The dragons prowled toward me, the evening sun setting the Long Dragon’s crimson scales afire, its golden claws alight. Their amber eyes lingered upon the gleaming remnants of the soldiers piled around us like shards of hewn marble.

What were these creatures? The Long Dragon’s tone was equal parts gentle and fierce, flowing with the crystalline purity of a mountain spring.

“Resurrected Celestial spirits, stolen from the Divine Harmony Sky,” I replied listlessly.

The dragons reared back, their manes rippling in the wind. A monstrous act. How is this possible?

“The laurel on the moon,” Wenzhi said.

Ahh. A sigh thrumming with sorrow.

Silence fell over us. The Long Dragon’s gaze shifted to my father, shining with recognition. The other dragons stilled, their jaws curving wide. As one, they lowered their heads to him, a sight that stirred me, even mired in despair. They had not known my father as a mortal; all they had heard of the great archer Houyi were the stories told during their imprisonment.

My father bowed, returning the dragons’ respectful greeting. “Yes,” he said quietly, answering a question for him alone. “I have returned.”

The Black Dragon’s voice rang in my mind then: I am glad to be mistaken. I am glad your father is alive.

“Your pledge to me is honored, your debt repaid in full,” my father told the dragons. “You were never meant to have been bound by the pearls. If my powers had not been weakened, I would have freed you the moment you recovered. I’m ashamed that I grew complacent, and content with how things were.”

“A tender scene,” Wugang sneered. “The reunion of old friends, or rather, old servants with their master.”

My eyes narrowed in loathing, thoughts of vengeance a momentary salve to my grief. One thrust of Wenzhi’s sword through Wugang’s skull would end his accursed existence. We did not need him alive; the dragons could help us flee his soldiers.

My gaze flicked up to meet Wenzhi’s. Our minds rode the same dark tide as his grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. We had killed lesser monsters before in the service of the Celestial Army.

“Release me.” Wugang’s tone pulsed with sudden urgency. Perhaps he finally realized that we would show him no mercy. “If you hurt me, my soldiers will destroy all of you here, today.”

“They are no match for the dragons,” I lied, knowing that the dragons could not kill.

Fortunately, the dragons did not betray me, the Black Dragon parting its jaws to display two rows of wickedly sharp fangs.

“My soldiers are more than a match,” Wugang said. “The dragons are creatures of water. Their magic cannot harm my army.”

“They can tear your soldiers into a dozen pieces,” I flung back.