Tristan released the severed head and limp body and made his way back to Phelan. “Let’s keep moving.”
“No wonder Con was so worried. If any of these creatures make it to the surface, the mortals doona stand a chance,” Phelan said as they started walking again.
“I’m still new to being a Dragon King, but learned more after Rhi’s visit. The Dark Ones shouldna be allowed as much freedom on this realm as they have. It appears as though the Kings assumed the Light were taking care to keep the Dark Ones in check.”
“It doesna appear as if that’s true.”
“Nay. And it’s troubling.”
“Verra. Just like the idea of the Dark Ones aligning with mortals, especially MI5. Who else have they aligned with?”
Tristan shrugged. “That’s a question I’d like answered.”
Phelan let the conversation lag as they wandered the tunnels looking for any sign of Rhi, Kellan, or Denae. “So you really doona remember anything from before you became a Dragon King?”
“Nay. Let me guess, you want to fill in the blanks?”
“Is it no’ odd that you come into a group of men who happen to know us Warriors? One of who is your twin?”
“I have no twin.” Tristan pushed past him when he paused. “I doona know nor care, Warrior, to answer any of your questions.”
“What are you afraid of, Dragon? You afraid to learn what happened to you? That you really are Duncan Kerr?”
Tristan halted and swung around to Phelan. “My name is Tristan.”
“What do you remember of your past before you became a King?” Phelan pressed.
There was a slight tightening around Tristan’s mouth. “Nothing. You say I have a twin. I’ve no memory of that. For me, my existence began when I landed atop that mountain naked in the snow. I may look like this Duncan you speak of, but I’m no’ him.”
“Ian will find out sooner or later. What will you say to him when he walks up and you find yourself looking into a mirror?” Phelan didn’t know what to make of Tristan. He was Duncan, of that much he was sure, but to have no memories of his past? That would hit Ian hard.
“I doona know.”
“I didna know Duncan. I do, however, know Ian well. He’s a good man who has suffered from the loss of his twin. You may no’ remember him, but he’ll remember you. Do everyone a favor and doona be cruel to him. He’s a good man.”
Tristan’s dark eyes narrowed. “You think I would be cruel?”
“Perhaps.” Phelan was beginning to think he wouldn’t. Tristan was so much like Ian in action and appearance, right down to their long hair, that it boggled his mind. “But if there is even a smidgen of the Kerr blood left in you, you’ll do the decent thing.”
“I make no promises, Warrior.”
Phelan slapped him on the back and grinned. “That’s all I can ask. Come, Dragon. Let’s find your friends. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find more creatures to kill.”
“Now that sounds like fun,” Tristan said as they fell into step together.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Rhi lingered near Kellan and Denae. She knew it was suicidal, but for some reason she couldn’t leave the dragon behind.
“Stupid, stupid dragon,” she murmured as she walked the corridors outside the room they were being held in.
Rhi remained veiled. Though she thought to stay near the couple, it was the shouting coming from somewhere in the ruined manor that caught her attention.
Fae, by nature, were sexual creatures who could be benevolent, but normally weren’t. They thought of their own interests first and foremost, which meant that most times humans were casualties.
It’s one of many reasons the Dragon Kings had fought so hard to keep the Fae out of the realm. Rhi understood their arguments, but she would defend her people to her dying breath. No one was perfect, least of all the Dragon Kings.
As quarrelsome as the Light Fae were, it was nothing compared to the Dark Ones. The Dark were aggressive, belligerent, and confrontational. They searched out their quarry and thought out their torture, though the poor mortals never knew what hit them.
But when the Dark fought amongst themselves, it could get downright vicious. Based on the shouts she heard, there was definitely about to be a fight.
Rhi had to know if it was Emil and Taraeth. For many centuries she had been waiting for Taraeth to be killed, but so far no one in his group had managed to take him down. A few tried, but Taraeth quickly killed them.
It didn’t take long to find the group in what remained of some large room. Taraeth and Emil stood in the center while dozens upon dozens of Dark Fae circled around them hollering as they waited for the fight to begin.