Valerius understood their shock and horror. He and Illarion had gotten a chance to accept it. And right now he wished Raziel were safe and sound in that lair. But the others still needed to wrestle with it. Only there wasn’t time.
“Raziel will be back soon though, won’t he?” Tez asked, the hand near his mouth fluttering nervously.
“I…” Valerius grimaced as fresh pain washed through him that did not come from his body’s injuries.
“Raziel went to fight the Behemoth alone?” Mei asked softly.
Alone. Raziel and Caden are alone there.
“There was no choice. The Behemoth has Iolaire in the Spirit Realm,” Valerius explained and grunted as Jahara drew the bandage tight.
“I’m sorry, but we need you to not bleed to death before Raziel does return,” Jahara apologized.
“Is Raziel returning?” Mei continued, undeterred.
“Mei! How could you ask that?” Esme glared daggers at her.
“Look at him, Esme. He’s a step away from death,” Mei said quietly. “I’m just asking what we need to know. Pretending it's not happening won’t make it false.”
“I can see as well as you, Mei.” Esme put a comforting hand on Valerius’ shoulder. “But sometimes we don’t need to say what we see.”
“But is--is Raziel coming back?” Tez asked, eyes huge and bright with tears.
“I--I don’t know,” Valerius answered and his voice cracked. “If they don’t stop Iolaire from being assimilated then Raziel will be next in any case, because they are mates.”
“Stronger with each other. Weaker because of each other.” Mei grimaced.
“They? You mentioned Caden, but how could Caden be in the Spirit Realm?” Jahara asked.
“That is where all of the souls of the humans who were taken over by the Behemoth go,” Valerius said. “Jasper, Landry and her brothers are all in Raziel’s lair. I can see them.”
They were all looking out at him anxiously, including Jasper Hawes.
“Caden went with Raziel to try and save Iolaire from the Behemoth. They flew to the crater where they first faced off against that Behemoth,” Valerius said.
“Raziel cannot do this alone,” Mei said and her eyes met Valerius’.
“No,” he agreed with her. “No, Raziel cannot.”
“I take it that the chanting indicates where Caden’s body is since his soul is in the Spirit Realm?” Anwar asked.
Valerius nodded, feeling so tired like life was running out of him. “Yes, we were thinking of a plan to get to him without killing the human horde.”
Esme crept around them to the end of the tunnel and peered out. “Ah, I see why you were having difficulties with just Illarion’s powers.”
“Hey, I ripped off Vozyth’s head!” Illarion scowled.
“Who is Vozyth?” Kaila asked.
“A very powerful Dragon. Illarion has saved me many times tonight. But his and Mephous’ gifts are those of death,” Valerius said.
Jahara joined Esme in looking out into the cavern. They whispered to one another. Esme gestured for Tez and Anwar to join them. Both Dragon Kings did. Illarion frowned. Valerius guessed he didn’t like being out of the action and the sole hero.
“You’ve done enough already, Illarion,” Valerius told him.
Illarion turned shadowed eyes upon him. “You must not die, Valerius.”
“I’m not.”
