Alex’s unexpected burst of affection surprised Fionn. Being squished by his brother reminded him of the times he’d done the same to his mother after they’d gone flying. She was always so careful, making sure they were totally alone in a desolate place high in the mountains, before she’d allow him to shift into his dragon. Because they happened so rarely, he treasured those times all the more. Patting his brother awkwardly on his back, Fionn grinned, enjoying having Alex close to him. It was at that moment his dying mother’s words about the importance of family came back to him.
At the time he thought she was referring to his father, but now, looking back, he wasn’t sure because of all the veiled warnings he received from her about him. And, as he had done before, Fionn wondered briefly if his mother was aware of Alex, but deciding the answer to that question could wait, he turned his attention back to his brother. “You’re welcome, big brother…but it’s not official until you sign the agreement. Penn was quite adamant about making sure you do that.”
Letting go of his brother, Alex brushed the wetness from his eyes, before unfolding the agreement. “Do you have a pen?”
“Yup…but you have to read it first.”
“Oh…yeah…I should do that.” Looking down at it, Alex was grateful it lacked the indecipherable legalese of his trust document that had required hiring an attorney to explain. He was about to skip over the list of items included in his hoard when something caught his eye, making him pause. Reading it once, then twice, and then one more time to be sure, Alex slowly looked up at his brother. Then pointing to the item, he protested, “I can’t accept it, Fi…that’s your home.”
“No it’s not,” Fionn said. “My mother and I lived in Scotland…in the MacDùghlas castle…and that’s where my mother is buried. That’s where I call home…not the chateau in France. When Oracle told me our father bought it for your father, it finally made sense to me why he never wanted my mother and me to live there with him. And after finding my Fated Mate, I get it...I truly do. The chateau is a symbol of the love our father had for Jean-Luc. So it’s only right the chateau should belong to you because it was where you were born and where your parents were happiest.”
A tear rolled slowly down Alex’s cheek. “I…don’t know…what to say…all the years I spent alone…wanting a family…and now, I have one…which makes me so freakin’ happy, but yet, I’m so damn angry about all the years I missed living without you in my life.’ Then swiping away the tears on his face, he choked out a short laugh. “That sounds really stupid, doesn’t it?”
Shaking his head, Fionn gave his brother a tight hug, murmuring, “No, it doesn’t…it’s kinda of how I felt too. Oracle told me once that neither of us deserved the childhood we ended up with, but the Fates wanted to give us a chance to be family and be there for each other. It took me a while to understand because I was so angry at everything…our father…you…me…it was all jumbled up in my head, but it all faded away when I met you because for the first time in my life, I knew I was exactly what I was supposed to be…brother to you and uncle to my yet-to-be-born nephew.”
Returning his brother’s hug, Alex whispered, “I really like the sound of that. Thank you for being the best brother ever.”
Grinning, Fionn released Alex, then holding up a pen, asked, “Ready to sign?”
Taking it, Alex quickly wrote his name on the document before handing the pen back to his brother. “My dragon is doing his happy dance. Having a hoard has totally changed his personality. Wait until my mates get a load of him now…they won’t believe he’s the same fire-breather.”
“Especially after they spend time with you and him down here,” Fionn said, giggling. “Gold will make a dragon want to fuck, particularly when he’s happy.”
“Oh my gods!” exclaimed Alex. “Sawyer’s gonna go crazy when he finds out.”
“Hey guys,” Quin shouted, “come look at this.”
Alex peered in the direction of Quin’s voice but couldn’t find Sawyer’s brother. Shifting his gaze back to Fionn, he asked, “How big is this cavern? Big enough for Quin to get lost in?”
Laughing, Fionn grabbed Alex’s hand. “Are you ready to see your hoard?”
“If it includes finding Quin, then it’s a ‘hell, yes’!”
~/~/~/~/~
Landing in the forest surrounding the property where the Witches’ Governing Council building was located, Dylon waited until the rest appeared before saying quietly, “According to the information Zane obtained, we have several hours before the Council begins its meeting and Zohar puts his plan into action regarding the low-level magic users, so time is of the essence. Logan, you’re up. Kieran, you’re with me.”
Separating himself from the group, Logan blew a kiss to Kieran before shifting into a raven and perching on Mystia’s shoulder. After being cloaked by Sawyer, he gave several, short, shrill calls before lapsing into silence.
Nodding at his mate, Kieran then looked at Dylon. “Macushlais ready whenever you give the word.”
“Duly noted,” Dylon responded before issuing his final caution. “Remember, make sure to use the comm devices to stay in touch with me. Is everyone ready?” After receiving a chorus of murmured yesses, he gave the signal. Within seconds, found himself along with the others in a dimly lit hallway lined on each side with doors behind which the low-level magic users were being held. After making sure no one was in the area, he told Logan’s raven to go, then nodded at Remy.
Stepping up to the first door, Remy placed his hand on the doorknob. Its security spell zapped him but was unable to repel him; his body absorbed the shocks. Then, a flick of his two fingers triggered a barely audible click, unlocking the door without alerting anyone. Smiling grimly, he pushed it open. Before him, standing cheek by jowl, were hundreds of low-level magic users, clothes in tatters. The stench of unbathed bodies and effluvia nearly caused him to retch. Suddenly he realized they had greatly underestimated the number of captives.
Peering over Remy’s shoulder, Dylon immediately knew why the Keeper of all Magic had stopped short. “Fuckingbedammed!” Staring at the captives, Dylon’s mind shifted gears; he needed a different plan if they hoped to save all these unfortunate youngsters.
Kieran asked his spirit to uncloak him, after which he stepped around Remy, coming face to face with an aggressive young man who seemed ready to fight anyone deemed a danger to them. “Hi, I’m Kieran. We’re here to rescue you.”
The young man’s gaze moved from Kieran to the open door behind him, slightly frowning at what he saw. The hope he felt initially faded quickly as confusion filled him. “Who are you talking about? I only see you and while it’s a very noble gesture, wanting to help us, I’m afraid you can’t. No one can.”
Giving a wave of his hand, Remy removed his cloaking and, stepping forward, said, “I’m Remy, Ruler of the Mystic Realm and I assure you, we can and will free you from the unjust bonds of servitude you were forced into. May I know your name?”
“Tade,” the young man answered.
“Nice to meet you Tade,” Remy replied. “Unfortunately, time is of the essence as there are others like you who are in need of my help. Is everyone in here able to walk or are there some who will need assistance?”
A gaunt face peeked around from behind Tade. “Can you send me back to my family? My brothers need me to take care of them because our mother is ill.”
