Prince of Fire | Dragonfire Book One

Capitolo Dieci

The bond among dragons is more than blood; it lies within the internal telecommunication of thoughts and the kinship with fellow dragons.

~ Draconic Book of Songs

Chapter Ten

As soon the the hunters left the room, Dante finally loosened up and faced Evelyn. The blonde straightened her back, eager to finally discuss with him.

"How are you?" Evelyn immediately asked, like a concerned mother. Dante figured that her absence from her daughter had induced a need to materialize maternal instincts.

He gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you for asking. I'm doing fine. Are they treating you well?" he asked. However, his indirect question was whether or not she had been forcibly coerced to reveal any additional or sensitive information.

Evelyn nodded. "I'm doing well. The Order has been very hospitable, and Elena has been especially kind in these past two days. She had been the one to find me after you helped me escape and she allowed me to go to the store last night when she wasn't required to."

At first, Dante was relieved to find out that she hadn't been tortured for information. Then, he felt his mind stir with Evelyn's additional details about Elena. Apparently, she was kind. From his interactions with her, she was respectful and courteous at the most, but one look into her eyes and he could see cunning and cold calculations. Maybe she was amiable to others, but he knew she was ruthless underneath.

Perhaps even ruthless enough to betray him in the end.

He hadn't missed the look of shame on Elena's face when she had realized that the other huntress had been watching their spar. He didn't doubt that she would do about anything to keep from disappointing the organization or the huntress who appeared to be her mother. After all, they did look similar enough to be related as a mother and a daughter, with the same eyes, bone structure, and general complexion.

Dante forced himself to pry away from the topic and threw himself into a more important matter: Dracula. He needed to regain his focus and remember his original mission. He didn't have time to deal with the huntress when he needed to capture Dracula and bring him back to Eon. Dante shared only that sentiment with Elena: the goal to please superiors.

Dante immersed himself back into the discussion. "Because we have been interrupted the last two times, I really need to ask a question," he started, watching Evelyn's face grow slightly wary. "Do you have any idea where the Jade Chalice is? Or, more importantly, what did you tell Dracula when you were in captivity?"

Dante carefully examined her expression as she heard the question. Shame crept across her face, painting a pale red streak. "I told him everything I knew," she admitted, defeated by her weakness. She looked down at her clasped hands and twiddled her fingers nervously. "He threatened my life and my family, and he made me watch...the killings."

Dante almost felt impassive about the news because it seemed obvious and repetitive. The sadistic action was resonant with Dracula's characteristics. Even if Evelyn hadn't mentioned Dracula's name, he would have associated the action with Dracula anyway. Yet, Dante was still puzzled over Dracula's resurgence and behavior. The last few decades seemed to be free of brutal, mysterious slaughterings that screamed Dracula's name. Dante didn't doubt that Dracula had snaked his way to the tops of governments and executed his vicious will from there, but why the return to previous techniques?

Dante's only answer was desperation. Dracula was desperate. With the chance to resurrect his dead mate, he didn't want to waste time by having others do his bidding for him.

But, Dante suddenly remembered Dracula's chilly words from the cave. He had mentioned something about dethroning Eon, and Zara's amplifying power could precipitate that fate. So, was Dracula more eager for his mate or for revenge?