He may be the single most powerful creature alive in the world today. His guidance should be given serious consideration.”
“His experience with the darkness is of vital importance as well,” Dominic said. “Firsthand dealings with the Taker are unheard of. No wizard would be foolish enough to attempt such a thing … unless they were driven by abject desperation. The result of his bargain is instructive.”
“I have no intention of making a bargain with the Taker,” Alexander said.
“I didn’t mean to suggest that you did,” Dominic said. “I’m referring to the origin of the shades. That they were made by the Taker suggests that they could be unmade by him.”
“But why would he do that?” Alexander asked, intrigued by the possibility.
“The darkness and the light operate according to their own rules,” Balthazar said. “It may be that the fulfillment of Siduri’s bargain could bring the shades to an end.”
“You’re saying that if Siduri died and surrendered to the Taker, the shades would be unmade?”
“I’m speculating,” Balthazar said.
“How can I confirm your speculation?” Alexander asked, sitting forward.
The table fell silent until Malachi started laughing again.
“What do you know that could help me end the shades forever?” Alexander demanded.
Malachi shrugged. “Only speculations.”
“Where can I confirm these speculations?”
“You could go ask the Taker, he might tell you the truth,” Malachi said, laughing softly.
“Or you could ask the light,” Demetrius said. “A creature such as Selaphiel might know.”
“But how?” Alexander said. “I suppose I could ask Chloe, but I doubt she would know. And even if I could confirm your theory, how would I convince Siduri to subject himself to that?”
“You said he was distraught over what had been done to his children,” Balthazar said. “Perhaps he would view it as saving them from a fate worse than death.”
“If he believed me,” Alexander said, “but how could the light ever accept the shades’ souls after what they’ve done?”
“The light is forgiveness,” Demetrius said, looking at Malachi sadly, “provided that your repentance is real. If Siduri’s account is correct, the shades were children when the Taker touched them. As such, they are innocent and worthy of redemption.”
“That’s a lot of ifs,” Alexander said. “I’m not even sure how I would tell Siduri, if I could confirm everything you’ve suggested.”
“I would start in the firmament,” Constantine said. “If he truly resides there, he will be aware of your presence. Perhaps you can communicate with him.”
“Or maybe he’s just a projection sent by Phane to toy with you,” Malachi said.
“Silence,” Alexander shot back, even as doubt crept into his thoughts. He needed the potion to save Isabel. What if Siduri was an illusion, a deception wielded by Phane to prevent him from saving her?
The Sixth Sovereign sat back, looking smug.
Alexander stood, glaring at Malachi.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” he said. “I’ll pursue confirmation of your speculations and seek out Siduri.”
Chapter 12
Alexander soared on the wind high over the ocean, shadowing Aedan as the big, dark green dragon coasted gracefully over his target. Alexander had been waiting for this. He’d been intent on watching this encounter from the moment Bragador sent her agent to retrieve the little black box and Princess Lacy.
They were up high … so high Alexander could just barely make out the ship below. A ship that seemed to be sailing in a giant circle out of the way of normal shipping channels as if it was waiting for something.
The dragon banked and rolled into a dive, accelerating with terrifying quickness. Alexander stayed with him as he let gravity pull him toward his objective. With the sun at his back, the ship’s crew was completely unaware of his sudden approach.
At the last possible moment, Aedan flared his wings, breaking his free-fall and sending a gust of wind into the sails sufficient to cause the entire ship to pitch to one side, causing many of the crew to lose their footing and go down.
He fluidly transformed into a human as he landed on the deck of the ship, striding to the first crewman still standing. “Where’s the princess?” he demanded.
“I don’t know,” the crewman said.
Aedan grabbed him by the lapel and threw him overboard, locking eyes with the next nearest crewman.
“You there,” he said, pointing at the man, “where’s the princess?”
The man turned and ran.
Then Alexander saw him. He was poking his head up through a hatch from below decks. The possessed crewman smiled with gleeful malice as he came up to the main deck. In a crouch, he started toward Aedan.