"I do not believe it was any of us," Racul says, tossing a cross look at his brother. "Ava'Kara gave her life voluntarily," he offers.
Amora scoffs. "I am well aware of what Kara did and why. To preserve this dilapidated, failed experiment of a world. As if the life and soul of a dragon was worth this scrap heap."
My blood boils at her words, and my spine stiffens as I listen. Derek shoots me a cautioning glance.
"What has become of Kara's child? Where is my grandchild?" Amora looks around as if one of the dragons might magically produce her from thin air.
I shift uncomfortably and pointedly do not look at the carriage, even though we might as well be invisible to the dragons. Which suits me just fine.
"We have not yet been to the scene of the crime," Racul admits. "We do not know where the child is."
"Because you were too busy fighting amongst yourselves," she shouts, her words like daggers piercing the hearts of her children. "Behaving much like the vagabond you created this world for."
They all drop their heads. It's clear there's no good answer to that, so they don't try.
"And what of Lyx'Ara?" Amora asks. "Her death was not voluntary. Someone must pay."
"We will begin an investigation," Racul says. "Her killer will suffer."
"You are correct in that my child," she says, a saccharine smile spreading over her lips but never reaching her hard golden eyes. "That is why I have come. To punish those who would harm my children."
Ventus'Arak, the Air Dragon, glances up. "What is your plan?" he asks cautiously.
"My plan," she says, stepping forward, "is to end this little experiment. Once you have found my grandchild and left this miserable excuse for a world, I will destroy it and all who still remain, including my daughter's murderer."
My heart drops to my gut, and even the dragons look shocked.
"Mother, please reconsider," Racul says. "This is our home."
She holds up her hand and a beam of golden light shoots from her palm, hitting Racul in the gut. He stumbles back, grunting in pain. "This is not your home, child. This is your creation, but it is not your home. Your home awaits you in our true world, unencumbered by the muddy mixed races of these substandard beings you've surrounded yourselves with. I've indulged you long enough, and this indulgence has cost me two of my children. I will allow it no longer."
"No!" I shout, stepping forward, the words rush out of my mouth before I can change my mind. I can feel the frustrated and frightened looks of the brothers on me as I approach closer to the dragon.
She turns her attention to me, and it is a fright to behold her direct gaze. "Who dares speak to me!" It's not a question, it's a command.
"Eve Oliver," I say as my power fills me, just as it did the night I confronted Cole. "The Maiden Fate returned." The past, present and future collide, and I feel myself rising from the ground, glowing with light, tinged by darkness, all the elements swirling around me. Wind whipping my hair. The earth cracking under me, bubbling with spurts of water. Fire lighting my finger tips.
I hear the gasps of the other dragons as they witness my transformation, but I keep my eyes locked on the Mother of Dragons. Though the Dragon Council might once have seemed intimidating, they pale in comparison to her formidable presence.
"A return of the Fates," she says, gliding towards me until we are face to face. "What intriguing timing. Tell me, do you know who took my daughter's life?"
"Not yet," I admit. "But give me time. I will find the truth. I will find justice for your daughter, who was also my friend. But you cannot destroy this world."
Lightning cracks around her and her eyes glow a violent gold as power surges around us. "You dare tell me what I can or cannot do, Fate?"
My power pulses and grows, enveloping us both. It's a pissing contest, but a necessary one. She will only respond to power. I feel this instinctively and know I cannot back down. "I do. This world does not belong to you. It no longer belongs to just the dragons. It is all of ours. And it is mine. My soul flows in the lakes and streams, my blood feeds the roots of the trees, my magic powers the winds and sparks the fires… this world is now a part of me, and I cannot let you destroy it."
Her eyes widen and her golden light pools out into long tendrils that extend from her body and dive into the ground, as if testing my claims. "It seems you are correct. You have become part of this world." She doesn't sound happy at the proclamation, but I press my advantage while I can.
"There are good people here. Innocent people. They do not deserve to die for the crime of one."
She pauses, considering her next words. "You may very well be one of the Fates returned, but you are weak without an Order. In the past, the Fates were aided by the Druids, who shared their power and strengthened them. What do you have? You have no sisters. You have no Order. You are nothing."
My power seems to dim at her words, and I don't know how to respond. I hadn't considered the position the Fates had in the past and how that might impact me in the present. It's been a lot to wrap my mind around as it is.
My thoughts race as I flash through everything I've read and learned trying to think of an adequate response, but nothing useful comes to mind. Then Sebastian steps forward, joining me, and bends down on one knee. "I am one of the original Druids and I pledge myself to Eve. She is not alone."
I look down at the handsome Earth Druid, overcome by emotion at his declaration. But before I can respond, Liam steps forward as well.
"I too pledge myself to the Maiden Fate. My power is hers. My service is hers. I am hers."
"And I," says Elijah, joining his brothers.
"We all pledge ourselves," says Derek, taking his place. All four of the brothers are kneeling at my feet, as Amora and I float above the ground in a cloud of power.
The golden dragon studies the Night brothers thoughtfully. "You were a powerful Order once," she says. "And I can see that your magic have returned. But I am surprised that after all that happened, you four would willingly commit yourself to the Fates once more, given all that entails."
I want to ask what 'all that entails' means, but this doesn't seem like a great time to interrupt.
"We commit ourselves to Eve," Sebastian says stubbornly.
"Very well," she says. "Formalize your vows and I will reconsider." She holds up a hand and produces a golden ceremonial dagger and matching bowl, and hands it to Elijah.
Amora moves away from us and the Night brothers circle me as I lower myself to the ground. Then they each call upon their element, letting it dance between us. Fire, earth, air, water.
I can't help but thinking we're missing the light and darkness Cole would bring. But I push aside that thought and focus.
Elijah slices his palm, causing the blood to pool on his skin, then lets the blood drop into the bowl before he passes both to Sebastian. Around the circle they go, cutting into their own flesh, letting it drop into the bowl.
Once all four have done so, Liam, the last to use the blade, reaches for my hand, and I offer it to him, letting him slice into my palm. My blood mixes with the brothers' and Liam takes the bowl and sips it, then passes it around. When it finally returns to me, I realize I'm meant to drink the blood that is left. So I do.