He gave a single nod.
“Were they Varnari?” I pressed.
“No.”
My eyes narrowed. “Members of the Crimson Sigil?”
His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
I didn’t need them. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
His shoulders straightened. “I don’t question royal guards.”
My jaw clenched. “Royal guards?” I echoed, my voice a low growl.
“Yes,” he said, quieter this time, like he knew just how much he’d messed up. “They wore the colors. Had the sigil and the king’s seal.”
“They took a guild rider,” Zander said darkly. “And you let them through.”
Gerane’s face paled. “I didn’t know he was in danger. They said they were escorting him from the castle for questioning. Something about tampered records?—”
“Bullshit,” I hissed. “Cordelle wouldn’t betray the kingdom.”
“Where did they go?” Zander demanded.
Gerane swallowed. “They said to the eastern outpost. But I didn’t follow them. It’s not my job to track court business.”
I stepped in close, close enough that my magic crackled between us. “From now on, if anyone passes this gate with a rider, any rider, you get confirmation from the major himself. Do you understand me?”
He nodded, fast. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
Zander’s Dark Fire coiled around his wrists like serpents. “We’re done here.”
I turned on my heel, fury burning through my veins.Hold on, Cordelle,I thought, fingers tightening into fists.We’re coming.
We ran for the Ascension grounds, boots slamming against the stone as our dragons wheeled overhead. The sky was streaked with silver mist and rising panic. I didn’t wait for a signal. I just reached out.
Kaelith,I called through the tether.
She was already on her way. Her enormous form burst through the clouds and dropped like a thunderclap, wings flaring as she landed with a tremor. Hein, Katama, and Zola followed in quick succession, their wings slicing through the air with practiced grace.
Then Kass landed.
The little green dragon’s scales bristled as he growled low in his throat, tail lashing the earth with frustration. His claws scraped against the stone as he paced, nostrils flaring, throat hitching with panicked chirrups. The sound of it broke something loose in my chest.
I approached carefully, my hand outstretched. “We’ll find him, Kass,” I said, my voice thick with the weight of a promise. “I swear it. But I need your help to do it.”
Kaelith’s voice surged through my mind like a gust of wind.
You have the power to track someone who is bonded to a dragon.
How?I asked, swallowing hard.
Think of the hatchlings,she said, calm but firm.You connected with them without effort. You felt their fear, their hunger. You soothed them. They responded to you.
Yes,I whispered,but Cordelle’s not a dragon.
No,she agreed.But he is bonded. His magic flows into Kass just as Kass’ flows into him. That bond leaves a trail in the air. An echo. You can feel it if you try.
