Page 76 of Dryad’s Treasure

Ignoring Henry, I smacked Martin on the ass, making him jump. “I stand by what I said weeks ago: you’ve got one fine ass.” I winked at Martin’s gaping mouth before turning to the others. Excitement threatened to overrun me. The look in Tabitha’s eyes indicated she’d followed and knew what I’d been getting at.

“We’re done sacrificing shit,” I boldly stated. “Even if those eggs tell Thalia that the building needs to be razed to the ground and everyone inside snuffed out, they can all just bugger off with that shit.” I turned, staring up at Keir. “None of this is your fault. I know everyone here’s told you that already, and now I’m saying it too. You’ve done nothing but protect those eggs since Martin and I found them. If they don’t see a reason to return the favor, then screw ’em.”

“Gray, I don’t think⁠—”

I slashed my arm through the air. “No, Martin. You’ve all said it at one time or another. We’re not losing anyone else, and yes, I consider myself part of this effed-up family you’ve managed to cobble together.”

Keir inhaled, shaking his head in the negative. “Someone has to leave the barrier and give the eggs to Thalia. That someone should and will be me.”

“Oh, you can give her the eggs. I’ve got no beef against that. What I’m saying is that you don’t have to leave the barrier to do it.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder, toward Martin. “My exceptionally smart, brave, and sacrificial lover made sure of that.”

“It’s all in the intention,” Tabitha hummed.

Jima came on board when he said, “And Martin made sure to not only protect the compound, but those within the Magical Usage Council. That includes all of us.”

I aggressively nodded. “Exactly. Pixie barriers aren’t static. Homes change. They grow in size and occupancy. Land is the same way. A bonded pixie’s barrier isn’t set in stone. It changes with the parameters set for it, protecting that which the pixie deems important. I’d call it protecting their treasure. I’m sure pixies see it differently. The terminology isn’t important. The intent is.”

Martin inhaled. “Are you saying the barrier will morph and change, wrapping itself around each and every one of us?”

I considered the question and shrugged. “I doubt it can do so if we move very far away from the compound, but while we’re close by, I’d bet all our lives that it will. Don’t you see, Keir? You can give the eggs back, but you don’t have to do it without the barrier’s protection. None of us have to do that. We’ll all be safe topside.” There was a chance I was wrong, but I thought that chance too slim to truly contemplate.

“Hot damn!” Henry clapped his hands. “What are we waitin’ for? Let’s get this idiocy over with so we can all crawl back into bed.”

“Agreed,” Tabitha stated. “Let us put an end to this interminable waiting.”

I think all our steps were a little lighter as we hustled toward Martin’s quarters.

Safely cradled within Martin’s branches, Tabitha and Jima, now in his ferret form, along with Henry were safely deposited on the grassy ground surrounding Martin’s alcove. Martin hadn’t transformed completely. He’d only branched out his arms. Those same branches dug into the earth, pulling Martin’s body up and out of the deep. Keir and I’d arrived first—Keir in his gryphon form and me in my wisp one. I had to say, Keir’s shifted form was magnificently stunning. I’d seen gryphon’s before; it was a sight one never got over. Keir’s observant eyes scanned the horizon from his regal eagle head. Feather’s ran down his neck, smoothly integrating with the golden fur of his lion body. Massive paws raked the ground, his wicked claws gripping the earth as Keir’s impressive, feathered wings sprang from muscled shoulders.

Back in my humanoid form, I helped Martin out of the hole. I doubt he needed the assistance, but it made me feel better, as if I were truly offering aid. The grateful smile I got in return made me think my actions were at least appreciated.

“Wow.” Also humanoid again, Jima filled that singular word with both awe and heartache. “This is… I don’t even have the words.” He nearly choked on those last few syllables.

I understood what he meant. I’d seen the destruction left in Verona’s wake and even knowing what I’d see when I reached the surface didn’t diminish the horror.

“It’s a mess,” Jima added.

“It’s a fuckin’ disaster is what it is,” Henry agreed.

Tabitha remained quiet while Keir answered, “We’re alive. All this is fixable.”

Jima’s mouth opened wide, jaw hanging low. “How? It’ll take forever.”

Tabitha jutted out her chin. “Then it is fortunate that our life spans are far longer than human.”

Jima groaned but said nothing further. I simply gripped Martin’s hand in mine, squeezing tight. Anyone who saw the carnage Verona’s wrath created could understand why he’d chosen the path he had. Understanding didn’t equate to approval, at least on my end, but it did soften the raw edges of my lingering fear.

So far, just as I’d thought, the barrier grew and adapted to all of us. Technically, since the Magical Usage Compound was below ground, the barrier didn’t need to extend much above it. However, none of us had to crawl on our bellies to be encased in its protective embrace.

Holding out his hand, Jima pressed against the invisible force keeping us safe. “I can feel it. It’s much stronger this close to the edge.”

Jima wasn’t wrong. The barrier caressed my skin, washing over me in waves and welcoming me within its presence. It raised gooseflesh but not in an uncomfortable way. “I wonder what it looks like to Hikaru’s eyes?” I asked out loud, suddenly very curious. “I’ll bet it’s beautiful.”

Martin didn’t verbally answer; he simply squeezed my fingers tighter.

Transforming into his humanoid form, Keir’s arms protectively supported the wyvern eggs nestled within the cloth draped across his chest. Suddenly, Keir’s shoulders stiffened and widened, his gaze caught on figures not too far in the distance. “I believe our guests are just over there.” Keir inclined his head. The sun was rising in the east, its rays warming our faces. The sun’s brightness made the wyvern’s silhouettes difficult to make out.

“Then what are we waitin’ for?” Henry said. “Mush, Jima!”