Chapter 53-Distrust
Dhran had been in a heated discussion with Seraphina when he first felt the nauseating pain ram into him. Immediately his thoughts turned to Aurelia and, after much arguing with his dragon, he left to find his beloved soon-to-be wife. Although she had already been well in her fourth month before she told him, Airu was still worried as he hurried down to the quarters where her former clinic and their bedroom was, sweat breaking out on his palms as he grasped hold of the entrance to the room and called out her name.
Aurelia met him at the entryway a moment later, her eyes bright and cheerful as she dismissed his fears of something having happened to her or the child. Still disoriented, Dhran took the time to give her a gentle kiss before leaving her and going back to Seraphina. He would have made it back to her sooner but he kept getting questioned by the dragoness about his love-mate, her term for Aurelia.
I told you she's fine, Dhran protested as he rounded a corner in the narrow corridor he was walking down, having taken a different route to get back to his dragoness. Seraphina, nothing bad will happen to her if I can help it.
Unaware of the area around him, Airu was startled when a black cloak brushed past him. He halted and turned around to see that the person who had walked past had also slowed and glanced back at him. Two purple eyes met his questioning gaze and a sense of pity welled up within him as he realized it was Tamli who had passed him without a word.
"How's Finca?" Airu asked, unsure of how to open the conversation but also curious as to why Tamli hadn't said anything when they passed each other.
"Coping." The reply was tense and Tamli's tone suggested there was something more going on under the surface.
Silence filled the air between them as Dhran studied the man, watching as the cloak stretched tighter around the hybrid's frame. There was something going on, something Tamli wasn't telling. Could it have to do with the blinding surge of pain he had felt that made him rush to Aurelia's side?
"Where are you going?"
Tamli looked away, eyes darkening. "I guess you felt that powerful mental wave of agony. It came from the clone yet I fear he must be somewhere nearby to have such a drastic impact on us here . . ."
Dhran blinked, chastising himself for not thinking about the threat of the clones as a possible reason for the misery he had felt. How had Tamli known about it so fast? Was he somehow mentally linked to the copy that had taken Ladetis and corrupted the young dragon?
"He must be dealt with before anymore lives are lost." The slight verge of anger in Tamli's tone worried Dhran as the man turned to face him. "I will not risk another innocent life. The sooner I act, the better."
"What about Finca? Have you talked this over with her?"
A quiet chuckle from Tamli confirmed Dhran's thoughts that he hadn't told the dragoness anything about his plan. "She's too busy wrapped up in Makiar's death at the moment. Besides, she'd want me to get my memory back first before I went after him, allowing that monster to kill more before I even got involved."
The darkness of the garment Tamli wore seemed to reflect his eyes as the deep amethyst bore into Dhran. He couldn't disagree with the man but the plan of action . . . Airu wasn't sure the hybrid was up to the task but it was not his place to say such with Tamli so set on his decision to end the life of the clone.
"I . . . wish you luck."
Nodding in approval, Tamli turned back around and continued on, pausing briefly after only a few steps to glance back at Dhran. "Keep quiet about this from Finca. I know she'll find out sooner or later but I want to be the one to tell her myself after the threat has passed."
"I will-"
We will keep your deception from Finca, Seraphina chimed in, having heard all of the conversation from Dhran's open mind-link with her. I will also hide this from Mother, just in case the two converse during your absence.
"I appreciate it, daughter of the night."
Seraphina snorted in amusement. Think nothing of it, hybrid. She paused for a moment and Dhran thought he sensed a sadness creep through their connection. If you find my brother is with the clone, can you spare him the agony of a shattered mind-link?
Tamli's eyes darkened at the request and Airu subconsciously reached for the hilt of his sword, taking a step back out of precaution. The hybrid raised a hand to inform him there would be no damage dealt to the dragoness and Dhran relaxed, loosening his grip on the weapon. A sense of guilt flooded into him from Seraphina and he realized she blamed herself for Ladetis leaving and bonding with the clone.
"I bare your dragon no harm but her words remind me of something . . . Something I can't quite remember. Perhaps it is nothing but . . ."
Dhran wasn't sure what exactly happened next as the color seemed to drain from Tamli's face and he reached up to grasp his head, hissing through clenched teeth as he squeezed his eyes shut. Turning around so that his back would press up against a wall, the man slid backwards as Airu rushed to his side, visibly shaken by how quickly things had changed in seconds.
The normally comforting presence of Seraphina's mind touched his own and Dhran shrugged her away, concerned for Tamli as the hybrid's eyes fluttered under his eyelids and a light sweat broke out on his already pale face. A low moan rose from the man's throat as Airu glanced around to see if anyone was around. While the path he had taken was not used regularly, it still had times of heavy traffic but, unfortunately, now was not one of those moments. Still, tense air filled the space around him and he placed a hand on Tamli's shoulder for comfort before his dragoness again tried to reach out to him.
What is it, Seraphina? He snapped, temper flaring as Tamli's skin felt unusually warm under his touch.
That presence . . . She whispered, a timidness creeping into her voice that would have worried Dhran had he not been distracted with Tamli's sudden decline in condition. He was right . . .
Dhran tore his attention away from the hybrid, grumbling under his breath as he took a step back and took another glance around the corridor. He couldn't hear any footsteps but that didn't mean there wasn't anyone traveling along the same path. A quick glance at Tamli reinforced Airu's determination to find someone who could help them as the hybrid sunk against the wall, sliding down to the floor as both hands rose to his skull.
Dhran, listen to me. Tamli was right, the clone is close-by. His presence affects all of us yet . . .
Quiet, Dhran growled, cutting off their connection sharply as he shook his head and made the decision to carry the ailing hybrid back the way he had come to see if Aurelia could do something to help.
Ryta was surprised by how calm her brother was as she met with him and Verdra, still unsure herself after the mental surge that had disrupted their peaceful day. She had expected him to be as unnerved as she was, particularly since the sensation had reminded her of Arxa's dominance over their mother. The black dragons greeted her with respect and dignity, although it was something she never did understand since Verdra was nearly as old as her sibling, but she felt welcomed every time she visited the two.
What is it, sister? Sitedal growled softly as they sat down on the wood-marble floor of the chamber, the residual remembrance of Tanui's slaughter being the shattered splinters of one of the eggshells that the dragons had decided to hang onto until the clone was either killed or brought before them to explain why he had taken the lives of two innocent hatchlings.
Surely you felt the same sensation I did moments ago . . .
Verdra snorted, eyes brightening as Sitedal wrapped his tail lovingly around her own. Of course we did, Ryta. She paused, glancing at her mate. We just fear Ladetis or the clone may be responsible for such a disturbance.
Most likely the copy is descending into mental instability. Tamli said he experienced a vision where the rogue killed Finca then went after him, spouting nonsense about its destiny and so forth . . .
Ryta nodded, impressed by his knowledge of the cloning project they had unwillingly been forced to learn about from Arxa once she took over the operation and Amia grew more distant. It pleased her to see the fine dragon her sibling had become but she still worried about Jormundur and how he was holding up. Corruption's influence was strong, she knew that much from hearing Sitedal talk about sliding into its grasp after Seraphina hatched, yet she hoped her wind-wielding brother could rise above the temptation and escape from its clutches before it was too late.
You seem deep in thought, Sitedal commented as Ryta blinked, laying down on the floor as she wrapped her tail around her left side, allowing the tip to brush against the ivory talons on her hind limb.
I was just thinking about our brother, she admitted after a minute, lowering her head and lifting her gaze to meet Sitedal's steady gaze. I hope he can escape like we have from the darkness . . .
It isn't as easy as you make it seem, Ryta, Verdra pointed out as she exchanged a knowing look with her mate. Even the best dragons fall from grace sometimes. Makiar was a prime example of that but may her spirit find peace now.
How's Seraphina coming along in her training? Ryta questioned as she changed the subject, sensing Sitedal quietly withdraw from her mind.
Fair enough but she still has much to learn. Father mostly trained Jormundur and myself so I had little to base my instruction off of since we learned of our elements in secret . . .
We felt Seraphina should work with him until she develops her powers and then I would step in to guide her on controlling the new aspect of herself, Verdra added as her mate fell silent and looked away, eyes glistening in the near-darkness of their chamber.
A sudden rasp at the entrance to the room startled then and Sitedal lunged to his feet, growling softly as he made his way over towards the opening. Ryta quickly joined him and nudged the cloth they had draped over the doorway, parting it to allow Seraphina to enter. The young dragoness was clearly shaken as her gaze brushed past the two and settled on Verdra, a low hum rising from the female as their eyes locked.
Tamli left, she whispered softly as the three dragons surrounded her; Verdra nuzzling her daughter gently.
Is he going after the clone? Sitedal snorted as his irises gleamed dimly under the feeble light.
After everything Dhran did to get him to see things from Finca's perspective . . . He still went and left to find the abomination. Seraphina hissed softly, shaking her head. The hybrid is no condition to face himself, not like this.
A deep growl rose from Sitedal's throat, the anger compressed within the sound forcing Ryta to retreat a step out of fear. Why didn't you stop him then?
Because the situation is so similar to our own, brother, Ryta hummed, glancing at Seraphina and finding herself proud of the young dragoness for speaking up about Tamli's disappearance. Had I discovered the secret to bringing our mother back, you would have joined in the effort and might have never discovered Verdra.
Ladetis and Seraphina would have never existed, Sitedal muttered softly as Verdra exchanged a reassuring glance with him. While I may have blamed Tamli for what his clone did, I understand your reaction, my daughter. Does Finca know he left?
No, he wanted to come back with the news that this nightmare was over and hope she would forgive him for not telling her in the first place.
We must inform Finca, she has a right to know, Ryta snorted, focusing her attention back on her brother. If anything, she knows him better than any of us. Her decision would lead to us going after him or not, depending on her choice.
You would deny Tamli his free will? We both know what Finca would want. He needs his memory back to stand a chance against this . . . imposter that has done so much damage. The venom in Verdra's tone surprised the two she-dragons for a moment before they glanced over at Sitedal to see that he had withdrawn from the conversation and had closed his eyes, claws tensed against the floor.
What is it, brother? Ryta asked as Seraphina bowed her head sheepishly in shame for letting Tamli escape under her watch.
I sense sorrow and pain mixed with an impending darkness. He opened his eyes, catching her gaze as his irises softened. If the clone is as deranged as I fear he must be at this point, how then is Ladetis faring. The taking of lives is pressure upon itself but when your own friend becomes an enemy . . .
If he is anything like me, father, Ladetis will be strong enough to survive. Have no fear of that, Seraphina growled.
Sitedal sighed, glancing over at her. I hope you are correct.
