“Hello, Dante,” the Elder Wyrm said in a low, cool voice, regarding me with appraising green eyes. In her human form, she was a striking older woman with bright silver hair cut into a simple, no-nonsense bob. She wore an elegant gray business suit, a thin gold necklace with a tiny emerald at its heart and her perfectly manicured nails were as red as blood. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for quite some time.”

My mind had gone blank. It was all I could do not to flee that tremendous presence, or drop to my knees and press my face to the floor. Fortunately, my training kicked in even when my brain had stupidly frozen. I felt a smile cross my face, and I gave a slight bow.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be here, ma’am. I only hope I don’t disappoint.”

The Elder Wyrm chuckled. “Quite the opposite,” she murmured, as that piercing gaze speared through me, like she was seeing all the way to my soul. “I have heard of your success with the vessels, Dante. And your attempts to retrieve your sister, though they did not turn out as we’d hoped, have proven your loyalty. Many in the organization speak highly of you. They say you are charming, resourceful, intelligent.” Her eyes gleamed, and the bloodred smile turned sharp as a blade. “Exactly how the son of the Elder Wyrm, and the heir to the Talon empire, should behave. I am quite proud indeed.”

I suddenly couldn’t catch my breath. The world had gone hazy and surreal, and I was very aware of my heartbeat, thundering in my ears. The Elder Wyrm observed me a second more, then rose and walked to the huge windows on the opposite wall. I followed numbly, my whole world turned upside down. But through the shock, I could feel a savage, growing excitement. I understood now. Why I was special. Why I had been chosen. This changed everything.

Beside me, the Elder Wyrm observed the city spread below us, and smiled.

“Our enemies are in chaos. Now is the time to strike.”