Mentored in Fire by K.F. Breene

Nineteen

“I’ve got nothing.”Penny wiped her face of sweat. Or maybe they were tears.

She sat back on her haunches with her hands braced against her thighs, staring at the iron bars locking them in a windowless ten-by-fifteen-foot cell. Stone blocks surrounded them on all sides but one. Only a sparse glow filtered in from the barred opening, which faced another stone wall. They couldn’t see anyone coming and going—hadn’t seen anyone since they’d woken up, as a matter of fact.

“I have got literally nothing.” She pushed up to standing and started pacing. “How did we get into this mess?”

Emery sat on the ground in the back corner, his arms draped over his knees, sparing his energy. Darius, too, sat calmly, taking up the other corner.

“We were outnumbered, that’s what happened,” Penny said, not one ounce of calmness in her person. Not one. She didn’t know whether she should scream, cry, throw up, or pace. She’d opted for pacing, because she’d already scratched “figure out how to get out of here” and “use every real and made-up curse word known to man” off the list.

They had been put down here while they were asleep. Drugged, more like. She’d been cuddled up in a fluffy bed with Emery one minute, and facedown on a stone floor the next.

“Why would they just flip on us like that?” She rubbed her pounding head. “I mean, we were all good. I thought everything was good. They were hearing Darius out, they were giving us a nice place to sleep, a good meal…and then wham. Here we are.”

She turned right and stopped at the bars again, wrapping her fingers around the cold metal.

“There has to be a way out. Magic has to help, somehow.”

But she’d already tried everything. She could do a lot with magic, but she couldn’t bend metal. She couldn’t move it. There weren’t even enough ingredients in this godforsaken place to make a decent spell. They must’ve known how little it would take for them to wrangle up some magic to get out of here.

She sighed and leaned her head against the hard surface.

“What happens now?” she asked, at a loss.

“Lucifer shows up,” Emery said. “And we hope Reagan is with him.”

“She won’t be—” Darius cut off.

Penny turned to see if he had some miraculous great idea to get them out of this jam. If anyone could create something out of nothing and form a plan, it was this vampire. The trip into the Underworld had given her a new respect for him. More than respect, even. She might just start worshipping him as a brain god or something—he was that good at navigating dangerous situations and coming out on top.

Except for their current predicament, of course. Which was definitely his fault. She didn’t really know what had gone wrong, other than the super-violent and terrible demons had refused Darius’s trade, it had landed them in the stink, and it was his fault.

No, never mind. She would not worship him. She’d punch him. Just as soon as she wasn’t caged up with him and could quickly run away.

“What is it?” Emery asked, sitting forward.

Darius tensed, and then his face and eyes softened. Penny had seen that look before—he’d worn it almost constantly on the island where he kept Reagan hidden away.

Hope surged within her. “Say it. Say what it is.” She’d become incredibly pushy from all of this.

He relaxed a little. “Our bond is…partially mended. She’s…” He bowed his head a little, clearly plugging whatever was coming through the bond into his big, fat brain. “She is eager and determined. She’s making a move. She must be.”

“Oh good.” Penny let out a relieved sigh before her thoughts caught up. “Wait, does that mean she is coming here with Lucifer after all?”

“No. If I’m not mistaken, she’s coming to our rescue.”

Penny deflated and looked back at the bars. “Dang it. Why are we always the damsels? She better not ride in on that freaking dragon. That would really push me over the edge.”

“Why don’t you have a seat, Miss Bristol?” Darius said. Penny knew that tone. It was his “you’re losing your mind and need to get a hold of yourself” tone.

Usually she ignored it. But this time, she pulled up some stone beside Emery and worked on deep breathing. If Reagan was coming, that meant she was breaking out of the castle on her own. And that meant she’d probably have the enemy hot on her heels.

* * *

In the fresh new morning,with soft light illuminating the inner kingdom, Lucifer landed in front of Tatsu’s habitat. He changed into his humanoid form and strode toward her. Going into a direct conflict, one that might get out of hand, he usually flew in himself with Tatsu on his heels, the two of them working side by side to quell the feud or uprising. But this conflict wasn’t active so much as smoldering. Riding in on the queen of the dragons would lend a little prestige to the affair.

When dealing with vampires, he wanted to convey a little prestige. Especially for the vampire Durant. That vampire needed to see why Lucifer’s daughter was so thoroughly out of his league. She was a princess. She was of higher caliber than any of the other heirs, and her unique combination of magic would make even the elves quake. She was the pride of the Underworld, and no vampire was fit to be her companion.

But first, he needed to attend to another vampire matter.

He’d gotten word an hour earlier that they had one of Vlad’s people. How that vampire had eluded him for so long, he didn’t know, but it ended now. He would pry information out of that creature before he broke him. Vlad had had a good run, but it was the end of the road for him. No one snuck into his territory, hid from him, and then received a pardon. No one.

As he stalked forward, he noticed an unusual emptiness in his peripheral vision. Saphira wasn’t in her sleeping area. She should’ve been back from hunting by now. He turned a little, eyeing Archion’s resting place. The dragon was a fierce and fearless fighter with the courage to carry someone like Reagan. He’d been a fine choice.

Expertly crafted trees and canopies blocked his view. Reagan had built up the illusions to give her dragon privacy. She was already taking great care of him. As she should. Soon Lucifer would make room for a habitat for Archion near Reagan’s side of the castle. If it weren’t for Tatsu’s duties overseeing the other dragons, he would’ve made her a place nearer to him as well.

His heart warmed and he continued on, finding Tatsu standing and ready to go. He’d called down to her from the sky, but he’d decided to take the longer route through the dragons’ territory to let her wake up and ready herself. She walked forward, her gaze catching on Saphira’s empty resting area before it turned skyward.

He smiled. Like rider, like dragon.

Early for a fly, Tatsu said, her gaze going to Archion’s space next. Saphira and Archion were hatch-mates, although from different mothers. They were mostly inseparable. Is Reagan out? I can’t see Archion’s nest anymore.

He hadn’t checked on Reagan this morning. He’d gotten word that she told the druid she would not be mercy-killing him, but it was only a matter of time before she gave in. It likely put her in a bad mood, however, and Lucifer didn’t want to disturb her if she had tucked into the demon whiskey, as she called it, last night and needed the day to shed the hangover.

I don’t know, he said as he hovered up to her back.

She blew smoke out of her nostrils, clearly annoyed. She watched over the dragons like Lucifer watched over the sects. She didn’t like unexplained behavior or absences. Although rare, it wasn’t unheard of for a sect to try to kidnap a dragon and use it for their purposes.

You would’ve woken if someone had attacked, he reminded her, situating himself.

She didn’t comment as she spread out her wings and prepared to fly.

She doesn’t typically get up early, especially these last few days, Tatsu thought. She has been depressed, now that Archion has found a rider. She wishes for one too.

It’s hard for a dragon of her standing and power to find someone worthy. Lucifer kept his patience in check. Neither vampire would go anywhere, and the sect that had harbored Vlad in the past had nowhere to escape to, not with the borders closed. He had time to appease his dragon friend.

She understands that, but it doesn’t prevent her jealousy and depression. Tatsu pushed into the sky, but not very far. She pumped her wings, sliding forward, peering over the illusion wall of Archion’s nest. Empty.

That was unusual.

Judging by the deep rumble in Tatsu’s chest, she thought so too.

Reagan probably went for a ride to calm herself, Lucifer thought. Maybe they felt bad for Saphira and brought her too.

Your daughter is worthy of the title of princess. There is no comparison between her and the last heir. She fits in the Underworld. She is strong already, and with more practice and training, she will be incredible.

Yes, I think so too.

Tatsu kept moving forward, looking over the nests, checking who was there and who was not. She is untrained in the more advanced areas of her magic, but in personality and resourcefulness, in deed and duty, she is your equal. And she is cunning.

His patience was wearing thin. He didn’t comment, nor did he look down at the other dragons. He relied on her to watch them, but it certainly wasn’t time for a roll call. The issues with the kingdom right now did not center on dragons.

I saw her truth when she picked Archion over Saphira, she went on. He is an unruly dragon. Wild. He will never be tamed. And she will never try to tame him. They are perfect for each other.

I am growing very fond of my daughter, and I enjoy hearing your accolades, but what is your point, Tatsu? We have business.

She is unruly, too. Tatsu stopped her forward progress. Wild. She will never be tamed. If you try to tame her, she will chew out of her bonds, and you will cry over her loss.

Yes. She’s like her father.

No. Not like her father. The elves trapped you down here, for the most part, and us with you. Like you tried to trap her. You grew used to it, because you love this place. She loves the Underworld too, I can see. I can hear the hum of it from Archion when he speaks of their time together. But she will not be trapped. And she would never kill someone she values as highly as that druid. Look.

She doesn’t value that druid…

The thoughts dried up in his mind. The nest of the pink dragon—he couldn’t remember its name—was empty.

She vowed to protect him, Tatsu thought. She gave him the gift of bonding with a dragon. She rode with him every day, side by side. She is loyal to him. Tell me, what lengths would you go to in order to protect someone you are loyal to?

His rose-colored glasses ripped off, he considered his memories from the last few weeks in a new light. Little things Reagan had said. Little things she had done. Her confusion at how much she liked his kingdom. Her joy in learning, her quick responses as a pupil…

Her flashes of defiance when he chastised her. Her incredible bursts of anger. Her quick wit, able to cut him to the quick after only a short time of knowing him. The look on her face when he’d mentioned sexing away her vampire lover.

That hadn’t been disgust at a father bringing up sex to his daughter. It had been disgust at the suggestion such a thing could be done.

Why did she send the druid away? he wondered. Why did she form an attachment with a dragon if she planned to leave? How did she so thoroughly trick me?

Because he had been tricked. He still couldn’t quite believe her capable of such an elaborate ruse, as a matter of fact. He did not believe she could’ve snuck out in the middle of the night, with the druid of all creatures, and tried to escape his paradise. Tried to escape him.

Rage twisted in his gut.

Go to the castle, he mentally barked.

You won’t find her there.

GO TO THE CASTLE!

Still his mind pored over every detail of their interactions. The nuances he had missed in his eagerness to connect with her.

One thing stuck in his mind: the look she’d given him when he told her not to destroy her mother’s garden. He hadn’t understood that look at the time, but he did now.

Detached abhorrence.

He had leaned into a fond memory, trying to create a deep connection, but she’d seen straight through him. It was then she’d shored up the wall between them—one he couldn’t hope to penetrate with friendly banter and declarations of fatherly love.

She didn’t want a father. She wanted her mother back. If he hoped to gain her trust and her affection, it couldn’t be through calling up his connection to a woman he’d, admittedly, barely known. He’d been entranced by her, incredibly fond of her, but he hadn’t loved her.

She had been Reagan’s whole world. Her sun, stolen from the sky. And he’d played false with that memory. With her pain.

“Vulnerabilities make us stronger,” he said softly, smiling sardonically as they flew.

Reagan’s raw grief for her mother was a huge vulnerability, and it had kept her mind focused in this new world. He hated how right he’d been.

This can’t go unpunished, he thought, leaning forward, knowing that Tatsu would take that as an indication to go faster. If she has lied to me all this time, and fled, it cannot go unpunished.

The question is, who will you punish—her…or yourself? For you were the one who forced this on her. You were the one who tied the chain around her ankle. Can you really blame her for an action you would’ve taken a couple of centuries ago?

He shook his head as she touched down, blocking out her unassailable logic.

Why hadn’t Tatsu raised her doubts before now? Why had she waited?

He asked her.

I have only known her for a few days. It took the end result for me to interpret her actions.

Not helpful.

He ran through the castle. At her quarters, he quickly studied the magical work blocking the door. It was exemplary. She truly had reached power level —his level—although her magic had a unique twist caused by those infernal angels, may they stay trapped in their “haven” forever.

His mind stuttered.

…like he’d been trapped down here…

Frustration rose. Overcame him. Quickly turned to anger.

He hated when Tatsu was right, which was usually always.

He worked at the blockage as her attendant drifted closer.

“Sire, what is the matter?”

He ignored the demon, tearing down the last bit of magic work before finding the fire spell that lay beneath. Excellent.

“Damn her,” he said, pain eating through him. “Please don’t do this to me. Please don’t turn on me.”

The last bits of magic down, he burst through the doors. A nearly finished bottle of alcohol sat on the table. An empty glass on another surface.

A setup.

If she’d drunk all of that, in the mood she should have been in, she would’ve carved out another hole in the ceiling. She’d missed an important ingredient in her tableau—passion. She carried it about her person like a birthright, and this scene was sorely lacking in it.

He strode to the closed doors of her room and kicked them open. As expected, her bed was made. Not slept in. Her window was open.

He ran at it, looked out, then turned back to run…before pausing.

“No,” he said softly, and chuckled a little to himself as his heart broke. He backed up and stepped out of the window, hovering around the corner of the castle, and to the druid’s wing. So easy to reach this way. So hard to get there through the castle.

She’d orchestrated even that, and he’d bought it. He’d relished the thought that she was casting the druid out.

Not so. She’d tucked him away somewhere he could be easily reached when the time came to escape. The brilliance of her ruse made him chuckle, even as pain lanced his heart. She’d ordered them to let Cahal starve for a couple of days, ensuring no one would check on him.

The druid’s window was unlatched, slightly ajar. Within, utterly empty.

Lucifer stopped in the middle of the sitting room for one solid moment, staring at nothing, feeling the pain of deception. Of trickery. Of regret.

Then, all action again, he leapt out of the window and changed to his other form. She’d left with the druid, obviously. There was only one place she would go.

He didn’t drop down to Tatsu. He couldn’t stomach her telling him, I told you so. He flew past, and she followed, blessedly silent.

How long had Reagan been planning this? Since day one? When had she cultivated such a plan, playing him at every turn?

Fire kindled in his gut.

Cahal fucking Druer.

The druid must’ve helped her in this, just like he’d hastened the other heir to ruin. That cursed druid, favorite of the angels, had never stopped being her safety blanket. His daughter had only wanted Lucifer to think that.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He didn’t know whether the pounding in his chest was love or hate, pride or sorrow. Which was fitting, because she was a blend of everything the Underworld had to offer, even though she hadn’t been raised here. She was him when he was younger. She was him as he wished he were now.

Damn it. He’d played this all wrong, content because she’d tricked him into complacency.

Fire followed him as he flew, pushing his limits, aiming for the sect that housed the vampire Darius. He couldn’t let his daughter escape. She was his more than any other offspring he’d had in history. Wasn’t that ironic, that the one who was most like him, worthiest of the title “heir,” was also partly made from those cursed angels? Bastards.

She would not leave this place. He’d make sure of it.