Page 66 of Born in Fire
“What is it?” Caleb asks impatiently.
The kid swallows hard. “I’ve been… involved with the Circle of Fire.”
The room temperature spikes as dragons react. My own surprise is genuine—Daniel? Really? The kid’s always struck me as more interested in sports cars and human women than politics.
“Explain,” Caleb demands, his voice deadly calm.
“I joined them because I believed in Malakai’s vision,” Daniel says quickly. “But things have changed. He’s become obsessed, dangerous. I didn’t sign up for this.”
“Why are you telling me this now?” Caleb’s eyes narrow.
“Because I want out,” Daniel pleads. “And because I know where he’s taken her.”
I lean forward, suddenly much more interested. “Where?”
“There’s a network of chambers beneath the city,” he explains. “Malakai has been using them as a meeting place. He’s planning something big, Caleb. And he’s using the Rossewyn woman to do it.”
“What does he want with her?” Caleb demands.
Daniel hesitates, then: “He believes she can activate the Heartstone’s true power. That with her, he can take control of the clan and eliminate any opposition.”
“And he’s doing this with the Syndicate?” I ask, trying to untangle the threads.
Daniel shakes his head emphatically. “He despises them. Says they’ve sold out.”
“Shit,” Caleb mutters. “That means they’re both after her. And us.”
Great. Just fucking great. We’re caught between two enemies with a hard-on for destroying us. My dragon snarls in the back of my mind, eager for battle.
“You’re sure about this?” I ask Daniel, keeping my voice level despite the storm building inside.
“Yes,” he nods vigorously. “I can lead you there. Help you stop him.”
Luke steps forward, eyes flashing. “Why should we trust you? You’ve already betrayed us once.”
“Because I made a mistake,” Daniel admits. “And I’m trying to make it right.”
I exchange a glance with Caleb. Time isn’t on our side, and beggars can’t be choosers.
“Fine,” Caleb decides. “But if you’re leading us into a trap—”
“I’m not,” Daniel insists. “I just want to stop Malakai before it’s too late.”
Caleb gives a curt nod. “I want you to get us there as soon as possible,” he tells Daniel, then turns to address the room. “Who’s on board?”
Everyone steps forward. A small comfort in the shitstorm we’re facing.
“Thank you,” Caleb says, actually smiling. “We’ll keep it tight; just a small team of us so we can stay under the radar.”
“I’m going with,” Luke declares, his jaw set. “I don’t like what he’s doing to us. Dividing us like this.”
Caleb nods in agreement. “This won’t be the end of things. Elena may have fallen into Malakai’s lap, but if I know him, he’ll have more planned. This runs far deeper than what we’re seeing.”
“So what’s the plan?” asks Lydia, who’s been observing silently until now.
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to charge in there breathing fire,” I say, looking to Caleb for confirmation.
“It won’t work,” Daniel adds. “The place is a maze. I’ll take you to where he’s most likely to be, but it’s going to be close-quarters fighting.”
