Chapter Nine – Edan

He didn't expect Brant to strike. Despite what had happened, he didn't think his brother would actually attack him. When Brant's claws came at him, all he did was stand there and stare. It wasn't until he was grasped in Brant's hand, being crushed, that he realized what was happening. His flames roared to life, responding instinctively, and he released a stream of them at Brant's face.

His brother threw him over his shoulder into the abyss that his balcony overlooked. Edan shifted, struggling to beat his wings and right himself. He twisted back with a cry to see Brant lunge deeper into the room.

Isobel.

He was after Isobel.

The cry turned into a roar as Edan lashed out. His claws sunk deep into Brant's flank and he let himself drop. The balcony crumbled as Brant was yanked back. He tried to hold to the stonework, but it wasn't meant to hold two shifted dragons. A burst of flame shot from his mouth as the two of them fell. Brant turned and punched a clawed hand into Edan's face, but Edan only dug his own claws in deeper. He used Brant's body to propel himself forward, biting and tearing at his brother.

They twisted around one another as they fell, both of their wings beating wildly, unwilling to release the other to stabilize themselves. A look Edan had never seen in his brother before flared to life in Brant's eyes and he dug his teeth into Edan's shoulder. The prince howled, his own grip slipping just enough for Brant to yank him over to his back.

A burst of pain. Brant tore away from him, regaining altitude. Edan flapped his wings, trying to steady himself, but one of them wouldn't work. It hung, limp and useless, while the other turned him over and over.

He landed hard on his back. The breath left his body and his lungs wouldn't inhale. His heart gave a mighty thump and then was still for several seconds. Edan arched himself up and fell back. His heart lurched and began a fast, hard rhythm. He was finally able to pull in a single breath and looked up.

Brant circled over him, no expression on his face. Half a dozen bronze-colored dragons, only two-thirds the size of Brant, dove at him. He easily beat one out of the air before the others landed on him, biting and tearing. A golden dragon launched itself off a high balcony and dropped like a peregrine falcon. Zoelle.

Edan rolled over. He tested his injured wing and sighed in relief as it moved. Pain throbbed through the muscle, but the joint moved easily. So, not broken. He launched himself into the air, desperate to rejoin the fight.

Just as Zoelle reached Brant, he twisted sharply. He kicked her in the belly while throwing two of the smaller dragons off. Zoelle faltered, struggling to regain her momentum, and two of the bronze dragons left Brant to aid her. Edan let out a plaintive cry; Zoelle would survive the drop, but if Brant got Isobel, she would not.

But Brant didn't go back to Edan's broken balcony. He sped higher, toward a balcony two stories above. Edan's heart lurched again when he saw Clint on that balcony. Brant let out a stream of green-tinged flame. Hot enough to incinerate the beams holding the balcony in place in an instant. Edan let out a roar and beat his wings harder

A thunderous roar shook the air. Clint's massive, navy-blue dragon appeared on the balcony. Streams of white-hot flame burst from his mouth. The first blast sent Brant flipping over his head. The second seared the thin membrane on his wings. On the third, Brant turned and fled. The bronze dragons gave pursuit, but Brant was the second-fastest dragon in the kingdom.

Fastest now, Edan thought.

Clint's wings hadn't been destroyed in the fire, but they would never be as strong as they once were.

The balcony the king was on jerked. The ruined supports crumpled and the whole thing fell. He scrambled backward on three legs. The falling balcony pitched him off the edge. His wings beat hard, but it wasn't enough. Zoelle let out a plaintive cry and threw herself in his path. Her legs wrapped around him, but she was too small to carry Clint's bulk.

Edan surged forward. He rammed the pair underneath, pushing them upward from the ground. The impact had stars dancing around his head. His wings beat the air. Something hard bit into his side and he flipped over. Dirt and grass sprayed into the air as the three dragons plowed through the yard. Eventually, they came to a stop in a heap of tangled limbs.

A long, low growl became a groan of pain as Clint shifted back to his human form. He lay on his back, face twisted as he panted. Zoelle collapsed next to him, sobbing and kissing him over and over again. Edan rolled to his feet and surveyed the skies. Brant had disappeared and the bronze guards were returning.

"Increase security," Clint grunted from the ground. "Send parties to find him. I want—"

"Edan!"

Isobel leaped over Clint and threw herself into Edan's arms. Her shirt was torn down the back, revealing a long cut that oozed blood. Brant must have nearly got her. Edan's blood boiled as he pulled her tighter. He made to kiss her, but she pulled away. Her eyes were bright, a wild, panicked look to them that he hadn't even seen in that blasted cave.

"There's a demon," she blurted. "A demon inside of Brant's head."

Edan's jaw dropped. "What?"

"I saw it. I thought he was a demon, but when you made him hesitate, he flickered to Brant and then turned back into the demon when he attacked. He's got a demon inside of him!"

"Do you have no shame?" Zoelle ripped Isobel from his arms and pushed her away from the brothers. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing – what you think this will give you – but it's horrendous. Do you think that our family's pain is something for you to use to get more power or money or whatever you're after?"

Isobel shook her head. "I know it's strange, and for the longest time I didn't believe it myself, but I am psychic. Partly, at least."

Zoelle's hand flew. Edan was just able to grab it before it made contact. A low, rumbling growl echoed from his chest. His sister-in-law shrank back, her eyes widening. Clint flipped himself over and reached for her, snarling at Edan himself. Flames flickered between his teeth.

"Stop it!" Isobel pulled away from Edan and stepped between the brothers. "Don't start fighting. You are not enemies and you can't start mistrusting one another. The king is bleeding, my lady." Though her words were respectful, her tone was clearly an order as she glanced at Zoelle. "You should take him inside for medical treatment."

To Edan's surprise, Zoelle turned away. The guards landed around them and several hoisted Clint up and carried him back towards the palace while ushering Edan and Isobel after them. Since the danger had passed, his flames were low, almost out. His brother would have killed him. Brant was beyond hope.

"It wasn't him." As though she could read his thoughts, Isobel grasped his hand and pulled him to a stop. "If you believe me about Azalea, believe me about this. There is a demon attached to Brant and it is influencing him. Please. Believe me."

How could he? Ghosts were one thing, demons another. And if he was going to do what was necessary, he needed to be prepared for the worst.

"Edan . . . "

"Do you know how a demon got in my brother's head?"

Isobel's shoulders slumped.

"I'm not saying I don't believe you."

"You don't have to. It's written all over your face."

Edan ran a hand through his hair. The guards were all pretending not to listen and he saw one of them glance at Isobel's bare back. He had to work hard to stop himself from snarling. She squeaked when he picked her up and strode towards the hospital wing, growling once to stop the guard from following. There, he held Isobel's hand while the nurses took care of her cut. It wasn't bad, thank goodness.

"It's not that I don't believe you," he said once they were alone again. "I can't believe you. I can't think that this wasn't caused by my brother. It's too dangerous. For me, for the kingdom."

"But if you don't believe me, you don't trust me."

"I do, I just . . . " He sighed. "I'm sorry."

Isobel turned her face away. "Not as sorry as I am."

"Look, after the cave, I talked with a sorcerer who navigated it multiple times. He's due to arrive soon. Maybe he'll know something."

"Sure. Whatever you want." She shook her head. "I'll talk with him. Maybe you'll believe me then."

***

Two days later, Isobel still wasn't speaking with him. Edan had tried to explain his feelings to her, but she wasn't interested in listening. It frustrated him to no end, but at the same time, he understood where she was coming from. Her history was one of never being able to trust people. And if he didn't trust her, then how could she trust him? Several times he heard her arguing with Azalea, although what about he never could quite tell.

Then the sorcerer arrived. Josef Dove, perhaps the most enigmatic person Edan had heard of. It had taken him quite a while to track down the man who had been in the Phantom's Cave four times and emerged unscathed every time.

He and Isobel waited for him as the helicopter landed. When he stepped out, Edan was surprised to see him in an ill-fitting suit rather than something tailor-made and sleek. He carried a worn briefcase. He had shaved, though, and his short hair was brushed neatly. The wide smile on his face disappeared when he saw Isobel.

"What the hell is he doing here?" she shouted.

Edan's brows rose as Josef joined them. "You know him?"

Isobel snorted.

"This is Josef Dove, the sorcerer who—"

"Josef Dove? That's what you're calling yourself these days?"

Her hostile tone had Edan's heart sinking. Of course, the expert he called in had to be someone Isobel had bad blood with. Josef, for his part, lifted his nose and gave Isobel a deep scowl, as though her mere presence offended him.

"Is this who you called me into council?" he directed the question at Edan.

"Yes, this is—"

"I know who it is." Josef shook his head. "This girl is a fraud. I'm not going to waste my time on her and neither should you. She's never seen a ghost in her life."

Isobel snarled. "Like you'd know! If my life was based on what you knew about me, I wouldn't have even taken my first steps yet, Dad!"

Dad? Edan's flames nearly snuffed out. Oh, hell . . .