“I couldn’t allow you to die.”
Wynn glanced toward the decrepit cottages that looked as if they’d been empty for decades. Perhaps even longer.
“Obviously lots of people have died around here without you saving them.”
Gabriela looked genuinely confused. “I had no interest in them.”
“But you were interested in me?”
“Of course.” Gabriela stepped closer, the flames continuing to dance over her shimmering skin. “You called to my magic.”
Wynn would have fled if she wasn’t stuck in place. The dragon didn’t have Azh’s nuclear aura, but it pressed against her like she was caught in a massive vise. Each pulse of power felt like it was going to crush her, making it harder and harder to breathe.
“How could I call to your magic? I don’t have any.” Wynn struggled to think clearly. Not easy when she was being squeezed to death. Then she abruptly realized why such a powerful creature would be interested in her. “Ah. Because I’m a Void.”
Gabriela shrugged. “I don’t know what that means. I only know I was lost in the darkness and you offered me salvation.” Shestepped closer, bringing a painful blast of heat to add to Wynn’s discomfort. “You are the vessel I will use to escape this prison.”
“Prison?” Wynn glanced toward the gaping hole. Her brows drew together. Was the strand connected to Gabriela thicker? It was certainly shimmering brighter in the moonlight. Was that what was keeping her stuck in this place? “I thought you willingly sacrificed yourself to close the rift?”
A cunning expression rippled over the beautiful features. “Of course I did. I would do whatever necessary to protect my people,” she insisted. “But now it’s time for me to leave this place so I can be the leader they need.”
The smooth explanation only reignited Wynn’s original suspicions. And it wasn’t just a petty jealousy of Azh’s fascination with the stories of Gabriela’s valor. There was a burning hunger in the female’s eyes that spoke of raw ambition, not concern for her people.
“So you sacrificed yourself, but now you want out of your sacrifice?”
“My people need me to control the corruption,” she snapped. “I’m the only one capable of keeping it from infecting the world.”
Impossible to argue with that.
“How did it get loose?” Wynn demanded. “Didn’t you seal it on the other side of the rift?”
The crimson eyes narrowed. “The seals began to weaken centuries ago. I did my best to keep it contained, but it must have attached itself to you before you foolishly fled from this cavern.”
Outrage threaded through the pain that pulsed through Wynn’s body. “Are you blaming me for the corruption invading this world?”
“You shouldn’t have run away. It’s exactly what the evil wanted you to do.”
“If that’s true, then why didn’t I sense it?”
Gabriela peered down her slender nose. “You’re a mortal. How would you know if you were tainted?”
“I’m not human,” Wynn argued. “Besides, I can feel and touchyourmagic.”
Gabriela made a sound of impatience, the flames snapping and sizzling around her stiff body. She obviously wasn’t accustomed to anyone questioning her.
“The evil obviously disguised itself so you wouldn’t realize you were infected by its madness,” she snapped.
Wynn tilted her chin, refusing to back down. “I’ve seen creatures who’ve been infected. They’re all glowy and gross. I think I would notice if it was inside me.”
“You know nothing.” The earth trembled beneath the force of the dragon’s anger. “How else could the evil appear wherever you happened to be? It had to have some means of tracking you.”
Wynn’s mouth parted, but the words froze on her lips as she swiftly reviewed the short conversation she’d had with this dragon. She hadn’t mentioned being in close contact with the corruption.
“Wait. How did you know it was tracking me?”
There was a tense silence, as if Gabriela was caught off guard by the question. Then, with a shrug, she took another step forward.
“We’re connected by my power inside you. I could feel when you were close to the magic.”
