Could that one be moveable?
He focused his power on the right side and doubled down.
First a screech of metal, then a pop sounded. The bookcase broke free, swinging open on hinges.
Smiling, he stepped over and pushed the secret door wider and opened his senses again.
Daegan had not been in this spot, but Casidhe had and not long ago.
Cathbad leaned in. If she’d left this way with his book, he still needed to know where she’d gone.
He’d warned her to be here when he arrived.
She could not outrun him. He would find her, and when he did she would learn the price to be paid for her arrogance.
Chapter 12
A gray-skinned demon with one long horn curved over the back of his head and sickle-shaped claws crashed through the window.
Reese had already leaped sideways and rolled up on her knees.
Daegan turned as Quinn flew past him, diving into the room.
All that happened in a micro-second as Reese shoved a blast of energy at the demon. Glowing red eyes bulged. She’d hit the demon with the power of a lightning strike.
The unnatural creature exploded into fire, then orange ashes.
Daegan couldn’t get over how she’d moved faster than he could teleport her.
Quinn jumped up, his normally well-groomed hair looking as wild as his eyes. He lunged for Reese and lifted her to his chest, holding her close.
Daegan told Quinn telepathically, There could be more demons and possibly Imortiks.
“You’re right,” Quinn said, raking a shaky hand over his hair.
Reese shoved away from Quinn, hands fisted. “Right about what? Are you two talking in your heads?”
Daegan saved Quinn by explaining, “Time is dwindlin’. Can ya give me a better description of where Luigsech got out of the boat, Reese?”
The expression on her face floored Daegan’s hope.
“I told you all I know. I should go with you to help, because even if I could tell you how to find that spot, there’s no way I can describe her exact path once she took off on foot again.”
“I could enter your mind and view the image,” Quinn suggested.
That brought her back to life. She jumped up. “Hell. No.”
“Why not?” he pressed. “You know I would not raid your mind and it would be far more expedient. Daegan is not taking you any farther on this hunt.”
“Why not?” she demanded. “I’m pretty damn useful. What about you, Quinn? Is he taking you?”
“I shall continue with Daegan while his backup is still captured.”
Daegan allowed power to surge in his voice, to eliminate any argument. “Ya can clearly fight off demons, Reese, but I am not so sure about Imortiks. They would definitely want to turn someone with your abilities. Demons and Imortiks showed up all at once last night. I would like to get ya out of here before that happens. Quinn is correct. I would prefer to not take ya along. I cannot be sure we will survive. I need to know ya are safe.”
Her face fell when she looked over at Quinn. She twisted her hands together, struggling with a decision. “You can look into my mind, but only images from the point she left the tunnel and went to the river, then where she disembarked. That should get you there.”
Quinn gave her a curious glance, but agreed. “I will always respect your wishes.”
She closed her eyes. “I’m replaying those images in my mind. Go now.”
Evidently, she ordered Quinn around as much as anyone.
Quinn focused on Reese for less than a minute. “I have it. Your recall is quite precise. I feel we can find that location.”
She blinked her eyes open. “Fine. I get that I can be a liability. I’ll head back if you don’t need anything else from me.”
Quinn sent a short message to Daegan mind-to-mind. Please teleport her to Treoir so I know she’s safe while I’m gone.
Daegan acknowledged that by saying, “’Tis all we need for now, Reese. I appreciate everythin’ ya did today.”
“You’re welcome.” She gave Quinn a loaded stare. “Be careful.”
“I will. Take care of yourself as well and ... get some rest.”
“Oh, for crying out loud. I. Am. Fine.” She turned to Daegan. “Teleport me now. Please.”
She vanished in the next moment.
Daegan had expected her to ask where he was sending her, but she likely assumed she would be returning to Atlanta. “I sent her to Treoir.”
“Thank you.”
“I doubt she will thank either of us when we see her again.”
Quinn gave him a grim nod. “That is my problem. I will explain you only did as I asked.”
“Is something wrong with Reese?” Daegan needed to know if Quinn would be distracted.
Washing a hand over his face, Quinn stared off for a minute then shifted a look at Daegan. “I shall explain more later, but Reese is pregnant.”
Daegan had no idea what this meant. “Do I congratulate ya?”
“Not yet. She hasn’t told me about the baby, but she has too much honor to hide that from me, especially after what happened with Phoedra. In my defense, I used protection, but there’s more to the story. She’s hiding it for a reason I’m pretty sure has to do with protecting me. When this is behind us, I will find out, but I will also raise this child along with Phoedra.”
Daegan hoped they would stop arguing long enough to straighten things out. He hadn’t expected the shaft of jealousy that struck him. Though not planned, Quinn would have two children. Daegan had no hope for a mate or children with no female dragons around.
With no idea what else to say, Daegan shook his head. “Ya have a hell of a life, Quinn.”
Quinn gave a sad chuckle. “That is one way to put it. Now, what is our next move?”
“Did ya retrieve a visual of the boulder where Luigsech climbed out of the tunnel that ran from her cottage?”
“I did. Reese had concise images.”
“Good.” Finally, Daegan could take action to
