JASON

We are all gathered in the garden, where Kai and Raven returned empty handed. They are both laying on the loungers recovering for their night of flight. Aislin is holding Kai's head in her lap, her fingers absentmindedly running through his hair. Sean and Michael dragged chairs to either side of Raven, each with a knee touching her. I share a look with Aislin, and she ducks her head, hiding her grin.

Damia bustles in with Gregor right behind her. Both are carrying trays loaded with food and drink. She is humming. Gregor's face is filled with gratitude, and I realize she is happy having us to care for. They were alone here for too long and that is my fault. I nod at him, an apology.

Perséphone shimmers into view, and we all swivel to her expectantly. Her usually serene face is clouded with sadness and anger. This isn't going to be good.

"You just as well spit it out."

"I'm almost certain his name is Arias.

"And who might Arias be? What did Hades do to the poor bastard?"

"He is the first version of you." She stares into my eyes and I cringe, shaking my head. "The first time they tried to make you, they didn't like the results. He couldn't change. His power of voice is nowhere near as strong as yours. They sent him to a man that prayed in the Temple of Hades, and they assumed the child would be killed or die in some other way. I found out years later his fate was much worse than that. He was used, tortured, and then locked away until years later when he grew more powerful in his rage and managed to free himself. It was he who forced Sisyphus, his tormentor, to push the boulder until his death. I looked for him but couldn't find him and truly, I had all but forgotten him until yesterday at the island. All those years ago, I was certain someone hid him from me. I'm sure of it now. I also think that whoever is helping him also told him about you, Jason. Told him that you were made and weren't thrown away. It might be why he is fixated on you now."

"So, you're saying he took Emma to punish Jason?" Aislin's grated in my ears, her accusation causing me to draw back. Kai tightens his grip on her hand, the power of their silent communication flows over me. Her eyes fly back to mine and she shoves him off, standing quickly. It would be funny if my soul didn't hurt at the thought of her scorn.

"Oh god, Jason. NO. I didn't mean that. I had… Well, I had thought for sure this was my fault."

"And now you understand the fault lies with me."

"No, no, no. Not your fault. I don't blame you, no matter what you heard in my words. Listen to my words now. You, not so long ago, told me ..." She draws a breath, glancing at the Druids, "You told me what happened to Chris isn't my fault. If I can't be blamed for what that madman did to him to punish me, then you aren't to blame for this." She regards Perséphone. "If anyone is to blame, it would be those who threw him away because he wasn't all they had hoped for."

There was no mistaking her tone or feelings now. Perséphone's cheeks colored.

"Fucking hell, what is that noise?" Kai scans around.

"What are ye talking about?" Sean glances at Michael who shakes his head.

I shake my head, trying to figure out what the sound is. "I hear it."

Looking around, I realize only Kai and myself, the two with extra sensitive hearing who can pick up the tone, can hear it.

"Chimes, sorta. Faint. It started moments ago. Almost like a bell ringing. A strange tone though." Sean and Michael look at each other again.

Michael speaks, "Kai, is the sound anything like the bracelet? Like the tone that you heard from bracelet when Aislin first put it on?"

I contemplate the Druids. "We had been able to feel the bracelet you had. This isn't like that."

"We realize that, but the dragon had heard the tone. Remember that was what Chris had been so excited about, the tone of nature." We all smile at the memory of his excited telling of the hertz and ley lines. "Ask your dragon, Kai."

Silence beats at us as Kai's eyes turn amber, the dragon moving forward to assess the tone. The amber fades and topaz peers at me before looking at Sean and Michael.

"It is very similar, but not exactly. It is like a repeating tone, but low. It started shortly after the goddess arrived." We all looked at Perséphone, who only shook her head. "My lady, could you please go and then come back in a few moments?" She nodded her head before sifting out.

I glance at Kai. "It stopped." I tell the others. Sean and Michael are looking at each other intensely. "For fuck’s sake, if you two have a theory, could you please speak out loud?" Perséphone reappears, seconds later the tone starts again. I nod my head at them letting them know it had returned.

Michael speaks. "Our best guess is that it is like an alarm. We think someone set a ward but for some reason, made it so that whenever it was touched by god level power, it would go off. That doesn't make much sense though. I mean, wards are for protection and concealment. You wouldn't want someone to know it was there." He looked at Sean for confirmation, who was silent, brows furrowed.

We all stand silent… Waiting. "Unless." Sean's eyes lock on mine. "It is meant for you. Someone wanted you to overhear it. Someone who knows what you are. They are counting on your hearing. Whatever the reason, we need to find the source."

"They might have counted on him but they didn't count on me." Kai walks away from us and starts running toward the fountain, changing and leaping in the air. The great bronze dragon beats his wings and soars out above the roof. Aislin stares after him smiling. Not to be outdone, I shift and pause, shaking my massive body before turning and dashing out of the front door. Gregor stands holding it open as I run by. I race around the house, ears twitching as I follow the sound. Raising my muzzle, I stare up, but the dragon is gone. Looking over my shoulder as footsteps approach, the others come out. Barking once I look back up, Aislin comes and lays her hand on my neck, "He is shielding so no humans see him. He's crossing the inlet."

I twitch my ears toward the house across the way and take off loping across the ground as everyone follows behind. We all reach the cliff edge and stand looking at the house. The sound is coming from there for sure. Aislin gasps and I scrutinize her before glancing back at the house. The great bronze dragon shimmers into sight right at the edge of the cliff opposite us, hovering for long seconds before once again disappearing .

"He saw her. Emma. She is in that house. We must save her." Tears clog her throat. The wind from his wings blows around us before Kai appears, dropping to the ground in front of her. He never breaks stride as he wraps her in his arms, holding her close. He whispers in her ear, all the while looking at the Druids and myself. Perséphone is staring across the water.

"I can't sense anything." Her confusion rings in her tone.

Kai replies, "Neither can I, nothing other than the tone. I was surprised when I saw her." He steps back from Aislin holding her at arm's length, forcing her to look at him. "She is as you described her. When I let myself be seen, she was sitting on the floor with her arms around her knees but the moment she saw me, she grinned. I saw fire in her green eyes."

Aislin draws a deep breath, a smile creep across her face. "They have no idea who they have on their hands with Emma. Her dad trained her like she was a Marine. I'm almost sorry for them if they think she is a weak little woman."

I shift back, and we all stand looking at the house. I want to go over there now. I didn't realize I stepped forward until Sean grabs my arm. Looking down at his hand, I draw a breath.

"Ye need to hae a plan, my friend. If they warded, they are prepared. We need to be also." He and Michael lock eyes and move away from us, walking along the cliff edge.

Raven studies them. "What are they doing?" She murmurs and startles when I answer.

"They are looking for a place for Michael to set up."

"Set up?" She focuses over her shoulder at me.

"Yes, his sniper nest. He'll be getting his rifle soon." I study the pair as they check for winds and look at every aspect that would affect his shots. "We just as well go plan and leave them to it."

"The problem is with the wards, we have no idea how many or what we are up against," Kai speaks what I had been thinking.

My phone rings right as we reach the house, pulling it out I look at the screen. "Nestor, did you learn something?"

"You can say that. I was contacted by a man named Arias. He says he is holding Emma. He wants to trade her for you, Jason." I glance up. The others are still walking up the steps to the house, but Kai's eyes glance back at me and his head shakes. I stop and wave him forward.

"All he wants is me?"

"That's what he said. Surely, you agree you can't do that." He is incredulous.

"Yes, I can. Call him back and tell him I'll meet him." I hang up before he can try to argue. I glance back at Sean and Michael before heading inside. Kai is waiting inside the door.

"Aislin won't let you do this. Neither will I."

"You don't have a choice; my decision is made. I need you to keep them all busy while I leave. After the exchange, I'll have Nestor bring Emma back here."

"And if you don't come back? What then? It'll kill them all. Aislin and Emma will think they are responsible."

"Then I better make it back. Listen, he was in that house. If I don't return, level it. Use your dragon fire to turn it to glass. Make sure that he doesn't get away." Spinning on my heel, I jog to my car. As I open the door, I look at him. He's watching me, knowing he can't stop me. "Tell her… Tell her I love her too," I whisper as I slide in, closing the door, knowing he'll catch the words.

He nods before continuing inside. The engine roars to life. Rocks spray the driveway as I floor it. I glance in the rearview as I hit the curve. Sean and Michael are standing where the car had been parked. Understanding mixed with disbelief clouds their faces.