Page 82 of Fated By Fire

He laughs, the sound dark and derisive. “You’ve always had special abilities, Elena. You know it. You’ve made a business out of them. You just haven’t had any way to develop them to their true potential.”

“That’s bullshit,” I say weakly, but the words feel hollow. Deep down, I know there’s truth to what he’s saying.

“All these years, generations of Rossewyns have had those powers,” he continues, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. “That’s why they kept themselves hidden. To avoid being exploited.”

“By people like you!” I spit, my anger flaring.

“No. By the Cravens. The very clan who was sworn to protect them. They’re the ones who have abused their power.” Hatred darkens his features, his voice dripping with venom. “They’ve been corrupted by time and wealth. Grown idle. Uncaring of our heritage.”

“I thinkyou’vebeen the one corrupted, Malakai,” I retort, narrowing my eyes at him.

He shakes his head, his expression almost pitying. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, girl. What I’m holding is your heritage. This amulet was treasured, hidden away for centuries, from when Lyria sacrificed herself. Your mother was its guardian, meant to keep it safe until the time was right.”

“Right for what?” I demand, my voice trembling.

His eyes gleam with a fanatical light. “For the restoration. For dragons to reclaim their rightful place in the world. To step out of the darkness into the light.”

Horror dawns as his plan becomes clear. “You want to reveal yourselves? But why?”

“So we can do what we were born to do, stupid girl. To rule,” he sneers. “To rule everything.”

“You mean… to dominate humans?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“We are apex predators,” he says, his voice rising with conviction. “We were meant to rule, not hide in boardrooms playing at being human. The world has grown weak, corrupt. It needs cleansing. Order.”

“You’re insane,” I breathe, my voice barely audible. “There are billions of humans. They have weapons, armies—”

“Which is why we need the Heartstone.” He holds up the locket; it seems to be glowing faintly. “With its full power unleashed, amplified by Rossewyn blood, we could control them all. Bend them to our will.”

“It would be a massacre,” I argue, my voice rising in desperation. “Even if you succeeded, humans would fight back. They’d rather destroy everything than submit. And what about the dragons who don’t support you? Caleb—”

“Caleb,” he spits the name like it’s poison, “is weak. Like his father. They’ve forgotten what it means to bedragon.” Hestoops closer, his eyes burning with intensity. “But I have plans for the resisters. The Heartstone can control dragons as well as humans. With your help, I’ll reshape the world.”

“I won’t help you,” I say firmly, though fear churns in my gut. “I’d rather die.”

He smiles, the expression chilling. “You don’t have a choice. The power is in your blood. Whether you cooperate or not, I’ll use you to access the stone’s true potential.”

Before I can respond, a distant explosion rocks the chamber. Dust and debris rain down from the ceiling as another blast follows, closer this time. Malakai’s head snaps up, his expression shifting from triumph to wary anticipation.

“Ah. I wondered if they’d take the bait,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

“Who are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide with fear and confusion. Another deafening crash reverberates through the chamber, the walls trembling as if they might collapse.

“The Syndicate,” Malakai snarls, his form already beginning to shift into the half-human creature I’d seen before. His skin darkens, scales rippling across his arms as his fingers elongate into claws. “Right on schedule.”

“Schedule?” My voice shakes as I struggle to process what’s happening. “You knew they were coming?”

He grins, his teeth sharpening into fangs. “Of course. Why do you think I brought you here? To lure them out when your white knight comes to rescue you. Let them fight over the scraps while I claim the true prize.”

Another explosion rocks the chamber, and through the chaos, I feel something stir within me. My mother’s locket pulses brighter, resonating with a strange, ancient power deep in my chest. It’s as if a dormant part of me has awakened, a force I’ve always felt but could never name.

Malakai looms over me, his clawed hands reaching for the ropes that bind me. I twist and writhe, desperate to escape, but I’m powerless against his strength. He yanks me to my feet, his claws raking deep grooves into the soft flesh of my upper arms. I cry out, the pain sharp and searing.

“Get your hands off me, you… youanimal!” I yell, my voice trembling with rage and fear.

“Animal? Oh, you have no fucking idea,” he says, his voice a guttural growl. He laughs again, the sound lifting the little hairs on the back of my neck. “Come, girl. It’s time to find out what Rossewyn blood can really do.”

He drags me forward, his grip like iron, and I stumble after him, my mind racing as the chamber shakes around us. The glowing symbols on the walls pulse faster, their light intensifying as if responding to the chaos.

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