“What of Ember?” I asked, almost dreading the answer. “I mean...what does Talon plan to do with her, now that she refuses to cooperate?”

“You needn’t worry, Dante.” The Elder Wyrm gave a faint smile, not fooled in the slightest. “She may be uncooperative now, but we have ways of making even the most stubborn see reason. Often, all it takes is time. Now that she is here, back where she belongs, I am positive that she will come to accept her place in Talon.” She met my eyes, solemn and terrifying, and I instantly dropped my gaze. “Rest assured. I have no intention of killing your sister. You have my word on that. Now, go.” She turned and walked back to her desk, brusque and businesslike again. “You are no longer needed here. Ember is home, and now we must turn our sights to the future.” The Elder Wyrm sat down and folded her hands on the surface of the desk, her eyes piercing. “Our greatest moment is at hand, Dante,” she said, her voice sending shivers up my spine. “All the pieces are in place, poised for that final move. The final checkmate. And you are the one who will bring it to pass. I await word of your success.”

I left the Elder Wyrm’s office, feeling torn in several directions at once. Of course I had to obey the Elder Wyrm. There was no doubt in my mind. Once the leader of Talon gave you an order, you had to carry it through. And this was our most important project to date. Our entire future hung in the balance. I knew it was a great honor, being chosen to carry it out.

But at the same time, I was loath to leave. Ember was finally home. I wanted to talk to her, if not to convince her to join us, then to attempt to understand why she was being so stubborn. How could she not see the huge potential staring her in the face? We were the offspring of the Elder Wyrm. Why couldn’t she think about what we could do together, once we both ruled Talon?

I needed someone to keep an eye on her while I was gone, to make sure she was all right, and that she wouldn’t somehow sneak off again. The guards were competent, I supposed, but they didn’t have a vested interest in my sister. And Ember, as I’d seen time and time again, was just stubborn and crafty enough to be dangerous. Even if she couldn’t Shift, she might be too much for them to handle. I didn’t trust any of the humans in this place to keep my sister safe, to be competent enough to deal with her.

But...there was someone who could.

Making my decision, I headed for the elevator.

Chapter 20: GARRET

GARRET