Shadow of the Vampire (41 page)

         
"I'm fine," she said with a smile.

         
The stones shifted, undulating in that familiar rolling pattern until an opening formed. As he watched them move, his thoughts strayed to what Alexia had told him on the beach. How she believed her mother had not murdered the King and Queen, but hid them away on an island that until now he'd believed to exist only in myth. Declan struggled to wrap his mind around the idea his parents might not be lost to him. That he may one day walk through these doors and see their smiling faces again.

         
Instead, someone who looked a little like both his parents emerged from behind the wall the moment it opened.

         
"Tallon," he breathed.

         
Rushing forward, he took her in his arms. Gods, he couldn't remember the last time he'd hugged her, truly showed her affection. By her shocked gasp and hesitancy to embrace him back, it had been much too long. But her arms did come around him, and the instant he felt her squeeze him tight, he knew they would be able to cross whatever distance had spread between them the past days.

         
When he leaned back, Tallon's delicate face lit up in a genuine smile. One that he noticed faded the moment she looked over his shoulder and saw Alex.

         
"What is she doing here?"

         
ALEXIA LOOKED FROM T ALLON to Declan, hoping to convey the thoughts and ideas running through her mind to him effectively. When he smiled and nodded, Alexia turned toward his sister. Tallon's dainty brows drew together as she neared. She scrutinized Alexia from the toes up, taking in each bloody mark, each wound on her battle-weary body. Then she fixed her eyes on Alexia's and her jaw dropped.

         
"What the hell is going on?" She turned to Declan. "How is she one of us?"

         
"Tallon." Alexia closed the distance between them. "I have a gift for you. One I hope will perhaps one day mend the gap between us."

         
Tallon shifted uncomfortably, her eyes guarded. As if dealing with a skittish animal, Alexia used slow movements to remove a soiled scrap of paper from inside her boot. Holding it flat in her outstretched palm, she offered it to Tallon. However, she only stared at it.

         
"Take it, Tal."

         
At her brother's prod, she grasped the parchment.

         
"Do you know of Dragon Island?" Alexia asked as Tallon unfolded the paper.

         
"The one off New Zealand?"

         
"No. The one beyond the Fatum, shrouded in Myst and protected by the Goddess. The one only visible to vampires." Alexia paused for a heartbeat, a smile turning up her lips. "It's the place I believe your parents are hidden."

         
Tallon's pink eyes widened. "What?" she breathed, twisting and inspecting the paper in her hands for some kind of answer or clue before shooting her gaze to her brother. "What is she talking about?"

         
When Declan walked forward, Alexia took a few steps back to give them space. "Tal, Alexia thinks they are still alive."

         
"How? I mean, this doesn't make any sense. Why would they keep them alive? Why go through all the trouble to hide them?"

         
Declan stepped up, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Right now, I don't care about any of that. I just want you to find out if it's true or not."

         
Tallon sucked in a breath. "Me?"

         
"Yes, you." He motioned to the three of them. "We are the only dragons who can find that island, Tal, the only ones with vampire blood in our veins. As compelled as I am to go, I cannot bear to wait until I am strong enough for the journey. And Alexia cannot shift yet." He sighed. "It's up to you to find them."

         
Tallon shook her head. "Oh, gods, Dec. What if it isn't true? What if...?" Her eyes lowered and a small sigh fell from her lips.

         
Declan hooked a finger beneath her chin, forcing her gaze to his.

         
"What if I can't find them?" she finally asked.

         
"You're strong, Tallon. You are one of the fastest and bravest on the council. I know you can do this."

         
"Alone?"

         
He paused. "No. I want you take the hunter along."

         
"Griffon?" Tallon's voice cracked. She cleared her throat, a slight flush peppering her cheeks. "Are you certain? Why can't I go with Falcon?"

         
"Tallon, Griffon is the only one of our flock who's been beyond the Mysts. The only one who knows his way around both the place and its inhabitants."

         
"But..."

         
"No buts, Tallon. I need to ensure you'll be safe."

         
Alexia saw Tallon's brow furrow, saw the unease written all over the young woman's face. After meeting Griffon she could understand her trepidation. However, there was something else, something decidedly feminine and familiar in her body language. Before Alexia could put her finger on it, Tallon nodded her consent. "All right. I'll ready to leave at once."

         
"Fly fast and safe," he said, giving her shoulders a reassuring squeeze before she turned. "And, Tallon," Declan called after her. "Speak of this to no one else until we are certain. That includes Falcon."

         
She opened her mouth as if to speak, but then closed it. "I won't, brother." Then her gaze slipped to Alexia, and she found herself holding her breath.

         
"Thank you," Tallon said.

         
Alexia smiled. "Good luck."

         
Once Tallon disappeared into the lair, Alexia turned back to Declan. "So, now we find Falcon?"

         
Declan nodded and let out a sigh. "And then Griffon."

         
"Need something from me, boss?"

         
DECLAN STARTED at the voice and whirled around, looking for where it might be coming from. The sound of rocks skipping down the side of the mountain clued him in on a location. He peered over the side. Griffon sat on a short outcropping, his weight precariously balanced on only the tips of his toes. The violent and cold winds picked up the long black mane of his hair, flying it wildly about his shoulders.

         
Declan propped his hands on his hips and hung his head before leveling it again. "Yes, as a matter of fact. I need you to accompany Tallon on a mission."

         
Griffon's gaze fell to his fingerless-gloved hands, his jaw flexed. "Why me? You heard her yourself. She'd rather go with Falcon."

         
Declan frowned at the sarcasm dripping from his words, but shrugged it off.

         
"If you heard that, then you heard me tell her you are the only dragon of this flock who knows what lies beyond the Fatum, in the land of the Myst and myth. The only one of us who's been there..."

         
"And what makes you think I'd be willing to go back?" Griffon bit out.

         
The harsh tone more than the comment itself took Declan aback. Squaring his stance, he placed his hands on his hip bones. "I don't pretend to know what happened to you. To know about your past or the life you once led. You've made it quite clear that topic is off the map and I've never asked to go exploring. But if you aided the return of the King and Queen, there would be no more questions, no more doubts of your loyalty here. To this flock or this council." He stepped forward. "I thought that's what you wanted."

         
Griffon didn't move, didn't speak at that offer. So Declan took another step toward the cliff's ledge to present another one. "And what you didn't hear me tell my sister is that you're the only one I trust to protect her."

         
The hunter slid his gaze across the stones and stared Declan down with heated purple eyes. However, instead of glowing with irritation or anger, emotion swirled through Griffon's usually steely gaze. Respect?

         
Declan bowed his head and exhaled, saying the last thing he thought might make a difference. "I trust you with her life out there, hunter. And I will forever owe you mine if you keep an eye on hers."

         
Again met by silence, Declan tentatively glanced up. Griffon's massive body lengthened as he stood. Balancing on the tiny foothold with unbelievable stability for his size, he shifted his leather baldric across his chest and nodded.

         
"I'll do it," Griffon murmured, before jumping to the sky. Declan watched the hunter shift in a blast of purple and black, stared as he flew in a graceful spiral through the clouds until he could no longer see him.

         
"Where is he going?"

         
Declan turned, surprised and yet not to see Falcon grabbing a leather trench coat from the other wall and shrugging into it. Reaching back, he pulled his long curtain of black hair out of the collar before buttoning the front.

         
"Nowhere," Declan replied, noticing Falcon's combat gear and flying attire. "What about you?"

         
"Tallon's leaving. Although she wouldn't say where, I'm preparing to go with her."

         
Declan stepped to block him. "Falcon, you can't accompany her. I need you for something else."

         
Falcon paused, his green eyes searching Declan's face until he found the answer. "You sent Tallon on a mission without me? Why?"

         
Declan knew he had to broach this carefully. Although Falcon acted rational and level-headed at all times, this was Tallon they were discussing. Falcon always held a special part of his heart for her--had always protected and looked out for her.

         
"Remember that solider?" Declan asked. "The one who told us about Lotharus's plan."

         
His friend clenched his teeth and nodded. Obviously wanting to run away but needing to hear what Declan had to say.

         
"Well, he was right. The soldiers can walk in the sun."

         
Falcon's eyes widened. "Gods, how do you know?"

         
"When the crystal exploded, it killed anyone in its path. Alexia and I were guarded behind a boulder, but the soldiers were killed by the shards. When the sun came up, Lotharus's body disintegrated. Theirs did not. Now," he continued, "if another head grows on the body Lotharus created, if those soldiers find out about their new power, this war could get worse before it gets better. The horde is scattered and leaderless without her right now," Declan said, nodding over his shoulder. "We can both sit around and hope the right person steps forward to fill her shoes..."

         
"Or?"

         
Declan paused. "Or we fill it ourselves."

         
An angry line tensed on Falcon's brow. "What are you saying?"

         
Declan sucked in a breath, letting it out slowly. "I need you to go down the mountain."

         
"To the humans? Are you nuts?"

         
"Alexia thinks a child, the next woman in line for the throne, was hidden amongst them."

         
"She thinks," he said, running a palm over his face.

         
"Yes, she doesn't know for certain. Lotharus could have discovered and killed the child. But if he hasn't, then this human female is the one we need to bring peace, once and for all, to our clans."

         
"Why can't she stay the Queen?" he asked, motioning to Alexia.

         
Declan followed Falcon's gaze. A sharp pain splintered through him at the truth he was about to tell Falcon. "They won't accept her. Not now that she's one of us."

         
Falcon's eyes closed, but not before Declan saw a familiar flash of agony lingering in their green depths.

         
"But Tallon..."

         
Exhaling, Declan took a step closer to his friend, clapping him on the shoulder. "She's fine, I promise. I sent someone with her."

         
"Who?" Falcon's eyes narrowed as he put two and two together. "Griffon? Declan, no. Why don't you send that ox to find this human person and let me go after Tal?"

         
"You know as well as I, Griffon would never fit in down the mountain. He's five times the size of a normal human and scarred to boot. The female he needs to find would likely run in the opposite direction the instant she saw him." Declan shook his head, hoping the regret he felt showed in his eyes. "No, I need you to do this.