Chapter 9
Alex flopped into a seat as far removed as possible from Domhall and Collum. As the adrenaline from the day wore off, she dissected everything that had happened, studied the two men she shared the plane with. What her grandfather had done in the airport was unbelievable. She wouldn’t have thought things like that were possible twelve hours ago. When he'd grabbed her hand, she'd been afraid, until he pushed her slightly behind him and winked at her. He'd calmly told her, “Don't let go of my hand, kid. I got this,” before obliterating the two soldiers sent to kill them.
Alex hadn't noticed them—they simply appeared out of nowhere. Domhall protected her with an energy field before the two men had a chance to verify her appearance. She'd felt the energy before she saw it, which was utterly amazing. The energy glowed the same color as her grandfather’s eyes. The power felt impenetrable. Alex hadn't even noticed Collum or the third assassin. Apparently, Domhall hadn't either. That confirmed her choice to stay with Collum, no matter what Domhall said.
Her instincts had proven right most of her life. But right now? She had to remain vigilant. Couldn’t leave her future up to these men, no matter how much she wanted to be sure of them. Maybe good ol’ grandad was playing her. She was also self-aware enough to recognize that her desire for Collum could easily be clouding her judgment. But her aunt vouched for Collum and she was the one-person Alex trusted completely.
She studied both men under her lashes. They were doing their best to ignore each other, while giving her the space she desperately needed.
Looking at Collum made her belly ache. She wanted to climb on top of him and beg him to kiss her until she screamed. She had no idea what the full extent of his powers were, but there was no doubt he’d kill anything in his way.
And then there was Domhall. Her grandfather was a fourteen-hundred-year-old warrior, who controlled the elements and who could disintegrate men by looking at them? She rested her head against the window and drifted off. There would be time to dissect more in the morning. The journey had only just begun.
~ ~ ~
Alex smelled oranges. It was a strong and tangy scent. It smelled clean, healthy. She opened her eyes to find herself in a garden surrounded by citrus trees. The light was intense. A slight breeze wafted crisply, yet her body felt heavy. Alex tried to raise her hand to her face. Everything appeared clean and clear . . . except her. Alex was weighted. She knew her body remained on the plane while her soul traveled here, wherever here was.
“Hello, Alex, welcome home.”
She observed the man standing a few scant steps away. He was the blood pounding under her skin, hot and fluid. There was feline presence to him. She had the distinct impression that he belonged to her. He was easily as tall as Collum, but in place of Collum's muscle there was a lean and composed strength. She sensed he harnessed a dormant savagery. His yellow eyes glowed with secrets she didn't want to know.
“Where am I?”
“You are home, Alex. We are waiting for you to join us.”
Alex weaved, tried to steady her mind. “Who are you?”
He approached her with ease, a slight smirk on his lips. “I am Neeren.”
“Why am I here, Neeren?”
“In England, I'll be coming for you. Your fathers' people want you home. When you see me, come to me.”
“Who are you, Neeren?” She shook her head, tried to clear the cobwebs. “I know you.”
He grinned. “Your family awaits, Alex.” He reached his hand to her arm and laid his fingers lightly against her skin.
For a mere second, Alex became corporeal. He leaned in and stared directly into her eyes. A half-moon glowed inside his eyes. A jolt reverberated up her spine and a tingling sensation flowed behind her retina.
Neeren gently kissed her forehead before stepping away. “Come willingly to me, Alex.”
~ ~ ~
Alex woke up crying. Tears poured down her face.
Collum was at her side in an instant, touching her, questioning her.
She hesitated, overwhelmed with a desire to keep her dream secret. More often than not, Alex’s dreams were premonitions. Who was to say this wasn't a new manifestation of her powers. The dream had felt more real than any before—like she was on the verge of pushing her body through a mist to another side. A fiery sensation burned up her leg to her shoulder but she kept silent. She knew she'd see a tattoo engraved on the flesh that burned. It pulsed under her hand as she rubbed her arm. She understood she’d been branded. The burning sensation stopped where Neeren’s had touched her shoulder.
Alex grasped Collum's hand while looking to her grandfather. “Domhall, can the Elementals speak to each other telepathically?”
“What did you dream, Alex?”
Both men stared at her with concern, but also, curiosity.
She might trust them with her life, but she wasn't ready to trust them with her strange introduction to Neeren.
“I'm just wondering. There’s so much about myself and my family that I don't know. We've been so busy running that I haven't had a chance to assimilate anything. Or to ask all the questions I want.”
“You're right,” Domhall said before glancing at Collum. “We have the time now and the girl deserves to know more about what's going on. For that matter, so do you.”
He settled in the seat closest to them. “Gray, was fierce from the moment she was born. A true warrior. In our culture, Alex, women are revered for their strength. We place no distinction between men and women when it comes to the ability to protect our race. Most immortals feel this way.”
“This is true for dragons as well,” Collum interjected. “Most female dragons are better warriors than their male counterparts.”
Domhall nodded. “I was already an old man before Gray came along. I taught her everything I learned during my many years on earth. Your grandmother thought I was starting too young with her, but I knew she was born to be a leader. And she had so much passion, I didn't want her to waste it. I was a thousand years old and taught her all I knew. It was too much.” He smiled. “She'd always been a trouble maker. As a warrior, though, no one worried much. She would take out her aggression on whichever mission she was assigned to. Once, we lost track of her for almost two years. I’d had a thousand years to learn to temper my abilities to those around me. She thirsted for knowledge; much as I did and still do. You all think I've gone insane, but, don't you see? That touch of insanity is all that holds me together. I need to forget who I am and what I'm capable of from time to time."
“But if you are so powerful, why didn't you stop her?” Alex asked.
“Cause, kiddo, she was my daughter and I loved her. I would deny her nothing. I also don't think it was so terrible for her to have so much power. We’ve been fighting wars for longer than I've been living and where has it gotten us? I no longer see in black and white. My world is colored with my experiences. Not all the Elementals are as perfect as they present themselves. Collum knows that. Your grandmother knew that. That's why she hid you.” He petted her curls before saying, “If I’d stopped Gray, you wouldn't exist. That would be too great of a tragedy for me to live with.”
Alex leaned over and kissed her grandfather’s cheek. “Thank you for telling me more about her. Now, I need to learn more about who I am. Can the Elementals talk to each other telepathically?” she asked again.
“No, Alex, they cannot.” Collum replied without hesitation while stroking her fingers absently. “Are you ready to tell us what your dream was about?”
Neeren's face appeared behind her eyes. Nothing was black and white, she told herself before shaking her head. “It was nothing. It’s probably fear of the unknown cropping up. Look, I'm exhausted and I need to use the bathroom. Can you guys give me some space please?”
The men moved away in an uneasy truce. As they found their seats, Alex marched to the bathroom.
In the tiny room, she stripped before the mirror and studied the tattoo coiled around her body. There was no room for fear now. She’d have to get a grip and deal with it. Flames wound around her leg, hugging her muscles. Fire settled on each rib, dropping bits of red ash. The flames floated up her side, along her shoulder blade, over her shoulder, and ended where Neeren had touched her. Who was he? He’d said her family was waiting. For a moment, Alex couldn't breathe. She closed her eyes until the chaos calmed. Until she was ready for more.
Her red hair glistened and her skin glowed. As she stared, the tattoo shifted against her skin. She had no idea what the flame did, but the power of it echoed through her body. It connected with her muscles and pulsed against her nerve endings. A yellow half-moon shimmered in the centre of her violet eyes. She inhaled raggedly.
She wanted to know. Needed to know why her eyes now matched Neeren’s. So, this was it. The decision was made. She would go to Neeren when he came for her.