Ryson wanted to stop everything and take over.
He thought he could do it, too. That was a heady feeling. He had powers he had never dared draw on since his capture by Lord Bear. It had not just been about getting control of him. Yes, he had wanted that link to Kono, but more than that, he wanted Ryson as his heir.
That was the future Ryson had refused for himself and did his best to deny to anyone else. Bear had seemed more frustrated than angry, and at that point he had lost control of the berserkers and himself.
The berserkers had tried to kill Ryson. Bear had gotten him free and into Tsak's hands. Bear had not wanted him injured – not then. He was still in control. He had just never thought a human would turn down such power as he offered. His only contact with humans had been the berserkers, and they had almost all joined the army for the power they gained.
Ryson had said no.
Ryson had the feeling he was not going to give up easily. In fact, he was aware that the berserkers were coming down the well. He could feel the drums more than hear them.
He could take over here and get things moving before the enemy arrived. However, to do that, he would have to call upon his own berserker powers. Could he pull back from them again?
"What are you thinking about?" Callum asked.
"Taking over," he admitted.
"And you think you could?"
Ryson looked at his cousin, glanced at the queen, and back. He said nothing, but he could feel truths bubbling upward to take hold of him and his world. Callum looked at the sky and studied the circle that still stood there and would still drop more trouble in their midst. Then he looked beyond toward the black clouds that swirled and surged and maybe gave distant cries of challenge.
"I have powers," he finally said. Admitted. Callum nodded as if that had always been obvious. Maybe it had been to everyone but him. "They're linked to the berserker powers. I don't want to use them for fear of what will happen to me."
"That's not what you fear. You worry about what you will do to others."
He wanted to argue, but he didn't. "What will we do, Callum?"
"Whatever we have to do. Don't hold back for fear of what might happen. We all have to use our powers in this trouble."
By now, they could all hear the drums. Rayson pulled his thoughts together, and although he didn't make a decision, he knew he would help in whatever way he could.
And then maybe they could go home.
Someone laughed nearby.
Ryson did something he had feared to do for years now. "Show yourself!" he commanded.
The laughter stopped with a startled gasp. Ryson turned to the right, where a sudden mass of vapor began to swirl and take on a human shape. Lights twinkled and the sound of the drums faded to a distant throb.
She became solid.
Not human. Fae.
She turned to him and smiled. For a moment, he expected her to laugh again, but she had a different look now. Puzzled, perhaps.
"I didn't think you would come back within his reach," she said,
"We have matters to settle still," Ryson replied. He bowed his head. "Lady Bear."
"I thought you would know me. How could you stand to be here?" She looked at the others, pausing more at Callum than Kono. Ryson's two companions stayed close but kept quiet. "This matter has become too complicated. My Lifemate hoped to disband the berserkers before the Dragon Core awoke. After so many centuries, they have become almost impossible to control. "
"Why were you laughing?" Kono asked.
"Because, despite all our powers and magic, it comes down to the humans to save us."
Ryson had an almost uncontrollable urge to laugh as well. He looked at his companions, who looked more chagrined than amused. Kono looked worried. Callum glanced back at the sky and the clouds growing ominously large while they talked.
The opening to the well swelled larger and brighter. People dropped out of it, both berserkers and Dradeni, already fighting.
"Why couldn't they have dropped into the muck?" Kono demanded. No one answered her.
"How do we stop this insanity?" Ryson asked.
"Your cousin Callum must get to the dragons and explain the situation so that they take control of the link forged between themselves and their human guards. This will not be easy. Dragons do not understand human – or fae – motivations. We have taught Callum all the fae know about dragons. We hope it is enough."
Ryson thought his cousin didn't look worried enough. It was not reassuring. Even Kono looked increasingly worried, especially once the drums began to beat. She grabbed Ryson by the arm and then snagged Callum as well. Ryson sensed the power in those links.
"How do we reach the Dragon Core?" Callum asked.
"The Dragon Core comes to you," Lady Bear replied. She pointed to the sky where the black clouds separated into hundreds of dragons.
No, they were not ready.
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