Dragon Pledge: Half Fae Hunter, #4

By J.C. Diem

Jake Everett is trapped in the goblin dungeon with no way out. He's succumbed to the darkness inside him just as the Seer had told him, but he is no closer to finding a way out. Once he finally breaks free of the labyrinth, he has two enemies to kill. The Dark Prince's days are numbered, even if he doesn't realize it yet.

The team that he left behind is facing their own problems. Asha has been taken and they don't know where she is. They'll have to rely on a mysterious warrior from the Seelie realm to come to their aid in order to free her.

Sheridan Harwood is angling towards gaining enough power to evict or kill all supernatural creatures from this realm. She's made deals with beings from other realms, but she has plans of her own. The new Master Archivist is just as dangerous as the old one and she intends to pick up right where he left off.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seize The Night Agency
• Release date: Jan 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386748618

Book preview

Chapter One

Goblin Dungeon

WAVING AT MY SMALL army to come to a halt, my senses were niggling at me. Something new had just entered the twisting passageways. It was too distant for me to make out exactly what it was, but I knew it wasn’t any of the usual creatures I’d faced dozens of times by now.

What is it? Dacrith asked. Tall for a fairy, he was about five-foot-six, which was eight inches shorter than me. Even more handsome than most fae, he had shoulder length silver hair with golden tips, gray eyes with gold flecks and moved with deadly, sinuous grace. He hadn’t told me what he’d done to be banished here and I hadn’t asked. We’d become brothers-in-arms and had gained a fragile trust. He’d drawn his shiny black sword and was balanced on the balls of his feet in preparation for battle. In the past few weeks since we’d teamed up, he’d been training me how to use my dual swords. I would probably never be a master swordsman like he was, but at least I was far more proficient than I had been.

I’m not sure, I replied, then glanced at Hexam when the three-headed Cerberus loped over to me. Whatever it is, it’s going to die just like everything else in this dungeon, I added with a mirthless grin. Nasty chuckles and other sounds of amusement came from the motley band of Unseelie warriors that had become my entourage. They enjoyed killing almost as much as Dacrith and I did. We’d had a few other creatures with us to begin with, but they’d all been killed during our fights. Now it was just us fairies left.

Hexam led the way, unerringly locking onto the newcomer that had been sent to the goblin prison either as punishment or for sport. Prince Sindarian and his Unseelie Court were watching us from the plush comfort of their palace. I could feel their eyes on us even if no one else in our group could. They’d never seen a combatant like me before. I wore mismatched armor from the fallen Seelie and Unseelie warriors who had been bested by their foes. I hadn’t bothered to find all black armor to blend in with Dacrith and his warriors. I wanted to stand out from the rest of the inmates.

Even without the dual colored armor, my wings would have ensured that I would be noticed. None of the other fairies could call on their wings in this place. Our magic was subdued to the point where we couldn’t even feel it. Even so, some of my talents were still available to me. Sensing my foes was one of them. I’d honed that skill to a fine art now and could spread it out into the distance. Not much could get past my mental wards anymore. Whatever this new creature was, it wasn’t moving. It expected us to come to it and we weren’t going to disappoint it.

Low fog hung just above the stone floor. Our feet splashed in puddles that we couldn’t see. Noisome fungi clung to the walls every now and then, shedding a weak yellow glow for a few feet. Without the aid of the brownies, we would have starved to death or died from thirst long ago. The small beings were forced to work here. They kept us fed and clothed without complaint so their families wouldn’t pay the price for their disobedience.

Once upon a time, the thought of the injustice they were suffering would have filled me with rage. Now, I didn’t really care. I’d embraced the darkness within me just as the Seer had told me to. I was no longer capable of feeling remorse, pity or tenderness. All I felt was the need for revenge and a strange camaraderie with the man known as death. Dacrith had been imprisoned here for eons, or that was how long it felt in dungeon time. Time moved faster here. One hour in the outside world was akin to a full day here. Messing with time was just another way to torture us, I assumed.

Proving the new inhabitant of the labyrinth was dangerous, all other beasts and beings had fled from the area. It was eerily empty of life as Hexam led us through the hallways towards our newest adversary. The hound came to a stop and whined. His right head turned to look at me in worry. He couldn’t talk, but his expression said it all. He didn’t know what it was that had been sent here, but he didn’t like it.

Reaching the Cerberus, I picked up on what he was probably sensing as well. I can feel magic, I murmured, knowing my companions would be able to hear me easily.

That’s impossible, Dacrith said as he joined me. The others hung back, knowing we wanted to talk alone. No one can use magic here, he reminded me.

I did, I retorted. It’s possible to get around the dampening spell. Whatever this thing is, it found a way.

We’d roamed through the halls in search of prey for weeks, but the passageways were extensive and seemingly never-ending. I wasn’t familiar with this area and I didn’t know the layout. The hallways were sometimes narrow with low ceilings and others were large enough to house a dragon. We wouldn’t know what environment we would be fighting in until we reached our adversary.

At my gesture, our companions clanked back into motion. Despite being my kin, the Unseelie warriors weren’t at all trustworthy. I’d survived three assassination attempts so far from the beings who were supposed to be my allies. Hexam had bitten the head off the first warrior who had tried to end my life during the night. I’d stabbed the second one through the heart myself. Dacrith had killed the third. When it had become obvious I was too well protected to die easily, a few members of our group had slunk away. When we saw them next, they would fall to our blades just like everything else in this place.

Sensing the new creature just ahead, I was pretty sure I knew what it was even before I peeked around the corner. Well, well, I murmured. I didn’t expect to see one of these things in here.

Dacrith took a look as well, then blinked when he saw the gigantic purple creature. What is it? he asked. He’d been locked up in here long before the Dark Prince had become allies with these things.

It’s a Finlarc sorcerer, I explained. It had four legs, six arms and wore black leather pants and boots. It’s head and body were covered in purple hair. Its teeth were long and sharp, but these creatures were more than just savage monsters. They were also accomplished magicians. All six hands clutched various weapons, one of which was a black staff with a crystal tip. I could sense magic coming from the clear gemstone.

These are the allies Sindarian chose to bring to our realm? Dacrith asked with a derisive sniff. Which pathetic little world did he scoop them up from?

I have no idea, I said with a shrug and readjusted my shield in preparation for battle. It had been encrusted with filth when the dragon had first given me the scale. Yaren, or one of the other brownies, had cleaned it for me. It now gleamed red with silver patterns on the outside. The inside was pure silver. It was so shiny I could see my reflection in it. The shield was about three feet long and two feet wide at the top, tapering a little at the bottom. So far, it had proven to be impervious to damage from weapons. Now it appeared I was about to discover if it was also resistant to spells.

Hexam joined us and stuck one of his heads around the corner to examine our foe. He growled low in his throat and began to grow. The hallway ahead was large enough for the Finlarc magician to be able to move around easily. We hadn’t even engaged him yet and I already knew he wasn’t going to be easy to take down while he could use magic. That would give him an advantage over us that could prove to be fatal.

Let’s get this done, Dacrith said with a gleam of battle lust in his dual toned eyes. I wonder if its blood is as purple as its hair? he joked.

Why don’t we go and find out? I replied. Closing the visor of my helmet, I stepped into view and strolled towards our newest foe.

Chapter Two

Scotland

RUDY SAT ON THE ARMCHAIR that was the perfect size for him. His chin rested on his fist as he stared broodingly at the wall. Harley was sprawled on the human-sized couch, watching TV. He looked pale and drawn, but he’d recovered from the injuries he’d received from Zack Katan, the now very deceased werelion.

The leprechaun had taken them to Gorm’s house in Scotland after fleeing from their farmhouse in Texas. Sheridan Harwood had tried to control them by putting the Rex in charge of their team. She would know by now that Katan was dead. They had left before she could send her warlocks to collect them. The Master Archivist wanted the gem Jake had used to close the dragon portal. She would use them all as leverage to get it if the half fae hunter ever returned from the Unseelie realm.

What’s taking her so long? Leroy complained. The ghost was pacing up and down in the air, darting glances at the hallway that stretched out for an impossibly long way. Doors were spaced out on either side of the hall. Some of them were locked. They hadn’t tried to break in because they had no idea what was on the other side. Rudy couldn’t use his special kind of magic to stick his head through them to take a look, which meant they were enchanted. Not even Leroy could pass through those doors or walls.

It’s a complex spell, Rudy reminded the phantom. Even Ari struggled to master it the first time she cast it.

This is Pru’s second time casting the locator spell, Harley said. Does it get easier with practice?

Everything gets easier with repetition, lad. But it takes time to build up enough power to cope with casting hard spells. If she didn’t have that dragonfly brooch, she’d never be able to pull it off.

As if summoned by their conversation, Pru stepped out of the conjuring room and wearily trudged towards them. She held a compass wrapped in a handkerchief. Leroy zoomed over to her to see shadows writhing around the object. You did it! he crowed. Get the map! he said to Harley. Straightening up from his slouch, the kid hurried over to a cabinet and began rummaging around inside it.

Pru trudged over to the larger armchair and sank down onto it. Leroy manifested enough to take the compass from her and set it down on the coffee table. I wish this house had a brownie, Pru said wearily. I’d kill for a cup of coffee. They’d grown used to Brill doing everything for them. It was a pain to have to make their own food and beverages and clean up after themselves again.

Harley had found a bunch of maps when they’d first arrived here yesterday. He’d snooped in all of the cupboards in the main living, kitchen and dining area. Grabbing an armful of rolled up maps, he turned and almost missed a step when he saw a mug of coffee sitting in front of the witch. There was no way she would have had time to walk over to the kitchen to make it and return in that short space of time. He would have heard her anyway. I wish I had a mug of coffee, too, he said casually. Brownies are just so awesome and helpful. A second mug appeared on the coffee table where he’d been sitting.

Rudy started when he saw it appear and looked around. Show yourself, brownie! he commanded.

A tiny little brown man with sad eyes appeared on the coffee table. Is the coffee not to your liking, master and mistress? he said, anxiously wringing his hands in worry.

Pru took a sip and smiled down at him. It’s perfect, she reassured him. What can we call you?

Gorm used to call me Tomlin, mistress.

Aren’t you angry with us for making ourselves at home here, little dude? Leroy asked.

Oh, no, master, the brownie said earnestly. Gorm welcomed you into his home on more than one occasion. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind that you’re using his house as a sanctuary. He would understand that you need somewhere safe to hide from the Master Archivist.

Why haven’t you shown yourself to us before now? Rudy asked suspiciously.

No one asked for my help and I didn’t want to be intrusive, master. Not quite a foot tall, he was thin, had the same brown bark-like skin as Brill and dark brown hair. He wore a blue shirt and brown trousers, but his feet were bare.

We really miss Brill, Harley told him as he sat down and dumped the maps on the seat beside him. It would be great if you could help us out while we’re staying here.

It would be my pleasure to serve, master, Tomlin replied sincerely. Might I ask what you’re looking for?

A map of the US, Harley replied. We’re going to try to use the compass Pru just put a locating spell on to find our friend. Pru had collected some of Asha’s hair from her bedroom before they’d fled from their base. They’d left most of their belongings behind since Rudy could steal whatever they needed anyway. He’d retrieved a few things that they couldn’t do without.

I can find one for you, the brownie said, then one of the maps appeared on the coffee table. It unrolled itself and was magically held open for them to view.

Go ahead, Pru said to Harley when the kid hesitantly reached for the compass. I’m too tired to do much right now, she added. She and the brooch were almost drained of magic and she just wanted to take a nap. That would have to wait until after she’d learned whether the spell had worked properly or not.

Harley picked the compass up by the chain and made a face when his flesh felt like it was crawling as the dark magic touched him. He put it down, grabbed the handkerchief and picked it up again, then held it over the map. Show me where Asha is, he ordered.

The compass began to swing left and right, then tugged his hand towards the area they’d fled from. Sure enough, it stopped right over Texas. It doesn’t look like she was taken very far from our base, Leroy noted.

Do you have a map of Texas? Rudy asked Tomlin.

Screwing his face up in concentration, the brownie conjured up another map, magically retrieving it from another cupboard. It replaced the other one, which vanished from sight.

Show me where Asha is, Harley repeated and the compass went into action again. It tugged his hand somewhere to the right of Devil’s Peak, then milled in a circle as if it was confused.

Isn’t that near the asylum Asha was kept in for a decade? Pru asked, squinting at the map to see a town called Lanford roughly where the compass was circling.

Aye, Mamma, Rudy said unhappily. But I don’t think the lass is being held captive there. At their expectant looks, he explained. I just mentally searched the institute for her and she isn’t anywhere in the building. It was hard for him to explain how his talents worked. Once he was acquainted with a person, he could find them anywhere in the world, usually. Only one thing could prevent him from finding them. Wherever she is, I fear she’s being hidden by a spell.

You can’t know she’s not in the institute if you can’t sense her, Harley pointed out.

When spells are involved, I can feel blank spots where they’re hiding someone, Rudy told him. There aren’t any blank areas in the asylum. His talent worked best when he had a specific area to target. It was less reliable when trying to scan a large area.

Who could have taken her, then? Leroy asked. The people who worked at the asylum were the only ones who even knew she existed. The staff would have known she wasn’t human, since she didn’t look as though he’d aged a day since her late teens or so.

It must have been them, Harley said in frustration. We passed through Lanford when we were on that mission to find the gremlins. One of the employees must have seen Asha and followed us back home. It’s the only explanation for what happened to her. He’d found a tranquilizer dart that had most likely been used to knock the dryad out. It was the sort of weapon that was used against violent patients in asylums. I say we infiltrate the institute, find the person in charge and question them. They’ll tell us where she is. The threat in his voice warned that he would make sure of it.

We won’t be able to save Asha until after help arrives, Pru reminded him yet again. This wasn’t the first time he’d voiced his intention to begin his search for the girl.

When is this mysterious person going to turn up? the kid demanded impatiently. God only knows what’s happening to Asha while we sit around here doing nothing!

Hearing a voice speak his name in his head, Rudy sat up straight. Ask and you shall receive, lad, he said with a fierce grin. He knew exactly who had just stepped into their world and who was now requesting his presence. Wait right here, I’ll be back in a jiffy, he added, then he vanished.

Chapter Three

Texas

ASHA WAS CAUGHT IN a nightmare that she’d hoped she would never have to suffer through again. She was in the Parry Institute and she was strapped to a cold metal bed with a slender mattress that did nothing to alleviate its hardness. Her green hospital gown was too thin to offer her any warmth and she didn’t have any sheets or blankets. The thick metal bands across her chest, abdomen and legs held her securely in place.

The dream was so real that she could smell the cleaning chemicals and other odors that were associated with the asylum. Shifting uncomfortably, the metal band on her arms pinched her skin. Her eyes snapped open to see it wasn’t a dream at all. The memory of hearing Dr. Oscar Parry’s voice before something sharp had hit her in the back resurfaced. He must have increased the dosage of the drug. It had kept her unconscious for a lot longer than an hour this time going by how groggy she felt. From the way her legs and butt were asleep, she’d been unconscious for hours, if not days.

Turning her head, she took in the clinical stainless-steel ceiling, walls and floor. Wherever she was, it wasn’t one of the usual treatment rooms. An observation window with a mirror on it to hide the observers took up the entire wall at the end of her bed. She could almost feel eyes on her right now and knew someone would be in to visit her soon.

Despair filled her as she realized this wasn’t the institute where she’d been taken before. This was somewhere new, somewhere with magic spells that were in play. Her therapist had always known she wasn’t human. Dr. Parry must have employed a witch or a warlock to ensure she wouldn’t be able to escape again.

As if drawn by her thoughts of him, the door to her right