Page 59 of The White Dragon Revealed

Caden, I am going to shift back to my human form. I want to start speaking to these people,Valerius told him.I think in the presence of three Dragons they will be awed into perhaps telling us the truth.

Right! Is… is my mom okay? I mean--

She’s fine, Caden, though like the other Faith members, she is being questioned by the Claw,Valerius said.Don’t worry though. It is a formality. Your mother is one of the few people we can be sure is not behind this.

Yeah, she’ll be devastated to find out that the Faith is behind the bombings. Or, at least, some of them are anyways,Caden stated.It can’t be all of them, right?

With a grunt of agreement, Valerius shifted once into his human form. Iolaire lowered Jennifer to the ground, though it did not release her, while Lana--realizing what they were up to, did the same. Valerius stalked over to Lana’s prisoner and pulled their hood back. Caden let out a gasp, which Valerius heard over their link.

Do you know him, Caden?

I do. His name is Cary Stewart. He’s a librarian at Reach University,Caden said as he then told Valerius who Jennifer was as well. He explained everything he knew about them, which admittedly wasn’t much.

Looking between the dreamy Jennifer and the studious Cary, Caden had a sense of unreality. Of all the people who he would have suspected, these two would not have been on the list. Both of them were mild mannered. Both were fully committed to the Faith though as well. They worshiped Shifters and spoke of the Spirits in hushed, reverential tones. But still, Caden would never have suspected either of them being willing to kill to bring more Shifters into the world.

I don’t understand this,Caden told Valerius.These guys are really into Shifters and Spirits, but they’ve always been the type that Spirits have a plan, you know? Like they would never dream of putting their judgment before a Spirit’s. Until now...

I see,Valerius answered as he looked grimly at the owlishly-blinking Cary. The man usually wore glasses but he didn’t have them on today and was clearly having trouble focusing on Valerius.We shall find out.

“Are there timers on your bombs?” Valerius asked the two prisoners.

Both Cary and Jennifer cringed when Valerius spoke. His voice was arctic and even Caden felt a little like shrinking down, not wanting to have Valerius speak that way to him.

“Answer me,” Valerius hissed, leaning in until there was but an inch between his nose and Cary’s.

“N-no,” Cary gasped out, his voice reedy and thin.

“If you are lying to me,” Valerius pointed a finger against his chest, “it will not be justyouwho suffers, but all those you care about!”

Caden didn’t believe Valerius would hurt innocents, but his temper was notorious enough that these two believed it.

“There’s not! We swear!” Jennifer cried. “It was thought too risky if we were delayed in getting into the Below.”

I think they’re telling the truth, Valerius,Caden admitted. Though he was haunted by Serai biting a poisoned tooth, these two hadn’t attempted to take their lives so far.What were they promised, Valerius? Why would they do this?

There were wails from sirens in the far distance as the Claw and the police came to disarm the bombs. Valerius pointed to where the sound was originating from, which was still some distance away.

“That could be the sound of your saviors or your doom.” Valerius jerked away the robe to show the vest that Cary wore that was packed with explosives. “Why would you do this?”

“Because ithasto be done! Don’t you know that? Don’t you understand?” Cary asked, his face pinked with effort to explain.

“Understand why you would kill yourself and innocents? No, I do not understand,” Valerius growled.

“The amount of Shifters being createdmustincrease!” Jennifer cried. “And quickly!”

“Why?” Valerius scowled at her.

“Humans destroy everything, especially if it is good,” Cary said softly and his head fell forward. Some of his thinning reddish brown hair waved in the breeze.

“Yes, through yourbombs,” Valerius growled.

“No! I mean…yes,some will die, but those thatliveare so much more important!” Jennifer tilted her head towards Caden and Iolaire.

Caden swallowed.Tell her that she’s wrong! One White Dragon was not worth all the people who would have died if they had been successful!

“Iolaire does not agree with you. Iolaire is in pain at what you sought to do,” Valerius told Cary and Jennifer.

“We don’t want to hurt people, but it’s the only way to stop the war that’s coming,” Cary said.

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