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replied.  He would not betray me.
 That doesn t answer my question. Is it true that you two came to
get the amulet piece?
Zongxian could have denied it, but it would obviously be a lie.
Xiao Shen stood right there, still holding the magical artifact tightly.
Besides, why else would Zongxian have returned to the palace just a
day after fleeing?
 It s necessary, he replied, hoping he wasn t dooming them all.
 We need it to 
Yao Niang waved a regal hand at him, stopping him from
finishing the phrase.  I ve heard enough. Take them away. They need
to be judged and punished, once and for all.
As the guards surrounded them, Zongxian willed Tomas not to
fight it. They didn t have a chance here, not with two elders waiting
for them to attempt an escape, watching them slyly. Perhaps later,
when they were in the dungeons, Zongxian could try to create another
portal.
As the guards cuffed them both using special, enchanted binds,
Jùnrén gave Zongxian a knowing look.  Don t worry, Jùnrén said,
 we ll be swift. We will hear you out at once. To the throne room.
Zongxian almost gaped at the elder fire dragon. Jùnrén must have
guessed Zongxian s intentions. Or perhaps there was more to it than
that. Zongxian had yet to see Kailì or Mei Lien. He suspected his
Dragon s Bloodmoon 83
brother and Mei Lien had been somehow delayed just so that Jùnrén
and Yao Niang could get their hands on Zongxian. Fuck.
The trip to the rarely-used throne room was short. Trials were
generally held within The Justice Assembly with all the court
watching, and they weren t that numerous in the first place. Serious
crimes were unusual, and other punishments tended to be handed in
on the spot, once the issue in question was discovered. The dungeons
existed mostly for dragons who d gone rogue, an uncommon
occurrence. Perhaps Zongxian would be judged by the Rogue Laws.
Damn it.
As Yao Niang and Jùnrén occupied two out of the four thrones,
Tomas and Zongxian were forced to kneel.  Zongxian Long and
Tomas Medina y Hernandez, Yao Niang began,  do you know why
you have been summoned here?
Zongxian didn t nod or reply. The last thing he wanted was to
give her more ammunition to use against him.  Well? she prodded.
 We re here to request help in the name of my mate, Zongxian
said.
 A noble sentiment, Jùnrén said.  What does your request imply,
exactly?
Zongxian considered a way to phrase his need for the amulet that
they couldn t misinterpret for their own advantage. Before he could
come up with one, the throne room door opened and Kailì stalked
inside, his gait unusually furious. Behind him, the gentle Mei Lien
walked, looking quite put out as well.
 What is this, Jùnrén? Kailì growled.  Why weren t Mei Lien
and I notified?
Jùnrén frowned at the other elder.  You are too soft, Kailì.
Zongxian needs to be taught his place, but you refuse to do it. So we
will do it in your stead.
Kailì glared at Jùnrén.  That is not your decision to make.
 He wanted to take The Spirit piece, Yao Niang screeched.  He
will betray us all.
84 Scarlet Hyacinth
 Zongxian, is this true? Kailì asked, his voice soft.
Zongxian nodded.  It is the only way. Otherwise, the vampires
will kill Jared.
 It is a sacrifice we have to make, Yao Niang said.  We cannot
risk having the same disaster happening all over again.
 Jared doesn t deserve to pay for that, Tomas snarled.  He and
his family saved us all.
 That may well be, Jùnrén replied,  but it doesn t change
anything.
 Please, can I have a word? Mei Lien said softly.
At once, the chaos vanished. Mei Lien rarely engaged in heated
debates, but when she did, her input and ideas were priceless.  The
Spirit piece is not ours, she said.  It is in Xiao Shen s keeping. He is
the one who has to decide, not us.
Everyone stared at her in awe, the idea having obviously never
occurred to them.  That s true, Jùnrén said,  but Xiao Shen is
Zongxian s nephew. He ll be biased.
 I trust Xiao Shen to make the right decision, Kailì said.
 And I, Mei Lien added.
Jùnrén gave Yao Liang a look.  Mei Lien is right, Yao Liang
said.  The boy is The Spirit s guardian.
 It s three against one then, Jùnrén said with a sigh.  Bring him.
A few moments later, Xiao Shen s steps echoed down the marble
of the throne room halls. He bowed lowly in front of the elders.  My
Lords, My Ladies, thank you for this honor, he said.
 Xiao Shen Long, you know what we re going to ask, Jùnrén
said.  Will you give your amulet piece to your uncle?
 Yes, Xiao Shen replied decidedly.
 Are you certain, Xiao Shen? Yao Niang insisted.
Xiao Shen nodded.  The Spirit must go to him. I can feel it. I can
hear it.
Zongxian understood Xiao Shen s words and sent a mental thanks
to the gods. Gaia must like Jared and his family a lot.
Dragon s Bloodmoon 85
 Very well, Kailì said.  It will be done. With a wave of his
hand, the cuffs tying Zongxian s hands fell. Zongxian suppressed the
urge to rub his wrists and gave his brother a thankful look.
 Not so fast, Yao Liang said.  There is still the issue of
Zongxian s previous sentence.
 Oh, Yao Liang, Mei Lien answered in a reproachful tone.  Have
they not been separated enough? Has our cruelty not caused enough
damage?
 Zongxian Long, rise, Kailì said.  I hereby officially absolve you
of your previous sentence. You are free to return here anytime you so
desire.
Zongxian got up and went to kiss his brother s hand.  None of
that, Kailì whispered. He pulled Zongxian in a strong embrace,
hugging him tightly.  Go find your mate. Or should I say, your other
mate?
Zongxian broke away from Kailì s grip and turned to see Tomas
watching him with warm eyes.  I suppose you should say that, he
murmured to his brother. Louder, he addressed the four elders,
 Thank you for your kindness. I hope the next time we meet, this
issue will be resolved.
Xiao Shen removed the amulet piece from around his neck and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]