Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

The thick, still air of the swamp settled over Derek . He and Kora had been in the middle of a conversation when he left to meet Merrill . She had been furious, and likely still was. Which she had every reason to be. He had been opening up to her only to say he had to meet someone else. Naturally , she wanted details he couldn't give. Because to do so meant revealing that he was a dragon. He wasn't ready to see fear in her eyes when she looked at him. So , he'd told her nothing.

It wasn't a good way to build trust. Quite the opposite, actually.

He would make it up to her. Somehow . The truth she so desperately wanted would solve the dilemma. But he couldn't. Even considering it made his stomach roil.

If he couldn't even think about it, how could he ever tell her? No matter how much he wanted to keep things hidden from her, it would all come out eventually. Whether it was tomorrow or a hundred years from now.

There were no answers for this situation—at least none he wanted to consider at the moment. Derek turned his attention to what he had learned from Merrill . He had divulged, but not nearly enough. Derek had a million more questions.

Merrill was a dragon like him. He could barely wrap his head around that fact. Of course, he was taking it as fact. He hadn't seen Merrill shift. Maybe he couldn't. It might all be some charade—a big joke being played on him. If dragons could speak with their minds, then he and Bryok would be able to do it. Nay , Merrill had to be a Star Person . They were the only ones who could communicate like that.

Then why had Merrill urged him to contact Con ? There was also the fact that dragons had been seen around Stonemore —dragons that weren't him or Bryok .

Derek alternated between rage and shock.

And despair.

Someone was lying. Both Miena and Merrill pointed at Villette . He didn't need to ask Villette to know where she would cast the blame. Kora's goal was to end Villette . If given the opportunity to learn all the facts, she would side with Merrill and Miena if only because of Villette .

Derek knew Miena and Kora both wanted Villette dead, but he had yet to determine what Merrill was after. He claimed not to want anything, but as Kora had pointed out, nothing was ever given for free. And Derek had found himself in the middle of all of them somehow.

As for Villette , he had seen firsthand what she condoned—and even encouraged—in the city. He had been party to so much of the same outside Stonemore . If he accepted what the others told him, that meant he was as much of a monster as Villette . If they wanted her dead, then they should be after him and Bryok , as well.

Because he had followed her blindly, accepting everything she told him.

And why wouldn't he? He had thought he and Bryok were the only ones of their kind who were free. The only ones that could liberate the others and protect the eggs. Even Bryok believed as much. Though that didn't make Derek feel less of a fool.

He now had to question everything and everyone to figure out who was lying and who spoke the truth. No longer would he indiscriminately believe anyone. He had no choice but to pick apart every word and action while comparing it to the facts he had and whatever he uncovered. Then hold it all up against whoever he was scrutinizing.

He started with Kora . He had seen her die twice and come back to life. He had seen her wounds heal. He knew about her village since he had been responsible. Derek had also witnessed the soldiers slaughter in the streets. His encounter with Aksel while visiting the temple had laid bare the depravity of the so-called religion.

The only things Kora had asked of him were the way to Stonemore and whether he knew any other routes to the different levels. She hadn't tried to get him to help her kill Villette or even sneak her into the palace. Out of everyone, he believed everything she had told him.

Or maybe he just really wanted to believe.

Merrill was another matter. The citizens believed they saw dragons. Was it real or magic used by a Star Person to conjure the apparitions? That did sound like something Villette would do. Her motivation would be as it always was—terror. She wanted the humans to fear dragons, but it seemed to go beyond that. She wanted them to fear magic. He couldn't figure out how that benefited her or any other magical being. He had to be missing something.

Derek had no discernable reason for why Merrill would lie. Just because he'd mentioned Con and said to reach out mentally meant nothing. For all Derek knew, he could connect with another Star Person . He would have to see the individual for himself before he believed anything. That meant going to the border. Where he believed—or had for so many years—the dragons were being held prisoner. That meant crossing into forbidden territory.

On one hand, Merrill might be speaking the truth. On the other, it might be a trap. Someone could have learned what Villette was planning and sought to take him out of the equation. That seemed more logical than the dragons being free and not coming to find him, Bryok , or the eggs.

Perhaps Villette wasn't the person he believed her to be. But she had saved him. She protected and sheltered both him and Bryok . Not to mention the eggs. That had to count for something, didn't it?

Derek put his hand atop an egg. At one time, he had waited anxiously for it to hatch so another of their kind could take to the skies alongside him. Maybe even a mate. Years turned into decades that turned into centuries with no change. He had stopped wishing, stopped expecting, and accepted the reality. It was just him and Bryok .

But that reality had changed.

He dropped his hand as he considered Miena . She had the most reason to lie and twist the truth. She wanted her freedom, and Villette had put her where she was. Derek suspected the reason was exactly what Miena said—she had tried to stop Villette . There had never been any mention of Miena . That was probably because he wasn't meant to be in the palace, so there had been no reason for Villette to tell him about her or spin some story to keep him away.

Derek had few facts about Miena . So few he could count them on one hand. Miena had told him about Villette's weakened state. Whoever Villette had tangled with had left her magic depleted, which had shifted everything, putting him in the position he was currently in.

He needed answers, and Merrill didn't seem keen on handing them over. Derek wasn't eager to test the theory that the dragons weren't prisoners. Kora had shared everything that was relevant. That left Miena .

Going to her was risky. But he had to start somewhere.

His decision made, Derek touched the cuff and appeared outside Miena's door. " I'm here," he said.

" I didn't think you would return," she replied. " Why aren't you opening the door? Aren't you here to free me?"

" I'm not sure yet."

" Ah . You and Merrill must have had a nice conversation."

He frowned. " How do you know that?"

" The one trapped with me can sense all magic, remember? I know Merrill came into the room earlier. She also told me the two of you met again."

" It's curious that he hasn't freed you. Why is that?"

" Perhaps you should ask him."

" I did."

She paused. " I see. Yet you're back. Why ?"

Derek looked at the door. " I'm considering letting you out."

" But ?"

" I need answers first."

" I promised you all when I'm freed."

He shook his head. " I need some beforehand."

" You get one."

" Three ."

" Two . No more."

Derek narrowed his eyes at the door. " You want to haggle when your freedom is so close? Maybe I'll walk away, and we can forget all of this."

She sighed loudly. " Fine . Three . Do I have your word you'll open the door?"

" If the answers satisfy me."

" It's an aye or nay response. I'm not going to give you answers only for you to walk away."

" Accept my reply or not. I'm done negotiating."

Her voice was tight, her words hard when she said, " Then ask. I want out."

Derek considered all the questions he'd been mulling over. What were the most important? He would have to be specific if he wanted a decent answer.

" Why would Villette wipe my memories?"

" Oh , dear boy. Isn't that obvious? You began asking too many questions. You pushed too hard and demanded too much when things didn't make sense. A lot like you're doing now. She needs you compliant."

He placed his hand on the wall as blood roared in his ears.

" The only difference this time is that she's weak. I don't know what caused it, but if you want out of her hold, then you need to open that door and let me go after her. I can stop all of this."

" Or take her place."

" That is a chance you'll have to take. What's your next question?"

" How many times has she wiped my memories?"

Silence met his words.

" Miena ," he growled. " How many times?"

" I don't think that's the question you should ask."

Derek dropped his hand and took a step back, the implications clear. Unless … " You don't know."

" Not specifically, nay. I know of at least three."

He swallowed and tried to calm his racing heart. Every answer peeled back another layer, and each layer attempted to knock his legs out from under him.

" Next ," Miena stated.

Derek focused his mind. " Are dragons being held captive?"

" Aye ."

So , Merrill had lied. It had been a trick to get him to the border so he could be taken. He had wanted to believe Merrill so badly. The thought of another dragon being near had elated him, but he should've known it couldn't be true.

" Open the door as you promised."

Derek blinked and stared at the door. He walked to it and grabbed the handle.

" We had a deal, Derek . I held up my end. It's time for you to hold up yours."

He tugged at the door. It held for a moment before popping open. Heat blasted him, instantly drenching him in sweat. Near the door to his right was a narrow section of floor untouched by lava that moved sluggishly around the room. Sitting against the wall was a woman. Her damp strawberry-blond hair hung about her. Hazel eyes watched him as she made no move to stand. Then her gaze slid to the side to look deeper into the room.

Derek turned his head to the left and found another woman standing chained in the middle of the lava, her brunette locks hanging past her butt. He knew without asking that it was Miena . Her bright green eyes glowed with anticipation.

" I've waited a long time for one of you to finally open that door," Miena said.

He ignored her and started to walk into the room when the other woman held out a hand before yelling, " Stop !"

Derek stilled. " What is it?"

" If you come in, the door will lock. There's no handle on this side," she explained.

Miena snorted. " It'll be fine once he releases me. I'll get us out."

Derek inspected the inside of the door and confirmed there was no handle. Then he slowly looked at Miena . " You want me locked in with you?"

" I want to be free!" she bellowed.

The sound shook the walls, causing debris to rain down around them. He should've known. " It was all a lie. Just so you could get out. She put you in here for a reason."

" Because I went against her," Miena stated as she yanked on the chains around her wrists. " I dared to stop her."

" Right ."

Miena's face contorted with rage. " I've not lied to you."

" You just conveniently left out the fact that I would be locked in with you."

" Not if you release me. Once free of the chains, I can get us out."

He looked dubiously at the lava. " After I go through that."

" If you want to right the wrongs that have been done to you, to the dragons, and even to humans, you'll get me out of these," she said, lifting her hands as far as she could.

Derek turned back to the human. " What's your name?"

" Daelya ."

" What about you? Do you want out?"

She bit her lip hesitantly. " I don't know."

He hadn't expected that. " And why not?"

" Villette sent men to kidnap me so I could tell her who has magic."

Miena harrumphed. " Now ask her what Villette does with that information."

Derek glanced at Miena before returning his attention to Daelya . He already had a suspicion, but he wanted it confirmed. " What happens?"

" She gives it to a priest," Daelya answered.

Miena's chains clinked loudly. " It's how the priests know which children to round up and kill. It's also how Villette knew Merrill and his friend entered the city."

" I didn't want to tell her," Daelya added.

Derek nodded. " You didn't have a choice."

" But I do now. If I stay here, she can't get to me. Villette doesn't come here. Ever ."

Miena said, " He could get you out of the city."

He shot Miena a look. " If that's what you want, Daelya . I could take you back to your family."

" Villette's men slaughtered them," she answered. " Besides , she would only send more after me."

Derek looked at the lava as it moved closer to Daelya's feet. " I can't leave you here. You'll die."

" The room is filled with magic. It has kept her alive for weeks," Miena stated.

Daelya nodded. " It's true. I've not been hungry or thirsty once."

" What's it going to be, Derek ? Are you keeping your word?" Miena demanded.

He gripped the door and considered his options. There were reasons Miena could've lied to him about his memories. She might not have known that Villette had already entered his head, but she added enough that could push someone to her side. Did he dare believe Miena ? That was still up in the air. There was a real chance she'd leave him and Daelya locked in the room once she was free.

He believed Daelya . Her distress of leaving the room was too real to be faked. And who would choose to remain in such a horrible place? Only someone who held such fear.

" Don't you dare close that door," Miena threatened.

Derek quirked a brow. " Or you'll do what?"

" You don't want me as your enemy," she warned.

" I'm not making an enemy. I'm getting facts before I decide anything."

" What more do you want?"

He drew in a deep breath. " The truth."

" I have it," Miena proclaimed.

Derek shrugged a shoulder. " Perhaps . But you aren't the only one."

" Fine . Gather your truths, but hurry. Villette is healing. It's slow, but it's happening. Soon , she'll call for you to return. And she'll give you a target."

" And who might that be?"

" The one who injured her. A Druid named Katla ."

What exactly was a Druid ? Miena hadn't pulled that term out of thin air, though. Derek swung his head to Daelya . " You sensed her?"

" She does more than that," Miena interjected.

Daelya glanced at Miena before she nodded. " My ability also allows me to remotely watch others using magic." She glanced down at her hands in her lap. " I saw the battle between Katla and Villette ."

Derek waited, sensing there was more she wasn't saying. " What else?"

" A lot more," Miena said. She yanked at her chains. " You won't get any of it until these are gone. I told you Katla's name. You'll know I'm not lying when Villette sends you after her. Then you'll come to me. If it isn't already too late."

Derek looked at Daelya once more. She shook her head. And with that, he stepped out of the room and let the door close.