Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)

by Jacquelyn Smith

  After two weeks of failed experiments, Vlaz was nearly at his wit’s end. Nothing they had tried to control the Quenya had worked. More than fifty of his drakhalu had been destroyed in the process. Their numbers had already been decreased by the battle of Vila Eadros. This was unacceptable.

  It did not seem to matter whether the drakhalu that tried to handle the Quenya were born of the dark spirits that had roamed Ralvaniar before taking physical form, or if they had once been Shadow Elves that had never borne its touch. All had died in their attempts. Vlaz was glad he had not tried to touch the Quenya himself. He shuddered at the thought.

  He hurled a silver goblet at the richly carved cave wall in frustration. Droplets of still warm blood spattered the plush carpets. Nargaz’s words echoed through his mind, mocking him. Although he hated to admit it, he needed the dragon’s help. He must gain control of the Quenya. He only hoped the cost was not too high.

  Having made his decision, Vlaz decided to go outside to cool his rising temper. His internal clock told him the sun had set hours before, making the world safe for him once more. He opted to take the main passage to the surface, rather than his private one. The dangerous expression on his face caused any drakhal in his wake to cringe in fear before making their obeisance. Things did not go well for them when the Orag was angry. Vlaz basked in the dread he incited with his passage. He felt better with each step.

  Once he emerged from the womb of the caverns into the dark freedom of the night, those lingering on the rocky mountain path outside the opening scattered before him like a flock of startled birds. He suppressed a feral grin and continued without acknowledging them. The journey to his private balcony wasn’t long. The wide ledge that hugged the sheer side of the mountain was his favorite place to think. By the time he rounded the final corner of the narrow path, the darkness had filled him with a sense of calm and purpose. He must find a way to bring eternal night to Ralvaniar!

  The presence of an enormous shadow looming on the balcony startled him to alertness. His dark eyes narrowed, discerning flesh from rock. So this was the game Nargaz played. Vlaz wondered how long the creature had been waiting for him.

  “Hail, Nargaz,” Vlaz intoned in a mocking voice, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Hail, Vlaz.” The dragon’s voice held a note of humor. “I have come to see how you are faring with the Quenya.”

  “I’m sure you already know how I am faring.”

  “Sad, but true.” Nargaz heaved a gusty sigh that reeked of brimstone. “Very well. I will drop the pretense. I know you have lost many drakhalu in your experiments. I have come to see whether you are ready to accept my offer.”

  “How is it you have a solution for my dilemma?”

  “Do you expect me to let you in on my little secret now, before you have agreed to my terms? Really, Vlaz.”

  “Terms?”

  “Oh, you didn’t expect me to help you out of the goodness of my heart, did you?”

  Vlaz pushed past the anger that rose inside him. He could not allow his pride to get in the way of his goal. He dropped his folded arms to his sides and buffed his nails on his silk tunic with feigned nonchalance.

  “Very well. Name your terms.”

  “The Quenya must be kept at Hamadi Glaurinu. I will not have you using it against me or my dragons. We will decide together how best to use its power. It is time we stopped this petty infighting. If we united and found a way to bring the Fire Folk to our side, we would be unstoppable.”

  “If we are to work together, why must the Quenya be kept in your mountain? Why can’t it stay here?”

  Nargaz chuckled before turning serious once more. “Because I do not trust you. There is no oath you could swear to convince me otherwise. The word of a drakhal, your word in particular, means nothing. The Quenya gives me no leverage over you and your kind. My dragons and I can wipe you out any time we choose. However, your fangs are rather ineffective against our scales, and so I cannot trust you would not be tempted to use the Quenya against us to gain supreme power. It would not be against your nature to do so.”

  Vlaz bit back a retort. Nargaz was right. Although initially he would be consumed by his goal of destroying the elves, eventually he would turn his gaze to his dragon neighbors. He didn’t like the terms, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to persuade Nargaz to change them. All he could do was agree. It would at least get him what he wanted as far as the elves were concerned. A possible future alliance among all the creatures of darkness, including the Fire Folk was intriguing. He would have to figure out how to deal with Nargaz later. He also had to admit he was curious. How had Nargaz found a way to manipulate the Quenya?

  Vlaz sighed, looking bored. “I agree to your terms, unnecessary as they are.”

  “I suspected you would.” Nargaz’s grin was smug. “Go fetch the Quenya and I will show you what I have in mind. Now that you have agreed, there is no reason for delay.”

  Vlaz bit back a snarl at the dragon’s lofty tone as he sent him to fetch the hard-won Quenya as if he were no more than his errand boy. He would find a way to make Nargaz regret this later.