Quinn's Revenge Read online

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Quinn retorted. “But if we go down, I’m taking you with us.”

  * * *

  They spent a long while watching the house while they considered their options. Trying to sneak up on a coven of witches seemed doomed to fail. Threats would get them nowhere. They had nothing to use for leverage, nothing to trade.

  In the end, Nardik suggested they just knock on the door.

  “What if they conjure a spell to convey themselves elsewhere?” Seleena asked anxiously. “If that happens, we’ll never be able to find them again.”

  Brow furrowed, Quinn raked his fingers through his hair. “We need to pique their interest, offer them something they’ve never seen before.”

  “The dragon,” Nardik said.

  “Right. Wyrick knows I’m hiding something. What if I offer to show him the tattoo in exchange for seeing my son?”

  “What if he hits you with a death spell instead?” Seleena asked. “What if he …?”

  “Red, we can stand here and think of ‘what if’s’ all day long, or we can take a chance and do something unexpected.”

  “You’re putting a lot of faith in the dragon,” she argued. “What if he hides from Wyrick the way he did the last time?”

  “He won’t.”

  “You don’t know that!”

  “He hasn’t failed me yet,” he said with a wink. “No reason to doubt him now. Besides, the last time he disappeared turned out to be a good thing. I’m betting the dragon and the three of us can defeat anything Wyrick throws our way. Are you with me?”

  She smiled at him, her expression softening as she laid her hand on his arm. “Since the day we met.”

  “That’s my girl. Once we get inside, I’ll go after Steffon. Nardik, your job is to find Corrie.” He jerked his chin in Alexxa’s direction. “And keep a sharp eye on the witch. We don’t need her interfering.”

  “What do you want me to do?” Seleena asked.

  “You’re our backup. Stay out here and be ready for anything. I’m not sure how this will go down.”

  “Quinn…”

  He covered her mouth with his in a long hungry kiss. “For luck,” he said with a wink. “Don’t worry.”

  Seleena murmured a protection spell as he strode down the street, hoping against hope that it was strong enough to repel Wyrick’s dark magic, that Quinn’s confidence in the dragon wasn’t misplaced, that her son and Corrie were safe and out of danger.

  Quinn murmured, “Don’t let me down, Dragon,” as he approached the front door of Wyrick’s lair. He felt unseen eyes watching him from the second story, felt the whisper of dark magic slide over his skin like invisible fingers. He smiled inwardly. Seleena had his back, he thought, as the spell that had been directed at him from the upstairs window was rendered harmless by her interference.

  Shaking off his anxiety, Quinn pounded his fist on the door. “Wyrick! I know you’re there. Open the damn door. I’ve got something to show you.”

  There was a ripple in the air. The heavy door swung open. And Wyrick stood there, looking much the same as the last time Quinn had seen him -- a diminutive, white-haired man clad in a long black robe.

  The wizard looked him up and down, his dark eyes filled with contempt. “Either you have more nerve than I gave you credit for, vampire, or you are quite insane.”

  “I want to see my son.” Quinn held up a hand when the wizard started to speak. “Don’t bother lying to me. I know he’s in there. His blood is my blood. You can’t hide him from me.”

  Wyrick snorted. “As I said, I do not know if you are truly brave, or just stupid.”

  Quinn tensed as he felt Wyrick summoning his magic. “Wait! Don’t you want to see what I brought you?”

  Wyrick glanced pointedly at Quinn’s empty hands. “What could you possibly offer that would be of interest to me?”

  “The same thing you were so curious about the last time we were face-to-face.”

  Wyrick’s gaze flicked to Quinn’s left shoulder.

  Quinn nodded. “Your instincts were right. Bring me my son and I’ll show you something you’ve never seen before.”

  Wyrick regarded him for several moments. Quinn could almost see the wheels turning as the wizard weighed the chance to satisfy his curiosity against killing Quinn out of hand.

  Curiosity won.

  “Lanna,” Wyrick called over his shoulder. “Bring me the boy.”

  Quinn went suddenly still, nostrils flaring as he caught Steffon’s warm, baby scent. He looked beyond Wyrick, his gaze focusing on the witch walking toward the front door, a child wrapped in a white blanket cradled in her arms. “Steffon.”

  “I have fulfilled my half of the bargain,” Wyrick said, eyes narrowing. “The child is unharmed, as you can see. Now, fulfill your part.”

  “As you wish.” Quinn slowly removed his shirt, his gaze never leaving the wizard’s face.

  Wyrick took a step forward. He frowned when he saw the tattoo. “That is your big reveal?” He snorted disdainfully. “I have seen tattoos before.”

  “But none quite like this one. Now, dragon.”

  Wyrick recoiled as the dragon slithered down Quinn’s arm, growing larger and larger still as its feet touched the floor. “What the Hel?” Delving into his robe, the wizard produced his wand with a flourish. Murmuring an incantation, he pointed it at Quinn.

  “Oh, bad decision,” Quinn chided, taking several steps back. “Very bad indeed. Now, Dragon!”

  As he had before, the dragon darted between Quinn and the wizard’s spell.

  Crimson fire erupted from the dragon’s mouth, dancing over Wyrick’s body from head to heel until he was engulfed by the flames. He screamed as his hands beat at the flames in a desperate effort to save himself but to no avail.

  The witch, Lanna, let out a startled cry as an unseen entity snatched the baby from her arms.

  The wizard let out a last, terrible scream as the flames grew hotter, more intense. There was a whoosh of dragon’s breath and Wyrick’s body disintegrated into a pile of ashes.

  With a wave of her hand, Lanna vanished from sight.

  Quinn glanced around. “Seleena?”

  “I’m here.” She materialized beside him, their son in her arms.

  “Didn’t I tell you to stay outside?”

  “You needed me here.”

  Quinn’s gaze rested on the child sleeping in her arms. “Is he all right?”

  She nodded, tears of joy sparkling in her eyes. “They didn’t hurt him.”

  Relief washed through Quinn. “Where’s Nardik and Alexxa?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Take Steffon back to the ship. I’m going inside.” When he was certain Seleena was safely away, Quinn glanced at Wyrick’s ashes, wondering if he would be able to cross the threshold. Sometimes, when death had been committed in a house or the owner had been killed, the threshold lost its power. Was that also true for the homes of witches and wizards?

  Quinn took a tentative step forward, felt the faint shimmer of magical energy as he crossed the threshold. Detouring around Wyrick’s cooling ashes, he hurried down the dimly-lit hallway, the dragon at his heels.

  A glance into the rooms they passed showed all were empty of life. Some had obviously been deserted quickly -- candles left burning, a half-eaten meal on a table, a chair over-turned in haste.

  Muttering, “Where the Hel did the rest of the coven go?” Quinn continued on down the corridor until he came to a stairway leading down to the next level. “What do you think, dragon?”

  The beast made a soft, snuffling sound.

  “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”

  With the dragon following close behind him, Quinn descended the stairs cautiously, all his senses alert. He paused in front of the door at the end of the short hallway. There were people behind it -- Nardik was one of them.

  With a whispered, “Stay close, dragon,” Quinn put his hand on the latch.

  From inside the room, a deep voice calle
d, “If you open that door, the child dies.”

  Shit! Quinn thought for a moment, then grinned. Dragon, wait thirty seconds then break down the door. Got it?

  The dragon hissed in reply.

  “I hope that’s a yes,” Quinn said dryly. Dissolving into mist, he slid under the crack between the door and the floor.

  A tall, blond man held a baby against his chest, a wand in his free hand.

  Nardik stood three feet away, his gaze fixed on his opponent, his own wand at the ready.

  Stalemate.

  Neither man seemed aware of the gray mist hovering near the ceiling.

  Quinn counted the seconds in his head. When he reached twenty-nine, he materialized beside the blond.

  At thirty, the dragon broke down the door.

  Quinn grabbed the baby and tossed it to Nardik, then grasped the blond by the shoulders and sank his fangs into the man’s throat.

  The blood was very bitter, but very filling.

  “You about done there?” Nardik asked as Quinn drained the life out of the witch.

  Wiping the blood from his lips, Quinn let the dry husk fall to the floor. “Never let a good meal go to waste.”

  Nardik lifted one brow.

  Was he amused, Quinn wondered, or repulsed? “Was that Annis’ husband?”

  “I believe so. Where is Seleena?”

  “Waiting for us at the Airship, with Steffon.” Quinn glanced around the room. “Where’s Alexxa?”

  Looking sheepish, Nardik muttered, “She got away.”

  “What? How the Hel did that happen?”

  “There was a flurry of magic between Rajj and myself when I stepped into this room. In the confusion, she managed to slip out the door.”

  Quinn cursed under his breath. “Do you think she’ll give us any trouble down the road?”

  “If she is wise, she will stay out of my way.”

  “And mine.” Looking at the dragon, Quinn held out his left arm. “Good job,” he murmured, as the dragon shrank to rat-size, scurried to its customary place on his left shoulder, and melted into his skin.

  Nardik smiled down at the pretty, curly-haired baby grasping his finger. “Corrie, I believe our work here is done.”

  * * *

  Quinn felt the sting of tears in his eyes when he climbed on board and saw his son sleeping peacefully in Seleena’s arms. It had all been worth it, he thought, as he settled into the seat beside her. All the pain, all the worry and anguish of heart and soul, none of it mattered now that they were all together again.

  Seleena smiled at him, tears shining brightly in her own eyes as she clasped his hand in hers. There were no words to convey her feelings, she thought, not words enough in the entire universe to express her gratitude or her love.

  “I don’t need the words,” Quinn said, squeezing her hand. “I love you, too. You’re the bravest woman I’ve ever known.”

  Nardik boarded the ship a few minutes later. He nodded in Seleena’s direction as he took the seat across the aisle.

  Moments later, they were in the air, bound for home.

  Chapter 17

  Annis couldn’t sit still, could scarcely contain her excitement. Ever since Nardik had sent word that the children were both safe and sound and were on their way home, she had been unable to relax or think of anything else. Corrie was safe! Soon, she would hold her precious daughter in her arms again. The thought made her so light-headed, she thought she might faint right there in front of everyone!

  Oblivious to the others gathered in the Great Hall, she threw herself into Killian’s arms when he entered the room. “Did you hear the good news?”

  All too aware that he was in the presence of the Queen and her consort, not to mention several servants and a couple of court visitors, Killian gently disengaged himself from her embrace. “Just now,” he said. “I’m so happy for you, Princess.”

  She frowned at him when he backed up several steps, putting a discreet distance between them. “What’s wrong?”

  Killian glanced around the room, hoping she would understand how unseemly it had been for her to throw herself at him when they weren’t alone.

  Comprehension dawned as Annis followed his gaze. The servants looked shocked. Her mother appeared bewildered. Gryff looked amused, while Marri seemed merely resigned.

  Annis breathed a sigh of relief when the doors to the Great Hall burst open and Nardik strode into view, a blanket-wrapped bundle in his arms, thereby giving the others in the room something else to think about. Seleena trailed behind the wizard. Steffon slept in her arms, his head resting on her shoulder. Quinn brought up the rear.

  Annis ran toward Nardik, her arms outstretched. Joy blossomed in her heart as he placed her daughter in her arms. “Bless you, all of you!” She ran her fingertips over Corrie’s cheeks, then placed a kiss on her brow.

  Looking up, Annis smiled at the three people who had risked their lives to find her daughter. “How can I ever repay you?” she asked, her voice thick with tears of gratitude.

  “The look on your face is thanks enough, Princess,” Nardik assured her.

  Seleena and Quinn nodded in agreement, then followed Nardik across the room.

  The wizard sketched a bow in Marri’s direction, then went to stand beside Amerris.

  Quinn also bowed to their Queen. Unable to curtsey properly with Steffon in her arms, Seleena bowed her head respectfully.

  “We are forever in your debt,” Marri said. “If there is ever anything you want, anything you need, you have only to ask and it’s yours.”

  “That’s most kind of you, your Majesty,” Seleena said, smiling at the baby cradled in her arms. “But we have everything we need.”

  Marri looked at Quinn. “Have you any requests?”

  He shook his head. “Like she said, we have everything we need.”

  Marri nodded. “The offer stands, nevertheless.”

  Gryff leaned forward. “One day, when you have the time, I’d like to hear about that dragon on your shoulder.”

  “Someday, I’ll show it to you,” Quinn promised, slipping his arm around Seleena’s waist. “But not today. If you’ll excuse us, we’ve been away from home far too long.”

  Gryff nodded his understanding. “Of course. Go with our thanks, both of you.” He took Marri’s hand and gave it a squeeze as Quinn and Seleena left the room.

  After dismissing their visitors and the servants, Marri looked at Nardik. “I would like to know what happened while you were searching for Corrie. Are there likely to be repercussions?”

  “None that I can foresee.”

  “Were there deaths?”

  He made a vague gesture with his hand. “It was necessary to...ah...dispose of a few rebellious witches.”

  Marri glanced at Annis, who had taken a chair in the corner, her attention riveted on her daughter. Killian stood at her side, his gaze fixed on Annis’ face.

  “What of Wyrick and his coven?” Gryff asked.

  “Wyrick and his son are both dead,” Nardik said quietly. “The other witches fled. I do not foresee any trouble coming from any of them.”

  “But it’s possible?” Marri asked.

  “As well you know, Majesty,” Nardik answered with a rare grin, “anything is possible.”

  Marri’s lips twitched in amusement. Truly an understatement. Her husband was a shapeshifter. Nardik was a wizard with extraordinary powers. Quinn was a vampire. Truly, anything was possible.

  * * *

  Annis stood at her chamber window, gazing at Brynn Tor’s twin moons. Corrie was safely home, asleep in her cradle, apparently none the worse for her ordeal.

  Rajj was dead, as was his father.

  She tried to feel sorrow, sympathy. But all she felt was an overwhelming sense of relief that neither Rajj nor Wyrick would ever be able to hurt her or Corrie or anyone else again.

  She was free, Annis mused, free of Rajj’s enchantment. Free to marry again. She felt herself smiling as she thought of being Killian’s wife, shari
ng his bed, having his children.

  Killian. Even though it was late and she was in her nightgown, she went to the door, intending to call him, only to find that he wasn’t standing guard in the corridor.

  Frowning, she glanced up and down the long, narrow hallway, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  He had been there every night these past weeks, she thought as she closed and locked the door. Why was he not there now?

  * * *

  When Killian was still absent in the morning, Annis went to Marri in search of answers. She found her sister in her private quarters, having breakfast with Rory while her infant daughter slept in her cradle.

  Marri looked up as Annis entered the room. “Good morrow,” she said, smiling. “Will you join me for a cup of chocolate and toast?”

  “No, thank you. I’ve eaten. I was wondering…that is…um, did you reassign Killian to some other duty?”

  Marri nodded. “With Corrie’s return and the danger past, I didn’t think you needed a bodyguard anymore. Are you sure you won’t have something to eat? I can ring for Darrla.”

  Annis shook her head. “Where’s Killian now?”

  “Training with the other knights, I believe. How’s Corrie?”

  “I want him back.”

  “Annis, sit down.”

  Scowling, Annis did as she was told. “I want him back,” she said again, more forcefully. “I need him.”

  “What you need is to think of your reputation,” Marri chided gently. “The servants are already spreading gossip about the way you threw yourself into his arms yesterday.”

  “I don’t care what they think. I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

  “But I do. You’re my sister, Princess of Brynn Tor, and you need to behave appropriately in public.” Marri regarded Annis for a moment. “You’re not still thinking of marrying him, are you?”

  “What if I am? I know he wants me...”

  “I have no doubt that he wants you,” Marri said, choosing her words with care. “But are you sure he has marriage in mind?” She held up her hand when she saw the argument rising in her sister’s eyes. “I’m sure he cares for you, Annie, but are you certain he wants to marry into the royal family with all that it entails? This life isn’t for everyone, and it will be more difficult for him, not having been born to it.”