Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
CHARLI
All I can see is Macklin engulfed by fire, and I scream and scream as I yank on the hands holding me back. Furious, I turn on Andros. “Why aren’t you helping him?”
Andros brushes my hair back with a cool hand. “Charli, he’s okay. I know it looks bad, but I promise you. Dragon fire doesn’t hurt him. It’s not born of magic.”
“I can’t see him,” I reply in a voice hoarse from screaming. I squint, trying desperately to peer through the flames. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Just wait,” he says, his jaw clenches as he stares at the fire.
Mavros roars, and Ames pulls hard on the chain to keep him on the ground; then he yells at MacKenzie, ordering her to toss another syringe to Macklin.
Teague appears, his magnificent wings beating back the fire, giving me a glimpse of Macklin. My knees buckle when I see his sweaty, unharmed gargoyle face.
Andros holds me up. “See. All safe.”
Macklin points to Mavros and lifts his fist in the air.
My stomach drops as I watch Teague shift into a full gargoyle.
Same elongated fangs as Macklin, the stone of his skin a slightly darker grey, but for the most part, they’re pretty similar.
Teague swoops in and grabs Macklin. The two of them shoot upward to Mavros’ teeth-lined mouth.
Macklin injects him for the second time, then they retreat.
Fire rains down on them both, and I tighten my grip on Andros.
It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re fine.
“They’re okay,” I relay to Andros. The tension in his jaw eases, and I try to release his hand, but he refuses to let me. “Sorry. I totally forgot I could reach out to them through our connection.”
He expels a long breath. “It’s fine.”
Forty seconds later, the sedative kicks in, and Mavros tumbles down to the pavement.
The ground shakes. His body shrinks little by little until all that’s left is a large, gaunt man with long black hair.
I press a fist to my mouth as I take in his sharp ribs and hollowed stomach, making me wonder how long they held him captive.
Ames drops the chain and rubs his biceps.
I jerk my hands from Andros’. “I need to touch him. Make sure he’s not hurt.”
Reluctantly, he lets go, and I run full force toward Macklin.
He catches me in his arms and places his hand on the back of my head. “I’ve got you, love. It’s okay. Dragon fire doesn’t hurt me.”
I sob, the past and present colliding in my own personal hell, and Macklin sweeps me off my feet and takes a few steps away from everyone. Holding me tightly, he murmurs nonsense until my tears and the shaking subside.
“You really can’t burn? Neither of you?”
“Only Fae and Elemental fire can burn us,” he replies, wiping my face with his thumb.
Teague pulls me from Macklin’s arms, and I worriedly skim his body for any sign of injuries or burns, but find nothing except the scars he told me were there.
The ones I couldn’t see in his human form.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding. Your body looks like it’s been through war.
” I brush my hand down his hard chest, feeling the bumps and grooves.
“And…” I wrinkle my nose. “I really didn’t believe you, but you’re not the least bit handsome in your gargoyle form. ”
Teague flashes his long fangs. “Watch it. We’re fearsome creatures, you daft bean.”
“Did you call me ban?” I muse.
He grins and sets me down. “Irish word. Means woman. Spelled b-e-a-n but pronounced ban.”
Changing back into his human form, he pulls the pack from his back and slides into a pair of shorts, then tosses a second pair to Macklin.
“If you’re going to get answers, this is your only shot. His body will burn through the sedative pretty quickly,” Ames huffs.
With both Teague and Macklin at my side, I walk over and squat down next to the man, who’s now covered with a blanket. “Mavros, I’m Charli. A friend of Raine’s. Do you remember Raine? She came to you in the facility. Whispered something in your ear. What was it?”
His amber eyes stare at me. “You remind me of my daughter. Do you know my Katla?”
“I’m afraid not,” I tell him, scooting closer. “Mavros, do you mind if I touch your arm?” I can feel the vision, waiting in the wings, ready to pull me down into its depths.
“Why?”
“So, I can find Raine,” I explain. “I’m a seer like her, and when I touch people, I sometimes get visions.”
“She told me to give you an address,” Mavros says, his brow furrows as he tries to remember.
“Said it’s important that you get the people out of this facility first before you come for her.
” He slowly recites a North Carolina address, which Andros quickly captures in his phone. “You can touch me. I won’t hurt you.”
Swallowing, I close my eyes and place my hand on his arm.
Raine appears, sitting in a chair, thick leather straps buckled around her wrists, holding her in place.
Electrodes are taped to her head and connected to the machine behind her.
She looks tired, and her luxurious red hair is dull and plastered to her forehead.
She lifts her lids and glares at the man in the lab coat next to her.
I glance around the room, noting the entrances and exits.
White, sterile. It appears to be a hospital.
Frustrated, I continue to search but find nothing I can use to pinpoint her location.
The vision wavers, and a man appears. Dark complected with intense brown eyes and long, straight brown hair, his Native American features are similar to the girl I saw with Raine.
“There you are. Raine said you’d come.”
“You can see me?!” That’s never happened before.
“I’m a dreamwalker,” he says with a shrug, as if that answers everything.
Uneasy, I look around. “Can you tell me where you are?
He reels off an address. “Probably the worst HRC facility I’ve been to yet. Promise me something?” I nod. “When you come for Raine, save my daughter.”
“I will. What about you?”
He stares at the wall. “It’s time for me to visit my ancestors in the spirit realm.”
“Surely you can hold on a little longer? We’re close.”
There’s an expression of peace on his face. “It is my time.”
Lifting my hand from Mavros, I swipe at the tear rolling down my cheek. “273 Windham Road, Gainesville, Florida. That’s where Raine and the little girl are being held.”
Mavros’ body flickers, and he reaches out and grabs my hand, then places a finger on my palm. Searing heat follows. I cry out and jerk my hand back.
Macklin growls when he sees the red symbol on my palm. “What the hell?” He stalks forward and puts his body between Mavros and me. When Mavros doesn’t say anything, he swivels toward Ames, his brow arched.
“Let me see it,” Ames replies with a huff, glaring at Mavros, who looks unrepentant.
Macklin lifts my hand.
“Rune magic,” Ames says, flicking a glance at Mavros. “Sure about this?”
Mavros dips his head.
“If you need help, all you have to do is trace the rune; Mavros will come to your aid,” Ames explains. “But be very sure before you call him. Right now, I don’t know if you’d get the dragon or the man. Both are dangerous, but not even Mavros can control the dragon right now.”
Macklin looks torn, as if he likes the idea of me having a back-up plan but hates the idea of it being a crazed dragon shifter. Andros and Teague are scowling, clearly not happy about this option.
Mavros flickers in and out, and Ames yells for everyone to get back. Seconds later, the massive black dragon is back. But this time, it simply eyes us all, then lumbers back into the barn. The doors close behind him.
Ames’ eyes drift toward the doors, and he rubs the back of his neck. “That went a lot better than I thought it would, but I wish I knew how to help him.”
There’s a note of concern in his voice that prompts me to speak up. “I didn’t speak for three months after my stepfather set me on fire. The three months after that…I cried. A lot. Felt sorry for myself and my mom. One big ‘ol pity party.”
Ames’ face smooths, becoming hard to read.
“But nothing prepared me for the anger. I was so unbelievably angry, I wanted to burn the world down.” My lips twist in a mocking smile.
“Not at him. Oh no. At myself. My family had been perfect, and I destroyed it. It was all my fault. My vision made my stepfather hate me. It didn’t matter that I was a thirteen-year-old girl with no control over my gift. ”
Ames straightens and glances at the closed doors.
“I can’t imagine being a powerful dragon like Mavros, captured and tortured by humans, unable to escape. That level of pissed off makes mine seem like a mere tantrum,” I muse. “Anyway, thank you for letting us come out here. It was nice meeting you.”
“Teague, tell Ronan I’m in, whatever he needs,” Ames says, his jaw set.
“Will do,” Teague replies, moving to stand in front of me, his arms out. “Want to fly back?”
“Umm, not really. I’m terrified of heights,” I refuse, wincing at his crestfallen expression. “Let me work up to it, okay?”
Large black wings unfold, but this time, he stays in his human form. “I’ll call Ronan on my way back. Let him know we have two groups to rescue.”
“I need to call Maureen. Let her know we have a lead on Raine,” I reluctantly state.
“I can call her,” Macklin offers.
I shake my head. “I can’t avoid the witches forever. Besides, I told her I’d let her know the minute I had some news. She must be really worried.”
Macklin opens the rear door of the SUV, and I hop in. While Andros drives, he and Macklin talk about the HRC, wondering how they’re trapping the supernaturals. Most of them have magic and can easily evade humans.
Maureen answers on the first ring. “Tell me.” Her voice is curt, but I know it’s only because she’s scared.
“We have a location for two groups that need rescuing. One of which is Raine’s,” I tell her.
“When are you leaving?”
“I’m not sure. Teague is calling Ronan right now. I’ll have to text you when I find out more information,” I inform her.
“Ronan? Why aren’t Teague and Macklin leading the charge? She’s a valuable member of Greystone,” she screeches.
“They’re all working together,” I assure her. “We literally received the information five minutes ago.”
“Raine’s a witch. Clarissa needs to be there to represent us,” Maureen demands.
Macklin takes the phone from me. “It’s Macklin. Are you volunteering to go on the rescue mission?” He pauses. “No? Then we’ll let you know after we solidify the plan.” Another pause. “Clarissa is welcome to call me if she has any questions, but she’s not going on the mission.”
He hangs up and hands it back to me. “If she calls, forward it to me.”
“My hero,” I tell him, laughing at his grimace.
“Don’t you forget it,” he says, then turns toward Andros. “Stop at the grocery. I need to pick up a few things for dinner.”
Andros shakes his head. “You’re exhausted. Why don’t we order takeout?”
“I agree with Andros,” I chime in. I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth. Today has affected me more than I thought.
Andros’ caramel-colored eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.
“Fine,” Macklin grumbles. “I have a feeling we’ll be heading out tomorrow, anyway.”
“All of us?” I ask, biting my lip.
Macklin frowns. “Not you, especially since we don’t know where Hank is hiding.”
“Why don’t Teague and I go, and you stay here with Charli?” Andros suggests.
Heat flares in Macklin’s eyes. “Sounds good to me.”