Page 18 of The Dragon With A Girl Tattoo
I let myself be guided over to a shady patio done in gorgeous sandstone tiles that matched what appeared to be an Italian villa that spread out behind it, the patio bearing a large table, comfortable chairs, a couple of couches, and even a huge metal firepit in the shape of a dragon.
“Look, it’s obvious you know who I am, and much as I appreciate you scaring off Candy and Andy—not that I ever expected to see such a thing, since they are seriously persistent—I’m afraid that I can’t help you.Assuming, that is, that you want a glamour.I don’t make them anymore.”
“Why?”the First Dragon asked, not taking a seat, although all the women did.The men—with the exception of Christian the vampire—stood clustered together, while the First Dragon stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, his gaze firmly affixed on me.
I tried looking him in the eyes when I answered, because my mother taught me that was polite, but every time I did so, I felt like an insect pinned to a board, leaving my gaze flitting around anywhere that wasn’t filled with an actual god.“Because it’s too dangerous.”
“How so?”Aisling asked, sliding a glance toward the First Dragon.
I didn’t want to answer.Hell, I thought for a moment of just disappearing into the Beyond, but the knowledge that the First Dragon could follow me there had me slumping back in my chair.“Because my glamours are too good.I realize that sounds like the worst sort of conceit, but the truth is ...well, they are good.And very much in demand.So much so that every demon lord, mage, and demigod around wanted me to work solely for them.You can imagine what that means.”
To my surprise, Charity nodded.“I’m a siren, so I know just how you feel about everyone knowing who and what you are.”
“You’re a siren?”I asked, staring at her in surprise.“I thought ...my mother told me there were only two others, and they were in the Beyond to keep them out of trouble.”
“They are.”Charity looked to the First Dragon, before asking me, “Two others?Your mother is a siren, too?”
“She was, yes.”I studied my hands, noting absently that my time in the sun during the last few weeks had brought out a new crop of freckles.I realized then that I wasn’t wearing a glamour, and panicked for a moment, fearing ...I didn’t know what, exactly, other than there were very few people whom I let see the real me.
“You are a savant,” the First Dragon said, still studying me.I flicked a glance toward him and nodded.He looked thoughtful as he said, “That explains why the demons sought you, but not why you stopped making glamours.”
“It’s just easier to lean into singing rather than making magic so good that everyone wants a piece of me,” I answered, suddenly weary.My entire adult life had been a struggle, one in which the real me was never wanted, only my talents.
“Aisling’s a savant, too,” Ysolde told me, nodding toward her.
“The Guardian flavor, though, which is why I have Jim,” Aisling said.
“It’s more really that I enhance her life,” Jim told me with a wink.
I stared at it, wondering when my life had taken a turn into a farce.
“Yrian Shadowsworn is held in the Asile,” the First Dragon said, more or less ignoring the others to keep his attention focused on me.
It was not a comfortable experience.
“Your son?”I asked.
He didn’t answer, instead saying, “He has been deemed a danger to mortals and immortals.The people holding him captive are annoying but, unfortunately, have Yrian in a prison from which I am unable to release him.You must make a glamour that will get him out before they take him to the Thirteenth Hour.According to the former Sovereign I consulted, that event is scheduled for tomorrow.You will make the glamour today, and take it in to him so that he might return to the dragonkin.His help is needed to end the threat to my children.”
I knew when I was beaten.There was no way out of this situation that wouldn’t end in possible death or at least imprisonment should I refuse.I’m not stupid—I knew that my only option was to bargain a resolution that would benefit me.
“All right,” I said, obviously taking everyone by surprise ...everyone but the First Dragon.“But I want something in return.”
He inclined his head slightly.“Name your boon.”
I glanced around at the company, weighing up my chances of actually getting some help for a change.“I want Candy and Andy out of commission.”
“Who, exactly, are they?”Aisling asked, her eyebrows raised when her wyvern shot her a pointed look.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but as the official demon wrangler of the group, I figured I should ask whose demons they were.I mean, I might be able to help if it’s just a matter of banishing them to the Akasha.”
The First Dragon was silent, still watching me with those uncanny eyes.
Ysolde tipped her head toward her dragon, who leaned against a pillar looking bored.“Baltic?”
“What?”
“Do you know whose demons those were?”
“Yes.”
