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They froze, eyes widening, when an agonized feline roar echoed across the sand.
Cadmus shifted into wolf form and broke into a run, racing up the same hill they’d just descended. Muscles screaming, she followed, flinging her celaris spell in his direction while praying it shielded him. Damon stayed at her side. By the time they reached the top of the hill, Cadmus was just a spec in the distance, and she feared Gorgo would be able to see him.
Wait for us!she called to him, but he refused to stop.
With a curse, she ran after him, wondering just what kind of shitstorm they were running into this time.
* * *
HORATIU AND LUCIENtook too long saying goodbye to their mate, brothers, and mother, and Eilea was getting impatient. She finally let out a sharp whistle, startling them apart. Eilea climbed on Tan’yi’nug’s back, draping her bags of supplies across the saddle horn. The saddle, an exact replica of the one she’d used before, had been a gift from her sister, left in the aerie among several other supplies. She patted her dragon’s scales when he grumbled, blowing steam on Horatiu and Lucien as they approached.
She hugged his neck, whispering against his ear. “For my sons and Bennu.”
I know, my queen, he answered,but I can still have a little fun.
She laughed at that. How had she existed almost three thousand years without him?
“Now, listen to me, and listen carefully,” she said to her nephews as they scrambled up behind her. “My celaris magic can only extend so far. Don’t wander too far from me. Once you can no longer smell peppermint, you’ve gone too far, and Gorgo can track you, which means he will be able to track all of us.”
Horatiu and Lucian both nodded.
“We’ll stay near you, Aunt,” Horatiu answered.
Jezebeth approached them cautiously, looking at Tan’yi’nug like he might eat her. Perhaps the former djinn knew her dragon could sense her sins. When Tan’yi’nug let out a warning growl, Jezebeth stumbled back with a gasp.
“It’s okay.” She patted his scales. “This is Phoenix’s mother, Jezebeth, a powerful witch. She’s offered to help, and we need all the allies we can get.”
I know what she is.Smoke streamed from his nostrils.I can smell her sins.
“I know.” Jezebeth hung her head. “They are many.”
The dragon arched back as if he didn’t wish to be infected by her taint.So many that not even a thousand such quests will cleanse your soul.
“No matter.” She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s not my soul I care about, it’s my daughter’s.”
Tan’yi’nug’s lips pulled back in a snarl.You betray us, djinn, I will tear out your blackened heart.
A lone tear slid down her face. “If I fail my daughter, I will gladly tear it out for you.”
Very well,her dragon said through a sigh.You may ride.He flashed a fanged grin.But I’m not responsible if you fall off.
Jezebeth had the hardest time stumbling up Tan’yi’nug’s scales, until Lucian reluctantly helped her.
“Ohh, what a gentleman,” Jezebeth cooed, giving him an eyeful of cleavage. So much for her contrition just moments earlier. Jezebeth might have loved her daughter, but she was still a temptress at heart.
Arms crossed and face twisted, Daeva watched the display from the ground. If Daeva’s eyes had been guns, Jezebeth would’ve been full of holes.
Had she still been tethered to her lamp, she could’ve floated up, but Eilea didn’t have time for Jezebeth to get used to her new legs.
“On your best behavior, Jezebeth,” Eilea warned as she turned to face them, scowling at the demon’s behavior. “Or I’ll leave you here.”
Jezebeth pouted as she inserted herself between Horatiu and Lucian. “I’m not letting others save my daughter.” She wrapped her arms around Horatiu’s waist. “Oh, what a hard abdomen you have.”
“Darkness save us,” Horatiu grumbled, rolling his eyes before mouthing an apology to Daeva.
Heaving a sigh, she patted her dragon’s scales. “I think we’re ready.”
Do you want me to accidentally drop her?he asked.
