Page 52 of Dryad’s Treasure

I felt Gray nod into my chest. “For now.”

Releasing my hold, I kept my hands on Gray’s arms, rubbing up and down, attempting to warm him. “Let’s get out of this dungeon.”

Gray blinked, his eyes comically wide as he looked around, as if seeing where we were for the first time. When he asked, “Where the fuck are we?” I knew I’d suspected correctly. “This place is creepy as fuck.”

Tossing my arm across his shoulders, I pulled Gray into me and guided us toward the door leading to the upper levels. Considering I couldn’t argue with Gray’s assessment, I simply said, “Let’s visit Keir. I’m sure he’s got a pot of tea ready and waiting.”

A full-body shiver ran through Gray. “Tea never sounded so good. Come on, pick up the pace.”

In the end, Gray wound up dragging me toward the door, eager to leave the Magical Usage Compound’s dank basement and the devilish treasure Huxley left buried within its walls.

Twenty-One

Grayson

Keir really did make the most amazing tea. I was beginning to wonder if it was a gryphon thing or if Keir had some type of magical teapot that was charmed to always make perfect tea. Maybe my wisp form would one day lead me to his secret teapot treasure and I’d learn the truth. Strangely, I didn’t look forward to that day. Sometimes a little mystery did the soul good.

Unfortunately, not even the best pot of tea could negate the elephant in the room, otherwise known as Lazarus Azure and the two hapless wyvern eggs still sitting on Keir’s coffee table. When I’d asked why they were still there (I’d assumed Lazarus would secret them away somewhere for safekeeping), Lazarus had surprised me by answering that the nest Keir had created was more than adequate and the eggs were well enough where they were. When I’d raised a questioning eyebrow, Martin had only shrugged. He had no more idea than me.

“I must admit, this situation does not ease my concern,” Lazarus said. At least he was sitting and not looming like he’d been when we first entered Keir’s residence. “I do not like the idea of such dangerous treasure in close proximity to the eggs.”

“I think we can all agree on that,” Keir diplomatically answered. I would have said I didn’t much care for any of us being around Huxley’s little pet projects but managed to keep that comment contained to my inside voice. If Jima’s huffed squeak was anything to go by, he was in my camp. I was glad to see Jima comfortable enough to leave Tabitha’s side. As far as I knew, he was sticking to his ferret form. Tucked beside Keir, I couldn’t see where Jima’s rear was but figured it was somewhere behind Keir’s larger form. Jima’s whiskered snout poked out around Keir’s hip, his small hands clasping the fabric of Keir’s pants.

Turning his intense gaze on me, Lazarus said, “I could easily remove this solid barrier, exposing what is behind the wall.” For emphasis, Lazarus spread his fingers, his thick, razor-sharp claws extending and making a disturbing clicking noise as they rubbed against one another.

Clearing my throat, I set my cup of tea down, ignoring how badly the liquid inside jostled. One day I’d regain control of my nerves. Most likely that day wouldn’t be today. “As I said earlier, I don’t think that would be wise.”

With a subtle cock of his head, Lazarus studied me. “I have yet to hear a valid reason why that is the case.”

Martin tensed, in tune with my own discomfort. Jumping to my defense, Martin said, “Gray’s opinion on the matter is validity enough. I trust him. We trust him,” Martin added, daring Keir to argue.

Lazarus scoffed. “A dryad trusting a will-o’-the-wisp? The animosity between your two species is well known. If I were not witness to your furious defense, I would not believe it possible.”

Keir stepped in before Martin could dig a deeper hole. “Martin’s correct. Grayson has more than proven himself. After all, we never would have found the eggs if it hadn’t been for Grayson.”

Lazarus hummed. “A valid point. One I should have considered before speaking. My apologies, Grayson Delarue.”

I hardly knew what to do with the concession and finally muttered a totally inadequate “it’s fine.” Martin’s raised eyebrows made me think he didn’t think it was as fine as I let on. Thankfully, he let it go.

Keir let loose a deep breath I suspected held more relief than anything else. “I can call Warlock Holland. I’d like to speak with him anyway. I know Holland said he’d contact us when he had more information regarding the buzzweeds’ purpose, but I’d like to know if he’s learned anything at all. I hate not knowing what we’re dealing with.”

“A logical concern,” Lazarus pointlessly mentioned. While the comment wasn’t necessary, I got the strange impression it wasn’t said due to necessity, but as some sort of…I don’t know…praise? Like he wanted to compliment Keir. There was something in the tone of his voice, or maybe it was the arch of his brow or the tilt of his lips. Maybe it was his⁠—

“Curious.”

Our combined reactions were swift, each of our responses coming from different sources, yet each and every one with a singular goal—protect the eggs.

Keir lunged, laying his body protectively over the eggs. Jima screamed, wiggling his body between chair cushions and disappearing from sight. Lazarus let loose an almighty roar, smoke filling the room as horns erupted from his head, twisting on themselves and angling back, away from his sharpened cheekbones and furious eyes. Martin grabbed me, pulling me up and away from the fray, branches erupting from his fingers and wrapping around me. As for our unwelcome djinn, Helios, Elvira’s suddenly solid form had him pinned to the wall, her forearm pressing against Helios’s neck. I didn’t know if djinn needed to breathe or not. If they did, then Helios was going to have a serious problem soon.

“You will not touch them,” Elvira snarled, lips pulled back and face transforming into something garishly macabre. In that instant, Elvira appeared nothing like the femme fatale I’d grown used to.

Helios’s reaction was swift. Elvira’s body lit up with electric light as he pulsed something that made my hair stand up on end through her.

Elvira grinned wide, her skin parting on skeletal teeth. “Fool. I’m already dead. You can’t kill me twice.”

I’d never once considered that. Elvira was the perfect weapon. As long as her medium, Tabitha, was near, Elvira could become a dangerous, physical threat. Unfortunately, the need for Tabitha was a weak link Helios was all too aware of.

“Maybe not, but your medium is not so fortunate.” Helios’s answering grin was full of malicious glee. That glee only multiplied when he vanished from Elvira’s hold, manifesting a few feet away, proving that he could not only escape her grasp, but go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Just because Tabitha wasn’t in the room didn’t make her safe.