Destiny Descending Page 11

  I stared at him, but he said nothing. Just stared back at me. All of them did. The children of Tiamat, the Great Dragon. I had asked him if they were monsters.

  “That's what they called us, but it's not what we are,” he finally spoke, but it was only my memory of him speaking.

  He wasn't really there. Or was he?

  The man glanced above us. “Fate has come for you, Godhunter. It's time.”

  He turned into flames and vanished. Burned away into nothing, not even ash. He and all of his people. Gone in a second.

  “Wait!” I called after him even though I knew it wasn't really him. “Wait!” I shouted and sat upright.

  I blinked, startled to go from dream to reality so quickly. Kirill and Trevor sat up to either side of me and the men who were gathered around us spun toward me. But I wasn't looking at them. I stared straight ahead of myself at the women who stood at the foot of my bed.

  “Fate has come for me,” I murmured to myself.

  “You like that, do you?” Clotho, the Spinner, asked gleefully. She had her dark hair braided back from her gentle face and her blue eyes were full of mischief. “I thought it added a nice sense of drama.”

  “You were manipulating my dream?” I asked in horror.

  “Don't be daft!” Atropos, the Unturnable, snapped.

  Atropos' green eyes held no mischief, only acidity. She doesn't like me much. She flung her auburn hair away from her face and crossed her arms.

  “We inspired your dream,” Lachesis, the Alotter, explained. Gaunt and gray, she didn't look as if she could fight a fly, but the scissors that hung from her belt weren't for cutting wrapping paper. They were used to sever the cord of a life. Lachesis is the deadliest of the trio. “You needed a touch of fate, Godhunter. We gave it to you, but we had no control over what it showed you.”

  “Who was the man?” Clotho asked eagerly.

  “What man?” The Wolf growled and swung his head toward me.

  “A child of Tiamat,” I whispered as I lifted my hand.

  The crimson ring glinted on my finger and sounds of amazement circled the room.

  “Did we forget about that thing again?” Viper hissed. “What the fuck?”

  “Language,” I chided him absently.

  Viper gaped at me more.

  “The children,” Odin murmured to Viper. “We try not to curse, remember?”

  “The children aren't here, Vervain,” Viper growled as he slid onto the bed. “Now, how did we fucking forget about that fucking ring again?”

  “It's a valid question.” Odin leaned over Viper's shoulder to peer at the ring. “I recall you saying something about the Children of Tiamat being dragons or monsters.”

  “He said he wasn't a monster,” I murmured. “But I don't think he's a dragon either. He did form out of fire, though.”

  “Fire?” Arach's crimson brows lifted. “You have just pierced my interest.”

  “Piqued,” Re whispered to Arach. “Piqued your interest. Although I like the sound of pierced better.”

  Arach rolled his eyes.

  “Then what?” Azrael prompted before a piercing discussion began.

  “I feel as if we've had this conversation before,” Odin muttered.

  “I'm supposed to crack the jewel when I need his help.” I looked around at my men. “I think I should do that now.”

  “Oh, this is fantastic!” Clotho exclaimed. “A fire-man gives Vervain a ring to summon him. So mysterious!”

  “I don't like this,” Wolf growled.

  “Me either,” Re agreed. “But it may be necessary. The Fates wouldn't have led her to it if it wasn't.”

  Atropos nodded a crisp approval at Re. “You must listen to the vision, Vervain. It's all the help we can offer you at the moment.”

  “Crack the ring,” Lachesis urged simply.

  “First, how do you feel, Vervain?” Teharon, who was standing just beyond the barrier of my men, along with Torrent and Artemis, asked.

  “Teharon!” I exclaimed. “Your healing helped. Thank you, I feel much better. Stronger.”

  Teharon nodded, his long, silky, raven hair slipping forward to showcase the blood-tipped white feather, bound to the end of a thin braid. “I'm glad to hear it.”

  I nudged Kirill, and he slid out of bed. I tried to follow him, but Wolf grabbed my wrist.

  “Mate, I don't want you summoning this fire-man.”

  “I don't have a lot of options, honey,” I said gently. “We've gone up against Marduk twice now, and he just keeps taking more from me. Maybe these people will know of a way for me to fight him without losing any more of myself.”

  Wolf sighed but let me go. I kissed his cheek and nuzzled him before I moved away. I got to my feet feeling steady, Teharon really had helped. I stretched and looked down at myself. I still had my fighting leathers on. They're a bitch to get off so I wasn't surprised that the men had left them on me. I was also grateful; it would have been awkward to face the Fates in my nightgown. My boots were off, though, lined up by the foot of the bed. I stepped forward on bare feet. Everyone gathered around me as I pulled the ring off my finger.

  “How am I supposed to crack it?” I asked.

  “A rock?” Wolf suggested.

  I glanced at the door that led to the butterfly garden. “That's not such a bad idea.”

  I slipped my boots on and headed through the French doors beside the bed. Lush plant life huddled and arched over the path I took to the central meadow. If I was going to summon someone, I wanted to have some space for him to arrive in.

  Everyone followed me into the sunlight that streamed in through the netted opening above. Immortal butterflies flit lazily around us, their shimmering wings catching the light as they collected nectar from tropical flowers. I accidentally sent a few of them scattering as I searched through the bushes for a stone. When I found one, I brought it back to the center of the grassy meadow; the ring in one hand and the tool of its destruction in the other.

  “I hate the thought of breaking jewelry,” I whined.

  “Just do it,” Atropos growled.

  I struck the ring onto the rock and the crimson jewel cracked instantly. Light blasted from the cracks and shot straight up like a beacon. I gaped at the column of energy that surged up from my hand until Wolf grabbed my wrist and shook it.

  “Let it go, Mate,” he urged.

  I released the ring, and he quickly drew me back. The column of light touched the earth and a shape immediately started to darken it. Light turned to fire then the flames wove into a man. The man I'd just seen in my dreams stepped out of the column as it disappeared. His stare connected with mine instantly, and he held a hand out to me. I went forward in a daze, hand extended, hypnotized by that dark stare. I had nearly reached him when my men realized that this might be a bad idea. They lurched toward me, but the man was too quick. He grabbed my hand and yanked me forward against his chest. As soon as we impacted, he became fire once more. The flames enveloped me. I heard stricken shouting but it cut off abruptly, and I knew I wasn't in Pride Territory anymore.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The man released me and stepped back. As he did, he grew in size until he towered over me. “Welcome to my home, Dragon Queen and welcome to the Territory of the Jinn.”

  I stared at him blankly and then around myself in shock. A paradise of palaces capped by domes and cupolas, guarded by minarets, and connected by stone bridges and wide walkways spread out before me. Sunlight glinted off Arabian domes, made of glass instead of stone or metal. The structures were just like the man who had brought me there; reminiscent of the Middle East but with an obvious alien quality to them. Although it was warm—delightfully warm—the landscape was lush with plant life. Trees festooned with fruit grew around the palaces and vines crept over the stone walls in lacy patterns. Flowers bloomed everywhere and the scent of green things hung in the heavy, humid air.

  We stood upon a lofty balcony and below us, beyond the carved stone railing, a lake
lay like a rippled mirror, reflecting the surrounding palaces with a hazy stretch. Sleek boats glided across the lake, heading to waterways that branched off to flow beneath the bridges and around palaces in place of dry streets. Despite the widespread water and overwhelming amount of plant life, there was also a lot of fire present. Torches hung on walls, giant columnar braziers stood in lines to either side of the walkways, and fire pits dominated social courtyards where you might expect to find a fountain. Above us, the sky beckoned, bright blue and clear. I cast my gaze along it wistfully then down, beyond the Jinn city, where the water ended on a wooded shore. Past that, a hazy desert stretched.

  It was dragon heaven. Or Jinn, rather.

  “Hold on; you're a genie?!” I suddenly grasped what he had said. “Genies are real?”

  “So asks the Dragon Queen.” He rolled his genie eyes.

  A hissing interrupted us as a snake slid out of my vest and down my arm. I blinked at it in a daze—still too stunned by the genie bit to process a snake emerging from my cleavage—and it dropped to the polished floor. It lengthened and grew into a giant pit viper as both the Genie and I continued to stare at it in amazement. The enormous viper gave one last hiss at the man and then shifted into my naked boyfriend.

  “What do you think you're doing; abducting my woman like that?” Viper snarled up into the Genie's face.

  Yes, the Genie was taller than Viper. Quite a bit taller, actually.

  “Viper?” I snatched his wrist and pulled him back. “How did you get here?”

  “I saw him grab you and just jumped.” Viper glanced at me. “I shifted as I did. Maybe I sensed what he was doing—I don't know—but when I shifted, I made myself smaller and managed to wrap myself around your wrist. When we came out of the Aether, I ended up down your vest.” A sly grin spread over his face as he glanced at my cleavage. “No complaints here.”

  “I didn't know you could shift into a smaller snake.”

  “Neither did I.” He smirked at me. Then he narrowed his eyes back at the Genie. “Now, answer my question. Why did you snatch her like that? What are you up to?”

  “Calm yourself, Star God,” the Genie said. “I have no ill intentions toward your lover. I needed to bring Vervain here to meet my people, but I couldn't bring all of you with us. The Jinn would not approve of so many strangers entering our territory. I didn't think Vervain's lovers would consent to her going alone so I simply took her.”

  Viper stared the Genie down—or up, rather—then finally nodded. “All right. That seems rational.” He looked him up and down. “I don't remember you being so big.”

  The Genie laughed and it boomed from his chest. “I'm a marid, we are the largest of the Jinn, but like all of my kind, I can shapeshift into anything. I chose a smaller form to put Vervain at ease but after we arrived, I went back to the one I was born with.”

  “There are different types of Jinn?” I asked, immediately fascinated.

  “What's a jinn?” Viper asked at the same time.

  “Yes,” the Jinn said to me. Then he answered Viper, “We are the Children of Tiamat; shapeshifters, magic-users, and prophets.”

  “What about the other races of Jinn?” I prompted.

  “You'll meet them soon.” The Genie smiled at my eagerness. “There are ten Jinn tribes and all but one shall be at the temple today. The Palis Jinn don't live here. They are simple creatures and prefer to live near humans, where they have access to human blood.”

  “Blood?” I lifted my brows

  “Yes, two of the Jinn tribes are blood-drinkers; the Palis, who steal blood from their victim's feet while they sleep, and the Vetala, who are more... refined about the way they feed.”

  “Hey, no judgments here.” I held up my hands. “I'm a dragon-sidhe; we love blood.” Then I processed what he'd said. “Wait. Did you say; feet?”

  “Yes, the Palis pierce the sole of the foot and lick the blood from the wound.”

  “Foot-lickers.” Viper made a face. “I'm sorry, but that's nasty.”

  “I knew there was a reason why I always have to have my feet covered when I sleep!” I exclaimed.

  The Genie chuckled. “The Palis Jinn were created last, and I'm afraid they received the dredges of our mother's magic.”

  “Well, they can't help who they are.” I shrugged. “I'm sure they have some redeeming qualities.”

  The Genie seemed to consider this for a moment but instead of answering the implied question, he changed the subject entirely and said to Viper, “Since you're here, you may stay as Vervain's escort.” He glanced down at Viper's nudity. “But I must insist that you borrow some clothing.”

  Viper smirked. “Fair enough. But if I'm going to borrow your pants, I think we should at least be introduced. I'm Viper.” He held out his hand.

  “I am Zimri-dagan.” The Genie shook Viper's hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you both.”

  “You're the man who gave me the ring in the souq.” I reached forward to shake his hand too. “How did I forget about that? Twice.”

  “The ring is meant to be...”—he searched for a word—“unobtrusive until it's needed.”

  “Unobtrusive, eh?” I stared at him hard. “Why are you helping me?”

  “The Mesopotamians killed our mother.” Zimri-dagan lifted his chin. “We were content to watch them fade into obscurity but now, they are rising again, and they are using you as a stepping stone, Vervain. We will not watch another dragon be crushed beneath the feet of those traitors. And you are a special dragon. I have seen the great things you will do.” He paused and glanced at Viper with a small smile. “Both of you. The world will suffer if the Mesopotamians vanquish you.

  “And you care about the world?” I asked carefully.

  “We are not simply lost children, demigods without a goddess. We are gods in our own right. Humans once worshiped us, and Muslims still believe in the Jinn. We are in their holy book after all, though they claim we were created by their god instead of our goddess. Most of us have grown to love humans; we look after them and guide them.”

  “Like Angels,” I murmured.

  “Like Angels,” Zimri-dagan agreed. “But made of fire; born of dragon breath.”

  “And you can see the future?” Viper asked. “You said that you saw the great things we'll do.”

  “When Tiamat, our mother, lay dying, she poured her magic down our bonds, giving us all that she had so that Marduk would not steal that as well as the Tablet of Destinies,” he explained. “Among other things, Tiamat gave us the power to gaze forward, but the future has many paths. Especially now that Marduk has broken your destiny, Dragon Queen.”

  “So, you can't accurately predict what will happen?” Viper persisted.

  “I can predict what consequences each decision may bring.” Zimri-dagan spread his hands. “It is accurate... as much as I can see of it.”

  “Honestly, I don't care if you can predict the future or not,” I said. “If you can help me fight the Mesopotamians, I'd be grateful for that alone.”

  Zimri-dagan smiled softly. “We would be honored to help you, Queen Vervain.”

  “Thank you, Zimri.”

  “Dagan,” he added. “It's Zimri-dagan.”

  “Oh, that whole thing is your first name?” I blinked.

  “Yes, the whole of it.” He chuckled. “Now, I'd like to take you to meet the Jinn, but first, we must clothe your consort.”

  I glanced at Viper's impressive nudity and sighed. “If we must.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Zimri-dagan gave Viper a full Jinn outfit; loose pants, flowing tunic, and a sash for a belt, all constructed of lightweight material and dyed in shades of blue.

  “Now, you look like a genie too,” I said when Viper was dressed.

  “It's Jinn or Jinni,” Zimri-dagan pronounced the second term Gin-ee. “Not Genie.”

  “I'm sorry. Was that offensive?” I was horrified. Had I just insulted my new allies?

  “It's a modern word that we don't care
for but it's not technically offensive,” Zimri-dagan explained as he led us down a grand, stone staircase and out of his home. “There are simply too many incorrect assumptions associated with the word genie. As you see”—he waved his hand to indicate the Jinn city—“we do not live in bottles, and I can assure you that we don't grant wishes. At least not without payment.”