Free Dragonvein - Book Three by Brian D. Anderson

arms, cradling her like a newborn. “That’s better,” he said softly. There was fatigue in his voice, and his legs wobbled as he rose to his feet. He looked up at Kat. “Fetch me something soft to wrap her in, child.”
    Kat hesitated.
    “Now!” he commanded, with all the force and authority of one accustomed to having his orders obeyed instantly without question.
    Kat scurried away to the boat and quickly found a cotton robe. After unceremoniously snatching it from her, Martok carefully wrapped the unconscious dragon, then placed her on the blanket. There was pity in his eyes. “Poor creature,” he murmured. “Made to serve as an old man’s pet when she should have been ruling the skies. You tell Renald that what he has done is unforgivable.”
    “What has he done?” asked a perplexed Kat.
    “He could have lifted the curse long ago,” Martok replied. “But that would have denied him her companionship. So she was forced to suffer for hundreds of years. All because of his selfishness.” He touched Maytra on the neck with his index finger and closed his eyes. “She’ll sleep for a time. But she’ll be all right. Tell Ethan he shouldn’t worry.”
    Hearing Ethan’s name snapped Kat back into the moment. “So you are not trying to take possession of him then?”
    Martok opened his eyes and smiled. “If I could, I most certainly would. And perhaps in the end I will. But for now, all I am doing is trying to keep him alive. And to do that, I need your help.”
    This admission sent a chill into the pit of Kat's stomach. “Why should I trust you?”
    He leaned back on his elbows. “You shouldn’t. But then, you shouldn’t really trust anyone, my dear. There is one thing you must always remember about our people – I’m referring to humans here, though it does apply to dwarves as well - self-interest governs everything we do. My spirit lives within Ethan Dragonvein. But more than that, my existence is irrevocably linked to the power of Lumnia. Should Shinzan be victorious, I will die. As will the spirits of my entire family going back for thousands of years. Needless to say, I do not want that to happen. So though you should not trust me, you can trust that it is in my self-interest that Ethan remains alive and finds a way to defeat our enemy.”
    He rubbed his temple and groaned. “I haven’t much time. Ethan is fighting to regain control.”
    That her love was able to fight back gave Kat some relief.  “What do you want from me?” she asked.
    “You must convince Ethan to allow me to help him. Without my aid, there is no hope. Shinzan is unfathomably powerful. Even more so than I once was. If he had ten lifetimes to learn from Renald, it would still not be enough to defeat the Emperor. Only I can teach him what he must know.”
    “What does that have to do with me?”
    Martok regarded Kat for a long moment before replying. “You are exceedingly lovely, my dear. But I’m sure you know this. And I do believe your love for Ethan to be genuine.” He rose to his feet and took a step toward her. She instantly jumped back, but with a wave of his hand an invisible wall blocked her from moving further. He grasped her chin with his thumb and forefinger, turning her head from side to side.
    Kat wanted to flee, but his touch had her trapped. “Stop it!” she demanded. “Let me go.”
    Martok ignored her pleas. “Yes…quite lovely.” His voice took on an unnatural quality, resonating and echoing as if they were standing in a deep canyon. He placed his palm firmly on her brow. “And strong willed, as well. Yes. A fine choice.”
    Kat could feel heat radiating from his hand, penetrating her flesh to the point of pain.  There was no respite. The heat’s intensity continued to increase, causing her to suck her teeth. She wanted to get away, but was still held fast by Martok’s power. Then, in a flash, it ceased.
    “Are you all right?” called Ethan’s voice.
    She realized that her eyes were closed.