Bloodlust (29 page)

Air.
My returning Voice to Corrigan was grim.

Indeed.

Is Endor there?

He shook his great panther head, stating the negative. Then the smell hit me. I wrinkled my nose; it was blood, lots of blood. You’d have to kill a lot of bloody birds to make the atmosphere smell that strongly. I drew closer to see what it was, and spotted Alex gesturing to me from the other side. There was a stone table close to him with something outstretched on it. I took another step and realised it was a kelpie, spread-eagled and sliced open. Nausea rose again through the pit of my stomach, warring with bloodfire. The kelpies may have double-crossed us, but it appeared that Endor had then double-crossed them back.

Solus appeared silently at the opposite side of Alex. I stopped moving and watched him approach the nearest wall of birds. Their wings continued to beat noiselessly - and uselessly. He stepped up to one and began to stroke its head, his lips moving as he murmured something. Then he took several steps backwards, and made some kind of gesture.

I blinked at him. What was that? Frowning, I moved round Corrigan to get closer. Solus had connected his hands together and was flapping them as if to mimic a bird. I nodded. Okay, yes, I could see the birds. Then he pointed to the fire. I had no idea what he was on about. I was just on the verge of asking Corrigan if he had any idea when he suddenly hissed in my head.

Get down. Now.

I launched myself downwards, only just managing to move my palms to hold my weight and avoid the bones in time. Corrigan was equally down on his haunches, his green eyes slitted. I couldn’t see where Alex or Solus had gone. Then I heard footsteps. Oh, shit. I lifted my head slightly and realised that Solus was still bathed in the glow of light from the fire. He was too close to the wall of birds and, even though he was also hunkered down on the ground, he was far too visible. He began to back away, staying low, but the footsteps were getting nearer. A dark shape passed by, barely ten feet away from where I was. It was clearly Endor. I watched in panic as Solus still tried to manoeuver himself around without making too many sudden movements that might attract Endor’s attention. All the necromancer had to do was glance over and then he’d see him.

The wall to the far side of Solus began to flap with more vigour and energy than before, drawing my eye away from the Fae. Endor obviously saw them too because he began to stride in their direction. A diversion. The birds were working for us and creating a diversion. Solus scrambled up and managed to back away out of sight just as Endor reached the birds and kicked one of them. There was a sickening crack as its neck broke. The rest of the birds slowed their movements in response. I could feel anger and heat filling me. That fucking bastard. My fingertips tingled. I glanced down, then realised green fire was flickering at the edges of my hands. Quickly, I dropped to my stomach, managing to avoid making any sound, and shoved my hands under my body to hide them. Green flames would be a bit of a fucking giveaway.

Endor moved from wall to wall, trailing his hands over each of the birds. I carefully rose to my knees and stuck my hands under my armpits, then nudged Corrigan with my elbow. He nodded, and the pair of us began to very, very carefully back away. With every single step, I was terrified that Endor would hear us and turn around. Thank fuck he seemed absorbed in his walls of horror, oblivious to anything else. There was one point my foot landed on a bone, causing it to snap. To my ears, the noise was as loud as a foghorn, but Endor didn’t register it. It took a few minutes, however, before I could breathe again.

By the time we reached the portal, Alex and Solus re-joined us. I sent a questioning look in Solus’ direction and he nodded, but placed a finger to his lips. Then he vanished back through, with Alex following. There was the familiar creak of bones shifting, and Corrigan returned to his human form, standing back upright. He was, of course, fully naked. My eyes travelled down from his face, then back up again. Good Lord. He licked his lips as if daring me to say something. I took a deep breath, composing myself, and gestured towards the portal. He grinned at me with the hint of a promise in his jade eyes, and went through. I swallowed, forgetting to feel nervous at my impending retching and followed after him.

Chapter Twenty Five

As soon as I stepped back through into the real world, the momentary distraction of Corrigan’s naked body disappeared. Solus’ expression was bleak, and Alex most definitely looked green around the gills.

“Those birds,” he whispered. “They were nailed into those walls, Mack. Each and every one of them.”

My stomach heaved, and I could feel my knees going. The Arch-Mage walked up next to me, however, and placed a hand on my shoulder. Immediately I began to feel better. Magic certainly had its uses sometimes.

“I hadn’t realised,” I said grimly.

“There were at least a couple of hundred of them, Mack Attack.”

“Three hundred and one,” Solus murmured. “Three hundred and one birds.”

“It seemed like you were talking to them.”

He nodded. “I have an affinity for animals. Most Fae do.”

“And?”

“And we’ve got a serious problem, dragonlette.”

Every member of the council gathered round, even though we were in the corridor of Alcazon. Apparently the time for keeping everything hush hush had long since passed.

“He’s drawing small parts of strength from the birds,” Solus said, “but they’re not his target.” His mouth twisted. “They told me what he’s after. He’s going to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and gain mastery of Air and Fire at the same time.”

“I don’t understand. How will he do that?”

“The phoenix.” For the first time ever, I think I saw the Summer Queen appear distraught. “He’ll go after the phoenix.”

Everyone looked at each other and then suddenly began to talk. The noise rose up in a babble.

“Quiet!” I said, although my voice was lost in the hubbub.

I stared down at my hands, the green fire easily sparking back up, then aimed them up at the ceiling. These people had to learn when to talk and when to listen. Corrigan grabbed my arm, however, with a warning look in his eyes. Some helpful shifter minion had apparently already given him a dressing gown. That was handy. And rather disappointing for me.

They’re already afraid of you, kitten. Allow me.

He lifted his head back and roared. The sound was deafening. Ears ringing, I glared at him.

Next time don’t do that next to my head. I’m going to be deaf for a fucking a week.

He gave me a little bow. Idiot.

Now that everyone’s attention was back where it should be, I spoke again. “That doesn’t make sense. Isn’t the phoenix immortal? He can kill it, but it will just rise again. That’s what phoenixes do.” I paused. Or was it phoenixi?

“There’s only one phoenix, dragonlette. And you’re right, it is immortal. It dies in flame and is reborn in flame.” Solus looked worried. “But he’s a necromancer, and one who’s growing more powerful by the second.”

The Summer Queen nodded. “He can trap the phoenix in-between the cycle of life, and draw from it endlessly. It’ll be an eternal power source. It won’t die, but neither will it live.”

“And he’ll be more powerful than we can possibly imagine,” Corrigan said.

Shit. I chewed my inside cheek. There had to be a bright side to this somewhere.

“There’s only one phoenix,” I said slowly.

“Yes, dear.”

The Arch-Mage patted my hand as if I were a small child. I scowled at him and he immediately dropped his arm and backed off. Huh. Apparently there were some benefits to being a homicidal monster after all.

“There’s only one phoenix,” I repeated, “so our job is easy. We just take the bird and hide it somewhere. He can’t get to it, and we win.”

“Except if he can’t find it, he’ll just switch tactics and pick on someone else,” Alex pointed out.

I thought for a minute. “You’re right. We leave the phoenix where it is. But, as there’s only one we know where he’s going to be. We’ve surely got a much better chance of defeating Endor because there’s no need to be concerned that he’ll be off somewhere else.”

“That’s what we thought last time,” Larkin pointed out. “And not only did we really not have a clue, but he hammered us and killed several humans in the process.”

“Well, we’re out of chances, ladies and gentlemen. If he gets past us this time, then it will be more than just a few humans whose lives will be in danger. The whole world will be at risk if he gains ultimate power over life and death. So the simple fact is that we have no choice but to beat him.”

I looked at the Arch-Mage. “The Palladium?”

He pulled it out from underneath his billowing black robes and held it out. I stared at it. I really didn’t want to touch the fucking thing if I could help it. Thankfully, Corrigan sensed my revulsion and moved to take it instead. He examined it carefully.

“It’s very small,” he said doubtfully. “Is this really going to work?”

I glanced over at Balud. He shrugged, his face as blank as everyone else’s. “Who knows?” he said. “It’s like no weapon I’ve ever seen.”

“So we still have no idea how we can use it against Endor?”

He shook his head. Outfuckingstanding.

I sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to roll with it. Everyone better bring their A game in case it doesn’t work.” I looked back at Solus. “Do we know from the birds when he’s planning to attack the phoenix?”

He blinked his violet eyes at me.

“Solus?” I prodded.

“Tonight,” he answered heavily. “He’s going after it tonight.”

My stomach dropped. It didn’t give us very much time to work with.

I found my voice. “Where is it?”

“The phoenix? It’s at Bird World.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me. Bird World? Just hanging out with the ostriches and the parrots, is it?”

The Summer Queen lifted up a shoulder. “Its preferences are a mystery to me.”

“How in the hell does it manage to remain anonymous?”

“It looks a bit like an eagle.”

“A bit like an eagle? A golden bird that can’t die and only looks a bit like an eagle. No-one’s ever been suspicious?”

“Why would they? As far as the majority of this plane are concerned, the phoenix is mythological. Like dragons.”

“Or shapeshifters.”

“Or faeries.”

I shook my head. Sometimes the world never ceased to amaze me. “Well, let’s get our arses to Bird World then.”

Corrigan cleared his throat. “Actually, there’s something else we need to think of first.”

Everyone turned to him.

Sorry, kitten. It’s for the best though.

My gaze hardened.

“If he’s going after the phoenix, a mythological bird tied to fire, then Mack needs to stay away.”

“Hey! No fucking chance, buster.”

“If we prevent Endor from getting to the phoenix, the next logical choice is you. You’re a dragon.”

“Air and Fire,” Solus muttered.

I gave him a dirty look. He was meant to be on my side. “So then it makes more sense for me to be there so I can distract him,” I said through gritted teeth.

Corrigan shook his head. “No. You’re the last card we’ll have. You need to stay away.”

“Fuck off. You can’t make me stay away. I’m the head of this council, remember?”

“He’s right,” said the Arch-Mage. “We can’t have Endor decide you’re the easier target because everyone else is focused on protecting the phoenix.”

“Yes, you need to be as far away from Bird World as possible.”

I growled at the Fae Queen. “And do what? Stay at home with my knitting needles?”

“You can’t come, Mack,” Corrigan reiterated

I hate you.

No, you don’t
.

He was right. I didn’t hate him. But I was fucking pissed off at him.

We can’t be worried about you and the phoenix at the same time. Having just one target means we have a better shot at really bringing Endor down.

I’m a dragon. You don’t think I have a shot?

What makes you strong is your fire. And that’s what he needs. Being a dragon isn’t going to help, not today.

I tried again.
I have nothing to do with Air. I can’t fly.

Corrigan’s face was impassive.
How many times have you tried?

Once.

He raised his eyebrows. I snarled again.

Keep our baby safe, kitten.

It occurred to me he wouldn’t know I was probably carrying twins. That was probably just as well for now.

Corrigan opened his mouth, speaking aloud. “Let’s get to this Bird World place and get ready.”

Everyone looked at me. I understood my dragon side might be a problem. I didn’t have to transform though; I was pretty damn powerful even without that part of me. And I knew I wouldn’t let the children I never knew I even wanted get hurt. Even Lord Furry himself couldn’t stop me from being there. He just didn’t have to know that I was there, that was all.

I pasted on a smile. “You’d better get going then.”

Relief flickered across Corrigan’s face. I felt a twist of guilt, then ignored it. I wasn’t being reckless. I was being smart. He took a step towards me, but I gestured him away.

“Go on then.”

“Don’t be mad at me, kitten.”

“Don’t call me kitten.”

Amusement danced in his eyes. Feeling the looks from both the Arch-Mage and the Summer Queen, I turned and stomped off, trying to make it look like I was in a petulant fit, rather than running back home to get what I needed for Bird World. It was time to end this necromancer once and for all.

Chapter Twenty Five

I’d not fully appreciated how hot it would be inside Aubrey’s fluffy penguin suit. Or how bloody cumbersome the thing would be. I waddled towards the eagle enclosure, trying to keep my eyes open for any of my team or any sign of Endor. The reeking odour from within the costume was really rather remarkable. I was fairly certain there would be some scientists somewhere who could bottle the smell I was being enveloped in and use it to develop an entirely new species. Still, at least it meant when I passed by a small group of shifters, including Lucy, they didn’t get a single suspicious whiff it might be me inside the costume.