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DRAGONPHEAR

Just as Kumyr had given up on the ghost’s instruction, a dark bird skimmed the treetops in the direction of the palace. The wings flapped like a bat without the erratic movements. But it wasn’t a bird. It was a darkmatter dragon, black as midnight.

“The second scout!” Kumyr cursed under his breath.

The dragon soared over the outer wall into the city. It glided above the heads of the bored guards, landing on a rooftop close to the balcony. The darkmatter dragon’s tail curled around its silhouette of flawless shadow. The serpentine head swung side-to-side like it was hunting.

Darkmatter Forge

Strange breathing came from the edge of the ruins as the shadows darkened.

Although his sunpuppy was at his feet, Kumyr was suddenly frightened, so he unsheathed Wvalkis. He no longer had to call on the darkmatter to cover his weapon. He was grateful for the Forge in Light’s Fate, not only for himself, but for all of his companions. They all had the means to defend themselves against the powerful enemies arrayed against them.

Six people shuffled out of the shadows. Their movements seemed awkward to Kumyr in the dim light his sunpuppy provided. They appeared to be humans with misshapen heads. Sharp, long nails poked through the ends of their gnarled hands. Red-streaked eyes stared with hunger.

“Vampires,” he whispered. Kumyr was angry and sad in the same moment. These people were the victims of Yugor’s evil. They all had families and loved ones. He wondered how many more had been contaminated by the nano-plague. “We’re going to have to kill them, girl. It’s the only way to break Yugor’s control and put them out of their misery.”

Nuriah’s reddish-orange glow brightened as the circle slowly tightened around them.