Bound by Magic And Blood

The whisper sent an icy shiver down Mekeala's spine.

Ezekeil moved in an instant, stepping in front of her, hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. Maya and Jack tensed, their eyes scanning the rows of bookshelves, alert for any movement.

From the shadows, he appeared.

A tall figure draped in deep blue robes, silver embroidery swirling along his sleeves like ancient constellations. His dark eyes gleamed beneath the hood, lips curling into a smirk, sharp as a blade.

"So," he mused, his voice carrying an air of amusement, "you're the fabled Mekeala… and the dragon prince." His gaze flickered between them, unreadable, before settling on Mekeala. "I wondered when our paths would cross."

Mekeala's heartbeat quickened, a mix of fear and curiosity clawing at her chest. Who is this man?

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady but betraying a hint of uncertainty.

The stranger offered a graceful bow. "You may call me Tom."

Ezekeil didn't relax. If anything, his stance grew sharper, his grip tightening on his sword. "And before I cut you down, tell me why you're here."

Tom chuckled, low and dark, like a whisper in the dead of night. "Straight to the point? I like that." His amusement vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "I'm here because of the bond between you two. It's dangerous."

Mekeala's breath caught. The bond… What does he know about it?

Jack frowned, his hand resting at the hilt of his own blade. "What do you mean?"

Tom's gaze locked onto Mekeala, as if he could see the very core of her being. "You already know, don't you? That invisible thread binding you both together—it's no ordinary pact. It was forged in blood, sealed by ancient, volatile magic. And magic like that…" His voice grew cold, eyes darkening. "Has consequences."

Ezekeil's jaw clenched, and his voice grew harder. "Enough with the riddles. What do you know?"

Tom sighed, the sound heavy with years of knowledge and regret. "More than you think." He turned his attention back to Mekeala, his expression unreadable. "You have no idea what's at stake, do you?"

Mekeala lifted her chin, defiance flashing in her eyes. "I know my fate is mine to choose."

Tom's lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "Ah, but fate has a way of tightening its grip." His fingers trailed lightly over a dusty tome on the nearby shelf, as if contemplating his next words. "Cedric… he was a man who didn't believe in fate. That's why he turned to experiments—twisting magic, flesh, and souls to mold destiny itself."

Mekeala's stomach twisted into a knot. Experiments?

Tom nodded, his gaze never leaving her. "You think his conquest of Caelithar was about power alone? It wasn't. It was a testing ground. And your father, King Caesar, played his role well—a desperate man, willing to trade his own blood for strength."

Mekeala froze, her breath catching in her throat. The weight of his words hit her like a hammer.

Jack cursed under his breath, his fists clenched.

Tom's voice dropped lower, each word heavy with warning. "Cedric and King Caesar weren't the only ones involved. Lira—his enforcer—she made sure the experiments bore fruit. And if she succeeds in what she's planning now…" He exhaled slowly, eyes shadowed with grim knowledge. "Caelithar is finished."

Maya's sharp voice cut through the tension. "What do you mean, 'if she succeeds'?"

Tom's gaze flicked to her briefly before returning to Mekeala. "She's after the final piece of Cedric's research—a piece that requires something unique, something only a bonded pair like you two can provide."

Ezekeil's muscles tightened, his voice a low growl. "Enough. I don't care what you say—you're trying to manipulate her."

Tom's smirk returned, but it was devoid of humor. "Oh, prince, I don't need to manipulate her. You already fear what your bond means, don't you?"

Ezekeil didn't answer.

Mekeala's fists clenched, her resolve hardening. "You said the bond is dangerous. That it can be broken."

Tom nodded, his gaze now steady, almost pitying. "There is a spell. Forbidden, yes, but possible." He studied her with an intensity that felt like he was peering into her soul. "If you want to escape your fate, I suggest you find it before it's too late."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Mekeala's mind raced, heart pounding in her chest. Escape the bond? No, she wouldn't accept that. She refused to believe the bond was a curse, a prison.

A memory flickered in her mind—Grace's voice, soft yet firm:

"Hatred will only bring destruction… and vice versa."

Mekeala closed her eyes briefly, grounding herself in the memory. If the bond was born from hatred, it would indeed lead to ruin. But if she chose to walk forward with trust, with strength… it could be something more.

Tom's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing the shift in her thoughts. "A shame," he murmured. "But I suppose we'll see how long your resolve lasts."

He turned to leave, his figure already fading into the shadows. "Try not to burn the world down, dragon prince," he called over his shoulder, his voice lingering in the dim air like a threat.

And then, he was gone.

The tension in the room thickened, like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Jack exhaled sharply. "Well, that was… dramatic."

Maya turned to Mekeala, her voice gentle. "Are you okay?"

Mekeala took a slow breath, unsure of how to answer. She wasn't sure what to think, what to feel. Her mind felt like it was spinning.

Ezekeil, still standing rigid beside her, finally spoke, his tone sharp. "We need to move. Now."

Without another word, they pressed on into the heart of the archive—toward whatever answers lay hidden within its ancient walls. The air was thick with uncertainty, and Mekeala couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.