Page 265 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

Cienna didn’t answer. Instead, she said, “Your time is slipping away.”

“Then what do we need to do?” he asked again.

“Dragon fire is one of the most powerful gifts in existence,” she said. “But Achaz knows this. The enchantments here are designed to withstand any gifts of Arius and Sargon— dragon fire, starfire, and otherwise.”

“That is not helping,” Luka gritted out.

“It needs more. It needs something not recognized in Devram.”

“Spit it out,” Razik growled, his glowing eyes fixed on Xan’s stare.

“Raz—” Eliza tried.

But the male suddenly rounded, glowering at Luka. “Is this why you brought me here without saying a fucking word? To use me to get him out?”

“I knew I’d need help,” Luka admitted. “You’ve wanted nothing to do with me since you learned of our relation, and I assumed it’d be the same for him. But did I know how we were going to accomplish this? No. Do I know you’re well read and knowledgeable in several areas? Yes. And that is ultimately why I asked you to join me.”

“I’m sure it is,” the male sneered.

“Fuck you, Razik,” Luka said, finally reaching his breaking point. “I don’t have time to debate motives with you. Either help or leave, and I’ll figure it out myself.”

“Or end up in the cell next to him.”

“Like you’d give a single fuck if I did.”

“Razik,” Eliza said, drawing his attention back to her. “Just because you help here doesn’t mean you have to do anything else. No one is expecting anything else from you, and even if they are, you helping here? That’s all it is. It is not an offering of anything else.”

The male clenched his jaw, and Luka knew he was fighting a shift.

“After this, we can leave if you wish,” she added. “We do not have to stay.”

Razik said nothing, but they clearly communicated down their bond because Eliza turned to the rest of them. “How can we help?”

“You are his?” Xan asked, pulling everyone’s attention back to him.

“Yes,” she answered immediately.

“His chosen inevitable?”

Eliza frowned. “If you are asking if I am his source, the answer is yes. If you are asking if I am his twin flame, the answer is also yes.”

“That is not what I was asking, but the confirmation will suffice,” he answered.

“Someone just tell us what the fuck to do,” Razik snarled.

“You can combine your gifts,” Xan answered. “Not as a source, but as?—”

“Twin flames,” Eliza finished. She looked up at Razik. “Scarlett and Sorin do this all the time.”

“It’s not the same,” he argued.

“How is it not?”

“We both have flames. They’re just different.”

“So we combine them, and make them more powerful,” she answered. “Or you absorb my magic into yours, and twist it all into dragon fire.”

“We have minutes left at this point. For the love of Sargon, dosomething,” Luka cut in.

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