Page 7 of Gate of Chaos


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Time to get myself fit for when they did come to me and saidwe’ve decoded the Gate Maker’s Manual, have at. I’d aced linear algebra. I could pass this.

We headed out to the fields, and I tried to ignore the wheeze in Mahon’s breathing.

Keon had the same rattle. Because Keon’s lungs were also in the early stages of the same inevitable decline. Not because he was low-magic, but because he’d sacrificed them to try to save humanity, more than most topside drakes.

Fuck, I loved that obnoxious stone drake.

I turned my attention away from the mess that was my personal life to Mahon. He seemed different, too. Sort of more...glowy. But not glowy. Not in a way I saw or felt. Less glowy than Auryn, though. And sort of different glowy from Dekka.

He cocked his head slightly and gave me the Dad Side Eye.

“You’re... glowy...” I said. “It’s distracting.”

That sounded not just lame, but like a creepy pickup line from the world’s worst backwoods bar.Hey, baby, you’re glowing and I’m a moth that can’t resist you.

Mahon returned his gaze to the road. “It’s another sense now that you’ve molted. It will feel less overwhelming in time. It’s similar to how the young of both our species are fascinated with bright, contrasting colors. They are not born with the ability to see color, then cannot process the color they’re perceiving. You, I imagine, are the same way.”

“So what am I...seeing? It feels like an equation I can’t understand but should.”

“I’m not certain how to explain it. I’ve never had to before.” Mahon contemplated this.

And now Ineededto know what it was. Like bad enough the world started to rattle and the teetery-tottery feeling crept up on me.

Nope. I wasnottumbling through the cosmos.

I had a tablet with me. I yanked it out of my little bag.

Helena [Petrarchyan] >> What is that glowy thing I’m “SEEING” around dragons now? It’s got to have a name.

Mahon waited.

I was nuts pestering Mayriel’s mate (who was probably also the next Wyrm) with this, but he’d helped before.

Helena, I was Helena of Earth.

Petrarchyan [WYRM]

Ah, so you’re perceiving [unintelligible dragon word] now?

Helena [Petrarchyan]

It has a name?

Petrarchyan [WYRM]

You may call it our “aura,” although that term is not accurate. It is likely more appropriate to equate it with pheromones. Come see me and I will help you give it a better name.

The Nine Dead Gods bless Petrarchyan. And Mahon too.

Helena [Petrarchyan]

Do ALL dragons perceive it?

Petrarchyan [WYRM]

Unconsciously, yes. For those of us who CAN perceive it, it becomes background noise.

Aura. I could deal with aura for now. Duct-tape mental solution. “Sorry for the interruption.”

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