“What do you mean?” Adrian asked.
“The job of the protector is to keep the Guardian safe. He’s supposed to die with the Guardian. There’s no returning to the Isle of Stone. If he’s here and the Guardian is dead, he failed.”
“But I’m right here. I am the Guardian of the Godstone,” Caelan argued, hitting himself in the chest with both hands.
Mio snorted. “Then he’s not protecting you right now, and that’s failing too.”
Caelan ignored her comment. “I want to see him. Where is he?”
Mio stepped past him and continued down the path. There was a heavy quiet to the tunnel. There was only the sound of their rough footsteps scraping on the dirt. No rustling of nocturnal creatures or even the wind stirring the leaves and branches. It was as if they were on a road stuck between two worlds. They were leaving behind the kingdoms they knew and stepping into the realm of dragons.
“I heard whispers that he’s on the island and that he’s in prison,” she continued in a low voice. “No one knows what his father has planned for him, but everyone is steering clear of the clan leader. He’s furious. No one speaks of Souta if they wish to remain breathing.”
“I don’t care. I want to see him.”
A low, growly noise that sounded like frustration slipped from Mio and she balled her hands into fists. “I really didn’t expect the Guardian of the Godstone to be such an idiot.”
“I don’t care. Drayce, er…rather, Souta, belongs to me, and I protect what’s mine. I want to see him.”
“We regard Takahashi Souta as part of our family,” Rayne pressed. “We have no wish to upset the clan leader, but we’re not leaving him behind. Maybe if we can speak to him, explain the situation, he will have no qualms with allowing Souta to leave with us once our business is completed.”
Mio looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. He counted himself lucky she didn’t laugh in his face. Obviously, he had no idea what he was talking about when it came to the mind and moods of Takahashi Masaru.
This time she didn’t bother saying anything and she certainly didn’t make any promises, but he was hoping she was at least considering their words. It was the truth. He knew deep in his heart, there was no way they were getting Caelan off the Isle of Stone without Drayce at their side. And if for some reason, Drayce died before they could safely take him away, well…the dragons had better pray for mercy from their Goddess of Fire, because there would be none from Caelan as he wielded the power of three gods.
The silence felt even heavier in the last several yards. Rayne turned over everything Mio had said since they’d met her. So many confusing ideas and comments. So many things he was dying to ask about, but the questions were silenced when they exited the tunnel and the glowing city snuggled within a mountain valley spread out in front of them. It was…breathtaking.
Rayne didn’t quite know what he’d expected, but this had not been it. Maybe he’d thought it would be more rustic and simpler like Temit in Zastrad. Electric lights glowed in the tall buildings, and the streets were busy with small cars and scooters. People crowded the sidewalks and slipped in and out of shops. Music danced on the air along with conversation and laughter. It almost reminded him of Stormbreak, but on a slightly smaller scale.
He glanced back at the way they’d come and then at the city again. Not a peek of light could be seen from the beach or out in the ocean. Not a sound from the cars or music could be heard from the beach. The city was completely hidden from anyone who landed on the Isle of Stone.
“Is this the capital?” Eno inquired.
Mio cocked her head as she gazed up at the guard. “What do you mean?”
“Is this where Clan Takahashi’s manor is located?” Rayne tried.
A harsh bark of laughter left Mio and she shook her head. “Oh, no. None of the clans live here. This is where all the dishonored and half-breeds live.” She waved for them to follow her, but for a moment, Rayne couldn’t get his legs to work. Dishonored and half-breeds? This felt bad. So very, very bad.
Caelan opened his mouth and Rayne’s hand shot out, grabbing Caelan’s shoulder and squeezing hard. The king met his gaze and Rayne silently shook his head. This was treacherous territory, and it was clear that Mio was already sensitive about what made a person a dragon. They could not afford to anger her when they currently needed her to get in front of Clan Takahashi as well as possible access to Drayce. This needed to be handled very cautiously.