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"So what next?" I asked.
"As usual. Go in swinging and do our best not to get kil ed. There's no way to know what's going on in there without just charging in. Somehow I don't think applying for a job at Emporium Meats is going to net us an invitation into their so-cal ed factory." Menol y rubbed her hands on the legs of her jeans. "I guess that's al she wrote, ladies and gentleman. Shal we hit the streets?"
"Wait a minute. Morio and Camil e, you'l both have to be very careful. Chances are they've got a nice little stash of Wolf Briar in there. And al bets are on that they'l use it if they see us coming, in hopes of knocking at least a couple of us out. You two better go in on the tail end and wear masks. That won't interfere with your spel casting, wil it?" I frowned, hoping they'd say no.
They didn't make it easy.
"Yeah, actual y, it might," Camil e said. "The best we can do is go in at the back and run like hel if they let loose with that crap."
"Everybody get your weapons. We have to move, because if they haven't kil ed Doug and Saz yet, you know they're planning to. And Amber--it's anybody's guess why--and for how long--they plan on keeping her alive." I stood and stretched. We were headed into battle again, and each time, I always wondered if we'd al make it out alive.
CHAPTER 19
The Emporium Meats warehouse was down past the docks, in the Industrial District of Seattle. The warehouse sat smack in the middle of the wasteland existing past the ferry terminals, a mile or so north of Georgetown. Over the years, Georgetown and the surrounding area had taken on an almost schizophrenic quality. On one hand, charming, neo-bohemian shops and houses were scattershot through the district. On the other, gangs wandered the area, poverty seemed al too abundant, and the grittiness of the industry warehouses and factories, along with the train yard and tracks belonging to the BNSF Railway, lent an air of danger to the streets.>"Come down as soon as you've dressed. Supper is ready, and the rest are waiting." She stopped at the door, peeking back over her shoulder. "My dear, I'm not sure how or where you met him, but you've just accepted a ring from someone who has part shadow dragon in his lineage--black dragon.
And I expect he'l be showing up here soon enough to claim what is now his. Which . . . in case you had any doubt . . . is you."
Shadow dragon. The words resonated through me like fire. Yes--that would fit. It fit Shade's energy, his name, and the fact that he served Hi'ran. If Iris was right and he was only part dragon, though, then what about the rest of his background? I resolutely pushed doubt away.
The thought that perhaps shadow dragons and white/silver dragons might not coexist wel in the same group also crossed my mind, but again--we would find a way. We had to. And if Shade were half as attentive and helpful as Smoky, we'd have another al y on our hands.
I tossed my nightgown in the laundry hamper and pul ed on my boots, taking the stairs two at a time. As I hustled into the kitchen, I saw that Iris wasn't kidding--everybody was gathered around the table, including our cousin Shamas, who was dressed for the night shift.
"Sorry I took so long," I said.
Camil e stared at me. "What the fuck? What did you do in the past three hours? Delilah, your aura has total y shifted--it's . . . flaming bril iant."
"And where is the other dragon?" Smoky asked, jumping up and looking around. "I can smel him from here."
I could see this wasn't going to be just my little secret. I glanced at Iris, but she shrugged and mouthed, I didn't tell them, so apparently Camil e was right, and my aura was playing kaleidoscope. I took a deep breath and held up my hand.
"Yeah, I've got something to tel you. I was going to do so in my own time, but apparently you can sense what's happened. It's complicated, and so much went down while I was out on the astral. I went on a journey while I was asleep, and . . . oh hel , just shut up and listen."
As I spil ed out everything that had happened from the time Greta had walked beside me through the city streets to waking up with Shade's ring, the room grew increasingly silent until by the time I finished, a pin dropping would have produced a minor earthquake.
Menol y glanced around. "What are you al staring at her for? We knew something like this was going to happen sooner or later. The Autumn Lord wasn't just going to let her continue going on her merry way without eventual y stepping in. I think we should just be grateful that he didn't decide to kil her so she could join them in--what did you say the name of the place was?" Her tone demanded an answer.
"Haseofon." I whispered, giving her a faint smile.
"That's right--in Haseofon. And by the way, if there's any way we could meet our sister face-to-face, it would be nice if you could arrange that." She hovered her way up to the ceiling, where she liked to hang out, and cleared her throat as if to put a lid on the conversation.
Camil e spoke more slowly, and I could tel she was weighing every word. "Are you comfortable with what happened?"
I considered the question. Was I comfortable? A week ago, I might have said no. A month ago, a year ago, I would have freaked. But now . . . the answer was there in the forefront.
"Yes, I am. I'm . . . content. I feel more settled than--wel , than I ever have. Maybe this was my destiny al along. Maybe I was chosen from birth to become a Death Maiden--that would actual y make me proud. I've found my peace with what . . . who . . . I am. Arial was taken to Haseofon when she was a cub, right after her death--so it's not like my connection to the place is total y new."
Smoky let out a loud cough. "May I see your ring?"
I reluctantly tried to take it off my finger, but it wouldn't come. It wasn't too tight, but it wasn't going to budge, either. Rather than say anything, I just held out my hand to him. He glanced into my face, and by the look in his eyes, I could see he knew what had just happened, but he kept silent. Instead, he just took my hand and passed his fingers above the stone.
"Shadow dragon--but not total y. There is another energy mix in this stone, but I sense no evil. Your Shade is not ful y dragon. Probably half." He let go of my fingers and sat back. "He and I should be able to coexist if he keeps his focus where it ought to be."
"I know dragons are territorial, but wil it real y strain you to be in each other's presence?" I stopped. It felt so weird to be talking about this. But in the core of my gut, I knew this was only the beginning.
"We'l give it a try. And if things get dicey, we can sort it out then. He sounds reasonable. And I know what it's like to fal for a dragon you barely know."
Camil e cleared her throat and glanced at Smoky. "I'm the last person who's going to chastise you. Hel , I fel in love so quickly with al three of these louts that my head was spinning. It happens, and when you're meant to be together, you know it from the beginning. I'd love to ask you more about Arial and Shade, but we need to get down to business here."
