Page 79 of Dragon Awakened

Rook flicks his gaze in her direction. "I understand that our arrival is a surprise."

No one chimes in about how much of an understatement, that is, but my own unease grows to the point where I can't hold it in anymore. "How did you escape?"

For months, my kingdom was occupied by the Shadow King's forces. I witnessed firsthand their vigilance. I felt like a prisoner in my own home--even though, ostensibly, my family was still in charge.

Rook looks to me, subtle annoyance playing on his face. "My betrayal of the Shadow King was...unexpected. I had been his loyal servant for decades." A glint of guilt darkens his eyes. "I sat idly by while my own brother was tried, convicted and executed."

"Uncle..." Ember starts.

He holds up the hand of his uninjured arm. "But when I learned the truth, everything changed." His smile now is slight but chilling, revealing just a hint of sharp, yellowed teeth. "I took out many soldiers before they even realized where the attack was coming from." His unsettling smile fades away. "Eventually, though, someone survived long enough to sound the alarm. I was nearly overwhelmed." He tips his head toward Delaynie and Mariutza. "But then I stumbled upon these two."

"You can imagine our concern," Delaynie says.

"Shh," Mariutza scolds her, "the old devil can hear us."

"He's on our side now," Delaynie reassures her grandmother, but there's something pinched to her eyes--like she's trying to convince herself as much as she is the old woman.

Rook continues on. "They were engaged in a fierce battle with the Sorceress."

Mariutza spits at the floor and mutters something under her breath. It sounds like a different language.

Rhiannon flexes her jaw and crosses her arms. "My sentiments exactly."

"We could have defeated her," Mariutza insists.

"Reinforcements were arriving," Delaynie says.

"Once I plainly demonstrated that I was on their side, we were able to work together to create a spell to carry us to safety." In a rare tell, Rook pats his pocket.

Ember's told me something of Shadow Dragon portal spells. They require deep magic--and usually an object of great power, like her bracer.

Apparently, Lord Rook has more secrets up his sleeves, and more power in his possession than he would appear to be letting on.

Wrinkles crease his brow. "We were limited by the spells protecting the Citadel. We could only get as far as the dock--where you were supposed to be."

He looks pointedly at Ember, and she winces. "Things didn't quite go according to plan."

"Clearly. By the time the tower crumbled, we abandoned hope of your joining us and made our own way to my safehouse." At this, he falters. "I thought we traveled in secret--and that my private holdings were, in fact, private. But it didn't take long before Erembour's servants discovered us."

Mariutza lets out a little cry, and my eyes widen when I spot the glowing balls of darkness forming in her gnarled hands.

"Grandmother--we're safe--"

"We're never safe," Mariutza laments.

"Are they still following you?" Freya interrupts.

That probably should have been the first question anyone asked, before he and the others were allowed into the town.

Rook laughs darkly. "With the knowledge I possess? Erembour will pursue me to the ends of the earth."

Ice sears its way down my spine. The room erupts in murmurs, but Rook scoffs at whispers of fear and concern. Ember lifts her hands, asking for quiet.

"We used multiple layers of indirection in our journey here," Rook assures us all. "It will take even Erembour some time to track us down."

That sets exactly no one's mind at ease--least of all mine.

Clearly on the same page, Rafe crosses his arms over his burly chest. "You said Ember was in danger, and yet you're leading the Shadow King's forces right to our door."

---