They had all gasped at Queen Daz with varying expressions from shock to anger, some of them had been coming for years in the name of the light against the darkness.

“How can you say that, accuse us,” snapped Salvestra.

“Interesting,” grinned Milliana.

“How dare you,” shrieked King Skyrus, rising to his feet.

“Settle down,” said Reko. “Do you still consult with Amora?”

“Indeed.” Queen Daz nodded. “She’s the one who told me about this intrusion, but unfortunately she could not see who it was.”

“I say we allow Fang to investigate,” said Madi.

“He is still but a child, nothing like Yamato, otherwise he would have seen something as soon as he arrived,” commented Charlotte.

“I won’t be subjected to suspicion,” hissed Salvestra.

“Salvestra remember why we come here, if one of us is somehow providing intel for the darkness, we must stop it now,” said Brocko.

“You believe this rubbish?” spat King Skyrus.

“Enough.” Queen Daz rose to her feet. “As you know during these summits, royalty of Cathopia ranks higher than the rest of you within these walls as degreed by old law.” Some of them huffed. “Fang, carry on.”

I gulped not realising I’d have so much pressure on me for such a simple task. I glanced down at Raziel communicating only to him. “What do I do?”

“Do as the queen commands, search for the darkness your mother has seen,” he responded.

“We will help.” Both Raziel and Arata began walking around the room. “Our first master built these walls with the lost talisman, he sat upon those chairs. I refuse to have it ruined by his servants.”

“How long did you know him?” I asked.

“Since he was but a child, the first to understand how to use our power safely, first wielder of talismans, now focus.”

I took a deep breath, looking around the room for any of the dark mist I had seen within Cathopia, but I hadn’t seen any since we arrived, without it I’d never see who it was inflicted with darkness.

Arata glanced at Milliana and kept going, was she not even a candidate? Raziel said hello to Madi, speaking to most he passed.

“Don’t come near me.” Empress Lily flinched, I suspected she’d never seen a winged lion before, considering he came up quite high with her sat down.

“They are simply spirits who can do nothing without him,” commented Brocko.

“Actually, these two are a little different than most,” I responded. “They can lash out without my power.”

I watched as both winged lions came to Salvestra, they both lowered themselves and snarled. What could they see that I couldn’t, had they noticed something?

“Get your foul beasts away from me,” snapped Salvestra.

I walked closer. “But I don’t see anything,” I said to Larana.

“Back in the times of old to hide from the Fang clan, some wore jewellery which was capable of hiding their dark essence.”

Salvestra was looking around the room nervously. “Are you going to let them single me out like this. She’s never liked me from the first moment I join this summit.”

No one said a word, their minds most probably trying to process the information of what was happening. I too was confused at how she was related to the darkness, and curious about the jewellery, if it hid the darkness then why did Dumah and others not wear such things?

“A talisman spirit can always tell the side one resides upon, especially those of the legendary five, well four in your case,” said Milliana. “Use your family gift Fang, it’ll show you.” I glanced at her, how the heck did she know? She simply smiled.

I held out my hand towards her, closing my eyes, willing my power to show me what I wanted to see. I had been practicing to be able to see more.

My mind flashed, seeing two cloaked figures meeting, one I knew instantly by his voice, Sniper.

“Wear this and not even a Fang will be able to find you.” I caught the shine of a green broach.

I opened my eyes setting my eyes upon it, a snape shaped broach, holding her cloak closed, it gleamed with green and black gemstones.

“Wear this and not even a Fang with be able to find you,” I repeated what I had heard.

“What?” She was shocked as I used Larana’s wind to pull it off, clenching it in my hand.

“You work for Sniper.” I watched as the dark mist began to expel from her body, it sent waves across the entire room, knocking some of the summit members off their chairs, such refined darkness.

“What is this?” cried King Skyrus.

“Fang,” called Queen Daz

“She’s not an unconscious spy,” I said. “She’s a servant of the darkness.”

“Well, you found me.” She lashed out, her cloak falling to the ground, her hood expanded as she tried to bite me. I dodged just enough to have her teeth scrap against my arm, I really needed to stop picking fights with Serpentes. I reached for Raziel’s blade but was stopped as a tail wrapped around my wrist.

“Not bad.” I looked at the one who had accompanied her. “I’m surprised you are still alive, after I bit you.”

“Amazing what a water talisman can do for you,” I snapped as Raziel jumped in to free my hand. “Sniper.”

“I can see why Dumah has had such trouble with you.” He took off his cloak.

“I thought he worked for someone higher,” I commented. “What you going to try and kill me again.”

“You and everyone in this room!” He raised his voice, spitting out acid across the room, melting the centre of the table, that was new. “I even brought a few friends.”

“Impossible, nothing related to the darkness should be able to get in,” said Empress Lily.

“You’re wrong,” corrected Milliana. “The protection of this place comes from the unit of light and with its weakening even the darkness can enter.” She seemed to know far more than anyone in the room.

“You have picked a fight with the wrong Animalia.” King Skyrus rose his arms, wind circling harshly around the room.

“You don’t stand a chance; King Alton was the only one true threat and we already have control of him.” A malicious smile crossed his lips, his gaze fell directly upon Queen Daz as he said those words.

“You are more of a fool than I thought,” hissed Queen Daz. “Fang, apprehend them both at once.”

“Yes, your highness.” I drew Arata’s sword ready for a fight. When the doors swung open revealing cloned knights, I instantly saw the dark mist apart of them.

“Thank goodness,” said Charlotte, a relieved expression on her face.

“No.” I held my arm out. “They are cloned knights, servants of the darkness.” As soon as they were in, they closed the doors, so no one could escape.

“Cloned knights.” Queen Daz stared at them horrified.

“Arata look after her.” He nodded at my order and went to stand beside her. I remembered what had happened to her, I wouldn’t let anyone touch her, she’d been through enough.