Page 106 of Song of Her Siren

Declan’s eyes misted as he gave a slight bow. “My condolences to you, too. Your fathers were fair kings. Ever since the attack against Lupine, we’ve had unrest among our ranks.” He paused, frown lines etched around his mouth and eyes. “There is bad blood between those who razed Lupine and those who resent them for it.”

I glared at him through slits. There was still a missing piece to this puzzle. “And yet you follow Ivar.”

Declan’s pale face flushed. “He was elected by a majority, but those of us who had shifter kin would rather serve Prince Helian. Most among our ranks were happy to learn what you and Prince Asher did to Fachnan. I bear no ill will toward any of you.” His gaze swept the room as he motioned toward Nikkos. “You’re the mates of the white witches who will hopefully restore peace in the Fae lands.”

My nostrils flared as I inhaled the smells radiating off Declan. I didn’t detect the sour scent of deceit, just sweat and grime from riding a dragon.

Blaze eyed me, his expression questioning, and I nodded my approval.

“What can you do for my brother?” Blaze asked, desperation lacing his words.

“May I?” Declan asked, motioning toward the bed. When Blaze stepped aside, Declan went to Nikkos, frowning as he peeked beneath the bandages.

“The burns are extensive.” He grimaced while unwrapping the bloody bandages from Nikkos’s wings. “I can’t completely heal him, but I can keep him alive until the white witches come.”

Blaze visibly swallowed, then wiped moisture from his eyes. “I would be most grateful if you did.”

* * *

Tari

WE’RE ALL HERE.Radnor blew steam on my head with his sulfuric breath.Now what?

The grumpy drake had been the last to be teleported, and now his big bottom was crushing what was left of our little moldy shack in the woods, his long neck stretching as high as the tallest tree. Isa crouched beside him, tucking Triss beneath her wing, smoke streaming from her nostrils as she scented the air.

Though I had manifested enough balls of light to drive away some of the forest’s gloom, I still couldn’t wait to leave this place. This was where my sister and the girls had found Wolfy. No telling what other demons lay in wait for us.

I set Ember on the ground beside me, holding her hand and squinting up at the grumpy drake. “Now I need you to watch for threats while I try to summon this portal.”

How about I eliminate the threats?

Radnor crouched on all fours like a cat about to strike, his massive tail swinging over our heads as he blew a circle of fire around us. No animals squawked or ran away. The forest was already dead, the charred trees stripped bare. A shiver snaked up my spine as I suspected that it wasn’t just the fire that had stripped these woods of life. The sooner we left this place, the better.

I nudged Ember toward Helian, and he held both girls close to his sides. Closing my eyes, I blew out a long, slow breath. I pressed my hands to my sides, trying to still the trembling in my limbs while summoning my magic. The tingling sensation moved through me a little faster than before, and I prayed the effects of the tea were wearing off. I didn’t care how much Helian begged; I wasn’t drinking that tea again. I couldn’t afford for my magic to slow me down, not when seconds mattered.

I tried to steady my breathing, though it was hard when smoke from Radnor’s fires clogged my throat. I squeezed my eyes tighter while envisioning Finn’s easy smile and sparkling eyes.

Elements, help me reach Finn.

I imagined the town of Cyrene, from the smells of bread, filth, the pungent ocean air, and the prostitutes’ cloying perfume. I saw the merchant ships rocking in their stalls, their bare masts jutting into the sky.

Take us there, Elements, I pleaded.

The magic in my hands was building, swelling my fingertips until they throbbed and ached, and when I could no longer withstand the pressure, I flung my arms, sucking in a hiss when a portal opened in front of us, widening like a circle of flame burning a hole through parchment. The hole continued to open until it was large enough to accommodate a dragon. I gaped at the crumbling wall on the other side of the portal with familiar carvings of spear-wielding satyrs attacking a dragon. Dunhull? No! Why hadn’t the portal taken us to Cyrene?

“You did it!” Helian exclaimed while nudging me toward the portal.

“I didn’t.” I dug in my feet. “That’s Dunhull.”

“It’s better than nothing. Come on.” He pushed my shoulder while corralling the girls toward the portal.

I wanted to fight him, but a wave of dizziness rolled over me like a boulder. As I swayed against Helian, my world tipped. I thought I heard the girls gasping as Helian hoisted me in his arms.

“You’ve used too much magic,” he rumbled while adjusting me. “You can take us to Cyrene after you recover.”

No. No. No! I didn’t want to go to Dunhull. It would take too long to reach Finn and Nikkos. They could be dead by the time we found them. I tried to tell Helian as much, but my words came out on a slur as my eyelids drooped, too heavy to reopen.

Helian was right. I’d used too much magic. How would I save Finn and Nikkos now?

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