Page 125 of The Edge of Dawn

Why was there always a catch?

There was no doubt at all in his mind that Amun had the means to back up his threats. He could sense the certainty in his aura.

That’s how he could be so calm right now.

“Do not speak right now,” Dragek growled. “I can do a lot worse without killing you.”

“Hm.” Amun raised an insolent eyebrow but said no more.

And Dragek was left to wait with life and death balanced in the palm of his blade-hand, the madness of the Mating Fever slowly eroding his discipline and self-control.

At least he had his anchor, the sublime trace of her presence to hold onto.

They were entwined now.

But wait…

Why couldn’t he feel her anymore?

His composure cracked just a little bit more, allowing the darkness to seep in.

What had happened to her? Had she slipped? Or was it something more than that?

Pray to the Goddess that she was safe and well because if anything happened to her…

Ashrael. He reached out to the only one who could possibly comprehend his current state of near madness. I’ve secured the target. Tell Tarak to come now before I forget how to be civilized and tear him apart. A warning. He’s cunning. He has leverage. He isn’t going to go easily.

This was far from over.

Good work, brother. I’m in no position to move right now, but Tarak will be there shortly.

Ashrael… The small crack in Dragek’s self-control became a wide fissure. He didn’t know himself anymore. He didn’t truly know what he was capable of. So, in desperation, he revealed his innermost fears.

What is it?

I… can’t feel my sarien anymore.

Understood. I can assure you that she is safe. Now more than ever, you need to trust us. I know how tempting the path of destruction can be, but nothing good will come of it. No matter what Amun does, no matter how he tries to goad and manipulate you, don’t fall for it. Ashrael’s mindvoice became strained.

Then, he disappeared.

Leaving Dragek staring back at a man who was watching him intently with a single burning eye, and he couldn’t help but feel that Amun was factoring him into all of this.

He didn’t like it; all of this scheming and manipulation. Being made into someone else’s pawn against his will.

This was the very son of Empress Vionn herself, the one who had used the Silent Ones as her own personal death squad.

All of his instincts were screaming at him.

Kill him. Leaving him alive will only cause problems you cannot contain.

One of his greatest fears was unlocked.

What if you become his pawn? What if he makes you a Silent One again?

And yet, he couldn’t kill this man because if he did, the entire Universe would go to the Nine Hells.

What kind of infernal torture was this?

---