There is an alternative. You do not have to be helpless, the dark power said.

“What exactly is proscribed, then?” I asked.

Drake’s hands were warm on me. “It is a form of condemnation. It is seldom seen now, but I recall my uncle telling me of a dragon who had been such. It is not... a desired state. But we will find a way to cleanse you, kincsem”

Perhaps not desired, but is it any worse than being helpless?

The voice of the dark power was growing stronger. Part of me wanted to push it back, ignore it, banish it from my being. But another part shrugged and asked what could be worse than what I’d already done? I accepted Drake’s power before I knew what it was or whether I wanted to spend my life with him. What was different in this situation?

Nothing is different. Power is power. It is the person wielding it who determines whether it is good or evil.

“Aisling’s well-being is no longer any concern of yours,” Dmitri said in an odiously bossy voice. He snapped his fingers, adding, “Come here, mate.”

Mate. Fury filled me at that word on his lips. I looked up at Drake and knew I had to do something. I was not a woman who sat around waiting for others to rescue me. Drake himself had told me I didn’t need rescuing—he had confidence in my power and abilities.

You are a professional, the voice said silkily. You have power at your disposal, great power unlike anything you have known. Do you wish for him to see that, without it, you are weak and helpless?

“Aisling, do not do anything foolish,” Drake warned as I turned around to face Dmitri. “He is not worth the price you will pay. We will work this out together.”

And how many dragons will die in the inter-sept war that will follow? the dark power asked. How many innocent dragons will die because you did not take a stand when you could have? Do you wish their deaths to be on your soul? Or do you wish to fulfill your role as wyvern’s mate, and protect your sept?

I walked to the center of the room and held out my hands, blinded for a moment as I accepted the power that flowed up from the floor. The sins staining my soul were my own concern, but I would not sacrifice others. “Effrijim, I summon thee!”

Jim’s shape formed at my feet. It looked up at me, pursing its lips. “Man. I never would have thought that of you, Ash.”

“Demon, see thee that dragon there?” I pointed to Dmitri, power rolling through me, filling me with its insidious warmth. I knew what I had to do, and although it was morally wrong, I had no choice. It was the only way I could change things back to the way they were.

Dmitri’s smile dropped, a look of concern replacing it. He glanced nervously at Fiat, who leaned against the wall, a parody of Drake’s bored look on his face. “Aren’t you going to do something?” Dmitri asked him.

“I suppose,” Fiat answered, strolling toward him.

It was my turn to smile. “You’re next on my payback list, Fiat.”

He bowed. “I look forward to it.”

“Um. Aisling? I really don’t think you want to go there,” Jim cautioned, leaning against my leg to get my attention. “It’s not a good idea, no matter what anyone is telling you.”

You have the power. Use it for good.

“Mate, do not do this.” Drake’s voice was warm and calm despite the situation. “Come with me. We will work this out together.”

I pulled the power hard, forming it, focusing it to do what I wanted, its slow heat burning hot in my veins as I narrowed my gaze on Dmitri.

“Fiat?” he asked in a high-pitched squawk, taking a couple of steps to the side. His gaze skittered between me and the blue dragon.

Destroying him will be a pleasure, the voice said. A pleasure and a duty. You must do it to save the others.

I spread my hands, holding the power between them, ready to blast it into Dmitri.

“Do something!” Dmitri screamed, looking frantically at Fiat.

“Aisling! Do not do this,” Drake commanded, starting toward me. “To do so will put you beyond redemption!”

Deal with that later. Right now you have a job to do.

“As you will,” Fiat said as I hesitated, torn between Drake’s warning and my own instincts.

“Ash, this is bad. Really bad. Don’t do it,” Jim said in a low voice, its eyes worried.

The power was warm between my hands. I held it focused, ready to be used, but was confused about what I should do. Use it to save Drake and the dragons and damn myself even further?

You ‘ve already used the power. How can using a little more hurt? Do not be weak, Aisling. Be instead an instrument of vengeance. Right the wrongs.

“By the laws governing the weyr, I challenge you by lusus naturae for your mate, Aisling Grey.”

I turned to look at the man speaking the challenge. What was Fiat up to now? Why on earth would he want to challenge the man he’d just put into power?

“You ... you what?” Dmitri asked, clearly as taken aback as me. “What do you mean? You can’t do this!”

“No? Accept the challenge, and we shall see.”

More deaths. If Fiat wins, that’s what will be the result. Do you want that?

No! my mind screamed, sick of it all. I just wanted to live happily with Drake, being a Guardian, working for the good guys. I didn’t want to be the instrument of vengeance!

“I accept your challenge,” Dmitri said, his voice loud but a bit unsure. “Name the form.”

“Aisling.” Drake’s hands were warm on mine. He gently took them in his, pulling me toward him. “You must listen to me. You said you trusted me.”

I dragged my eyes from Fiat and Dmitri to the man I loved with every atom of my being. “I do trust you.”

The love was there in his eyes, filling me with more happiness than I thought possible. “Then you must listen  to  me now. To do what you plan is wrong. I know that you desire it for the right reasons, but you must not give in to this new challenge that faces you.”

“You know,” I whispered, mindless of everything but him. “You know I used dark power.”

“Weapons are so vulgar.” Fiat gave a delicate shrug. “Why do we not settle this in the mortal fashion? By fists. That should provide a true test of strength.”

“Very well.” Dmitri adopted a boxing stance, his hands up. “I am ready.”

Drake’s fingertips swept a strand of hair off my face, me touch so gentle it made my knees go weak. “It is evident what you have done, yes.”