Page 63 of Dragon Blood

Joey’s brows drew together. “As far as I know, the only way Egan can take another’s form is to have some physical contact with the genetic material. I suppose if it was supplied to her in some other way, she could fake it. But she was searched and given new clothes, so it would have had to be in her system already.”

Astred’s pulse resumed ticking in her temple. “A similar possibility of a targeted attack on the queen? Through some confiscation of her biology for a spell or poison?”

“Yes, it’s possible. The previous King of the Mountain used spell magic linked to his own biology, which transferred to Jori Mountainside at his death. He mentioned sourcing the spells from an unidentified wizard we believe to be a member of the Consortium.”

A growl erupted from Astred’s gut as she stared at the aged face of the council matron staring back at her from the screen. “And the Consortium has access to the Queen of Aeleftheria’s person? I will rip her apart for this.”

Kai’s warm hand slid across Astred’s taut spine, ebbing the rising rage. “Who is she?”

Astred jerked to her feet, fighting the haze impairing her reason as her dragon continued to strain against her confinement.

Now she had a target to brawl with.

And she would be formidable.

Astred snarled, “Council Matron Zadora Steelscale. Your grandmother, Kai.”

He dropped his hand as his gaze met hers, expression stony as her accusation washed over him.

“How is it that the Steelscales are at the epicenter of all Aeleftheria’s turmoil?” Her fingers curled into fists, mind racing.

Was it all a plot? All along?

Jori Mountainside’s ‘accidental’ crash in their territory? His mother, Elora, had been ‘missing’ for decades and found to be in King Kargassa’s mountain. A bid to turn Kymri against her people?

And Marli? Now bonded with Jori’s right-hand man?

Kolina Steelscale?

Astred stared at Kai.

Kai? Is he part of this too? All this time?

She locked eyes with him as the fury continued to crowd her mind, resisting the urge to lunge at him. She didn’t. As much as the raging woman within her wanted to lash out.

Her head spun. She uncurled her fist, resting her palm over her chest to calm herself. Her dragon’s attention was focused on the image of Zadora Steelscale, not on Kai.

She looked at the others then, all silent, watching her facing Kai.

Would they stop her?

She was the only female among these males.

Maybe they’re in on it too?

Astred spiraled, free hand gripping the edge of the countertop.

Finally, her dragon huffed, soothing the raw rage surging through Astred’s body.

‘The conspiracy is not so great. We know there is no deceit here.’Her dragon, her soul, brought up the memory from the Nexus.‘The Nexus strips away all duplicity. If there were any in Kai, it would have been exposed then.’

Astred drew a deep, stabilizing breath.

No. Not Kai.

The memory of his protecting her from the terrifying remnant rose in her mind, shaking the final dregs of her sudden, raging paranoia.

Not anyone else.

---