Page 21 of Gryphon’s Fire

Gripping the doorframe, I focused my mind and energy and sent my thoughts into the wood. Thank you. Your care is very much appreciated. Was the warming wood beneath my skin my imagination? I wasn’t certain. Regardless, I moved into the room and made up the bed before walking back into the living room and scooping Eldon up into my arms.

Eldon’s protests were minimal. Two days later and my brother was still far too exhausted for my liking. I’d considered contacting a witch healer but dismissed the idea. The fewer who knew about Eldon’s condition and presence, the better. I had a few pain charms left over that I’d activated to ease Eldon’s discomfort. With his pain mitigated, Eldon slept even deeper. Every time he woke, I took the opportunity to shove food into him. Currently, it was mostly broth and light soup. I’d added in a little bread and butter earlier today. While slow going, Eldon was improving. He had more color to his cheeks, and this morning he’d been able to stand long enough to shower. Washing off the stench of captivity was satisfying.

Tucking Eldon in, I stood over him, making certain he settled before leaving the room. Walking back into the living area, I straightened up the couch, folding the quilt and draping it over the back cushion. Lazarus had left earlier. He’d gotten a call from Thalia and wanted to speak with her in private. I hadn’t protested.

With the living area picked up, I settled on the ottoman situated in front of Vidia’s eggs. They’d been moving more. Little vibrations shifted them about. Lazarus said they were growing restless—a sure sign they would hatch soon. I wasn’t certain how I felt about that. Here, in my quarters, they were safe. I could keep them warm and protected. Once they’d hatched… They would still be safe within the compound, but they couldn’t remain tucked behind the safety of the barrier all their lives. While I may not be genetically related to the eggs, I felt like a first-time father. I loved them as if they were my own and worried over them for that exact same reason.

I glanced at my phone. It had been unusually silent. I kept expecting a call from Father or perhaps Jaakobah. Maybe someone else associated with my old flight. Did they know Eldon was here? Did they even know where I was? If Mother knew, then I had to think Father did as well. And if Father knew, then I could think of no reason he would have kept my location secret from Jaakobah.

Given our ill parting, perhaps they wouldn’t consider me as a possibility. Why would Eldon seek shelter with one he’d previously shunned? Even I knew it was too much to hope for.

As if aware of my thoughts, a shimmering ball of blue flame eased through my ceiling, settling beside me before Grayson abandoned his wisp form for his humanoid one. Before I could ask why he was here, Grayson said, “Someone’s coming. I saw them on the horizon. They’re flying, and they do not appear to be wyvern.”

While there were other species than wyvern and gryphon that could fly, I could tell by the look on Grayson’s face what he thought it was. “Gryphon?”

Grayson gave a reluctant nod. “Looks like one. There could be more coming. I should have stuck around to find out, but I wanted to get back to warn you.”

“Thank you, Grayson. You did the right thing.” Eyes slipping closed, I inhaled the soothing, smoky scent of Vidia’s incubating eggs. I stole a few quiet seconds to get my emotions in order. I wasn’t certain who’d been sent, but regardless, I would meet them on my own terms, and those terms would be congenial and without histrionics.

“Martin already knows,” Grayson said while rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, not sorry. Martin and I pretty much share everything.”

Despite the situation, a smile curved my lips. “I know, and I am grateful.”

Grayson blew out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, most of the time it’s okay. Good even. But sometimes…it’s damn hard to surprise him.”

Chuckling, I stood and placed a hand on Grayson’s shoulder. “Martin has always been difficult to surprise. He’s far too observant so even without sharing your thoughts, I would imagine he would still be a tough customer.”

“I’ll take your word for that,” Grayson answered before asking, “You want me to let anyone else know? I think Tabitha’s helping out on a case and Jima’s⁠—”

“No,” I answered, then thought better of it. “Could you and Martin stay with the eggs and my brother?” I could ask Lazarus, but I knew he would want to go topside with me to meet our latest guest.

Grayson’s gaze flicked to the eggs before falling back on me. “I can, but I don’t want you going up there alone. Martin won’t either.” Grayson folded his arms over his chest and thrust out his chin as he stared up at me. “You know how stubborn we can both be.”

“Yes, I am fully aware.” Despite Grayson’s words, I headed for the door. “Besides, I won’t be alone. Lazarus will be with me.”

“Oh. Okay then. That’s acceptable. Martin’s already on his way.”

“I would expect nothing less,” I answered before walking through my already open doorway. Phone in hand, I dialed Lazarus’s number. I didn’t wait for a greeting. As soon as he answered, I said, “I need you topside. We have a visitor. Martin and Grayson are staying with the eggs.”

“I’m on my way,” Lazarus answered, no questions asked. With every action, Lazarus proved his words, and my doubts scattered like blossoms on the wind.

Jaakobah was larger than I remembered. I wasn’t certain how that had happened, but his gryphon form was broader, his beak sharper, and his talons more sinister than before. According to Eldon, those very same talons had torn my mother apart. Was her blood still present? I didn’t scent it, but a gryphon’s sense of smell was not as keen as other species’.

“Impressive,” Lazarus cooly said as Jaakobah landed. “For a gryphon,” Lazarus added. “If this is a dick-measuring contest, perhaps I should transform into my wyvern form.”

I elbowed Lazarus in the side. “That’s not what this is,” I quietly hissed. “Although if Jaakobah wants to be an ass about things, feel free to transform and burn him to the ground.” It would be a last resort. I did not want to start a war between wyvern and gryphon. Worse yet, I didn’t want to attract Fairy’s attention.

Lazarus moved closer and his palm found its way to the small of my back. “You say the sweetest things, Keir.”

I scoffed, but otherwise remained quiet, waiting for Jaakobah’s transformation into his humanoid form. I still wasn’t certain if I was surprised or not that he’d come himself and not sent another member of the flight to argue his case. Then again, perhaps he wanted to keep the truth regarding what had happened away from the other members of my old flight.

Jaakobah didn’t transform right away. Instead, he stood there, in all his gryphon glory, pawing at the ground, ripping roots from the soil. Head thrown back, Jaakobah’s eagle beak opened wide, and he let loose an ear-splitting caw. I was beginning to think Lazarus’s assessment was correct. Jaakobah was definitely attempting to be intimidating.

That intimidation came to a halt when he haughtily strutted forward only to run beak-first into the protective barrier.

“Looks like our visitor’s intentions are not entirely noble,” Lazarus crooned as Jaakobah tossed his head back and forth before taking his talons and attempting to scrape the barrier. Having none of it, the barrier tossed Jaakobah back. He landed with a thunderous rumble that was less than elegant.

Lazarus and I said nothing as we waited to see if Jaakobah would try again. Disappointingly, he did not. I would have liked to see him tossed on his ass again. Finally transforming, Jaakobah kept his distance as his head cocked to the side, his sharp eyes attempting to see the invisible.