Page 17 of Bound By Fire and Magic
Goron scratched his beard in thought. “Yes, Huff the Becker.”
Her heart gained twenty pounds. So, it was true. “Can you tell me the purpose of the tulpa?”
“I didn’t concern myself with who he wanted to harm. I rather liked his rage against someone whom he vehemently felt had wronged him.”
“Stein,” she said on a breath. “Do you know where Stein Slade is?”
“You think we gods sit here and watch you as though you’re entertainment, the way you do with those silly reality shows?”
“Yes,” Kirin said. “That’s what we’ve heard.”
Goron’s eyes narrowed, rage flaring in their depths—right before he boomed in laughter. “All right, we do. Sometimes. But not every moment. I do not know where your father is, Dragon.” He turned to her. “And no, I do not know where your father is, either.”
“Please, can you help us find them?”
“Do I look like a bloodhound? I am not a finder of things or Crescents.”
“How do we defeat the tulpa?” she asked.
Goron looked beyond her. “It is there now, waiting.”
She and Kirin turned, seeing a black mass hovering outside the circle.
“It must be destroyed,” she said, turning back to Goron. “It’s not natural, for our world or any world.”
Tulpas had been known to do damage to both Crescents and Mundanes. Mundanes saw tornadoes or other elements of nature while Crescents saw what lurked behind the magick façade.
“Please help us,” she said.
“You do know that I don’t care what happens to you or the Mundanes, right?”
She forced a smile. “Not even a tiny little bit?”
Goron held his finger and thumb a fraction apart. “Not even this much.”
She sighed. “How about for a price?”
“Well, there’s an idea.”
“One you have no doubt already considered.” She didn’t want him thinking her dumb or meek. She straightened her shoulders. “Go on then. I will pay it.”
Goron’s gaze shifted to Kirin. “I want Dragon powers for a day. Your power.”
Kirin shot to his feet. “Like fiery hell you’re getting my Dragon.” His tattoo stirred, the Dragon’s claws gleaming.
“Then like fiery hell will I help you,” Goron said in a droll tone, the complete opposite of Kirin’s.
Kirin’s struggle to control his temper was clear on his face. “Why would you want to be a Dragon?”
“To feel what it is like. I am curious and bored. What gem color are you? No, let me guess by your reaction: Carnelian.” He smiled. “Ah, fire, passion, things I have not experienced in a very long time.” Pleasure and anticipation wrapped around his words. “I could have fun with that.”
Kirin crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you, a cross-dresser?”
Goron laughed, which was better than, say, incinerating Kirin. “That’s the deal. It’s the only thing you have that I want.”
Kirin looked at her. She couldn’t ask him to pay that price, not when this had been her idea. Besides, she didn’t know how much it would actually cost him. Could Goron keep them, for instance? Would Kirin wither away with his Dragon, like one whose liver had been extracted suddenly?
Kirin directed his gaze back at Goron. “You can’t harm anyone with my power.”
