodded. “If you men are done grunting and peeing on women, can we continue?” Drace said, her voice dry as the desert. “Please continue, Drace,” Tag said with a wave. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Watch it, hybrid.” She cleared her throat again— drowning out the sound of Tag’s displeasure—and launched right back into dragon lessons. Tove’s giant body twitched. “I think I’ve got him,” he said, speaking over Drace. “Got who?” I asked before the answer slapped me in the face. “Castleworth?

You’re talking to him right now?” I was so freaking jealous. Until I ed I was that grown ass man. Nope, still jealous. Tove’s dragon head dipped slightly. “Yeah.” He snorted softly. “He is a bit odd.” Drace and Finn chuckled. “Just wait until you meet him in person. Odd is just the beginning of the descriptors you could choose.” Drace tapped Tove’s wing. “Fold that back up and get started laying the groundwork for the power shift at your company. Obviously, you won’t get it all, but it will save us all time when Harry actually lands.” Tove nodded and retracted his wing. He plopped his giant dragon ass against the floor with a wall-shaking thump. His snout pushed the dining room table and chairs out of the way as he laid his head on his front legs. Closing his eyes, he seemed to disappear into himself. “What are we going to do while they’re chatting it up?” Did I sound bitter? I think I might have sounded bitter. “Very bitter. And put your shield back up, you baby,” Tag said out loud. He made little kissing noises at me. I took a step towards him. Finn stepped between us. “Now is not the time for pettiness. Even in jest. We need to work on connecting you more deeply to your beast. There are a number of ways to do this.” He pushed me towards the armchair. “Sit.” Drace pushed Tag to the couch. He slapped down into one end of it as Drace curled into the other end. Finn took a spot on the floor. “Now, open your minds.”

Chapter 5 – Hollyn

I could feel them. As if each of my guys was rubbing his power against my mind and heart, I struggled to pay attention to Ari. I nodded as I watched her speak, but everything inside me was tucked up close next to my men. “Granddaughter, if you are not going to pay attention, will you at least stop with the moony sighs?” She sighed heavily. “You’re very distracting.” I felt my cheeks go red. “Sorry, Ari.” I turned to the living room. Saw them all grouped together like old friends. Once again, I was the one singled out. Left on the outside yearning to be included. Ari’s hand covered my own. “You are not alone, garinion. You have bonded, you have mated. You create the base of your inner circle. They are simply out of arm’s reach. Simply call out and they will come to you.” I looked at her. Her pure blue eyes watched me steadily. She nodded. “Star Mistresses are always set apart. Had you grown up anywhere but that wretched Valley, you would know your worth. Know that you are wanted. That your men struggle as you do to stay away.” I shook my head. “If Star Mistresses are always set apart, why do you think my men struggle to stay away? That doesn’t make any sense.” Ari chuckled. “You are bonded mates.” She tipped her head to the side. “Have you seen your constellation yet? Watched it burst into glorious life in your mind?” I nodded. “You are inextricably linked. You all share power. That belly-deep yearning you feel is reflected ten-fold in your mates. They are drawn to you and your power.”

Part of me froze at those words. “They only want my power?” She snorted. “That is not what I said, so how is it that’s what you heard?’ I shrugged. Ari’s smile was sad. “You still see yourself through the eyes of the unwanted girl in the Valley. Throw off those glasses, child. Or you could miss the thrilling journey upon which you now embark. Your men are fiercely dedicated to you. To you, Hollyn Parker, not your power. To your heart, your warmth, your loyalty.” A small smile stole across her mouth. “To your body.” I chuckled as heat kissed my cheeks again. “They’ve said they love me.” “And you think so little of their word, their honor, that you doubt them.” She made it a statement. I winced. Shook my head. “No.” “But you do. You would rather believe the lies you grew up with because it is normal, familiar. Comfortable, even. You don’t have to change to fit in that little box.” I jolted as if she’d slapped me. “I’m not weak.” She smiled, shook her head. “Indeed, you are not. So break free of the old and embrace the new. Champion of the gods—even if they shouldn’t have chosen you—are fierce. Strong. Brave. You, garinion, are all of those things and more. But they do not fit the girl in the Valley’s box. You must destroy that box if we are to succeed. If you are to protect your men from annihilation.” A wave of heat swept through me. “I’d like to see someone try to take them from me.” My hands curled into fists. “That.” She pointed at me. “That is what you need. Who you are. Protector. Champion. Star Mistress. You—and your men—deserve no less than your best.” I nodded. I pushed my men from my mind. “Teach me, Ari. I can learn. I’m a good student. And if my men hang in the balance, then I will not fail.”

She smiled. Nodded. “I know you won’t, child. What do you of your herbology classes? Your spell casting?” I flipped through the files in my mind. “I was horrible at spell casting, but I almost all of the spells. I thought if I memorized all of them, that I spoke them perfectly, it would help me be a better caster.” Ari’s smile was beautiful. “Wonderful. Then we need not waste our precious time on pronunciation and rote memorization. What of herbology?” I shrugged. “I know only the basics of plants and their uses. I spent most of my time evading Patrick, the men, and studying my spells.” Ari’s smile fell. “Then I will take the loss of education from their flesh when next we meet. Herbology then.” She shook back her hair. “There are a few herbs that will amplify a Star Mistress’s power. Can you tell me what you think they are?” I thought about it. I was most powerful at night—when my men hadn’t exhausted me with their delicious bodies. Even back in the Valley, I’d prowled around the woods in the faint light of the moon. Moon. Luna. Lunar. “Hibiscus.” I squeezed my eyes together as I searched my memory. “Pumpkin seed.” I tapped my fingers on my knees. It was so close. The last two were remarkably similar. Something about a tree. Oak. Elm. Wil…”Willow and white willow bark.” I opened my eyes. Ari’s proud smile lit my heart. “Wonderful. Do you know their elements?” I nodded. “All but pumpkin seed are of the water element. Pumpkin seed is fire element.” She clapped her hands together. “Excellent, garinion. When is your birthday?” I blinked at her. Not really the question I was expecting in a herbology lesson. “October thirty-one.” Ari nodded, her eyebrows high with expectation. “Is there something else about my birthdate I’m supposed to know?”

Ari chuckled. “Your time of birth, dear. It’s important to a star mistress.” “Oh. Umm…” I closed my eyes again. Tried to think if it had ever been mentioned before. Ari’s hand covered mine once again. “May I take a peek?” She held her hand against mine. I nodded. “Yes. That’s fine.” I lifted my hand for her. She turned both of our hands palm up. She closed her eyes. Leaning over my palm, she muttered some words under her breath. When she opened her eyes again, they were full of the night sky. Images flashed too quickly for me to see. I waited in silence until she came back to me. After a couple moments, her eyes cleared. A brilliant smile stretched her mouth. “You’re a conduit.” She placed my hand gently back on my lap. “Great.” I smiled at her. “What does that mean?” “It means not only do you reign over the stars, but you are able to between the veils.” I nodded. “Right. We knew that part. I escaped from the Valley.” Ari laughed. The sound of trilling bells out on the balcony in the sky. “Yes, but there are more veils than just that one. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I still don’t know what you mean.” “You’re a conduit—you exist here. Fully. Completely. But you also possess the ability to navigate those things that are not quite seen. You were born on the day the veil between normal and paranormal is thinnest. If you can harness the power of the stars, of the sun, then you would be able to travel to those other dimensions. To those people who have ed on.” “Mom.” My mouth was dry and my heart felt like it was trying to jump straight out of my chest.

She nodded. “Even that realm is off limits to me.” Her eyes glistened with tears. She blinked them away. “Yes, we will explore that later. Before I got us on this delightful rabbit trail, I did have a purpose in wanting to know your birthday. Your star sign is Scorpio. Also a water element. So we will focus on hibiscus and the willows.” She looked around the rooftop balcony. Sighed. “We need to get your garden up and going as quickly as possible. Are you a good tender?” I shook my head. “I don’t know. I was never allowed in the gardens. I only dealt with plants in the woods or at the base of the mountains.” Ari’s lips rolled in. She gave me a brisk nod. “Remind me to teach these Villagers some lessons when we meet.” I smiled. Nodded. “Yes, Ari.” “Now, do you have favorite herbs? Ones that you feel particularly drawn to? Even in natural surroundings?” “I like bergamot, cinnamon, clove, evening primrose, pine, and star anise.” I named them in alphabetical order to make sure I didn’t miss any. Ari studied me for a moment. Her jaw slack. “Those are mostly fire elements.” I shrugged. She’d asked me which ones I liked. I gave her my answer. She shook herself. “Well then. We can definitely work with those. Many of them work for protection, dispelling negativity, and increasing magic.” Her lips twitched at the corners. “Even when you didn’t realize your power, you were drawn to the herbs to help you.” Her blue eyes brightened. “Consider what you can do now that you know your power.” A little bubble of happiness expanded inside me. After years of being told I was worthless—both as a person and magically—to find out I was actually magically adept was such a burden lifted from my shoulders. I could do this. I could take down Patrick. “Then I think we should go shopping for some plants.” I grinned at my grandmother. She nodded, rose to her feet. “Yes. Let’s.” She held out her hand for mine.

“Did I hear the word shopping?” Drace asked as she stuck her head out the door. A huge smile on her face. “I’m coming.” “Of course. We’ll make it a girls’ trip. No boys allowed,” Ari said as she helped me to my feet. “Let’s go spend their money and leave them to their…whatever it is boys do when left on their own.” Ari blinked rapidly a couple times. “I haven’t been around human males for a very long time.” She tipped her head to the side as we crossed back into the living room. “Or any males for that matter.” I sighed. “Except for my men, I can’t say that you’re missing much. All the men I know are idiots.” “Hey now,” Finn called. “Minus Finn, as well.” I shot him an apologetic smile. He smiled. “I can’t say that men, no matter their species, differ widely.” My three men nodded. “Unless they’re little or really old, anyways,” Tove added. Back in his human form, he looked pretty pleased with himself. “Us girls are going shopping,” Drace said. “The lot of you are not invited. Make yourselves useful and put together the information for Harry.” Grumpy’s brow furrowed. “What are you going shopping for? Why can’t we come? Who’s going to protec—” Drace whirled on him. “If the finished word out of your mouth is ‘protect,’ followed closely by ‘you,’ we’re” she motioned to the space between them, “going to have a problem. I’m more than capable of protecting all three of us. And let’s not forget that Hollyn is straight fire and Ari is a freaking goddess. Your penises can’t do much to protect us. You’re staying home.” She glared at each one of them. Thane opened his mouth. Shut it again when Drace snarled low in her throat. She waited for one burning beat. When no one said, or attempted to say, anything else she nodded. “Good.” I bit back my smile. Drace was who I wanted to be when I grew up. She was so

tough, and squishy, and bad ass, and fragile. She took no shit and handed it out liberally. I sighed. I walked over to my guys. Gave them each a hug and kiss. “We’re going shopping for herbs and flowers. I’m not sure it would be very fun for you.” Grumpy snorted. “Just what happened last time you went shopping.” He wiggled his eyebrows. I jerked back. “I didn’t know she was going to kidnap me, Grumpy. I’m sorry.” His brows fell as his lips compressed into a hard line. He grabbed my shoulders. “I wasn’t talking about Ainsley, the bitch. I was talking about that strappy contraption you put on for me.” Fire lit my belly into a soft glow. “Oh. That part of shopping.” He nodded, answering heat in his eyes. “Drace, maybe they can come—” She cut me off. “Not happening, corcra. Girls only. No penises allowed. Come on.” She came over, grabbed my hand. Tugging me from Grumpy’s grip, she shooed the boys away. “Go be useful. We’ll be back.” “If you travel too far, you’ll need our phone numbers. Our mate bond only stretches about a mile,” Thane said. Always thinking about the practicalities. Drace nodded. “Yes. Give them to me.” She rattled off her phone number. “Send me your card.” “Can I get a phone?” I asked. “Sure, Hols. We’ll get you put on our plan. But that would require us to go with you,” Tove said. “Not this time. Just us girls,” Drace said, giving me a weighty look. I eyed her. “What is up your butt about no boys?” She widened her eyes, looked at me some more.

“What?” Ari leaned towards me. “She obviously has something to talk about that concerns boys, garinion.” I blinked. “Oh.” I turned back to Drace. “Why didn’t you just say so?” I rolled my eyes. She glared at me. “Don’t you roll your eyes at me, corcra. It’s not my fault you didn’t learn the finer points of wordless communication.” She hooked her elbow through mine. “But I’ll teach you.” “Consider yourself warned, Mistress,” Finn called out from behind us as Drace opened the door. “Shove off, Finn,” Drace snarled, she snapped the door shut before any of them could say anything else. Ari flicked her skirts. “Mind the fabric, Drace. This is my favorite dress.” Drace’s cheeks heated. “Sorry, Ari.” She stabbed the button for the elevator. “Pisses me off to no end, he does. Complimenting me. Telling me what a great job I’m doing. Like that’s his role in my life. Bloody cheerleader.” She stabbed the button again. I looked at Ari, my brows furrowed. She smiled. Held a finger up to her lips. I nodded. Settled in to listen to Drace rant about someone. “Shouldn’t this person be proud of you?” She whirled on me. “Did I ask him to? Did I ask for on how to do my duty?” I eased back. Went with my gut and shook my head. “No?” “Yer damned fecking right, no.” She slammed a fist against the shiny doors of the elevator. As if they knew her impatience, they opened with a quiet sigh. “But

nooo, he’s sticking his nose in. Always around whenever I turn about. I can’t escape the oversized idiot to save me life.” Her brows lowered. “Bad enough he did it so much back home. Now he’s here. And I can’t exactly go rubbing up on yer men. I’d not treat ye like that. No I wouldn’t. Nor yer men. They love you like loons, they do.” The lilting music of her native accent spun around her words, giving them new life and beautiful cadence. We got into the elevator. I pressed the button with the large L on it. “Thank you for not making me kill you for touching them.” She snorted. “Oh aye, and ye’d have the right of it, too, wouldn’tchya? Bloody right ye would.” She spun around. Gripped me in a tight, rib-crushing hug. “I’d never treat ye like that, corcra. Never.” She let me go just as quickly as she’d grabbed me. Drace continued to mumble under her breath as the elevator descended to the lobby floor. I kept shooting sidelong glances at Ari. She acted like nothing at all was wrong. So I tried to mimic her. The doors swooshed open, spilling us out onto the hard marble floors. Drace’s heels click, click, clicked across the open expanse. One of the doormen, whose name I could never , was standing ready at the door. His pleasant expression dissolved into one of sheer terror when he saw Drace. He scuttled out of the way. “Have a g-g-good day, ladies.” Ari and I smiled at the poor man. “I plan on it, don’t I?” Drace snarled at him. “Grab her other arm, garinion,” Ari said softly. We moved up to either side of Drace, linked our arms with hers. “Let’s go get something to drink. I think a drink sounds lovely, don’t you, Hollyn?” Ari asked, her smile overly wide. She nodded at me over Drace’s head. “Yes. A drink sounds lovely.” Why we couldn’t just have drinks up in the apartment, I didn’t know. But, as Drace had pointed out, I wasn’t really great with nonverbal communication. I figured I should start learning how to live in the real world as well as learning how to use my magic.

It certainly couldn’t hurt anything to get a drink.

Chapter 6 – Hollyn

I wrinkled my nose, coughed around the burn in my throat. “What is this? Fire water?” I clunked the glass back down on the slightly sticky table. I shook my head. “How the heck do people drink this? Why do they drink it?” Drace rocked to my side. She’d downed at least three of the little glasses full of pale amber liquid before I’d even taken my seat fully. “Cuz they like the effects, not the taste, corcra.” Her shoulder bumped into mine as her fiery breath grazed my cheek. Ari smiled as she sipped from a bigger glass. The beautiful crimson liquid in it was a little mesmerizing as it dipped and flowed under the low lights in the bar. “Drace, why do you allow Finn to get under your skin?” Drace jerked upright as she tossed back another tiny drink. She narrowed her eyes at my grandmother. “Under my skin? The bastard owns my heart, don’t think he doesn’t.” “He’s your mate?” I asked. She shook her head. “No. He’s promised to another, the fecking reptile. But I’ll not be the talk of the thunder. Not be the woman who hurts a pairing blessed by the gods.” She shook her head, her long, braided blonde hair swished down her back. I looked at Ari. “Your brothers and sisters bless dragon unions?” My eyes were wide. Her brow furrowed. “No. They’ve other things to do than worry about the mating habits of dragons.” She winced. Patted Drace’s hand. “Sorry, love.” Drace’s mouth dropped open. Snapped closed. “Then Aine didn’t bless their union?” Her voice climbed the so loudly and so quickly, I thought she was going to burst some of the glasses on the table. She pushed back from the table so quickly her chair tipped over behind her.

The entire bar went quiet, a feeling of expectation peppered the air. I grabbed Drace’s hand, squeezed it. “Who told you he was promised?” She braced her fists on the table, pushed face into mine. “The fecking thunder! Even my own parents told me.” “Where did they hear the news?” I asked. I might not know a lot about wordless communication, but I knew how quickly stories could be ed and changed in a tight village. I’d been the butt of some very nasty stories that had only the tiniest slivers of truth. Drace yanked up her chair, fell back into it. “Angelina and her brood.” Drace’s look was dark as a stormy night. “And does Angelina and her brood—which is what, by the way?—have anything to gain directly from the story as it currently stands?” I asked. Ari smiled at me, a look of pride on her face. I sat a little straighter. Finally, something good could come from my prison sentence in the Valley. I waited for Drace to answer. “Oh aye, she does. For she’s who he’s promised to, isn’t she? She staked her claim good and proper, spread the news so it’d catch like fecking wildfire, she did.” She smashed her fist against the table again. I could have sworn I heard the wood groan and creak under the abuse. I pulled Drace’s hands into mine. Waited for her to look at me. Her usually brilliant green eyes were just a touch hazy as she stared at me with such intensity. I leaned forward, rested my head against hers. “It seems to me that Finn wants you. Not this Angelina. And if he’s willing to break this ‘promise,’ then you might consider the promise is nothing but lies spread by a bitter woman to protect what she sees as her claim. Is Finn dishonorable?” Drace snorted. The alcohol soaked exhalation made it difficult to breathe for a moment. “He’d sooner run himself through with a blade than ruin his integrity or

honor.” “And he knows the details of this claiming? This union?” I asked. Drace chuckled, the sound strained. “I’d guess he does. He lives in the thunder, same as me. Same as everyone, doesn’t he?” “What does he say about it?” “That it’s…” she trailed off. Her green eyes went wide. “Lies. He tells me they’re lies every time I throw it in his face. I just thought he wanted a bit of a ride before he settled.” She smacked her lips to mine. I jerked back, glared at her. “No kisses. I’ll not be the talk of my thunder either.” Her smile dimmed slightly. “Thank you, corcra. It’s been killing me, ye see. Seeing what I want, what my body and soul tell me I need and not being able to reach out and take it. Having to deny that part of my hea—” She jerked to her feet as her words cut off. “THAT BITCH!” I fought not to clap my hands over my ears as her yell bounced around in my head. “Drace,” Ari said, quietly, calmly. There was no room for argument in her tone as she pointedly looked at Drace’s chair. Drace slumped back into the seat. “That bitch Angelina almost stole my mate from me.” I could have sworn I saw smoke tendrils seeping from Drace’s nostrils. Her chuckle was a thing of menace and retribution. “But she’ll see. I’ll make her see that Dracealina McKeenish isn’t a pushover. Oh no, she isn’t. She’s Finn’s mate. And no one can claim otherwise.” “We’ll get the bitch,” I said. Nodded my head to cement my offer of . Drace smiled. Her teeth were a bit longer than normal. “Oh aye, Mistress, we’ll get her, indeed.” Her smile fell, her hands went to her belly. “I’ll be right back.” She pushed up from her chair and raced towards the back of the establishment. I looked at Ari. “Why is this called a bar? I don’t see any. Just tables and countertops. Some shady looking characters who look like they’re quite deep

into their drinks.” Ari chuckled. She shrugged. “I’ve no idea. In Ireland we call them pubs. It’s the Americans who come up with silly names for perfectly fine ideas.” I nodded, sat back. “Why do you think Drace ran to the back?” “Hopefully to purge her system of the vile offerings they call alcohol here. Most hard liquors don’t sit well in shifter bellies. Wines are the best. Potato alcohols aren’t quite as hard on the system. I’ve no idea what’s in that Tequila she ordered up. But many of the grain alcohols don’t metabolize in the shifter’s system very well.” I nodded again. “I’m not a shifter, and I can promise I won’t be drinking tequila again.” I stuck out my tongue, wished I had some gum or something. “It’s disgusting. I’m not sure I’d like to try any of the other alcohols either if they taste that bad.” Ari smiled, held out her glass to me. “This is a fine cabernet sauvignon.” Warily, I took the delicate looking glass. I lifted it to my nose, inhaled. I smiled. It didn’t smell like the dirty bum of an unwashed man. Putting the rim of the glass to my lips, I tipped my head back and took a sip. A melody of flavors settled on my tongue. The slightest bite as I swallowed. I lowered the glass, handed it back to Ari. “That was wonderful.” I ran the tip of my tongue over my lips, tried to pick up every last drop. Ari smiled. “I think you’ll like wines. I prefer reds, but there are also whites. It depends on my moods which ones I’ll drink at any given time.” I nodded. “And you actually want to savor it.” I glared at the tiny glass of tequila I hadn’t been able to finish. “Unlike swallowing reflexively so you don’t spew it back out of your mouth.” Ari laughed. “Well, I’m certainly glad you have a good grip on your gag reflex.” She shot me a wink and an eyebrow wiggle. I didn’t know why, but I suddenly felt like we weren’t talking about alcohol anymore. I smiled, pretended I knew what she was talking about.

She giggled. “That’s what’s known as a double entendre. We were talking about wine, but the conversation could have easily been about your time in your bed with your mates.” Heat flared through my cheeks. “Do people really talk about sex like that? Just out in the open?” She nodded. “Some more than others. Some more tawdry or trashy than others. But yes, sex is a common conversation among humans. Of both genders.” Drace came back over, a wan smile on her face. “Remind me to never drink tequila again.” Her flowing accent was gone. She rubbed a hand over her belly. “Now I need some food to sop up whatever’s left in there.” She chuckled. “And it isn’t much.” Ari took another delicate sip of her wine before rising to her feet. “Then it seems lunch is next on our itinerary.” She waved for Drace and me to follow her. I hooked my elbow through Drace’s, dragged her with me. “Is that what people mean when they say drinks? Alcohol?” I asked her softly. She smiled—kinda. Nodded. “Usually. Dragons don’t do a lot of drinking as social activity like humans do. We typically only drink during meals and it’s usually wine or vodka.” I nodded and held the door open for Drace. We walked out into the brilliant, blinding sunshine. I winced as tears gathered against the bright shine. “Are bars always dark and underlit, as well?” Ari’s laugh had my head turning. “I’ve not been in too many, but I would assume yes. Pubs on the other hand are bright and open.” Drace snorted as she clapped a hand over her eyes. “I’m not sure you’ve been in many pubs in recent years, Ari. Bright and open aren’t really I’d use to describe them.” Ari shrugged. “That’s how I the pubs. That’s how I’ll always them. Now, what sounds good to your belly, Drace?” We were shoved aside as ersby hurried on. I felt like a rock in the middle of

a stream. Groups of people parted, no hesitation, no stop, in their conversations. They simply kept moving. One gaggle of young girls plowed right into me, then glared at me for being in their way. Ari grabbed one of my hands. “No starshine on the general populace, garinion. They don’t know who you are.” I snorted. “It doesn’t matter if they know me specifically. They should just learn some COMMON COURTESY!” I yelled after the group of rude girls. One of them flipped me off as they continued on down the sidewalk. Not a single one of them said excuse me. Except for the glare and the middle finger, I wouldn’t have known they even ed my presence with them on the planet, let alone sharing the sidewalk with them. “Steak. As big as my ass,” Drace said. I looked over. She was licking her lips, wiggling said ass. I moved around behind her. Looked at her butt. “That’s not going to be a very big steak, Drace.” She spun around, humor and challenge in her eyes. “Hey now! My ass is plump enough, thank you very much.” “Damn right it is,” a random male said as he walked along. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” He turned, walked backwards as Drace shook her ass at him. He clutched at his chest, a huge smile on his face. “Carry on, sister. Car-ry on!” With a laugh, Drace blew him a kiss. She turned back to me. “See? Perfect.” I chuckled. “He agreed it was plump enough. Not that it was perfect.” Drace rolled her eyes. “Not everything is literal, corcra.” She bumped her hip into mine. “Let’s go get some bloody meat and I’ll give you a lesson in how to be a girl in today’s world.” I felt my eyes gleam. “Finally. Some insider knowledge.”

Chapter 7 – Toven

I glared at the clock again. How? How has it only been two hours? It felt like a full freaking year has gone by with Hols gone. Finn slapped the back of my head. “Focus.” I glared at him. “On your dragon, not your mate,” he said drolly. I flipped him off. “Easy for you to fucking say.” He snorted. “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, boyo, so best be careful of the next words from your mouth.” My eyebrows winged up. “What does that mean?” He shook his blonde head, sighed. Scrubbed a hand down his face. “It doesn’t matter. Not unless your girl is a miracle worker.” His head tipped to the side. “Or Ari. I guess if anyone could talk sense into her, it would be Ari.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. What matters right now is getting familiar enough with your dragon that you can protect your mate and our Star Mistress. So get your head out of her –” I glared at him. He smirked. “Pants, you perv. And focus on your training.” The floor trembled under our feet again. Thane was in dragon form this time. And even in the face of an overgrown reptile, I could see his excitement. He practically vibrated with it. Must be talking to Harry—never call me Harrington or Castleworth—through the dragon connection. “You’re connected to a Mistress. You can’t afford to be the weak link that breaks her,” Finn said bluntly. The man wouldn’t know gentle if it slapped him in the

face. But he was right. I wasn’t willing to risk being the weak one in our quad just because I was mooning over the woman who’d stolen my heart. I shook my shoulders, pushed my overly long hair out of my face. I needed a haircut. Badly. “Again,” Finn said. I concentrated on that spot inside me. For most of my life, this spot had been one of the only places that felt real. When my dad was going crazy. When Charlie died. When mom killed herself. Only this single point inside me had kept me here among the living. Well, that spot and my brothers. Now, I added Hols to that mix. I wasn’t sure what the guys did to talk to their dragons, but mine…well, it was more like playing an intricate D&D campaign. I would move. Then he would move. Sometimes—and only sometimes—we would end up in the same square. That’s when I got to become my dragon. I didn’t think he was being an asshole on purpose. I mean, I certainly wasn’t trying to be. And if my dragon was part of me, I couldn’t imagine that even part of me was an intentional asshole. But since I wasn’t quite sure how to open a full line of communication with him, we were stuck in this odd battle dance that was wasting time and effort. Right now, we truly were the weakest link. And that was not okay. “Inhale,” Finn guided. Pretty sure I was going to hear this dude’s voice in my sleep in the near future. His voice was deep enough and steady enough that I felt like I ed into a trance most of the time when we were doing guided meditation. I felt my lungs expand. “Exhale.”

I pushed the air out. “Empty your mind. Inhale.” How the hell was someone supposed to empty his mind? Doesn’t actively emptying it mean that I’m actually using my brain for something? And how was that supposed to work if I was trying to not use my brain. Finn sighed. “For the love, Toven.” I opened my eyes to see him glaring at me. “What?” “Do you even understand the concept of a quiet mind? I can practically feel your mental wheels burning the proverbial rubber.” I shrugged. “Sorry?” Tag came over, a smile quirking his mouth. “Try this. Lay down. Hands on your belly. Legs straight.” I followed directions. I really wasn’t trying to be difficult. But Finn just wasn’t speaking my language I guess. Tag nodded. “Slow your breathing like you learned during de-escalation classes.” I closed my eyes. Pulled a slow inhale of air through my nose for a five count. Pushed the air out for a slow five count. “Good. Now, picture Hollyn’s face,” Tag ordered. I smiled. I could imagine our girl’s face all freaking day long. She was stunningly beautiful, although certainly not by society’s standards. Her features were even enough, if a little wide set. Her lavender eyes spoke her heart. Her animated expressions whispered of her soul. Her lips beckoned with sultry sin. “Inhale,” Finn said. I did. I pictured Hols’ skin. Like a baby’s, it had almost no discernable pores. I knew from previous girlfriends that was something to strive for. But Hols didn’t

have to strive. She simply had it. Her long, dark lashes rested on her high cheekbones when she slept peacefully. “Exhale,” Finn ordered. I pushed the breath from my lungs. My girl was a mystery. One I intended to unravel for the rest of our lives. And even in death, I thought I would still be missing some nuance, some undiscovered quirk. “Reach out for your dragon, but don’t call him to you,” Finn said softly. Keeping the image of Hols in my mind, I called up that spot inside me. Dragged an inconsequential hand through it. Mate. It was more a feeling than a sound, but I knew it was my dragon. He’d been drawn to Hols just as I was. “Excellent. Call him to shift your arm,” Finn said. Without even trying to figure out how to use word pictures or any of the other nonsense Finn had tried to use before, my dragon slid his energy through my body. Granted, he shifted the nails on my toes and not my hand, but hey. It was progress. Finn chuckled softly. “Your arm. Or even your fingernails into claws. That’s what we’re actually going for in a partial shift usually.” “Keep thinking of Hollyn,” Tag said. I nodded. Pushed the picture of Hols clearer in my mind. I’d gotten distracted trying to figure out how to tell my dragon he’d shifted the wrong limb. “Imagine someone is coming up behind her. A knife aimed at her back, a deadly glint in his eye. How are you going to protect her, Tove? How? He’s coming. He’s right there. The knife…I can see it. It’s glinting in the light.” A searing agony ripped through the ends of my fingers as I raised my hand to fend off the knife-wielding idiot who thought to hurt my mate. “Yes!” Tag slapped a hand to my chest.

My eyes flew open. I looked down. My fingernails were sharp claws that had to be at least seven-inches long. I could see the brilliant blue-green scales shimmer over the skin of my still human arm. I looked at Finn. His smile was huge. “If I’d known your Hollyn was your mental trigger, this would have gone much faster.” Tag snorted. “Tove is dedicated. But he needs specific motivation to get him involved unless it deals with electronics or D&D. None of the woowoo stuff is going to sway him. Finite goals that he can easily picture. That’s what you’re going for in of training.” I brushed the mental picture of Hols away. Watched in rapt fascination as my hand and arm went back to human normal. “That was fucking awesome.” I slapped Tag’s calf. “Thanks, bro.” He nodded. “I use her as a mental beacon as well. I figured if it worked for me, it could work for you.” I sat up, crossed my feet under me. “Damn right.” I looked at Thane. “What do you want to bet he uses her, too?” Tag shook his head, laughed. “I’m not dumb enough to take that bet.” His gaze lifted up and over to the kitchen. To the clock that took up the space over our stove. The muscles in his jaw flexed. Once. Twice. “What else can we practice, Finn?” he asked. Finn shrugged. “There isn’t a lot until the sun sets and then—tonight anyways— Harry will be here. So become as comfortable with your dragon sides as possible. There is no such thing as too familiar. You need to be in sync. And synchronization really only happens due to exposure and practice. You need to be able to anticipate his needs. When he wants to take control. The same will be true in reverse. When you need your human side to reign, he needs to be able to step back and let you guide.” Finn sighed. “This typically happens over the first three decades of a new dragon’s life. All the training you are getting now is what we teach our first years. All the flight training and everything beyond that is what a dragon learns

as he or she matures. You’re being forced to learn it all in an extremely compacted time frame. Your lives, and the life of your mate, depends on it.” My belly went ice cold. I was not the best student. Especially if I didn’t really find the concrete meaning in whatever I was learning. Abstracts were not something I dealt in. But if my diligence to the ephemeral right now could help Hols, help us, then I would be getting my weirdo juju on all day long. I pushed to my feet. “Would sparring help?” Finn looked up at me. Until he got to his feet. One of the only men in this world to make me feel short. “In what way?” I shrugged. “If we are sparring, and then try to call a shift, would that help? Kinda like a distraction technique.” I looked at Tag. “You know what I mean. Learning to call on the dragon while we’re doing other things.” A light of understanding lit Tag’s eyes. “Oh. You mean you want to call on the dragon for a partial shift while you’re actively focusing on something else.” He nodded. Looked at Finn. Finn’s smile was huge. “Excellent. And since I could use some physical activity myself, I’ll you both.” He turned to Thane. “Come to the gym when you finish.” Thane’s snout moved up and down before his eyes clouded over again. “Let’s go spar, boyos.”

Chapter 8 – Hollyn

I forced the last bite of the steak between my lips. I figured my stomach could make room for it somewhere, because I certainly wasn’t leaving it on the plate. I moaned as the perfectly seared and seasoned beef’s flavor exploded on my tongue. “Mm, so good,” I sighed as my eyelids fluttered closed again. It was like I’d never eaten anything this delicious in my life. I hadn’t. That was the problem. I was going to make the guys buy me steak everyday if it tasted this good. I opened my eyes as I swallowed. Ari and Drace were just as lost in their own meals. I’m pretty sure Ari was swaying side to side slightly as her face showed her glorious rapture. Apparently, garlic parmesan chicken breasts were just as tasty as my steak had been. Drace forked up the last bit of her baked potato. Something else I’d never had before. We’d eaten potatoes in the Village, but they were either sliced up and fried in a vat of animal fat or boiled. I was not a fan of boiled potatoes. But these. These were a gift from the gods— although Ari assured me she and her siblings had had nothing to do with their creation. Saturated in butter, an odd cream that was sour, cheese, bacon bits, and little circles of green onions, it had almost been enough to satisfy my hunger by itself. That was before I tasted the steak. Call me whatever names that came to mind, but I was going to feast on cows for the rest of my life. “Ladies,” an unfamiliar male said. I looked up at him as he approached from behind Drace. I smiled. Taking my smile as some kind of answer to a question I hadn’t heard, he pulled out the last chair at our table. “Enjoying your meal?”

I nodded. “Very much so. Thank you.” Drace snorted as she looked at him. “Unless you’re here to tell us you’re picking up our tab, you need to keep moving. We’re all happily spoken for.” The man smiled, dipped his gaze to our hands. “It would seem otherwise.” He scooted his chair closer to my friend. Dark thunder rolled over Drace’s exquisite features. She leaned towards him. “Listen to the words coming out of my mouth, Romeo. We’re happily spoken for.” She sat back. “Now, leave us alone and go hit on some other lonely women. You’re not wanted here.” I bit my lip, confused. He was just asking how our meal was. What if he worked as part of the restaurant staff? My confusion vanished when he put his hand on Drace’s arm. A low snarl erupted from my throat as I pulled starshine to my palm and clamped my hand over his arm. “Let her go or your arm will melt off.” Drace pulled at his fingers one by one until he no longer touched her skin. “And even think about screaming like the little bitch-boy you probably are and I’ll castrate you here and now. I’m sure your testicles will make a fine dessert.” I shuddered. Ew. I didn’t break my hold on his arm though. “Don’t ever assume you know more than a woman on what she wants. Listen to the words that come from her mouth.” I upped the heat in my palm. Saw sweat pop up on his forehead as his wide eyes turned to watch me. “My dearest Drace, pull this bitch-boy’s wallet from his pocket, please.” He shifted in his seat. “Ease back the magic, garinion. You don’t want to permanently mark him on his first offense,” Ari said. “Just let it serve as a reminder.” I nodded as I pulled the starshine back the slightest degree. I looked at Drace. She flipped through his wallet. “His name and address, please,” I asked.

“Ashton Wallace,” Drace said before she rattled off a string of numbers and words I didn’t really understand. I looked back at my handsome, douchey captive. “Mr. Wallace, treat any other women with such disrespect and I’ll come to your residence and show you what ‘otherwise’ looks like. Do you understand me?” His frantic nodding had his slightly curly brown hair flapping and flopping over his forehead. “Yes. I apologize. I’m so sorry.” I released him. “Run along now. And keep your nose clean, Ashton Wallace.” He jerked from the chair as if someone had pulled him from it. He raced back across the restaurant. I looked at Drace and Ari. “What the heck was that all about?” Drace laughed. “You’ve never been hit on?” I nodded. “Yes. I’ve been hit many times.” Her expression fell. She shook her head. “I’m going to kill those idiots in the Valley. Hit on is a term used when someone flirts with you. Tries to get in your pants. Take you to bed. Play doctor. Hide the salami. Get your freak on. Bump uglies.” She raised her brows. I shook my head. “No. No one has ever flirted with me before.” I tipped my head to the side. “At least not that I know of. Only my men have ever said they wanted to bed me. The others just took what they wanted from me.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ari’s long dark hair toss up as if she’d stepped into the middle of a wind storm. Her pure blue eyes brightened into fired sapphires. “I’ll kill them all. Rip them limb from limb before I make nooses for them from their own intestines.” Drace put her hand over Ari’s folded ones. “Goddess,” she said softly. Ari’s hair dropped down to her shoulders as she blinked rapidly for a few moments. She nodded. “Yes. Thank you.” She patted Drace’s hand.

I wasn’t quite sure why they were upset, but since my men had been upset when I told them the truth of my time in the Valley I had to figure it was because they felt bad for me. I snickered. Or in Ari’s case, murderous. “While we’re on the subject,” I felt heat touch my cheeks, “can you tell me other names for vagina?” I asked softly. Drace’s head tipped back as low, sultry laughter flowed from her. I could have sworn I felt some kind of magic ooze from her skin as she laughed. It brushed over me like a warm, fuzzy blanket. Ari’s higher pitched fairy bell laugh was the perfect counterpoint to the sexy tones of Drace’s. Ari’s cheeks went a bit pink as she studied me. “I’m guessing the women in the Valley were unhelpful in your education?” I snorted. “Let’s just say my education is a bit lacking.” I’d been treated far worse by the women than the men in the Valley. The men only hurt my body. The women torched my soul. Drace got herself under control. “Let’s see, there are the golden standards of pussy, cunt, hooha, vajayjay, and vagina—or vag. Then we move into the odd vegetable, fruit, or flower garden-themed section. Flower, lady garden, garden of Venus, sin flower, just a regular garden, rosebud, French withered pear, banana basket, bean, cherry, peaches and cream, honey pot, raspberry cave, the peach, apple pie.” My mouth had dropped open in the middle of her list. Did she memorize all of these? Have a mental file for them? “Next we move on to the ones that think more about the penises that go inside them than the actual lady basement itself. Penis fly trap, cock socket, dick driver or eater, tacos—of almost any variety.” Drace winked at me. “Dick microwave, horny halo, jiz creek, love box, lunch box, slobber pocket, dick slit, south mouth, sperm bottle, cock sheath.” Ari’s face was the color of ripe strawberries. “Drace. That’s enough.” Her voice wavered, but I couldn’t tell if it was from horror, humor, or something else entirely. “Aren’t there any…pretty names for it?” I asked softly.

Drace chuckled, shot Ari an apologetic glance. “Kitty, cookie, tutu, Lady V, bits, Lady Jane. Non-Na.” I shook my head. Those weren’t any better and I could hear the bellowing laughter of my men if I dared utter one of those words. I sighed. “I guess pussy and cunt it is. Men have so many more options that sound better.” Drace patted my hand. “Yeah. But I think that’s how the world works for the most part as well. But, in the end, we like penis. They—and I—like vaginas. So we get along pretty well. Just don’t get too caught up in the and you should be fine.” Someone behind me cleared his throat. “I couldn’t help but overhear at least part of your conversation.” I spun in my seat, uneasy with a new strange man behind me. He backed up so I could see him without having to strain my neck. He was probably as tall as I was. His head covered in dark brown and silvered hair. His beard was trim and white against the burnished bronze of his cheeks. His green eyes practically danced with mirth. Giving me a smile, he said, “Your friend went through quite the list. Can’t really reckon I’ve ever heard most of those. But I call my woman’s love pocket ‘mine.’ He pointed to a woman sitting two tables over. I looked over. She looked to be probably a handful of years younger than me, which made her at least twenty-five years younger than the man standing beside me. She gave a little finger wave. Nodded. Smiled. “We’d be willing to give you a more in depth education should you need it.” He slipped a card onto the table. Careful not to touch me or invade my space. He backed up. Dipped his head as if he wore a hat. Spinning on his heel, he went back to his woman. I spun back to Drace and Ari. Leaned over the table. “Do you get…” I had to search my mind for Drace’s term again, nodded, “hit on a lot?” Her eyes widened before she leaned forward, her brow lowered. “Corcra, they’re hitting on you. Not me.”

I sat back, shook my head. “No. That can’t be.” The entire idea that these strange males would want to hit on me boggled my mind. Ari put her hand on mine. “, garinion, do not continue to live in the box the Villagers made for you. I count at least eight men in here who are struggling not to stare at you. You radiate life, light, and love. Everyone—no matter their life circumstance or station—wants all three of those things. Your Villagers were—are—wrong in their opinions of you.” As soon as she said something about the other people staring at me, it was like I could feel their eyes on my body. Tracing over my face. My hair. I shuddered. It made me feel like prey in the woods. I pushed my chair back. “Can we leave now?” I asked as I stood up. Scooping up the card from the nice man, I turned to his table. I put the card down. “Thank you for your kindness. But I have men of my own.” I nodded to him and his lady. The woman smiled. “Then I hope they give you the knowledge you seek.” She cuddled against her partner. I smiled back. “They certainly do.” I nodded and turned away. Meeting up with Drace and Ari at the door, I pushed through out into the dwindling light. Filled my lungs with the fresh air. Ari’s hand curled around my waist. “Are you okay, garinion?” I exhaled. Nodded. “Yes. But I would like to get home now.” She nodded. “Then it’s good we went shopping beforehand. Let’s go back to the nursery, pick up our herbs and plants and go back home.” I nodded again. Yes. Anything. I had to get away. Back in my home. Back in the arms of my men. We walked the two miles back to the urban landscaping nursery. Like a forest in the middle of the city, it had grounded me, welcomed me. I walked faster. Maybe I could get rid of this creepy feeling there.

Like an itch between my shoulder blades that I just couldn’t reach, the sensation of eyes on me followed me all the way to the nursery. Anxiety bubbled in my stomach. Drace kept pace with me. “Corcra, what’s wrong?” I shook my head. “Can’t you feel it?” I shrugged my shoulders again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shake her head. “No. What does it feel like?” I told her. Before I finished, she had her phone out of her pocket and up to her ear. “Finn, someone’s watching us. Meet us at the Johnson Nursery on Eighth. Bring the boys.” She slid the phone back into her pocket. I looked at her. “You don’t think I’m crazy?” She shook her head. “Not at all. You’re very sensitive to the vibrations of people around you. If you feel watched, then we’re probably being watched. Just try to act normal. We’ll get to the nursery. You’ll have some plants and herbs there to help you do some magic.” Frantic at the idea, “Drace, I’ve never done magic with plants. Hell, except starshine or one of my five spells, I’ve never done magic, period.” She patted my hand. “Then we’ll let Ari do the magic. You can provide the battery if she needs any extra power. How about that?” My soul froze at the idea of someone standing between me and someone after me. I shook my head. “No. I’ll meet the person head on. No one will die for me. No one will get hurt protecting me.” With that, I pushed Drace forward into Ari’s arms. Whirling around, I raced back the way we’d come. Pushing out with that sensitivity Drace said I have, I searched for the source of the disturbance. I could feel it now. Now that I knew I wasn’t going crazy. Now that I had permission to trust my instincts and feelings. Which was stupid. I needed to crush that box. Smash it, use it for kindling.

There! I ran towards the left. Whatever I was chasing had dipped between two large buildings. I darted around the corner. And came face to face with someone I’d hoped to never see again in my life. “Hello, niece.” Without thought, I filled my body with starshine and shot it at him. The space between the rows of buildings lit up like someone had turned on a million flashlights. Instantly, I was enveloped in intense heat. As if I’d curled up in an oven, sweat beaded on my body, dampened my hair. Through the sharp light, Patrick raised his arms as if accepting the power I shot at him. Absorbed it into his body. “NO!” I shouted at him, pulling it all back in. He wouldn’t get power from me. Not unless it was used to destroy him. The light faded. He fell forward onto his hands and knees. His awful chuckle sounded as his chest heaved. “Th-that was amazing, Hollyn. You’ve grown very powerful in the weeks you’ve been gone from the Valley.” He pushed to his feet, swept his shaggy dark hair back on his forehead. “Maybe I should have lowered the barriers long before this.” I snorted. Ran through the list of spells in my mind. “You didn’t lower the barrier. I ed through it. I’m better than you. Stronger than you.” I rolled up to the balls of my feet, made sure to keep my weight balanced. A sneer tugged at his mouth, turned him back into the rapist I was so familiar with. “No, little girl, you didn’t.” I felt two energy signatures heat my back. They’d come. Even when I tried to protect them, they’d come anyway. “Actually, she did,” Ari said. Her voice was layered as if there were more than just one of her using it. “She is a Star Mistress. Even with your siphoned power, you cannot hope to beat her. Your paltry power has made you fat and weak. Gluttonous while those beneath you wither and fade.” She stepped up so she was even with me. Her arms were crossed over her chest. Her chin lifted into a

haughty angle. “So tell me, little Patrick, what game do you hope to play? Why have you pulled Matilda Matheson from her blessed rest?” Patrick’s sky blue eyes widened. Fear darted through their depths. “H-how?” Drace raised her hand before Ari could say anything else. “He knows we know. He’s not shocked. He’s hoping we’ll spill more information. Too bad you’re dumb as well as fat and weak. Why are you here, incestuous rapist?” Patrick’s expression cleared in an instant as he snarled at Drace. “I thought I recognized your signature. How’s that heart feeling?” Drace laughed. “Honey, if we’re here for a heart to heart, why don’t you come a little closer. I’ll get all up in yours and tell you how I really feel.” He backed up, disgust on his face. “I think not, reptile.” Drace shot a stream of liquid from her mouth. It splashed on Patrick’s clothes as he screamed like a little girl. He threw magic at her. Ari’s hands went up into the air. An iridescent bubble settled around us moments before his magic could land. Patrick hissed. “You’re not allowed in this war, goddess.” Ari snorted. “You made it my war when my daughter was killed by your command. You made it my war when you forced yourself between my granddaughter’s thighs. By those two offenses alone, my siblings cannot block me. My fight is with you. If we happen to take down your silly false druids while we’re at it?” She shrugged. “The more the merrier.” Patrick, odious man-child that he was, stomped his foot. “No. It’s to be between me and the girl.” Ari laughed. “Then you should have kept your hands and your commands to yourself. You had no right.” Patrick’s chest puffed out. “I had every right. Might equals right. There is no one

greater than me in the Valley.” “Certainly now that Hollyn is gone, isn’t that right, Uncle Rapey?” Drace said. “Couldn’t get it up for anyone else so you turned your sick and twisted sights on my girl here? Did your mommy not give you enough love? Did your daddy beat you too much? Did your nanny touch you when you were little?” Her baby voice shared her disdain. Patrick’s fists clenched at his sides. “Had her mother done what I ordered, then …” He glared at me as if it were my fault. “And what did you order my daughter to do?” Ari asked, her voice oddly quiet. Drace’s quiet inhale had the hairs on my neck and arms standing on end. Patrick stiffened his shoulders as the familiar ego and superiority slid over his face. “The girl should have been mine to begin with. My light brother and that stupid woman stole my magic. Took from me what had been fated to belong to me.” Ari stepped forward. “I hold fate’s string in one hand. This precious child was never meant for you.” My former Master’s face reddened so fast I feared he’d popped some blood vessels somewhere in there. Not that I was worried. If it would help kill him faster, I was all for it. “SHE IS MINE!” He shot another bolt of magic at us. It was like cobalt lightning this time. It filled his eyes, wrapped his body. Streamed from his hand as if it were a long whip. I moved up beside Ari. “I belong to three men. And not one of them is you. What did you demand of my mother?” Patrick scoffed. “What do you think, you stupid girl?” “I want you to tell me. Spill those words from your lips,” Ari said. Her voice was no louder than a whisper, but it ed through the air like a knife. “The magic she holds inside her. It’s mine. It was always mine. I ordered her

bitch of a mother to give me the child. Drain her of her magic. Give me back what was destined.” Patrick spat the words, literally frothing at the mouth as he stared at me. “But she wouldn’t. She protected you. She and my stupid idiot of a brother. They put me in shackles. Laughed at me. Taunted me.” “So you ordered the daughter to kill the mother. Did you think that would endear the child to you? Make her into a puppet you could use? Turn her into a knife to cut down your enemies?” Drace asked. For a dragon, her voice was icy. I felt the chill of her words and tone against my skin and shivered. “It should have worked! Everyone in that stupid village worships me. I am the greatest druid this century has ever seen. I’m greater than even Merlin, that doddering old fool.” I snorted, clapped my hands over my mouth, my eyes wide. Patrick glared at me. “You think to mock me?” I snorted again. Let my hands fall away. “That doddering old fool who cast you out of the dreamwalk? Who spanked you like a babe caught doing wrong? The one I punched in the face? We are talking about the same Merlin, yes?” Patrick’s eyes filled with blue lightning again. “Do not try to comprehend things beyond you, stupid girl.” Another shot of green liquid fired through the protective bubble Ari held around us. “Call her stupid one more time, you asshat, and I’ll cover you in acid. Dance on your melting bones and your dissolving skin,” Drace said. I smiled at the look of impotent rage on Patrick’s face. Never in all my years in the Valley had he been spoken to like this. Dismissed and degraded. And by women no less. My soul was rejoicing even as I kept a wary eye out for any mischief. “You could not break the mother. You have no hope of breaking the daughter, Patty,” Ari said, derision ripe in her voice. She leaned forward slightly. “We are coming for you. We will win. Even with the hands of the gods who call you champion helping you, we will be victorious over you and the hate you worship. Evil will not prevail. Not this time.”

If someone could implode from powerless anger, Patrick would be nothing but dust on the wind. He shook as his mouth gaped open and shut like a fish out of water. The mottled red of his face reminded me of a baby throwing a temper tantrum. “Poor Patty. Bested by women. Bested by the niece you couldn’t control. Bested by the child you thought to mold into your personal weapon,” Drace said. “But this weapon is what stands between you and the destruction you hope to cause,” I said, my voice strong and firm. “This weapon will strike you down, leave you nothing but a footnote in the memories of the Valley.” I stabbed a thumb to my chest. Took a step forward. “This weapon will strike you from all records, obliterate your name.” The section between the buildings lit with a terrible glow. Scorched me from the inside out as it burst forth like glorious day. Waves of heat washed over me as the heavens rolled with crackling thunder and sharp piercing rain that sizzled on with my skin. Patrick’s eyes widened as he lost his cobalt lightning. Fear stretched his features into harsh lines as he took two stumbling steps backward. He shook his head from side to side, his hands raised in front of him as if pleading for mercy. “I am your unbecoming.” As soon as the words ed my lips, the light reduced to one searing bolt of power. It ran from my chest across the expanse between me and my horrible uncle. Just before it slammed into him, his face changed to one of satisfaction. Pure, unadulterated ego and evil joy lit his features. I felt the bolt sink below his skin. Still tethered as it was to me, it became the anchor around my feet as I was slowly reeled forward. Towards the man with no conscience, no moral code, no boundaries to gaining what he considered his reward. Drace and Ari grabbed my shoulders. “Hollyn, stop,” Drace said, her voice tight and shaky. I shook my head. “I can’t. He’s somehow attached himself to me. Or my magic.” I looked up into my grandmother’s face. “Grandmother?”

She firmed her lips, shook her head. Laying her lips to my ear, she whispered. When she pulled away, she looked down into my face. Tears gathered on her lids. “By the blood of the stars that fires my heart and yours, I vow to protect you. What I have is yours.” She lifted her hands from my shoulder. Grabbed at Drace, held her back. I love you. For now. For ever. For always, I said down our mate bond. I love you, too, Stretch. We’ll be there in just a minute or two. Are the flowers making you happy? I love you as well. If the flowers are making you happy, then I’m buying them for you, Hols, Tove answered. I fucking love you, woman. But you better tell me what the fuck is wrong, Cheeks. Your voice sounds funny, Grumpy demanded. My world condensed down into one point of light that was encased in cobalt lightning. The cackle I heard in my nightmares sounded in my ear as I let the magic rush over me. “Do not live in their box, garinion. Use it for your own gains. We will be there soon.” Ari’s whispered words were the last thing to run through my mind before it went to a sparkling, dancing black.

Chapter 9 – Tagan

I felt my dragon pushing at my skin. Only the fact that we were out in public kept me from losing control and shifting. Cheeks, answer me, I demanded. Silence. Cold, brain-numbing silence was my answer. We bolted around the last corner as the light show ended. How thousands of people weren’t standing around with their cell phones pointed at the alley, I didn’t know. And right now, I didn’t really care. I screeched to a halt. Cheeks wasn’t there. Ari and Drace were holding each other up, tears running down their faces as wrenching loss infused the air like a full face of pepper spray. I reached out for her with my mind. Cheeks. Answer me, dammit. I waited for what felt like ten years. Stillness, an open void where her voice should have been. Soul rending stillness. “What happened? Where the hell is Hollyn?” Tove asked, his voice hard and piercing. Ari and Drace jolted. Turned towards us. That these two independently powerful women were essentially quaking had my dragon tearing at the boundary between us. He wanted out. He could find our mate. Do what needed to be done. He’d set fire to the world to find her. And gods help anyone who had taken her. They would be annihilated. “Patrick. He…” Drace’s voice trailed off. She shook her head. “I still don’t understand what happened.” She looked at Ari. “What happened?” Ari wiped her cheeks. “What had to happen.”

My dragon ripped through my control. My wings were stretched out as I felt my flesh give way to the scales and spines. I was in the goddess’ face before she could take her next breath. “Where is she, Ari?” I said softly. She stiffened her spine, raised her chin. “I didn’t know. Not until she harnessed the sun. She’s had no training. No practice. No ceremony. No rites.” I grabbed Ari’s shoulders, shook her slightly. “I didn’t ask what happened. I asked where she is. You have three seconds to tell me before I take off and find her on my own.” Ari stood still in my grasp even as she winced. “Patrick’s taken her.” I dropped the goddess’ arms, spun on my heel. Felt my wings tense as I readied to push into the air. “She’s in the Valley by now, Tagan. We will have to find another way in. Even knowing where it’s located won’t grant you access or the ability to cross into its dimension. We need the key. For that, we nee—” “The Kavanaughs or the Cananachs or Christiansens,” Tove answered. I spun to look at him. I could see his dragon trying to break through his control as well. Almost see the outline of the massive beast around him like a ghost. “Then let’s get the fuck on,” I demanded. “I need our herbs and flowers. If I can dreamwalk, I can keep an eye on Hollyn,” Ari said. “If you can dreamwalk?” I snarled. “What good are you as a goddess if you can’t find her? Couldn’t keep her here? Couldn’t protect her?” She slapped me across the face. Pushed up to her toes until we were nose to nose. “Do not ever think I wouldn’t open a vein for her. Do not doubt my devotion to her. You are not old enough to challenge a goddess, boy. Mate or no mate, you do not want to alienate me. I am your best hope of getting her back.” My dragon shrank away, disappearing once more into my skin. I shook with my fury, with my fear, with my anguish. But she was right.

I didn’t apologize, but I did back up. Nodded. “Why didn’t you stop her? Why didn’t you stop him?” “Had I tried to sever the magic that connected them, I would have killed her. It was far better to allow her to remain under his charge until we can rescue her. She will be protected, even if it kills me.” Her blue eyes were steady as I studied her. I weighed her words. Her actions thus far. She’d already gifted Cheeks a significant portion of her power. I had to assume she would be willing to give up the rest of it if worse came to worst. I nodded. Turned to Tove. “Let’s go find these fuckers and get our mate back.”

**

“Call me when you get this. Code black.” I stabbed the disconnect button and tossed the phone on the dining room table we’d turned into our command center. If I had to bring in the big guns, I needed to make sure they actually had the time to back me up. But even if I ended up storming those gates alone, I would be bringing my mate back with me. Or I would die holding her in my arms. Either way, we would be together forever. Just like we’d promised each other. “Got her!” Tove yelled. I raced over to stand over his left shoulder. “Where? Give me her location.” I clapped a hand to his shoulder. Squeezed. He shook me off. “Ease up. I do need that to keep doing my job in all this,” he muttered. I fisted my hand, shoved it into my pocket. “Sorry. Where is she?”

He stabbed his finger at the screen. “Downtown office. Let me call, see where she’s at.” I nodded as I turned away. I rushed to my room, loaded up with weapons. If I could sneak in the backdoors, I wouldn’t have to worry about the metal detectors in the lobby. Tove could jump whatever lock they had on the freight doors if need be. Sliding my pant leg down over the knife and clutch piece, I stamped my feet a couple times to make sure everything stayed where I’d put it. I nodded. I was secure and ready to bug the fuck out. Thane pushed into my bedroom as I opened the door. He stuck his hand out. “I want one.” I didn’t even bother to argue. Both of my brothers were more than capable marksmen. I would trust them at my back in any situation. I went to my gun locker, pulled out his favored Smith and Wesson .45. I checked the slide. Gave him two full magazines. “If we need more than that, we’re screwed anyway.” He nodded, shoved the gun into the inner-pants holster. “If they can’t help us?” he asked softly as he looked me in the eye. No longer did we share the same eye color. After claiming Cheeks, we each carried a piece of her magic inside ourselves. I was bound and determined that it wasn’t the last piece of her—or her magic—that I would carry. “Then we knock them out and move to the next. We keep moving through the obstacles until we find her. Get her back. Bring her home.” We clasped each other’s forearms. Made the vow. “While this is a touching display of male bonding, are you about ready? Because I’m about to jump the balcony and figured you two could use the practice,” Drace said. Her voice had a bite to it that hadn’t been there before this afternoon. Fine lines bracketed her mouth and eyes as she glared at us. Her toes tapped against the floor. Her high heels and magical clubwear clothes gone. Now she was dressed in a full black catsuit that looked painted on.

According to Finn, she was a bloody dervish with a blade. Since the man had yet to be felled in sparring, I was willing to take his word for it. Anyone Finn spoke of with that kind of awe in his voice was welcome on my team. Spots of dull silver dotted her thighs. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a high knot. The sleeves of her suit thingy came up and laced through her fingers like gloves. Her boots came up to her knees and looked made of the tough denier fabric of military footwear. Since I hadn’t heard her approach, I guessed they were also made with a specialized rubber sole. She clapped her hands in my face. “If I didn’t know you bled for Corcra, I’d be telling her you were ogling me for days. As it is, I’m just going to tell her you stood around with your thumb up your arse instead of finding her.” I snarled at her, stepped forward. Finn stood between us and I hadn’t seen the mountainous fucker even move. “Tread lightly in your anger, Tagan. You would do well to our sparring sessions. Put your emotion out of your head before it brings you to your knees before your enemies.” I bit back the flood of acidic hate that crowded my tongue. I nodded. “Let’s go.” He wasn’t saying anything I didn’t already know. Hell, I’d served with an elite unit in the Marines. I knew emotions and combat didn’t dance well together. Get your fucking brain on straight or you’re never going to get her back, my dragon yelled at me. I smirked. Seems it hadn’t taken him too long to develop a personality and a fine handle of the English language. Bastard. If an entity living inside me could slap the back of my head, that’s precisely what he did. Jackhole. “If you’re all done playing with each other, I’ve got the codes for their freight doors and elevators. Ainsley is in her office. Seems she’s on a bit of a deadline, according to her personal assistant,” Tove called from the living room. Ari stood with him. In her own version of battle regalia, she struck an imposing figure. Not quite the cat suit Drace had donned, it was much older looking. As in Robin Hood old. A black leather top draped to her upper thighs. There they covered her blood red tights. Her shoes, also knee-high boots, were some of the

softest looking leather I’d ever seen. I nodded to her as I ed into the living room. Only Tove still wore street clothes of jeans and a t-shirt with sneakers. Thane and I had taken the time to pull on tactical gear and soft-approach steel-toed boots. We gathered on the balcony, all interior lights off. The typical smog was providing us great cover tonight. Not a single star was visible in the hazy air. We could barely make out the blazing street lights below us. Tonight, we would be dragon riders. We couldn’t afford to destroy our clothes in the shift. Ari and I would be riding Drace while Finn carried Thane and Tove. The big beast wasn’t happy that I would be one of his woman’s riders. But he’d gotten over it—at least on the outside—after she crawled down his throat about it. “Incoming,” Ari called. My dragon burst forward, the rippling painful pleasure sliced through every nerve ending in my body. I looked up to the sky. Narrowed my eyes. Drace and Finn hadn’t been joking that with familiarity with our dragons came the enhanced senses. A section of sky was just a bit more black than the surrounding areas. The flap of giant wings scooping air floated to my more sensitive ears. As I watched the sky, a chill settled over us that was distinctly un-Autumn. A bit more Winter than late September called for. Flecks of ice fell all around us as the approaching black mass moved directly overhead. “Harry, hurry up and get down here. We’re on a rescue mission. Not playing,” Finn called out. Harrington Castleworth dropped to the balcony shifting in mid-drop from giant black dragon to naked man within the space of a few breaths. Silver hair crowned a tall, lithe body. I had no idea how old the man actually was, but he looked to be in his late fifties. If that. His startling amber eyes held fierce intelligence and quite a bit of insanity. He stepped forward, drew some type of magical clothing around his body. “‘Ello. Rescue, you say?” He slapped a palm to his knee as if he were in an old-

timey Western movie. “Then let’s shake a leg.” He chuckled to himself. “Or a tail as it were.” I stepped forward, my hybrid status still evident. “Mr. Castleworth, I’m Tagan Ladon, sir. Thank you for coming. You’ve already agreed to help me and my brothers with taking care of our business. We can’t impose upon you any further.” I said the words even though I didn’t mean them. I hoped he shoved them aside. I was more than willing to have anyone on our side help with rescue efforts. He put his hand out as if to shake mine. I put my hand in his. He jerked me forward, his amber eyes glowing as he leaned down slightly. “You think to rob me of my fun, boyo? Think an old man can’t help rescue someone?” I shook my head. “No, you old coot. I was trying to be nice and respectful. But if you’re just going to waste my time, I’ve got a mate to save and you’re in my way.” I brushed by him. I’d fly down to the Christiansen offices naked if I had to. He grabbed my shoulder, chuckled. “Then let’s get moving. Mates should never be separated.” I heard something in his voice, but shuffled away from naming it. Afraid of the truths I would find buried during the digging. “I like you. But keep that respectful shit to yourself. It does nothing but gum up the works. Tell it to me straight, no bullshit, we’ll get along fine, we will. Now, you’re not a dragon I’ve ever seen before. What happened to you?” “Harry, he’s riding with you. He can tell you on the way,” Finn said. I turned back and looked at the man. His fierce smile shared his joy at not having me on his woman’s back. I dipped my chin at him. “Let’s get on with it then,” Harry said. He leaned forward while everyone else loaded up on their various rides. “You ever ridden a dragon before, boyo?” I shook my head. “Nope.”

His smile was a little reckless, a lot scary. “Then climb aboard the Harry Express.” He winked at me. “We’ll get you there in no time.” With that, he flung himself off the edge of the balcony. Without me on his back. “What the fuck?” I called. Jump and catch him, he’s not going to wait for you, Drace said through our shared dragon connection. Taking a deep breath, and reminding myself I did still have wings in this form, I launched myself off the balcony. Wings tucked close to my body, I frantically searched for Harry’s midnight outline against the lights of the building I was rapidly ing. I landed with a hard thump against his back. Thankfully, his scales and spikes couldn’t do me a lot of damage in my hybrid form. Otherwise I’d probably be some kind of chopped meatloaf splattered on the pavement below. We’re heading downtown. Have you ever been here before? I asked my crazy dragon ride. No, never. Should be a great night for sightseeing. I rolled my eyes as I tried to settle myself between two of his spinal spikes. If you go up and over the buildings, we’ll shave about twenty minutes off the travel time. Head north once you clear the highrises. Excellent. Now tell me what happened to your dragon form. This should be a fascinating story. Great. Just what I always wanted to be. A fascinating tale.

Chapter 10 – Hollyn

Agony ate at my brain. As if every single nerve in my body was singed, my body couldn’t figure out which pain to listen to first. Even my eyelashes hurt. How do eyelashes hurt? Oh. Right. Get sucked through a magical vacuum thingy attached to a human stain and pulled through dimensional rifts. Or whatever the heck had happened. A familiar sigh sounded. “Hollyn, I know you’re awake. Stop moaning and groaning,” Lucinda, head bitch priestess said. I shuddered. Felt my soul crumple inside me. I was back. In the middle of my nightmare that never allowed escape. The Village. Easing my eyes open, I saw that I was back within the four walls that had been my physical cage for so many years. The only place in the room long enough for me to stretch out fully was laying at a diagonal from corner to corner. No windows. But the leaky roof did provide some measure of light and breeze. And rain when the gods blessed us with it. My grandmother’s voice rang through my mind again. Do not live in their box, garinion. With a gasp at the pain that ricocheted through my body, I got to my feet. White scratch marks in the wooden walls recalled the horrors I’d escaped when I left. I would not allow myself to be treated the same way. Not again. Pulling starshine to my hand, I slapped it at Lucinda. A smile tugged at my mouth as she flew out the ‘door.’ Which was really just a piece of fabric I’d managed to snag up on some boards a long time ago. I stomped down the three rickety steps, the last one breaking under my weight. The smile grew as I watched her scramble back from me. Her cornflower blue eyes wide, her mouth slack. “H-h-h-how…”

“How did I do that?” I finished for her. She nodded. Her gaze darted everywhere but at me. Telling me she already knew the answer. I sent another bolt of it down to strike between her splayed legs. “Seems I was the only one who didn’t know I could do this. Patrick has been lying to all of you. For decades. But he’s been lying about more than just my power.” I leaned over at the waist. Peered into her face. “Why don’t you run to your Master and start whining about how big and scary I am?” I shooed her away with little waves of my fingers. “Lucinda?” Filipe called. I snorted. Some things just didn’t change. He was still panting after the obsequious woman. Always wanting what he couldn’t have. He ran over. His nakedness disgusted me. Made me ashamed of the naked state. They’d ruined even that for me. I pulled my magic around me—created a second layer of clothing. Thank goodness, I’d been wearing clothes when Patrick took me from the city. I settled the magic against my skin like Drace had taught me. Now I had a reason to be more diligent about checking on it. I wanted nothing to do with these people. No affiliation, no reminders. For the first time, I was glad to be the ‘other.’ To be the weird woman who just didn’t fit in. No longer would I feel lost and unloved. Broken and shunned. Their behavior may have shaped me, but I was better than them. Better than all of them. I slapped Filipe with a bolt of starshine. His dark hair stood on end for a moment as he jerked to a halt. His limbs danced as he wet himself. “Spread the word, Fil. Anyone touches me, they get hurt. I’m no longer the Village’s whipping girl. Any man wants to try to rape m—” “None of our men have ever raped you, you whore,” Lucinda shouted. I leaned down again, got right in her face. Reaching out, I grabbed her chin in my hand. Lit her up with my power. “Call me that again, you evil cunt.”

Her lips started to form the words. With a rage I didn’t know I carried, my power shot from my body in one slender line. Just like with Patrick. Only this time, it was against someone who didn’t have power. She was nothing. Less than nothing. Her skin lit up from the inside, as if someone had hollowed her out and set a bonfire under her flesh. Her cornflower blue eyes widened. Right before they melted and ran down her face. Like rays of sunshine through the clouds, my power ate through her from the inside out. Her flesh dissolved as her bones disintegrated into dust making a rancid muck at my feet. Within moments, one of the worst of the women from my childhood was gone. And by my power. My will. Filipe was still standing there, his hair straight out from his head. Sheer horror and terror showed on his angular face. His mouth opened and closed as he looked between me and the puddle of Lucinda on the ground. “Tell them, Fil. I’m not to be messed with. Anyone who thinks to try to cow me, call me names, touch me, anything…” My grin was fierce. “It’s open season in the Village. And I’m the hunter, you’re all the prey this time around.” “But the children,” he whispered. “Will be spared if they are under the age of ten. Don’t try to tell me they haven’t picked up on your ways by that age. I’m being generous and giving them the benefit of the doubt.” I flicked him away. “Go. Run. Tell everyone what a horrible person I am. Just make sure you get the details right this time.” I kicked Lucinda’s remains from my shoes. “If I find out that you’ve lied about me— again—I’ll unite you and Lucy-Goo here for all eternity.” He raced off, his dancing hair making me chuckle. Here’s hoping all the men who’d abused me made some kind of move. Heck, I could take a page from their book and simply claim they’d tried to touch or verbally attack me. Let them feel the punishment even though they hadn’t done the crime. It was only fair. That’s how they’d treated me. Pet, you’ve come back to me. The voice was inside my head. I hated that I

recognized it. That even just those six words could make me quake with fear. With…longing. I ignored it. All of it. I filled my mind with my men. With Drace and Finn. With Ari. My family. My core. In the thirty years of trying to fit in here, I’d finally found my place. Outside the barriers of this hell. You can’t escape me here, pet. I am part of the fabric of this dimension. Well crap cakes! If you’re part of the world itself, why are you not here in person? In good time, Star Mistress. Why are you back within my borders? You’ve come back. You’ve used your magic within the boundaries. I swore I could hear a dark, twisted pleasure in his voice. Oh you know, got kidnapped by Patty-Patrick out in the real world. I was just protecting myself. His chuckle grated on my skin like a physical touch. But you liked it. Liked the power, the dominance, the control. No, I didn’t. Maybe if I told myself that enough times, it would be true. I pushed the feelings aside. All of them. I was only here until my family could rescue me. Merlin laughed. You can leave whenever you want. If what I feel of your power is true, then my disciple has no hope of keeping you here if you don’t wish it. I startled. What? Seriously? I started running. Wondered at the sensation of rushing through the woods of my home with sturdy shoes on my feet. Not one pokey stick or jagged rock tore at my feet. Man, maybe clothes weren’t so bad. The thin fabric of my leggings got caught on a thorn bush. Snagged. Scratch that whole clothing isn’t the devil thing. I sighed and kept running. It had taken me almost two years to find the exit when I’d escaped the last time. I just had to hope I could find it again. Or you could just shift to the next dimension, Merlin said in my head.

I shook my head, dislodged his voice the best I could. But a tiny seed of doubt— or was it hope?—niggled at me. I’d somehow transported myself from our living room to Caer Sidi. Then fell through two different dimensions as I plummeted through the clouds. Hasn’t your goddess taught you anything? he asked. I snorted. We’ve been a little busy with your disciple. Maybe you should control your followers a little better. The audacity of the mostly dead druid blaming Ari for my lack of training. If I ever found that guy, I was going to shoot him so full of starshine his ancestors would be lit up. You’re welcome to try, little Star Mistress. You’ll find me a more cunning opponent than the idiot who runs the Valley at the moment. If he’s an idiot, why are you still trapped? Shouldn’t you be stronger than him? Even in his puny, human state. I took a sharp right at the angled tree and slid under the next fallen tree trunk. I could see it. See the four-foot section of fencing that separated the Valley from my world. My men. My family. Careful, little Mistress. You do not want to anger me. My lips quirked as one of the movies Tove had shown me scrolled through my head. A giant green man said, ‘Don’t make me angry. You won’t like me when I get angry.’ What happens if you get angry? I asked. Searing pain sliced through my brain like a hot knife through butter. My vision went red and then black. It felt like someone had lit my spine up with lightning as my legs went to jelly. I tried to push through it. Tried to swim above it. I took a deep breath. Just as I was about to scream, the pain stopped. Vanished as if it had never been there to begin with. Would you like another demonstration, or do you now have the scope of my power? Merlin asked in my brain. I snarled. I’m good. Thanks. Douchewaffle. Blinking my vision clear, I realized I was mere feet from the fence between worlds. With a smile pulling at my mouth, I stepped forward.

I smashed straight into a shield that hadn’t been there before. A loud piercing scream sang through the woods. Like an annoying bird calling to his friends, it kept screaming. And screaming. And screaming. Crap cakes.

Chapter 11 – Thane

Tove and I slid off Finn’s back moments before he shifted back into a human. His long body was soon covered in combat black from head to toe. The fact that he and Drace had the ability to magic themselves clothes still blew my mind. If we could figure out how to do that, then we’d be able to take Stretch on rides all the time and not have to worry about being buck ass naked when we landed. They’d said it was fairly easy to master, it just took time and concentration. Since we were hooked to a Star Mistress, then it should be even easier. We just needed to take time to practice. Tagan pushed up behind me, low snarls pushing from his chest with every exhale. We didn’t have time. Right now, we were focused on more than magical clothing or mastering our inherent magic. We needed to get Stretch back. Before we lost Tag as well as our mate. Tove clapped a hand to Tag’s shoulder. “She’s still here. We’ll get what we need, man.” Tag nodded, his eyes pinched at the corners, his lips thinned down into a straight line. “We have to. There’s no other option.” Drace, Ari, and Harry all came up behind us. I turned around to address the group. “Tove is going to crack their security patch on the freight door. Drace, you and Finn are staying here. Keep a look out. Call me if someone comes up the back way.” They both nodded. I turned to the two oldest of our entourage. “Ari, you’re coming with us. If you can help with enchantments, that would make this go a lot faster.” Stretch’s grandmother nodded. “What can I do?” Harry asked, his eyes bright. He was bouncing on his toes, his arms dangling at his sides.

A ruthless smile split my lips. “You get to teach me how to do business.” His answering smile was just as hard. Just as sharp. He dipped his head. “Glad to be teaching again.” Tove made short work of the door. We all ed through and waited just inside the blind spot on the security camera. Good thing we were all relatively comfortable with each other. “I swear to the gods, Finnegan Kennedy, you touch me again, and I’ll bite your fingers off and then shove them up your arse,” Drace snarled quietly. I looked up at the big man. My eyebrows raised. He shot me a sly smile before looking at her. “You have to ask me nicely if you want any ass play, Dracealina.” I bit back the laugh as Drace stiffened next to me. I still wasn’t completely sure what was going on between these two, but watching it from a ring-side seat was pretty fun. “Got it,” Tove said softly. “Drace, Finn, if we’re not back in thirty minutes, bail out. Meet back at the penthouse,” I ordered. Drace snorted. “We don’t leave dragons behind. We’ll go through the front door and demand an audience with this Ainsley bitch. Raise a stink if we have to. But we won’t be leaving you here.” She shook her head, gave me steady eye . I opened my mouth to counter, but Tag beat me to it. “Do whatever will get Hollyn back the fastest.” With that, he turned on his heel and pushed by Tove and up into the stairwell. Drace nodded. “We’ll get her back, Tagan. And before that twatopotamus can do anything to her.” Tag’s only answer was a hand in the air to let us know he’d heard her. He was racing up the flights of stairs.

“Better get going,” Finn said. “He doesn’t look to be in the negotiating mood.” I laughed, the sound dry and abrasive. “You have no idea.” I nodded at Drace and Finn once more before chasing my brother up the stairs.

**

The muscles in my legs were burning by the twenty-fifth floor. By the thirtieth, I wanted to beat Ainsley and her father to death with the tingling, burning stumps. Thank the sacred stars I liked running on a normal basis. And thank fuck, the Christiansens’ didn’t have any more floors on their building. Tag was bent over, his chest heaved a couple times as he got his breathing under control after his thirty-floor sprint. He was back to normal within moments. Even the flush vanished from his cheeks. Fucker. Tove came up behind me, his cheeks flushed. His tropical water eyes were bright with excitement. “I don’t,” pant, pant, pant, “know whether to be,” pant, pant, pant, “happy or sad that no one,” pant, pant, pant, “found us on the way up.” Tag straightened immediately. His storm cloud gray eyes were as sharp as a scalpel. “Be very happy, Tove.” Death was a living thing in his eyes. I’d never seen anything like that expression before. Not even when he came home from the war. We needed to find Stretch. And fast. Ari and Harry brought up the rear of our forward squad. They weren’t panting or even winded. They looked like they’d been out for an afternoon stroll on a lovely fall afternoon. Not racing up stairs. Ari winked at me. “Are we ready to proceed? Are you revived?” Her lips twitched the slightest degree. I chuckled. “Yuck it up, goddess. It’s your turn.” I swept a hand up the remaining

stairs for her to us on the landing. She ascended as if she were at a royal court. Head held high, chin even with the floor. Not once did she look down to double check her steps. She simply rose like a gentle breeze. “Thank you, gracious leader.” Her lips twitched again. She took my outstretched out and came to a halt. With a deep breath, she lowered her chin. When she raised her head and opened her eyes, they were full of stars. “Let’s get our girl back, shall we?” She pulled the door open and strode through it like she owned the t. “Grab my hand. Do not break or we will be seen.” I caught her hand in mine and stretched mine back for whoever was coming up next. Her power felt like being encircled in a heating pad. Its heat was comforting, warm. Welcoming. Protective. It reminded me of Charlie. Ari tightened her hand on mine. I looked up. Raleigh Christiansen and Ainsley were speaking in rushed, low tones in the doorway of Ainsley’s office. Her pale cheeks were bright red as she wrenched her fingers together. Raleigh’s face matched his daughter’s red hair. Only a couple of inches taller than his daughter, he seemed so much bigger than her as she cowered before him. He had his face pushed down into hers. If they hadn’t been arguing, it would have looked intimate. As I took in the scene in front of me, I couldn’t believe that I’d thought Ainsley was the woman for me at one time. Granted, I’d thought that out of boredom and familiarity, but still. I thanked my mate’s sacred stars that she’d slammed into me almost two weeks ago. “Then fix it, Ainsley. Now. We can’t afford to be on the outs with Cananach and Kavanaugh. We’ve spent too much capital and favors to get to this position. Your dirty snatch isn’t going to botch this. Not for the rest of us. I’ll kill you myself before I let you ruin this,” Raleigh said. Ainsley’s face lost the flush as she went pale. She nodded quickly. “I’ll fix this, Daddy. I swear. I’ll fix it.” Her words were rushed, practically tripping over themselves to get out of her mouth.

“We need to get both of them,” I murmured to Ari. She nodded and moved us closer. She stopped when we were inches from them. She pulled my arm to get me to move closer. “I can either keep us covered or steal their senses. Which do you prefer?” I sent the message to my brothers over our bond. Steal their senses, Tag demanded. Wait. Let me kill their cameras. Then we can do that, Tove added in a rush. I relayed the message to Ari. She nodded. We waited for Tove to get control of the cameras. If Tag’s grunting and growling was any indication, then our youngest brother was taking entirely too long. I swear to the stars, Tove, I’m about to knock them the fuck out and consequences be damned. Hurry the fuck up! Tag raged. Pull your tampon out, Tag. I’m in, I’m in, Tove replied. Thane, we’re green. I dropped Ari’s hand as she eased the power sliding through us. Before Ainsley or Raleigh could even blink, Ari had them slobbering statues of vacantness. “Where do you want me to put them?” Ari asked. Tag charged forward. “Right here is fine.” He grabbed Raleigh by the back of the collar and knocked his feet out from under him. “Tagan, we can get this done much faster than violence will allow,” Harry said. Tag stopped in mid motion. He turned his head to look at the older dragon. “Then do it. I’m tired of waiting.” Harry moved forward. With one hand, he picked up Raleigh’s overweight form and dragged the man into the nearest office. I pushed Ainsley into the office and let her drop down beside the fallen form of her father. Harry was twirling around in the leather office chair behind the desk.

His ‘wheeeee’ had me biting back a laugh and Tag fighting not to punch him in the throat. “Ari, my dear, if you’d restore their senses, please?” Ari smiled. Nodded. Tag and I stood over the Christiansens, prepared for anything. Ainsley and Raleigh jolted. Raleigh flapped his arms like a turtle stuck on his back while Ainsley flopped around like a landed fish. I shuddered. I’d seriously dodged a bullet here. Thank the stars. “Thane?” Ainsley asked after she stopped the death throes. She made it to her hands and knees. “What are you doing here?” She looked up at me from under her curtain of dark red hair. I opened my mouth. Harry talked over me. “Ms. Christiansen, you will be speaking with me. Please get to your feet and move to the middle of the room.” Harry cleared his throat. “You too, Raleigh.” I crossed my arms and waited for them both to gain their feet. Ainsley’s whimpers and whines grated on my nerves. She was so helpless. Useless and helpless. I shook my head. “Give me a hand up, you jackass,” Raleigh grumbled as he sneered up at Tag. Tag leaned down. “Get your pudgy ass up yourself, old man. Before I kill you with my bare hands.” Ainsley popped to her feet as if she had springs on them. She leaned down, helped her father. “What’s the meaning of this, Thane?” Harry chuckled. “You really aren’t too bright, are you?” He raised a hand before she could answer. “That was a rhetorical question, by the way. Be that as it may, we have need of the information to the plot of land out in New York. The one you blackmailed from these fine gentlemen.” Raleigh blustered as his face went beet red, the broken veins of his nose like streaks of red lightning. He was puffing like we’d been after climbing thirty

flights of stairs. All he’d done was stand up. “Now see here. You’ve no right to barge in here and make demands. You signed that property back to us of your own volition.” I snorted. “It seems you need a refresher on what really went down. I seem to recall some kidnapping, thinly veiled threats, and manhandling.” Ainsley sneered. “You just had to tell Daddy that Jonathan didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t have to sign the deed back over. So it seems you need the reminder.” I smiled. Nodded to Tove. My youngest brother stepped forward. “Yes, we did do that, didn’t we? You transferred that property to the Cananachs’ and Kavanaughs’ t trust within twenty-four hours of ing the deed under your name.” “We want to access the Veil,” Harry said. “I’m sure there are bridal stores more than willing to accommodate you,” Ainsley said with a bite in her voice. She truly had no idea what was really going on. Not that I could blame her. We had a goddess on our side, and I was still struggling to come to with everything. Harry kept his silence. The weight of expectation was heavy in the air. Ainsley lost the fake smile as she flicked her head back and forth between the two old men. “Daddy?” she asked. Her voice was small. A lost little girl still pining for daddy’s approval. Raleigh kept his mouth shut. Harry sighed. “Fine.” He reached out, picked up the phone on the desk in front of him. He stabbed some numbers and held the receiver up to his ear. “Yes, this is Harrington Castleworth. I’m buying this company. Alert Christiansen Media’s board. Yes. The sale goes through now.” Raleigh’s face turned a strange shade of purple. “You can’t do that.”

Harry smiled. “Actually, I can. Tell me what I need to know, and you can keep your company. But defy me on this, and you will be out and homeless by morning.” Raleigh shook his head. “No. There’s no possible way. The SEC wouldn’t allow it. Nor would the rest of the board.” Harry chuckled. “I approached your board personally tonight. It seems you and your despicable children aren’t well liked. You’ve also been incredibly stupid and given up majority control of your stocks.” He shook his head, a sad smile on his face. “Information or your company.” Ainsley turned on her father as if he’d transformed into a demon right in front of her. “How could you?” She lunged for him. Tag caught her around the waist. “You can bitch slap him later. Information or the company, Christiansen. I’m done asking nicely.” “How do you even know about the Veil?” Raleigh snarled. Harry shook his head. “One last chance.” Raleigh pursed his lips, looked across the room. Harry sighed. “Yes. The sale is final,” he said into the receiver. “Please liquidate all the assets. I’ll reduce and combine with my current companies. No payouts other than those on the list I talked to you about earlier.” He nodded his head. “Yes. Of course.” He put the phone down in the cradle. Ainsley crumpled to the floor, tears streaming down her face. I moved back, disgusted with her behavior. She’d been so strong, so independent. Or at least I’d thought so. Ainsley crawled to her father. Gripped the hem of his pants. “Why? How? How could you do this to us?” He nudged her aside. “It won’t matter. We’ll have more power and money than we’ll know what to do with.” He looked at Harry. “You’ll never find it. Cananach and Kavanaugh will never let you in.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out. We’ve got dragons arriving in droves. Something’s wrong. –Drace I cleared my throat. “We’ve got bigger problems to deal with. Big scaly ones.” I nodded at Christiansen, stepped over the wailing Ainsley. “You’ll have no one to blame but yourself when you’re sitting on the outside wondering what went wrong.” I rushed to the door. “Hold on. I might be able to help with this as well,” Ari called. She walked over to Raleigh, laid her hand against his head. “Veil.” Her eyes went milky white as her head tipped back. Raleigh tried to push her away. His large hands landed on her breasts, right before he shoved with all his might. With a heavy sigh, she nodded, caught herself from tumbling over. “We don’t need him anymore.” She dusted her hands off. The milky haze left her gaze as her blue eyes hardened. “You allowed it. You encouraged it. Even though you kept your hands clean, they are as stained as your soul.” “What’s going on, Ari?” Tag growled. Ari turned to Tag. “He helped with the sacrifices. He thought they were his ticket beyond the veil.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “Babies. Men, women, children. Dozens of them.” She stepped back. Stiffening her spine, she put her hands on Raleigh’s chest as he had done to her. But I saw the light in her palms before they landed on his chest. “They were not yours to take. Nor yours to use. May you rest in the deepest pits of suffering and anguish.” A bright white light tinged in blue swallowed the room. I squinted against the rays as I heard a deep sigh. The light slowly faded. When I could see clearly again, Raleigh was gone. Not even his clothing remained. Ainsley shuddered as she searched the room with wide eyes. “Wh-whwhere did he go?”

Ari stooped down, put her hand against Ainsley’s head. With a deep sigh, her eyes went milky white for a moment. After a handful of seconds, she shook her head, her eyes returned to normal. “You’re free to go. Although, you will suffer for your part in harming my granddaughter.” Ainsley cowered back, her eyes wide. She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Ari laid her hand against Ainsley’s head again. She closed her eyes and muttered. When she opened her eyes, a wicked smile covered her mouth. “Go with whoever you call god, bitch.” Ainsley pushed to her feet. Her movements were slow and tortured. When she straightened to her full height, she was a good six inches shorter. Her vibrant red hair now resembled a sun-bleached orange peel. Her once porcelain skin was now a grayish hue that spoke of long-term sickness. Ainsley looked around the room. Her eyes widened as her gaze caught at something over my shoulder. I turned to look. Saw her watching herself in the reflection from the window. She ran her hands over her face. Her hair. “Wh-wh-what have you done to me?” Ari smirked. “I simply made the outside match the inside. Enjoy your new life.”

Chapter 12 – Hollyn

Clapping my hands over my ears, I shuffled backwards from the barrier. Glaring at the sky for no particular reason, I tried to think over the shrill shrieking of the magical alarm. I pictured Thane’s handsome face. His fiery orange eyes. His full lips. As I pictured him, his brothers came to mind as well. For others, only their expressions and eye color separated them. But I knew each of them by scent. By touch. By taste. My mind cleared and I saw that bright constellation in my mind. Our constellation. The grouping of stars that drifted across the sky of my mind no matter the time of day. I backed up a couple more steps. The alarm cut off mid shriek. I sighed at the blessed silence. If Merlin, Ari, and the rest of everyone else thought I was strong enough to harness the energy of the sun, then there must be something to the idea. Hell, even Merlin had said I could escape from here. That Patrick wouldn’t be able to hold me. If there was even a smidgen of truth to that, then I needed to embrace the idea that I could blow this place wide open. A rustling in the woods behind me drew my attention. Looking around for an escape route, I scooted up a tree and kept climbing until I could see for miles in each direction. I wrapped my legs around a sturdy branch just as Filipe and a group of men tromped through the woods and underbrush with all the finesse of a herd of elephants. “The Master said she’s around here. That’s where the alarm went off. Spread out.” Filipe flung a hand in each direction. It made him look like he was trying to dance half-heartedly. If I had to guess, he was still a little put out with me that I’d turned his nongirlfriend into a puddle of Lucy-goo. I shrugged. Not my fault he had horrible

taste in women. The small group of men spread out in every direction. They called my name as if I were a small scared kitten they were trying to coax to come home. “Hollyn. Here Hollyn, Hollyn. Come here, Hollyn.” My gorge and hate rose in direct proportion to their saccharine tones. As if I could trust them to take care of me like a small kitten. I’d been even more helpless than that. At least she had claws. As I child, I hadn’t even known I had claws, let alone how to use them in protecting myself. The rage heated my core. Burned me from the inside out. I called a dollop of power to my hands. Zeroing in on the closest man, I formed that hate, that power. My rage iced over as I shot it from my hand. “Cultrum glacies,” I said softly as the ice knife sliced through the air. It landed with a precision I still doubted even though I watched it hit. It carved through the man’s neck like an oar through water. He fell without a sound. Only the slight thump of his body against the ground spoke of his death. A smile pulled at my mouth. I’d warned Filipe. Told him in no uncertain what would happen if they came after me. They had no one to blame but themselves. Fulgur vocatio, Merlin’s voice filtered through my mind. Without thinking it through, without even pausing, I said the words as I pulled more power to my hands. “Fulgur vocatio.” Immediately, the sky darkened as if a terrible thunderstorm had rolled in. Loud crashes of thunder and lightning roared through the Valley. I felt the rise of energy in my system. Felt my magic extend and mingle with the storm. As if the storm created the perfect circumstance, three of the men were lined up out to the southwest of my perch. With barely a blink of conscience, I sent that power into them. Three separate bolts of lightning flashed from the sky and down into the men. Screams more reminiscent of young girls than grown men filled the air.

“I can’t see!” one of them yelled as he thrashed about in a wide, wobbly circle. “I’m blind. Hello?” the one directly below my tree said. He took one lunging step and smashed into the trunk that held me aloft. He fell to the ground in a silent heap. I smiled again. Two down. One to go. With a giddy feeling in my belly, I looked out at the farthest target. He was standing still, his head tilted to the side as if trying to listen. Filipe came running. “Martin! Martin, what’s happened?” Martin turned. His eyes were charred circles in his face. “She’s blinded me. That devil witch has taken my eyes.” Filipe slid to a fumbling stop. He ended up on his bare ass at Martin’s feet. Even from this distance, I saw his mouth drop open as his eyes widened in fear. He looked around. His head whipped from side to side so quickly that his electrified hair danced in the breeze. “Gods save us.” “I intend to,” Patrick said as he seemed to appear from nowhere. The muscles in my legs cramped at seeing him again. I wasn’t sure what kind of magic he was using, but it was enough that I hadn’t seen him come into the woods. Had he not spoken and appeared at Filipe’s side, I wouldn’t have known he was there at all. Filipe fell to his face, his hands outstretched in supplication. “Master, she’s gone.” Patrick’s face rippled with anger and hatred as he looked at his acolyte. “No. She’s still here. I feel her. Find her. Or it is your head I will be using as a bowl tonight for dinner.” He threw something at the ground and a billow of smoke enveloped his body before it disappeared altogether. Filipe’s body quivered as his tears and wails rose to the sky. Martin stumbled over him. They both dissolved into dramatics as they called on gods who ignored them. You’re an eager student, pet. We could do great things together, Merlin said.

I shuddered. What spell was that? His chuckle was low. It tickled over my skin as if it were a lover’s caress. You used it without knowing what it’s called? Yes, pet. We could be very good together. He chuckled again. I shook off the sensation. The euphoria. You can’t seduce me. I belong to my dragons and they to me. I don’t want your body, pet. Simply your mind. Your power. Your magic. Well, you can’t have those either. Stay out of my head. As if he’d been sitting next to me, a waft of air sifted through my hair. The breeze was warm and scented of clove and nutmeg. Make me and I will leave you be. I tried to put up my barriers. The ones I’d practiced for hours and days and weeks as I’d grown up. But it was like trying to build a house on a beach with the tide coming in. Nothing stayed where I set it. Something wrapped around me. Phantom arms I couldn’t see or escape. With a slight tug, they pulled me down. Down into a void of horror and nightmares.

**

I blinked. Shook my head. There was no way this was actually happening. I blinked again, rubbed my eyes. As if someone had captured every horrible memory from my mind and made it into a movie on a looping track, they played before my eyes. Some were grainy and hard to make out. Others reminded me of the television screen Tove had in his bedroom. The lines were so crisp they could cut you. Over and over, I saw myself abused. Tortured. Battered. From childhood until I

disappeared the first time. But this time, I saw something different. As if I truly had been able to cast myself outside my mind, I saw a ghost of myself hovering over each encounter. A hard, biting smile pulled at my lips as I watched myself be broken and torn down. “You see, Mistress, you are stronger than you believe,” a woman said from behind me. I whirled around. Came face to face with a small, bent woman who looked like a stiff wind would blow her over. Bright silver hair wreathed a weathered face that bore more smile lines than frown lines. Her rheumy hazel eyes were direct. Her gnarled hands gripped a shiny wooden cane that was run through with silver. Her thin lips pulled up in a grin that revealed sparkling white teeth. “Who are you?” I asked as I backed up a couple steps. She smiled again. “Matilda Matheson.” I gasped. “The resurrected Star Mistress of Europe?” She nodded. “I see that rascal Drace recognized me.” I nodded in return. “Can you shut them off?” I waved to the images playing around us. She shook her head, a sad look in her golden green eyes. “I cannot. I am sorry. This is the only place I can you.” I wrapped my arms around myself. Nodded. “Why do you need to me? Aren’t you working for Patrick?” She spit on the ground as I said his name. I backed up from the glob of saliva. “Eww. Guess not.” Her cough turned into a hacking laugh. “No. That stupid demon pulled me back here from the Otherworld. But he’s bound much of my power.” She lifted one

hand from her cane. A shadowy manacle encircled her wrist. A slow, pulsing string of warm white light slid from her wrist down into the restraint and disappeared into the black void that surrounded us. “If he’s bound your power, how did you pull me here? And why aren’t I afraid of you?” I asked the question because I wasn’t scared. Which was odd. Most of the time, the stuff that happened to me in the Valley could only be classified as a nightmare. As evidenced by my life’s lowlight reel playing out before my eyes. Matilda smiled. “Star Mistresses recognize each other’s powers. There are few things we can’t do. As such, we band together to create the changes our worlds need. Never has one Mistress raised a hand to another.” “So, what? I’m picking up on the fact that you don’t want to kill me? Hurt me?” I asked. She nodded. “Exactly so. Our powers call to each other. It would be both of our deaths if we were to battle.” I stiffened. “So we’re both going to die since you’re working with Patty?” She chuckled. “Oh, child. I’m going to call him that from now on. Good on you.” She reached out, patted my arm. “Clever girl.” Her face cleared, she shook her head. “No. We aren’t going to die. We aren’t going to battle. I’m going to gift you my remaining power.” I stepped back. “No!” Why did all of these women keep giving me their power? Why couldn’t they just stick around? Guide me? Teach me? She stepped towards me. “Yes, child. You must accept the power. If you do not, Patty will win.” Her eyes brightened, hardened. “He cannot be allowed to win. Not for anything in this world or the next. If he frees Merlin, we are all doomed. You, most especially.” She tipped her head to the side. “Has he called to you? Whispered in your mind?” A soft look of understanding lit her face. There was no judgment, just simple acceptance of whatever my answer might be. Some part of me balked at the idea of sharing that knowledge. But the bigger, brighter part of me rushed forward. Thrust my sins into her face. “Yes.”

Someone needed to know. To understand that I was struggling. Her smile was sad. “He’s a sneaky rat. I can help you with that if you’ll allow me.” She raised her hand again. Held it out to accept or reject. I nibbled on my lower lip. “What do I have to do? Will it hurt?” She shook her head. “You have to do nothing but allow my magic to create a shield for you. There should be no pain. There should be no sensation whatsoever except a slight pressure on your skull.” I sidled forward, stooped so she could reach my head. In the back of my mind, I could hear Grumpy yelling at me for taking stupid risks. For putting myself in danger. But I couldn’t fight Merlin. Not alone. And I was the only one here right now. If this somehow backfired and something happened to me… I pushed the thought away. I was getting out of this. Keeping my men. My mates. My family. “Exhale, child. There is nothing to fear,” Matilda said softly as she laid her palm on my temple. I blew out a breath, realized my lungs were a little starved. I quickly inhaled and exhaled again. Once my breathing was back to normal and my brain wasn’t going too wavy, I nodded for her to continue. Her smile was breathtaking and belonged on a much younger woman as she muttered under her breath. A slight pinching attacked my temples as she continued to mumble. I winced as a slice of pain slid through the side of my head. “It hurts.” I looked at her, studied her face from inches away. Intense concentration strained her face as she looked up at me. Her hazel eyes were direct and clear. No longer covered under the haze of age and time. “He’s done something. You must push me back. Now, child. Now before I hurt you any further.”

Setting my hands against her shoulders, I prayed for her forgiveness as I thrust her away from me. The stabbing, cutting pain in my head lessened without her touch, but it was still there. It was as if something was trying to burrow under my skin. Wiggle its way into my skull. Clamping my hands against my temples, I rocked back and forth as the pulses of pain built into tidal waves of agony. “Matilda. Help me!” “This shouldn’t be happening,” she said, her voice a low wail of distress. “Because you shouldn’t be sharing your power, you old crone,” Patrick said from the dark. He walked up into the light of my memories. He smirked as he watched himself rape me. I wanted to stab him with something. Rip his dick off and feed it to a bear while he watched. Listen to his screams and whimpers of pain as I forced my actions on his body. Listen to his yells as if they were the benediction of the gods who hated us. I moved between Patrick and Matilda. Stood before my attacker, my uncle, with my pounding head held high. Even as I lost vision in my right eye, I stood my ground. The last line of defense between a monster and a little old lady who just wanted to help me. From behind me, Matilda grabbed one of my hands, squeezed it in hers. I tightened my fingers around her delicate bones. “Freely given, freely accepted, the power belongs to the stars and to the ones who harness their power. For the past. For the present. For all eternity,” Matilda’s voice was shaky. Patrick leapt forward as my hand went ice cold and my body suffused with the heat of a million suns. In my mind, my constellation lit up as if powered by a star gone supernova. It blazed a brilliant blue tinged white as the individual stars pulsed and grew in size. “You have no one to blame but yourself, you useless coward. You are your own destruction,” Matilda whispered as Patrick knocked me over. Her hand fell away from mine as I tumbled to the ground. The bent woman stood

as straight as she could manage. A sparkling smile of pride and satisfaction glowed on her burnished face. She leaned to the side so she could see me. “I’ll see you in the stars, child. Let no one tell you what to be. Your magic will guide you true.” She dipped her head in a regal nod as Patrick shoved his power through her chest. As if the electricity had gone out, all of my memories stopped playing on repeat. Her smile went sideways as her body toppled and tilted. Her sunworshipper’s skin faded into a sickly gray color. “The power is mine! Mine, I tell you.” He thrust his other hand through her body like a greedy kid looking for snacks in a cookie jar. I pushed to my feet as the hate and rage burned within me. As if my muscles were replaced by anger and soul-staining animosity, my steps were sure. Strong. Pissed off. I stalked forward as he continued to whine like a child denied a treat. Do it. Do it, pet. End him. He is nothing but one of your tormentors. He is nothing but a gnat circling the light of your power. Zap him with it. Steal from him what he has stolen from you. There is no greater justice than an eye for an eye. The dark voice of the ancient druid slid through my mind like silk over my skin. I pushed the voice from my head. I was going to kill him. But it would be because I wanted him dead. Not because Merlin was pushing me to do it. Seducing me into doing his dirty work. Patrick would fall because I wanted it. He forced me to kill my mother. That she was gone due to sacrifice instead of murder made no difference to me. He was the reason she was gone. He’d stolen my virginity. Laid me out as open game for the other villagers to do the same. He was weak. Useless. Stupid. Deadly. He would pay. And I would be the collector of his debt.

Chapter 13 – Toven

We rushed down the stairs. Twice now, I’d almost taken a header and splattered myself on the steps. My brain was spinning with all the tight turns as my belly threatened to exit my body through my mouth. “What’s happened?” I asked again. Maybe if I stayed focused on something other than my churning stomach, I could make it to the bottom of the stairwell in one piece. “Drace texted that dragons were arriving en masse,” Thane replied as he jumped the last few steps to the next landing. My brow wrinkled. “Why? What’s up their butts that we don’t know about?” Thane didn’t answer, just vaulted down another landing. I looked up at Harry. “What do you think is happening?” He smiled as he jumped from stair to stair like a kid jumping in rain puddles. He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m certainly keen to find out.” He hopped down three steps at a time. His smile of joy was huge as he looked up at me. “Jumping is much more fun. You should try it.” He began hopping like a fucking kangaroo. I shrugged. What the hell. I jumped down a few steps. Felt my belly settle with the solid thump of cement under my feet. I smiled. This really was more fun. I’d managed to jump all ten stairs in a flight by the time I made it to the ground floor. I barely restrained myself from taking the elevator back up and doing them all again. It was like rock jumping without the dry air of the desert. Drace stepped in front of me, rolled her eyes. “Don’t do what Harry says. It will typically end in trouble.” I shrugged. “He was kinda right about Christiansen. And he was definitely right about the stairs.”

She growled at me. “What’s the dragon emergency?” I asked. We did have other things to worry about than taking Harry’s advice on interrogation and stair descending techniques. “I’m waiting for our Elders to land. They should be here in moments. We need to get back to the penthouse.” She turned away. Looked over her shoulder at me. “Now.” With that, she jumped into the air and transformed into her huge golden dragon. In the light of the moon, her scales shimmered. Finn slammed the back of my head. “Don’t even think about it.” I rubbed the spot. “Um, have you seen my girl?” I snorted. “You’re more than welcome to that one. She’s bossy.” Finn chuckled. “That she is.” He didn’t make it sound awful. In fact, he made it sound sexual somehow. I shuddered. “I take it we’re all going balls out to get home?” I asked as I looked around. It was literally me and Finn left. He nodded. “Thane and Tagan went ahead.” I snorted again. “You mean they ditched you in their haste for answers.” I clapped a hand to his shoulder. “A bit of the short fuses, those two.” He smiled. Nodded. “Then again, I wouldn’t be playing on the stairs if my mate were in danger.” With that, he leapt into the air and shifted. “That was an asshole move, Finn!” I shouted at him as I jumped into the air. Please let me shift. Please let me shift. Just as I was about to plummet back to the earth, the beautiful agony of my dragon racing forward shot through me. I pumped my wings and gained some altitude. My head erupted with a symphony of voices. And not one of them was familiar.

What the fuck is going on? I asked. No one bothered to answer me. I shot towards the sky like an arrow. It seemed I needed to get home sooner rather than later. Within about ten minutes, I shifted back into my human form while I was still about ten feet off the balcony’s floor. I tumbled to my feet. Looked around. Exhaled as I saw that I was alone. Thank the sacred stars for that. Nothing like being tagged the uneducated newbie by a thunder of ancient dragons. A low chuckle rose from the shadows. Dammit. I peered into the darkened corner of the balcony. Drace stepped forward. “Smooth, Tove. Very smooth.” I flipped her off. “What’s with all the noise?” I tapped a finger to my head. She sighed. “Seems our thunder found out about the new Star Mistress. That she was in trouble and needed some help.” The fire of outrage poured through me. “Who the fuck is talking to your thunder about our personal business?” A smallish woman walked through the doors that led to the living room. “That would be me,” Brigid said. She gave me a toothy smile. “My champion is missing. I’ve called in reinforcements.” I clenched my fists. “Your champion is missing because of you. How dare you bring in a thunder of dragons to help find her. We’ll find her on our own.” I pushed forward, leaned down. “Without your precious godhood to help.” She pushed up into my face until our noses touched. “Do not disrespect me, pup. You will not like the results. I will do as I wish in regard to my champion. You’ve allowed her to vanish from beneath your noses. You cannot be counted on to help save or protect her.” A warm breeze rose at my back. I smiled as I recognized the energy trail. “Does

the same go for me, sister?” Ari asked softly. Brigid slumped back. Her face pinched and pale. “This doesn’t concern you, Arianrhod. Go back to Caer Sidi.” The skin around her pinched mouth twisted and twitched slightly. I felt my eyebrows rise. “Um, Hollyn is Ari’s granddaughter. What part of that relationship do you think doesn’t concern Ari?” I asked. Brigid winced. Stuck her nose farther in the air. “Regardless, this matter only concerns those who have pledged to aid the human race.” Ari stepped forward. “I’ve pledged to help my granddaughter. Irrespective of your wishes, I will be doing what needs to be done to return her safely to her mates.” I nodded. Take that, bitch. Brigid narrowed her eyes at me as if she’d heard the mental directive. She turned to her sister. “You can’t get involved, Arianrhod. That will be out of bounds.” My brow furrowed. “Bounds? Like some kind of game?” Ari snarled, leapt forward at her sister. “You started this, didn’t you? Another of your infernal games with the others to see who is bigger. Better.” She wrapped her fingers around Brigid’s neck. “What?” I asked. Neither were inclined to answer me. The two ancient goddesses started duking it out deity style. Bolts of lightning. Claps of thunder. Zaps of pure energy that speared over the balcony. The reflection of the lights on the buildings around us reminded me of Fourth of July celebrations. I turned to Drace. “Do you know what’s going on?” She shook her head. “No. Nothing that makes sense at least.” I shifted back to the battling siblings. “Hey!” I waved my hands in the air.

They ignored me. Again. Can I get some help on the balcony, please? I called to my brothers. Can it wait? I’m talking with Harry about the takeover, Thane answered. On my way, Tag said. His voice was hard and abrupt. I gave Thane a quick recap. If this is a game that we’ve gotten pulled up into, I think you’re going to want to be around to hear it from the horse’s mouth, bro. The fuck you say, he snarled. We’ll be right there. Tag pushed through the balcony doors. Finn right behind him. “I’m only going to say this once. Stop fighting or I’ll stop it for you,” Tag declared. The women didn’t stop slapping and hissing at each other. If anything, they renewed their efforts to spit and scratch at each other. I looked at Tag. His face was thunderous as he glared at these women who were definitely old enough to know better. He caught me looking at him. Nodded. He moved to his left, I moved to mine. We each grabbed one of the women and pulled them apart. I felt like I was holding a live outlet receptacle in my hands as Ari struggled in my grip. I gritted my teeth at the pain sliding through my system. “Stop it. We need to get Hols back and this isn’t helping. Bitch to your sister later,” I snarled in her ear. She finally calmed. Her chest heaved as she straightened her spine. She nodded. I let her go slowly, just in case she made another try for Brigid. “Someone better start talking. Now,” Thane demanded as he strode out to the balcony with Harry in his wake. He stabbed a finger in Brigid’s direction. “What the fuck is really going on?” Brigid was practically feral in Tag’s unrelenting grip. She snapped her teeth at him. Kicked at his legs. Tried to headbutt him at one point.

Ari sighed. With one hand she grabbed my wrist, she muttered under her breath and wrapped her sister in a lasso of vibrant, sparkling starshine. “Now, Brigid. I’ll not ask again. And I’ll help them tear you apart.” Brigid hissed. Tag snarled. He closed his eyes. Inhaled deeply. When he opened his eyes again, they were the glowing silver of his dragon form. “Speak goddess,” he said. His tone was deeper than I’d ever heard it. I swore I could feel the reverberations in my chest. His nails shifted into claws that sank into Brigid’s skin. I winced. That couldn’t be comfortable. When I saw the bloody points poke through the opposite side of her limb, I bit my lip to keep from chucking. “NOW!” Tag and his dragon shouted. Brigid finally went still as the danger surrounding her must have finally settled into her brain. She not only went still, she went silent, and tried to shrink in on herself. Good luck with that one, idiot. Tag didn’t let his prey get away. “I can offer some acid. It could loosen her tongue,” Drace offered. She blew the goddess some kisses. “We need her to be able to talk, Drace. Not have her tongue melt off,” Finn said with a sigh. She flipped him off. “At least I was offering to help, reptile. I’m not standing around with my thumb up my ass, am I?” His lips quirked. “Ass play again, Drace?” She snarled, tried to lunge at him. Thane stepped between them. “If you’re not going to help, go fuck each other and lose whatever the shit is between you. But do it elsewhere.” He stabbed a finger in Drace’s direction.

She rocked to a halt. Glared at my oldest brother. Nodded after a minute. “Talk, Brigid. Now. We won’t be asking again,” Thane demanded. Tag tightened his grip on her arms. She winced. “We needed a champion. For all the reasons we told you. Merlin mustn’t be awakened. It will mean the destruction of everything on Earth.” “If he was resting peacefully, why would he be awakening now? After all this time. Why now?” Thane asked. Brigid kept her mouth shut. “Tell them, you bitch!” Ari screamed. She must have done something else to have her sister dancing on the end of her magical whip like a marionette. Brigid’s limbs jerked and twitched. Her teeth were bared as her lips pulled back. “Enough!” Brigid went limp in Tag’s grip. She winced again as she was caught against his claws. “If you won’t tell them, I will. And as payment, I’ll strip you of your powers. I vow it,” Ari said. Her voice was strong. Both goddesses seemed to wait. A moment of stillness between them. Just as Brigid’s lips began to pull up in a smile, a loud clap of thunder sounded as a bolt of lightning slammed into the space between the warring siblings. “Acknowledged and accepted, sister. This is your only chance,” Ari said. “They’ll kill me if I tell you,” Brigid pleaded. Tears gathered in her eyes. “And I’ll kill you, slowly and with great pleasure, if you don’t,” Ari promised. Brigid seemed to deflate. She licked her lips. “You have to understand. We’ve been alive for a long time.” She looked at me, pleading for understanding in her eyes. I shook my head. “Tell us what the hell is going on. Now. Or I’ll let Ari loose and you can suffer at her hands.”

Brigid flinched back. “Cailleach, Gwynn, and Arawn were becoming insufferable. Constantly telling us how great their powers were. That they were able to feed off the darkness of humanity. That because of human nature, they would soon be strong enough to destroy us all. Leaving them to reign over Earth as they wanted.” I felt the unspoken knowledge settle inside me. I released my grip on Ari. Strode forward. I punched Brigid right in the face. “This is some kind of pissing contest between you and your siblings? You threatened Hols’ life so you could see who had the bigger dick?” She swiped up the blood from the corner of her mouth with her tongue. Glaring at me, she tried to push up into my face once more. “You’ll pay for that, shifter. I’ll flay your scales from your body and then use your hide as a new cloak.” Ari moved up beside me. Her lasso of power now a bright steady stream of white magic that wrapped around Brigid’s throat. “You are without standing or power, sister. Answer him.” Brigid strained against the power holding her hostage. Between Ari’s power and Tag’s grip, she wasn’t going anywhere. And if I knew either my mate’s grandmother or my brother, Brigid wouldn’t last long enough to go anywhere else from this balcony. “Spell it out. Now,” Thane demanded. His voice was low and throbbed with power and authority. Brigid shuddered. “We each had to choose a champion. Someone who would stand in our stead. We could protect them, imbue them with certain gifts, help them achieve the highest levels of power. But once a certain time came, we agreed that the end results would determine the winners. At that time, we couldn’t aid or protect our champions anymore.” She opened her mouth. Closed it again without saying anything. “But something happened, didn’t it?” Tag asked in a low, frankly terrifying, voice. Brigid didn’t answer. Tag shook her like a rag doll. “Didn’t it?!” He shook her again.

Her head bounced around on her neck as if her puppet strings had been snipped. “Yes! That stupid idiot Patrick woke Merlin, didn’t he? He endangered all of us with his quest for more power. More dominance,” Brigid spat. I punched her in the face again. “When did you choose Hols as your champion?” I was holding myself back by a thread from killing this stupid woman. She didn’t answer. Finn came over, nudged me to the side. “You knowingly endangered your champion. You knowingly endangered humanity. You are not fit to be a goddess. To be worshipped or praised.” He raised his hand, allowed his nails to stretch into long claws. He set one of them against Brigid’s cheek. With the slightest pressure, her flesh gave way to the talon. “Answer his question.” Brigid’s shriek of pain was a balm to my soul. “Sixty years ago. Sixty years ago!” Ari sucked in a noisy breath. She shook her head. “No. No, it can’t be.” Finn looked at my mate’s grandmother. “What can’t be?” Ari shook her head again, pushed Finn aside. Brigid was smiling. Or trying to. I saw her tongue flick against her teeth through the open gash in her cheek. “You shouldn’t have left me alone, sister.”

Chapter 14 – Hollyn

I pulled the power to me. As easy as taking a breath, it rushed forward. Eager to be used. Waiting. A smile pulled at my lips as I moved up behind the whining druid. I felt no panic, no alarm, no frenzy of need for it to work. I simply thought it, willed it, and the magic leapt to do my bidding. Something had changed, but I didn’t know what. Right now, I simply didn’t care. Starshine settled in my palms as if I’d placed the stars themselves in the sky. No strain, no pain. Nothing but the joy of power and magic. I laid my palms against his head, cradled it to my belly. “Translatio postestatis,” I said softly. He bucked against me. His legs went out from under him. A limp doll. A haunting chuckle that might or might not have been mine filled my mind. I followed him to the ground, rode his body like it was a horse. I kept my grip on his head, stretched his neck back all the way. Snugging it against my abdomen, I sucked his power down as if it were a milkshake and my hands were the straws. He failed to put up a fight. Just went quietly into the darkness that surrounded us. Not even a whimper rose from his lips as I tasted his magic inside me. It was thick and heavy. For some reason it reminded me of the color black. Like coals or ash in my mouth, it clung to everything it touched. I coughed against the influx of power. I could almost feel the grit of it on my teeth as if I’d forgotten to brush for a couple of days. I shuddered. That’s what I thought of Patty in general. Something to scrub away. Wash down the drain. I wonder if my men have something strong enough to help me scrub with.

His power slowly mixed and melded with my own. There was no his or mine. It was simply mine now. The last time he’d been between my thighs, he’d taken from me that which hadn’t been given. Abused my body and mind as if they were toys to be taken. Broken. This time…this time, though, I was the taker. But I wouldn’t violate his person. No. I wouldn’t stoop to such measures. Let alone the fact that he was mostly dead and I didn’t want to have sex with him. Ever. Never ever. Eww. No, I stole his power. The very thing he treasured more than anything else in this life or the next. I made him no better than the average human. The same kind of human he sniffed and sneered at. Lesser than the least person in the Village. I’d delivered him into his own personal hell and threw away the key. I made sure to keep him intact. To keep him whole. I wanted only the power he used as a right to enslave those around him. I wanted him to feel the loss of it. To wallow in the what had been as he struggled with what was. After I drank down the final chunky dregs of his magic, I rose to my feet. “Welcome to your new world, Patty.” I dusted my hands off. Towering over him, I set my fists on my hips. I waited for him to move. To whine. To attack. Something. He lay motionless on the ground. Not a twitch. Not a spasm. Not even a breath raised his chest. I turned away, satisfied with the turn of events. I roamed around the black space. More like a big, deep hole, I could see the sky. But it was unlike any sky I’d ever before experienced. Instead of bright white stars, flares of reds and oranges lit the expanse above my head. A low rustling brought my head down and my gaze searching out the deepest edges of the space. Almost as if the noise was waiting for something from me, I felt the weight of something settle on my shoulders. Something…other. They come, pet. Prepare yourself, Merlin said in my head. I didn’t jerk at the sound of his voice. In fact, it was almost welcome at this point. The only person who had stuck with me through this whole freaking thing.

I stiffened my shoulders, unsure how to prepare myself for whatever was coming. Whoever was coming. I felt the cold first. It sank beneath my clothes. Prickled my skin. As it cooled my exposed flesh, I felt its insidious grasp filter deeper into my body. Chips of ice floated in my veins. Every exhalation was a vapor I could see before my face. I wrapped my arms around my chest as the cold stung my lungs with each inhale. My lips started trembling as my eyes felt like someone had popped them from my head and put them in a freezer. “Champion, you surprise us,” a semi-familiar masculine voice called from the darkness. Well, I guess I knew who was coming now. My spirit shivered deep inside me as the three gods who backed Patty approached me. Arawn bundled in a huge kettle on his back. His long dark hair and dark eyes were solemn as he studied me for long moments. He gently placed the giant bowl on the ground as Cailleach stepped forward. He gathered Patrick up in his arms and dropped him in the giant bowl. Cailleach moved again, drawing my gaze. Her pale hair was up in even more warrior braids, her long elegant neck laced with torques of gold and silver. “It seems we more than underestimated you.” I nodded. Shrugged. “A lot of people do that. You certainly aren’t the first.” Gwynn ap Nudd snorted. His pale icy blue eyes hardened as he glared at me. “Do you think to compare us to humans?” I shrugged again. “Sorry, I was just telling you that you’re not uncommon in underestimating me.” Great, now I’d pissed off some gods for speaking the truth. Just what I didn’t need. Over Cailleach’s shoulder, Arawn poured huge amounts of some type of liquid into the vat he’d placed Patrick in. “So…whatcha doing there?” I asked. Cailleach grinned. With a wave of her hand, the cold left me. “We are bringing

him back to a more vigorous state of functioning.” I shook my head. “So I didn’t kill him?” I didn’t know whether I was excited or angry about that fact. Gwynn’s laugh was deep as he was tall. “Oh you certainly killed him. But since we are in the veil, it doesn’t really count, now does it?” My brow furrowed. “What do you mean, doesn’t really count? And where the heck did you say we were?” The giant god laughed again as if I were the funniest person he’d ever had the fortune to meet. At one point, he even bent over and slapped a hand to one of his knees. I chuckled. Nudd’s knee. I’m a poet and didn’t even know it. Stay focused, pet, Merlin cautioned. The laughter left me. I was getting really sick and tired of having that rapisting bastard in my head. Only one of those points is correct, sweet pet. I snarled mentally. Tried to erect those barriers again. Failed. Again. A burst of power slammed into my belly. I wheezed around the pain as I bent in half. I struggled to pull air into my lungs. “What the heck was that for?” Cailleach’s feet came into my field of vision. “Ignoring gods who stand in front of you is not a good way to live your life, champion.” A hand settled into my hair. With a rough yank, she pulled me upright. A vibrant purple gaze met my own. She searched me for long moments unending. After what felt like a short millennia, she pushed me away. “Why they chose you as their champion, I’ll never understand.” What? “Um, I was in the right place at the right time?” Right? That had been what they needed right? At least that was the vague answer Brigid had given us when she first appeared.

Cailleach snorted. “Then it appears you’re stupid as well as misinformed.” She shook her head as she helped Arawn set up a fire pit complete with logs and flames. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked. Gwynn straightened. At his full height, he towered over me as if I were an infant. He crossed his arms over his chest and spread his legs slightly. Settled his weight on the balls of his feet. Was he expecting a fight? I might be stupid and misinformed, but I wasn’t completely simple minded. I backed up a bit so I didn’t have to strain my neck to look into his face. “You are simply a pawn, silly champion. As is ours.” Cailleach motioned to the still dead form of Patrick. “You think you are special enough to bring the attention of the gods to you?” I knew from her tone of voice she wasn’t really needing an answer. At least I’d learned something from Drace about living in the real world before I died. I shrugged. It seemed the best course of action at the moment. “If neither of us are important, why are you trying to bring him back?” I asked. Cailleach snarled at me, took a looming step in my direction. Gwynn stopped her. “Not here. And certainly not by our hand,” he said softly. Cailleach snorted like an irritated horse and dropped her approach. “The why doesn’t matter. Simply that he does come back. When we push you out of the veil, you can go back to your little battle of wits and wills.” Her smile and tone of voice set my teeth on edge. I was clearly missing something here. I just had no idea what it could be or why the gods would even bother playing games with mortals. Perhaps you aren’t mortal, Merlin whispered. Shut up and leave me alone, you whackadoodle, I shouted at him.

With a burst of red and brown magic, the room was illuminated for a brief moment. Just beyond the gods, I could see the dull red glow of at least ten sets of eyes. Closer to the ground, they didn’t look to be as tall as humans. I took a step forward before I realized what I was doing. Cailleach slapped me back with a hard shove to my chest. “Stay back, champion. We can’t invalidate the play by hurting you.” My brow furrowed again. “What does that mean? Why are you even here? If Patrick and I are nothing but pawns, why bother bringing him back from the dead at all?” And again, why wasn’t I freaking out or pissed off? “Does the veil mute emotions?” Gwynn’s chin dipped the slightest degree before his sister spoke. “Your lack of education will be your own downfall, mortal.” She jutted out a hip as she stared at me again. “Honestly, why did they pick you for champion?” I shook my head. “I truthfully have no idea. Maybe because my mo—” Searing pain stole the words from my throat. I sucked in a gasp that turned into fire in my throat. I coughed and hacked until I felt like my lungs were scarred and bleeding. The pain eased into a steady, throbbing glow deep inside me. Do not tell them of your mother, pet. They will kill you, Merlin said in my head. How do you know that? I asked him as I searched the gods in front of me. Because I would kill you if I were in their shoes. Well, that’s such a warm and happy thought, douchebag. Thanks for that. His chuckle was a pleasant shift against my skin. I begin to understand your humor, pet. Great. Welcome to the freaking party, you nincompoop. I wanted to roll my eyes, but didn’t want to alert the gods that I was conversing with the supposed-to-bedead druid. I could see that ending poorly. To be honest, it was nice getting to talk to someone. Even if he was a douche of epic proportions. “You were saying, champion?” Cailleach asked in a silky voice.

I scrambled for something to say. “Maybe because my mojo is so strong?” I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. Tried to look innocent. Since she sniffed and turned back to the Patrick soup bowl, I guessed I was at least slightly successful. Arawn began walking around the giant cauldron in counterclockwise fashion. He was muttering something under his breath as he sliced a knife against his palm. I watched him walk around the bowl seventeen times before he reversed the procession and went the other direction seventeen times. His brother and sister stood there and watched. Like a really boring movie, we waited until Arawn was done with his bowl circling. Tove had once shown me a sport called golf. It reminded me of watching Arawn walk around his pot. Just as exciting and eventful. I sighed heavily. “So…any chance of getting out of here before I age another decade?” Arawn, finally done with his circles, drew to a stop in front of me. He reached out for my hand. He grabbed it in a steel grip before I even knew what he was doing. He had me sliced and bleeding before I could open my mouth to protest. He had the blood scooped up on the blade before I felt the first sting of the metal in my flesh. Arawn walked back to the now boiling Patty-stew and swirled the bloody knife in the liquid. I grimaced. “Gross. And I didn’t say you could have any of my blood.” I clenched my abused hand into a fist. “Rude.” Cailleach looked at me like I was crazy. “You think to discipline a god, human?” I shrugged again. I knew I should be freaking out and cowering in a ball of frail human shame, but all I felt was a disturbing sense of blah. Nothing really mattered. I didn’t really care what they did. To me. To Patrick. My sworn enemy that they were bringing back to life and I was more bored than anything else. Gwynn chuckled. “Don’t let the coldness of the veil lead you down a path towards death, champion. You would not enjoy the Underworld.” I ran his words through my mind again. “The coldness of the veil?” Why did

these guys all speak in riddles? He nodded. “The veil mutes all but the most intense of emotions. A form of stasis, of rest, it allows time to unnoticed.” “So, really I’m freaking out. But since I’m in the veil it comes out as disinterest and boredom?” I asked. He nodded again. “Perhaps my sister was wrong in calling you stupid.” I shrugged. I didn’t really care what any of them called me. They weren’t important to my life so they could say whatever they wanted. Nothing they said would be worse than the memories I’d watch on replay in here. Which reminded me. “So, Patty there dissolved a Star Mistress that he raised from the dead. What’s the deal with that?” All three gods stopped as if they were a show and someone had pushed pause. As one, they all turned to look at me. “He what a what?” Arawn asked, his piercing black eyes like voids of the deepest hell. I gave them a short rundown of what their champion did. Leaving out the part that I, too, was a Star Mistress. A short, pulsing silence greeted my last syllable. We all stood around staring at each other for a while. Arawn finally moved. He spun back to the cauldron, yanked Patrick up by his neck and shook him like a dog with a bone. Cailleach rushed over. Manhandled the dead druid from her brother’s grasp. “We need him. Now more than ever. We cannot lose. Not to Brigid and her ers. You know what they’ll do to us.” “Lose what?” I asked, only a slight feeling of curiosity flared through me. None of them answered me. “Bring him back. But make sure he is completely under your power,” Gwynn

said softly. All three had their backs to me. I yawned. This veil was truly a fun sucker of the highest order. “He killed a Star Mistress, brother. One of the sacred few who controls the heavens. There is no way we can allow him to remain,” Arawn said. That flare of curiosity burned a little hotter deep inside me. They were talking about me. What I was. I needed to listen. To absorb. To understand. All three turned back to me as if they shared a body. I jolted back. “What?” “This Star Mistress he raised. What was her name?” Cailleach asked. Her tone bit at my skin as the cold seeped through the room once more. I narrowed my eyes. “Why does that matter?” She flung her hand at me. I was encased in a solid block of ice from the waist down before I could take my next breath. “Answer me,” she demanded. “Matilda Matheson. Star Mistress of Europe.” The words poured from my mouth as if she’d pulled them from my mind. She jerked back, her eyes wide, her mouth slack. “He resurrected the European Mistress?” I shrugged. “I guess? That’s what they told me her name was.” “What else do you know of Patrick’s plans?” Gwynn asked. Again, the words poured from me as if they were the water, and someone else controlled the spout. “He was planning to raise Merlin.” I narrowed my eyes. “Which I already told you. Didn’t you talk to him the last time you came and crashed my house?” Cailleach lurched forward, her fist raised. Gwynn caught it, spun her around. He hissed in her face in a language I didn’t understand.

Her back muscles spasmed as she nodded, one single hard dip of her head. She turned back to me. “You will not speak of this to anyone. Not a single word will your lips, do you understand me?” I felt her words wrap around me like barbed wire. Somehow she clenched it tight enough to make the breath wheeze from between my lips. I nodded as I struggled to get air into my lungs. She nodded again. Flung her hand at me. “Be gone. Await your final battle.” Like I was falling through dimensions again, I felt that weightless sensation of nothingness. I closed my eyes and thought of home. Please let this work. Please let this work. Please let this work.

Chapter 15 – Tagan

I gritted my teeth. Fought not to crush the woman in my grasp. She’d done this. As a fucking game with her siblings. Put us all in danger. Threatened my woman. My mate. Kill her, my dragon said. No one gets to hurt our mate. Not and remain among the living. I agreed. More than one hundred percent. But I couldn’t allow my emotions to make a bad situation worse. That’s how people got killed. And I wasn’t willing to risk one of those people being my mate or my brothers. “What do we do with her now?” I asked through gritted teeth. The muscles in my hands were spasming to keep from crushing her arms between my fingers. Ari sighed. “Nothing for now. I can ask for one of the Originals to watch over her for us. We have a good case.” Brigid jerked in my grip. Her entire frame started trembling. A hard smile pulled at my mouth. “I think that sounds like a great idea. Let’s do that.” Brigid began her escape attempts again. In earnest this time. She might be a tiny woman, but she certainly packed a wallop. I wrenched her arms behind her back and bowed her outwards to restrict her movements. It slowed her down, but it didn’t stop her. “You can’t do that. You know what they’ll do. If you present the case to them, they’ll come after all of us. Even you,” Brigid spat at her sister. Ari eased forward, got in her sister’s face. “And I’ll pay the consequences for my indiscretions. But I’ll not have you out here wreaking more havoc on my granddaughter or her mates. Nor the rest of humanity. You’ve set yourself on the

course, sister. You can deal with it like the ancient being you truly are.” Ari stepped back, raised her gaze to mine. “I know this is an imposition, but you will need to hold her for a bit longer. Until we get an ice dragon here to entomb her temporarily, you are the best option for restraint. Can you promise not to hurt her unnecessarily?” I nodded. “But I won’t restrain myself from putting her down if she gets lippy about my mate.” Ari nodded as if that were perfectly acceptable. She looked at her sister. “I’d mind your tongue if I were you, Brigid. These men don’t play when it comes to their mate.” She turned on her heel. Made her way back to the balcony doors. “Drace, if I could borrow you, that would be advantageous. You can also serve as witness. I shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes if all goes well.” She held out her hand for Drace to take. The two women walked off into the penthouse. I looked at the remaining group. All dudes who looked at my captive with varying degrees of hatred and disgust. Why I’d promised not to hurt the skanky, sketchy goddess was beyond me. I shook it off. Looked at Finn. “What’s the ETA on your thunder?” Finn shook his head. “It’s not our thunder, boyo.” He jerked his chin at Brigid. “It’s one she’s been protecting for eons.” I stiffened. “Can we expect trouble?” Brigid’s laugh grated on my already frayed nerves. “You can expect trouble, pup. Have no fear on that score.” One of my hands spasmed. The fragile bone in the goddess’ arm shattered under the strain. Her scream of agony was a balm to my heart. I fought not to clench my hand around her other arm. Leave her broken. Useless. As she’d made us. A wrenching pain in my belly had me dropping my grip as I curled in on myself. Out of the corner of my vision, I saw Finn and Harry step forward and grab Brigid. Thane and Tove rushed over, crowded around me.

“What’s wrong?” Thane demanded. His voice was tight and pissed. I shook my head, words beyond my abilities right now. Another spasm of pain took me to my knees. The pain soaked every neuron in my brain. All I could see, think, feel, breathe, and scent was pain. Like my heart was on the verge of bursting into a million pieces, my soul was close behind it. I’d only felt this kind of pain once. When Dad had shot Charlie. That moment was etched on my brain, seared into my memories. Burned into my heart. I gritted my teeth. I wouldn’t lose Cheeks. Not now. Not ever. And certainly not because of some stupid fucking game between heartless gods. Grabbing Thane’s arm, and then Tove’s, I fought back to standing on my feet. They reached out to each other to help brace my weight. As soon as their hands touched, the pain subsided. I felt it lift away like a breeze blowing dandelions through the air. My head tipped back as a scream of intense joy sprang from my chest. She was here. I could almost feel her. Almost reach out and touch her. I opened my eyes. Felt the ground pulled out from under my feet when I didn’t see her. She wasn’t here. Not really. But I felt her inside me. Like a single candle’s flame in the pitch black of early morning. She was with me. Call for her, a man’s voice said in my head. I looked at my brothers. Saw their confusion. Their distress and pain. Call for her, the voice said again. “Sweetcheeks?” I said, confused and uncertain as to what I should be doing. Call for her. Use your link and call for her. I shook my head, tried to dislodge the voice. “Do you hear that?” I asked my brothers. They looked at each other, shook their heads. Looked back at me. Sorrow

washed Thane’s face into pale lines of familiar heartache. I ed the look from when I’d just returned from war. I knew he thought I was losing myself again. Losing myself to the memories and horror of my past instead of living in the present. I shook my head. Was my pride worth the risk of losing Cheeks if the voice was right? Not a fucking chance. “A man’s voice in my head is telling me to call for Cheeks. I’m supposed to use our link and call for her.” I said the words quickly, tried to rush through them. Tried to make them understand. Tove lifted his chin. “HOLLYN ELAINE PARKER, you get your ass back here right now,” he said immediately. Thane and I took up the call immediately. We might be foolish, but we were foolish together. A low chuckle sounded from the far side of Thane. Harry stepped forward. “If you are trying to call her with your link, words are not the way to do that. Are you fully mated?” he asked. I nodded. “Tell us what to do. We don’t understand our bond or link or whatever the fuck is going on. Tell us. Now.” “Please,” Thane said softly. Harry smiled. “Of course. From my understanding of Star Mistresses and their mates, you have a constellation somewhere inside you.” Tove nodded. “Hols has it inside her. She pushed power into it once. I felt it.” He shook his head. “I don’t have one inside me.” He looked at both of us. I shook my head. Asked my dragon. He had no useful answer. Thane shook his head as well. Harry’s brow furrowed. “Well, then send your intention to your mate. Direct that intention, that energy, to the constellation. Much like accessing your dragon, you need to visualize the energy and push it directly into the bond’s sigil.” I nodded. Closed my eyes. I pictured our girl. Her dark purple hair and her

lavender eyes. The long slim body that was plush in all the right places. Her silly sense of humor. Over her chest, I put a triangle. Each point represented me and my brothers. Within that triangle, I placed a star. That star was our girl. Our mate. Our other half. Focusing all of my attention and energy on that spot, I pushed as much of my magic, power, energy, dragon, every part of me I could. I needed her. Needed her light. Her breath. Her heartbeat. I would do whatever was necessary to bring her back to me. She was my light. My breath. My heartbeat. My everything.

Chapter 16 – Hollyn

The darkness was comforting, in its own way. Not that I would like to remain in perpetual night, but it was nice. Lots of good things had happened to me in the dark. Crashing into Thane. Meeting Grumpy and Tove. Making love. Although, we did that in the light, too. Making love was my favorite. I sighed. I’d like to make love with them again. Maybe even get dirty and ask them to fuck me. I giggled. Grumpy would probably like that. Throw me over his shoulder, slap my butt, and carry me away. If I could figure out how to get out of this void of midnight nothingness, then I was going to do just that. Stomp up to them and demand they fuck me with their cocks. I nodded. Made the vow into the ether. If I get out of here and back to them, that was the first thing I was going to do. Could a person fall if there was no gravity? I wondered after a moment. I didn’t get that deep yucky slide in my belly that felt like I was falling. But I also didn’t feel like I was zooming upwards either. Can I float in nothing? A faint light appeared, drawing my attention. I squinted. I’d been in the dark for so long that even the dim shine made my eyes ache and burn. I tried to swim towards the light. Kick? Run? Nothing was working the way it was supposed to, dang it. Suddenly, a light appeared on my chest. As if it had floated to the top of a lake– and my body was the lake–it seemed to bob just under the surface of the skin on my chest. I winced against the brightness. It began to burn. To itch. To irritate. I rubbed at it. Angling my head just so, I saw it flash to brilliant life. It was the constellation I carried in my head, if

turned on its side a bit. The lowest point of the triangle sat between my boobs. Each point of the triangle was connected by thick, glistening lines of energy that traveled from corner to corner. Each corner attached to a center point. Those lines were delicate as clouds in a summer sky. But I knew deep inside that they were unbreakable. I pressed my hands to my chest and thought of my men. Thane, the calculated risk taker with an open heart. Grumpy, my possessive and jealous man who sheltered me from the world. And Toven, the man who taught me to laugh and embrace life with both arms wide open. They were mine. Just as I was theirs. We were mated. We were one. “I’m coming home, guys. Wait for me. I’m coming home.” I pressed my hand to my chest again, thought of each of them. Individually. All of us together. A tugging on my belly made me gasp. That airy sensation of moving fast, the wind blowing through my hair, made me blink against the rush of wind. Tears gathered on my narrowed lashes as I waited to see where I would end up. With a thump, I landed on my butt. My hands and arms splayed out in a giant X. I blinked up at the night sky. Surprised once again of the time differences between the Valley and the real world. But I recognized those stars. And the men who stood around me in the shape of a triangle. I was home. Where I belonged. “I need the three of you to fuck me, please,” I said, wincing at the volume of my voice. That had been a little louder than I’d planned.

Chapter 17 – Thane

I squeezed my eyes shut. Afraid my mind was playing tricks on me. When something connected with my shin though...I opened my eyes. I fell to my knees, wrapped her in my arms. Held her close. “You’re here,” I said against her hair. Tag and Tove dropped next to us. Their hands were running over every available inch of our girl. She nodded, her hair catching in the stubble that covered my chin. “I’m here. Where have you guys been?” She leaned back, her gaze catching on my mouth. She shook her head. “Tell me later. I really need to feel all of you against me. Now.” “They haven’t the time to settle between your legs, you dirty trollop. Get to your feet and get back to your battle!” Brigid screeched at Stretch. Tag leapt over us and slammed his fist into the goddess’ face. “Speak like that to her again, and I’ll rip you limb from limb.” “Garinion?” Ari asked as she came back out to the balcony. She crumpled to the ground and yanked Stretch from my arms. “You’re here. You did it.” She peppered kisses all over Stretch’s cheeks. Petted her elegant hands down the dark purple locks. “I knew you would.” Stretch’s grandmother sat back and wiped at her eyes. “You are so brave and smart. I’m so proud of you.” “Get back to the Valley and defeat Patrick! Time is running out. We have to stop him before he releases Merlin. Once you defeat him, we can—” Stretch reached a hand over my shoulder, her palm outstretched. “Finn, move to the side please.” She nodded. “Shut up, Brigid.” A bolt of heat zipped by my ear right before I heard a faint sizzle. I looked over my shoulder. Brigid had a hole through her shoulder big enough to

fit my fist in it. I turned back to Stretch. My eyebrows raised. “That’s a bit new, yeah?” Her cheeks flushed. “I –” her voice cut off. Her brow furrowed. She licked her lips. Opened her mouth. “I –” Ari grabbed Stretch’s cheeks, brought her face around to look at her. The goddess’ eyes narrowed. “Who did this to you?” Tag snarled. “Did what? What happened? Can you see something?” He pushed his face next to Ari’s. Laid his cheek against hers as he studied Stretch’s face. “I don’t see anything abnormal.” Ari nudged him away. She lifted a hand and twirled it in the space a couple inches above Stretch’s skin. “This. Here.” She scooped two fingers through the air. I still couldn’t see anything off about it. But I wasn’t a goddess. “What is it?” I asked. “Is she okay?” Stretch sighed. Nodded. “I think I know what you’re talking about. Hang on. She was really specific about her instructions.” Stretch closed her eyes. She said I couldn’t let a single word of it my lips. She didn’t say anything about our mate bond. Stretch smiled up at me. I pressed a kiss to her hair. What’s going on? She held up a finger. “Can you our mental network?” she whispered to Ari. She flicked her eyes in Brigid’s direction. Ari’s eyes pinched at the corners but she nodded. “Yes. Begin talking. I need to find the right pathway. I’ll be in there as soon as I can manage.” Stretch nodded. So it turns out that I went back to the Valley. That douche Patty set up some kind of magical alarm system. By the time I found the portal, he’d already set it up so I couldn’t escape. I’m here now. What is so urgent? And please hurry. I’m using much energy to maintain the connection, Ari said.

Stretch nodded. I killed Patrick in the veil. She shrugged. Whatever that is. But that’s not the most important part. Cailleach, Gwynn ap Nudd, and Arwan showed up. They shoved him in a big soup bowl and boiled him up. Said they were going to regenerate him. Ari jerked, her eyes wide. How can that be? Stretch shrugged again. I have no idea. I’m just telling you what I saw. Oh! Her lavender eyes gleamed. I also sucked down Patrick’s power using the power transfer spell. Ari moaned. Shook her head. No, garinion. No. Tell me you didn’t. Stretch shrank back into my arms. Was that bad? Ari winced. Did you do it before or after you killed him? Right before. But the other gods don’t know I did that. They weren’t there for that part. Ari’s face smoothed out. Good. Don’t tell anyone that part. Why not? She won their stupid game, fair and square. She should be shouting it from the fucking mountaintops, Tag said. Ari shook her head. No. Sucking down power is considered bad form. Cheating. What? How does that make sense? Tove asked. Demanded really. Ari sighed. Rubbed two fingers over her temple. The games of gods are fraught with rules and loopholes. As long as Hollyn can best Patrick in a fair fight, then she will be the winner. What kind of fair fight? Stretch asked. “It’s a game of wits and power,” Ari said out loud. “Then why the fuck did they make it sound like one of them had to die?” Tag snarled. We all turned to look at Brigid. Tag got to his feet once more. Stepping over us,

he got in the red haired goddess’ face. “Spill it. I’m so sick and tired of your shit. Say anything that isn’t the truth or something that won’t help us, and I swear I’ll slice you to pieces right now.” Brigid lifted her chin, a defiant look in her eye. She opened her mouth. “Be careful of your words, sister. The Originals have granted my request. You interfered with a Star Mistress’ mates and bond. They will not you,” Ari called out. Brigid shrank back as all the blood drained from her face. Her bright blue eyes were huge. She shook her head. “That can–” Tag let his nails shift into claws. “The rest of that sentence better be about how we can win this thing and save our mate.” Brigid shut her mouth so fast it made a clicking noise. She nodded. “Hollyn must prove she is better than Patrick in a series of games that test power, discipline, and determination.” My brow furrowed. “And when were these rules going to be discussed?” Brigid shook her head, lowered her eyes. I looked at Ari. She shook her head. “That’s the nature of the games. The champions don’t know they are playing. It’s supposed to test their abilities outside of an arena. Outside of training. Who is literally the better person,” Ari explained. “It’s also why I removed myself from my siblings so long ago. I could no longer stomach the lives we ruined or families we destroyed.” Stretch reached out, took her grandmother’s hand. Ari smiled sadly. “I, too, have stains on my hands.” Brigid snorted, drawing our attention. “More than stains, sister. You set the example of how to torture the humans. How to make the games. The rules we make them play by. Do not pretend you are innocent in all of this. You taught us how to play.” Stretch squeezed her grandmother’s hand. Waited for Ari to look at her. “You

haven’t played in a long time. You had a change of heart. That makes you better. More than them.” Two tears slid from Ari’s eyes. “It doesn’t. But I appreciate your soft heart in saying so. There is nothing I can do to absolve myself or make things right with the thousands of people I’ve hurt in my own selfishness. There is something that can help you. Something that will take all of this away.” Brigid gasped. “You wouldn’t.” Ari raised her chin. “But I would.” Her cerulean eyes hardened into chips of sapphire. “You forget to whom you speak, sister. The one who taught you the game. The one who set up the rules. Since I made them, I can certainly break them.” She stood up. She dusted off her skirts and lowered her hands for Stretch to grab. Helping her granddaughter to her feet, she pulled Stretch into her arms. “Freely given. Freely accepted. The power belongs to the stars and to the ones who harness their power. For the past. For the present. For all eternity,” Ari said into Stretch’s hair. Getting to my feet, I waited for something to happen. Because something always happened when these selfish assholes made grand gestures. I held my breath.

Chapter 18 – Hollyn

My grandmother buried her mouth next to my ear. “Do not fight me, garinion. I will help you defeat Patrick. I will right this wrong that has been landed at your feet. I vow that you will never be bothered by my siblings again.” I tried to pull away. Tried to cover her mouth. I’d heard words like that before. Right before my mother allowed me to kill her. Before she sacrificed herself for me as a child. I wouldn’t be losing anyone else from my family. I might not fully understand everything that is going on right now, but if all of this was just some kind of game? Heads were about to roll. I was tired of my family, my loved ones, being used as pawns in someone else’s game. I pressed my lips to my grandmother’s cheek. “Do not fight me, grandmother. I will not let you sacrifice yourself for me.” I leaned my forehead down against hers. “A wise woman once told me that I’m more powerful than I realized. I’m going to take her words to heart.” Grab her. Don’t let her speak. Don’t let her go. But please don’t hurt her, I said to my men. I pulled from Ari’s arms. Waited for my men to move in and hold her back. I turned to Finn and the unfamiliar man who stood with him. Looking up into Finn’s face, I smiled. “I think your Drace has something to tell you. Go easy on her, yeah?” His brows furrowed for a moment. As his face cleared, he nodded. “Yes, Mistress. But I think she’d have my balls if I let you do whatever I see brewing in your mind.” I chuckled. Winked at him. “You aren’t letting me do anything, Finnegan Kennedy. I have it on good authority that you couldn’t stop me if I didn’t want you to.” His laugh was dry. “Whatever you’re thinking, please reconsider, Hollyn Parker

Ladon. Your men would not survive your loss.” I pushed up to my toes, gestured for him to lean down. Three nearly identical growls came from behind me. I smiled. “I don’t intend to lose,” I whispered up to the giant man. With that, I stepped to the edge of the balcony. Lifted my face. The night sky sang her lullaby to me. Wrapped me in warmth, comfort, and welcome. How I’d ever thought I didn’t belong with her was a mystery for another day. Today was for winning. For defeating the people who sought to use me, my men, my family for their own gains. Today, I would show these gods that humans were merely playthings during the dull points of their lives. We humans were more, so much more than they gave us credit for. I raised my arms. Spread them wide as I lifted my palms to the heavens. “I am a Star Mistress. I call upon the power of my circle. My birthright. My place among the stars was set before I was knit together in my mother’s womb.” The stars brightened as if each of them were small suns. I felt each one’s power deep inside me. As if every single star was connected to one of my cells, I called on their power. As it rose within me, my body lifted off the balcony. Matilda had said my magic would lead me true. I was banking on that. Dark shapes flitted across the sky in darting zips and slides. I narrowed my eyes. “Illuminatus.” Light burst through the sky as if the sun had escaped from behind a bank of clouds. The heavens were full of dragons. I ended the spell, giving them the cover of darkness they needed. I had no idea why what looked like hundreds of dragons were doing over our home, but I had to figure it had something to do with the clusterfuck that was my current life and situation. I pushed it aside. I had bigger fish to fry than some dragons. Just as I opened my mouth, four people landed on my balcony. I recognized their energy signatures. Well, at least three of them. The last one was unfamiliar. But it had a certain dark quality I could easily picture. I turned with a sigh.

“What are you doing here?” I asked them. Cailleach’s entire face twitched as if I’d slapped her. “How dare you speak to me like that, human? Do you know what I could do to you?” She lifted her fingers. Snapped them. “Just like that and you would be —” I snapped my fingers and muttered under my breath, “Cor quis sustinebit.” Cailleach dropped to the ground, her hands clutching her chest. Her brothers hissed and backed up. Gwynn, with his icy blue eyes, glared at me. He took a single menacing step before I raised my hand again. He stopped in his tracks. I smiled. Nodded. “Now, answers please. What are you doing here?” “It is time for your battle,” Arawn said. He pushed Patrick forward. My former tormentor did not look right. Like his body was stuffed too full of something, he practically bulged at the seams. His flesh was bright and shiny. His eyes dull and dead. The awkward movements spoke more of a broken toy than a functioning human. I shook my head. “I’ve already defeated him. I win.” Cailleach growled low in her throat. She glared up at me. I smiled. “Yeah, seems your magic doesn’t really work on me when I say it doesn’t.” I bumped a shoulder into the air. “Who knew, right?” I turned back to her brothers. “Put your dead toy back in the giant bowl. I’ve beaten him once. I won’t desecrate a dead body for your enjoyment.” Gwynn opened his mouth. “You do not dictate to us, human. We dictate to you. We say when you are done with our games. We say when you have satisfied the gods.” I glared at him. “You know, you’re not any better than Patty there. You think that because you’re powerful and way too old that you get to tell everyone what to do. Well you know what? I’m powerful too. And I’m sick and fucking tired of being yanked around by you and your pathetic siblings. You want me to play your battle games?”

I didn’t give any of them a chance to speak. I called on the power of the stars. Of the sun. They were mine to command. “Stella luceat.” I pointed my palm at Patrick’s dead animated body. It evaporated. It didn’t even scent the air, it was obliterated so quickly. I turned to Gwynn. The starshine still sat in my palm. Ready and waiting for me. I used the spell he had been whispering to me. I had no idea what it would do, but he’d been the only one to help me from the veil. “Vindictae procella.” I pointed to the gods who had made my life a living hell. “Everyone else, get inside,” I yelled as the storm clouds gathered overhead. “Take Ari with you.” With my free hand, I made sure Brigid, Cailleach, Gwynn, and Arawn were stuck on the balcony with me. Four whips of crackling lightning sprang from my fingertips. As soon as the balcony door closed, I unleashed the fury of the spell I’d cast. The clouds released a deluge of acid rain on my enemies. Only Arawn was quick enough to cast a spell to save himself. The others curled into balls on the ground as they tried to make themselves as small as possible. A dark smile pulled at my mouth as I heard the sizzle of melting flesh. The whimpering groans of agony. Again, Merlin said in my head. Again, pet. I lifted my hand to the sky, brought down the next set of horrors. As four bolts of lightning tore from the sky, my heart rose in the symphony of pain as they found their targets. I could have danced to the tunes of their suffering. Stretch, don’t go too far. Don’t lose yourself. Not for them, Thane said in my head. I brushed his words of caution to the side. I was doing this for him. For them. For us. For me. He didn’t get to tell me what to do. None of them did. Not anymore. I was in charge. I was the strongest. The most powerful. They would all bow before me. Again, pet. Hit them again.

I called down the third strike. Hailstones as big as my fist plunged from the clouds and into my enemies. The crack of bones filled my heart with joy. Cheeks, don’t make me come out there and get you. You won’t like what happens, Grumpy said in my head. I ignored him. He couldn’t do anything. Not really. Nothing I didn’t allow. I was bigger than him. Better than him. Once more, Hollyn. Show them who you really are. Make them cower before you. Make them tremble at your name. Show the world what you can do. That you are unstoppable. Deperditum sit. I lifted my hands, let my head fall back to stare at the stars. They were mine. All of their power was mine to control. “Deperditum s—” A mouth crushed down on mine. A familiar mouth. One of my favorites. Three sets of arms banded around me. They had their shirts off as we stood in a whirlwind of acid rain, lightning, and hailstones. We won’t let him have you, Stretch. We claimed you first. You’re ours, Thane snarled over the mate bond.

Chapter 19 – Toven

We stood behind the safety of the glass. Watched as our sweet girl called down power and horror on the people who had ruined our lives. Watched as our girl drifted farther and farther away from us even though she hadn’t moved. “Something’s wrong,” I said again. “This isn’t our Hollyn.” I shook my head. “She would never take joy in someone else’s pain. No matter who they were. Not like this.” I turned to look at Ari. She had tears streaming down her cheeks as she strained against Thane’s and Tag’s hold. She pleaded with me with her eyes. She knew something was wrong, too. “Let her go,” I said. I pulled my brothers’ hands away from the goddess. “Let her go. She can help us save her.” “Stretch said not to let her talk. You going to be the one to tell Stretch that you didn’t do what she asked?” Thane asked, his gaze still glued to our girl outside. I punched him in the face. When he righted, I stabbed a hand towards the window. “Does that look like our girl? Where the fuck is your head at that you think that is our Hollyn?” He stumbled back, rage and fury on his face. “Don’t think you know her better than I do, you asshole. I saw her first.” He lunged at me. Finn and Harry stepped between us. “Your brother is right,” Harry said. He sounded as serious as I’d ever heard him. “Nor are you in your right mind.” He leaned down. Got in Thane’s face. “Give me your hand,” Harry demanded. Thane snarled at his hero. “You want my hand, come and get it.” He tried to sidestep the older man.

That old man was spry as a nubile co-ed. He whipped around, caught Thane with a leg sweep that took my brother to the ground. As my brother collapsed on the hardwood floor, Harry reached down and scored his shifted talon over Thane’s open palm. A dark oozing pus filled the shallow bowl of Thane’s hand. Thane hissed and snarled at Harry. Between one blink and the next, Harry smashed his hand into the side of Thane’s head. He whirled on Tag. “Let Ari go. He’s been infected, as has your mate.” Tag lifted his hands away from Ari. “If there’s even a possibility that I’m infected, you knock me out. Do it. I won’t hurt her. Or cause her to be hurt. Do it.” He lifted his chin to Harry. Splayed his arms out by his side in full surrender. Harry pushed him aside. “Ari, we need a spell. Somehow he’s infected her. Gotten into her bloodstream. We need to purify them.” Ari nodded. “Drace, I need bay leaf, birch, blessed thistle, chamomile, dandelion leaf, garlic, hyssop, marjoram, pine, rosemary, sage, sea salt, star anise, verbena, and wood betony. Find as many as you can. Now. Go.” Drace, who had been left inside to deal with one of the dragons who’d landed, darted off. “Don’t lose her, Ari.” Ari’s laugh was close to hysterical. “Why you all think I’d be willing to let such a thing happen is beyond me. I’m not losing my granddaughter.” “How did Thane get infected?” I asked as I studied my fallen brother on the floor. “And are Tag and I infected as well?” Ari shook her head. “I don’t know.” She held out her hand. I put mine in hers immediately. She sliced a deep line across my palm. Nothing but red welled up. Tag shoved his hand in her face. “Do me. Now.” Ari wiped off the blade and cut him. Red and black oozed from the wound. “DRACE!” she shouted. “Whatever you do, Tagan Ladon, do not listen to

anything inside your head.” Tag shook his head. Turned to Harry. “I’ve got it. I’m infected, you’ve got to knock me out. Please. I can’t lose her. And I won’t be part of the cause. Please.” His pleading broke my heart. But I fully understood where he was coming from. Drace rushed back in the room. Her arms full of plants. “The thunder’s healer had most of what you asked for. But not everything. We really need to get a garden set up in here.” She dropped her load in Ari’s lap. “What can I do to help?” “I need a fire. Roaring. Now,” Ari demanded as she sorted through the plants. Finn stepped over to the fireplace. One short spurt from his mouth and a veritable bonfire was ablaze in the contained space. “Fire’s ready.” “I need a bowl, a large one. Strips of towels and purified water,” Ari barked as she set up her herbs the way she wanted them. I didn’t understand the order she’d used, but it didn’t matter if I understood it. I leapt to my feet and pushed Tag in front of me. “Get the towels. I’ll get the bowl and water.” I rushed into the kitchen and flung open cabinets until I could find the biggest bowl we had. I grabbed up some of Tag’s fancy drinking water. Hoped it would be good enough. Sprinting back into the living room, I dropped the bowl with a loud clang. Winced at the noise. “Sorry. Is a stainless steel one okay?” Ari nodded. “Yes. Cast iron would be better, but we’re out of time. Fill it with the water.” She began ripping the plants into tiny bits. “Tagan, I need those towels!” “Coming!” he yelled as he came running in. He was ripping through the terry cloth with his bare hands as if it were tissue paper. “How many strips? How big?” “I need at least two dozen. About two inches in width. As long as you can make them,” Ari said. “Drace, get me a slotted spoon. Finn, help Tag. Harry, start to wake Thane up. We’re going to have to pour this down his throat.”

I emptied the last bottle of water into the bowl. “Bowl’s full. What do you want me to do with it?” I asked Ari. “Shove it in there. I need it boiling as quickly as possible.” I shoved it into the fire. The flames licked at my skin, but I didn’t feel it. I couldn’t feel anything but the fear and terror at losing my brothers or Hollyn. I’d set my ass in that fire if that’s what it took. “Bowl,” Ari called. It wasn’t anywhere near hot enough.But I lifted the bowl out anyway, handed it to her. She threw a couple handfuls of green, gold, and other things in there. “Back in. Finn, I need that hotter, faster,” she called over her shoulder. I put the bowl back in the flames and switched places with the other dragon. As I heard the flames whoosh hotter, I studied my middle brother. His face was set in taut lines of grief. His hands shook as he measured out rough lengths of cloth. “We’re getting her back. Her and Thane,” I said softly. Waited for him to look at me. His storm cloud eyes were shattered and broken. “I won’t survive if we lose them.” I nodded. Agreed. “Then let’s be part of the solution.” He pursed his lips. Nodded once. We ripped through the last towel. “Cloths are ready, Ari,” he announced. “Now what?” “Help Harry get Thane over here.” We both nodded and moved to obey immediately. A loud racket sounded outside. I hazarded a glance and winced. Hail smashed into the bodies crumpled on the ground. The size of baseballs, there was no way those assholes weren’t being beaten into pulp. “We’ve got to hurry,” I called as I rushed over to Thane and Harry. I straddled Thane’s still prone form. Leaning down, I slapped my hand across his face as

hard as I could. Harry chuckled. “Well, that’s one way to do it.” Thane bucked up, almost junk jacked me. “What the fuck?” he whipped his head from side to side as I scrambled to get away from his giant dick-smashing head. He looked up at me. Glared. “Did you punch me?” He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “And then slap me?” I nodded, unapologetic. “We’ve got to clear you up and then we’ve got to save our girl. Get your ass to Ari. Now.” I pointed across the living room. “Now, Thane,” Ari screeched. Tag bodily lifted our oldest brother and essentially chucked him across the room. “Now, she said. And don’t bitch about whatever they ask.” Drace raced back into the room. A line of strange people behind her. “The thunder’s Elders are here,” she called. Harry stood up. “Elders, greetings and salutations. We are in the middle of a crisis. Please stand aside and allow us this breach of protocol.” One woman stepped forward. Her features looked to be in a perpetual state of pinched and pissed. “This is highly disrespectful, Harrington. What on earth are you doing with these people?” Ari snarled from behind me. “Watch your tone, or I’ll rip your dragon from your bones and leave you to die, you bloody reptile.” The Elders hissed and crouched into predatory stances. I stepped forward. “Hey, sorry about that. Ari is a little on edge right now. Her granddaughter is outside battling gods and goddesses. Makes her a little touchy.” I shrugged slightly. “Yes, the granddaughter threatens our mistress, Brigid. We have come to put a stop to it. Who does the unimportant hum—” I had the woman’s throat in my hand and her feet off the ground before she could finish speaking. “She’s my mate. She’s a Star Mistress. And she’s the only one

standing between you and certain death. Watch your words more carefully in the future or I’ll help Ari rip you apart while I dance in your entrails.” Harry settled his hand on my arm. “Easy, Tove.” I lowered the woman back to her feet. Pushed her back. “All of you are on notice. If you can’t help, get the fuck out of my house.” I pointed to the door. Walked back to Tag, Ari, Thane, and Finn. “Damn, bro,” Tag said softly. “I was almost scared of you.” I huffed a laugh. “I wasn’t lying.” He knocked his shoulder to mine. “I know. And I would have helped you carry it out.” Finn was forcing Thane’s mouth open as Ari poured her oddly pleasant smelling concoction down his throat. Our brother jerked and sputtered as he spit most of it out. Ari slapped him across the face. “Down your throat, you idiot, or any children your mate carries will be from your brothers’ seed.” I winced. Grams wasn’t playing. Thane sucked down the next mouthful she poured down his throat. He grimaced as he did it. But he opened wide for the next dose. As soon as he swallowed the next portion, his head jerked back and his chest rose into the air as if on strings. “What the fuck?” Tag said as he jumped forward to grab our brother. Ari slapped Tag’s hands away. “Do not touch him while the potion purges his system.” She raised her voice without looking away from Thane. “I need any fire breathers to come over here.” Three dragons stepped forward. “Mistress,” they said in unison. Ari’s smile was tight. “The putrefaction is about to rise from his body. I need you to incinerate it before it can seek out anyone else. Do not worry about burning him as I have cast a spell of protection. Get ready.”

She forced Thane’s mouth open once more. Poured the next dose down his throat. Once again, Thane rocked back as his body jerked and twisted around him. His head was thrown back as his chest lifted up to the ceiling. A heavy, black mist sprang from his skin. The three thunder fire breathers and Finn lit up the penthouse like they were burning a field. Overwhelming heat washed over me as my eyes watered and my nose began to run. I wiped at the sweat on my forehead. Tag nudged me to the side. “Me, Ari. Fix me now.” I scooted back so Ari could work her literal magic on my middle brother. She wrapped his head in the fragrant strips of towel. “Your shirt. Take it off. I’m going to cut your chest in three stripes so we can leech the poison faster. It will sting li—” Tag had his shirt off and raked his claws over his chest in three long gashes before she could finish her sentence. “Wrap them.” Ari smiled as tears filled her eyes. “I’m glad she chose you three.” Tag nodded. “I’m glad she chose us, too. Wrap me.” Ari leaned forward as the flames from the dragons died down beside us. “It’s all gone, Ari,” Finn announced. “Good. Get Thane some water. Lemon water. As much as he can stomach.” She lifted one rag from the bowl of boiling water. Raised her gaze to Tag’s. He nodded. “I’m ready. Do it.” Ari pursed her lips and wrapped the steaming rag around Tag’s chest. His shout of pain had me gritting my teeth. “Toven, the next one. Now,” Ari demanded. I handed it to her. The pain from the heat flitted at the edge of my brain. But I

was too focused to give it much more than a ing thought. I was just glad I wasn’t getting a boiling hug right now. This time all Tag did was hiss as she wrapped him up. I handed her the last rag. Watched as she wrapped his chest up tight with the lengths of scented cloth. “Sacred stars, don’t drown me,” Thane snarled from the other side of Ari. A loud crack of thunder sounded from outside. We all stood still and looked out at the balcony. Hols’ lips were moving, a creepy smile I hoped to never see again stretched her mouth. “Now. Now. Now.” Ari pushed me and Tag out the door. “Thane. Whatever you do, don’t let her speak until you’ve drained her of power. Drain her. Push the power out. We’ll hold it for you. But don’t let her speak.” She thrust us out the door in the rain that burned, the lightning that singed, the hail that battered. I pushed forward, uncaring for the physical pain. I grabbed Hols against my chest. Waited for Thane and Tag to take up their positions on either side of us. Thane smashed his mouth to hers just as she said, “Deperditum s—”

Chapter 20 – Hollyn

Incandescent rage flowed through me as Thane’s mouth smashed down onto mine. I bit at his lips as his words crashed through my brain. We won’t let him have you, Stretch. We claimed you first. You’re ours. The drain was immediate and painful. I shrieked against his mouth as I felt them pull and suck away my power. My birthright. My legacy. They ripped it from me in large gulps. My arms were locked to my sides by Tove’s hands. My hands were clenched in Grumpy’s fists. Made helpless by my men. Not helpless, Stretch. Never helpless. Not with us. We’re saving you. Saving you from him. Look inside. This isn’t you. I snarled and pushed his words aside. He was stealing what wasn’t his to take. Just like all the other men in the Vi— Something sharp carved through my upper arm right before a boiling hot rag was stuffed inside the wound. Thane swallowed my scream of pain. My whimper of agony. We’re saving you. I’m so sorry, Stretch. Sorry we didn’t notice it earlier. Speak for yourself, brother. I did notice, Tove said. My other arm was hacked open and given the same scalding treatment. To the side of Thane’s face, I saw my grandmother move into my line of sight. “When you absorbed Patrick, you absorbed his connection to Merlin. Merlin was using you as a conduit. He was making you into a murderer.” I shook my head. Tried to dislodge Thane’s mouth. No. That’s not right. That couldn’t be right. Sure, he had been talking to me while I was in the Valley, but he wasn’t inside me.

Drace’s face moved over Thane’s shoulder. “She’s not lying, corcra. We have to purge the rest out of your system.” Tears gathered in her brilliant green eyes. “We’ll get you better.” I flicked my gaze to the gods and goddesses that were huddled in cowering puddles of useless goo. Back to Drace. She nodded. “I’ll make sure they don’t escape.” The same ripping and fiery torture was repeated on both legs. By the time my left leg was treated, I could feel something inside me shifting and twisting. Jerking at my insides as if scrabbling for purchase. They were right. He’d been using me. Infecting me with his hatred and anger. I tried to force the rest of it from my body. My heart. My soul. I wanted no piece of him to remain inside me. Give me the words, I pleaded with all of my men to help me. Tove relayed the message to Ari. Ari popped up beside Thane’s shoulder again. “You’re there? You can hear me.” I flicked my eyes up and down in a show of acknowledgement. She smiled. “Use your release and restore spell.” She tapped Thane’s shoulder. “Let her go. All of you stand back.” She took Thane’s place, pulled me into her body. “Say it, garinion. Say it now. Please.” “Quod restituo dimittere,” I said as I folded my hands against my chest. Power of such intensity rocketed through me that I could have sworn I was lit up like a star. A high pitched scream rang through my mind as my ghostly hitchhiker was finally banished. I slumped against my grandmother as the spell ran its course. I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone feel my legs. I was scooped up into someone’s arms. Their scent was familiar, but not their touch. I wrenched my eyelids open one last time. Drace smiled down at me. “I’ve got you, girlfriend. Go to sleep. We’ll be here

when you wake up.” My eyes drifted shut as my brain slid into the void of blessed nothingness.

Chapter 21 – Tagan

I fisted my hands to keep from yanking Cheeks out of Drace’s arms and into my own. She was mine and we’d almost lost her. Again. Drace carried our mate into the house. I turned on the gods who thought to make a game with our lives. Calling to my dragon, I let him out to play. The wrenching pleasure of my hybrid body saturated my senses. “Stand up,” I said softly. The rumble of my voice in my chest never ceased to amaze me. My dragon was badass and I was glad he was mine. They stumbled to their feet. All except the blonde goddess. She was dead. My girl had killed a goddess. Here was hoping we didn’t have a lot of backlash from that unfortunate circumstance. I fought not to kick the dead woman’s body. They better not get in our faces about it. They’d brought this onto themselves. The two giant men slumped against each other while they left Brigid to manage on her own. All three swayed slightly. Their skin had been eaten away in different places while bruises bloomed over the remainder of their exposed flesh. Hair stood on end from the lightning bolts Cheeks had sent into them. I clenched my teeth. I needed to do this. For Cheeks. For us. For humanity. “It seems you’ve been bitchslapped by the woman you thought to use as a pawn.” Well, that hadn’t come out as politic as I’d planned, but it was the truth. “Leave us alone. Leave humanity alone. Go off into the great unknown where you can’t bother anyone else. I have a feeling that if you cause a ruckus again, that my girl is going to put you down for good.” I nudged their fallen sister with the tip of my shoe. “What about Merlin?” Brigid asked in a hoarse voice. I shook my head. “Again, my girl kicked your asses. I think we’ll worry about Merlin on our own.”

Brigid stuck her nose in the air. “See that you do. All consequences will be yours to suffer.” Ari came over. “No. They won’t. Don’t forget, sister, that I ed the Originals—our parents. They are quite upset with you. If Hollyn and her mates fail, the responsibility rests on your shoulders.” The two dudes and their bitchy sister stiffened. “Well, that’s decidedly unfair,” the guy with the piercing blue eyes said. His lower lip stuck out as he dusted at the crap on his pants. I growled low in my throat. “Unfair? As if you’re all children who have been disciplined?” My dragon rushed forward. Met the barrier of Cheeks’ blood inside me. The power of him smashed through me. Fire and acid spewed from my mouth. It landed on all three of them. They danced in place as suffering suffused their features. The smell of melting flesh was a distinct one I’d hoped to never experience again after the war. I inhaled deeply this time. They’d earned it. Deserved it, even. “Speak like that in our presence again, I’ll burn you until nothing is left, then piss on your ashes.” My dragon had full command of our shared voice. He was pissed, just like me. “My granddaughter will you with further directions once she’s recovered,” Ari said. “I suggest you find some acolytes to help you heal.” With that, she turned on her heel and moved back into the house. Brigid snarled after her sister. Made to lunge after her. A wall of furious dragon shifter Elders moved to block her progress. “Goddess, it seems you have reneged on your vow all those years ago. As such, we will be removing ourselves from our service to you,” the female Elder leader said. “And since you acted so dishonorably, we will ensure none of our healers are available to you in the future. Find your own damn ride home.” The Elders stood their ground as Brigid collapsed into a sobbing puddle of entitlement and impotent anger. The two male gods looked at each other, looked at the line of dragons and decided to keep their mouths shut. They simply nodded and gathered up the body of their fallen sister.

“Don’t forget your other piece of trash,” I called after them. I pointed down to Patrick’s body. “And I suggest you stop reanimating corpses. You’re not very good at it.” I slipped around the line of dragons and went back into the house.

Chapter 22 – Hollyn

I woke in the dark. For the first time in what felt like forever, nothing had invaded my sleep. No whispers. No nightmares. Nothing. Just solid, healing sleep. As my eyes adjusted, I saw that my men had left a light on in the bathroom for me. Joy and peace lit my heart. They were the best. And they were mine. A soft knock sounded at the door. I tasted the air, smiled as I recognized the energy signature. “Come on in, Grams.” Ari opened the door, a giant smile on her face. “I’ve always wanted to be called that.” She walked over to the bed. “How are you feeling?” I nodded. “Really good actually. How are you?” She spluttered a laugh. “I’m well, thank you. But then again, five days of rest and recovery will do that for a body.” I jerked. “Five days? I’ve been sleeping for five days?” I pushed the covers down my body. I was both unhappy and incredibly relieved to find that I had a pair of men’s boxer briefs—blue and red with a giant S in the middle of my pubic bone—and a white tank top on. “You did wake up a couple times. Do you not ?” Ari asked. I searched my memories. Shook my head. “No, I don’t anything except the fire of your herbs on my skin.” I lifted my arm, turned it over. A faint, silvery line ran down the length of it. I looked up at my grandmother. “Will these fade?” She nodded. “Yes. It will take some time and a bit of magic, but I think you’ve got that last part covered.” She reached out, grabbed my hand. “You were amazing. Terrifying, but amazing. What made the difference for you?”

I shrugged. “I’m not really sure. I was so tired and angry. After getting dumped back into the Valley and killing a couple people, I just felt this burning hate all the time.” I looked up at her, fought to let her see inside me. I was different. I could feel it. No longer light and happy with more love in my heart than darkness. Now, there was a simmering hole inside me. A black pit of midnight that swallowed the light of my inner stars. She pulled me into her arms. “Oh garinion, we can help with that. We can help heal you.” I bared my teeth over her shoulder at the very idea. Caught myself before something nasty could spring from my mouth. I just nodded against her. She rubbed her arms up and down my back. Hummed against my hair. With light pressure, I felt her pull starshine into her hands and lay them against me. That bubbling pit of anger slowly stopped boiling. The surface was soon as still as a forest lake without a breeze. Some part of me was angry still. Angry that she’d taken away my fire. But the bigger part of me was glad. Relieved. Comforted by the loss. Another knock sounded. I looked over. Saw my three men standing in the doorway. I smiled as I eased back from my grandmother’s embrace. “Hey.” They walked into the room. Ari brushed a kiss to my forehead. “They’ve been taking care of you all this time. I’ll let you return the favor now.” She winked at me and smiled. I chuckled. “I actually got the double entendre that time.” She giggled. “You’re very smart, Hollyn. Enjoy.” She got off the bed and walked to the door. She said something too softly for me to hear it, but whatever it was had my men smiling. Tove lifted his hand and gave my grandmother—a legit goddess—a high-five. “Way ahead of you on that one, Grams.” Grumpy crawled on the bed and pulled me into his arms. No words were spoken

as he held me. I wasn’t sure there was really anything to say. Thane ed us, pushed up against the far side of me. Pushed his nose into my hair. Sighed heavily as if a huge weight had been lifted from his chest. I pressed into their warmth. Their touch. Their love. I was home. And we had beaten Patrick. Together. “I want some lovens too, you Hollyn hogs,” Tove said from his spot at the foot of the bed. “I’m not sure bracing myself on both of you and making a Hollyn house out of man bodies is really what we’re going for here.” I chuckled. Waved him on. “Come cover me in Ladon man bodies, Tove. I can’t wait.” He snorted. “Don’t say you didn’t ask for it.” He launched himself up and over us. Cushioned as I was by Grumpy and Thane, I was spared the bony assault of his elbows and knees. Grunts, groans, and curses sounded from my two other men. “Dammit Tove,” Thane complained. “Agreed, you douche. Did you sharpen your elbows with a file or something?” Grumpy added. I giggled and snuggled down into the heated alcove they created with their long, lean forms. “I think it’s wonderful.” Thane and Grumpy snarled. “Then next time, you can be a wall,” Grumpy said. He was silent for a moment. “Never mind. That would mean I have to cuddle with one of them. I’ll endure the elbows.” I rubbed a hand down his chest. “My hero.” We were all quiet for a long time. I was just getting drowsy when Thane snaked his arms around my hips. “What happened in the Village?” I stiffened. Adrenaline flooded my system as my mind traveled back to that horrific place. I gave them a rundown of what happened. How I’d killed LucyGoo. Terrorized some of the men in the woods.

“Good. I hope you electrified their dicks off,” Grumpy said. I snickered. “I blinded them. Does that count?” He sighed. “I guess. Next time though, go for the dick. Leaves a more lasting impression.” I kissed his chin. “I’ll that.” “Doesn’t matter. You’re not going back there. At least not with those assholes ever again,” Thane said. I pushed my butt back into his lap. “I like that option better.” “How did you kill Patrick?” Tove asked after a moment. I told them. They peppered me with questions about the Veil. I shook my head. “I don’t really it. Is that weird?” I tipped my head to the side. “I can being there, but I can’t fully explain what it was like being inside it.” I hoped I was making sense. Even my memories of my time there were a little fuzzy. Like they were bubbles drying in a sink. Slowly popping one by one until all I could see were the soap scum from them. “What were you guys doing?” I asked them. Thane went into a lengthy explanation of their actions. I got caught up in the story as I listened. Smiled in victory as he told me about Ari knocking Ainsley down a couple pegs. I felt my heart seize at the idea of the Christiansens—of anyone, really—being involved in sacrifices to beyond the veil. All that was there was the Village. And having lived there most of my life, I can honestly say that Triport has a lot more going for it. I shook my head at the things people strive for. The utter inanity of some of their goals and desires. I looked at each of my men. Saw in them the totality of my heart’s desire. My entire world could crash and burn, and I would count my life a happy reality as long as they were still by my side. “Any other questions?” Grumpy asked.

I shook my head. “None that come to mind.” He smiled. It was a little strained at the corners. “Good. I need to be inside you…like yesterday.” He pushed his brothers off and pulled me under him. He swooped down and took my mouth with his. Both of us groaned. I snarled at the blankets that still covered my body, kept us apart from each other. Blankets, I said over the mate bond. As if by magic, they vanished. Along with my clothes. Pretty sure I felt some wickedly sharp claws against my skin for a brief instant before the clothing was pulled from my body. I sighed again as I finally felt Grumpy’s skin against my own. This was my heaven. Right here. Grumpy pulled back. I snarled low in my throat. “You’re not going anywhere, mister.” His chuckle was strained. “Oh believe me, none of us are leaving for a very long time. And since I’m trying to be nice, and not just shove my dick inside the tight haven of your body, I’m going to eat your pussy until you beg for more.” With that, he had one of his brothers hold my hands up over my head. He made his way down my body. Biting, nipping, and nibbling kisses that lit a fire deep inside me. “More. Give me more,” I said with a smile. He chuckled before lashing his tongue over my pussy. My call for more turned into a long moan as my legs fell open. Three groans sounded around me, a symphony of pleasure from the loves of my life. As if even their voices were somehow connected to my nerve endings, I felt the liquid heat I associated with these men slide through my core. Grumpy pulled away. Blew a stream of cool air over the wet lips of my sex.

I shuddered. Looked down at him over the length of my body. “Please, Grumpy.” His storm gray eyes sparkled with mischief before he slid one of his fingers in his mouth. He sucked so hard he hollowed out his cheeks. The slow pull of his digit from his lips ended with a loud pop. “Ask me again.” “Please, Grumpy. Put your finger inside me. I want to feel you inside me.” He leaned up, bit my thigh. “You can do better than that, Cheeks. Ask me again.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Cheeky. “Tagan, please fuck me. No games. No teasing. I’ve been so long without you inside me, I’m dying. Please, Tagan.” I can’t hold back the whine that accompanied his name. A flush claimed his face as he shoved his prepped finger inside me. He leaned down and attacked my clit with his lips and teeth. “Fuck, Hols. That was pretty begging,” Tove said next to me. He had his hand on his cock, lazily stroking himself. I bit my lip. “Toven, I want you in my mouth. I want to taste you. Feel you slide down my throat,” I purr. “Please. I want to slide my tongue all over you. I want to choke on your dick.” I looked at him, held his gaze as I begged him. “Do it, Tove. Make me gag on your cock.” His eyes went a little glassy as he watched me pleading with him. “If you’re not going to, I am,” Thane growled from his spot holding my arms. Tove snapped his teeth at his brother as he jumped into action. “Try it and die.” He straddled my chest, careful to stay out of his brother’s way at my pelvis. He lifted my head, put it on Thane’s leg. “Ready?” he asked. He gripped the base of his cock with one hand as he levered himself up to the right angle. Keeping my eyes on his, I lean up and seal my lips around the head of his dick. Hopefully he got the message. I groaned at the first taste of him. Salty, male, and all Tove. He was sexy and sweet and funny. And mine. I curled my tongue around him as he thrust between my lips.

Thane groaned. “I need inside you as well, Stretch.” I wiggled a hand. I can touch you, can’t I? He groaned again and moved slightly. He shoved a pillow under my head and curled my hand around his dick. All three of my men at one time. Was there anything better? I tried to focus on each one. Tried to split my brain enough that each of them received the best of me. My attention shattered when Grumpy added another finger to my pussy. “You’re so tight, Cheeks,” he said, his voice tinged with awe. “I can’t wait to feel you wrap around me. Milk my cock with your tight cunt.” Tove jerked in my mouth. “Sweet stars, Tag. Keep your thoughts to yourself.” He lifted his hips, changed the angle. I dropped my jaw, opened my mouth, loosened my throat. I wanted to suck him down as far as he could go. I wanted to taste him as he lost control. With my free hand, I grabbed Tove’s ass, sank my nails into his flesh. He grunted and drove just a little harder. I want to taste you. I want you to fill my mouth so I can swallow you down. I clenched my fingers into his butt. Fuck my mouth. Show me who I belong to. Even my mental voice is whiny. I need to be fucked and fucked hard. Either really fuck me or move over. Let Thane fuck my mouth. All three men groaned. “Sounds like you better get with the program, Tove, or I’m stepping in,” Thane said out loud. Tove angled away on his back stroke. He unlatched my hand from his ass and curled it around his dick. “You want to dance, sweet girl? I’ll take you dancing. Hard, tight, and fast, Hols. I want to watch your face when I come in your mouth. Pump my dick until I tell you to stop.” I felt my cunt twitch around Grumpy’s invading fingers as I tightened my fist around Tove and kept steady eye as I jerked him off. I licked my lips, ached at the loss of him in my mouth. I leaned up, put the tip of him between my lips. I swirled constantly over the underside of the head. While I pumped his

dick with my free hand, I sucked the head so hard, my cheeks hollowed as Grumpy’s had around his finger. I pulled on Tove’s cock, adding spit from my mouth to help me glide over his length. At the bottom of my vision, I saw his thigh muscles quiver for a moment. Come in my mouth, Tove. I want to taste you. I want your come drenching my tongue. I want to suck you dry and leave you spent. Fill my mouth with your come, Tove. Own my mouth, Tove. Do it. Now. Sweet fucking stars, Tove, please! He slapped my hand away and slammed his dick into my mouth. A handful of hard thrusts that brought tears to my eyes and his head fell back as he shouted his release. Finally. Finally owned by the man between my lips. I relished the salty, musky fluid that coated my tongue as I swallowed convulsively around the head of his cock. My throat muscles massaged the head as two smaller spurts signaled his finish. I lapped up the rest of his cum and wished I had more. “Sweet fuck, she liked that,” Grumpy said. He slid his fingers through my dripping sex. His fingers made a scooping motion inside me. “Look at this. She was getting off on being in charge.” He made a little humming noise in his throat. “That’s fine. She’ll still know who’s boss with me.” I snapped my teeth at him. Blew him a kiss. Being bossy was kinda fun. Probably why he liked it so much. Tove and Thane groaned long and low. Tove fell to the side. “You are so fucking sexy, Hollyn. You can tell me what to do any time you like. You blow the top of my head off.” My eyes dart to the top of his head. My brow furrows. “The top of your head is still there, Tove. I didn’t blow anything off.” All three men laugh. “He means you made him lose his mind. Blow his load. Lay some pipe,” Grumpy said from between my legs. “Come, Stretch. You made him come. A lot. And he liked it,” Thane interpreted

for me. “Oh.” I smiled. “That’s a good thing then.” Tove chuckled. “A very good thing.” I smiled wide. Happy I’d been able to do that. Glad I’d made him lose control just a little bit. He leaned up on one elbow, looked down into my face. He ran his thumb over the edge of my mouth. “Didn’t miss a drop.” He groaned and planted his lips on mine. “So fucking sexy.” He fell onto his back. He put his hands over his chest and turned his head to watch me. “Carry on, Hols. I’ll just be getting my second wind by the time these two are done.” “I’ve got to get inside her, Tag. I need her pussy,” Thane said. He lifted my hand from his cock. Sat me up. Grumpy growled. “Fine, but hurry the fuck up.” Thane pulled me up and over to the edge of the bed. Spread my knees wide. He moaned. “She’s dripping. Fucking dripping.” Grumpy snarled. “I know. So get the fuck on.” I smothered the smile that wanted to cover my mouth. “I want you in my mouth, too, Grumpy.” He pouted at me for a moment. Glared at his brother. “Yes. Because I don’t think I can wait. But I call first solo dibs, you assholes.” My chuckle escaped me before I could control it. His grumpy expression melted into a sexy smile. He leaned down, took my mouth with his. He pulled away. The grumpy expression was back. He glared at Tove this time. “Get me a glass of water. I don’t want to taste you on our girl’s mouth.” Tove chuckled and rolled off the bed. “Coming right up, Grumpy.” Grumpy flipped him off.

I laughed again. It slid into a hard groan as Thane thrust himself home inside me. His moan mingled with mine. “So fucking tight, Stretch.” He set up a slow, torturous rhythm that had every single nerve ending in my body standing up and taking note of his length. His girth. I swore I could feel every vein. Every millimeter of him in acute detail as he slowly forced his way to the hilt and then unhurriedly retreated. I clenched my deeper muscles as hard as I could. Wanting to savor the feel of him. Wanting to trap him inside me. Tove shoved a glass of water in front of my face. “Drink up, sweet girl. I’m not sure Grumpy can hold out much longer.” Thane snarled as he stopped his unhurried movements. I needed that water gone as quickly as possible. I needed a good fucking and none of these guys were giving it to me the way I wanted it. I took the glass with one hand, chugged it down as I watched Grumpy fist his cock in a tight grip. He waited until I’d drained the glass. Thane slammed back inside me. Yes! Grumpy matched the rhythm Thane set up inside me. He thumped his hips forward every time his brother did in my pussy. No! It was so slow. So agonizingly slow. I was salivating with the idea of getting to taste him. To take him in my mouth. I needed more cock. Now. I licked my lips. “Please, Tagan.” I flicked my gaze up to his. Saw the stark need on his face. I even used the name he demanded the last time. He shook his head, kept pumping his dick inches from my face. I growled. Feeling only half full was turning me into a bitch. “Tagan, now. I need you. I want to taste you.” I stuck my tongue out, hungry for the flavor of him against my tongue.

He was so close. So fucking close. But it might as well have been a mile. A single bead of moisture purled from the little slit on the head of his cock. It made my mouth water with the need to taste it. “Tagan!” I screamed. I looked up at him. His gray eyes were as bright as silver and hard as steel. He got down in my face, gripped a hand in my hair. “You can use that tone with my brothers. It doesn’t fly with me. What do you say when you want something in my bed?” His voice was hard as stone. Almost like his dick. I bit back the snarl. The threats. “Please.” He backed up, lifted his other hand, lowered it to his balls. His hips jerked as he massaged them gently in his palm. With a snarl, I reached out a hand to help. He slapped me away with a hard chuckle. “You know what you have to say.” I tried to crawl forward. I needed to taste him. To feel him sliding his length over my tongue. Thane grabbed my hips and pulled me back as he thrust deeper inside me. “Not a chance, Stretch.” He slapped his hand down on my right ass cheek. “Not until we say so.” I almost sighed at the pleasure that rough touch brought. Both of them were telling me what to do. How to touch them. When I could touch them. It was bliss and pure torture. I loved every second of it. The bark of command in Thane’s voice made a series of shudders run through me. I clenched my pussy muscles and flung myself back at him. Met him halfway. Urged him on with the call of my body. “Fuck,” Thane said. “Do that again.” I waited for him to pull back. As he finished his stroke, I pushed my body to his. The loud slap of flesh on flesh carried around the big bedroom.

His fingers bit into my hips as he yanked me back on each down stroke. Held me still as he backed up. Soon, the sounds of our love making filled the room. “Cheeks,” Grumpy barked. I looked up, my eyes heavy, my breathing labored. “Open up,” he said with a growl. My mouth dropped open as if on a weak hinge. He fed his cock into my mouth. Grabbed my hair up into a tail and began fucking my mouth in earnest. We both grunted as he hit my throat. Moaned as he slid out. I felt the tingling heaviness start in my sex. That siren’s call of urgency. Deep and pounding, it beckoned me. Please. Please let me come. I need to come. Please. Let me come. Grumpy’s laugh was dark and a little menacing. “Not yet.” I moaned at being denied. Felt the pressure inside me spike higher. Both brothers picked up their pace. They moved in sync so that I was alternately left empty and filled at the same time. It was pure heaven and sheer hell. Please, Tagan. Please. Please can I come? Thane? Please. Please, I need to come so bad. Please. Thane reached around, pinched my clit between his fingers. “No. She doesn’t get to come yet,” Grumpy said. Thane chuckled. “You might be able to hold out against her begging like that. I sure as hell can’t.” He flicked his finger over my clit and fucked me hard and fast. “Come for me, sweet girl. Come all over my cock. Squeeze me tight.” He groaned as I squeezed him as tightly as possible. “Fuck yes, Stretch!” He shouted my name as he double timed his thrusts deep inside me. The pressure inside me spiked until I felt like my toes were going to curl up and the top of my head was going to pop off.

Grumpy yanked my head back and thrust hard and fast into my mouth. My scream of pleasure was muted by Grumpy’s dick, but my reward was being filled with their essence in both my mouth and deep inside my pussy at the same time. We all stopped moving for long moments. Stretched out between the two oldest brothers, I felt my heart lift up and send pulses of magic to our personal constellation in my mind. Love, belonging, trust, acceptance…these were the gifts they gave me and I gave them in return. We were more than four people having sex. We were family. We were mates. We were bound. We were one.

Chapter 23 – Hollyn

A loud knock sounded on the door. “Now that all the hooting and hollering are done, can Hollyn come out and play?” Drace called. “No. Go away,” Grumpy yelled back, a smile on his face. He pulled from my mouth and fell sideways onto the bed. Drace thumped the door. If I wasn’t mistaken, she’d kicked it. “Not happening. It’s my turn.” She chuckled. “You know what I mean. But I kinda need my best friend for girl talk. You’ve got ten minutes before I open this door.” Thane slapped a hand to my butt, causing me to squeal. “Guess you better get in the shower.” He leaned down. Pressed his lips to the small of my back. “I’m so very glad you’re back, Stretch. Burning down the world was our next option.” He pulled out of me. I shuddered at the feeling. Felt our mixed juices slide down my leg. He groaned again. “Fuck. That’s hot.” He slid a finger up along my thigh. I shivered. Grumpy, spread out before me on the bed, his head hanging off the end, jerked up into a seated position. He smacked his lips to mine. “Next time you leave, I’m coming with you. We need to get with Ari, see about some kind of magical tracking spell.” He rolled off the bed, helped me stand. It took a minute for my legs to hold me, but I finally made it to Thane’s bathroom. I smiled as I walked through the bathroom door. Memories of the first time I’d been in here ran through my mind. I headed for the glass walled shower and turned on the water. Chuckled at the idea that I’d been afraid of the metal just a few weeks ago. The room filled with steam as I stood there. I shuddered in glee at the idea of standing beneath torrents of hot water. Every other thought vanished as I imagined it sluicing over

my body. My tired, achy body. Out in the other room, I heard the door open and the guys yell at Drace to get out. I chuckled. I’d have to give her a hard time about peeking on my men. As I ducked under the water, I figured I could give her a hard time in about thirty minutes. I truly did love hot water. Eh, she could wait at least forty minutes. Heaven shouldn’t be rushed.

Chapter 24 – Thane

I snatched my pants up my legs as Drace stuck her head in the door. Her eyes were squeezed shut. Her face was pointed up towards the ceiling. “Is she ready?” “Get the fuck out of here, Drace!” Tag snarled at her. I chuckled. “She’s in the shower. She’ll be out when she’s out. Don’t pester her. Now seriously, leave.” “Fine. I’m going, I’m going. Bunch of killjoys. You guys still have to talk to the Elders by the way. Seems they want some kind of new council to be formed?” She shut the door before I could open my mouth to comment. I looked at my brothers. “What the fuck?” They both shrugged as they pulled their clothes back on. “I’m taking a shower. I’ll be out in ten minutes,” Tove said. He strode to the door, went through. Tag soon followed after him. I didn’t want to interrupt Stretch in her shower. I knew how much she liked them. So I just cleaned up as best as I could and threw a shirt on. Walking out my door to the living room, I saw that Drace hadn’t been lying. Our living room, kitchen, and dining space had been taken over by no fewer than thirty dragons...thankfully in human form. Pretty sure our building would have collapsed with thirty full size dragons wandering about. Not to mention the destruction of our apartment. The ones who had been in the room during the debacle were seated on the couches. They were talking with Ari. Sage head nods, polite hand gestures, they were so serious and proper. I heaved a silent sigh. Well, it looked like the fun times were over. Back to work. I made a detour to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. I cracked it open, chugged it back.

I wanted a second one, but decided I should put on the front of at least trying to care that a bunch of respected old dragons were waiting to talk to me. I sighed. Oh well. I’d be able to get another one soon enough. Smacking my lips in pure bliss, I tossed the bottle and made my way to the living room seating area. “Hi. I’m Thane. Oldest of Clan Ladon. Mate of Hollyn, Star Mistress and granddaughter of Ari.” I have no idea how my father came out of my mouth with that bullshit title, but I mentally shrugged. Seemed I could do formal and proper with the best of them. Ari smothered a smile. “Welcome, Thane.” She waved me to stand beside her chair. “The Elders of Thunder Whitecloud would like to discuss a possible alliance.” She gestured to the people sitting on the couch. Four people who couldn’t look more dissimilar sat together in unity. I nodded. “I would be happy to discuss that as soon as my brothers and mate arrive. Can I get you anything to drink?” They shook their heads. “How long have you been bonded to your mate?” the woman said. I smiled. “I’m sorry. I don’t know that we’ve been introduced.” The woman jerked back as if I’d slapped her. Her white hair was pulled up in a tidy bun at the back of her head. Her skin was still unlined, but her eyes held years of experience. She blinked at me a couple times with her light brown eyes, her mouth working like a landed fish. “I-I-I apologize. I’m Esmerelda Goodwyn, Elder of Thunder Whitecloud.” I nodded. “Greetings and salutations, Esmerelda.” I turned to the man sitting next to her. He chuckled. “I’m Garreth Whitehead.” He looked to be of Asian descent, but where he’d gotten a name like Garreth was anyone’s guess. His dark hair was brushed back from his face. His dark eyes twinkled as he nodded at me. The man next to him leaned forward. “You’re not much on proper protocol. I like that. I’m Giulio Franzi.” Giulio looked like an Italian Stallion if ever there was one. I was just glad Stretch was still in the bathroom. I didn’t want this guy within fifty feet of my woman. Dark hair, light eyes, skin that looked like it had

been frequently kissed by the sun. Bastard. I nodded at him. Moved to the last person. The woman on his other side slapped his arm. Dark brown hair, she had an air of sophisticated grace about her that somehow reminded me of my mother. I felt my heart twinge with the thought. “Don’t let him know we’re approachable and nice. It ruins the whole image.” She turned to me. “I’m Sophia Marks.” She winked at me. I chuckled. “Pleasure to meet you all.” Tove and Tag came out. “These are my brothers, Tagan and Toven.” My brothers each raised a hand when I said their names. I introduced the elders. “They’re wanting to discuss a possible alliance with us.” Tag nodded as he stood behind Ari’s chair. He crossed his arms over his chest. “What do alliances entail in the dragon world?” Tove took up residence on the far side of Ari’s chair. He nodded at each person. “I’d like to know that as well. Although, no decisions will be made without our mate.” All four elders smiled, nodded. “That is wise.” Tag snorted. “Considering you probably want the alliance with her specifically, I’m sure it is.” Ari chuckled…which she tried to turn into a cough. Esmerelda chuckled. “Ari warned us that you are all plain speaking.” She nodded. “I can commend such interactions. However, there will be some that try to take advantage of it. Dragon shifters are not so different from our normal human counterparts.” I nodded. I hadn’t expected less. But we’d been doing big business for at least a decade on our own. We knew how to navigate the shark infested waters of double speak.

“As to the question Tagan raised, alliances are simply a vow to come to the aid of the other thunder if the need arises. You pledge to help us. We pledge to help you,” Garreth said. “Do we offer aid blindly?” Tag asked. Garreth shook his head. “Not at all. The dragon world is quite peaceful. Not a lot of feuding going on. However, if we call for your help, and you decide not to engage due to personal reasons, you are not allowed to engage on the other side as well.” My brothers and I nodded. I saw Drace sneak off into my bedroom. I shook my head at Finn. He just shrugged his massive shoulders. I rolled my eyes. Within moments, both girls came back out. Stretch had a towel wrapped around her head. A set of lounging pants paired with a big comfy sweatshirt that looked familiar clothed her body. I was glad she’d ed to wear clothes. She came over, stood next to her grandmother. “Greetings and salutations, Thunder Whitecloud.” She waved her hand in a wide arc. The elders returned the formal greeting. Stretch nodded. “We formally reject your offer of alliance.” She smiled as the room went crazy and then faded into strained silence. “This is not meant as an offence. But rather as a show of respect.” She looked at me, Tag, Tove. She turned back to the elders. “I’ve angered Merlin the Great. He is awakening. You should not have your first act in our alliance be to help us thwart the asshat that is Merlin.” She folded her hands and waited. I was impressed with her poise. Her clear, calm voice. She might have grown up as the unloved and tortured Village outcast, but she was made for leadership. Esmerelda cleared her throat. “If it’s all the same to you, Mistress, I’d like to

help thwart said asshat.” Stretch chuckled. “Did he get in your brain, too?” She shook her head. “It’s the worst, am I right?” Esmerelda slowly shook her head. “No, Mistress. He hasn’t. But he has cursed my family.” She looked back at the other dragons in the room. “Of the Whitecloud thunder, only ten remain of my personal clan. We are all very old. We would like to see our clan’s name and traditions continue.” Stretch jerked. “He’s killing your babies?” She got to the heart of the issue in one fell swoop. Esmerelda nodded. “In the last five centuries, all of our clan’s children have died.” Stretch snarled. “I’d be honored to have you by my side.” Esmerelda smiled. “I’d be honored to be there, Mistress.” A loud knock sounded on the door. Everyone stilled. I squeezed Stretch’s arm and went to the door. Finn and Drace at my back. I opened it. A small contingent of people stood in our private lobby. A woman stood at the front. A smile on her pretty face. “Hey, I’m Kiema Sova. This is my family. We’ve also brought along the Wardens.” She leaned forward. “They aren’t nearly as scary as their reputation makes them out. Would it be okay for us to come in? We’ve felt some rumblings in the magic around here.”

Chapter 25 – Hollyn

I heard an unknown female’s voice and rushed over to the front door. She better realize that Thane was a claimed man. I was still kind of in the mood to kick some ass, and this random chick’s would suit well enough. I pushed by Finn and Drace. “Hey, I’m Hollyn. Who are you again?” I stepped between her and Thane. Thane chuckled from behind me. “She said her name’s Kiema.” I rolled the name around in my head. It sounded more like pie-eema. What a stupid name. The woman snorted. “It is a bit of a stupid name, but it’s what I’ve got to work with. Can we come in? And before you ask, yes, I can read your mind.” Finn stepped forward. “I’ve only heard that name once. And you look much too young to be her.” Three men behind the beautiful brunette with pale gray eyes growled. Kiema rolled her eyes without turning around. “I guess it depends on what you’ve heard about me. But if you won’t take my word for it, let me get Graysten.” She rose on her tiptoes and turned around. Her long blue-black hair swayed with her movements as she looked from side to side. “Why the fuck are all of you so tall? Graysten! Front and center.” She turned back around, a smile on her face. A man stepped forward from the back. Almost as tall as Finn, he had a muscular build, deep blue eyes, with a bald head so shiny I could see the light glinting off of it. “You rang, Goddess Kiema?” I snorted. Right. Goddess. Kiema raised a single, dark brow. “Can you tell these lovely people who you are

and who I am, pretty please?” Graysten smiled. “I’m Graysten. Captain of the Wardens. This is Kiema, Goddess of –“ “Not all of that crap, Graysten. No one cares about that stuff. Just the, you know, good stuff,” Kiema said. She waved the big man on. She smiled at me again. Graysten rolled his eyes. “I really am a Warden. She really is a goddess. We alerted her as per our agreement with Azica about any unfamiliar magic usage over a certain amplitude. You set off our seers.” He glared at us. “We don’t like it when people set off our seers.” Finn edged his bigger body in front of mine slightly. “Where is your sigil?” I peeked around the mountainous man, saw Graysten pull something from his pocket. Finn took it, looked it over. He handed it back. “The Wardens are always welcome. Please, come in.” I poked him in the back. “Hey. Rude. This is our house, not yours.” I leaned around him. Stabbed a finger at the newbies. “You don’t get to come in unless I say so. Not him.” I glared up at Finn again. Grumpy, Tove, come over here, please. Bring Ari with you. Coming, Cheeks. I pushed Drace and Finn to the side to make room for my other mates and my grandmother. “You can explain yourself to her. If she agrees you can come in yo —” “Goddess Kiema, please come in,” Ari said, cutting me off. I huffed a breath. Glared at Finn again as he chuckled. “Fine. Get your asses in here. Are you here to help take down Merlin? Or are you here for the party I threw earlier?” Kiema and Graysten blinked. “That was you?” they both asked.

Kiema looked at me with a new appreciation in her eyes. She looked me up and down a couple times. “I love a good ass kicking.” Drace edged forward. “Hey, hot box, back it up. If she goes girl, I get first dibs.” Drace put her hands on my shoulders. Kiema’s entire entourage laughed out loud. Two guys in the back who looked like triplets, minus one, wiped their eyes. “Kiema going girl.” Kiema smiled. “Your claim is safe. I’m strictly dickly and quite mind numbingly happy with the ones I have.” My ears perked up. “You have more than one, too?” “Guys,” she said as she smiled and nodded. Three men raised their hands. “She’s ours.” My three men gave grunts. “The purple headed one is ours.” Kiema lifted her hand, palm out. I leaned forward. Lifted my hand. Inside I was doing a happy dance. My first stranger high-five! As soon as our hands touched, I was sucked into a world I’d never seen. Like we were standing in a sea of stars, I felt the ground undulate smoothly below me. “Now, this is a first,” Kiema said. “Where the hell are we?” I looked at her. “How should I know. I’ve never been here.” Kiema looked at me. Seemed to look inside me. “No, I guess you haven’t.” She walked around for a bit. Lifted her hand to touch one of the fiery balls of light. “Do you get your magic from the stars?” “Yes. Please stop touching them.” I wanted to bash her in the face for touching them. She dropped her hand. “Sorry. I didn’t realize they were part of you.” She gave me a smile.

“They are. Stop touching,” I snapped at her. I looked around again. “So what are we doing here?” She smiled. “You tell me. This is your spirit plane. What do you need most, Hollyn?” I knew the answer immediately. “To kill Merlin the Great so I can live the life I want.” Kiema smiled. “I don’t know that I can help with that, but I can get behind the living the life you want.” She touched her hand to my chest. “Let’s go kill us a Merlin.”

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Don’t miss the final installment of Hollyn and the Ladon Triplets in Brilliance: Circle of the Stars Book Four Releasing on November, 2020

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If you liked Hollyn and her sexy triplets, could you take a moment and go leave a review for the book on your favorite retailer? Reviews help indie authors in ways you can’t imagine. Even just a rating helps a ton.

Much love, Sadie J

About the Author Born and raised in Tornado Alley, Sadie Jacks has experience with the BDSM community, reading way too many sexy-times books, and has an unhealthy addiction to Dr. Pepper. given up her beloved Dr. Pepper. She’s trying to get in shape for her 40th birthday…in four years. And yeah, it’s probably going to take that long to do it.

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