Chapter 30
THIRTY
T wenty minutes later, Ren prowled his mountain sanctuary while Kaito examined tracings of the dark runes. Rook and Lux crowded around the massive table where Eiji had spread their evidence. The hearth fire responded to Ren’s agitation, flames leaping higher with each turn.
“These binding spells.” Kaito’s finger traced one particularly complex symbol. “They’re not just ancient—they’re specific. Designed to target shifter abilities at their core. The same technique George used...”
“To trap his victims before killing them.” The memory of helplessness, of watching Shiara die, threatened to overwhelm him.
“The magical signature matches?” Rook radiated alpha authority as he studied the tracings. “You’re certain?”
“Similar enough to raise serious concerns.” Kaito’s quiet voice carried weight. “The shadow beasts, the binding runes—they mirror George’s exact patterns. No one else mastered that particular corruption of shifting magic.”
“But you said George died.” Lux’s brow furrowed. “How could Linus?—”
“Unless he is George.” Kaito met Ren’s eyes. “Illusion magic can hide many things, cousin. Even death itself.”
The implications hit like a physical blow. If George had survived, had been watching all these centuries, planning his revenge...
“He’s targeting Sabine.” The words tasted like ash. “He knows what she means to me.”
“Then we protect her.” Rook’s voice held no doubt. “My pride, my resources—whatever you need.”
“We all stand with you.” Lux nodded. “But we need proof before we move against him. If we’re wrong...”
“We’re not.” For the first time in centuries, Ren’s dragon and human sides aligned perfectly. “I won’t let him hurt her.” His voice carried steel and fire. “Not while I draw breath.”
Later that evening, alone in his sanctuary, Ren studied Shiara’s pendant. She never took it off, but as she took her last breaths, she pressed it into his hands and told him to hold it for her. Moonlight caught the gems, sparking memories of her smile, her courage, her sacrifice. But now those memories merged with fresher ones—Sabine’s laugh, the spark in her eyes when she teased him, the way their magic reached for each other.
His phone chimed with a text from Sabine: Missing my brooding dragon. The shop feels empty without you prowling around outside.
A smile tugged at his lips as he typed back: I don’t brood.
Sure you don’t. Just like you don’t secretly enjoy my coffee runs or pretend not to watch me through the window.
His dragon stirred with pleasure at her teasing, even as his heart constricted. She deserved to know everything about the danger circling ever closer. But knowledge was its own kind of weapon. Would truth protect her or paint an even bigger target on her back?
A pulse of magic rippled through the air—familiar energy tinged with darkness. Near Sabine.
Ren strode toward his balcony, heart pounding. No more hiding. No more running. Whether friend or foe waited below, he would face it.
His dragon spread massive wings as Ren launched himself into the night, racing toward whatever threatened his mate. This time would be different. He thought of Sabine.
This time, he would protect his mate.