Doppelganger Blood (3 page)

The door flies open and a chubby, older Fairy comes barreling in.  “What is the meaning of dragging me all the way here?  I was in the middle of pulling weeds that are choking my herbs.”

“Your herbs will have to fend for themselves for the moment,” Dagda says dryly.  “Right now, it is more important to determine if Xandra has once again been infested with the souls of others.”  Infested?  He makes me sound like a pile of dung
infested
with beetles.  Maybe I’m being too sensitive.

Tabitha’s eyes swing to me and she takes a moment to absorb the meaning of Dagda’s words.  Glancing around the room, she now senses the harbingers of doom hiding in the corners.  Without another word, she walks to me and puts her hands on
my cheeks.  It is several long minutes before she drops her hands back to her sides.

“The only soul within you is your own,” she says.  She expected this to be good news, so she is surprised at the lack of sighs of relief.  “What is going on?”

Isla gives her a synopsis of the situation.  When she finishes, Tabitha lets out a low whistle.  Turning to me, she says, “Perhaps I should try again.”

I am now 0 for 5 with people believing I’m innocent.  “Go ahead,” I say, sounding as weary as I suddenly feel.

Raziel, who slipped in after Tabitha, is being conspicuously quiet near the door.  When my eyes turn to him, he says, “Xandra, I am happy to see you are well.”

“Raziel, what’s going on?”
I ask.

Raziel spends a moment weighing what he will say and
what he won’t.  Finally, he blurts out, “Your future has become…uncertain.”

“What does that mean?” Kallen demands.

Again, Raziel weighs his words.  “It is as if your destiny has…splintered.”

“Splintered?” I squeak.  “How can a destiny splinter?”

“I would like to know that myself,” Dagda says.

“We all
want to know,” Kallen adds.

“I am leery to say more.  I am already treading the boundary of free will.”  Which means if he says more, he runs the risk of Tabbris taking his wings when he returns to the Angels.  Tabbris takes her job of maintaining free will
very seriously.

“There must be something more you can tell us,” Tabitha implores. 

Almost against his will, Raziel says, “Your future now has two paths.  I do not know which one is true, nor why it has changed.”

“Do I suddenly have a split personality or something?” I ask.  Please, please say no.

Raziel’s face is pained.  “Xandra, I cannot tell you more.”  He adds, “Even if I knew what this all means, I would not be able to tell you.”  For someone who’s supposed to know everything, he seems to be in the dark a lot when it comes to me.

“
You
do not know what this means?” Dagda asks, trying to determine if Raziel really doesn’t know what’s going on, or if he is simply not telling us all he knows.

“When did you first notice her destiny change?” Kallen asks.

Embarrassed, he says, “Several days ago.  Shortly before you left for the Merpeople realm.”

My heart crumbles in my chest.  My destiny split right around the time the
Merpeople Queen was killed.  “I did it, didn’t I?” I say more to myself than anyone else in the room. I would look around me for denials, but I know they aren’t on anyone’s lips.

A loud rapping on the door snaps us out of our uncomfortable silence.  “Not now!” Dagda rumbles.

“Sire, I have urgent news from the Dragon realm.”  Sindri’s voice is desperate.  “I believe it may be relevant to your discussion.”

Considering
me with a distinctly accusatory eye, Dagda says, “Come.”

Sindri opens the doo
r looking as nervous as ever.  His eyes flit to me for half a second and then back to the King.  “We received this.”  He puts a piece of paper on Dagda’s desk, his eyes flitting to me again.

No father should say the words Dagda is saying in front of me
at the moment.  A good father wouldn’t even think them.  “What does it say?” I ask when he takes a breath between oaths.

His eyes are flaming when he looks up.  I think my eyebrows are singed.  “It is a declaration of war.” 

As the words fall out of his mouth, I try to un-hear them.  I try really hard.  At the same time, a feeling is crawling up my spine assuring me I am somehow to blame for this.  “Does it say why?”

Dagda sits back in his chair and uses the heel of his palms to rub his eyes.  After a moment, he looks
at me directly and says, “Because you killed Ormar in her sleep this morning.”  Ormar?  The nasty old Dragon who was seriously close to death on her own?  I didn’t like her, but I never wished her dead.   Not literally, anyway.

Noting I am rendered speechless, Kallen says, “How is this possible?  Xandra was with me in the
Merpeople realm.”

Isla turns to Raziel
and reiterates, “There must be more you can tell us.  How can Xandra seemingly be in two places at once?”

The helplessness on Raziel’s face scares me.  “I do not know.”

“Have they offered terms?” Kallen asks his uncle.

Dagda takes a long time to answer.  I know what he’s going to say when he can finally bring himself to say it.  “They want Xandra.  So, it will be war.”

It was not so very long ago that the Fairy sitting in front of me would not have hesitated to serve my head up in offering.  A lot of has changed since then.  Now, he is willing to risk his entire realm to save me.  But even I know war with the Dragons is suicide.  They are large, lumbering, god awful powerful beings and there are few Fairies with the magical strength and skill to fight them.

“I’ll go.”  The cacophony of sound following my words is deafening.  All of it coming down to me doing so over several dead bodies.  I think we have enough of those.

“How do they know it was Xandra,” Isla says, and then amends her words.  “I should say, her doppelgänger.”  I appreciate the sentiment, even if it was an afterthought.

Dagda swallows the rest of his scotch in one gulp.  “Sindri, please bring the decanter and glasses over here.”  To Isla, he holds up his empty glass and says, “I believe you and Tabitha are going need one of these.”  He doesn’t give
the rest of us the option.  I’m almost disappointed.

When Sindri has poured the scotch and handed the glasses to Tabitha and Isla, Dagda explains.  “They claim Xandra cut off her head and gave it to the counsel before vanishing through a passageway she created.”

I would definitely remember decapitating a Dragon.  “I did not do that.”

Kallen reaches over and grabs my hand.  “We
will figure this out.”

Tabitha has drained her glass but
Isla has not touched her scotch.  “When do they want an answer?” she asks.

“Tomorrow,” Dagda says.

I don’t know why we’re still talking about this.  “If I don’t go, both realms will be left in tatters.”  They know this.  It’s evident by the pool of discomfiture now filling the room.

Kallen squeezes my hand so hard I’m afraid I’ll lose a finger.  “Not an option,” he growls.  His death grip on my hand is only an echo of the force in his words.

My biological father stares at me for a long time.  Finally, he says, “We will both go.”

“You are not taking m
y wife anywhere,” Kallen growls.  Dagda raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.

It’s my turn to stare at Dagda.  What is he thinking?  It seems like this would be suicide for the both of us.  But, if our deaths can stop a war, it’s worth it.  Right?  I keep trying to tell myself I’m that noble, but my pragmatic brain is telling me I’m
not.  I definitely don’t believe my biological father is that noble.  “What are you thinking?”

He knows I mean more than repeating the words he spoke a moment ago.  “I am suggesting we travel to the
Dragon realm to present the doppelgänger explanation.  I suggest your parents travel with us, as well.”

Completely nonplussed, I
ask, “My parents?”

To my surprise, a teeny, tiny smile forms on Kallen’s face.  “It may work.”

“What may work?” I ask.

“You cannot rely so heavily on their superstitions,” Isla cautions.

“What superstitions?” I demand, getting angry now at being ignored. 

Kallen
finally explains.  “Dragons are even more superstitious than the Giants.  Their greatest fear is having their eternal souls trapped, not able to pass through to the garden of the fire god they worship.”

I’m still confused.  “Why would bringing my parents,” who recently returned from their ghostly ‘walkabout’, “scare the
Dragons?”

“Your parents will not scare them.  It is the fact you are able to tether their souls to you
which will scare them,” Kallen says.  He’s obviously growing to like this idea.

“I see a flaw in your plan,” I say.  “How can I prove I am tethering them to me?”  It’s not like I have them on ghost leashes.  They are able to come and go as they please. 
Plus, how can I convince them to go anywhere with Dagda?  They’re not exactly on the best terms.  They have both spent my entire life hating the Fairy.

“It may be the only way,” Isla says.  The lack of confidence in her words is not going to convince me anytime soon.

“Or I could go by myself and keep everyone else safe,” I say.  Okay, there is a distinct lack of confidence in my words, too. 

“Kallen, have everyone ready to go by four,” Dagda says as if I didn’t say anything.  “I understand her parents may be resistant, so make sure they know what’s at stake.  Tabitha, considering your relationship with the
Goblins, I would like you to accompany us as well. Isla, the realm is yours until I return.”  I wonder how Tana will feel about that last part.  Or about her husband going on a suicide mission.

As if on cue, the door bangs open and Tana storms in.  “Are you insane?” she demands of Dagda.

“Yes,” I mumble under my breath, earning me a nasty look from the King.

“
Word travels quickly,” Dagda says dryly, looking over his wife’s shoulder at Sindri.

“Do not chastise him for telling me.  I demanded to know why he was hesitant to let me in here,” Tana growls.

“You are always welcome in my office, my dear,” Dagda says with a false calm on his face.

“Do not
try to change the subject.  You have been given a declaration of war and you are going to their realm?  You know what will happen.”

His placid façade is starting to crumble.  “Yes, I do.  War will be avoided.”

“I want to go by myself,” I interject. 

“Which is not an option,” Kallen and Dagda say in perfect unison like they’ve been practicing for this moment.

“I understand Xandra has stood up to the Dragons before.  Why is this any different?” Tana asks.  “Let her answer the charges against her.”  Tana’s warm and fuzzy feelings for me need a little work, but at least she’s on my side about going alone.

“Xandra was not a
lone when she faced the Dragons.”  The amount of ire in Kallen’s words takes Tana by surprise.  I think she forgot we’re married.

“My
beloved, you know I will not send my daughter off alone,” Dagda says in a soothing voice. 

Words tumble out of my mouth before I can catch them.  “Since when?”  He sends me off alone all the time.  “Why is this time different?”

I definitely did not get Dagda’s glower gene.  He’s good.  He’s not quite as good at speaking through gritted teeth, but he manages.  “Your life is in danger and this entire realm is at stake.  I believe this to be much different than your other escapades.”

“Escapades?!”  My turn to be angry.  “My life has been in danger more times than I can count.  I didn’t need your help to save myself any of those
other times.”

“I believe this conversation has made a turn for the worse,” Isla drawls.  To Tana, she says, “Xandra is Princess and will be treated as such.  She will not be sent off alone to
defend herself and the realm.  As King, Dagda would seem weak both to the Dragons and the Fae if he chose to send his daughter to answer a declaration of war instead of going himself.”  Tana is not happy with the rebuke, but she doesn’t say whatever evil thoughts are going through her mind.

I need to get out of here before I explode.  Standing up, I say to Kallen, “Let’s go talk to my parents.”  He stands and weaves his fingers with mine.  In a blink, we
leave the room filled with angry Fairies and are in Isla’s kitchen.

“Mom, Dad!” I call, striding from the kitchen.  I call for them several more times before I get an answer.

“On the terrace,” Mom calls back.  Figures.  Dad loves to be outside.

Kallen and I are greeted with smiles.  Mom and Dad are watching Zac make sand castles down by the shore.  He looks up and waves before going back to his work.  “What has the two of you looking so glum?” Mom asks when we don’t return her smile.

I slump down in a chair.  “My destiny has splintered, I probably have a split personality and am killing off people in other realms, and I started a war with the
Dragons.  I’ve had a busy morning.”

Shocked, Mom says, “I would say so.”

“Xandra, what are you talking about?” Dad asks.  “How can your destiny splinter?”

“We do not have an answer for that,” Kallen says.  “Even Raziel is stumped.”

“Oh good, he finally told you,” a worried voice says from behind me.

I turn to Adriel standing in the doorway.  “You knew?!”

A blush touches her cheeks.  “Raziel has been beside himself with worry.  He needed to talk about it.”

“Wish he would have talked about it with me,” I grumble.  “Maybe I wouldn’t be out there killing people.” 
Dragons aren’t technically people, but I’m not worried about semantics at the moment.

Stepping outside, Adriel says with her typical sensitivity, “Stop being so dramatic.  You are not killing people.”

She is the first one to sound as if she believes it.  “How do you know?”

“I just do.  It is not in your nature.”

I wish I had her confidence.  “Thanks, but that may just be wishful thinking on your part.”

Looking at Kallen, she says, “Has she been this whiny
since she found out?”

I give Kallen a threatening look.  “Xandra has acted appropriately considering the news.”  What a wise response.  If
my life wasn’t going to hell again, I’d give my gorgeous husband a smile.

Adriel rolls her eyes.  “I will take that as a yes.”

“You’re not helping,” I drawl. 

“Will someone please let us know what is going on?
!” Mom exclaims.

I definitely got
my impatience gene from her.  I tell them about the Merpeople Queen and about the declaration of war from the Dragons.  As I speak, Mom’s ghostly pallor becomes even paler.  Now for the part she’s really going to love.  She may become invisible.  “I really need you and Dad to come with us to the Dragon realm.  With Dagda.”

Dad goes from blanched to sun burnt in an instant.  “You are not serious.  I wouldn’t go to the man’s funeral let alone go with him to another realm.”

“As King, it is essential Dagda accompany us,” Kallen says calmly.  “But it is your presence which will do the most good.”

Dad wants to rant some more but Mom cuts him off.  “What do you mean?” she asks.

Kallen explains the Dragons’ fear of their souls being trapped.  His words are getting to Mom, but Dad still isn’t on board.  “I would be more than willing to go with Xandra, but I will not go with that man.”

To my surprise, it’s Mom who says, “Jim, get over it.  We’re going.”

I snap my slack jaws back together with an audible click.  Did she really just say that?  Dad is wondering the same thing.  “You
want
to go with him?”  Is that a hint of jealously in his voice?

Mom shakes her head.  “Of course not, but we don’t really have a choice.  Our daughter’s safety pivots on us accompanying them so we’re going.  At least, I am.”

Wow, Mom threw down the gauntlet.  Dad is pissed to the point he’s sputtering instead of forming actual words.  Trying to pacify him, I say, “Dad, I know how you feel about Dagda, but I also know you aren’t going to let me go without you.  And no one said you had to be nice to him.”  An evil smile forms on my lips and I ignore the tight lines of Kallen’s lips.  I know I shouldn’t encourage animosity, but Dad needs to feel like he is in control of something.  Since being thrown into the magical world, he hasn’t had much opportunity to be in control of anything.

Glaring at Mom, Dad says, “Fine.”  I hate what
magic has done to their relationship.  They never fought when I was growing up.  Poor Zac, he probably doesn’t remember those days.

“Did Raziel return with you?” Adriel asks
with a much needed change of subject.

I shake my head.  “No, we teleported back.”

“He and I will be joining you,” she says.

“What about the whole freewill thing?  Won’t coming along fall under that category in a negative way?” I ask.

“No,” Adriel says firmly as if trying to convince herself more than me.  “If Raziel does not know which destiny is the true destiny, he cannot push you toward either.  Whatever actions we take will not be considered swaying.” 

I stare at her for a long time trying to determine if she’s just deluding herself or not.  Eventually, I determine I have no idea.  “Okay.”

“When do we leave?” Mom asks, pointedly not looking at Dad.

Great, as if the situation wasn’t bad enough, I get to bring bickering parents with me.  “As soon as Dagda’s ready.”  My turn to look pointedly away from Dad.  I feel like I’m rubbing salt in his wounds.
  “Um, we should probably get ready.”  I admit it, I’m a coward.  I want off this terrace as soon as possible.  Mom gives me a knowing look but she doesn’t say anything when I grab Kallen’s hand and drag him back inside the house. 

“The serenity your parents returned with has now dissolved,” Kallen says once we are out of earshot.
  He sounds as sad about it as I am.

“I noticed.  Do you really think it’s necessary to bring them along?” I ask, hoping he’ll say no.

He doesn’t.  “Yes, I believe their role is critical in this situation.”

The question I had before
steals into my mind.  “How are the Dragons going to know my parents are tethered to me?” I ask again.

Discomfort washes over my gorgeous husband’s face.  “They will attempt to exorcise them.”

Of course they will.  “When were you planning to tell me this?”  The color rising from his toes to his hairline answers my question.  “You weren’t planning to tell me.”

In an attempt
at pacification, Kallen wraps his muscular arms around me.  “My love, others have tried and failed.  The Dragons will have no more success.”

I know he’s right.  My temper however, demands to be ignorant.  Pushing out of his arms, I snipe, “You hope anyway.  Would you be willing to take the chance if it was Isla?”

Pulling me back to him, Kallen smiles.  “Yes, I would.”

He was supposed to argue with me or get mad.  How can I stay mad if he won’t play the game right?  I sigh.  I guess I can’t.  Snaking my arms around his neck, I say, “I hate it when you’re right.”

His smile turns to a sexy grin.  “I know.”  He brings his lips to mine in a knee weakening kiss to keep me from retorting.  Good plan on his part.