Daemon Fire (Darkin World Book 3)

Chapter Sixteen

For the next couple days, Owen and Fi could be found scouring ancient tomes below ground. Their nights were spent together in his spacious master suite. Upon first spying it, she teased that the main floor of her house could fit inside with room to spare.

During her time above-ground, Fi became familiar with Owen's estate. They rode horses around the property when they needed a break. Sabra joined them on occasion, but for the most part, they were left alone.

Currently, they were in the heart of the foundry. Its earthy smell and materials encased them. The chamber had become one of Fi's favorite places on the estate. Owen was just finishing up his latest tweaks to the truth-telling amulet. The only thing left was for it to be tried. They were stalling because the last round of testing proved painful to the liar.

Every now and then, Owen's friend and ally Dean would text. The other apprentice wasn't having much luck on his own, rooting out who was compromised within the council. He also kept Owen informed as to what was being said within their circle. Jakob was all but exonerated. Instead, his neophyte was blamed as the evildoer.

They'd just learned that the chancellors had decoded Fi's picture. They were now aware that Owen was in league – bewitched according to Stanton – with demon spawn. The council also knew where the pair were.

"You are bewitching," Owen agreed when he read the text aloud.

A short bark of laughter came from Fi. "We dragons have that going for us."

Owen opened his mouth. Whatever retort he was about to make died in his throat. Straightening, he cocked his head slightly to the side. "Someone is poking at my wards," he informed Fi.

Taking his cell from his pocket, Owen pulled up an app. In seconds, various live views of the estate were shown in six small boxes. Night had fallen while he and Fi were underground. Clicking on the camera that was trained on his front gate, he cursed.

"What the fuck?" Owen sputtered when he saw five, familiar faces. Three were council members. Garrett Fitzgerald and the seventh-ranked Liu Xian stood shoulder to shoulder. Behind them were ninth ranking Oliver Paige and two apprentices, Zhao Xiang and Bruce Lane.

Hitting the intercom button on his phone, Owen told them, "You can't get through my wards. And no way in hell am I coming out to be arrested by you."

"Dean told me what you two have been up to," Garrett replied looking directly into the camera. "We," with a negligent wave of his hand, he indicated the other men with him, "are also concerned. We want to help."

It could be a trap, Fi warned.

"Mmm," Owen agreed. "Why should I trust you?" he asked Fitzgerald.

"I'll be the first to submit to your Niggina Us."  The words sounded like, "nick gina oosh." They translated from the old tongue to "truth charm". Thompson must've spilled all to his mentor.

Taking a moment to silently weigh options with Ophelia, Owen didn't immediately respond. "Hello?" Garrett pressed.

"Very well," Owen began as he opened the gate. "But just know I have backup. So, don't try anything."

Fi took to the shadows. As she did so, she "called" Søren. Owen and I need you, she told him as she popped out of the other realm. Meet him at his house. She hung up before the Finn could ask questions.

"What are you doing here?" a startled Sabra demanded once she spotted Fi. The beautiful Cherokee woman was sitting in an old leather recliner. She had a book opened on her lap. A small fire was lit in the fireplace near where her feet rested on the extended footrest.