Page 48 of His Retribution

My love, my mate.

My everything.

And yet I still fear that one day even she will not be able to stop the darkness from consuming me.

"I am up for the task,” I say unconvincingly. "I will slaughter the creature responsible for taking my light, destroy him for posing a threat to her as well as all others I hold dear." Then I look Andrej in the eye. "And you must be up for the task I burdened you with all those centuries ago if the darkness wins."

"I will honor my vow.” Andrej's black eyes flicker white. ”You have my word.” He claps a hand on my shoulder, squeezes then gets to his feet. ”But know that this will be the one promise to you I hope I never have to keep, and I will do everything in my power to make sure I do not have to."

Then he leaves, makes his way into the woods before I see his mighty black dragon soar through the sky.

The best of men, the best of friends, my dearest brother.

And in my dead heart I hope he is right.

Exposed

HENRICH: Are you awake, brother?

I check the time and roll my eyes. It's three thirty in the morning, of course I'm awake.

I don't sleep as it is, but if I did it would be during daylight, in the confines of my light-tight cabin so I do not burst into flames.

Something Henrich is completely aware of and understands better than I do.

He is the scientist after all.

Idiot.

ME: No. I'm sleeping, in the middle of the night. I thought perhaps I'd go sunbathing tomorrow and found getting a proper night's rest would be in order for that. I'm sure my light will be fine while I slumber away deep in the woods.

HENRICH: Do not be an ass.

HENRICH: I have information I need to share with you.

ME: So share.

HENRICH: I fear it is too long to text.

ME: Shorten it.

HENIRCH:??

ME:??

HENRICH: I believe I have found a way you can possibly trigger the little one's memories.

Now this has me sitting up to take notice.

ME: Continue...

HENRICH: I've been looking through the chronicles you brought over from the Old Country, and feel I may have found some valuable information related to the legend.

ME: The ones from my father?

We've been through those so many times I've practically memorized them.

HENRICH: The ones recovered from Nero's castle.