Up In Smoke
Page 78

‘‘He’s got it coming to him,’’ Jim said, plopping itself down on the floor. ‘‘I bet he would have had a blast in Abaddon. Not that Chuan Ren is much better. She killed her whole family, didn’t she?’’
‘‘It’s possible that Chuan Ren may attempt to kill Fiat,’’ Gabriel said thoughtfully, his fingers stroking mine. ‘‘But it’s also quite possible that the reverse may be true, as well. Fiat seems each day to become more and more unhinged. It would be madness to try to eliminate Chuan Ren, but if his ability to reason is gone, then he may try it.’’
‘‘Which would be his own destruction,’’ Drake said, nodding. ‘‘Chuan Ren is too strong to take by a coup. It will be interesting, however, to see what happens.’’
‘‘I don’t honestly care so long as she doesn’t try to declare war again,’’ Aisling said, patting her belly.
Drake smiled. ‘‘I believe Fiat will be the target of her spleen for a while. And after that’’—he glanced at me—‘‘we shall see.’’
‘‘So what exactly happened after Bael chased you back into the shadow world?’’ Aisling asked, making herself comfortable.
I went quickly over recent events, recounting faithfully everything Baltic had said.
‘‘You’re sure he was a white dragon?’’ Drake asked, frowning.
I glanced at Gabriel, whose lips had thinned. ‘‘That’s what I saw, but admittedly, I had just cracked my head on the stone wall and was a bit muzzy still.’’
‘‘He was white,’’ Gabriel agreed. ‘‘I was expecting black, not that he looked anything like the portraits of Baltic. Still, he might have changed his appearance. But he was white, Drake, white.’’
‘‘Is there a white sept?’’ Aisling asked her husband. ‘‘Or rather, was there at one time?’’
‘‘No to both questions,’’ he answered.
‘‘This is really confusing, then,’’ Aisling said, and I wholly agreed with her.
‘‘It does seem somewhat conflicting,’’ I said. ‘‘On the one hand, he didn’t deny being Baltic, but he also said something about appearances being deceptive, and he was definitely not a black dragon. Which he would be unless he was made ouroboros, wouldn’t he?’’
Gabriel’s fingers tightened around mine. ‘‘Yes. Baltic wasn’t ouroboros.’’
‘‘White’s the opposite of black. Maybe he’s the anti-Baltic,’’ Jim said.
We all looked at it.
‘‘What?’’ it asked, its eyes wide.
‘‘Can there be such a thing?’’ I asked Gabriel.
His forehead wrinkled as he thought. ‘‘I’ve never heard of it, but then, I’ve never heard of a dragon having access to the beyond, or wielding a blade of light. That is the weapon of an arcane master, not a dragon.’’
‘‘Baltic is said to have trained with an archimage,’’ Drake said slowly.
‘‘Which would explain why, if he was Baltic, he responded so violently to the wrath demon’s sword,’’ Gabriel said, looking thoughtful.
‘‘I know I’m going to regret asking this, but what is the big deal about a wrath demon’s sword, other than it’s obviously a badass weapon?’’ Aisling asked.
‘‘Can’t take her anywhere,’’ Jim said, shaking its head.
‘‘Quiet, demonic one. May? Do you know?’’ Aisling asked me.
‘‘I know something about them, but not as much as someone more learned in Abaddon,’’ I answered. ‘‘Wrath demons are the equivalent to wyverns’ bodyguards. They are an elite corps, very nasty customers, kind of semi-demon lords used to enact only the most deadly of events. Unlike other minions, who rely upon their demon lords for their powers, wrath demons have the ability to use the dark power directly. They imbue that power into weapons, most preferring to use blades of some sort since it’s hard to kill an immortal unless you can sever their head, or twain them in two, or something equally impossible to recover from.’’
‘‘OK. But what does that have to do with this dragon?’’ she asked.
‘‘A mage uses arcane magic,’’ Gabriel answered. ‘‘Part of that is based on the ability to manipulate light. Beings who use arcane powers are particularly susceptible to dark power.’’
‘‘So when Gabriel skewered the dragon with the wrath demon’s shadow blade—a fancy name for a sword imbued with dark power—it had an extra wallop,’’ I finished.
‘‘Ah. That makes sense. But it doesn’t sound like this dragon is Baltic.’’
Drake rubbed his chin, his gaze sightless as he thought. ‘‘It is conceivable that the dragon was Baltic. The sword of light would fit that premise. We already know he’s been able to go into the beyond at will.’’
‘‘Oh! That’s what I wanted to ask, but forgot. How did your mom get you in there?’’ Aisling asked Gabriel.
I wanted to know that as well.
‘‘My mother has several dreamings, or aspects of nature. She sought aid from them to allow me access to the beyond. I fear that she promised them much in exchange for their help.’’
‘‘So you showed up just in the nick of time, and rescued your damsel from the big bad dragon. That’s really very romantic,’’ she said, giving us both a gentle smile.
My gaze dropped as my fingers twined through Gabriel’s. It was terribly romantic, but I found it impossible to celebrate when I stood on the brink of personal destruction.
‘‘Isn’t it?’’ Aisling asked, looking from my downcast face to Gabriel’s, which reflected his worry. She sighed. ‘‘I’m missing something obvious again, aren’t I?’’
‘‘Man, you are just asking for a one-liner, aren’t you?’’ Jim said, standing up and shaking.
‘‘Come, kincsem, you must have your rest,’’ Drake said, gently heaving her to her feet. ‘‘I will take you home now.’’
‘‘You’re going to do some explaining, as well, like what exactly it is that has both of them so glum,’’ she said, allowing him to escort her to the door. She paused there for a minute, looking back at me. ‘‘Before I forget, your twin was here, but she had to go. Something about a dirty stream. Or was it a hot springs? Whichever, she sends her love and says she hopes you’re feeling better soon so you can help her clean.’’