Page 28 of Dryad’s Treasure

“Thanks.” Gray activated the charm, his blissful sigh of relief soothing. “That’s some good shit right there.” Gray hummed, making me wonder if the charm had a bit more kick than just pain relief.

I didn’t complain when Gray leaned into me. “What did you learn?” I asked, even though I thought I already knew.

“Hmm? Oh, that.” Gray sounded high. “The eggs didn’t respond at all when I mentioned Alethia’s name. The other one, however… Whew, those eggs are pissed.”

“See! I told you.” Jima sounded more relieved than proud. None of us bothered telling him we hadn’t disagreed. Jima hadn’t thought Alethia was capable of such a thing, but none of us were as confident in our judgments as we once were. Having it confirmed was a relief for all of us.

Tabitha moved closer, peering down at the eggs but refraining from touching them. “They are beautiful. No doubt about that.”

Keir huffed. “Beautiful and deadly. Not on their own, but I’m not looking forward to contacting the wyvern community.” Keir harshly swallowed. “It might be a good idea to clear the compound before I do. I don’t want any of you getting caught in the crosshairs when they come for⁠—”

“You think we’d leave you? Are you serious?” Shoulders thrown back, chin jutted out, and nose held high, Jima glared at Keir. “Absolutely not. Don’t even think about ordering me to do that. I will not cut and run.” Jima’s immediate offense softened. “I know I’m just a ferret shifter and my first instinct is to run and hide, but I will not abandon you, Keir. Don’t ask that of me. Don’t ask that of any of us.”

I wouldn’t say all tension drained from Keir’s body, but something softer replaced it. “I’ve no right to ask you to stay.”

Tabitha huffed. “I didn’t hear you ask once, and that’s the problem, not the answer.” She wagged a finger in Keir’s general direction. “You will not shoulder this burden alone. We are a team.” Tabitha’s face fell. “What’s left of us anyway.”

“Tabitha is correct,” Elvira said, her wispy form sliding closer. “This is on all of us, as is whatever else the will-o’-the-wisp finds.”

Grayson shifted his weight as if he were uncomfortable. “Finding those eggs may not be good for the Magical Usage Council, but I don’t regret it. Wyvern don’t abandon their young. Surely they are looking for them.” Gray looked around the room, catching each and every gaze.

“Have you heard anything?” I asked Keir, knowing I hadn’t.

“No, but I’m not certain we would. Wyvern typically keep to themselves and most live in Europe. I’ve only heard of one, maybe two, migrating to North America. There might be a couple in South America as well.”

I wasn’t certain if that made the situation better or worse. Could the situation really get much worse? And shouldn’t I know better by now to keep those kinds of thoughts locked down tight?

“Obviously, Huxley wanted to keep the eggs safe, if not dormant.” Tabitha reached out as if she wanted to touch them but pulled her hand back before contact could be made. “The flue was the perfect atmosphere. Like most of us, Alethia kept her fire going nearly twenty-four seven. She liked the warmth. It would keep the eggs warm enough to remain viable, but not warm enough to hatch.”

“Goddess, Huxley was an ass.” Jima threw his hands up and began pacing. “If he were back here, I’d scratch his eyes out. I’d hide all his pens and shred all his important papers. And that’s just the beginning. I’d⁠—”

“Oh, feisty. Aurelia says that is a good quality in a pet.”

Jima jerked, letting out a high-pitched squeal. I heard Gray suck in a gasped breath mimicking my own desperate need for oxygen. Helios stood behind Jima, close enough he could look over his shoulder but not quite touching. Keir took a step back while Tabitha turned but maintained her position and composure.

As for Jima, his body shrank, shifting into a ferret. This time, Helios appeared ready and snagged Jima before he could dart under the nearest piece of furniture. “Gotcha!” Helios cheered before frowning at his prisoner. I’ll give Jima this—instinct or not, the rapid-fire bites he let loose on Helios’s fingers was impressive, if ineffective. “Are you attempting to injure me?” Helios sounded mystified by the possibility.

“Release him!” Keir’s voice dropped several octaves. I’d rarely seen Keir fully shifted and hoped he controlled himself now. Alethia’s quarters weren’t large enough for a fully shifted gryphon. And that was saying nothing regarding the idea of attempting an attack upon a djinn.

Helios blinked, his dark blue eyes contemplative as he stared at Keir. “Why should I? I am claiming this one as my pet.”

Dear, sweet Gaia. This could not be happening. Without thought, I stepped in front of Gray, shielding him with my body. Not many recognized a djinn, and I wasn’t certain if Grayson knew what horror stood before us. His whispered “djinn,” followed by “a fucking djinn” gave me my answer.

Jima wailed. Tabitha remained where she was, seemingly at ease. The drastically lowered temperature within the room spoke differently, as did Elvira’s completely solid form. Tabitha was coalescing her power.

I barely contained my dryad instincts, holding onto my humanoid form by sheer will alone. No one spoke. All of us stood there, mouths hanging open and at a loss. None of us would stand by and allow Helios to claim Jima as a pet. Jima was right. We wouldn’t abandon each other, and we would not allow another of our comrades, our friends, to come to harm. Not while there was still breath left within our bodies.

That breath would be futilely spent attempting to reclaim our friend from a djinn’s hands. We were all about to die.

That didn’t mean Grayson needed to follow our death spiral. “Gray, change into your wisp form and⁠—”

I never got to finish those words.

“In for a penny and all that,” Gray muttered before he slid his body around mine.

I stood there, staring in horror as Gray moved away from me, walking closer to Helios. “Gray!” My words fell on deaf ears.

“Whatcha doin’?” Gray asked, head cocked to the side and hands stuffed into his pockets.