CHAPTER 15 #3
“I’ll think about it,” Samantha said. “I’m not sure I want to know. I already feel a bit like a Heinz 57.” She reached over and took hold of her mate’s hand. “If Abby can’t be changed or controlled by this Djinn queen, then I can’t either, right?”
“Probably not,” Gauge said. “But I think, for safety’s sake, you and Seraphym should remain on Earth, just for now. Besides, we may need your help in convincing the other serpent clans here to cooperate with us.”
“We’ll do what we can to help,” Seraphym said, though he didn’t look happy over this turn of events.
“I think you need to speak with Aeson,” Raif said to Seraphym.
“You said Djinn couldn’t control serpents.
I’m not so sure this is true now. Aeson recently helped a couple of Hunters free some of your people being held by a Djinn.
She had taken the minds of four young serpents, controlling their actions.
The young ones don’t remember much about what happened during the battle.
From what I’ve been told, they were lucky to survive the ordeal. ”
“I assume the Djinn wasn’t able to take control of Aeson’s mind,” Gauge said. “Do we know why?”
“No, not really, except Aeson is fully mature. He is also mated. The Hunter who brought him to us believes this may have played a part.” Raif glanced at Haven, turning back to Gauge when she shrugged. “Maybe I should clarify. Aeson has a mate, but Faith is struggling to accept their union.”
“Adult serpents will probably be safe from Djinn magic. We’ll need to be more careful with their young, at least until we learn more.
There weren’t any young serpents present during the last war with Djinn.
Raiden warriors brought only adults. It is their descendants who live here today.
” What they needed was to trap a Djinn and question her.
A shadowborn trapped one in a stone, but he disappeared with her shortly afterwards.
They had no way to gain access to the Djinn until the shadowborn returned. If he ever did.
“Do you know when your council is planning to make our presence known to the general population?” Raif asked Gauge.
“That’s why we’re here. The council sent four of our people to speak with some of Earth’s leaders, but they have not been heard from since they were taken into a military base across the mountains from here.”
“The same one where Aeson’s uncle was being kept?” Haven asked.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“How are you planning to get in?” Raif asked.
“I will call them using one of your phones. I suspect they will open the gates willingly, especially if they believe they can also trap us.”
“What if they succeed?” Lena asked, tightening her grip on his hand. “Gauge, I don’t want you to go. It’s not safe.”
“We will speak of this later,” he murmured to Lena. Gauge stood, waiting until the rest of them were also standing to ask, “Did you say you have somewhere we can stay for the night?”
“Yes, of course.” Raif grimaced as he glanced at Seraphym and Samantha. “You two okay sitting in the back of a truck? I don’t think you can fit those wings inside the cab. Aeson doesn’t fit either.”
“That’s fine,” Samantha said, laughing. She reached up to adjust the patch over her left eye. “We could fly there if we knew where to go.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s a big no,” Raif said, grinning. He’d obviously picked up her teasing tone. “The humans around here would probably shit their pants if they saw a couple of dragons flying around.”
With the mood lightened, they walked outside.
Raif led them around to the driveway where another dark blond shifter was waiting, leaning against a large truck.
“This is my beta, my second in command, Skylar. He’ll take you down to the house.
You should have everything you need there.
There are snacks in the fridge and new toothbrushes in the bathrooms. We’re planning a barbecue and potluck for dinner here tonight.
I hope you don’t mind. The elders and a few other members will want to meet you.
You can meet Aeson and Faith then too. Faith can probably tell you more about this military base. Her father used to work there.”
“Is he here?” Gauge asked.
“No, he remained on Laizahlia. The council doesn’t believe he’s been compromised by Djinn. His life would be placed in danger by human military if he returned to Earth.”
“Aren’t they worried about Faith too?” Teo asked. “Isn’t she fully human?”
Raif sighed, looking at his mate before he answered. “I don’t know. Faith is obviously not happy here. I don’t know what’s going on between her and Aeson. She doesn’t believe she’ll be a danger to anyone on Laizahlia, but the council must have a reason for making her leave.”
“I’ll speak with her tonight,” Gauge said.
He watched as Samantha and Seraphym hopped into the bed of the truck, then helped Lena into the back seat. He took a seat beside her as Teo climbed into the front with the beta.
“Buckle up,” Skylar said, then closed his eyes and slapped his forehead. “Or don’t. Sorry, just habit.” He started the truck and backed around the drive.