Warrick shook his head as he turned away in disgust. “Keep your false words. Darcy doesna need to hear them.”
Darcy sighed and looked at Ulrik. She trusted him. She also trusted Warrick. It was only with her magic that she saw Ulrik’s memories. He’d told her a little about the Dragon Kings, but nothing that compared to reliving those memories.
As for Warrick, she’d given him her body. They had been in close proximity for a couple of days. The few times they talked had been easy and open.
The same couldn’t be said for Ulrik. He was an incredibly private man, but she understood why. Ulrik didn’t trust—anyone.
But he needed her. That was her one advantage.
“Say the word, and I’ll leave,” Ulrik told her.
She knew firsthand how vicious the Dark were. Thorn was out there but keeping a low profile until the last possible moment. No matter how Warrick and Thorn felt, they were going to need Ulrik’s help to get her out.
“The Dark let you walk in without bothering you?” she asked him.
Ulrik nodded once. “I know them.”
“So you didn’t send them after me?”
He made a face. “Darcy, what would that gain me? I’ve searched for ages for a Druid to unbind what my so-called friends did. Every one of them failed until I found you.”
“Do you know why they’re after me?”
“Because you helped me. Ask yourself who that angers?” he asked and looked pointedly at Warrick.
Warrick snorted loudly. “You’re forgetting in your time away from Dreagan that we doona associate with the Dark.”
“Ah, but you associate with the Light.”
Darcy was immediately wary. “I thought you sent Rhi to help me.”
“So I did,” Ulrik said succinctly.
A muscle clenched in Warrick’s jaw.
“Ah,” Ulrik said with a cocky grin. “It bothers you that she’s willing to help me as well as you. What else did you expect when I carried her out of Balladyn’s dungeon?”
“I expected her to remember who you are,” Warrick said.
“A Dragon King who had his friends betray him?” Ulrik said, a dangerous look flashing in his gold eyes.
“You started a war.”
“The humans killed dragons, War. Or have you forgotten that?”
“Nay,” Warrick said tightly.
Darcy felt the tension escalate. She had to do something. “Look, I know the two of you don’t particularly like each other, but right now that needs to be put aside.”
Ulrik raised a brow as he looked at her. “What’s it to be, Druid? Do I go, or do I stay?”
“Stay,” Darcy said without looking at Warrick.
Ulrik unbuttoned his black suit jacket and removed it. Then he carefully folded it and laid it on the table. Next, he reached up and gathered his long dark hair behind him and wrapped a leather strap around it.
“The plan?” Ulrik urged.
Warrick blew out a breath and glared at Ulrik. “If at any time I think you’ll betray Darcy, I’ll kill you.”
“Ah. The obvious threat. Now, can we get on with it? I’m sure Darcy would like to get in some fresh clothes and eat properly.”
Silence stretched as Warrick continued to stare at Ulrik. At this rate, she would never leave the store. Darcy hoped she was making the right decision about Ulrik. If not, she would find out soon enough.
“We’re going underground,” she said.
Ulrik looked at her and nodded approvingly. “A good plan. I know how the Dragon Kings doona want the mortals to know they’re around.”
“And you want to expose us,” Warrick stated.
Darcy speared him with a stern look that he didn’t even glance at her to see. She then focused back on Ulrik. “The best entrance is on the street behind us. Warrick wants to climb up the building instead of trying to run through the streets.”
“A wise choice,” Ulrik said. He walked to the back of the conservatory and looked at the building. “It isna too high, but the stone is smooth. It’ll be a tough climb for you, Darcy.”
“I’ll be carrying her,” Warrick replied.
Ulrik glanced at Darcy. “Probably for the best.”
“Yeah,” she said as she looked at the building. “I’m not exactly a climber.”
Ulrik turned and faced Warrick. “Perhaps I should carry her.”
“And let you spirit her away?” Warrick stated in annoyance. “I doona think so.”
“He has a point,” Darcy said. “The Dark want to fight a Dragon King. If you go out there and take their attention off me, then that would give us enough time to get up the building.”
Warrick ran a hand through his hair. “I’d like it better if Ulrik was the decoy.”
“But they willna fight me,” Ulrik pointed out. “It’s either you or Thorn.”
Darcy wished there was another way, but she couldn’t think of one. And she wanted out of the shop before the Dark attacked again.
“I need to talk to Thorn,” Warrick said and strode to the front of the store.
Darcy watched him, wishing she could help relieve some of his worry.
“I’m surprised you accepted my offer of help.”