Finn was breathing hard, but it was only because he’d conditioned himself to breathe as to not scare humans. He would’ve liked to have felt tired, as it possibly would’ve cleared his head.
Soren didn’t bat an eyelash as he stood with his arms crossed over his wide chest, his mouth set under his thick beard. “If you’re in the mood to fell trees, I can suggest a patch I’m considering at the other end of my property. Otherwise, why don’t you come inside? I have a bottle of aged whiskey that I’m guessing will be perfect for what ails you.”
Finn growled. “You think that human customs will be of any help here? Screw your civility.”
Still, the weredragon shrugged. “When you’re done with your very human fit, you can come inside to talk. If not, feel free to let yourself loose on my domain.”
The thirst for blood heightened in him even if he wasn’t hungry. Finn considered Soren’s suggestion but knew deep down that even if he destroyed every tree on the mountain, it wouldn’t soothe him. Also, the only reason he’d driven to Soren’s was to seek his counsel, he was one of the only creatures he trusted, apart from Violet. Just thinking her name brought him as much joy as pain.
Once he gained a bit more control, enough to not damage the weredragon’s prized cabin and home, Finn let himself in.
Like every other time he’d visited, the place had a way of grounding people. The light coming from the large windows made the dark wood gleam, and the large stone hearth blazed even if the weather was mild outside. The weredragon had designed and constructed his house by himself, using materials from his land. The construction was vast and massive while still being harmonious.
The owner was by the kitchen table, pouring amber liquid into crystal tumblers and handed him one. “To your eternal life, bloodsucker.”
“To your lonely ass, firebreather.”
Their usual joke lightened the mood enough for Finn to take a sip and enjoy the liquor as it burned down his throat.
Soren sat in his usual chair by the fire, and Finn followed, sitting in front of him. How many times had they talked throughout the night like this? So often he’d lost count. They resolved matters as much as they didn’t, but it was impossible to know if they’d be able to settle anything this time with the news he came bearing.
As usual, his friend stayed silent and waited for him to start, and as soon as Finn opened his mouth, it poured out of him. Everything and anything that had happened, with as much detail as he could remember.
When he finished, he expected his dragon friend to shoot him some questions or start giving advice, but instead, he nodded, and took another sip of the hard liquor. Finn knew better than to rush him, so he finished his glass instead.
“It’s unheard of you know, for someone, any creature for that matter, to be able to revive the dead like that. I’ve seen a necromancer’s work, and from what you’re describing, the resuscitated animals didn’t look like they had forgotten their essence or what they were. The necromancer works in a way that even if they live, the spark of life is no longer in their eyes.”
Finn had seen the same. “And that aspect of life is only temporary. They slowly fade and disintegrate. Maybe that’s where humans got their concept of zombies from. From what I saw, I don’t know if the bird or the mouse changed, or if they are still alive. Maybe this power is as temporary as a necromancer’s. After all, we think the purpose of the curse was to turn her into some sort of necromancer.”
Soren swirled the whiskey. “All that is very interesting, but there’s one piece of information you haven’t told me, and it’s why you fled Violet’s home following the revelation.”
Finn didn’t want to go there and stood. “I came to tell you what happened. You’re a member of the High Council, after all.”
“So, you want me to inform the High Council what happened to Violet? You know what will happen. The Council will want to intervene, will probably take Violet away from you. Is that what you want?”
Finn’s let his fangs out at his friend, ready for blood. “They can try if they dare.”
Soren didn’t break a sweat. “That’s what I thought. You’re truly bonded, you won’t let her go with the High Council to its representatives. However, you’re here, having left her without protection.”
“She’s protected.”
“Your protection. Have you forgotten the hold a bonding takes on both beloved? You barely had time to adjust and leaving her wasn’t your most glorious move, old friend.”
Finn stepped back and cringed at his words. “I… I didn’t know how to react to the powers Violet now yields. I’m a creature of death.”
The weredragon turned serious again. “Indeed, it’s nothing short of a miracle. But what scares you? What can she do with it? Could she use it against you?”
Finn shook his head at the thought. She had a fiery temperament, but Violet didn’t have a mean bone in her body and wouldn’t willingly hurt anyone or anything. When he’d told her he loved her, and she’d said it back, a greater level of trust had settled around them, making treason highly unlikely.
“So, what is it?”
If he said it, it made what was deep in his mind real, and Finn wasn’t sure how to interpret it in the harsh light of day. However, if there was one being he could speak to with honesty, it was Soren. “I didn’t tell you before, because I didn’t
