Page 142 of Ash

“It is fine,” Ash answered without opening his eyes. “The Watcher is killing off the parasites.”

Dani crouched beside him. “How do you feel?”

His silver eyes opened. “I am fine,” he repeated.

Cara straightened. Her face was haggard with fatigue, but she marshaled up a smile for Ash. “I got all the larvae and adults. Not sure about eggs, and as I don’t know the length of the life cycle, not even sure how long it will be before I can ensure the infection doesn’t return.” Her gaze moved to Tyrez. “He and the others will be on a crystal-restrictive diet until we can be sure the eggs are also eliminated.”

“How contagious are the parasites?” Dani asked.

Cara sighed. “What was injected into the Dragons have been very busy eating, and haven’t had time to lay eggs. But Ash is different. He’s been infected long enough that he’s likely to have eggs circulating in his blood. We’ll have to do a more thorough cleaning of his tissues later.”

Ash pushed himself up on his elbows, his golden brows drawn low. “Rindek propagated the parasites in the lab,” he said.

Cara considered, then looked up at Tyrez. “They’ve been mutated far beyond the natural state. I didn’t find any parasites in the salivary glands, urine, or digestive tracts of Ash or any of the Dragons. They were in the lungs, but they were too large to aerosolize. They were there to consume tissue, not spread. The chances of it spreading directly between Dragons is remote. I think it would have to be a blood to blood transfer.”

Relief flooded Tyrez. If the parasite had been able to leap on its own between Dragons, it could have been catastrophic. He glanced around. “So, once you strip these guys of the parasites, they can go home?”

“I’d feel best if they were isolated from the general population for a bit. Just to be sure.” She glanced down at Ash. “I would like you to go back with the Gryphons. Aphostra might be able to help you.”

Ash’s brows drew down, and his glance to Cara skittered away. “You have removed the parasites. The rest will heal on its own.”

Cara regarded him for a moment. “Well, it’s up to you, of course. But you have been through a lot, and she is an expert at healing all kinds of trauma.”

Ash sat up, looking away from the Watcher and avoiding Dani’s gaze too.

“Is that your other sister?” Dani asked Tyrez.

Tyrez turned to see Bianta approaching. Two male Dragons marched half a step behind her. The set to her jaw and flashing eyes told him she was there on official business.

She stopped just past Ash’s feet. Her gaze glanced off Tyrez’s and landed on Cara.

“The Emperor requests the presence of both yourself and the Oracle.”

Cara raised a brow. “Does he, now.”

Cara’s presence made sense—she was the closest thing they had to an expert on the parasite. But the Emperor wanted to see Ash? Tyrez’s stomach churned. His father wanted to see into the future, and he had no qualms about using Ash to do so. “Ash is not going anywhere without me,” Tyrez announced.

Bianta’s mouth tightened. “The Emperor made it quite clear that you are not welcome.”

“Are you serious?” Dani stood, glaring at her. “Tyrez found those parasites and tried to warn your people. They didn’t listen to him.”

Bianta nodded. “I know. But the Emperor is adamant. And he is Emperor.” Her voice remained firm, but there was pain in her eyes.

Cara rose. “I will come with you. But Ash requires food and rest. He is not ready for an audience with your father. I am recommending he stay with Aphostra. He will be safe there while he heals.” She gestured to Tyrez. “Take him and Dani to the Gryphon realm. I will have Bess reorient the gate for you once Bianta and I have passed through.”

Tyrez raised a brow. Was Cara keeping Ash away from his father? Or was this about him, and the exile?

“My father is accustomed to being obeyed,” Bianta stated, but Tyrez thought she looked relieved. The Watcher was one of the few people who could stand up to his father without fear.

“I am not his subject, and neither is Tyrez, anymore. Ash never was, so your daddy dearest is just going to have to cope.” Cara brushed leaves off her legs. “I will speak with Aphostra, and then we can leave.” She marched off.

Bianta sighed. “Father will be livid.”

Tyrez’s gut sank. “He needs to keep a cool head if he is going to guide the Dragons through this.”

Bianta glanced at him. “Between you and me and the trees, he is no longer able to guide us through any sort of crisis. Taran shouldn’t have been on that mission. We need him.” Her eyes sought out the Dragon in question. He was lying next to Razir. He was no longer bleeding, and the parasites had been removed, but he would never fly again.

Tyrez grimaced. “Well, he was. So we are going to have to deal with the fallout.”

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