Darcy lowered the can slowly.
Warrick wanted to finish the tale before they were interrupted, which would be any moment. “Iona was raised on that land. Her father was murdered in an effort to get her back to Scotland. It also turns out that the company she worked for was a front put together by Ulrik to track her through her electronic devices.”
“Please tell me that’s the end of it,” Darcy said.
“I wish it were. When Rhys went to Ireland to help Kiril while he was spying on the Dark, Rhys was hit with a combination of dragon and Dark magic. He couldna heal the wound. He had to make a choice to remain in dragon form forever, or human form. He wouldna be able to shift again.”
Darcy looked down at her hands. “You told me about Rhys. So did Rhi and Lily.”
“I didna tell you about Lily.”
“She did,” Darcy said as she looked back up at him. “She walked me up here and told me Ulrik’s part in what happened to her.”
Warrick paused for a moment. “Then there’s you.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SEVEN
“You think he’s using me?” Darcy asked Warrick.
She was still trying to absorb and sort through everything Warrick had told her about Ulrik. It was too gruesome and awful to be real, and yet there was no denying the Dark were after her.
Warrick’s cobalt gaze was steady. “I do.”
“He needs me. He told both of us that.”
“Aye, and once you have unbound the last of his magic? Do you think he’ll need you then? He’ll kill you. He willna want a Druid around who can touch dragon magic.”
She swallowed, her stomach rolling as she realized the truth in his statement. Why had it taken her so long to figure that out? Because Ulrik had warned her that danger was close? Why hadn’t he told her it was Dark Fae? Why did he leave that part out?
“I honestly didn’t think Ulrik had anything to do with the Dark after me, but now I don’t know,” she said.
“You believe me now?”
“I do believe all of that happened, yes. Did anyone see Ulrik?”
Warrick rose to his feet, his frustration clear. “There couldna be anyone else, Darcy.”
“Just for a moment, put that thought aside and consider it. We were thinking along those lines while trying to figure out who sent the Dark after me. I have my doubts about a lot of things now. What if there’s someone who wants to make everyone think it’s Ulrik doing all of this?”
“Because he is.”
Darcy drew in a deep breath and grasped the last shred of her patience. “What if it’s not all Ulrik? What if he’s only part of it?”
“We would know.” Warrick stood at the foot of the bed. “There are only so many Dragon Kings. We watched all the dragons leave except for the four Silvers we’re holding in the mountain. The only one who can use dragon magic is a dragon. Every King has been accounted for, including Ulrik.”
Well, when he put like that, and in such a confident tone, Darcy didn’t see the need in continuing her argument. The Kings might be arrogant, but they weren’t foolish. They would check every King on Dreagan to see if he was the culprit. That only left Ulrik.
There was a small piece of Darcy that wished the rest of them could’ve seen the Ulrik she had in his memories. They might not hate him so much.
Then again, it seems he deserved their loathing.
“If Ulrik is such a bad person, why didn’t my magic stop?” Darcy asked.
Warrick’s lips parted to answer when a knock sounded. He turned and opened the door to reveal Kellan. They both turned to Darcy.
“We’ve no’ had a chance to properly meet,” Kellan said as he nodded to Darcy. “I’m Kellan.”
Darcy licked her lips and set the can of soda on the tray. “Warrick was just telling me your and Denae’s story. I’m glad both of you came out of that.”
Kellan bowed his head. “I appreciate your words. If you’re up to it, the Warriors and Druids are downstairs and would like to talk to you.”
“Look at me,” she said as she glanced down at the fluffy white robe. “I don’t have any clothes.”
Kellan glanced in the bathroom. “There’s some there.”
“I was in those for days. I’d rather remain in the robe.”
“Nay,” Kellan said and pointed. “I see the pile on the floor, but there is another set on the stool.”
Darcy walked into the bathroom and stopped as her gaze landed on the clothes. They were stacked neatly, but more importantly, they were her clothes.
She turned and looked at Warrick. “Did you bring these?”
“Nay,” he said with a frown. “I think Rhi might have.”
Kellan remained near the door. “What should I tell the Warriors and Druids?”
“I’ll be right down,” Darcy said as she walked to the clothes. She waited until she heard the door close behind Kellan before she asked Warrick, “I know about Druids, but I’ve heard very little about the Warriors. Should I worry?”