I pulled out my satellite phone and dialed Daniel’s number, “Amaya. All good?”
“Uuuuh yeah. So about that, the person on this end that set it up, was Joseph. He had a small army waiting on the guys. We caught up to them just in time and you’ll never guess who made up most of his army. Storm dragons.” I heard his sharp intake, “I have Joseph confined and drugged. We’ll be back sooner than we thought with the extra bodies. Do you think you can send over a bigger plane? The one we came over on isn’t big enough for everyone.”
He didn’t speak for a long moment but then he coughed, “Yeah, um, yeah I’ll get one to you as quick as I can.”
His voice was so full of emotion, “It’s going to be a long road for these people Dad, but they’re excited about coming home. Ian’s mom was among them.”
“What about his dad?” He asked quickly.
“I’m not sure. I had to deal with Joseph plus a few of the SEALs are human so I’ve got Fox on damage control considering he knows what it is to have your world view shifted.”
“Gods what a mess. You still want me to get in touch with my contacts to see if I can figure out who set all this up?”
“Please and thank you. Are you okay?” I asked him.
He released a breath, “Yeah I’m fine or I will be once we get everyone home.”
“Right. Well I gotta go. We still have things to sort out here.”
“Be safe.”
“You too,” I hung up and looked around me at the group of dragons. I approached Ian’s mom, “Ms. Black, do you guys have a camp?”
She startled, shaking her head to shake herself out of it, “Um yes, my queen.”
I held up my hand to stop her, “Please call me Amaya.” She nodded and started to bow, “Please don’t bow either. I might be queen, but I don’t like the formality of it.”
She smiled sadly and placed a hand on my cheek, “You are just like your mother. Please call me Mona.”
I returned her sad smile, after a beat I cleared my throat, “So how far away is this camp and are there more of you that didn’t come today?”
She nodded, “It’s about five miles north of here. We have several injured or weakened from lack of food and some kids too.”
My heart sank at the idea of there being kids within Joseph’s grasp, “Okay. We’ll go there first and from there, tomorrow, we’ll go to Alanza’s clan until Daniel can send another plane for us.”
I gave her and Ian both a hug before moving back to Jax who was standing near Fox who was trying to explain what happened to his teammates and why they needed to keep it quiet. “He’s doing better than I thought he would,” Jax said, anticipating my question.
I snorted, “But are they going to keep it quiet or have we just outed the entire supernatural community?”
“‘We?’” He said incredulously, “I seem to remember that was all you, Miss I-Can-Bend-Whatever-The-Fuck-I-Want.”
I shoved him a little, “Whatever Jackson. You’re just jealous because all you can do is turn into an oversized dog.”
He barked a laugh and shoved me back, “Yeah that’s it. You caught me. I’m super jealous.”
“Just a heads up I’ve got Daniel looking into this fuck up, so I think it might be best if you guys go radio silence for a while; at least until I hear something back from him on it. You guys are coming with us. We’ll go to their camp, help them collect everything and everyone, and from there go to Alanza’s.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll clear it with the team lead once Fox is done explaining things to him.”
“Would it help if I just took over?” I asked already thinking I knew the answer.
“Ehh probably not but it would be pretty funny to see you do the whole ‘I am the captain now’ bit on him, so I’m going to say yes because I need to see it happen,” he said with a big mischievous smile on his face.
“Gods you’re such an asshole,” I told him, shaking my head. I shoved him one last time before walking over to Fox, “How’s this going?”
“Pretty good actually. Right, guys?” He responded motioning for the guys to answer.
They looked at me rather frightened, “Right, your ma-majesty.”
My eyes rolled immediately, “There’s really no need for that. When it comes to my title I’m not at all formal about it. In your world I’m a government contractor, that’s it. We try to use our enhanced speed and strength to help where we can, when we can. Your team is a special circumstance, as I’m sure Fox has told you.”
The three of them looked at me confused and I looked at Fox, “W-well no, not yet.”
I sighed, “Have you told them about mates?” He shook his head, “Okay well in our world we have mates. Like soulmates, other halves of our souls out in the world. Fox is mine which is why he knows about our world despite being human, and Jax is the mate of one of my teammates. Because of these things and Jax’s position in our world and the fact this was a set up, we need you to have radio silence on this end until Daniel can investigate it on his end.”
“Jax’s position? Why would we need to have radio silence? I thought this was setup by your people,” the commanding officer said.
“Jax is a prince. Radio silence is necessary because while the trap was supers, you were sent here by someone above you. Daniel has a lot of contacts, he’ll root out the traitor and give the all clear. Until then, you guys are with us. We’re going back to their camp for the night then to Alanza’s clan in the morning. There a plane will pick us up and take us home.”
“Is there anyone here that isn’t fucking royalty?” He asked in an annoyed tone.
Jace picked that exact moment to swoop in and wrap his arm around the COs shoulders, “Afraid not super chief.”
“Christ, even him?”
“Yep. And no, not everyone here is royalty. Just three of us, it’ll be four if Fox and I can ever sort our shit out, but that’s not likely to happen any time soon.”
“So we’re just supposed to follow your orders?”
“I would,” Jace said before I had a chance to reply. “She gets awfully cross when you don’t follow her orders, don’t you cus?”
I let out an exasperated sigh, “In this case yes because it’s your lives at stake and possibly the lives of your families. I won’t know until I know how deep it goes back home.”
“You can trust her, Captain. She knows what she’s doing better than most. You know her by reputation, as The Ghost, but her team is also one of the best contract teams out there. Trust me I know, like she said my mate is on the team. We take the mate thing very seriously. I wouldn’t trust Alanza’s life in the hands of just anyone, actually if it were anyone else, she wouldn’t do what she does just based on the fact that I would be too worried to do my job effectively.” I looked at Jax kind of stunned by his speech. I knew we were best friends, but that he had that level of trust in me astounded me. I thought she had laid it all out for him, but apparently they worked out a trust system, based on me.
“I still can’t believe you’re The Ghost. We’ve been following your career for the last two years. The way you get in and out of places is unnatural.” One of the guys paused for a long beat, “Although I guess it kind of makes sense now that you’re not exactly human.”
“I don’t typically use my abilities on missions unless it’s completely unavoidable. On almost all of my missions it’s completely avoidable, so I take my targets out just like one of you,” I responded with a shrug. “What are your names?”
“This is Captain Jason Todd,” Fox pointed to the one who had been fighting me, “Lieutenant Steve Hill,” he motioned to the guy who thought I used my abilities on my missions, “and finally the Junior on the team, Zachary Murphy.” He motioned to the guy who had been silent this whole time.
“It’s nice to meet you guys. If you have any more questions I’m sure Jax and Matt can answer them.”
“Seriously?” Matt and Todd said at the same time. “Come on Amaya outing a guy like that! What gives?”
“Really? How did I ‘out’ you? The fact you weren’t part of this conversation tells them you’re almost definitely not human, but you just confirmed it for them. Way to go dumbass.” I retorted before turning to walk away, “We leave in ten.”
“Ian, Jace you good?” I asked in a low tone.
“My mom says my dad is back at camp. She said he’s hurt pretty bad. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep it in check when I see him,” his voice broke for the first time since I met him. I reached out for him. My forehead touched his and we stood there until I felt his emotions fall back with his dragon.
I gave him a pat on the chest and stepped back, “You’ll be able to stay in control. Don’t worry. I’ll be there too. Joseph took something from all of us, but from no one more than Daniel. It’s his duty as king to sentence him and dole out the punishment. Jace you’re quiet.”
He shrugged, “Not much to say.”
“Let me know if that changes. You know I’m always here for you little cousin.”
He nodded and walked over to Josie who was talking to some of the storm dragons. I pulled out my sat phone and called Daniel again. He picked up instantly, “We need Lavi, maybe Kachina too. If she can leave her clan. I don’t know yet how many are injured because we haven’t made it to the camp, but I know that Ian’s dad is alive and badly hurt.”
He didn’t say anything at first, he just processed what I’ve said, “I’ll call Kachina as soon as we’re done here. You still have the plane you came over on right? So put the badly injured on it and send them over first. Lavi and Kachina will be here waiting when the first round comes through.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let you know more when I get to the camp.”
“See you soon. Love you darling girl.”
“See you soon. Love you too Dad,” I said, disconnecting. “Jos I need to talk to you about something,” I mind linked her.
She excused herself from the conversation she was in and came over to me, “What’s up boss lady?”
“Daniel wants us to put the severely injured on the plane we came over on and send them home so they can be seen by Kachina and Lavi ASAP. Someone needs to fly the plane and I need to be here so I thought that someone should be you. You up for it?”
“Sure! I would be happy to,” she said.
“Thanks Jos,” I said, squeezing her shoulder. “Okay people, let’s move out!” I shouted to the group.
I walked over to Joseph’s limp body and started to pick him up, “You want me to carry him?” Jace asked.
“No. I’ll do it since I have the immunities, it’ll be better if I’m the one carrying him,” Jace just nodded his understanding. I hoisted Joseph up and over my shoulder and sent a silent thank you to the heavens for the strength they gave me. “Mona, you and I will lead,” she nodded and we set out for the camp.
We hiked for about an hour until we reached a village. No one came out to greet us. The village was like a ghost town, “No one is allowed to leave their homes unless they have his permission or have a job,” Mona explained.
I nodded, “Does he have cells somewhere?”
“I’ll show you. What should everyone else do in the meantime?” She asked.
“We need to assess the injured and see who’s flying back with Josie immediately, and I would like to see what food reserves there are. Everyone is so thin; a good meal will help prepare them for the trip.” She nodded and I continued, “Everyone should get ready to go as well. Pack anything they can carry on their backs. If there’s something they can’t leave behind that’s large, we’ll discuss it.”
She talked to another woman and passed along the information I just gave her. “She’ll get everyone ready to go. I’ll show you where the cells are and where the reserves are so that we can get started on the food.”
“Oh no. Once you show me where everything is I will round up some of the SEALs and team members and we’ll get to work on the food, minus Ian, and you’ll pack and get ready to go. I need to assess everyone’s condition first but I have the feeling your mate will be on the first plane out and I need you to be ready for that.”
Her eyes shone with fresh tears, “Why minus Ian?”
“Well I hear he found his mom today and his dad is pretty hurt, so I’m giving him time off effective immediately to make up for lost time,” I said with a small smile on my face.
She burst out in tears and I gave her a tight side hug. “Your mother would be so proud of you,” she says after a little while.
We reached the cells and found two guards, “Hold. State your name and intent.”
“Amaya Wardwell. My intent is to put your former leader in one of your cells,” I responded with a cheeky smile on my face.
They looked at me shocked, “We can’t let you through. We’re under strict orders.”
“Joseph is not your king. My father is. I am your princess and the Queen of all Dragons,” I said with just a little bit of force behind the words, not wanting to force them to do anything.
“It’s true, Gavin, Taylor, she’s telling the truth. She disabled Joseph easily, not to mention sent all of those rogues running scared or killed them; maybe even faster than she took down Joseph.” Mona told them, “Let us through. We’re going home.”
They weighed their options, and decided to let us through; handing us the keys as we passed. When we entered I took in the sight, fortified iron cells, all full. “What did these people do to end up here?”
“Some tried to steal food for their families, others are part of the rebellion, and a few Joseph just detested from when we lived in Virginia.”
I winced, “Okay, let’s get everyone out, so I can put this piece of shit in one of the cells.”
Mona started unlocking cells, “Come on guys, time to go.”
“Mona what did you do?” A frantic voice sounded from somewhere in the back.
“It’s okay Edward. Daniel’s daughter is here. We’re going home,” Mona said, her voice full of emotion.
“Amaya? Little Amaya? How?”
“I’m not so little anymore, Head Warrior Black,” I responded for Mona as she kept releasing those held in the cells.
I entered the first empty cell and threw Joseph on the ground. When he hit the ground he made his move, but I was ready for him. I did the same thing I did to him in the clearing. I bent the water in his body and forced him to the back of the cell, where I forced his hands above his head and heated the metals so they became welded together. “Afraid to fight me little girl?”
“No, Joseph, I’m done fighting you. Winning against you has gotten old,” I said as I knocked him out quickly and easily.
“Are we really free?” A small voice came from behind me.
Author: Kailan Counahan 