Ardyn & Zaria Page 11

  “Yeah, no thank you.” Jax pulled the coat tighter around his body. “The last time you did that, I lost an eyebrow!”

  “Hmm, I would have thought you were fire retardant!” Zaria burst out in laughter and the others joined her.

  “I’m glad you all are finding such pleasure in my misery.” Jax rolled his eyes as he blew warmth into the palms of his hands.

  “Such rowdy laughter during such a serious time.” The large man walked up with two massive bears at his side. Bukai stood at six feet six inches. His broad shoulders and strong arms told of the fighter he was, his bulging belly told that it had been quite some time since he’d actually been in a fight.

  “Bukai.” Jenai did a small bow, a show of respect for the polar bear king. “Thank you for seeing us.”

  “Well, of course. I have been waiting for you.” He eyed the group. “Magua was right, this is an interesting collection of fools!” His belly-boasted laughter rang out around them. “Well, let’s head on inside. No sense in discussing things in the cold. That little one looks like he might pass out.” He pointed at Jax before letting out another boisterous laugh.

  Bukai led them on foot to the massive gates of ice that stood as the barrier between Artiqua and the rest of the world. As they approached, the barrier opened. On the other side was more snow and ice; the city itself was far off into the distance.

  “Oh, more walking, great!” Jax complained.

  “That would be funny, watching you chatter your way through miles of ice, but I’m in a much more generous mood.” Bukai waved his hand to the right were four sleds sat waiting.

  “Whose about to pull those things?” Jax frowned.

  “These things, as you put it, were a gift from my third wife. She was a beautiful enchantress who hated to walk.” He climbed onto the first sled and it came alive. The ground beneath it lit with blue light and the magic that moved it left a pattern of swirls and stars in the ice.

  Oh, thank god!” Jax jumped onto the second sled which woke up in the same fashion, lifting from the ground.

  ”He really is a mess.” Zaria shook her head and the rest of the group boarded the sleds.

  “All right, hang on!” At the sound of the king’s voice, the sleds shot off. Snow and ice rushed past them as their vehicles rushed to the city limit. The group that was being quickly transported, held on to the sides of the sleds for dear life while trying to breathe against the assault of air. Once there, they slowed down to a speed that didn’t restrict the use of one’s lungs.

  “Son-of-a-“ Jinn choked out when the sleds slowed down and Jenai snorted at the expression on his face.

  “Sorry, that never gets old!” Bukai gave Jenai a high five as the rest of the group fought to catch their breath.

  The sleds carried them through the heart of Artiqua. Massive igloos were constructed to house both homes and businesses. The streets were busy with people who went about their lives, shopping, working, and riding snowmobiles. The only ones in their animal form were the guards who paroled the city and its borders. As the king passed, everyone stopped and addressed him with a curtsy, a bow, or a salute.

  The bear’s castle was a massive structure that took up twice the space of even the most elaborate of mansions. Though Bukai usually presented himself in his human form, his predecessor enjoyed spending much of his time as an oversized bear. It made him feel more powerful, so the building was constructed to allow him to roam without tearing down the palace. From time to time, Bukai would act as the old king did and let his beast take over. It was a freeing experience.

  Three bears joined them as Bukai led them through the halls past large portraits of bear kings, current and past. Even those before the world found out about magic. Each painting depicted the king in both forms. They rounded a corner where a set of double doors stood. The two guards pulled the doors open and Bukai waved them in.

  The group filed into the large room that was lined with plush seating. A massive television hung on one side of the room displaying an old movie about vampires. Sitting at the center of the room on top of a large pile of pillows and snuggling with a cub, was the lost fae girl.

  “Praia?” Jinn’s voice echoed in the room and her head snapped from the screen to the group who had filed in behind him.

  “Jinn!” She jumped up, bounded over to him, and landed in his arms with a hug that nearly strangled the life out of him.

  “You’re safe.” He wrapped her hanging form in his arms and smiled as her scent filled his lungs. “I have been worried about you.”

  “I am. What the hell are you doing here?” She still clung to his neck. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “I … we, came to rescue you.” He nodded to the group behind him. “Thanks for calling, by the way.”

  “Rescue? Who said I needed to be rescued? I’m tough, I can take care of myself. Wait. Rick?” She saw the man over his shoulder and released her hold on Jinn. Ignoring everyone else there, she lowered herself to the ground and walked over to him. “You came, too.” She smiled as he held his hand out to her.

  “Yes, I couldn’t bare thinking about you out here, hurt. But you’re okay.” Rick pulled her into his arms and wrapped his strength around her.

  She lifted onto her toes to nuzzle his neck. “I am,” she whispered. “Thank you for coming after me.”

  “Oh, so he gets a thank you,” Jinn scoffed.

  “Yes, he does.” Praia winked at him. “All of you do.” She looked at the faces, familiar and not, and landed on Nitara. “Oh, you’re alive!”

  “Yes, I am. And I’m told I owe you a great deal for that. You risked your life for me. Thank you.” Nitara softened as she witnessed the loving nature of the girl.

  “I did what anyone would have.” Praia shrugged, of course she wouldn’t make a big deal of her sacrifice.

  “Not anyone,” Jax laughed.

  “Well, anyone with balls.” Praia laughed, kissed Rick on the cheek, and returned to the cub who whined for her attention.

  “Are you planning on explaining all of this to us?” Jinn followed her along with everyone else who took seats around her. “We came here to find you, and trust me, I am happy you’re okay, but you’ve been gone for a long time. I’ve tried to reach you so many times.”

  “I know, I’m sorry.” The cub climbed back into her arms and licked the palm of her hands. “Things just happened so quickly, and I lost my charm in the ocean. I wanted to reach out to you, but it just wasn’t safe.”

  “Why? Why wasn’t it safe? Why are you here?” Ardyn questioned, and Praia raised a brow.

  “And you are?” Praia didn’t like having to explain herself, especially to someone she didn’t know.

  “Ardyn is a friend,” Nitara explained. “He is djinn, like us.”

  “Right, okay. Well, Ardyn, there is a warlock here. His name is Clay and he is tied heavily into the magic that Daegal used. I believe that he is trying to pick up where Daegal left off. I know you all may have sensed his magic here, it’s familiar yet not. That is because Clay worked closely with Daegal, he was something of an apprentice to him. With Daegal out of the way, we think that he is trying to fill those shoes.”

  “How do you know any of this?” Ardyn questioned, and frowned at Jinn and Nitara who shared a worried look with Bruto.

  “After I fell in the ocean. The djinn that was with me … something happened. It was like a piece of him became merged with me. I feel different … I am different. I don’t feel the moon like I used to.” She twisted her arm and the skin glowed in an array of colors. “I’m not djinn, but I don’t think I’m fae anymore either. I felt lost, afraid, but the second I came to the shore here, I knew there was more that I had to do. The djinn, the one I pulled into the ocean, he wasn’t created by Daegal, he was created by Clay, which is why I think he was able to die. Clay isn’t as strong as his teacher was. I can feel that. When the djinn died, his connection to Clay shifted to me.”

  “You’re connected to him?” Jinn stoo
d from his seat. “How?”

  “I’m not sure how, it is faint like an echo of him, but it drew me here.”

  “What does this mean?” Rick was worried. “Is she going to be okay?”

  “We don’t know. So far, she seems fine, just her magic has changed.” Bukai rejoined the conversation and pointed at the cub in Praia’s lap. “I can tell you that this little bugger hasn’t gotten his close to anyone before. Hell, he snaps at his own mother and refuses to return to his human form. His shift triggered at a very early age and no one could get him to calm down. He was tearing this place apart until Praia arrived.”

  “Changed in what way?” Jinn spoke to Bukai as Praia was busy rubbing the cub’s belly who sneered at Rick when he dared to get closer.

  “Well, for one, as stated, she isn’t connected to the moon as the source of her power. She can no longer feel her people or they her. Her magic was sporadic at first, but in time she has learned to control it. She is able to conjure things, but not at a level that one would expect from a djinn.”

  “Yeah, not once have I been able to make a steak.” She frowned.

  “How do you feel, Praia?” Nitara asked.

  “I feel fine. I feel ... strong, healthy, just not quite centered. I’ve been trying to study up on what’s happening to me, but there really isn’t much information available about something like this.”

  “I wouldn’t imagine there would be.” Nitara knelt beside her and scratched the cub’s head who purred and Bukai laughed. She wrapped her arm around the young fae. “You sound a lot like Ardyn and Zaria when they were both changed. Your magic will become stronger as it settles in. We can help you.”

  Jinn watched Nitara with Praia and felt his heart tighten. “Yes, Praia, we will help you with this,” he agreed.

  “Great, but really the concern right now isn’t me or my wonky magic. We need to focus on Clay, and with you all here, that will be a lot easier to do.”

  “You said he is here, is he close?” Ardyn wanted as much information as possible. Now that Praia was found, it was clear that their journey wasn’t over. Still, he wanted to move forward as quickly as possible.

  “Yes, bear territory is as close as I could get without risking that he would find me. There is something about this place that blocks the connection. I can feel him, but it is a dull ache, not as intense. I think he’s trying to call me, to make me join him.”

  “Calling you?” Rick stepped closer and frowned as the cub who purred for Nitara sat up and growled.

  Praia nuzzled his head and whispered an apology to Rick.

  “Yes, I think that there is another like me and he or she is with Clay. This is why I imagine that Clay wants to do what Daegal was attempting. Only, with a daughter of the moon, it would be much easier to accomplish.”

  “How many djinn do you think there are now?” Zaria asked. “It sounds like Daegal and this Clay guy were just creating them left and right.”

  “Yes, but there is something different now. Clay’s thoughts after everything happened were dark and full of regret. The last ones they created were rushed. Daegal and his minion were gripping for anything to save their asses.”

  “That would explain why the three of you have such struggles.” Nitara looked at Praia, Zaria, and then Ardyn when she spoke. “When it was us, Daegal was methodical, he was precise, he stalked us for years making sure he chose the right person. He tested us endlessly to point of driving us mad with guilt or grief. What’s happening now, is so different from that. This, Praia, was a rushed experiment with no real thought. We don’t know what that makes her, but she like you two aren’t completely like us.”

  “Rushed experiment, ouch.” Praia flinched and moved away from Nitara.

  “I’m sorry, I didn't mean it that way.”

  “It’s the truth. But hopefully we can use it in our favor. Do you think that he can control you?” Ardyn asked. “If he can, then it may be best if you steered clear of him.”

  “No, I have heard him in my mind, trying to command me to do things, but it just is this nagging sound. More annoying than anything. Not once have I really wanted to do what he said. I’ve never lost control of my actions because of his request.”

  “Good, if it’s like that now, it will only lessen. When we were made, Daegal’s command took precedence over everything else even without a vessel to keep us locked away. But over time, the vessels were necessities, his command meant nothing without them,” Jinn offered.

  “So you think it’s because she is unbound?” Zaria questioned. “Daegal was unable to bind me, same with Ardyn, but what if Clay finds a way to tie her to a vessel?”

  “Possibly, but I say we take this Clay guy out before he has a chance to test the theory.” Jinn wasn’t about to allow Praia to go through what he and the others had.

  “I’m down for that,” Rick growled as he found his way back to Praia, pulled her from the cub who growled and then clung to Nitara, and wrapped her in his protective hold.

  “I’m so glad you’re here.” She lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek.

  “So, when do we strike?” Jax, who had been slowly warming up, joined the conversation. “I mean no offense here, but I’m ready to get out of the freezer. Even inside of this place, it’s just too damn cold.”

  “None taken. We know you reptiles tend not to have the thick skin of our kind.” Bukai picked up the cub who swiped at his face. “Feisty one, I can’t wait to see what you grow to be!” He handed the young bear to a nanny who came to retrieve him.

  “Or the built-in fat lining,” Jax jabbed back and the bear king laughed.

  “I always did like you dragons! Follow me, this is no place to discuss such matters in detail.” The king led them out of the common space and into his council chamber where they could sit and discuss things properly. “Tell me, how is the dragon king? It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen him.”

  “You know my father?” Jax was shocked by the admission.

  “Oh yes, he has visited a time or two. You know, he used to have a wayward eye. Had a thing for my sister at a time,” he reminisced as they walked.

  “Learn something new every day. I’ll have to make sure to mention that when I get home!” His father had always given him shit about loving a woman what wasn’t a dragon, now he would have ammo ready for the next time the old man got on his case.

  “Ah, here we are. Please, everyone, have a seat.” Bukai took the head of the table in the massive seat which he easily filled while the others seemed to be swallowed by their chairs. Bruto, however, expanded his size to fill the chair, making him bigger than them all.

  “Really?” Jinn laughed. “Is that really necessary?”

  “Hell, I’m just getting in a good stretch.” Bruto waggled his brows and his laughter filled the room.

  “This guy is ridiculous.” Rick pulled Praia’s chair closer to him. She, instead, left her seat to join him in his, where she could snuggle into his side. He kissed her head and then straightened when he caught Jax watching them.

  “Okay, so let’s get down to business.” Bukai pounded the table with his paw and the large center raised into a topographical map of their territory. A point just north of their borders lit in red. “This, just outside of the freezer,” he winked at Jax, “is where we believe our pal is. There has been some unusual activity there, and a few of our winged scouts have reported that all native wildlife has fled the area. Whatever he is cooking up, he’s not wasting any time in getting it done.”

  “What’s our best tactic?” Ardyn stood and leaned over the map, studying both the image it displayed and the inner workings of the tech that created it.

  “Odds are, he knows we’re coming. We’re not sure if this connection with Praia works both ways or if he is able to monitor her, so we’re operating as if he is expecting us. And if he isn’t … well, that just plays in our favor. We’re going to hit him from all sides. Bears to the south and east, felines to the north and west. And with you a
ll here that just adds another element. While he is defending his borders, you can drop dead center.”

  “You mean you want us to go in there blind?” Bruto also peered at the map when the points he spoke of lit up in shades of blue and green.

  “Yes, that is exactly what I mean.” Bukai grunted and waited for any other protests.

  “You have to be joking, right?” Jinn questioned. “You want us to just drop in on the guy who learned everything he knows from a man who not too long ago tried to destroy the world, and nearly succeeded?”

  “Are you frightened? His defenses will be down. He’ll be expecting an attack from outside.”

  “That is, unless he can listen in on this little conversation.” Bruto eyed Praia.

  She jumped from her seat. “I’m not a radio!” “How do you know that?”

  “I don’t, but damn, if he could do that I think he would have already made his move. Besides, being here dulls that. At best it would be muffled.”

  “Still, I think it's best if we went further with planning without Praia here. No offense, but it's not worth the risk.” Ardyn agreed with Bruto and the others nodded.

  “I agree,” Jinn stayed, and Praia looked hurt. “We can fill you in as we go, but if there is a chance that he can get the information ahead of time, that will hurt us.”

  “I have to say I agree as well.” The bear king added his vote with the others.

  “Don’t worry, I will come with you.” Rick comforted her and stood. “Jax can fill me in later.”

  “You know, this is really jacked up.” Praia rolled her eyes until a plate appeared on the table in from of her, loaded with perfectly seared cuts of steak. “Okay, you’re forgiven!” She beamed a Jinn, picked up the plate, and bounced out of the room with Rick on her tail.

  “Are you sure that everyone is in place?” Ardyn asked the bear king as they all climbed aboard the magical sled that would transport them back to the city’s edge.

  “Yes, we just received word from Magua, his people are positioned. He was also able to gain a few allies in the lion dens as well as the birds, so don’t be shocked to see them over head.”