Bound in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 3)
Bound in Blood: Chapter 14

I clear my mind and focus on Anikêtos.

His snort of derision soon fills my head. What is it now, annoying human child?

I can’t help but smile at his grumpiness. If he found me that annoying, he simply wouldn’t speak to me. Actually, I’m an elementai, I remind him.

I think you will replace that you are still a human. Perhaps an enhanced version of the species, but human all the same.

I hope I haven’t interrupted your mating bond this time.

If you had, I would return to the mortal realm simply to burn you to ash. Now, what is it?

I need your help.

I gathered as much when you invaded my thoughts on this otherwise peaceful day. What do you need my help with?

Do you have any idea where Giorgios or maybe even the Order might be keeping Alexandros? Perhaps Giorgios was lying and the Order truly does have him.

The Order will not be keeping him anywhere. They are prohibited from interfering.

Okay. Giorgios, then. Wherever he is, I can’t reach him. Which is strange, right? I can speak to you in the netherworld, but I can’t speak to him wherever he is.

There are places within the mortal realm where a bond cannot be felt. Nor a mind be read.

I chew on my lip. Of course. Like Thucydides Library?

He simply snorts.

It’s a library carved into the bedrock of Montridge Peak.

I have no desire to learn of its existence, Ophelia.

I roll my eyes. Dragons are so grumpy. I’m just explaining what it is. Do you know of other places like that?

He doesn’t reply for a moment, and I’m worried he’s decided to end our conversation prematurely, but then he speaks again. In order to suppress someone with Alexandros’s power for a sustained period of time, it would have to be a place with a vast amount of magical energy.

That makes sense. But like where?

They are often underground caves or chambers, much like the library you spoke of. Which is why the Order makes their home in the base of a sacred mountain in Greece.

So he could be there?

If I am going to acquiesce to these lessons you are forcing upon me, Ophelia, then I insist you pay attention. His ire is quite apparent, and I am sufficiently chastised.

The Order doesn’t interfere. I’m sorry, Anikêtos. I take a second before asking my next question. Are you aware of any other places with that kind of power?

There are but a few places imbibed with such powerful magic. The slate mountains of Wales, the silver mines of Peru, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Qilian Mountains of China. All have mountains connected to ancient dragon magic and would therefore be strong enough to hold him.

They all sound so far away. The thought of him alone anywhere without us is hard enough. Are they hurting him to keep him compliant? Is he wondering why we haven’t come for him?

If that is all.

No! I wince, but he can’t disconnect yet, so I hurry to continue before he can chastise me for my tone. I have one more thing to ask of you, Ani. I swallow hard. This one’s a doozy, and I have no idea how he’ll respond. I guess the worst thing he can do is say no. But if he does, I have no idea what my next plan will be. I am all out of options. I’ve tried reading Giorgios’s mind dozens of times, but it’s like he’s got a wall of granite up inside there. And if Enora’s suspicions about him completing the ritual to permanently sever our bond are correct, we have two more days, three if we’re lucky.

And that is?

You once said you may one day return to the mortal realm if there was a strong enough reason.

He doesn’t reply, but I can still feel him. Breathing. Waiting.

Would helping to save the life of your oldest friend be considered a good enough reason?

Elpis is my oldest friend. Her life is not in danger.

I roll my eyes but manage to keep the irritation out of my tone. My time is running out, Ani. I have reason to believe Giorgios is going to permanently sever my bond with Alexandros, and I have a terrible feeling that will mean Alexandros becomes dispensable. I figure I have a week at the most before he can perform the ritual.

He intends to impregnate you with his child?

You know of this ritual?

My kind have lived forever, Ophelia. There is very little we do not know.

So it’s an actual thing, then? Tears well in my eyes. Not just some ancient story told around a crackling fire and then written in a book? It can be done?

It is a ritual; however, I am not aware of it ever being successfully performed, and I am not sure if Giorgios is capable of such a powerful spell.

Enora thinks he might be. She’s a witch, by the way, a powerful one, and another friend of Alexandros’s.

He snorts like he has no need of such trivial information, but I’m reminded of what Enora said to me. Something I didn’t have time to question her about given the other information she imparted immediately after. She said some people think I might be more than an elementai, Ani. What does that even mean? What is more than an elementai? And last night, Giorgios mentioned a prophecy. He said some people think it’s about me.

His growl is low and contemplative.

He knows. Of course he does. Dragons know everything, right?

Ani?

There is a prophecy, Ophelia. One that speaks of a child who will bring balance to chaos.

Now I’m even more confused. What chaos? I know the world is pretty messed up, but it’s the way it’s always been, isn’t it?

Not always. My kind left your world when the darkness of man’s heart began to cast long shadows over the light. And then, when the elementai were destroyed … A light went out that will never be replenished.

I shiver, overwhelmed by the chill of defeat. I have not known Anikêtos very long, but this is the most sentimental I’ve heard him. I shake off the negative feelings and refocus. What does that have to do with me?

You already know the answer, Clandarragh.

He’s called me that before. The Chosen One. You think it’s me too? I scoff. I’m this child who’ll bring order to chaos?

I did not say that.

You literally just called me the Chosen One.

You are Alexandros’s chosen one, that does not mean I believe you are the savior of man and magicalkind, Ophelia.

That’s because⁠—

But there are some who believe you are.

Um, hello. Have they met me?

I am not in the habit of massaging egos, Ophelia Hart. I have given you the answers you seek, now leave me in peace.

Please, Ani, I beg, pushing all ridiculous notions of prophecies out of my head. We’re trapped here. I can barely use my powers. The boys will be back to full strength tomorrow, but there’s no way they can take on all of Giorgios’s guards.

What exactly are you suggesting I do, Ophelia? Dragons are prohibited from harming sons of House Drakos unless in self-defense.

I did not know that, and I suspect he’s not going to give me a history lesson and explain why right now. So as much as I would love to—all these archaic laws fascinate me—I don’t press him on it.

I merely want you to orchestrate a breakout.

He snorts.

You just have to land on the grounds and fly me and the boys away from here, and that’s it.

And then I leave you all to freeze to death in the Himalayas? That does not sound like a good enough reason to risk returning to the mortal realm.

As soon as I’m away from these hallowed grounds, I’ll be able to use my powers. I’ll get myself and the boys to safety. I just need out of here. And fast.

And truly what risk is there to you, Anikêtos? Elpis joins the conversation, and I swear, if I ever get to see her in the flesh, I am going to kiss her beautiful dragon-y skin. You are a dragon. The mightiest dragon to ever stalk this earth. You can cloak your appearance, and there is no army of vampires who can tame you. Tame us. Because if you think you are returning to the mortal realm without me, then you are very much mistaken.

I did not say I was returning, he huffs.

His protest notwithstanding, I’m flooded with hope and relief, so much so, I can barely contain my exhilaration. He hasn’t said no. And Elpis seems on board.

I know I ask a great deal of you, and I know you owe me nothing. But Alexandros is your friend, is he not? And apparently, I’m some super powerful being. You don’t need anything from me now, but should you ever need anything, anything at all, say the word and I’m there.

That is a dangerous promise to make to a dragon, Ophelia. For an oath like that cannot be broken and you have no idea what I would demand of you.

I know you are the keeper of the cradle of magic, Anikêtos, and that means you are a creature of honor. And whatever price you ask of me, I will gladly pay it if you will grant me this one request.

He grumbles for a moment. Finally, he says, Let me take some time to consider it.

We don’t have time. But I know better than to say that. How will I know when you’ve made a decision?

You will know, Chosen One.

Then he’s gone.