I froze. So did Ry.
But Teng only grinned and asked, “How badly?” Everything was an adventure for Teng. The only question was how great of an adventure.
“Whoever you took this from isn't going to stop until they have it back,” Klen said. “Look for yourself.”
Teng went to the book and scanned the page. His expression went blank. “Ensarena's Eye? I thought that was a myth?”
“Evidently not,” Klen said. “That jewel was made by the Goddess. It's the only physical object she ever gave her children. It is pure Fire Magic.”
Teng read aloud, “Ensarena's Eye, although created for Dragons, can be used by anyone brave enough to risk its allure.” He looked up. “What the fuck does that mean?”
Klen shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. I know that it grants Fire Magic to those who don't possess it, but for those who do, it magnifies and focuses their power. In the hands of a Dragon, it's the ultimate weapon. A Dragon could become a king with it.”
“What if he was already a king?” I whispered, things clicking into place.
An image popped into my head, that of a sharp-featured man with blood-red hair. Hair to match that fucking jewel. This was why King Lyrandir was putting so much pressure onCaptain Aras to retrieve his property. He couldn't let another Dragon get it first.
“A Dragon king could rule all of Serai with this stone,” Klen said. “I can't imagine why a Dragon would want to rule all of Serai, but you never know. Even if he didn't, just possessing the stone would make him untouchable. No one would stand against him, not even another Dragon king. Certainly not his dread. Any trouble in his kingdom would be instantly quashed. Instantly. If he was an honorable man, it might not be so bad. But if he wasn't.” Klen shook his head. “He would have the impunity to do whatever he wished.”
“Dragon kings already have that impunity,” Ry said.
“No, they don't. Not completely. Their dreads can still remove them from their throne if they deem it necessary. Dragons respect power, but they won't allow a madman to run rampant over their kingdoms just because he won a crown tourney. They'll remove him.” Klen paused to grimace. “But not if the King is in possession of that. With that, he could destroy any and all who stood against him. He would be like a god.”
“Fuck,” I whispered. “This is why King—”
“No! Don't tell me which king is after this stone!” Klen nearly screeched. “I'm at the end of my life and I'd like to enjoy the few years I have left.” He grabbed the gem and shoved it at Teng. “Take that godforsaken thing out of my shop and as far from me as possible!”
“All right, easy now, Klen,” Teng said. “No one knows we're here. No one even knows we have the Eye.”
“Only the Hulfrins we stole it from,” Ry muttered.
Klen shook his head rapidly, frizzy gray hair puffing about him. “I don't care. Get out!” He shooed us. “Go!”
“We're going.” Teng slipped the jewel back in his vest and ushered us out of the shop. “Thank you for your help.”
“Don't come back!” Klen slammed the door on us. The sound of the lock clicking was ominous.
“Captain,” Ry said in a grim tone.
“I know.” Teng glanced around, finally showing some wariness. “It's time to leave. We need the safety of the sea.”
Chapter Eighteen
We left the shores of Vix that very night. Where were we headed? To the other side of the world—the Kingdom of Racul. Specifically, the crown city of Mhavenna. Teng was friends with the Duke of Mhavenna—an ex-assassin human who had mated the King. That connection was a huge bonus, but mainly, we wanted to get as far away from Gavemor as possible. Because, from my one brief interaction with King Lyrandir, I knew he wouldn't give his prize up easily. If Aras failed, the Hulfrin was dead, and the King would hunt us himself.
“Thank the Gods you never gave us up,” Teng said to me.
We were sitting on the poop deck, lounging on the bench behind the helm as we sipped mugs of coffee and stared at the stars. Or, in my case, the sea. It would take several weeks just to cross Morilren, but I dreaded leaving these waters. Dreaded and hoped. Maybe the distance would thin my memories of Vax.
“Huh?” I asked.
“If you had given that Hulfrin our names, he might have had a chance of finding us,” Teng explained. “But you were too strong for him.” He punched my shoulder playfully. “I'm so fucking proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I looked back at the dark waves.
“But what the fuck are you doing here, Zix?”
My gaze jerked back to him. “What do you mean?”
