“Very well.”
After I had the information on file, the AI guardian spoke.
“Now that I know Mercedes is in danger, I intend to sound the alarm, though neither her friends nor her family will be privy to the true details.”
“There is nothing they can do,” I said grimly.
“Oh, I wouldn’t completely rule them out. Remember, Shadow, you did not believe Mercedes would be able to help you defeat Xavier.”
“That is true, but Mercedes is an exceptional human, and exceptional humans are rarer than rain in the desert.”
“You may find out just how wrong you are.”
In the cover of the forest, I examined the list of names and addresses. It was a very short list, but the AI guardian insisted that they were the only people Mercedes would confide in something so personal. If none of them provided a lead, the guardian promised to give me more names.
I checked the time on the datapad. It was far too late to question anyone right now. They would all be asleep in their beds. My instincts screamed at me to break down their doors, yank them from their peaceful, non-caring slumbers, and demand what they knew. But those were predatory instincts. As Brandon said, I needed to be civil if I wanted to get the information I desired.
I ran through the forest. The worry and rage that I had tried so desperately to keep under control was on the verge of overpowering me along with hunger. I had not fed in a while, and I needed blood. More than that, I needed to kill.
My love. My love. What is happening to you? What is that creature doing to you? I will find you. I swear it. I will heal any damage he has done to you, and I will kill him.
An hour later, I found my prey in one of the downtrodden areas of human society. He was following a male prostitute, and I could tell by the look in his eyes and the stench that clung to him that he was not at all interested in sexual intercourse.
Neither was I.
I pulled him into an empty alley and covered his mouth so no one could hear him scream. For a moment, I deeply regretted I had not chosen a more secluded area. I wanted to hear this scum scream and pretend he was the one whose throat I would give anything to rip out. But as I always reminded myself, beggars could not be choosers.
I drank my fill and snapped his neck, reveling in the satisfaction coursing through me. But it was only momentary satisfaction. I wanted more.
My love.
I scoured the miserable slum, searching for scum, searching for humans whose eyes reminded me of Xavier, of every sadistic elite I and my friends had ever suffered under.
There. A woman who beat her children and burned them with cigarettes.
There. A teenage boy who was attempting to light a cat on fire.
There. A man who was stalking a woman and her child.
I gloried in every kill. I reveled in every drop of fear-soaked blood. And it wasn’t just scum I could kill. I could kill anything, everyone. I could wipe out this entire slum. Within hours, the streets would be strewn with corpses, and the dim lights would make the blood-smeared stone and wood as black as the unforgiving night. Kill them all, kill them all, kill them all…
Shadow. My love.
I stopped in my tracks as I was about to approach a man. An innocent man.
Then I ran.
I ran as the bloodlust and the rage pounded through my body. I ran as the voice of an angel sang through my soul.
I could not do it. Mercedes would never forgive me for taking innocent life without cause. And I would never forgive myself for violating my code of honor merely because I failed to protect my love. That failure was mine and mine alone. Innocent humans did not deserve to die because of it.
Mercedes. My love. I will find you. I swear it.
I made my way back to my apartment. The rush of the kill permeated throughout my body, begging for release. I collapsed into a chair and buried my face within my hands.
Mercedes. Mercedes. Mercedes.
A gentle purr caused me to look up. Blackhole cautiously approached me, his movements cautious and concerned. I put my hand on his head.
Take care of the bodies in these locations.
Shadow—
MOVE!
He did. When he returned, he kept his distance. Shame boiled through me when I could sense only fear and concern from him. I reached out and he immediately bounded to my side.
Please forgive me.
Nothing to forgive. What’s wrong?
Mercedes is gone.
Can I help? He asked after I told him the details.
I have no doubt that you can. Unlike me, you can walk in the daylight. I relayed to him the names and addresses of Mercedes’ friends. The sun is rising in the mortal world. Watch them. Discover the places they go. Listen in on their conversations. Listen for anything related to Mercedes and her kidnapping. I will question them when the sun sets again.
I will.
After Blackhole left, I was alone with the raging storm that was barely under control. I could not just sit here. Mercedes needed me. I needed to help her. I needed to do something. Anything.
Just as I was seriously considering going to the royal family and demanding to know if they discovered anything yet, I remembered something. The mark on Mercedes’ neck. The mark that enabled me to sense her if she was near and call her. But she wasn’t even on this planet. She was in another dimension. Could it be possible?
Perhaps not. But there was nothing more I could do.
I closed my eyes and focused.
Mercedes.
Mercedes. My love. Feel me. Feel me.
Feel me.
***
Mercedes
Eulathrin brought me supper, but frowned when she saw that I wasn’t even looking at her.
“The least you can do is thank me,” she said reproachfully.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I gave her a small nod. “Thank you.”
Her face softened slightly. “King Tarasque did not bring favorable news?”
“He wants to destroy people I love,” I said flatly. “He wants to destroy an entire species.” I lifted my head up, remembering something. “But he also claimed that he was blackmailed into it.” I glanced sharply at my siren caretaker. “Eulathrin, do you know anything about the dragon’s sacred grounds?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Did King Tarasque tell you about them?”
“No. He just mentioned them. Can you tell me about them?”
She pondered my request for a moment. “I suppose it would not be a violation of the treaty to tell you,” she allowed at last. “The sacred grounds are no secret to those who deal with the dragons. They reside in the Saw Tooth Mountains at the far end of the dragon kingdom. It is the place where all dragon kings are laid to rest. Each king possesses his own tomb, and his remains are buried along with whatever treasure he has gathered throughout his life.”
“The Pharaohs of Egypt,” I thought aloud.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Nothing. Sorry. Go on.”
“Even when a dragon king dies, he is able to retain a spiritual link to the realm of the living. If the current dragon king wishes guidance from his father or any of his forefathers, he will be able to contact him and ask for divine advice.”
“Divine?”
“Dragons believe that when a king dies, he becomes a god.”
“And…” I lowered my voice, almost afraid that we would be overheard. “…what would happen if these sacred grounds were destroyed? Can they be destroyed?”
“The dragons possess immense magical power. If anyone could threaten their sacred grounds, it would have to be a god.”
Which makes perfect sense, I thought.
I thanked Eulathrin for answering my questions and after she left, my mind raced with possibilities and ideas. If Tarasque’s claim was correct, then while he may not be a saint, he was as much a victim as I was. I didn’t blame him for wanting to do whatever it took to preserve something so sacred and meaningful to his people,
but an entire species was a devastating price to pay. There had to be a better way. Though if a god-like entity was pulling the strings, I didn’t know what.
Just as I was forcing myself to eat a few mouthfuls, my door opened and Tarasque stepped through along with his two copies.
“It’s good that you are eating. I noticed you did not touch the last meal prepared for you.”
I gave a small shrug. “I figured nothing good could be accomplished by starving myself.”
“Wise decision.” He took a step closer. “I have sent a battalion of my warriors to the vampire world. It is not an invasion,” he added in response to my panicked look. “But when they return, I will have all the information I need for war.”
I glared at him, but spoke as evenly as I could. “If you’ve come to ask for more information on the vampires, I can’t help you if you want to start a war.”
“Oh, I believe you can,” he whispered. “If your lover is a vampire, then it is inevitable that he has shared with you many secrets regarding vampire culture and perhaps even militaristic defenses.”
“I’m not telling you anything.”
His face hardened. “Then you violate our bargain.”
“The whole point of the bargain was to protect people I care about,” I all but snarled. “If you’re asking me to betray them, then it’s you who’s violating the bargain.”
“I could have your lover’s head on a pike within hours.”
The threat was like a knife in my heart, but I marched right up to Tarasque and stuck my face close to his. “I’m not telling you anything. He would never forgive me if I gave you information that could help destroy him and his people. So kindly stop wasting both of our times and stop asking me for information.”
Those green eyes, as hard and as cold as the gemstones they resembled, stared me down, willing me to obey. I stood firm, refusing point-blank to cringe.
“You have remarkable passion,” he said at last. “And loyalty. I have watched humanity for centuries, but I have never seen humans exhibit such admirable qualities.”
“Maybe you were watching the wrong humans,” I suggested. “I’ll be the first to admit that we can be incredibly despicable, but not all of us are like that.” I frowned slightly. “Have you visited our world before? How exactly does that Mirror device of yours work?”
His handsome features grew considering. “You desire information on me? On my kind?”
“Yes, but I don’t want it if the price is information on the vampires.”
“It is not. The price is information on you and your kind. It is only fair.”
“I suppose it is.”
“Do you agree?”
I nodded.
“Then I’ll have Eulathrin bring you a new set of clothes. We will have our discussion in a more open environment. I do detest being in enclosed spaces for long even when I am in a body that is designed to be acclimated to them.”
That last sentence left me deeply curious, but I didn’t ask any further questions. Ten minutes later, Eulathrin came back with new clothes as Tarasque promised. This set consisted of a pale platinum-colored gown that dipped low in the back and swirled around my ankles. The matching slippers were so soft and comfortable, I felt I could dance in them for hours and my feet wouldn’t hurt in the slightest.
As I brushed my hair in front of a mirror, I carefully planned my strategy. In actuality, it was the same strategy I used when dealing with the pain of abused women and the pain of Shadow. I couldn’t just blurt out that I intended to help. Trust and the beginning vestiges of friendship had to be gained first. However, I also needed to acknowledge that Tarasque’s dilemma was far different. He was being blackmailed by a god. Could anything be gained for myself, vampires, or Tarasque if I gained his trust?
I quickly brushed such questions away. While they were by no means meaningless, all they served to do now was distract me. And I had to do something. The king of the dragons wanted to talk to me and was willing to confide in me for a reasonable price. That had to count for something.
Eulathrin led me out of my room after I finished getting ready.
“Remember to be respectful,” she reminded me as she led my down a hallway. I nearly got distracted by a magnificent mural that featured a beautiful field of alien flowers that were being tended to by small creatures that looked like a cross between a hummingbird and a fairy. “And do not lie. He will know if you do.”
I nodded. I was grateful for Eulathrin’s genuine concern for me, though we had known each other for barely a day. Much as I hoped for escape, it was nice to have a companion whom I could hopefully call a friend in the future.
At the end of the hallway, I noted with deep curiosity that the golden dual doors up ahead featured the same hummingbird/fairy creatures from the mural. In fact…those creatures had also been carved into the mirror frame in my room.
“Eulathrin, what’s the name of that flying creature that’s carved in the door?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you when, if you come back,” she replied, which was not a comforting answer.
The doors swung open and I was almost blinded by the sunlight. When my eyes adjusted, I found myself gaping at what could only be El Dorado, the legendary city of gold.
“Forgive me, I forgot to introduce you,” Eulathrin said in an amused voice. “Welcome to Sirenum Scopuli, the golden capital of the siren kingdom.”
Sirenum Scopuli. The history lover in me instantly remembered the name the Roman poets gave to the mystical island of the sirens.
“It is magnificent,” a deep, male voice said to my right. “But this is not where we will have our discussion.”
I jumped, not realizing that Tarasque and his copies had been standing right there.
He held out his hand to me.
“Come.”
With several misgivings I took it. I said a quiet goodbye to Eulathrin who placed her hard-scaled hand gently on my arm before going back inside. Suddenly I felt very alone.
***
Tarasque
My warriors would give their first report within four days, so there was time to spend as I pleased. Right now I wanted to know what Necoc Yaotl meant by this human girl being a key to dragon victory. Since he made it clear that he had no intention of telling me how, I had to find out for myself. I would never admit so aloud, but the prospect pleased me, despite the immense frustration the girl always ignited in me when I spoke to her.
But I have what I want, I thought as I led her through the Mirror portal. I have a creature from one the worlds I longed to visit for centuries. A deeply fascinating creature. Not to mention a lovely creature…
I stared at the girl, who was now gazing in awe at the heavens surrounding her. The siren dress fit her very well, and her hair flowed behind her in the breeze. In my human body, I desired her in ways I would never desire her in my natural dragon form, which was dangerous. Such urges could cloud my mind and give her an advantage in our battle of wills. But I could not speak to her in my natural form. I would only succeed in frightening her to death.
“Where are we?”
“The Saw Tooth Mountains,” I replied. “They reside in my kingdom.”
Mercedes looked to the sky above, then at the red-brown stone beneath her feet.
“We are quite safe,” I assured her.
She looked at me curiously. “If you’re that uncomfortable as a human, then why not talk to me in your true form?”
“You would die of fear,” I stated bluntly. “I have seen the tallest of your human structures. As a dragon, I could crush them as easily as you could crush a bird’s egg.”
Her eyes flickered to my copies. “So that’s where your excess mass goes.”
She was highly perceptive, I noted. I would have to use excess caution from now on when speaking to her.
“Yes,” I said, knowing it would be pointless to deny it.
She nodded and sat down on a rock. “Then I’ll let you ask the first question.”
>
That boldness again. That fire. My human body stirred. I carefully sat down opposite of her.
“You will answer the question I asked during our first meeting,” I said. “Why are you different from other humans?”
She blinked, surprised. “I was taught to embrace compassion, to think of others.”
“Then your parents are like you?”
“Yes. But in a lot of ways, they’re different.”
Now it was my turn to be surprised. “Your parents did not raise you to be exactly like them?”
“No.”
“Why would they not? That is the duty of all parents.”
“A parent’s duty is to help their children fulfill their true nature,” she said. “To follow the path of their choosing.”
“Then your parents may as well teach you to disgrace them.” Disgust tinged my voice. “What if you should choose the wrong path?”
“What is the wrong path?” she countered.
“The path that does not honor your mother. Your father.”
She was quiet for a moment. “You seem to hold parents in very high regard.”
“As anyone with an ounce of sense and honor should,” I declared. “The gifts and memories of our forefathers drift down throughout the generations. Their arms are everlasting. They will always touch the ones of the future, no matter how far away they are.”
“That’s true,” she said. “We do owe our ancestors a great deal.”
“We owe them everything.”
“We don’t owe it to them to repeat their mistakes,” she said sharply. “We learn from them, but to try to imitate them to the extent you’re describing…how would we be able to embrace our individuality?”
“Perhaps I was wrong about you,” I said coldly. “Perhaps the humans I watched those thousands of years ago are more admirable than you. They at least knew what they owed their ancestors. They knew they could never let familial traditions die. You on the other hand--you all but sneer at your ancestors.”
“You assume that just because I know that they aren’t infallible?” She was incredulous. “Our ancestors did terrible things. They killed and tortured countless innocents. They were selfish, greedy, and narcissistic. I thought you hated those qualities in humans.”
“I do,” I said. “But you dismiss all of your forefathers, not merely the despicable ones. I trust you at least honor your own father?”
“I love him,” she said, and the firmness in her voice could not be denied. “I want to make him proud of me. I hope I have. When I was young…I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to.”