Page 76 of Ash

Tyrez stroked his ribs, and his glittering skin slid aside to reveal a packet.

“Razir and I collected these scales in the cave. They belong to Firashe. We sent some to get their DNA analyzed as it should give us the family line, and we may be able to trace it from there. But that will take weeks. I thought Millie could get a read on them.”

Even through the cloth, Tyrez sensed the subtle buzz of energy from the scales, as well as from the crystal shard he’d placed in the bag. His heart spasmed. Before his discomfort could show, he slid the packet across the table.

Millie picked it up and loosened the fastening. When she upended it, a glitter of silver and gold colored scales cascaded onto her palm, along with the crystal.

“Why haven’t they turned to dust?” Dani asked.

Tyrez took a sip of his tea. “As long as they are near my energy, they are fine. But the crystal will stop them from dissolving,” he explained as she lifted the shard.

Millie set the crystal down before lifting a palmful of scales and closing her eyes. Almost immediately, she began to shake.

Dani plopped her teacup down. “What’s wrong with her?”

Tyrez’s heart shifted from spastic to full out racing. He’d seen Millie do readings before, he’d never seen her tremble.

Her fingers opened, and the scales spilled onto the table. Millie took a deep breath, and her eyes popped open.

“What did you see?” Neil and Alex exchanged a look.

Millie’s face had lost all color. “I saw the ocean. Big waves, driven by a vicious cold wind.”

Stormy water, fine. But that didn’t explain her reaction. “Ash was there?”

“Yes.” She refused to meet the Dragon’s gaze. “He was chained to a rock, and in pain. But his mind—all I sensed was darkness. Chaos. It was awful.”

Tyrez’s throat closed up. Stormy weather, and waves. Was what he’d glimpsed in his dream real? But he hadn’t seen enough to identify where it was.

Neil glanced at him before asking, “Any other thing that might help us identify the realm?”

Millie bit her lip, and her eyes filled with tears. “Nothing. I’m so sorry.”

“Keep the scales.” Tyrez’s voice broke, and he cleared his throat. “I’d appreciate it if you kept trying.” He didn’t wait for her nod, but rather rose. He glanced at Jacques. “Keep your ears and eyes open for mention of an ocean realm. Rindek must be hiding there.”

The Satyr nodded.

“He—he might not be alone.” Dani’s voice was barely audible. “In the forest, I saw someone with him. Tall, like him, with long hair.”

Tyrez’s heart accelerated. “Did it look like a Torshin?”

Dani frowned. “What’s a Torshin?”

“Did it look a lot like Rindek?”

She looked away. “Yes. His hair was darker, but he was just as tall and skinny. He was too far away to see details.”

Tyrez exchanged a look with Neil. “Rindek’s not alone.”

The Sabre’s mouth pulled into a grim line. “Might be another Archmage. Or even a Warlock.”

Tyrez ran his fingers over the scorch mark on his brow. Rindek didn’t have the power to do it. Could another Torshin be even more powerful? “Maybe.”

He drained the tea in one long gulp and glanced at Cara.

“It would be best if Dani stayed here with you.”

“Very well.” the Watcher responded as Dani’s mouth dropped open. Tyrez ignored her, striding out the door.

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