Page 144 of Taming the Kraken

Erebus pursed his lips, and his tone hardened slightly. “That is my personal business.”

The shadow laughed and weaved across the floor. “Just don’t get distracted. You know what I need you to do?”

“Yes, of course I know. As soon as I get those shards from Meryl, I will make sure to shove one in the nycrops’ eye. Then she will be under your control. Well, technically my control.” Erebus chuckled while the shadow remained quiet. He then cleared his throat uncomfortably as the darkness swirled.

“Don’t mess this up.”

Erebus sighed as the shadow vanished from the room, its heavy aura dissipating with it. He turned and left the room with a small smirk resting on his face. The Demon King was getting more and more pushy. Acting like he was his boss. But soon … soon he planned to take his crown for himself. He was just waiting for the right moment, when he would be able to devour the Demon King’s soul.

CHAPTER EIGHTY

Brian and Ryker had arrived right before Levi left. Thankfully, they caught him first. There was an important matter that needed his urgent attention.

Levi had briefed them over what had happened, including how Erebus had gotten Raine. Having sensed her mate, Raine walked into the room, and Ryker immediately reacted, pulling her flush against his chest. He held Raine as tight as he could without crushing her. His cheek rested on her head while he squeezed her against his chest.

“Mmmpphhh.” The sound was muffled as Raine squirmed and turned her head to the side. “Ryker, I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt. It’s Alexa we have to worry about right now.”

“Shh, just let me, Raine,” Ryker said in a quiet voice. His beast raged against him angrily at the very thought of what could have happened to his mate and unborn child.

“I do have an important matter to tend to.” Levi looked at Brian, who scanned the room.

“Is this room soundproof?” Brian asked, and Reiya nodded her head.

“We just need to shut the door.” Reiya fixed her gaze on him. “Why, what is it?”

“Brian! You’re back.” Xander said with a relieved smile. “I saw you landing a few minutes ago. Why didn’t you come find me?” He reached out to Brian, who rolled his shoulder out of his father’s grasp, taking a step back.

“Ryker … shut the door,” Brian commanded. Ryker obeyed immediately, tugging Raine with him. He shut the door and leaned up against it, nodding at Brian.

Brian reached behind him and pulled out a handheld oval mirror. Its silver handle glowed softly. It looked a bit tarnished, like an old worn coin. He held it up and looked over at Levi.

“Gramps gave me this. Have a look.” Brian held it in Levi’s direction and studied the reflection carefully. He let out a sigh and then looked over at his father suspiciously.

“This has a strange power coming from it.” Reiya stood up on her tiptoes to look into the reflection of the mirror. “But it is very pretty.”

Brian glanced at Reiya’s reflection before turning to look at his father. “Dad, would you look into the mirror?”

“I’m not going to get trapped inside or something, am I?” Xander laughed as he took a curious step forward. Brian was acting differently with him, and he was curious as to what was going on that was so secretive. Not to mention the strange mirror. He watched as his son studied the mirror as if his life depended on it. Xander looked at himself and then lifted his hand to tidy up his hair. He winked at his son with a chuckle. “Alright, so what is with this ominous mirror from gramps?”

“Ryker.” Brian turned his head to the side. “I need to check Raine too. Just as a precaution.” He watched as Ryker slowly brought his mate forward while keeping her wedged into his side. Brian held the mirror out and, after he was satisfied, let out a sigh. “Well, at least we know everyone in this room is alright, for now.” He looked up at Ryker. “We’re going to need to act fast. We can’t risk anything happening behind our backs.”

“Brian!” Levi said, his agitation growing. “I need to know what’s going on.”

Brian nodded his head. “Ryker and I were thinking about the demons and their involvement with the dragons, and we reached a very disturbing conclusion. Nembrant glass. They could insert the glass in the dragon royals in order to control the dragons. By doing this, they could change their allegiances.” He lifted up the mirror and waved it slightly. “This mirror will glow red if the person who looks into it has a piece of the glass in their eyes.”

Levi’s eyes widened as he looked up at Xander. This could potentially be really bad. He couldn’t leave yet. They had to make sure all the royals were clear. But then what? They couldn’t stay in Elysia forever.

“Brian, don’t forget about this.” Ryker held out a small tin container.

“Right.” Brian grabbed it and handed it to Reiya. “Gramps took one of these to protect himself from the glass. There are a couple of handfuls left. He said to distribute some of them and then see if Lita can create more. If we’re right, we’re all going to need this, and it will need to be mass produced. Without it …” He shook his head in agitation. “We have to get rid of the nycrops. The ability to keep making nembrant glass is too dangerous.”

“Damn.” Xander looked up at Levi, who was studying the box Reiya had in her hand. “If we don’t have enough to give to everyone … it has to be everyone. All allies.” He shook his head. Anyone could be an enemy. They couldn’t live like that. They needed something to protect everyone from the effects of the nembrant glass. He stared at the box. Whatever was in the tin was their only hope.

Reiya tilted her head as she looked at the box, slowly lifting the lid. She stared at the contents quietly and then glanced up at Levi. “Grandpa Sage … wants us to make more of … these?” She watched as Levi grabbed one and lifted it up to study it. His lips curled down slightly as he looked down at Reiya. “I don’t … I don’t think my mother is the one who can create more of these.”

Xander looked at Reiya with concern. “Who can create more? And what are they?”

Reiya plucked a few silver flakes out of the box. She distributed one each to Xander, Brian, Bella, and Ryker. She then went to hand one to Lee, who shook his head.