Free Dragonvein - Book Three by Brian D. Anderson Page B

took a threatening step forward, but he held out his hand.
    “I felt no pain there,” he said. “But here, you would only be harming Ethan.”
    This halted her instantly. “If you ever do that to me again…”
    Her threat drew a round of hearty laughter. “You’ll do what exactly? Kill me?”
    “In a way, yes,” she replied. “I’ll warn Ethan not to trust you. We’ll find a way to get rid of you once and for all.”
    His laughter ceased and his eyes began to glow with a sinister red light. “You’ll do no such thing. Not if you want him to live. And don’t forget who you are talking to, girl. I could kill you with a simple thought.”
    “But if you hurt me, Ethan will never accept your help.”
    Her words struck home. Slowly, the glow subsided and his smile returned. “Forgive my threat. You are absolutely right to be angry. I should have never attempted a seduction. But you are such an alluring creature, I simply could not resist the temptation.” He gestured for her to take a seat on the blanket.
    “I’ll stand,” she told him firmly.
    Martok shrugged. “As you wish.” He sat down and regarded her for a moment, then said: “I want you to convince Ethan that he must allow me to teach you magic. You will in turn instruct him.”
    Kat huffed. “Are you out of your mind? You want me to convince him that he should actually allow you to take over his body? After what you did and all that you’ve told me?”
    “And do you know of another way? If Ethan does not learn what he needs, Shinzan will kill him. Only I can help. This way, you will also get the benefit of learning powerful magic that can help protect him. You want that, don’t you? You want the power to keep your love safe?”
    Martok let his words sink in while Kat regarded him in silence. She hated the man, not just because he had so nearly caused her to lose control and betray the love of her life, but because he was right. More than anything she wanted to possess the power to keep Ethan alive and safe. As things were, she would be all but useless if Shinzan were to come.
    “I cannot forced this on you,” he continued. “You must allow your love for Ethan to guide you. You are wondering if there is a danger that I may completely possess his body. In truth, I do not know. So far, I am only able to maintain my influence over him for short periods. With each minute that passes, I become weaker and he stronger. This might change over time, and it might not. But regardless of all that, one thing remains undeniably true. Ethan is going to die unless you agree to accept my help. Nothing can stop this. Even if you survive Shinzan's minions, sooner or later he will overcome the dragons and venture forth himself. And when he does, he will find Ethan and kill him. He will flay him alive while you watch your love screaming and begging for death.”
    His voice had become as hard as granite. “Understand that the being you are facing is not of this world. He does not care for life or concern himself with love. His sole purpose is to consume Lumnia and all who dwell upon her. He cannot be reasoned with. He cannot be contained. He can only be destroyed. And even with my knowledge and power, this may be impossible. But I am our only chance of salvation. So you must decide now. Will you help me?”
    A tear fell down Kat’s cheek. She opened her mouth. At first nothing came out. Then she managed to whisper a single word.
    “Yes.”
    Martok’s features softened. “Good. Then there is hope.” He rubbed his temple. “It is now time I was leaving. You have my apologies for disturbing your evening.”
    He gave a playful grin before adding: “And for anything else I may have done that was not to your liking.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Ethan sat bolt upright. His head was pounding and his eyes blurry. A pair of soft hands touched his chest, easing him back down.
    “Be still.” It was Kat’s voice. “Give yourself a minute.”
    He rubbed his eyes and shook