“What does it do?”

Drexon smiled. It wasn’t a hearty smile, but more of a sympathetic look.

“Actually, right now, the stone does nothing. Not yet anyway. We have to give it something first.”

“Like what?” She wanted desperately to connect with her father but maybe Grymryg was right.

Out in the halls, she heard people running and shouting. More than once she heard them curse the Drakku, wishing for their death. It took all her self-control not to change back into her dragon form and destroy them all.

“We give it blood. Our blood. We cover it in the sticky life substance and with words written down over the centuries for just this moment, we imbue it with an essence so powerful, none can oppose it.”

Etain recoiled. “But…how does that help my father? How does it establish the connection you spoke about earlier?”

“We can connect with his spirit. I can’t bring his body back to life, but before he escapes to the wondrous afterlife, we can reach him. How wonderful would it be to talk to him one last time? I’m sure he has much to share before he’s gone for good.”

“But…my blood? How—“

“Etain. It’s necessary. I now you don’t know me and I know my people just did something horrible to your father, but you have to trust me. I’m not like the Kull. What he did was despicable. He’ll pay for his treachery. I promise you that.”

Etain was unsure if she should proceed. What if all of this was a horrible mistake? What if Drexon was trying to secure the end of the Drakku? He might be wanting to impress his superiors in order to gain rank.

“I promise you Etain, I’ve been a friend to the Drakku my entire life. I’m even…I’m a halfling. My mother was an Onyx dragon. She died not long after I was born. Have you ever heard of Sodantoth?”

Etain gasped. She knew the dragon well. Sodantoth was a fierce Onyx that guarded many ships at sea from pirates. She was known to go days without rest in order to protect the humans aboard.

“Sodantoth was your…mother? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It wasn’t necessary. Until now. Most Magus have dragon blood flowing within them. Actually, I think all of us do.” He hesitated, then stared off into nothingness as though pondering his suggestion.

“In any case, we need to do this now. Are you ready?”

Etain nodded. If Drexon’s mother was a dragon, whom she knew, she felt better about it.

Drexon produced a black handled blade and sliced at his hand. He opened a wound that he used to smear his blood over the gem.

“Now you,” he said, handing over the blade. Etain held the dagger in her hand, turning it over several times, then followed his example and sliced open her hand, running the blood over the stone. Drexon looked to the book and started chanting.

Within the dark and glassy gem

A reminder of dragon and of men.

Drakku and Magus once united

Now split and torn, divided.

Accept this blood and this life

Opened freely with our knife.

Rid us of this burden and weight,

Let loose eternal, the night-wraith.

He said the words over and over. Both of them kept their bloodied hand on the gem and Etain felt it grow warm to the touch.

“What’s happening? Why is it getting warmer?”

“The spell is working. Hold steady. I can feel it working!”

Drexon chanted the words again, his eyes going up into his head as he was lost in the power. The gem burned Etain’s hand.

“Keep it there! Don’t move it!”

Drexon chanted the words in a voice barely audible. He ran his hand across the gem, running it over her hand, smearing blood on her. She wanted to pull back at the touch. It felt vile and awful. Just as she was close to ending it, Drexon opened his eyes and looked at her.

“You can let go. It is done.”

“What is done? Where’s my father?”

Drexon grinned. “Your blood has done wonders my dear. Your father? He’s right here, within the gem.”

“Impossible! How can he be—”

But as she said the words, she noticed a small blue light flicker inside the black gem. It darted back and forth, slamming against the insides.

“What have you done?”

“Me? We my dear. We have saved your father’s soul from eternity. He’ll be with us forever.”

“No! How could you!”

“The southern Magus are wrong. You Drakku have much to offer us through your blood. Nothing works our magic quite like pure dragon’s blood. It’s special. It’s always been that way. Didn’t you know?”

Etain pushed herself back from the table.

“Release him! Let my father go!”

“He’ll remain here until the blood of his offspring sets him loose. Are you ready to take his place? He’s only arrived.”

“You evil little—“

Drexon snatched the gem from the table. “Killing me won’t save him. Only I know how to free him. If you want him out, you’ll need me.”

Etain seethed. She should’ve destroyed all of them when she had the chance. Grymryg was right about the Magus. They turned out to be nothing more than hate-filled monsters. How could she be so easily duped by them?

“I promise you, I will free him and you will die. All of you.”

Drexon held the gem in front of him as if to ward her off. “Don’t want you to hurt me now. If anything happens to me, this gem will lock your father in an eternity of servitude. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have more to do yet. The Order will learn of my power soon enough. The southerners will have their hands full. The night-wraith awaits.”

Drexon backed his way to the door, opened it, and dashed out into the hall. By the time Etain followed, he was amongst the crowd and she was unable to find him.