Page 145 of Taming the Kraken

“You take it. I don’t need it. There isn’t anyone who can create nembrant glass powerful enough to control me. You take it.” Levi brushed his fingers over her shoulder.

“What about Raine?” Ryker asked with a small frown.

“We only have a small amount. We need to make sure the royals are protected right now. They will be the main targets.” Raine spoke up, smiling at Ryker, who frowned hearing this. She grabbed the flake from his hand and pushed it into his mouth. He would need it, being Brian’s right-hand man. And she did have some level of protection while she was in Elysia.

Brian studied the flake for a moment before he placed it in his mouth. There was a warm, tingling sensation as it disintegrated on his tongue. “Gramps said the effects are permanent. But what exactly is it?”

“I can only sense the magic used …” Reiya said quietly. “But I am unsure what was done to create it. Or exactly what it does.”

“First, we need to check on the other royals and make sure they’re clear.” Xander watched Reiya take the mirror from Brian.

Reiya tilted the mirror around and nodded her head slowly. “I’ll talk to my mother. I think we may be able to create something more effective to detect the nembrant glass. We’ll use this mirror as a guide.”

“Perfect. First, we will go over the royals and make sure none of them have the nembrant glass. We will need Levi here to be able to quickly subdue them if they do. Once everyone is checked, we need to look into getting more of those flakes. Who do we need to see?” Xander watched as a small smile crept over Reiya’s lips.

“We will need to go see the Merrow Queen, Olga.”

Small bursts of steam constantly rose in the air, black tar boiled, and small pools of lava glowed red in the dark. The strong stench of sulfur was heavy in the air. Black marbled walls swirled as if they were alive. In front of those walls were faceless heads, nothing but black blurs with long black robes. Their bodies were like tar that emitted a thin black smoke. The creatures were as still as statues as they stood at attention.

In the center of the room was a large throne made of various skulls. Creatures of all kinds that had been infused into the structure. And sitting upon the skull throne was a man that was colossal in size. The man sat there with a smug look on his face as he stared out in front of him. His eyes were on another man who had walked in looking slightly agitated.

“Now what seems to be the problem?” the Demon King Marcus asked with slight annoyance.

“I don’t understand you. What are you doing?”

Marcus arched a brow and straightened up in his seat. “Are you questioning me, Taric? Do you think this seat should be yours?” A smirk rose on his face. “Well then, by all means … take it. That is, if you can.”

Taric’s jaw tightened and he clenched his teeth. “No, father. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying with your power, why are you humoring Erebus? Why are you tolerating the nycrops?”

Marcus snorted as he leaned back into the skull seat. “No matter how much power anyone has, no one can do it all. It’s part of the way nature balances itself out. The only creature that can create the nembrant glass is the nycrops. The nembrant glass already has my essence. It has demon essence in it. But what doesn’t it have? A god’s essence. Erebus is still considered a deity. Adding his essence to the glass helped make it more powerful. But by infusing Erebus with the glass, we have created a living nembrant glass.” He looked at his son and sneered down at him. “Erebus is going to die, one way or another. And when he does, he will become part of the glass. That power will flow through our army.”

“But he will control the army!” Taric growled, and his father narrowed his eyes at him.

“Idiot. I will control the army. They will be bonded by my essence. Erebus will be able to take control of only one body. But even then, he will be bound to me, a bond he won’t be able to break. It’s like guaranteeing a loyal guard dog. Don’t insult me, son. I haven’t gotten to this position by making rash decisions. This has been in the works for hundreds of years. Very careful planning.” Marcus watched as his son slowly nodded but still seemed to be deep in thought. “What now?”

“What are your plans for the nycrops?”

“The nycrops?” Marcus shrugged with a laugh. “It doesn’t matter. If Erebus does his job, she will become just another minion in my army. And if he doesn’t …” He rose his shoulders again. “She is hardly a threat. I can look at her and turn her to ashes. But she has her uses.”

“You shouldn’t trust her.”

Marcus laughed loudly. “Of course I don’t trust her. You don’t get to my position by trusting people.”

Taric looked to the side and took in a slow breath as he gathered his courage to say what was really on his mind. “Is all of this really necessary? If your plan fails, it will put a target on all of us. Things are fine the way they are now.” He looked up to see his father glowering down at him. Marcus’ heavy aura enveloped Taric, threatening to crush him where he stood.

“And this is your problem. Content. You’re content to just be who you are. No desire for more. No desire for power. You disgust me. A pathetic excuse for the Demon King’s son. Where is your drive?”

“I have drive,” Taric said indignantly, defending himself. “It just isn’t the same as yours. I don’t see the benefit. What do you want with this takeover?” He paused as he eyed his father. “You aren’t telling me everything …” His voice trailed off, the hurt clear in his tone.

Marcus laughed and grinned widely. “Of course not. Trust no one. That includes you. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to do what I tell you to.”

“You … really don’t trust me?”

“You’re not going to cry, are you?” Marcus smirked as he watched his son straighten his shoulders. “Listen to me. This is my kingdom. I know you’re called the prince, but I have no plans to EVER give you or anyone the crown.”

“Did I ever give you the impression that I wanted it?” Taric snapped.

Marcus stood up and took a couple of intimidating steps toward his son. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. These emotions are unbecoming for a son of mine. Of course you want it. Because you would be a complete disappointment if you didn’t. But the difference is that now you know you can’t have it because you’ll never be strong enough to take it from me. Understand?”