The only one that hadn’t spoken was Anwar. He was staring at the empty lair and ticking his fingernails against the empty glass. Caden got up and grabbed the bottle of white wine that Anwar had been drinking. Valerius also got up and went to the sideboard and prepared food for Anwar. Both he and Caden met in the middle. Anwar blinked when he saw them there.
“Oh, thank you.” Anwar blinked and awkwardly offered his glass for Caden to fill.
He was about to take the plate, but Valerius said, “I’ll hold it. You need a hand free to drink and eat.”
“I do not know if I can do either.” Anwar swallowed. “I’m sorry, Caden. Everyone is speaking of their plans for your coming, but I have not yet--yet decided upon mine. Though I am so grateful and happy to have you both come.”
“Anwar, it doesn’t matter. If everyone just let us hang out in their homes, it would be more than enough.” Caden patted Anwar’s arm.
“My home is your home, Caden.” Anwar smiled.
There was a boom! It came from the lair! A Dragon Spirit had returned. Anwar drew in a sharp breath. He was trembling.
“They’ve come back early,” Illarion said, eyes fixed upon the mirror.
Valerius wondered which Dragon Spirit would appear, but it was not a Dragon. It was a person, a woman, followed by another person and another and another.
“They found them!” Esme gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
Anwar staggered towards the mirror. As each person emerged, they ran towards the mirror and there was a flash of light. Valerius knew they were returning to their bodies. That was what had happened with Landry. Anwar though was looking for one special person.
“Sakhra!” Anwar cried, tears in his eyes. “Tahira!”
He said the names of the sister and the videographer who had alerted them to what was going on. The two beautiful women rushed to the mirror and disappeared in another flash of light.
“He must be among them! He must! He must!” Anwar cried.
The flood of people became a trickle and then there was no one. Anwar tottered. He looked like he was going to fall over.
“He’s not there,” Anwar whispered.
“Maybe you missed him! There were so many!” Kaila suggested.
“I didn’t. I would have seen him,” Anwar said faintly.
“If we did not find him this time, we will have the Dragons go back out,” Illarion assured him.
“If he was not with them… where would he be?” Anwar swayed.
Valerius and Caden caught him, but just then, there was a voice that called out, “That is the one! You say Anwar is this way? Let me get to him.”
“Fadel?” Anwar blinked rapidly. He staggered towards the mirror with Caden and Valerius at his side.
A beautiful man with dark eyes and hair appeared at the mouth of the tunnel. His head turned and he saw Anwar. Anwar put his hands on the mirror. With a broad smile, the beautiful man ran towards him.
“Anwar!” he cried.
And then, just before he reached Anwar, he, too, disappeared. Anwar cried out and scrabbled at the mirror.
“Anwar, he’s in his body,” Valerius reminded him.
“His body!” Anwar spun towards the door.
Evren appeared in the mirror and Anwar gasped as he was joined again with his Dragon Spirit.
Anwar, go! He awaits you! Evren cried.
Anwar was the first one out of the doors, startling the Wise Women, but they just ended up running after them towards the tower where Fadel’s body lay. The Dragon Spirits joined with each of them fully just as they got to the door of the tower. Anwar threw open the door and took two staggering steps inside. Fadel was sitting up in bed. He opened his arms and called to the Silver Dragon Shifter.
