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  "I can do that, but it depends on what Evalle and Storm say," Mother Mattie told her.

  Evalle would share all that had happened today with Storm, including Lanna's idea for finding Phoedra. Once she did, she was certain he'd be okay with Oskar visiting. She'd promised Storm she would not bring unknowns into their home without talking to him first. He knew all these people and had met Oskar. If she had any doubt he would agree this time, she wouldn't offer.

  "That's a great idea, Lanna," Evalle said, giving Lanna's arm another squeeze. "Everyone will be glad to see you tonight. In fact, you can move back in whenever you're ready. We all miss you, Feenix especially."

  "I can?" Lanna's eyes lit with hope.

  She was killing Evalle. "Of course you can, Lanna."

  "I will bring suitcase."

  "Awesome. Feenix is driving us crazy asking about you."

  Lanna's eyes glistened. "I miss him, too."

  Not used to so much emotional overload, Evalle said, "Ready, Adrianna?"

  Rising to join her, Adrianna thanked Mother Mattie for her hospitality. The elderly woman shushed them away when they offered to help clean up.

  Outside the front door, Lanna stopped Adrianna, who'd been smiling until Lanna said, "You must not let her have your power."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Veronika. My visions come in pieces like mixed up puzzle, but right before you arrive I see Veronika clearly in my mind. She will come for you. You must not let her win."

  Chills ran up Evalle's arms. "We won't, Lanna, but promise me you'll tell us about any visions and not try to fix something on your own."

  "I promise."

  Lanna's quick and sincere answer hurt to hear. Evalle never wanted the girl to go looking for trouble again, but the Lanna she'd known would have bristled and argued that she had powers others couldn't imagine.

  And Evalle believed she did.

  Would Lanna ever regain her vibrant confidence?

  In Storm's truck, Evalle gave Adrianna a smug look and said, "I was right. Sounds like we're having a seance tonight."

  "I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?"

  "Nope." Evalle drove out of Mother Mattie's neighborhood of quaint homes and had just reached the main thoroughfare when Adrianna made a pained sound.

  She said, "Pull over. Now."

  Evalle yanked the truck into a closed gas station.

  The witch jumped out and backed away.

  Evalle ran around to her side. "What's wrong?"

  The muscles in Adrianna's normally smooth neck bulged when she strained. "Get away from me."

  "Not happening." With a quick glance, Evalle said, "Too many humans."

  Sweat poured down Adrianna's face. She croaked out a few words and all the traffic sounds dulled. Even with whatever was going on, Adrianna had managed to toss an invisible cloak over them so humans couldn't see what went on.

  Hopefully none had been staring at Evalle and Adrianna when they basically disappeared.

  Not the biggest worry right now.

  Evalle shouted, "Stop worrying about hurting me and tell me what I can do."

  Adrianna's petite body looked like someone had sucked out the softness and turned every muscle taut. She opened her hand and Witchlock was the size of a basketball, but no longer round. It twisted in different directions, bulging out of shape.

  Oh, hell.

  Frantic to offer any aid, Evalle called out, "What can I do to help you calm it down?"

  "Nothing ... but that's ... good idea." Adrianna reached out with her empty hand and stroked over the ball of power while speaking in one of her ancient languages. The energy seemed to slow down for a moment, but then it spun faster again.

  Her words came out in harsh breaths, sounding as if each one was being squeezed out of her.

  Fury and strain contorted Adrianna's face into a scary mask. She was clearly trying to force her will on the power.

  Witchlock was fighting back.

  Adrianna's body arched, toes barely touching the ground. Her eyes rolled up until only white orbs glowed in the sockets.

  A lightning strobe of energy shot across her arms and hands, then up her neck and through her face. It had to be blazing through her whole body.

  Evalle hated not being able to step in and fight with Adrianna.

  Muttering and shaking her head, Adrianna's eyes were still white, but she started shouting.

  Was she ... arguing with Witchlock?

  The energy built up until the noise turned into a roar that meshed with Adrianna's unintelligible words.

  Popping flashes like out-of-control fireworks shot around everywhere. Evalle dove to the ground and covered her head.

  Power exploded.

  Heat ripped across her back.

  Soft murmurs filled the space.

  Evalle sniffed. Was that the smell of singed hair? She checked her head. Not bald.

  She slowly uncovered her head and looked up to find Adrianna standing on the ground again with her eyes shut, but pale and shaking. She'd been through one hell of a power storm.

  Gaining her feet, Evalle asked, "Adrianna? You still in there?"

  Nodding slowly, Adrianna opened her eyes and looked first at the small ball of energy spinning happily in her trembling palm. She released a burst of air, sounding relieved.

  Evalle had seen this woman in more than one battle. Adrianna had ice water in her veins. To see her rattled was not good news.

  Swallowing, Evalle asked, "You ready to tell me what the hell happened?"

  "I would if I knew. The best that I can tell you is I was fighting to hold onto Witchlock. But while I did that, it seemed as if the power was struggling to figure out what was going on. I have a sense that it will remain with me as long as it believes I am powerful enough to host the energy."

  "I know I'm not going to like the answer, but do you know who was trying to take Witchlock?"

  "Veronika."

  "That shouldn't be possible, should it?"

  Raising seriously concerned eyes to Evalle, Adrianna pointed out, "You say that as if this power came with a troubleshooting manual."

  "Good point. Are you ready to drop the cloaking?"

  "Sure." Adrianna closed her right hand, concealing Witchlock, then lifted her other hand and swished the cloaking away.

  Sounds from around them sharpened and grew louder.

  Holding up her hand, Evalle said, "Let me double check that Veronika is still locked up."

  "Good idea."

  With Quinn busy getting their forces ready for Daegan to take over, Evalle called out telepathically to Trey since he was the central contact for Beladors in their area. Trey, this is Evalle.

  I'm here, Trey called back. What's up?

  Have you heard anything about Veronika today? Like her escaping?

  No.

  Any chance that could have happened?

  Doubtful, but I'll contact Sen and see what he says. Stand by. After a sixty-second pause, Trey said, Man, Sen's got his tighty-whities in a wad today. He said if we wanted a report, to send Beladors back in to work.

  What does that mean? Is he avoiding the question?

  Trey said, I have no idea, but I'd think if Veronika had gotten out that Sen would be pushing a Tribunal to demand we come back in force. I'd also expect an apocalyptic display of Veronika's power just to show us the bitch was back.

  Good point. Let me know if you hear differently, okay?

  Will do. Then Trey was gone.

  Adrianna waited with an anxious look in her eyes.

  Evalle said, "Trey just asked Sen, who blew him off because of Daegan yanking most of the Beladors out of VIPER."

  "So nothing new on Veronika?"

  "Doesn't sound like it, but I'll go hit up my Nightstalker when we get done tonight." Back in the truck, Evalle said, "I need to get ahold of Quinn so we can hold this seance tonight."

  "Stop calling it that. It's not a seance."

  "Is too."

 
; "Is not." Adrianna lifted her hand. "You need to find Quinn, then please drop me at my house."

  "Sore loser," Evalle remarked, smirking. She considered the gravity of what Adrianna had experienced and decided it was worth reaching out telepathically for something brief. Quinn, can you talk?

  Quinn's deep voice answered in her head. Quickly. I'm in the middle of something. What's going on?

  Just like she'd thought. He wasn't where he could deal with Sen. With traffic getting thick, she hurried to tell him, I have to jump, too, so I can drive, but we need you to meet at my place at seven tonight. Good news. Lanna has an idea on Phoedra.

  No, Lanna is staying out of this.

  Evalle debated for a moment what to say and decided on, Just be on time.

  Evalle, did you hear me? I do not want Lanna using her powers in any way. Is that understood?

  I hear you loud and clear. Gotta go so I don't wreck Storm's truck. Later.

  Evalle ended the telepathy.

  They had to find Phoedra. Lanna believed she could do it and Quinn had found no one else who could help.

  What was the worst that could happen if she held the seance tonight and included Lanna?

  Evalle's gaze tripped over to Adrianna, who looked seriously disturbed over that last power battle.

  A lot could go wrong tonight.

  Chapter 9

  --------

  Treoir Castle in the Treoir realm

  Daegan teleported into Treoir Castle with plans of tracking down Garwyli. He'd barely seen the old druid since taking over this realm. At the last minute, Daegan changed his direction and terminated his teleporting in the sunroom.

  He expected to find his niece, Brina, which he did.

  She and Tzader, her fiance, were wrapped up in each other's arms.

  "Have you two been locked from your bedchamber?" Daegan asked dryly.

  Brina stepped back from Tzader, smiling like a young woman in love who deserved to be happy, but Daegan was in a hurry.

  She said, "No, Daegan. We simply have not seen each other much today and slipped in here for a moment of privacy." She gave him a censuring look, then gave up. "What ails you, Uncle?"

  "I'm huntin' Garwyli."

  She asked Tzader, "Have you seen him?"

  "No." Tzader suggested, "I can ask the guards to find him."

  "That won't be necessary. I will find him sooner than they can." While Daegan was there, he reminded these two, "You were to be married by now. What's the delay?"

  Brina lifted her hands in exasperation. "I'm waitin' for you to tell me our people are no longer under threat. Until then, I doubt we can have our friends stop what they're doin' for a weddin'." She frowned hard this time.

  Daegan couldn't help laughing.

  Tzader murmured, "Oh, hell."

  "And what's so blasted funny, Daegan?" she scowled.

  "You, niece."

  Tzader put a hand over his eyes. "Not making it better, dragon."

  Scratching his chin, Daegan said, "I'm only imaginin' the fierce warrior you two will have soon."

  Dropping his hand, Tzader smiled. "Nice save, but it might be a girl."

  Brina had been smiling at what Daegan said, but now whirled on Tzader. "What makes ya think she won't be a warrior if she's a lass?"

  "That's not what I meant, muirnin."

  "Don't try to wiggle out by callin' me muirnin."

  "I thought you liked that."

  Brina opened her mouth and closed it.

  "Carry on," Daegan called out and got a terse look from Tzader right before teleporting out.

  After zipping from spot to spot, Daegan lost patience and stood with his hands on his hips in the middle of an arched hallway.

  He bellowed, "Garwyli!"

  The old guy turned a corner up ahead and meandered down the wide passage toward Daegan. With white hair falling past his shoulders and a matching beard that reached his waist, the druid wore a simple robe and carried books as he puttered along.

  When Garwyli got closer, he said, "Don't be hurryin' me, dragon. I'm an old man."

  "You're a powerful old druid who can teleport within these walls," Daegan chided him. "Maybe even beyond, but I have yet to determine what all you can do."

  Garwyli waved that off with a wrinkled hand. "I find it takes more out of me to teleport these days."

  The sincerity in the druid's voice bothered Daegan. He liked the old guy and anticipated having him around for a long time. There was no replacing the knowledge of centuries and all the wisdom that ran through Garwyli's veins. Plus, Brina and Tzader had spoken highly of the druid's confronting Macha when she'd ruled this realm, even though the goddess held the strong hand of power.

  Evalle idolized the druid as well and now Daegan knew why. He'd asked Evalle about it before leaving her at home after their trip to VIPER. She went all starry-eyed when she explained about how Garwyli had returned Storm's soul. It didn't take much to realize that many of his closest round-table advisors considered Garwyli an ally. He did, too.

  "I'm here now, dragon. What do you want?"

  "Are you so senile you've forgotten my name, druid?" Daegan countered, wanting to poke at him a bit.

  Garwyli's snow-white beard hid most of his smile, but his eyes twinkled enough to give life to his humor. "Perhaps. Of course, if that is the case then you're wastin' your time lookin' for answers from me."

  Well done, druid. Daegan chuckled then turned serious. "I need your advice. We're losin' human children belongin' to Belador warrior families. We've retrieved some, but for every one we find, we lose two. I think Queen Maeve has her coven members in the human world workin' with trolls to steal the children, and I'm pretty sure she wants to use them to get to me."

  "That would fit from what I know of her and the Medb."

  "I'm concerned that she's usin' this to pull me away from Treoir so she can attack the island. I've had our guard beefin' up our security and I've repaired the areas breached when she sent the gryphons in to attack."

  "Then we should be fine here."

  "I hope so," Daegan said. "But I also worry about some Belador warriors who have packed up their families and moved in the middle of the night. That means they don't believe I can protect my people. I'm not sure what I should do about them."

  Giving Daegan a long look, Garwyli asked, "Are you intendin' to sanction them?"

  "No. I would do the same to protect my family, but ... you've been here far longer than I. Do you feel that once I stop the Medb from harmin' our children, the families who left will return?"

  "I think they'll wait to see if it is indeed safe, then, yes. Why would they stay alone when they would be safer with Beladors they know?"

  "That's what I think, but we have no castle in their world for protectin' them."

  "You want another castle?"

  "To tell you the truth, yes, but it's not so easy to do these days. I have not had enough time to prove myself to them or they wouldn't leave. I know I can build a formidable force if we can show the Belador families that we stopped the Medb attacks."

  Garwyli said, "Then that is the answer to your question. A warrior will follow the leader he or she respects. Prove yourself by stoppin' this attack and I think you'll be fine."

  Daegan hoped so. He found it frustrating to rule from Treoir when the bulk of his forces were in the human realm. "There is one more thing. I must protect Brina. I haven't told anyone except Tristan that I've been hunting the gravesite of my sister. It has to be on this island."

  Garwyli stroked his beard. His wrinkled eyes almost closed when he narrowed them. "Are you sure her body is buried here?"

  "It has to be for Macha to have retained power. She and Maeve made pacts with my father that involved my two sisters. Macha's pact was to protect the sister who came to live here, which she did a poor job of, and to take over protectin' future generations when my sister passed. My father made it clear that my sister had to be buried on Treoir for Macha to hold that power."

  C
ocking his head to the side, Garwyli said, "Why do you need your sister's body?"

  "I need a ring my sister wore that increased her power as long as she was on the island. I want to give it to Brina." He held in his pain at talking about that sister. She had been his favorite, because the other one ... well, that one had been a disappointment. Even so, if Maeve had delivered the body of the sister given into her care, Daegan could have removed that ring.

  He loved his father, but those had been terrible agreements. His father had even said so, which was why Daegan had been conceived with the plan for a Treoir dragon who could protect the land and his family.

  Daegan had failed everyone when he allowed Queen Maeve to capture and curse him.

  "You misunderstand me, Daegan. I'm askin' if you know for sure your sister is buried here, as in ... are you sure she's dead?"

  Daegan took a step back. "I heard of her death when I was trapped in TAmr Medb, cursed as the queen's dragon throne. Where would my sister be if she had not died?"

  "Perhaps that is the question you should be askin'."

  This was no help at all. "Thank you, Garwyli."

  "I was not here when all of that took place, Daegan. I came later at Macha's request."

  Impatient to get back to his other problems, Daegan said, "I understand. You can't help me find her body."

  Sighing long and loud, the druid said, "I'm not a crystal ball to spout answers at will, but I do see more with my eyes open than others do with their minds made up."

  Daegan knew when he was being reprimanded for dismissing the old druid's question. "I'm not ignorin' what you say, Garwyli, but how could she still be alive?"

  "'Tis a good question. I would ask how is it that you are still alive?"

  "I'm a dragon."

  "She inherited your father's dragon blood as well."

  "You think she's still here? Somewhere on the island?"

  "I have no idea where she is, but accordin' to what you've told me I think we should consider all possibilities, though I also don't want to get your hopes up only to have you be hurt again later."

  Poor old Garwyli was doing his best to give Daegan reason to hope. If he told the druid what someone had said recently, would Garwyli be just as encouraging or finally tell him to stop chasing dreams?

  Instead, Daegan joked, "While we're at it, maybe we'll find another dragon or two."

  "Why would you think you are the only one to survive this long? You are immortal."

  You don't even know about the others, murmured through Daegan's mind.

  Those words had haunted him for over a month. Just talking to the druid raised a powerful longing for there to still be dragons.