Page 120 of Ash

Cara nodded. “That would be my guess too.”

It confused Tyrez. “But if Rindek has a weapon that can do this—why did he go to the trouble of bringing the fortress down on me?” He straightened, counting bodies lying in the snow. Then he had it. “My scales.”

Cara’s brows rose. “Yours are much thicker. Maybe he can’t inject the virus through normal Dragon hide.” Her lips twisted. “But a virus? I’ve never heard of one that can act this fast.” She stared down at the body. “I’d better take some samples back with us.”

“I don’t think you should touch that body,” Tyrez warned. “Whatever caused it might not be that selective.”

“Your brother is about to send the entire Legion against this guy,” she reminded him. “If Rindek has a Dragon-killing weapon at his disposal, we need to know more. I have containers that will keep it isolated. And gloves, and a mask.”

When his brows rose, she laughed. “You’re not the only one who uses ‘be prepared’ as a motto.”

* * *

He was still alive.

Every time Ash surfaced from the darkness as he lay on the cold metal table, he assessed it with a sense of wonder. How was it possible that Rindek wanted to kill him, and he wanted to die, and yet he still lived?

The Dragons in the cages were not so lucky. They had succumbed to the new and improved version of the parasite. In their death throes, the Archmage had drained them dry, retrieving the breeding stock for his final version of his weapon.

Yet Ash lived.

The parasite was still at work in him, there was no doubt of that. But this one ate at a much more leisurely rate.

The Archmage was so busy in the other room—the one set up as his rearing lab—that he basically ignored Ash. Ash had been placed in Demeti’s less-than-tender care, but the younger Torshin was in full sulk mode. He’d failed to even inject him with the crystal dust as his father had requested.

The neglect was saving Ash’s life. The parasites had become sluggish, nibbling rather than devouring. Ash’s inherent Dragon healing ability was gaining ground on them.

A large part of him was disappointed with their efforts. His body’s stubborn refusal to die caused him nothing but conflict.

Footsteps entered Ash’s room—the stumbling step was characteristic of the Seer. Other than Rindek and Demeti, John was the only one Ash had seen as of late. Both Orena and Finn had vanished. Considering the number of boxes he’d last seen the Dire minions schlepping down the hall toward the gate, he was pretty sure the Archmage had them clearing out the house. The female Torshin and her youngest offspring must have followed the boxes through the gate to a lair in a new realm.

What did it mean? Nothing good, Ash was sure. Several of his chaotic timelines gave him answers, none of which boded well.

The only thing that seemed certain was that Ash wouldn’t be following them, wherever they went. He wasn’t likely to be leaving this place. Ever.

The Seer hustled past Ash and paused at the entry to the lab.

“Sir. I have foreseen the Mover. She is alive.”

Ash’s heart accelerated. Rindek’s voice came from within the room. “You have seen her?”

“She will visit the forest of giant trees. Tomorrow. I have foreseen it.”

Demeti appeared in Ash’s frame of view. His eyes lit crimson. “We can get her.”

Rindek’s voice came from within the room. “She is in the forest? What is she doing there?”

The Seer cleared his throat. “She appears to be examining the huts we left behind.”

A pause, before the Archmage asked, “Is she alone?”

“Yes,” John said.

“If she is alone, she will be vulnerable.” Demeti sounded eager.

“She will not really be alone.” Rindek sounded very sure. “We will have to hurry, in order to rear enough of the parasite.”

Demeti frowned at his father. “Are you sure this is a trap?”

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