Chapter 44
From the time Kieran had called and told them to stay in their room, Fionn knew something bad had happened and it had to do with his father.
The clues were all there—first, he didn’t leave Scotland the next day as planned; second, Miss L had been their constant babysitter; third, the sudden appearance of Logan’s brother Cody and his mate Dylon, his court-appointed guardians; fourth, the disappearance of Slate; fifth, Groose scanning their suite for bugs; sixth, all the secret meetings in the suite Dakota and Slate used to be in until Dylon moved in there—but no one had yet told him exactly what his father had done.
The lack of knowledge was driving him crazy since he couldn’t protect himself if he didn’t know what he was protecting himself against. Fionn wished he could trust Kieran as Theo and Norman did, content to follow their friend’s instructions, but after years of not trusting anyone except his mother, it was a leap of faith too far.
Finally, Fionn could take no more. Threatening to leave unless someone told him what was going on, he found himself sitting in Dylon’s suite with his friends as Kieran explained everything that had happened since that night.
Bone-chilling numbness came over Fionn as he listened with increasing horror to the latest attempt by his father to obtain control of his hoard.
Attacking Fionn, he could understand and deal with, but attacking a member of the Blackwood Pack—the ones who saved him, had shown nothing but kindness, and never blamed him for bringing the shitstorm that was his life into their world—was just too much.
Hatred and anger rushed through Fionn’s veins, its intensity so strong dragons had a special name for it—ice fire.
And Fionn knew there was only one way he could purge it.
Listening to the plan to save Slate, Fionn figured out the perfect time for him to put his own plan into action.
Tonight, after the group left to get Slate, he’d have the freedom he needed to end this once and for all.
Suppressing a shudder, Fionn knew if his father ever found out about his friends, it would make Slate’s ordeal look like a walk in the park.
Studying his friends’ faces, he etched them in his memory, grateful to have known what true friendship was and willing to take the drastic step to make sure his friends were safe forever.
Never again would he be the cause of someone’s pain.
And never again could his father ever threaten his friends.
~/~/~/~/~
Dylon stood on the hotel roof, briefing his men, making sure each knew what to do and when—timing was critical to the success of the mission.
Then, ordering everyone onto Logan’s back, he climbed up, gave the word and felt the dragon’s powerful wings lifting them off the roof, gaining altitude and heading for Daroonga Castle.
This night was even darker than before; menacing storm clouds hung low over the land, making it perfect for Logan’s black dragon to fly the shortest route, invisible to any human who happened to look up.
The last thing Dylon needed was someone snapping a photo of a dragon flying low overhead and posting it on social media.
The High Council would get wind of it and start an investigation that would lead to questions he couldn’t answer without giving away Logan’s gift.
Luckily, Daroonga Castle was less than forty miles from the Scottish Wolves’ village; Angus and his men shifted and headed out shortly after Dylon left Edinburgh.
Angus had assured Dylon he and his men would have plenty of time to eat and rest after their run to the castle before taking on the mercenaries in their wolf forms.
Spying the clearing for Logan to land on, Kieran raised his arm to alert everyone they would soon be on the ground. Macushla, are you all right?
Yeah, I’m really getting the hang of flying.
It’s my favorite way of traveling! I love having a powerful beast under me.
You mean in you, right, mo anan cara?
That, too!
After Logan landed and everyone was off, he shifted, hugged and kissed his mate, then asked Dylon, “Are Angus and his men in place?”
“Yes, Angus waved to me when you flew over the clearing he was in,” answered Dylon, then added, “Any final questions?…No?...Okay, let’s go.”
Cody gave Dylon a final hug and kiss before he turned invisible. Walking over to Logan, he poked his arm and said, “You’re next, bro.”
“Shit, Cody, that’s amazing,” Logan said, as he shifted into a hooded crow. Flying up to Kieran’s shoulder, he gave him a peck on the cheek and waited for the word to go.
“Remember, Cody,” emphasized Dylon, “Logan will be near you at all times so if there’s a problem, call out his name and he’ll shift to protect you immediately.
Once inside, unlock the front door, then follow Logan who’ll lead you to Slate.
As soon as you find him, let me know.” Then, turning to Logan, he said, “Remember, I need you back here as soon as possible. “Now go, Angus’s men are already at work taking out the guards.”
Cody petted the crow on Kieran’s shoulder, before running toward the window Logan previously discovered was open.
Looking up he saw Logan fly ahead and circle back to him several times before he finally reached the opening.
Hauling himself up and through the window, Cody landed with a thud; the floor was further down from the window than he expected.
Remaining still, he listened for any footsteps that might signal someone coming to investigate the noise.
Hearing none, he followed Logan to the front door and unlocked it.
After reconnoitering several hallways, the crow gave a soft squawk and Cody followed him down one of them that led further into the castle and ended at a heavy wooden door.
Quietly opening it, Cody saw stone stairs leading down into darkness and began to descend them.
Reaching the bottom, he saw a burning torch at the far end of a corridor lined with steel doors.
Heading for the door that was lit by the torch, Cody saw Logan perched on a hook with a ring of keys hanging from it.
Grabbing them, Cody began to try each key, without success, until he reached the third from last and finally heard the lock click open. Opening the heavy door, Cody gasped.
Quickly shifting, Logan rushed in, growling to Cody, “Help me get him down!” He grabbed Slate around the waist, lifting him to take the weight off his arms as Cody grabbed a key hanging on the wall and unlocked the silver cuffs that kept Slate from shifting.
Logan lowered Slate to the floor, then checked to see if he was breathing.
“I have to go for help,” Logan said. “He’s barely alive.
” Turning and taking a step, Logan shifted into the crow and flew out of the castle, heading for the clearing.
Listening to Cody describe Slate’s condition through their mind link, Dylon addressed the group who had remained with him.
“They found Slate…he’s still alive…barely.
Logan is on his way back. When he gets here, he’ll shift into his dragon and fly us to the front door of the castle, which is open.
Once we’re inside, Kieran’s spirit will lead you to Slate so Colton and Dakota can help him.
After I find and take care of the two mercenaries I’ll join you. Any questions?”
They were shaking their heads “no” as Logan’s crow landed and shifted into a dragon. Dylon said, “Logan, after you leave us at the castle, take to the air and see what you can do to help Angus.”
After everyone scrambled up, Logan took off, his powerful wings propelling him quickly to the front of the castle where his passengers debarked and ran through the front door. Then he lifted off, circling the castle, before locking on to a group of wolves in combat.
Swooping in low, Logan roared, his fire lighting the night sky, signaling the Scottish wolves to break off the fight and head for the safety of the woods.
Then, circling back he came in low, aiming for the mercenary wolves.
With a deafening roar, Logan spewed his deadly fire into their midst. Within minutes, all were ashes.
He flew on, seeking and destroying as many stragglers as he could until, at the end, Angus and his men shifted and stood naked, fists raised, in the clearing at the front of the castle.
Dipping a wing in a salute, he flew off to land at a clearing in the woods.
After shifting, Logan fell to the ground, shaking his head at the image he’d seen when Cody opened the door to Slate’s cell.
Anger furiously raged through his body at the shifters who would savage another shifter like that.
That picture, along with the smell of blood, would remain with him for the rest of his life.
The hanging figure that no longer resembled a person; there wasn’t an inch of Slate’s body that remained unmarked by a whip.
Finally with the help of his spirit, his anger receded and he was able to stand.
And when he heard Kieran calling him through their mind link, he took off running to his mate who he knew would sooth his soul.
Inside the castle, Dylon followed the scent of the two mercenaries who had worked Slate over.
There wasn’t any way those two assholes were getting out of here alive.
He knew that, by now, Angus and his men were surrounding the castle, preventing their escape.
Navigating to another long hallway, Dylon came to an archway, behind which was a circular, stone staircase leading up.
Sniffing, and confirming his prey had passed this way, he proceeded up scores of steps, ending within one of the castle’s turrets.
Now he faced a thick, heavy steel door looking as if it belonged to an age long ago.
Cowards, fucking cowards! Dylon had run into shifters like this before, who let others do their fighting.
Examining the door for a weak point, his eyes zeroed in on the old fashioned, rusty hinges he knew would yield to his Herculean power.
Taking a couple of steps back, he lunged forward, hitting the door with his body, hearing a loud clang when the door fell into the room.
Regaining his balance, he stood with his legs apart, his massive arms outstretched, blocking the way out for the two snarling wolves staring at him.
When the first wolf charged, Dylon waited calmly before quickly stepping aside, turning, and grabbing the wolf by his neck, snapping it.
Letting the wolf fall to the floor, Dylon turned his attention to the other asshole that leapt on top of him, sinking his massive teeth into Dylon’s forearm.
Clasping the wolf’s snout, Dylon pulled on it until the teeth were out of his arm, then twisted the head until he heard the cracking of bone.
Holding the dead wolf by the broken neck, he threw back his head and howled.
Colton was kneeling, trying to control the bile that was rising in his stomach at the sight.
How Slate was still alive was beyond belief; shifters with lesser injuries had never survived.
When he pushed open the door, he staggered back as the smell hit him.
Cody was cradling Slate’s head, tears streaming down his face.
He watched as Dakota pushed past him and ran to Slate, kneeling next to him, kissing his face while murmuring words of love.
Suddenly, Colton felt Kieran’s hand on his back and hope blossomed, urging him forward until he was kneeling next to his patient.
After assessing Slate’s condition, Colton knew the only thing that might save him was his gift from the angel.
“Dakota, I’m going to use Raphael’s Power to try to heal your mate. I need you to move back…you too, Cody.”
Dakota looked up at Colton and said, “No, we share the same life force. Slate needs my touch, my connection just as much as he needs your help.”
“Dakota, come take my place,” Cody said. “Keep Slate’s head off the floor.”
Nodding, Dakota moved until he had his mate’s head cradled in his lap, his hands gently touching Slate’s swollen lips, the lips meant just for him. Keeping his eyes on Slate, Dakota murmured, “Go ahead, Colton, please bring my mate back to me.”
Colton reached out his fingers, touching Slate’s chest, calling on Archangel Raphael to help him. Colton felt the power surging through his body, exiting through his fingertips into Slate’s body while a blinding green light flash filled the cell. Then, removing his fingers, Colton waited.
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After explaining to Theo and Norman he wanted some time alone instead of watching a movie, Fionn walked to his bedroom, trying to appear nonchalant.
Once inside, he shut and locked the door.
Turning off all the lights, he sat down on his bed with his phone.
Fighting sudden nervousness, he dialed his father’s number and waited.
Finally the ringing ended and he heard the voice he hated.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Father.”
“Fionn? Is that you, boy?”
“Yes. I understand you’ve been looking for my hoard…don’t bother denying it. I have a proposition you might be interested in.”
“What is it, boy?”
“I’ll give you my hoard if you promise to leave me and the Blackwood Pack alone…forever.”
“Now why would you do that, boy?”
“Because there are more important things in life than my hoard.”
“Shit, I knew you weren’t my son. Your fucking mother always claimed she was faithful but no son of mine would ever say that, much less think it. You put all dragons to shame.”
That his father had just called him a bastard wasn’t what caused Fionn’s knuckles to turn white as he gripped his phone. If there was any doubt he was doing the right thing, it disappeared after his father called his mother a slut.
“Do we have a deal, or not?”
“Sure, tell me where it is.”
“I have to take you there because you can only get to it through a portal. Give me your address and I’ll be there in five minutes.”