Page 40 of Rhadan

Alana shook her head. “We have to find an alternative.”

Mara rubbed her forehead. “Alana. Are there any other artifacts that can boost Adara? There has to be something we can use?”

Alana shook her head. “The only thing powerful enough to create this much power is another temple, and the only one in our world is Geram’s. Adara would fall before unleashing that monster on humanity. It took the power of all three temples and the combined power of the mage council to cage him. If he were released, it would be the end of this world as we know it.”

“He seeks the death of humanity?” Tempest asked. She heard about Geram and his attempt to enslave his own people as well as the druids, but she didn’t know why.

Mara shook her head. “I asked Adara about his temple after Jemma sealed it. Adara said he seeks to rewrite this world in his image. None of us know what that means, but nobody wanted to find out. Prior to his capture, he created monsters that had to be destroyed, but even the mages weren’t sure if they were his new vision or just sentinels he created to act as his personal guard.”

“Sounds gruesome,” Tempest said.

“He was a monster. When Geram ruled the mage council, they rose up against him after he turned his own kind into those creatures. The mages enlisted the help of the temples, and he was tricked into his current cage.”

Legion nodded. “It is mentioned in the dragon scrolls. Our forebearers attempted to kill him and he was immune to dragon fire and magic. I do not seek Ren’s death, but I agree with Adara. Geram’s temple must not be disturbed. The fallout would be worse than death.”

Thorn entered the cavern with Ella at his side. Tears streamed down her face as fire ignited in her mate’s eyes.

“It’s not happening. We can’t sacrifice Ren.”

Legion frowned. “How did you find out about Ren?”

Thorn’s eyes flicked with fire. “The bastard just said goodbye to me.”

CHAPTER 22

Tempest shivered before Rhadan put his hand on the small of her back, and warmth infused her body. There was dead silence in the cavern, and the swirling mist around the temple seemed to reach for them in comfort.

Ella wasn’t wearing a cream robe as she wasn’t a circle holder, but she was a talented artist and druid. She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Please, we have to find another way.”

“I agree with Ella. We have to find another power source. Why would someone need to give their life? Isn’t that dark magic?”

Legion sighed. “It is an exchange of power. Adara’s entry into this world is like a birth of sorts. If an entity enters this world, then another must be released.”

Alana sighed. “That’s why the temple of Geram was the only other option. But if its power would be absorbed, why not use it. A siphoning spell cannot be stopped once it’s started.”

Legion shook his head. “If the legend is true, we can’t confirm any of the information we have on Geram’s temple is accurate. Also, there could be other... creatures within the temple. Geram would sacrifice another before allowing his own power to be absorbed.”

Mara glanced toward the temple. “I wish we could speak with Adara. I would rather sacrifice a mage madman who tried to destroy the world than Ren.”

“Agreed,” Thorn said.

“Why is Ren suggesting this? Surely, he knows the mage temple would work as a power source.”

Thorn nodded. “He does, but it is the only thing besides his that will open the rift. He considers me his son and mine and Ella’s baby, his grandson. I absorbed his genetic material, so while I was not born of him, I am part of him, as is my son. He will die before taking a chance that Geram is unleashed on the world.”

Alana clutched the pendant at her neck. “I was meaning to give this to you later for your birthday. I can give it to you now. I don’t want to be disrespectful, but if Ren tries to sacrifice himself, I am putting him to sleep.”

Thorn smiled. “I like the way you think, Alana.”

Alana’s finger moved over the stone on her necklace. “I can’t believe he is trying to do this. He knows what his death would do to you.”

Thorn nodded. “He does. We are still connected in a way. He has been able to speak with me telepathically since the temple started to form in the cavern.”

There was a whirling sound, and all of them turned toward the temple. The mist began to solidify, and the cavern trembled, causing small rocks to fall from the ceiling. Legion erected a shield above their heads, and the dust and pebbles bounced off harmlessly. “What is going on?”

Thorn stepped forward, and his roar was echoed by his dragon. “No!”

Ella touched Thorn’s arm. “Honey, what is it?”

---