“Well, the word is out now,” Yutani said.

  “Yeah, and I wonder what the fallout will be.”

  The news anchor continued. “In retaliation, the city of Grandham, Switzerland, has been confirmed to have been razed to the ground by an unknown number of Dragonni and all four hundred inhabitants are presumed dead. Several small cities around the United States have been attacked, as well.

  “Once it was apparent that the dragons can be killed, the United Coalition has put forth a statement that, if dragon attacks do not cease, they will authorize use of the Indy-Annihilator. Heads of state from around the world are meeting at this moment in an undisclosed location, while scores of dragons have been seen heading through portals in the sky. It is assumed they are returning to the Forgotten Kingdom. We will keep you apprised of other breaking news as it occurs, and tonight, at five p.m., our own Maria Jacoby will present an in-depth analysis of what is happening. She’ll be interviewing several of the top dracoentologists to discuss what we might expect in the future.”

  The reporter shifted position, and put her hand to the speaker in her ear. A moment later she added, “Citizens are encouraged to steer clear of all Dragonni, and to stay home as much as possible over the next few days. The United Council has issued a statement that its member organizations are doing their best to figure out what’s happening and how to deal with it.”

  “Well, with the threat of bombs, I’m not surprised that the dragons are returning home,” I started to say, but the screen switched back to our local news anchor.

  “In other news, in Southern California, where the years-long drought has reached critical conditions, rain is being reported for the first time in months. Meteorologists report a previously undeveloped weather system moving in from offshore and is expected to hit Los Angeles soon. Meanwhile, in Washington state, in the Cascades, rain has turned to snow and is rebuilding the melting snow pack. In addition, NOAA is reporting a system in the Atlantic that could become the earliest hurricane of the season since 1908, when an unnamed hurricane developed on March 6. Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the system, and will have updates as it progresses. And now in other news…”

  Yutani turned down the volume. “Well, here we go. What do you want to bet that the shifts in weather are fallout from Gaia’s interference?”

  “I’m not going to argue that. It also sounds like the dragons are heading back to the Forgotten Kingdom. That would be the best end to this situation. When I was freed from Kilnakarn, and Morgana told me about what had happened in the world since I’d been imprisoned, I was terrified. Dragons have always been frightening. I don’t care if some of them are supposedly good natured. They’re all arrogant.” I polished off my second waffle. “Would you like more? I do.”

  Yutani nodded. “I could go for another. Would you like me to make them?”

  I shook my head. “Let me. I want to pull my weight around here while I’m staying. When the first pay period comes around, I can start looking for a place of my own and get out of your hair.”

  I thought I detected a frown. But Yutani just shrugged. “Whatever you want. Don’t feel like you have to rush. It’s kind of nice having someone around the place. Everything has been so haphazard and tumultuous lately ever since the dragons arrived, and since Ember decided to run off and marry Herne.”

  “Are you against their match?”

  He shook his head. “Not at all. It’s just that you get used to someone, and then when it changes, you suddenly realize just how integrated they were in your life. As I said, I’m not sure I’m the best choice to lead the Wild Hunt, but I’ll do my best since Herne trusts me. I’m glad Viktor’s back, though, and I wish Sheila would agree to move back. Maybe if the dragons leave, she will. Except…” His voice fell.

  “Except what?” I asked.

  “Her throat was slit by a tweaker. She doesn’t feel safe in Seattle anymore.”

  “I don’t think I’d feel safe either. Was he hopped up or was he after her specifically?”

  “No, he was just hopped up. She was at the bus stop, in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He joined me in the kitchen as I poured the batter into the waffle iron and waited. He leaned against the wall, reaching back to braid his hair. “Listen, you’ve told me a lot about your secrets. About what happened to you. I know that you’re worried about confiding in the wrong person. I’d like to tell you a little about myself, so that you feel more comfortable.”

  I slowly turned to him, meeting his gaze. “You don’t have to, but I appreciate the thought. To be honest, at first I didn’t think I’d like you very much. But I do. I think we could be good friends, given time.”

  “I agree,” he said. “When I was young, I didn’t know that my father was the Great Coyote. I bring chaos with me, Lyrical. That’s something you have to be aware of, for your own safety. I don’t mean to, but it dogs my heels. It’s my nature. But back when I was a little boy, I didn’t realize this.”

  “And something happened?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Because of the chaos that follows me, a fire swept through my village, a village of coyote shifters, killing a lot of people and destroying a lot of homes. The village elders knew about me. I hadn’t deliberately started it, but I was responsible. They exiled me from the village. I was, what…five? Six? Something like that.”

  “What happened?”

  “My mother left, taking me and my aunt with her. We wandered from town to town. Life wasn’t easy, although we always seemed to have enough money to eat and a place to live. I didn’t realize that my father was making sure we were okay. He had met her when she was out washing clothes in the river one day. He slept with her and she got pregnant with me. He couldn’t stay around, but he kept an eye on us from a distance.”

  I popped the waffle out of the iron and poured enough batter for another one in the griddle, then closed the lid. “You must have had a rough childhood.”

  “I did. But my mother was good to me, and my aunt loves me dearly. Anyway, my mother became an alcoholic. One day when I was around twelve, my aunt woke me up and told me we needed to take a trip. She told me my mother knew about it. So Celia and I left on the next train. Far enough that by the time we reached the little town in New Mexico, I wasn’t sure how far we come.”

  “Let me guess—she took you away from your mother to protect you?”

  “That’s right. Celia found a small apartment and took a job at the general store. I was able to finally attend school and I caught up quickly and learned enough that one of the local carpenters put me to work. I was always good with measuring things and figuring out how to make things work. A few months later, I asked my aunt when my mother was coming to join us. Finally, she told me that my mother had tried to kill me in my sleep. She was drunk and blamed me for all of the things that had happened in her life. So Celia took me with her and ran away. That was the last time I ever saw my mother.”

  The other waffle was finished by then, and we carried our plates back to the table, where we finished breakfast in silence. I was thinking about Yutani’s life, and I began to see why he was the way he was. We had just finished breakfast when the doorbell rang, and he went to answer it. As I was starting to clear the table he returned, with a wild-looking couple behind him. They were striking in a way that caught your attention and held it.

  “Lyrical, I’d like you to meet Raven and Kipa.”

  Before I could say anything, Raven lunged forward and quickly took the plates out of my hand, putting them on the table again. She took my hands in hers. “I’m so happy to meet you,” she said, a wide smile spreading across her face. “We’re going to have so much fun working together.”

  Her enthusiasm was infectious, and all I could do was nod.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Raven and Kipa entered the dining room and sat down at the table. Raven stared at our plates. “Do you have any waffles left?”

  Yutani laughed. “I don’t know if there’s any waffle batter left, but I know I have some doughnuts and we can cook you up some eggs.”

  I motioned for him to stay seated. “I can bake up some more waffles and I know we have more bacon and eggs. Allow me.” Before he could say anything, I headed to the kitchen. A moment later, Raven joined me.

  “I wanted a chance to say hello,” she said. “Let me help you.”

  As I stirred up the waffle batter, she pulled a carton of eggs out of the fridge. I could tell she was Ante-Fae just by looking at her. Oh, she didn’t have two heads or six arms or anything like that, but there was an edge to her unlike anything I had felt before. She was strong with her magic, which I could tell was fire-based. But there was more to it than that. A dark shroud seemed to surround her but it wasn’t frightening, just…cold and deep.

  Raven was dressed in a purple satin frock that reminded me of the 1950s, with a black leather waist cincher laced up the front, and she was wearing at least two petticoats beneath the skirt, fluffing it out. Beneath the dress she was wearing white and yellow–striped leggings, and a pair of Doc Martens. Her hair was long and coiling down her back, a deep brunette striped with purple. She was plump, or rather buxom, but she also seemed young to me. Not childlike, but like young woman just coming of age.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” I said, glancing her way. “People seem to miss you a lot.”

  Raven paused, then glanced toward the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room. “I take it you’re talking about Yutani?”

  I hesitated, then gave her a short nod. “Him, yes, and others too.”

  “So what’s the news about the dragons?” she said. “We’ve been on the move for the past eight hours, without any contact. Has Gaia—?”

  I nodded. “Yesterday. Things have taken quite a turn since then. Apparently several dragons have been killed, and now the United Council knows they are no longer immortal. They’re threatening the dragons with strike missiles—Indy-Annihilators—if they continue to attack. A number of dragons have been spotted flying back through a portal, presumably to the Forgotten Kingdom. Also, the weather patterns have shifted. Most likely due to Gaia.”

  Raven let out a long sigh, shaking her head. “Things are going to get worse before they get better. And we’re all going to have to be very careful because the Dragonni know that the Wild Hunt has been keeping an eye on them. They’ll put it together that we’re partly responsible for this. There’s one dragon in particular you have to watch out for. His name is Gyell.”

  I shook my head. “I haven’t heard of him.”

  “He’s a shadow dragon, and he nearly killed Angel, Ember, and me. He’s powerful, and deadly and he loathes humanity.”

  I bit my lip, staring at the waffle maker. “I feel like I’m jumping into a wasps’ nest. Seriously, I just started work two days ago and all of a sudden I am neck-deep in chaos.”

  “You’ll get the hang of it. I can tell you’re a fighter.” She held out two plates and I put waffles on both of them. As she set them on the counter, I took the bowl of eggs she’d whipped up and poured them in the pan. The bacon was almost done, as well.

  “Can I ask you something?” I said.

  “Sure, what is it?”

  “The others mentioned something about…Pandora? That she did something to you?”

  Raven’s eyes darkened. “Yeah. Pandora made sure I’ll forever wish she were mortal and could be killed. When she finds out what’s happened about the dragons she’s going to be furious. And when Pandora’s angry, everyone’s in danger.” She shuddered.

  “So, you stumbled into her path?” I decided to be blunt.

  Raven met my gaze. She looked steady, but I detected a tremor in her shoulders when she spoke. “Pandora knows how to hurt people.”

  I nodded. “I never encountered a god or goddess in that manner, but I know what it’s like to be in the hands of a sadist.” I returned her gaze, opening up so some of my vulnerability seeped through. I wasn’t sure whether she was an empath or not, but she seemed to acknowledge my statement.

  “Then you’ll know enough to avoid her. I mean it. At all costs, stay out of her way.”

  “I will. I promise.” Then, because I didn’t want to end the conversation on a down note, I asked, “We’ve been trying to help your friend Vixen.”

  A worried look skittered across Raven’s face. “Vixen? What’s wrong? Are they okay?”

  “Vixen is fine, but there have been three murders at their club, and we think they’re related to a string of murders in Seattle. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the gollywyppers, but I encountered one not long ago and that particular sub-Fae fits the profile of the assailant. We’re examining everything now.”

  The eggs and bacon were done, so I portioned them out. Raven carried the plates into the dining room and handed one to Kipa, who flashed us both a bright grin.

  “Yutani was just telling me what went down with the dragons,” he said to Raven. “They’re going to need our help.”

  “Well, we better get Raj over here if we’re going to stay for a while. I assume we’ll be staying in Ember’s house.”

  “That was what Herne suggested, given they’re still using your house for office space.”

  Raven rolled her eyes, but shrugged. “Sounds good to me. So, give us the rundown on everything and don’t leave anything out.”

  While they ate, Yutani and I filled them in, and I found myself strangely relieved that they were here. It felt like we could rely on them. Both were sturdy and strong, and I had the feeling that they would do anything they could to help a friend. I realized that I trusted them, and that was a rare blessing.

  Wager called half an hour later, with good news. Yutani spoke to him for a few minutes and then hung up. “Yes! We have an actual, tangible lead. Wager was able to track down the license plate you gave me. We have something to go on.”

  “We have Rake to thank,” I said. “He’s the one who was able to catch sight of it.”

  “Well, he did us one hell of a favor, I’ll tell you that.” He paused when his phone rang again. “Hold on a second.”

  As Yutani moved away from the sofa, I turned back to Raven and Kipa. They were a striking couple, and that was the mildest way of describing them. Kipa was feral, with a tempestuous feel to his energy. I could see why Raven had fallen for him, and I could see why he had fallen for her. I felt bad for Yutani, given I knew he was still carrying a torch for her, but the truth was they would have made a horrible couple. He would never have been able to tame her and if he had, both of them would have been miserable. She was too intense, and he would have dimmed her fire. I had a feeling that Raven and I would really hit it off as friends.

  “So, what do you think will happen with the dragons? Are you glad to get back to working for the Wild Hunt?”

  Raven shook her head. “I’ve never worked for the Wild Hunt, except on a consultant basis. And Kipa technically works for Mielikki’s Arrow, the Finnish version of the Wild Hunt. As for the dragons, I don’t think they’re going to give in all that easily.”

  Kipa shrugged. “It’s impossible to tell right now. The Dragonni are unpredictable and there’s no good way to anticipate their actions. As far as the Wild Hunt goes, I feel bad moving back here because it cuts Raven’s studies short, but Yutani’s going to need our help. As much as I like him, he’s not going to be able to handle this on his own.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to see Yutani halfway down the hall, talking on the phone. I turned back to Raven and Kipa. “You’re right about that. And I don’t think that he would disagree.” I didn’t feel like I was spilling Yutani’s secrets, because he himself had said it. In fact, I had the feeling everybody saw it but Herne. I wondered why Herne was so oblivious to the fact.

  Raven answered my unspoken question. She leaned forward. “Herne wants so bad for Yutani to come into his own. When we found out that the Great Coyote was Yutani’s father, it threw everything into a tailspin. Especially since Herne and Yutani’s aunt already suspected it. They didn’t tell him their suspicions, and when he found out they had kept it quiet from him, he went off the deep end. I think Herne’s trying to make it up to him, but this isn’t the right way. Yutani needs to be behind the computer, or out on the investigation. He doesn’t need to be administrating.”

  I wondered whether somebody should tell Herne. It wasn’t our business, not really. But since Yutani was leading the organization now, anything to do with it was our business since we worked for him.

  “So, how did you two first meet Herne?”

  Raven licked her lips. “I first met Herne and Ember when I came to them about my fiancé, Ulstair, who was missing. Turned out he’d been killed by a serial killer. I was on the trail with them when we found him. Herne got a teensy-bit upset with me when I blew up the man.”

  That took me aback. “You blew up the killer?”

  “I don’t believe that justice always works out. I had the chance, we knew he had killed a number of people including Ulstair. I didn’t want him to get away. He had made a bomb. I had access to the detonator… So I decided to take the matter into my own hands. Herne thinks I’m a loose cannon, and he’s right. It’s just who I am.” She said it as though she were reading off a recipe, with a broad grin. The woman knew who she was.

  “I work for Mielikki’s Arrow, a sister organization to the Wild Hunt. But I was sent packing when I put the make on Mielikki herself. I’ve been accepted back into the fold, although I only go in for special assignments. Herne is like a distant cousin to me. We go way back, and we’ve reconciled our differences.” Kipa’s eyes sparkled, making me wonder just what differences they had.

  “I suppose that’s a good thing,” I said, pausing as Yutani returned from the hallway.

  “That was the mayor of Seattle,” he said. “I really wish Herne was here because he always had a better rapport with the government than I did. There was another murder last night, on the Eastside. It was close to the club, shortly after you came home.”