It was an exhausting walk back to the entrance of the Vampire Realm. By the time we reached the marble platform at the entrance, though, I was nearly running. My dragon had led the way, his haste making me even more nervous.

We stepped through the portal, arriving in Magic’s Bend a moment later. The streets were dead quiet this late at night, but the lights to P & P were blazing golden onto the dark street.

“Something’s wrong.” I raced toward the cafe, my dragon at my side. P & P was never open this late, and Connor wouldn’t keep the lights running after hours.

As I expected, a group of people sat within. Cass, Del, Connor, and Claire, along with two people that I couldn’t recognize from the back.

I hurried in, Ares behind me.

Cass and Del looked up, stark gazes relieved.

“We couldn’t reach you on your comms charm,” Del said.

“I was in the Vampire Realm.”

“Of course. I forgot it doesn’t work there.” Worry glinted in Cass’s eyes. She gestured to the newcomers, who had turned around.

One had messy, short blonde hair and wore burnished red leather armor. Dark circles filled in the space under her eyes. The other was short and slight, a dark-haired woman with large glasses and timeless features.

“Corin. Fiona.” I stepped forward. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s been a kidnapping at the League of FireSouls. Two days ago,” said Corin, the blonde woman.

The League of FireSouls was the only organization of FireSouls in the world. They lived in a hidden realm a bit like Ares’s, all thirteen of them holed up in a castle that could accommodate far more. They were like a magical Justice League, protecting FireSouls from persecution and danger. Cass, Del, and I had known them for months, but they’d never come to us for help.

If Fiona, the ancient fae librarian, had deemed it necessary to leave her beloved library, it must be bad.

“Who was kidnapped?” I asked.

“Alton.” Corin’s voice cracked.

I thought of the handsome, dark-skinned warrior who wore the same style armor she did. He was a good guy—and powerful as hell.

“He’s been gone the last three days.” Fiona’s voice held the ancient, timeless quality of one of the fae.

“How’d they get him?” I asked.

“We don’t know,” Corin said. “Nor do we know who it was. We’ve been trying to find him, all of us using our dragon senses, but we’ve had no luck. We were hoping that you could try. You three are the strongest FireSouls we know.”

“Of course we’ll try.” But holy fates, the timing was crappy. We couldn’t divert from our mission to stop hunting Drakon and the dragons, but no way could we let our friends down either.

I looked at Cass and Del, reading the same thing in their eyes. I wasn’t even sure we could help. While it was true that we were powerful FireSouls, able to find almost anything, we’d had a hell of a hard time locating Drakon or the dragons. We definitely weren’t infallible.

“We’ll do everything we can,” I said. “But since you’re here, could I ask you some questions about something that is troubling us?”

Both Corin and Fiona had a well of knowledge we didn’t. Fiona, especially, since she was the librarian at their castle compound.

“Of course,” Corin said.

I took a seat, my bones weary. Everyone else sat as well. It didn’t take long for me to spill the whole story. Fortunately, the FireSouls were used to weird stuff and could keep up. Even better, they’d have our backs no matter what.

“Dragons,” Corin murmured. “Really?”

I nodded. “Do you know anything about where they might have gone when they disappeared? I thought they’d died out, but I was wrong.”

“Most people thought that.” Fiona’s gaze took on the distant quality that it often did when she was visiting the resources in her mind. “When they disappeared five hundred years ago, no one knew what to make of it. Eventually, legend said that they died. But no one found any bones.”

“Are there any records?”

“None.” Fiona shook her head. “Just an oral history compiled by a scholar in the seventeenth century. The only thing that he could determine was that there were three primary dragons. As large as houses.”

I shivered at the idea, delighted and horrified.

“The last time anyone mentioned seeing them was in Norway,” Fiona said. “Six hundred years ago.”

Excitement jumped inside me. Laima had mentioned that the prophecy was an ancient Norse one, and there had also been a sighting.

That was too much to ignore.

“We’ve had FireSouls hunting the dragons for centuries,” Corin said. “In addition to our goal of protecting other FireSouls, it is our mission to find them.”

“Except we never have.” Fiona frowned. “Never even come close.”

“In the five hundred years since they disappeared, you’ve made no headway?” I asked.

“We discovered the clue about Norway, but nothing else. They’re magically protected, we think, and they’re hiding so well that even we couldn’t find them.”

“Frankly, most of us have given up hope,” Fiona said.

I frowned, hating the sentiment. “We’re going to find them.”

“I hope you—” Corin’s gaze darted behind me.

I turned. My dragon had appeared, hovering in the air.

“What is that?” Corin’s voice echoed with awe.

“My dragon.”

“He’s far too small to be a natural-born dragon,” Fiona said.

“I don’t think there’s anything natural-born about him.” I held out a hand, and the dragon flew up to give me a sniff. Then he nuzzled his head against my hand. My heart fluttered.

“May I?” Corin tentatively raised her hand toward the dragon.

“You can try.”

Corin smiled and held her hand out. The dragon sniffed her, then ignored her, turning his attention back to me.

“Sorry about that.” I felt a bit like a mother whose child wasn’t shaking hands with newcomers. But if my dragon had boundaries, I was going to respect them.

“When did you get him?” Fiona asked. “How?”

I told her all I knew, which wasn’t much. “He just appeared one day” was pretty vague. While we talked, Connor brought out drinks for everyone. He handed me a glass of Four Roses, and I sniffed the whiskey appreciatively, then drank.

The dragon flew closer, sticking his head toward my glass. I held it out so he could smell it better. His red tongue darted out, lapping up some of the whiskey.

“He likes whiskey!” Delight rang in Del’s voice.

“I guess so.” Though I could be worried about him becoming intoxicated and flying into a tree, he was a fire-breathing mythological creature built of magic and mystery. I doubted a little whiskey was going to hurt him.

“This is very unusual.” Fiona’s eyes took on a distant gaze, the way she did when she was remembering something she’d read in her library. “I recall reading something about familiars for particularly gifted FireSouls. It’s possible that he is your familiar.”

“Like a witch’s familiar?” I petted the dragon’s head, feeling that familiar frisson of power streak from him to me.

Fiona nodded. “Yes. He could help emphasize your powers. Make them stronger—make you stronger.”

Excitement raced through me. “He did. At least, I feel a little stronger every time he touches me.”

“That’s amazing,” Del said.

Could I use this gift to find Drakon or the dragons? If we had an extra boost of power, maybe our FireSouls could latch onto him. Or at least find some answers.

I turned to the little dragon who was now perched on my chair’s armrest. “Could you help me with my powers later tonight?”

His head inclined as if he were agreeing, so I decided to take that as a yes.

Maybe we were finally getting somewhere.

“Thank you, Corin and Fiona.” I smiled gratefully at them. “We’ll do all we can to find Alton.”

“No, thank you. We really need your help.” Corin reached inside her bag and pulled out a long dagger. She handed it to me. “That was his. Perhaps it will help you find him.”

My fingers closed around the metal hilt.

Corin stood. Fiona followed, her gaze on me. “Take care of your familiar, Nix. You’re lucky to have him.”

“Do you know anything about feeding him? Or taking care of him?”

“No. That information is long gone with time. I’ll check my library, but I can’t promise anything.”

“Thank you.” We said goodbye to them, and they hurried out into the night, headed back for their realm.

I turned to everyone. “Feels like we’re finally getting somewhere, huh?”

“I’m feeling a little hopeful,” Cass said. “About the dragons. Not Alton.”

Guilt sent a rush of heat to my cheeks. “Of course. Alton. I’m too focused on the dragons.”

“No, you’re just worried about Drakon. That’s normal.” Del’s eyes were kind.

“No excuse. We have to find Alton. He’s helped us so much. All of the FireSouls have.”

“There’s no question you need to hunt for answers about Drakon,” Cass said. “I’ll look for Alton with Aidan.”

“I’ll go wherever you need me,” Del said.

“With us, I think.” I looked at the clock. It was two in the morning. “Let’s get some rest and start early in the morning.”

“What about us?” Connor gestured between him and Claire.

“Thank you, guys. You’re lifesavers. Since we’re currently in recon mode, why don’t you hang out here? I’m sure the fight will come soon enough.”

Connor and Claire grinned, two identical smiles.

Everyone said their goodnights. Ares stopped me at the door, and I turned. “I’m going to go back to the Vampire Realm tonight. I need to…” He hesitated and I filled in the words for him.

“Eat? Or drink, I guess it is?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t mind, really.” I leaned up and kissed him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He kissed me one last time, then disappeared.

I joined Del and Cass on the sidewalk. The dragon floated at their side, watching me.

“He’s a good guy,” Del said.

“Seconded,” Cass added.

“Thanks, guys.” Their approval meant a lot.

We set off down the quiet sidewalk. The night was cold and dark as we walked past the golden street lamps. The dragon flew overhead, just a few feet above me.

“Where are Aidan and Roarke?” I asked.

“Off following a lead from one of Roarke’s contacts at the Order of the Magica,” Del said. “But they’re headed back here because it didn’t pan out.”

“Damn.” I stopped in front of our green door and unlocked it. The dragon led the way up to my apartment. It was surreal to stare at his little butt and tail as he flew up. I turned back to look at Cass and Del behind me. “Can you believe this?”

Del grinned. “I really can’t.”

“You deserve a dragon buddy,” Cass said. “But you do have to name him.”

“Good point.” I said goodnight to my deirfiúr and headed into my place, the dragon fluttering in behind me.

I tried to get him to eat something from the kitchen, but he refused, showing no interest in the food.

“Your loss, pal.” I chomped on the cheese sandwich I’d been trying to lure him with and went into the bedroom.

I saw him eyeing the bottle of Four Roses on the counter.

“You little lush.”

He blew a little stream of fire from his nose. It looked like a happy motion.

“I’m going to shower quickly. Make yourself at home—and that doesn’t mean burn things.”

He blew out another little stream, and I crossed my fingers as I made my way into the bathroom. I made quick work of the shower, then went into the bedroom to change. The dragon was curled up on the pillow next to mine. He was so big that he covered the whole thing, but he seemed determined to sit there, like a cat balancing on a cushion.

“Comfy?” I asked as I tugged on PJs.

Thankfully, he didn’t blow any fire out of his nose. I hoped it was because he realized the bedding was flammable.

Once dressed, I climbed into bed and leaned against the headboard, then turned to the dragon. “What do you want your name to be?”

He gave me a steady look, but said nothing.

“How about Jeff?” I asked.

He seemed to like it—at least, he didn’t light my bed on fire. So he’d be Jeff.

“So, Jeff. Will you help me with my magic?” I hovered my hand over his back. When he didn’t object, I laid my palm on him. Magic shivered through my flesh.

“Wow.” The sparkle of power ran up my arm and into my chest, settling there like a light. “You really do make my dragon sense stronger.”

He wiggled deeper into the pillow, content to hang out while I joined my magic to his. With his power flowing through me, I called upon my dragon sense. I thought of Norway and the dragons and the answers that I wanted there. The prophecy.

A tug pulled around my middle.

Norway.

As I’d thought. There would be answers there.

I removed my hand from Jeff’s back and lay down next to him. “Night, Jeff.”

He purred.

* * *

Early the next morning, a pebble clicked against the window in the living room. I hurried toward it, peering out. Ares, as expected.

I pushed open the glass and leaned out. “We really need to get you access to the building.”

“Anytime.” He grinned, so handsome that I swooned a bit.

“I’m coming down.”

A few minutes later, after I’d strapped my new blade to my back, I let him into the building. He leaned down and kissed me, making my thoughts go temporarily blank. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned up to get a better taste.

“Take it inside, you two.”

I turned at the voice. Cass pounded down the stairs from above. Aidan towered behind her, a grin on his face.

I scowled at her, then sighed. She was right. This wasn’t the place or the time. As much as I wanted some time alone with Ares—heck, a whole week—we had more important things to be doing.

“You’re going after Alton?” I asked.

She patted the bag hanging over her shoulder. “Yep. Got his dagger right here. We’re going to grab a bite to go before tracking him down.”

“If he’s in a bad spot, get backup first.” I tapped my comms charm. “We’ll be there in a heartbeat.”

“Will do.” Cass gave me a quick hug and hurried out.

“Good luck.” Aidan gave a little wave as he left.

“You too.” I turned to Ares. “Let’s head up. Del and Roarke are supposed to meet us here.”

Ares followed me up the stairs to the apartment, where Jeff sat on the couch, his little butt on the seat and his back pressed against the cushions. His white belly gleamed with a pearlescent sheen.

“He looks comfortable,” Ares said.

“Yeah. Jeff’s really adjusting well.”

“Jeff?”

“It suited him. I had a friend named Jeff once. Coolest kid I ever knew. A park ranger.”

“Jeff it is, then.” Ares held up a paper bag from P & P that I hadn’t seen before. No doubt because I’d been attached to his lips.

I sniffed, my stomach growling. “Are those cheese scones I smell?”

“Of course.”

As usual, Jeff paid no attention to the food. But I paid more than enough attention for the both of us, chowing down. In the long run, it was best that Jeff was fueled by magic instead of food. I had no idea how to potty-train a dragon.

A knock sounded at the door. Del’s distinctive pattern.

I swallowed the last bite. “Come in!”

She let herself in, followed by Roarke. Both were dressed for a fight, in dark winter clothes. It’d be cold where we were going—Norway in the winter was no joke—but brightly colored sportswear would do us no favors. We didn’t know what we’d be going into, but it was always best to be prepared to blend into the shadows.

“Are we ready to do this thing?” Del asked.

“We are.” I glanced back at Jeff, who’d fluttered off the couch as if he were ready to come along. I didn’t know how good the little dragon would be in a fight, and if it came down to that—which it often did on our trips—I hoped he’d stay safe.

“I can transport us there in two trips,” Ares said.

“Sounds like a plan,” Roarke said.

Though Roarke could transport using haunted places and graveyards, we weren’t heading towards either of those. And while he had a badass power to break through the ether and create portals, it took a good bit of magic to do so. Best to save our strength for any fights we might get into.

“To Trondheim,” I said. “I can only tell that we need to be in Norway, and at least Trondheim is a supernatural city.”

“So we won’t scare the crap out of a bunch of humans.” Del grinned. “I like it.”

Ares held out his hand, and I took it. Del took his other hand. A moment later, the ether sucked us in, pulling us through space and spitting us out in Norway.