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Kell pointed to a tunnel at the end. “That leads to the exterior of the mountain. It connects with the tunnel we entered from.”
“I am glad you are navigating. I am good with directions, but there are so many tunnels, and they all look the same. I have no idea where we are. The shaking has stopped. Do you think the wards have stopped Allorin from entering the cave?”
“No. They are failing, but I doubt they would have stopped Allorin if he chose to enter. He is far more powerful than a five-thousand-year-old ward.”
She coughed. “How was it maintained for so long?”
“Magnus passed his power to Legion. Though he hasn’t maintained the spell since we left. It is far weaker now. It was left to deter humans from discovering the cave, but the claw had its own protections.”
“I noticed. Maybe we can sneak out and take to the skies before our intruder realizes we have left. I would rather not get into it with Allorin while we are in possession of the claw.”
“Agreed.”
She was halfway through the massive room when a man stepped from the tunnel they were heading to. Bile rose in her throat as she recognized the nightmare before her. “Breggar.”
His eyes matched his black hair and while he was attractive, there was no avoiding the madness in his eyes, though. The need for pain and violence hung in the air like acid potpourri. “Kell, it is good to see you. I appreciate you retrieving the claw for me. I have been trying to acquire it for years.”
Kell growled as he released Alana’s hand and stepped in front of her. “How did you know about it?”
Breggar huffed. “My father was one of Magnus’ best friends. They thought I would be a contender for leadership, but I never wanted such a burden.”
“You lie. You have always sought power, Breggar.”
“I will be all-powerful and the dragons will be forced to do my bidding or I will remove the druids’ immortality. But the dragons are but a small part of the world. I will rule it all, but I need the claw to bestow immortality on a few humans of my choosing.”
“Allorin. He will enslave you,” Kell said.
Breggar hissed. “I would never work for that fool. I will wait for his current incarnation to die. He has little time. Something a dragon has plenty of.”
“Our life is nothing without the druids. If you use the claw, the druids will become mortal.”
“Yes, but they will breed, and we will have an endless supply. All dragons should be dark, not enslaved by a woman.”
Kell took a few steps toward Breggar. “You are an abomination. Magnus should have never entrusted a child with such information.”
Breggar waved his hand negligently. “He didn’t. I spied on him and my father when they were conspiring about the bomb. They planned to die. All of them. Can you imagine what that felt like? Knowing your parents planned to kill themselves for a useless cause.”
“It was to ensure our survival. Your father was a military strategist. He was Magnus’ right hand for a reason. Your mother would weep in her grave for the thing you have become.”
Breggar’s eyes flickered with red fire. “Do not bring that traitor up to me. She conspired with her sisters to create that bomb. She gave it to Legion’s mother.”
“She was true to her mate. To her people. She saw the truth that her children did not.”
Breggar huffed. “My brother was as weak as they were. He tried to stop me from turning. Even when he saw my scales darkened, he believed he could save me.”
Kell sucked in a breath. “Lochlan did not turn?”
“No. I led him on quite a chase, and then I entombed him. That was hundreds of years ago.”
“Where is your brother?”
“He would have been forced to slumber, and I ensured he was cut off from Legion. He will sleep for eternity or until he turns dark.”
Kell ran toward Breggar, but as he neared the black dragon, he formed a sword and swung it at Kell’s head. Kell stumbled back as the tip sliced his chest, but the skin healed and the few drops of blood dried quickly. “Your father’s dragon sword. How pathetic. You cannot even fight your battles. No wonder your brother has forsaken you.”
Breggar held the sword up as he advanced on Kell. It was obvious from his stance that he was accomplished with the weapon. And Kell was forced to back away as it swung toward him again.
“You will die, Kell. Then I will take your druid and use her until she has nothing further to offer me.”
