Page 64 of Dragon Blood

The strain of too many days, worried sick for her mother’s life and the safety of Aeleftheria, had worn on her. She closed her eyes, regaining her equilibrium, drawing on her mother’s influence. What would Regina do?

‘Tread carefully.’

The exact opposite of Astred’s habit of punching first and asking questions later.

“She’ll be after the seal. That’s what Egan stole from the mountain,” Bayn said.

Joey added, “And as a council matron, she’ll have access to the vault.”

“The vault, yes, but not the seal,” Astred said, rubbing her chest again.

Matron Zadora’s image blinked off the screen, Joey’s taking its place.

Connections began to snap in Astred’s subconscious.

“Joey, you saw the etchings aboard the Crimson Claw?”

“I did. I guessed you figured out that the markings represent locations, since you made it to the nexus and to Bayn’s place.”

Astred nodded. “I recognized Black River right away, but not the other location. Kai said the scratches resembled the eastern territories. Why would my mother send me there?”

Kane was silent for so long, Astred thought the screen had frozen or they lost connection.

“That’s where the Star Stone is hidden.”

The Star Stone, from the legends.

The image of the streaking meteor shot through Astred’s mind.

“It’s with the Shouwàng Zhe,” Bayn hesitated. “Has been since Kolina brought it to us.” He glanced from Astred to Kai. “The reason she met Kai’s father.”

Astred dropped onto the stool next to the counter, weary.

Kai turned away, rubbing at the back of his head. “That explains why we saw the royal compound in the vision.”

“Why would this matron want to do this?” Aaron asked, “and how does Uncle Keone fit into this? This is all dragon politics.”

“Kolina would have needed permission to enter Shield Claw territory in order to reach The Watchers. Especially in those days.” Bayn said. “Things have relaxed since then.”

“Okay, but why? Why would Kolina take the Star Stone to the Watchers? And what is the connection to Zadora Steelscale?” Astred demanded.

“Because I advised Regina to order it,” Joey said. “She had a vision, much like you did, and she sent for me.”

“Why?” Astred persisted.

“Because with the stone, Zadora was too powerful, and it was infecting her. The meteorite made her who she was and acted as a charge when in her proximity. When she threatened to take control of the throne, we agreed that moving it to the care of the Watchers was the best option.” Joey sighed, eyes closed, pinching the bridge of her nose, finally showing some sign of weariness. “I just never suspected Zadora would make another play for control after she’d been stripped of the stone’s power. Hoped against it.”

“But you knew something.”

“Regina’s vision warned of it. But as you know, these things aren’t precise to our understanding of things.”

Astred huffed. “Yeah, I do know.” She rubbed her face. “And really wished I didn’t. But it is what it is. Now I just need to figure out how to get my mother back in the game so she can fix this, and we can all get on with life.”

“Wouldn’t the stone be safer hidden away where it is?” Bayn’s voice drew Astred’s gaze from the tablet.

“Maybe, but that star in the vision… It was overwhelming. It has some role in what’s happening now. Maybe Kolina can use it, or Kymri, after the baby is born. I just don’t know how much time we have before things really go sideways.”

“Could it just be a symbolic representation?”

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