Destiny Kills

“Now I need to go talk to the loch.”

“Just let me bring in the bags.”

While he did so, I opened a few windows, allowing the cold night breeze to meander in and freshen up the place, and lit the fire with the kindling and logs provided. Then I kicked off my shoes, picked up the keys, and chucked them toward Trae as he came out of the bedroom.

“Barefoot?” he said, as he caught sight of my feet. “I hope that’s not a requirement around these parts, because I’m just not built for it.”

I grinned and tucked my arm under his. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm.”

He snorted softly. “You can hardly keep yourself warm at night. I mean, look at your toes. They’re blue.”

“But it’s a very fetching shade of blue.”

He laughed and dropped a quick kiss on my lips. “Come on, let’s get down to the water so we can get back up here to the warmth.”

We headed out, picking our way across the grass and then highway, before walking down the slope to the dark shores of the loch. To our right, the stony remains of Urquhart Castle were silhouetted against the moon- washed water and the hills beyond, and only the occasional twinkle of a house light, or the bright beam of headlights sweeping past on the A82 shattered the illusion of being alone in the wilderness.

I stopped when the water began to lap at my toes and his boots, but the touch of it filled me with a delicious sense of power and welcome. It was almost as if the loch had long mourned the loss of her dragons. Part of me ached to dive in, to swim deep and enjoy the murky depths, surrounding myself in the sense of strength, power, and history that the loch represented to my family. But given that the scientists might have sensors located along the loch, if not in it, that just wasn’t wise. I’d have to wait a while yet before I could enjoy such freedom.

“That’s my mom’s land over there,” I said, pointing left, across the bay to the sharp, tree-covered hill that had been the ancestral lands of my family right down through the generations. Few lights shone through the thickness of the trees, certainly none coming from the old, stony building that was neither house nor castle, but somewhere in between. But even a heavily fortified building that had withstood time and weather hadn’t been able to withstand the invasion by the scientists.

He frowned. “There’s not much evidence to be seen that there’s a whole underground scientific study going on over there.”

“That’s why he’s been able to get away with it for so many years.”

He scanned the tree line for a moment, then said, “So there really is another castle over there?”

“Well, it’s not what you’d call a traditional castle—there’s no massive towers and stuff.” Although it did have turrets. “It’s more like a great big fortified house. Dad used to draw me pictures of it.”

I couldn’t actually remember a whole lot about the place. What I knew about the history behind it was thanks to the pictures and the stories he’d told me. He’d loved the old house, and had for years studied the ancient texts that were hopefully still locked securely within the secret vaults. He probably knew more about all the different generations of sea dragons who had lived and died within its walls than my mother did. Thanks to him, I knew my past, even if I had no real acquaintance with this land.

“Meaning it’s a protected building?”

“Yeah.”

“Then the scientists shouldn’t have been able to do much alteration without someone knowing about it.”

“I’m guessing they didn’t bother to apply for permits.” There’d been basements there already, of course, but they’d added to them. Added the pools and the cells that had become our home within home for far too long.

My gaze ran across the hill again. “It is odd that we can’t see any lights. The last time I was here, the outside walls were lit all night.”

Hell, they turned off the lights in our cells for a bare six hours, and only then because they’d finally realized Egan wouldn’t come near me unless it was dark.

“Does the no-lights factor mean they have already left?”

“God, I hope not.” But my heart began to race at the thought. It would have been ironic indeed to have come all this way for naught. Ironic, cruel, and yet somewhat fitting, given the way my life had been turning out of late.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the sick fear that was churning my stomach and not entirely succeeding.

“I could do a flyover and check,” Trae suggested.

I was shaking my head before he’d finished. “Too risky. Besides, there’s a better way.”

I let go of his arm and stepped a little deeper into the water. The waves tugged against my legs, as if urging me to go deeper still. I smiled and squatted, slipping one hand into the water and caressing it with my fingers.

Ripples of power ran away from my touch, a steady vibration of energy only one other would notice or feel.

If she was close to a source of loch water, that was, and wasn’t out of her mind with the drugs.

And she should be near water. The scientists had learned very early the importance of water to us sea dragons. While they’d originally used tap water in our ponds, they’d quickly discovered that if they wanted happy sea dragons, then they’d at least better use the loch water.

I continued caressing the water, and the power grew, until the night seemed filled with a sense of raw expectancy.

And then something stirred across the far side of the loch. An energy that was almost lethargic, and yet whose very presence made the dark water shiver in anticipation.

Mom, responding to my call.

What, she said, her mind speech slurred, but nevertheless strong and filled with so much anger, the fuck are you doing here?

Chapter Thirteen

I blinked. To say I was surprised by her response would be something of an understatement. I’d spent so many years trying to contact her and not being able to, that to do it so easily now was shocking. Almost as shocking as her words, in fact.

It could only mean that she was no longer being drugged. But why would they do that, when they knew how dangerous she could be?

And if she wasn’t drugged, why had she not called the loch and escaped? Or did she, like me, fear that the little ones might not survive the experience?

I told you I’d come back.

And I told you to go to your father.

I did. He—I hesitated, gulping down pain. He awaits you on the forever plains.

She was silent for a long moment, then said, So you reached him before he died?

Yes.

Thank the Gods of sea and loch.

The relief, the loneliness, and the sheer and utter tiredness behind that statement had my eyes stinging. She’d been locked away from everything and everyone she’d loved for well over twenty years, and yet somehow, she’d clung to life. That must have taken more strength than I could ever imagine owning.

I’m here to get you and the kids out, Mom. Just like I promised.

Don’t. You’ll be caught again. She hesitated again, and the thick sense of energy that was her presence seemed to fade from the water. It’s too late for me anyway.

The words were soft, filled with a weariness that spoke of an acceptance of fate. Fear rushed through me and, for a second, I couldn’t even breathe. Because something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.