Chapter 34
Through lace curtains, she watched Lachon drive up the curved driveway. He'd been here once before, invited to a housewarming party after she first purchased the place. Back when they had been friends. She'd never said anything outright damming to him after Gray died, but never made an attempt to talk to him again either. They hadn't even spoken at her mother’s funeral.
When the knock on the door came, she took her time answering. He’d often told her, “Patience is a virtue.” Today she’d see if he believed his own advice.
She cracked the door open. Smiled respectfully, as one should when they greeted a member of the council. It was a practiced smile that did not reach her eyes. It was the same smile she gave whenever they’d come in contact at the Hall of Records over the past years. One that said she had nothing to say to him, could barely stand his presence.
“Good morning, Councilor Findel. This is unexpected. What can I do for you?” Quinn asked as she leaned a hip against the door jam.
“Please, call me Lachon. After all we’ve known and worked with each other for so many years.”
She shook her head and simply replied, “Thank you for the kind offer but we must always remember protocol. Now, what can I help you with, Councilor?”
“It’s important. May I come in?”
“Of course.” Quinn stepped back. “I put on a pot of tea. Can I offer you something?”
“Yes. Thank you. I hope I didn't wake you?”
“Not at all, I’m an early riser.” She shut the door and gestured for Lachon to follow her to the kitchen. Motioned for him to take a seat at the table while she poured them tea. She bent over to find the sugar in the cupboard. Purposely squirmed her hips as she did so. She stirred the sugar in the cup then licked the spoon. Offered him cream, which he politely declined.
Quinn set a cup in from of him and sat in the chair across the table.
“Your toes must be cold,” he said.
She smiled serenely, flipped her hair over her shoulders. “You'd think so, wouldn't you? I had in floor heating installed a few years back so the floors are always quite warm. I have no need for slippers.” She wiggled her toes. “Now, Councilor, please tell me what I can do for you?”
“I want to know why you called the Dragon King last week.”
She took a sip of her tea and licked her lips, “He’s . . . an old friend.”
“The Guardian of the immortals is a strange companion for you. I’d never heard of this friendship before.”
“Yes, well.” She giggled. “Our relationship is personal and none of your concern.”
“I doubt that.” Lachon gulped the tea. “Would you like to try again?”
Quinn gave up trying to be sexy. She'd told Domhall it wouldn't work. She wasn't exactly known for being a sexpot.
“We had a contract that needed to be settled. I called him to finalize the contract. That’s all.” She kept her face composed and answered as close to the truth as possible so that Lachon couldn't accuse her of lying.
“I see and may I ask what this contract was?”
“It was the settling of a gift my mother left for him in her Will.”
Lachon nodded. “Your mother died some years ago, why not give him the gift years ago?”
“I found the request when I was going through her things.”
The morning sun streamed in through the kitchen windows. Lachon turned his profile to the sun before he asked his next question.
“And can you tell me where Thronus is now?”
Quinn quipped, “I can tell you that I don’t know where Thronus is now.”
“I see. And can you tell me if he liked his gift.”
“I don't know the answer to that,” she said, stumbling over the question.
“How could you not? What was his reaction when he saw his gift?”
The game ended then.
“It is the greatest gift he’s ever been given,” she whispered.
“He protects her?” Lachon asked.
Knowing what must be done, Quinn accepted her fate. “Of course, he protects her. He is her sworn protector.”
Lachon stood. Kindness lay in his voice. “Quinn, I’m truly sorry to do this. What’s happened to your family is tragic, but I must find the girl. You place us all in danger by helping her.”
Quinn studied Lachon—a man she had always admired. The Law of their people. The closest thing her father had ever had to a friend. She stood.
“You know nothing, Lachon.” She reached behind her sweater, pulled out the gun and fired point blank into his heart.
His head jerked back and, he fell to his knees. For a moment, Quinn thought she’d have to fire again. He was so large that even on his knees they came almost face-to-face. She placed the gun on the table, stroked his jaw as his eyes began to close. His hands held his chest. Confusion clearly written on the lines of his face when he realized there was no blood.
“Don’t worry, Lachon, it’s only a tranquilizer. There’s enough dosage in here to take down an elephant for three days. We estimate it’ll be enough to keep you sleeping for two. Maybe you’ve figured it out by now and maybe you haven't. Father feels you have the right to know. Though I disagree with him, I am following his lead. So, listen up before you pass out. I have things that need to be done.”
She cradled his chin in her hand and looked him in the eyes. “A son was born.” She watched his eyes flare as he held on to reality for a few moments more. “Domhall may trust you, but I'll reserve judgment for now.”
Dropping his chin, she dusted off her hands and picked up her gun. “Now, I have a nephew to meet and a niece to save. And if it wasn't clear already, I resign as record keeper. No matter what, I am a Taleisin first and I’ll do everything I can to protect my family.”
She left him on his knees in the kitchen, gathered pillows and a blanket from her bedroom to make sure he was comfortable while he slept on the floor. She chose her softest pillow and her favorite blanket. She changed out of her top and put on a T-shirt and zip up sweater she'd picked up from MEC the summer before. Added a good pair of breathable socks. Grabbed the bag of clothing left by the bed earlier the night before. Then picked up the untraceable cell phone Domhall left with her and dialed the number.
When he answered, she spoke quickly. “It's done. I'm leaving the house in seven minutes.”
With all her gear in tow, she headed back into the kitchen. The mighty Law of the People lay on her floor. For a brief instant, she understood the obsession so many of her kind had with power. She’d taken down a giant because he hadn't for an instant thought she could. She placed the pillow under his head, brushed his auburn hair out of his eyes. Next, she laid her blanket over his massive body. Even in this forced sleep, she felt the power echoing off him.
He might have looked at her briefly with respect, as a warrior, but he was going to be out for blood when he woke up. She’d broken the law as sure as she'd brushed her teeth this morning. There was no going back. She took a moment to walk around her home and say a mental goodbye. In all likelihood, she’d never return. Not unless they could stop a war.
She stroked Lachon's hair one final time before leaving the house. Wasn't sure he could hear her, but decided it was worth a try.
“I’m sorry. But this was the only way. If you’d been on our side, maybe things would be different. Can’t you see the other members of your council have turned dark? They don’t follow your law. You'd be smarter to worry about them than about us. The drugs will wear off in two days.” And since she knew it was likely the next time she saw him would be in battle, she kissed him on the mouth before she left and said, “Until we meet again, Law.”