Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Grayson
Keir really did make the most amazing tea.
I was beginning to wonder if it was a gryphon thing or if Keir had some type of magical teapot that was charmed to always make perfect tea.
Maybe my wisp form would one day lead me to his secret teapot treasure and I’d learn the truth.
Strangely, I didn’t look forward to that day.
Sometimes a little mystery did the soul good.
Unfortunately, not even the best pot of tea could negate the elephant in the room, otherwise known as Lazarus Azure and the two hapless wyvern eggs still sitting on Keir’s coffee table.
When I’d asked why they were still there (I’d assumed Lazarus would secret them away somewhere for safekeeping), Lazarus had surprised me by answering that the nest Keir had created was more than adequate and the eggs were well enough where they were.
When I’d raised a questioning eyebrow, Martin had only shrugged. He had no more idea than me.
“I must admit, this situation does not ease my concern,” Lazarus said. At least he was sitting and not looming like he’d been when we first entered Keir’s residence. “I do not like the idea of such dangerous treasure in close proximity to the eggs.”
“I think we can all agree on that,” Keir diplomatically answered.
I would have said I didn’t much care for any of us being around Huxley’s little pet projects but managed to keep that comment contained to my inside voice.
If Jima’s huffed squeak was anything to go by, he was in my camp.
I was glad to see Jima comfortable enough to leave Tabitha’s side.
As far as I knew, he was sticking to his ferret form.
Tucked beside Keir, I couldn’t see where Jima’s rear was but figured it was somewhere behind Keir’s larger form.
Jima’s whiskered snout poked out around Keir’s hip, his small hands clasping the fabric of Keir’s pants.
Turning his intense gaze on me, Lazarus said, “I could easily remove this solid barrier, exposing what is behind the wall.” For emphasis, Lazarus spread his fingers, his thick, razor-sharp claws extending and making a disturbing clicking noise as they rubbed against one another.
Clearing my throat, I set my cup of tea down, ignoring how badly the liquid inside jostled. One day I’d regain control of my nerves. Most likely that day wouldn’t be today. “As I said earlier, I don’t think that would be wise.”
With a subtle cock of his head, Lazarus studied me. “I have yet to hear a valid reason why that is the case.”
Martin tensed, in tune with my own discomfort. Jumping to my defense, Martin said, “Gray’s opinion on the matter is validity enough. I trust him. We trust him,” Martin added, daring Keir to argue.
Lazarus scoffed. “A dryad trusting a will-o’-the-wisp? The animosity between your two species is well known. If I were not witness to your furious defense, I would not believe it possible.”
Keir stepped in before Martin could dig a deeper hole. “Martin’s correct. Grayson has more than proven himself. After all, we never would have found the eggs if it hadn’t been for Grayson.”
Lazarus hummed. “A valid point. One I should have considered before speaking. My apologies, Grayson Delarue.”
I hardly knew what to do with the concession and finally muttered a totally inadequate “it’s fine.” Martin’s raised eyebrows made me think he didn’t think it was as fine as I let on. Thankfully, he let it go.
Keir let loose a deep breath I suspected held more relief than anything else.
“I can call Warlock Holland. I’d like to speak with him anyway.
I know Holland said he’d contact us when he had more information regarding the buzzweeds’ purpose, but I’d like to know if he’s learned anything at all.
I hate not knowing what we’re dealing with. ”
“A logical concern,” Lazarus pointlessly mentioned.
While the comment wasn’t necessary, I got the strange impression it wasn’t said due to necessity, but as some sort of…
I don’t know…praise? Like he wanted to compliment Keir.
There was something in the tone of his voice, or maybe it was the arch of his brow or the tilt of his lips. Maybe it was his—
“Curious.”
Our combined reactions were swift, each of our responses coming from different sources, yet each and every one with a singular goal—protect the eggs.
Keir lunged, laying his body protectively over the eggs.
Jima screamed, wiggling his body between chair cushions and disappearing from sight.
Lazarus let loose an almighty roar, smoke filling the room as horns erupted from his head, twisting on themselves and angling back, away from his sharpened cheekbones and furious eyes.
Martin grabbed me, pulling me up and away from the fray, branches erupting from his fingers and wrapping around me.
As for our unwelcome djinn, Helios, Elvira’s suddenly solid form had him pinned to the wall, her forearm pressing against Helios’s neck.
I didn’t know if djinn needed to breathe or not.
If they did, then Helios was going to have a serious problem soon.
“You will not touch them,” Elvira snarled, lips pulled back and face transforming into something garishly macabre. In that instant, Elvira appeared nothing like the femme fatale I’d grown used to.
Helios’s reaction was swift. Elvira’s body lit up with electric light as he pulsed something that made my hair stand up on end through her.
Elvira grinned wide, her skin parting on skeletal teeth. “Fool. I’m already dead. You can’t kill me twice.”
I’d never once considered that. Elvira was the perfect weapon. As long as her medium, Tabitha, was near, Elvira could become a dangerous, physical threat. Unfortunately, the need for Tabitha was a weak link Helios was all too aware of.
“Maybe not, but your medium is not so fortunate.” Helios’s answering grin was full of malicious glee.
That glee only multiplied when he vanished from Elvira’s hold, manifesting a few feet away, proving that he could not only escape her grasp, but go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
Just because Tabitha wasn’t in the room didn’t make her safe.
Elvira’s arms dropped to her side, her facial features once more human but retaining their pissed expression.
Silence filled the room, all of us waiting to see what Helios would do.
What I hadn’t expected was for him to give an irritated huff while stuffing his hands into his camo fatigues.
A couple of flared tattoos gave away what I thought was most likely annoyance.
“Your reactions are unwarranted.” Helios’s tone was flat.
Despite the lack of inflection, there was a threat lying there, tingling down my spine.
Martin’s spark of magic let me know it felt similarly.
“What is this creature who would dare touch wyvern eggs?” Lazarus hissed, smoke once more slipping from his nose and mouth. Lips curled back, Lazarus’s mouth was now filled with an impressive array of deadly teeth.
A single brow shot upward, Helios’s flat expression only slightly more intrigued. “Wyvern eggs. Is that what they are?” Head cocked to the side, Helios asked, “Would they make acceptable pets?”
“Shit,” Martin whispered, his breath slipping across my ear and making me shiver.
“Pets?” More smoke billowed from Lazarus’s mouth and nose. His eyes shimmered, changing from cool sapphire to fire fueled rubies.
Keir stood, a blanket full of wyvern eggs cradled within his arms. I’ll give Keir this, he was braver than me. Closing the distance between himself and Lazarus cemented the point. “The eggs are well,” Keir said, keeping his voice soft. “And this is Helios. He is a… Well, he’s a djinn.”
Lazarus’s eyes widened, but the revelation did little to cool his rage. “Djinn? They no longer exist.”
Martin whispered, “Unfortunately, that’s not exactly true.”
If Helios heard, he didn’t bother sparing Martin a glance of disapproval or irritation.
I’d expected Keir or Lazarus to educate Helios’s obvious misguided notions regarding wyvern. I had not expected Jima to be their advocate. Regardless, that’s exactly who took Helios down a peg or three.
“They are not pets,” Jima spat. I had no idea when he’d finally transformed from his ferret form to humanoid.
All I knew was that when he spoke, Jima was standing between the loveseat and the coffee table the eggs had been calling their temporary home.
Hands drawn into tight fists, Jima’s petite body vibrated with righteous rage.
Chin thrust out, Jima shook one of his fisted hands in Helios’s direction.
“They are sentient creatures, just as I am. Once hatched, you should be so fortunate to have them as an ally or friend.”
Helios’s reaction was fascinating. His deep blue eyes intensely focused on Jima. Far from upset by his dressing down, Helios appeared fascinated. “Fuzzy Britches is considered a pet, and I believe Aurelia would consider her both friend and ally. I do not see the difference.”
Jima’s mouth opened, snapping shut and his cheeks flushed.
“I am not educated enough regarding scuttlebutts to understand their thoughts regarding their designation. However, I’ve been told that scuttlebutts are discerning creatures and if they do not wish to be with another, they do not hesitate to make those feelings known.
If Fuzzy Britches and her offspring wish to stay with Aurelia, then it is because she has earned the right. It is not a given.”
Helios’s head cocked ever so slightly to the side, as if truly contemplating Jima’s words. “The definition of pet is still murky. I do not fully understand. My lack of knowledge is unacceptable.” Pointing a finger Jima’s direction, Helios declared, “You will teach me the difference.”
This time, when Jima’s mouth dropped open, it stayed there, gaping like a fish. Ever the peacekeeper, Keir cleared his throat and said, “Perhaps this can be discussed at a later time.”
Helios crossed his arms, leaning back on his heels and for all the world, appeared to be pouting.
“Waiting is not acceptable. Like Aurelia, I find myself desiring a pet.” Helios unwrapped his arms and moved a hand in the eggs’ direction.
“I do not wish to keep making such…mistakes.” That final word seemed to cause Helios physical pain.
“I will not squander my opportunity of choice.”
I don’t think any of us knew how to respond to those pain-laced words. Among a pantheon of various species, djinn were unique. Their long lives and endless access to power should be enviable traits, and yet none would feel that way, not even the lowliest lifeform would wish to be a djinn.
Choice.
When I was a child, I’d had fewer choices.
All young were like that. Their limited options were done so out of love, affection, and a desire to keep them safe.
As adults, those choices became limitless and sometimes overwhelming.
There were very few times when those choices were too few to nonexistent.
Not having the ability to choose one’s own actions was a concept that was difficult for me to wrap my brain around.
The silence permeating the room was broken when Elvira took a menacing step toward Helios. Her voice was even more malicious when she said, “If you ever threaten my medium again, I will end you.”
Helios’s lips tilted into a mockery of a smirk. “I would enjoy seeing you try.”
Elvira’s expression briefly morphed into something truly horrific before her form thinned until it was practically see-through, and then, she was simply gone.
A collective sigh went through the room.
I wouldn’t say all the tension was magically gone, but at least now it felt like I could breathe.
When I dared take my eyes off Helios, it was to see something equally peculiar.
Lazarus stood next to Keir, almost hovering over him, his attention oddly split between the eggs and Keir. It was a strangely domestic picture.
“Um…” I elbowed Martin in the ribs. “You see what I see?”
Martin leaned in, his breath ghosting over my ear and making me shiver. “I’m not certain what I’m looking at.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. And not only was it Lazarus and Keir that seemed peculiar, it was Jima and Helios also.
Well, maybe Jima didn’t appear so odd. The poor ferret shifter stood there, all his bravado used up, shoulders sagging and eyes pointed at the floor.
Honestly, I was surprised Jima hadn’t reverted back to his ferret form.
When I glanced back at Helios, I was glad Jima’s gaze was on the floor. The overtly possessive intensity in Helios’s gaze didn’t do my sense of calm an ounce of good. I had no idea what was going through the djinn’s mind and wasn’t sure that was such a bad thing either.
My musings were gratefully interrupted when Henry scampered up the coffee table leg, planting himself in what remained of the wyvern eggs’ earlier nest, the electric heating pad barely covered by a thin towel. Hands fisted on his small hips, Henry grinned and asked, “What did I miss?”