Chapter Twelve

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Daire hung up his phone and put it in the back pocket of his jeans. He stared out at the yard. Snow blanketed the ground as more fluttered down. Grace was safely at her parents. His eyes drifted to the darkening sky.

The full moon would crest in another hour. Then, the lycanthrope would execute their plan. His team had to stop them to keep the citizens of St. Joseph safe.

“Hey,” Ethney’s voice said from behind him. “We have Kevin chained up. Do you want to come check the bindings and see what you think?”

Daire turned around to face the mermaid. “Yeah.” It didn’t matter what he thought of the other two. They’d never done something like this before. In fact, they knew very little about the lycanthrope other than what they did on the full moon. It was anyone’s guess if this would work.

He hoped it would for the kid’s sake. If it did work, he had no idea what they would do with him after this month. He couldn’t come with them. But then they couldn’t leave the kid alone either, could they?

He chased his thoughts away and took the steps into the basement two at a time.

Aric was with Kevin. The cuffs were tied tightly around both wrists and ankles, loose enough for him to transition into a wolf, but hopefully snug enough that they would hold. Daire tugged on the chain. The metal was thick, so much so he almost couldn’t put his palm around it. It was the thickest they could find.

“How do you feel?” he asked Kevin.

Kevin glanced up. His eyes were bloodshot. A fine sheen of sweat already coated his ashen skin. “Not so good. It’s going to happen soon, isn’t it?”

“You have about an hour,” Daire said. “We have to go out to stop the rest of the pack. We’ll be back to check in on you as soon as we can.”

“I know. They won’t find me here, will they?” Kevin asked. His bottom lip trembled, and his eyes widened.

“No.” Daire put a hand on his shoulder. “They’ll go into the town. You’ll be safe out here.” As long as the chains hold. He didn’t want to think about what would happen if they didn’t.

“It’s going to be okay,” Ethney said, offering the boy a sympathetic smile. “We’ll see you when we get back.”

“Thanks for everything,” Kevin said, meeting each of their eyes. “I know you could’ve killed me, but instead you’ve helped. That means a lot. I appreciate it.”

“It’s been our pleasure. See you soon.” Ethney inhaled and then let it out. She waved while backing up to the stairs.

“Will it really be okay?” Kevin asked when Ethney disappeared.

Daire offered the boy a small smile. He didn’t want to promise something he couldn’t guarantee. Hopefully, this worked. He gave one last tug on the chains. They seemed solid enough. Only time would tell.

“We should be going,” Aric said.

Daire followed Aric up the steps and back into the living room.

“Are we ready?” Ethney asked. She flicked her hair over her shoulder, staring at him.

Daire shifted on his feet. “I’ll meet you two at the rendezvous.”

The two moved best in the water and could cross the lake in the amount of time it would take him to fly over it.

“We’ll see you on the other side.” Aric went to the door first, leading the way down to the lake.

Daire stepped onto the porch, discarding his clothes and setting them in a neat pile on the wooden railing. Then, he pictured his dragon. Within seconds, his beast had taken over. He flapped his wings, stretching them out before he took off.

He circled the lake once before flying over the cabins. He paused. The lycanthrope were going three different directions—some by car, some on foot, and others by boat.

He flapped his wings harder, rising higher so no one would see him. Did that mean they had three different locations, or were they just being extra vigilant? He focused his attention on the water, looking for ripples on the surface to indicate where his team was. There were none. Maybe they’d caught on and were hanging back.

The two could easily take on the two dozen lycanthrope in the boats. Water was their strength, and the soon-to-be wolves wouldn’t stand a chance against them. That would leave him to take on the two groups on land.

It’d be easy to take on the car. Fire would blow it up. The ones on foot would be tricky. They’d scatter, making it impossible for him to get them all. He weighed his options while keeping his eye on the activity below. Did he go for the easy target first or the more difficult one?

The cars would be best. The people on foot would run everywhere regardless. Best to take out the ones he could first.

Daire hovered in his spot, waiting until the boat’s motor started and motored its way into the lake. He didn’t have to wait long for his team to strike.

A blue tail flew out of the water, curled around the boat, turning it over. The lycanthrope spilled out into the water with screams and shrieks. Ethney lunged out of the water, wrapping her arms around one woman and dragging her back beneath the surface of the water.

He didn’t wait any longer to strike. The wolves weren’t in the cars yet, but they were close enough. Daire swooped down, drawing in a deep breath before blowing fire toward the cars. The flames engulfed the cars. Explosions erupted into the air as the gas combusted.

More lycanthrope fell to the ground, their tortured screams filling the air. The people on foot sprinted into the woods, disappearing into the darkness and trees. He’d go after them in a moment. Hopefully, Ethney and Aric could help.

Daire cast a quick glance to the water. The duo was making quick work of the lycanthrope there. Only a few lycanthrope bobbed and swam in the water, but even they were being dragged under.

He turned his focus back to what was left of the cars. A few men slithered across the ground. The flames were not enough to stifle their fight. He drew in a breath and forced it out, incinerating them.

He flew around, surveying the area. All the lycanthrope by the cars were gone. He landed on the ground and marched into the woods, searching for movement in the trees.

A group of three sprinted between the trees. Daire sprang forward, spewing fire from his mouth. The flames licked their way over the trio, engulfing them in a fiery inferno. He pressed forward, pausing when he heard footfalls behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and huffed as Ethney and Aric joined him. They stalked forward and fanned out.

Daire lifted off the ground when he spotted a lycanthrope fleeing through the woods. His wings smacked against the trees as he raced through them. Pain ricocheted through the tender flesh of his wings, but he pushed forward. Some of the trees toppled over. Branches fell from the others. He kept going until he was close enough to spit fire.

The flames found their mark. He narrowed his eyes, searching for more movement but found none. There was no way they’d gotten everyone.

A scream of anguish ripped through the air. He whirled around, his tail connecting with a tree. It crackled and swayed, but didn’t fall.

His gaze landed on Ethney. She wrestled on the ground with someone. Aric was yelling the word stop, and it took him a minute to realize why. The half-turned beast was Kevin. Saliva dribbled from his mouth as he snapped his extending jaw at Ethney. She screeched as one of his long claws swiped across her middle.

Ethney threw a punch. She grabbed a fist full of snow and blew. The water hit the boy in the face, but it didn’t deter him. She threw another ball of snow, manipulating the water with her magic. It liquefied and went into his nose and mouth. The kid wheezed, trying to catch a breath as the water infiltrated his lungs.

Ethney climbed to her feet, placed both hands on the side of his head, and twisted. The light left Kevin’s eyes, and he fell limply to the ground. She swiped an arm over her face. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she blinked them away.

Aric reached out to touch her shoulder, but she shrugged free. “It’s fine. It was silly to think we could help him. We need to check the town. Make sure none got there.” She didn’t give either of them a chance to respond before she whirled around on her heel, sprinting for the water. She dove in and made a beeline for the town.

“I’ll meet you there,” Aric said, then followed after her.

Daire jumped, soaring upward. He flew to the spot by the apartments where he landed, changing and dressing quickly. It’d be nice to land in his dragon form, but they had to maintain some discretion.

He sprinted to the spot behind the Lucky Five. No one was there. He closed his eyes and listened. Cars swooshed over the wet streets, but there were no howls. He blew out a breath and double-checked the area. Nothing. He shifted on his feet, then sprinted a few blocks over to where Ethney hid behind some bushes.

“Anything?” he asked.

“No. I don’t hear anything, either.” She huffed and twirled her hair around her finger. “Something’s wrong, Daire.”

“Stay put. I’m going to check the other spot and check in with Aric. I’ll be back.” He hurried off, sprinting down the sidewalk to the third spot. That was empty as well. Next, he went to where Aric was stationed.

“No one’s here,” Aric said, emerging from an alley.

Daire dragged a hand through his hair. “They aren’t anywhere.”

Aric tossed his hands up in the air. “Maybe they aborted and fled.”

Daire glanced up at the moon. It was high enough the change should have happened by now. They should hear the howls, even if they weren’t in town.

“Stay here. Keep an eye on the town. I’m going to take Ethney and search the woods again.”

“Got it.” Aric nodded.

Daire hurried back to Ethney. They’d taken out the bulk of the group, but there were still some out there. They would only increase their numbers again. St. Joseph might be safe, but other places wouldn’t be. They would report to Astraea soon, but it didn’t look like they’d be giving her good news.

***

Daire led the way over the marble floor, kneeling before Astraea. Aric and Ethney were on both sides of him. Marble columns lined the aisle leading to her throne, which was striking silver. The ceiling was open to the stars, which shined brightly onto them.

The goddess took a step forward, her gold shoes clicking against the floor and her blue silk dress flowing around her. Her charcoal hair was knotted at her nape and Astraea’s emerald green eyes swept over them.

“Rise, my guardians.”

They stood together; their eyes kept on the floor.

“Good work in St. Joseph,” Astraea said, pacing before them.

“We didn’t destroy all the lycanthrope.” Daire glanced up to meet the goddess’s eyes.

“True. But there were no casualties either. That is good work in my eyes. The group has been broken down. Hopefully, with diligent effort, it will not grow that large again. Aric, you are needed in Lucerne, Switzerland. Ethney, I’d like you to go to London.”

The two bowed and took a step back. Their footfalls clacked against the floor as they made their way to the exit, a door that led back to the mortal realm.

“Now, where to send you,” Astraea said. She cocked her head to the side, staring at him through narrowed eyes.

He blinked, fixing his gaze on the floor. There was only one place he wanted to be, but it wasn’t an option. They’d canvased the entire town for any signs of the lycanthrope. They were gone. Grace, Caden, and the town were safe. There was no reason for him to stay.

She sighed and began to pace in front of him again. “I think I have just the place for you. But first I want to know something. Do you believe in soul mates, Daire?”

He considered her words for a moment. Did he believe? There were only two women who had ever made him feel complete. Alannah and Grace. Could one man have two soul mates? Why not? It had been centuries, hadn’t it? “Yes.”

The goddess smiled. “Good.”

Daire frowned. “Good?”

“When I restored Alannah’s life all those years ago, I touched her soul. You have been a dutiful servant, Daire. So, when I found Alannah’s soul alive in another form, I knew what I had to do.” Astraea placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Grace is Alannah’s soul.”

Astraea nodded. “Yes. That’s why I sent you to St. Joseph so you could find her again.”

But now he had to leave her again. His heart ached at the thought. “Th-thank you for the opportunity at happiness again. She lost a lot to help us. I’d like her to be well taken care of. Can you see to that?”

“No. That’s not my job.”

No? Daire ground his teeth. 

“It’s yours, Daire,” Astraea continued. “I think you forget I am also the goddess of justice. You have served me for many centuries. Far longer than I ever foresaw. It is time that I release you from our agreement. It is only fair, and it’s the right thing to do.”

He gulped. His heart thumped harder in his chest. “You’re releasing me? I can be with Grace?” He couldn’t believe it. After so many years, he was finally going to get a happily ever after again.