Page 64 of Gryphon’s Fire

My cheeks burned as blood rushed into them. “Th-that’s⁠—”

“It is a good thing, Keir. Should any tell you differently, then they will have tipped their hand and exposed their foolishness. Such individual’s opinions are not always easily dismissed, but they are of little importance. Small minds inevitably lead to small lives.”

Leaning forward, I laid a kiss on each side of my grandmother’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

Grandmother waved me off. “It is I who owe you thanks. Regardless, your words are kind and comforting. Now, go. I have much to consider. Please tell Jima to be careful and well. Until I can meet him in person, please also extend my appreciation for his upcoming actions.”

“He will be pleased to hear it.” Jima didn’t thrive on praise like some, but it was appreciated nonetheless. “Be well, Grandmother.”

“And you, grandson.”

Having done all I could, I took Grandmother’s advice and made my way back to the north wing. My thoughts tumbled over one another in a jumble of falling rocks sliding down an unforgiving slope. There were already far too many variables in play before Verona was added to the board.

Right now, I’d done what I could and between the plane trip and what had happened since landing, exhaustion was setting in. Lazarus’s strong arms called to me, more tempting than any siren. I heeded that call, allowing it to pull me down halls that became danker and mustier with each stride.

The environment didn’t matter, only the individual cradled within.

Twenty-Two

Lazarus

Axios was gone. It was the middle of the night when Martin called. Grayson had quickly grabbed the phone from Martin and informed us there was a huge gouge in the ground where Axios’s body had been, along with drag marks leading away to industrial-sized tire tracks carved into the snow and leading farther away. Grayson had followed the tracks to a highway where he’d lost the trail.

If they’d managed to warm and wake him, Axios could be anywhere. Thalia had taken the news with the stoicism I would expect from an ancient. She’d simply said, “I see,” and ended the call. I’d learned later that there was still no word regarding Verona’s whereabouts. However, there was new speculation on the how of it and wyvern weren’t suspected.

Two feathers had been found. Gryphon feathers. Thalia was currently working on contacting a local witch coven. They should be able to track the feathers back to their owner.

I’d never thought Jaakobah would fight fair. I’d never dreamed releasing Verona and recovering Axios would be a part of those schemes.

“He hates you,” Lulabelle said while sitting opposite Keir and myself, sipping a cup of tea. I’d had a few cups myself, and while I thought Keir’s superior, I could see where he’d gained the gift.

Lulabelle’s words were meant for me, not Keir. At least, I thought so until Lulabelle turned her gaze on Keir and said, “He hates you too, just in a different way.” Setting her teacup aside, Lulabelle leaned forward, elbows firmly planted on her knees and hands clasped. Still speaking to Keir, she elaborated. “Jaakobah hates what you represent, what he will never be no matter how many he deceives or murders. Right or wrong, we are a hierarchical society and Jaakobah wasn’t born into the right family. Bonding with a Montenegro is as close as he’ll ever get and that will never be good enough. Not for someone like Jaakobah. Deep down, he’ll always feel inferior. He’ll always feel like he has to suppress everyone around him in order to lift himself up.”

Keir’s shoulders tensed before relaxing under my touch. “I understand why he hates me, but Lazarus… What we believe he’s done is beyond reckless. Verona’s just as likely to turn on Jaakobah if it suits her goals.”

Keir wasn’t wrong.

Tapping her fingers together, Lulabelle turned to me and answered, “That one’s easy. He hates Lazarus because you’d rather bond with someone of a different species than allow Jaakobah to touch you. Given how species-ist Jaakobah is, that’s a blow he can’t see past. It’s just more personal proof that he’s not worthy.”

A heavy sigh wracked Keir’s body. “It’s not his lineage that’s the problem. Not where I’m concerned. It’s his actions.”

“I know that and you know that, but Jaakobah will never understand.” Lulabelle shrugged as if dismissing the whole affair.

Age was the basis for wyvern hierarchy. Wisdom came from years of living, and we believed that wisdom was more important than physical prowess. Thalia was head of my thunder because she’d proven wise enough to survive. Some might say it was luck, but wyvern didn’t believe that. Or at least we didn’t believe it was all luck.

I didn’t disagree with Lulabelle’s analysis of the situation. I wasn’t certain if that analysis helped us or not, only that it was truthful.

Attention back on me, Lulabelle asked, “What do you think Verona’s next move will be?”

I’d hardly done anything these past few hours than consider the possibilities. “I am uncertain. What I can say is that there have been no sightings of either her or Axios around the Magical Usage Compound.” I wasn’t sure if that made me feel better or worse. As long as Vi and Blu stayed within its protective barrier, they were safe. That didn’t mean I relished the idea of two predators close by.

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t there,” Keir said. “Only that they are good at hiding from us.”

“Possibly.”

Lulabelle scoffed. “If they were smart, they’d head back down to South America and hide out there. From what I understand, there aren’t any wyvern in that part of the world.”

“Not that we know of,” I answered. “Unfortunately, I do not believe it is wise to count on Verona thinking logically.”