Page 26 of Gryphon’s Fire

Eldon reared back, eyes wide. “You’re on fire!”

“My flame is cool. It won’t hurt you.”

Eldon didn’t appear convinced until Keir placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said, “I trust Grayson. He won’t harm you.”

While Eldon still looked a little green around the gills, he gave a soft nod and stopped trying to pull away.

Head cocked to the side, Grayson’s eyelids slid closed. It didn’t take long for him to start swaying, a gentle hum filling the room. “The song’s a little creepy, but not nearly as bad as the one Eldon landed with.”

“You know where it is?” Martin asked, leaning over his bonded mate.

“I know where something is. I can’t guarantee it’s this chip thingy.”

“Where?” Keir asked or perhaps demanded.

Grayson hummed as his flame-filled hands skimmed over Eldon’s body, finally settling over his left shoulder. “There,” Grayson said while laying a flaming finger over a spot that looked more like a freckle than a surgical lesion. “The song is weak, but it’s definitely there.”

The flames lighting Grayson’s hands dissipated as he took a few steps back.

Somehow, Keir and I’d wound up on opposite sides of his brother, our gazes meeting behind Eldon’s back as our eyes drifted from the location Grayson pointed out. “I can remove it,” I said, holding up a slender claw. “I can heat my claw to eliminate any contaminants.”

Keir swallowed hard before backing away, his focus on his brother. “Do you want us to try and remove what’s there?”

“Do it.” No hesitation.

With a firm nod, Keir said, “Let me get a pain charm first.” Keir returned in less than a minute. He shoved the activated pain charm into Eldon’s hand before looking to me and saying, “If you don’t mind.”

My answer was to hold up my index finger and blow a controlled flame across the tip, sterilizing my claw. The towel Keir had in his hand wasn’t so sterile, but if I’d attempted to cleanse it in the same way, the cloth would be little more than ash.

Without further thought, I placed a bracing hand on Eldon’s shoulder and cut into his flesh. Keir was there with the towel, ready to catch the blood seeping from the wound. Eldon didn’t so much as flinch.

My claw hit something that was firmer than flesh. Picking around its edges, it was relatively easy to remove. Keir collected it in the towel, wiping it off to reveal a small, oblong metal device.

“Son of a bitch,” Grayson muttered. “That jackass really did put something inside you. What a creeper.” Arms folded over his chest, Grayson muttered something else I couldn’t catch. The tone was enough to convey Grayson’s displeasure.

“Do you want me to fly it away?” I asked. “We could make it look as if Eldon has left the compound.”

Keir’s gaze remained fixed upon the tiny piece of technology. Jaw ticking, I could see the rage building. I understood why. Doing something like that was a great violation of one’s autonomy. Using human technology only added to the humiliation.

“Keir,” I said his name softly, attempting to diffuse his growing anger. “It is out now. Even I can’t burn something with my gaze alone.” My attempted levity snagged Keir’s attention. Blinking, Keir deeply inhaled, expanding his chest. I thought he was silently counting and suspected he made it to at least sixteen seconds before he released that breath.

Ignoring my last comment, Keir answered my first question. “I doubt taking it away from the compound will work, but on the off chance it might…” Keir handed over the chip. “Are you certain you don’t mind? I’d offer, but⁠—”

“No,” I quickly answered while pocketing the tiny device. “For all we know, Jaakobah could be waiting just out of sight, ready to attack if you or Eldon leave the protection of the barrier. I can envision Jaakobah anticipating your actions once the tracking device was known.”

Martin said, “If that is the case, then Jaakobah will know Eldon didn’t leave the building and the ruse is pointless.”

I shrugged. “Unfortunately, we do not know for certain. I, for one, do not mind spreading my wings and getting a little airtime. If I just so happen to carry a little piece of human tech along for the ride, it is not a burden.”

“Thank you,” Eldon said as his shoulders slumped. The wound had clotted and only a small, raised area of redness remained. “I keep thinking I’ll wake up any minute and this will all have just been one terrible nightmare.” Eldon choked on a sob.

Keir’s palm found Eldon’s shoulder again as he sat beside his brother. “One day, you’ll look back on this time as such. The pain will never fully leave you, but its sharp edges will fade, and the memory will not cut as deep.”

“Is there anything else we can do?” Grayson asked, appearing uncomfortable now that he no longer had a specific task to perform.

“No. Thank you, Grayson. I am constantly amazed by your skill and your willingness to aid us,” Keir answered, making Grayson’s cheeks pink.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Grayson thumbed over his shoulder. “No worries, Keir. It’s what you do for family. Martin and I will get out of your hair. Let me know if there’s anything else we can help with. Come on, Martin.” Latching onto Martin’s sleeve, Grayson tugged, practically dragging Martin to the already opening door. Martin gave a nod as he followed his bonded mate.