“No. I’m not making myself clear,” Reif said.
“Oracle,” said Kieran, “I think what Reif means is the other sea dragons never found or even knew who their Fated Mates were and that’s why they didn’t claim them.”
“That’s right,” Reif said. “Everyone thinks the gods are angry at us which is why they allowed us to be used again.”
“Who’s using you?” asked Logan.
Fearing he said too much, Reif muttered, “Not important.”
“Naw, mate, this is important,” Brian said. “We have babies to think of now. Do ye want them to do what ye are forced to do?”
“They won’t be, once I complete my mission,” muttered Reif.
“Ye canna know that,” Brian said.
“I do. They swore to my father they’d accept punishment from the High Council if they broke their word.”
“Reif,” Oracle interjected, “something is very wrong here. I give you my word neither the gods nor the Fates have abandoned the sea dragons. Many times, the Fates have given me messages to pass on to different sea dragons if they claim a Fated Mate, but none have done so until you.”
Kieran sat down next to Reif. “Do you trust me?”
Reif had no problem answering this time. “Yes, I do.”
“Please tell us about the ones who are using you and your people.” Kieran said, softly, resting his hand on Reif’s arm. “I promised you help…let me do it.”
Reif glanced at Brian and, after receiving an encouraging nod, hesitantly related what had happened so many years ago and why the elders concluded the gods were angry with his people. Shaking his head, Reif concluded, “The gods promised we would be left alone, hidden from the rest of the paranormal world so we could raise our children, confident they would never suffer the torments that our creator forced upon us. And for many years, that’s what we did as we faded from memory. Go ahead and check. Sea dragons are extinct…even the High Council’s website lists us as such. No one in all these years ever discovered the island the gods had given us when they freed the sea dragons from the clutches of our creator. But all that changed a thousand years ago when witches and vampires appeared in our town square. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the gods told someone where to find us.”
“Let me get this straight…ever since then, your people have been forced to steal for these assholes?” asked Logan.
“Yeah, but last year my father made a new deal with them. All I have to do is find the green diamond, hand itover, and then we’ll be free…no more stealing, no more threats. That’s what drives me. If all I have to do is find a stupid jewel in order for my people to be free, then that is what I will do,” Reif said, emphatically.
“You said that they promised your father?” asked Oracle.
“Yes…upon punishment from the High Council if they break their word,” Reif replied.
“Was this witnessed by someone? Did they sign an agreement?” asked Oracle.
“I don’t know about a witness but there wasn’t any formal agreement drawn up for them to sign,” Reif answered.
“If the gods disclosed your location, then why can’t we find Angelopoulos on a map?” asked Logan.
“I don’t know. Did you look at a paranormal map?” asked Reif.
“Yes. And how come no one else knows about your existence? If the gods betrayed you to these men, why didn’t they tell others?” Logan asked.
“Oracle, what do you think?” asked Kieran.
“Logan raises some very valid questions. None of this makes sense, Reif. But I do not have answers to give so I will have to speak with the Fates and give them this new information.”
“What aboot his search for the green diamond?” asked Brian.
“Reif should continue,” said Logan. “If Oracle finds out the gods are behind this, then Reif will have the power to force these assholes to sign an agreement that will be legally binding.”
“That’s good, but so far, I’ve struck out and, without additional information, it doesn’t look like I’ll be finding it,” said Reif.
“But that’s before you had our help,” Kieran smiled.
“My mate’s right,” agreed Logan. “And we have access to resources that are unavailable to you.”
