CHAPTER Twenty Five
As soon as I stepped back through into the real world, the momentary distraction of Corrigan’s naked body disappeared. Solus’ expression was bleak, and Alex most definitely looked green around the gills.
“Those birds,” he whispered. “They were nailed into those walls, Mack. Each and every one of them.”
My stomach heaved, and I could feel my knees going. The Arch-Mage walked up next to me, however, and placed a hand on my shoulder. Immediately I began to feel better. Magic certainly had its uses sometimes.
“I hadn’t realised,” I said grimly.
“There were at least a couple of hundred of them, Mack Attack.”
“Three hundred and one,” Solus murmured. “Three hundred and one birds.”
“It seemed like you were talking to them.”
He nodded. “I have an affinity for animals. Most Fae do.”
“And?”
“And we’ve got a serious problem, dragonlette.”
Every member of the council gathered round, even though we were in the corridor of Alcazon. Apparently the time for keeping everything hush hush had long since passed.
“He’s drawing small parts of strength from the birds,” Solus said, “but they’re not his target.” His mouth twisted. “They told me what he’s after. He’s going to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and gain mastery of Air and Fire at the same time.”
“I don’t understand. How will he do that?”
“The phoenix.” For the first time ever, I think I saw the Summer Queen appear distraught. “He’ll go after the phoenix.”
Everyone looked at each other and then suddenly began to talk. The noise rose up in a babble.
“Quiet!” I said, although my voice was lost in the hubbub.
I stared down at my hands, the green fire easily sparking back up, then aimed them up at the ceiling. These people had to learn when to talk and when to listen. Corrigan grabbed my arm, however, with a warning look in his eyes. Some helpful shifter minion had apparently already given him a dressing gown. That was handy. And rather disappointing for me.
They’re already afraid of you, kitten. Allow me.
He lifted his head back and roared. The sound was deafening. Ears ringing, I glared at him.
Next time don’t do that next to my head. I’m going to be deaf for a f*cking a week.
He gave me a little bow. Idiot.
Now that everyone’s attention was back where it should be, I spoke again. “That doesn’t make sense. Isn’t the phoenix immortal? He can kill it, but it will just rise again. That’s what phoenixes do.” I paused. Or was it phoenixi?
“There’s only one phoenix, dragonlette. And you’re right, it is immortal. It dies in flame and is reborn in flame.” Solus looked worried. “But he’s a necromancer, and one who’s growing more powerful by the second.”
The Summer Queen nodded. “He can trap the phoenix in-between the cycle of life, and draw from it endlessly. It’ll be an eternal power source. It won’t die, but neither will it live.”
“And he’ll be more powerful than we can possibly imagine,” Corrigan said.
Shit. I chewed my inside cheek. There had to be a bright side to this somewhere.
“There’s only one phoenix,” I said slowly.
“Yes, dear.”
The Arch-Mage patted my hand as if I were a small child. I scowled at him and he immediately dropped his arm and backed off. Huh. Apparently there were some benefits to being a homicidal monster after all.
“There’s only one phoenix,” I repeated, “so our job is easy. We just take the bird and hide it somewhere. He can’t get to it, and we win.”
“Except if he can’t find it, he’ll just switch tactics and pick on someone else,” Alex pointed out.
I thought for a minute. “You’re right. We leave the phoenix where it is. But, as there’s only one we know where he’s going to be. We’ve surely got a much better chance of defeating Endor because there’s no need to be concerned that he’ll be off somewhere else.”
“That’s what we thought last time,” Larkin pointed out. “And not only did we really not have a clue, but he hammered us and killed several humans in the process.”
“Well, we’re out of chances, ladies and gentlemen. If he gets past us this time, then it will be more than just a few humans whose lives will be in danger. The whole world will be at risk if he gains ultimate power over life and death. So the simple fact is that we have no choice but to beat him.”
I looked at the Arch-Mage. “The Palladium?”
He pulled it out from underneath his billowing black robes and held it out. I stared at it. I really didn’t want to touch the f*cking thing if I could help it. Thankfully, Corrigan sensed my revulsion and moved to take it instead. He examined it carefully.
“It’s very small,” he said doubtfully. “Is this really going to work?”
I glanced over at Balud. He shrugged, his face as blank as everyone else’s. “Who knows?” he said. “It’s like no weapon I’ve ever seen.”
“So we still have no idea how we can use it against Endor?”
He shook his head. Outf*ckingstanding.
I sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to roll with it. Everyone better bring their A game in case it doesn’t work.” I looked back at Solus. “Do we know from the birds when he’s planning to attack the phoenix?”
He blinked his violet eyes at me.
“Solus?” I prodded.
“Tonight,” he answered heavily. “He’s going after it tonight.”
My stomach dropped. It didn’t give us very much time to work with.
I found my voice. “Where is it?”
“The phoenix? It’s at Bird World.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me. Bird World? Just hanging out with the ostriches and the parrots, is it?”
The Summer Queen lifted up a shoulder. “Its preferences are a mystery to me.”
“How in the hell does it manage to remain anonymous?”
“It looks a bit like an eagle.”
“A bit like an eagle? A golden bird that can’t die and only looks a bit like an eagle. No-one’s ever been suspicious?”
“Why would they? As far as the majority of this plane are concerned, the phoenix is mythological. Like dragons.”
“Or shapeshifters.”
“Or faeries.”
I shook my head. Sometimes the world never ceased to amaze me. “Well, let’s get our arses to Bird World then.”
Corrigan cleared his throat. “Actually, there’s something else we need to think of first.”
Everyone turned to him.
Sorry, kitten. It’s for the best though.
My gaze hardened.
“If he’s going after the phoenix, a mythological bird tied to fire, then Mack needs to stay away.”
“Hey! No f*cking chance, buster.”
“If we prevent Endor from getting to the phoenix, the next logical choice is you. You’re a dragon.”
“Air and Fire,” Solus muttered.
I gave him a dirty look. He was meant to be on my side. “So then it makes more sense for me to be there so I can distract him,” I said through gritted teeth.
Corrigan shook his head. “No. You’re the last card we’ll have. You need to stay away.”
“F*ck off. You can’t make me stay away. I’m the head of this council, remember?”
“He’s right,” said the Arch-Mage. “We can’t have Endor decide you’re the easier target because everyone else is focused on protecting the phoenix.”
“Yes, you need to be as far away from Bird World as possible.”
I growled at the Fae Queen. “And do what? Stay at home with my knitting needles?”
“You can’t come, Mack,” Corrigan reiterated
I hate you.
No, you don’t.
He was right. I didn’t hate him. But I was f*cking pissed off at him.
We can’t be worried about you and the phoenix at the same time. Having just one target means we have a better shot at really bringing Endor down.
I’m a dragon. You don’t think I have a shot?
What makes you strong is your fire. And that’s what he needs. Being a dragon isn’t going to help, not today.
I tried again. I have nothing to do with Air. I can’t fly.
Corrigan’s face was impassive. How many times have you tried?
Once.
He raised his eyebrows. I snarled again.
Keep our baby safe, kitten.
It occurred to me he wouldn’t know I was probably carrying twins. That was probably just as well for now.
Corrigan opened his mouth, speaking aloud. “Let’s get to this Bird World place and get ready.”
Everyone looked at me. I understood my dragon side might be a problem. I didn’t have to transform though; I was pretty damn powerful even without that part of me. And I knew I wouldn’t let the children I never knew I even wanted get hurt. Even Lord Furry himself couldn’t stop me from being there. He just didn’t have to know that I was there, that was all.
I pasted on a smile. “You’d better get going then.”
Relief flickered across Corrigan’s face. I felt a twist of guilt, then ignored it. I wasn’t being reckless. I was being smart. He took a step towards me, but I gestured him away.
“Go on then.”
“Don’t be mad at me, kitten.”
“Don’t call me kitten.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. Feeling the looks from both the Arch-Mage and the Summer Queen, I turned and stomped off, trying to make it look like I was in a petulant fit, rather than running back home to get what I needed for Bird World. It was time to end this necromancer once and for all.