Page 82 of Mantle

It had to just be perceptible to supernatural hearing then. “Whistling. Someone’s here.”

As we both scanned the immediate area, it sounded again.

I zoned in on the location this time and spun to my right, staring at the tree line a hundred feet away.

And then a different sort of whistle rang out.

This one, I saw Kai register, as he turned in the same direction as me.

It was a sing-song type of whistle.

And that was when I knew who it belonged to.

I’d heard it before.

It was one of the aggravating things about the asshole in question.

Words followed then, matching the tune of the whistling.

“Dragon Born. Dragon Raised. Dragon Fallen.”

I snarled.Motherfucker.

“Show yourself, Draven!” I thundered.

A sudden, brittle crack echoed across the clearing—like ice splintering beneath pressure, and then a white mist slithered from the tree line, curling around trunks and low brush. Frost chased it, lacing bark and leaves.

And then he came into view, striding confidently and calmly toward us.

Draven Vortimer was like a shadow carved from frost, tall and broad-shouldered. His silver hair whipped around him, flowing down in soft waves past his shoulders. His almost white eyes cut through the night with definitive purpose.

He wore his usual navy coat, thick and heavy, and tailored to his powerful frame. The collar stood high, brushing his jaw, and it was lined with a dusting of frost, a nod to his ice dragon nature. Beneath it, his black shirt strained across his chest.

I frowned as he neared us, not picking up on that usual posturing or readily combative air. Dragons could always smell a challenge. And Draven didn’t smell like one. Not tonight.

“You come in peace,” I spoke when he reached us. “What was with those biting words, then?”

“Ah, my little rhyme? I figured it would set the tone for this meeting more efficiently than a whole speech.”

It actually had.

“Efficiency at the expense of being derisive and antagonistic,” Kai mused. “You may need to rethink your approach going forward and your interactions with any living being.”

Draven grinned. “Advice noted.” He looked Kai up and down in a studious, awed way. “Especially from you. I am deeply impressed, sorcerer. What you were able to achieve against House Titanus is not easily done. Holding down ten dragon enforcersandthe rulers themselves? Unbelievable. An incredible feat. I am in awe of you. House Vortimer could really use somebody like you in their arsenal.” He folded hisarms across his chest. “Unfortunately, outsiders aren’t trusted or welcome in the Dracoryn Realm. And, continuing on with that attitude… this meeting here with Vorzyr and I is dragon business.”

“You are Cornelius’ contact.”

“That I am, sorcerer. Now, please leave us. We have much to discuss.”

I laid my hand on Kai’s shoulder. “He is family. He remains.”

“Hmm… family. Well, you certainly need a new one now. Fine. As you wish, old friend.”

Old friend.Sarcastic bastard.

“He and the other two I am also aware of are not your only family, and that needs to be addressed here. There is also Torvek.”

“Torvek?” I questioned.

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