The reasonably well lit room started to sparkle, and I realized the supernaturals around me had called on their energy and were now surrounded by the same sort of ghost dragon I’d seen on Mischa. I wasn’t sure what to do. I searched around inside. My dragon flicked her tail at me; I could tell she wanted to know if I needed her. I gave her a mental pat with some of my energy and she was content to lie down again. But nope, there was no ghostly specter energy there for me to touch.

The delusional mystic who was doing all the talking was also apparently a smartass. “Having a problem?” His tone was all smug and mocking.

I shrugged. “Nope, maybe I’m not the same as the other marked. There doesn’t seem to be any spirit energy inside.”

My words all rang of truth, not that I knew if the mystics could sense that or not.

His pupils darted left and right, as if trying to ferret out my secrets.

“We were told that your mark was far larger than any other here. Surely, you must have a greater connection to spirit?”

I shrugged again. “Don’t know what to tell you.”

He met the eye of another mystic. Gerard, I realized. He would have been the one to tell him of the mark.

Ignoring everything else for a moment, I turned to Mischa. “So are you, like, connected to all of these supes?”

I wanted to understand what was happening between the marked. I could actually see the dragon specters intermingling. They did seem to be forming bonds in the smoky stuff.

Mischa nodded. “Yes, it’s as if I can feel their life force, or their energy. I know exactly where each one is. I could find them with my eyes closed.”

She was interrupted by Quale. “Now it is time to really tap into the powers. I want you all to tell us what is on the back wall.”

All heads lifted to stare out across the massive space. I had noticed when we walked in, that there had been words painted on the far wall, but I hadn’t paid attention to what it said. Now, even with my wolf eyes, I couldn’t see the image clear enough, it was too far away. I had a suspicion that in dragon form I’d have seen to that wall and beyond, but I wasn’t connected enough to my dragon to partially shift, so I wouldn’t even try.

It seemed the marked had no eyesight problems. Even Mischa was muttering away next to me before shrieking in joy as she finally managed to zoom her eyesight out far enough.

“This is incredible. I can’t even imagine what it feels like for you to be an actual–”

I cut her off with a loud cough. Even though she had been whispering, there were too many ears in this place.