Page 52 of Fire's Storm
Fuck them. I don't need their approval. I need evidence.
I collect several crystal fragments, wrapping them carefully in cloth before placing them in my pocket. As I move through the cavern, I note the pattern of destruction—not random as would be expected from a loss of control, but following specific geometric lines that radiate from where Vulcan and I had stood during our demonstration.
"What are you doing?"
I turn to find Sarla watching me with cold, assessing eyes. Her pale blue gaze holds no emotion as she approaches, her movements fluid and predatory.
"Helping with cleanup," I answer smoothly, straightening to my full height though I still stand several inches shorter than her.
Her eyes narrow slightly. "Your... assistance isn't required. The clan is quite capable of repairing what you damaged."
"What was damaged," I correct her deliberately. "Not necessarily whatwedamaged."
A flicker of something—anger? concern?—crosses her face before the emotionless mask returns. "You should return to your assigned quarters. Your presence here makes the restoration team... uncomfortable."
I smile without warmth. "I'll be done shortly."
She studies me for a long moment, then nods curtly. "See that you are."
As she turns away, I notice something glinting on the floor near where she stood. Once she's out of sight, I move casually toward it and kneel, pretending to examine damage to the floor.
A tiny silver device no larger than my fingernail rests in a crevice between stone tiles. I palm it swiftly, recognizing it as nothing natural to the cavern. Another piece of evidence for our investigation.
I stand, feeling eyes watching me from multiple directions. My welcome has clearly expired. With a final glance around the cavern to cement details in my memory, I exit, heading not toward our quarters as expected, but toward the one place where I know we can find allies.
Raak's private laboratory provides sanctuary from whispers and accusations. Scientific equipment offers objective analysis, specialized instruments provide factual evaluation, technical apparatus supplies empirical assessment beyond emotional reaction.
I watch as Spark examines the crystal fragments—the red-haired scientist's expertise revealing truth beyond public perception. Her copper scales ripple with excitement as she adjusts a crystalline magnification device, projecting an enlarged image of the fracture patterns onto the wall.
"These exhibit classic harmonic disruption patterns," Spark confirms, her scales shifting with excitement despite political implications. "Deliberate frequency interference targeting specific resonance."
"See these spiral formations?" She traces the pattern with her finger. "Natural crystal breakage creates linear patterns. These spiral fractures only occur when harmonic resonance is disrupted by an external frequency generator."
Vulcan studies the evidence with renewed focus—shame giving way to analytical assessment as external sabotage becomes increasingly evident.
"Someone weaponized ancient technology against us," he concludes, his knowledge providing historical context for modern sabotage. "Used harmonic disruption to create artificial bond failure."
I remove the silver device from my pocket, placing it carefully on the examination table. "I found this in the grand cavern. Near where Sarla was standing."
Spark picks it up with delicate metal tongs, her eyes widening. "This is a harmonic disruptor. Ancient technology, supposedly decommissioned after the Sundering because of its dangerously destabilizing effects on dragon magic."
"Supposedly decommissioned," Raak repeats, silver eyes flashing with controlled anger. "Yet here one is, coincidentally present during your public demonstration."
Vulcan leans forward, examining the device with intense concentration. "This alone would be insufficient to cause the level of disruption we experienced. There must have been multiple devices placed strategically throughout the cavern."
"Creating a field effect," Spark agrees, manipulating controls on a scanner to analyze the device more thoroughly. "If positioned correctly, they could establish a resonance pattern specifically targeting your unique frequency."
The scientific confirmation transforms our understanding completely. We weren't victims of our own instability. We were targets of deliberate sabotage.
"We need to find the others," I say, already plotting search patterns in my mind. "If they haven't been removed already."
Raak shakes his head, expression grim. "The chamber has been thoroughly cleaned. Any other devices would have been collected—either by those who placed them or by innocent cleanup crews."
"But we have this one," I point out. "And we have the crystal evidence. That should be enough to prove sabotage, right?"
A heavy silence falls over the laboratory. Raak and Spark exchange glances, a wordless communication that conveys volumes.
"What?" I demand, frustration edging my voice.
