“Yes,Iwas never able to masterDeath, but we came to an arrangement of sorts.Now, where is my gem?”
Ishrugged my shoulders and tried for my best impersonation ofAvlyn. “Dunno.”
Airpushed out of the gaping shadow that was her mouth in a high-pitched whine.
“Foolishgirl.Howcan you expect to slaughter your enemies when you cannot even hold on to the strongest weapon in your arsenal.Youwill need every tool at your disposal to keep your enemies away once the people turn on you.”
Ibared my teeth back at her. “Iprotect my people, care for them.Iam not hated as you were.”
Tomy surprise, her wicked grin grew wider. “Yourpeople?Andwho is that,Iwonder?Thepeople of theDragonKingdom?OfNiata?Somany left out from your protection.Somany enemies left to fear you.”
Isaid nothing.
“Don’tworry, little beast.Theywill all come to hate you, friend and foe.Thereis nothing that this world hates more than a woman who will take what she wants.Idid and look what they did to me.”
“Ithink there were a few other things you did that they hated as well.”
Shegave that grating laugh again. “Youwill see, child.”
Shecoalesced before me, those depthless shadows forming her face.Shewas beautiful, but it had been distorted into something beyond softness long ago.Shewas beautiful, like the endless void that welcomed all things beyond imagining.Herfull lips pulled into a frown. “Whereis your brother?”
“Whatdo you want withJun?”
Herbrows furrowed. “Itwas not often thatIdreamed without my brother at my side.Andyet, you dream without yours.Perhaps, you are not as strong asIthought.”
“Myrelationshipwith my brother is not the same as yours.”
Herfrown turned wicked. “Iwouldn’t be so sure, my pet.Mybrother andIshared a soul, just as you and your brother do.Weshared our bodies as well; it was the natural next step.”
Igagged.Herfrown deepened.
“Youwere kept apart as younglings?” sheasked.
“Theytried.”
“Butsomething has happened, you are no longer connected.”
Myfists tightened.Yes,JunandIwere further apart than ever.Ididn’t let it show on my face, but she saw the truth.
“Youmust correct this.”
“Forgiveme ifIdon’t feel like taking advice from you.”
Suddenly,Iwas choking.Shadowsflowed down my throat and twisted around my neck.Iclawed at them reflexively, but it did nothing.
“Hearme, you impudent child.Shouldyou wish to reshape this world, you will need your brother.Separated, you are weak, but together, you are stronger than you can possibly imagine.”
Blackstole into my vision, soIfought it.Dragonfireerupted from my skin, andIheard her scream.Itwas so high-pitched it might have broken glass, and she continued on without breath, but my fire grew and grew until her shadows melted away and there was nothing but the woman left.
Myflames swirled around her as she cowered.Itwas the most human she had ever looked.Herpale skin was tainted with swaths of black and a crown of thorns sat upon her dark, stringy hair.
Shelooked up at me asIapproached her, and her eyes were pitch black.Isaw fear, but thenIsaw elation in them.
“Yes, yes how you’ve grown.Youare nearly there.Butyou will need him.Youwill need them all.”
“Getout of my head, witch.”Hershrieks erupted asIconsumed her in flames, and they pierced the very fabric of reality.
IwoketoAbraxassleeping beside me, his arm wrapped around my waist.Sweatdripped down my neck, but there were no burns or damage.Isnapped my fingers, and dragonfire swirled around my hand, controlled and calm.Iwas getting much better at this.
