Demon Retribution (Shadow Quest Book 3) (34 page)

Kyra gasped, as Tristan gave another
squeeze. “My god, you’re stronger than I recall,” she said when he
let her down.

He gave apologetic expression. “Forgive me,
Kyralyn. I doona notice it these days.”

Despite their greeting, King Mar and his
sons exchanged uneasy looks with her entourage. Immediate
peacemaking became necessary. She proceeded with introductions,
explaining that the demons had played an intricate role in the
retrieval and protection of her and her sisters. The dragons
nodded, as if appeased by the noble deed, and a little of the
tension eased. When she introduced Aidan, the king’s eyes flashed
in recognition. Aidan responded with a tight nod.

Next she introduced the members of the clan,
starting with King Mar. Gavin, his eldest son. Tristan, the second
eldest. And Lear, the youngest. All but Lear boasted light hair.
Lear inherited the dark locks of his mother. What Kyra didn’t
mention was, in their dragon forms, they were beautiful, fearsome,
and frightening, but somehow the conversation found its way
there.

“I can remember the first time I shifted for
you,” Tristan teased. “You went as pale as the moons.”

Kyra chuckled. “That’s only because you gave
me no warning at all.” To the others she explained, “It was only my
first week there and he decided to surprise me in the
courtyard.”

“You did no’ scream as I expected.” No doubt
Tristan considered that a compliment. “Instead, you demanded I take
you for a ride.”

“I did not
demand
. It was a request.
And I had no idea it was an insult until we got back and everyone
was outraged.”

Mar shook his head in a show of mock shame.
“And yet you insisted on scooping her up every chance you got,
evading your guards to do only the gods know what.”

Cale’s nails gouged into his palms as he
imagined what it would feel like to have Tristan’s guts between his
fingers. Sebastian made it clear without speaking that he would
stop him if he made a move. Under her breath, Sonya told him he
should go back to the ship and wait for them to return.

They both knew the rage unfurling inside
him. Even he realized he was having trouble holding it
together.

That male wants what’s mine!

The confusion that coiled inside Cale’s
brain writhed painfully as he tried to push the thought away.
Reason warred with desire. Someone pulled on his arm—Sonya, trying
to take him away from her.

Never!

“I’m fine,” he lied, keeping his tone as
even as possible.

Sonya cursed under her breath, not believing
him yet not fighting him either.

The only thing that kept him from slipping
over the Edge completely was Kyra continuing to meet his gaze—if
only to question his behavior. Having her jeweled eyes on him
calmed him enough to stifle the worst of his ire.

Mar gestured to the table. “Sit, and let us
discuss the reason for our gathering.”

Cale clamored for a seat next to Kyra, but
to his extreme disappointment, she offered him a withered
expression before moving to the opposite side of the table…between
two dragons!

Cale took a calming breath. Didn’t matter.
It would make it easier to look into those steely eyes. They locked
gazes as if she read his thoughts, but too soon she turned away,
straightening her shoulders to address the dragons.

“Do you know what’s happened on Evlon?” she
started.

Mar leaned back in his chair. “Vera little.
We have been unable to establish contact.” He went quiet then with
his brows knit. Cale got the sense he wasn’t saying all. A quick
glance at Sebastian and Anya said they both agreed.

Getting right to the point, Kyra proceeded
to explain her family’s escape and her father’s prediction. “We’re
on our way to Evlon now to liberate my people, and if possible,
save my father. Your clan has always been our most valued ally, my
lord. We asked you here to implore you for any aid you can
provide.”

They all waited for the king’s response. He
took his time. “You know I have been friends with your father,
Alastar, since before you were born.” At Kyra’s nod, he continued.
“I am well aware that his predictions canna be counted on as fact.
Alastar knew this as well.”

“I agree, my lord. Which is why we come to
you. We’ll need help if we are to succeed. The strength of your
clan could be the advantage we require.”

“You’re talking war…with a technologically
advanced culture.”

She quirked a brow. “My lord, I never said
they were technologically advanced.”

Kyra narrowed her gaze, realizing something
was amiss. The way Tristan avoided eye contact told her they all
knew more than they’d let on. She struggled to loosen her jaw,
suddenly wondering if coming here was a bad idea. “My King, you’ve
been a cherished friend to me and my family. I’ve held great
respect for you all these years, and I know my father has as well.
We have never wronged you in any way, have always shown you
graciousness and honor, and in return you have done the same for
us. Or so I believe. Am I wrong?”

“Of course no’, lass. Doona vex
yourself.”

“I call on your honor now, my lord. What do
you know of the plight of my people?”

Mar let out a breath. “It is no’ what you
think, Kyra love. We are…ashamed. Your father came to me in his
ghostly form, long ago.”

Ghostly form was what the dragons called her
father’s power to leave his body and project himself across vast
distances. Kyra had seen him do it once. He’d looked nearly
transparent, and could neither affect anything nor be affected by
any outside force. But he could observe or deliver messages.

“
It must have been just
after the attack,” Mar continued. “He stayed with me up until the
Kayadon found his body, describing what he saw. We know they came
in large ships and displayed substantial power. He beseeched us no’
to take action, but we could no’ ignore the situation. We deployed
seven ships. No’ one survived. But that is no’ what brings us
shame.”

Kyra swallowed.

“The reason your father came to me was to
request I hide his bride and youngest daughter. Naturally I agreed,
but during the transport, they disappeared. We searched for them
but…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “We could no’ track them
down.”

Stunned, Kyra looked at her sister.
“Analia?”

Anya grew visibly uncomfortable by the
sudden attention. “It’s a long story. One I don’t want to get into.
It no longer matters and everything worked out as it was supposed
to.” She leaned into Sebastian, who put his arm around her and
kissed the top of her head.

Nadua had hinted at what their sister had
been through. Now Kyra believed it was worse than she wanted to
imagine. To the dragons she said, “If you wish to make amends, then
help us now.”

“Our technology has improved since that
defeat, but that does no’ change the fact that our best ships had
been decimated effortlessly. They had no’ even made it to the
surface of Evlon. How do you expect to defeat such an enemy?”

Kyra claimed the book from Zoey, opened it,
and slipped it in front of Mar. “My father has given us information
about the Kayadon that we can exploit. Ship schematics, weaknesses.
He’s mapped out their patrolling schedules and pinpointed windows
of opportunity.”

There was even more than that, such as
locations where some of her people have taken to ground and a list
of weapons and battle tactics. Her father had been thorough.

Mar looked marginally impressed. “Still, my
people and I would be risking much. If your plan fails, these
Kayadon might target my planet, as well as the other clans.”

Aidan spoke then, his tone nearly a sneer.
“Why don’t you tell them what you want, Highness.”

Mar turned deadpan before a smirk crept onto
his face. “Aidan Swantel of the Kanasae. Ousted, correct? As I
recall, you once rejected an invitation to join my clan.”

“I did. As I recall, the invitation came to
me with conditions.”

“Do you no’ wish to reconsider?”

Sebastian leaned into the table. “What is
this about?”

Aidan responded in a flat tone. “They want
me to race Phase Nine in the name of Legura. And to do so I would
need to be a member.”

Sebastian’s brows shot up as Cale sneered,
“Is that the terms then? Aidan races, and you’ll offer assistance?
With allies like you, it’s no wonder the Faieara are still under
Kayadon rule.”

At that, the dragons shot to their feet. In
a coordinated motion, the demons rose as well. Kyra could see where
this was headed. “Everyone simmer down. No offense was intended,
right Cale?”

Cale shrugged, keeping his attention on the
dragons, Tristan in particular. “No, they took it right.”

Rex and Sonya both snorted in laughter.
Sebastian looked unamused, but ready to defend his brother if it
came to that.

Kyra heaved a sound of exasperation. She was
completely losing control of the situation.

“We don’t need these amphibians,” Sonya
added in a mocking tone. “They probably boast little more bravery
than their own larvae.”

Tristan hissed, “And you the intellect.”

With that, she lost Ethan, the last rational
male member of the group. Anya just shook her head.

“Enough of this,” Kyra barked desperately,
seeing the dragon guards move in. “Enough!” But no one
listened.

Then Aidan muttered a simple phrase that
gave everybody pause. “I’ll do it.”

After a moment of silence, Sebastian
commented, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Cale added. “We can proceed without
these—”

“I’m sure,” Aidan interrupted, probably
knowing Cale was about to offer another slight. “I’ll join the
Lagura and race Phase Nine one final time.” He stared across the
table at the king. “I choose my own crew and my ship, and when it’s
over you never ask me again. Win or lose.”

The king debated, no longer concerned with
the agitated demons. Finally, he gave Kyra a nod. “Then you’ll have
the full backing of our clan.”

“Thank you,” she replied, a little taken
aback by the swift shift in mood. “What of the other clans? Would
you be able to persuade them to join the fight?”

“I will try, but I cannot guarantee it.”

“I trust you’ll do your best,” she said.
“Oh, there is one other thing.” She brought his attention back to
the open book. “My father indicated that there should be a message
for you on the last page, but to us it blank.” She suspected it was
bespelled to appear only for him, a common way to pass secrets
through space. Turning to the page she asked, “Do you see
anything?”

The king sat, looking it over. His eyes
traveled as if there was indeed a message there. As she waited, she
watched his mouth drop into a frown. Then his head darted to his
sons, “You canna read this?” he asked…hopeful?

“No’ at all,” Gavin answered for them.

The king turned back to the page and
continued reading silently. His face paled further and sorrow took
root in his eyes. Kyra fidgeted with curiosity, but when he
finished, he softly closed the cover. It was clear he wasn’t going
to enlighten them. At least not now.

He stood. “We will take our leave to implore
the other clans for aid. Till next we meet again.”

After saying their goodbyes, Kyra snapped,
“What the hell is wrong with all of you?”

“I thought that went well,” Zoey said in a
sarcastic tone, taking command of the book.

“What do you think that message said?” Sonya
changed the subject as if their ridiculous behavior had been
completely acceptable.

“Whatever it was, he didn’t like it,” Ethan
replied.

Rex had lost interest in the conversation
altogether and surveyed the dancers. “Can we stay for a drink?” he
said absently.

“I’m surrounded by madness.” Kyra buried her
head in her hands.

“Is that what I’m getting myself into?”
Tristan said from behind.

Kyra looked up to see everyone bristled once
more. The other dragons were nowhere in sight. “Pardon?”

“I’ve decided to ride with your ship…as mad
as it apparently is.” He claimed the seat next to her. “Mind if I
buy the first round?”

On the third set of drinks,
Cale became aware that everyone was against him. Just because the
dragon was being civil, Sebastian had agreed to allow him on the
ship. Aidan, previously the only dragonshifter on
Marada
, was showing
interest in getting to know his new…kin. Ugh.

Sonya would have remained his only ally, but
she and Ethan had gone off on their own. He hadn’t even noticed
they’d gone till a moment ago, what with all his attention on
Kyra’s every action. She was too friendly with the bastard, smiling
at him, sharing stories. Did she not realize what she was doing to
him? Every now and again she would raise a brow in his direction,
making him wonder what she saw in his expression. He couldn’t
fathom what his face looked like at the moment, though Sebastian’s
constant watch gave him a clue. Anya too presented him with odd,
studying looks.