With his hands deep inside the pockets of his coat, Adeem trudged toward the Archive. He didn't run, and he didn't hasten his steps. Neither Nev or Vincent had been particularly happy when hearing that he had to leave, they'd both looked worried. The vampire had even insisted on tagging along, but he didn't want his friend anywhere near Kyung.

He wasn't as worried as Nev, but he didn't want to give the dragon any satisfaction by showing up within minutes after the call.

The hour was late, but for once, there were quite a lot of people on the move but none of them had piqued his interest. No memories stolen, no hunger fed. The knowledge that his lack of hunger might have to do with the prospect of another meeting didn't sit well with him, but he had no reason to feed for the sake of rebellion. It was better to leave that spite for later.

He crossed the bridge over to Gamla Stan and continued along the quay toward the tunnel that would take him to Riddarholmen. Subway trains moved along the tracks with annoying regularity, and cars swept past far above the speed limit. During rush hour, the roads were usually clogged and traffic moved at a snail's pace, and it seemed as if these drivers wanted to make up for lost opportunity. He had no love for cars, especially the monster SUVs people insisted on driving in the middle of the city, roaring engines included.

Kicking a pebble, he wondered about his mood. He was curious about the murders, but the knowledge that others accused him, and the looming threat of the council killed any scrap of warped enthusiasm he might have had.

The inevitable grew closer and soon he stood by the entrance to the Archive, taking a deep breath before clasping the handle. The massive door whined on its hinges and the cold wind behind him ushered him forward into the dimly lit hallway. The secretary strode down the stairs, holding on to the banister in what must have been an effort to convey a sense of authority.

"You're wanted upstairs."

Without a word, he quickened his step, not so much to reach Kyung but to escape the secretary's presence. Something about that woman rubbed him the wrong way. It had been like that for years, but it was only recently he'd realized just how much he disliked her.

He navigated the lofty corridors, sweeping past the room with the High Councilor's golden bust on display. Ascending another set of stairs, he reached the top floor and hoped Kyung would be in his office.

The phrase 'we have a suspect' could of course mean that the dragon had someone chained in a cellar somewhere, but he hoped that wasn't the case. Shackles and damp vaults had never been his kind of venue.

The door was open, inviting him inside to the dragon's lair. Kyung sat by his desk behind stacks of papers. Perhaps the secretary had even less useful skills than he'd thought. Surely, she ought to have relieved Kyung of these piles.

Weak strands of moonlight filtered in through the window, and only then did he realize how dark the room had been. Frowning, he reached to his left and found a light switch. Kyung eyed him with something that might have been surprise while the room brightened.

The dragon's posture stiffened only to relax back into the comfortable chair. "You took your time," Kyung said.

"Unreasonable expectations." He should have kept his eyes on the danger, but found himself distracted by a trinket on the shelf beside him. It was a delicate piece of brass work, encircling a cloudy orb of crystal. "What is it?" he asked, touching the cool metal with care.

"A memento."

"So, nothing magical?"

"Not that I know of. It was a gift from a wealthy man's daughter back in the sixteenth century."

"A human?" He was surprised. Paranormals and humans rarely mingled with ease.

"Yes." Kyung had moved from the desk and approached, stepping closer until they stood with a less than socially accepted distance between them. Tall beside him, Kyung set the metal in motion, spinning the multitude of circles around the crystal. It sang a haunting tune.

The tranquility was odd. They should have been talking business, discussing the suspect and their plans to keep the council away. Standing strangely close in shared silence felt like a breach of etiquette between enemies.

"So, this suspect?" he said, feeling forced so somehow disrupt the atmosphere. The dragon's dark gaze burned too close.

"Yes, she's downstairs."

A sense of dread breezed through the room. For the first time since hearing about the murders, he realized that he might actually know the perpetrators. He must have gasped because Kyung eyed him with concern.

He stepped back, deciding not to stare at the dragon for too long. It might get awkward.

"We should go." Kyung's voice had a sharp edge to it, paper thin but treacherous.

As he'd suspected, they descended enough stairs to reach the foul smelling air of the underground. The roughly carved rocks shone with a thin layer of moisture beneath the weak light bulbs. He had to give the dragon props for keeping a dungeon that could put fictional ones to shame. Chains hung from the ceiling at irregular intervals and the floor betrayed filth from years past.

Kyung in his impeccable suit didn't belong at all. In fact, it was highly disturbing to see the dragon in a place of torture, but it was an important reminder.

The moment he saw the woman shackled to the wall, any amenable feelings he might have had for the dragon flew out the window. He dashed forward. "Astrid."

She looked up, her forehead black as soot, her eyes flashing with deep set anger. "You," she said. He heard the accusation well enough without the superfluous.

He stared at Kyung. "What have you done?"

"She hasn't been harmed." The dragon said it as if that should pardon his actions.

"You work for him?" Astrid said, feathers ruffled around her neck.

"Yes. Or at least I was. Now I'm not so sure." He flicked his gaze back and forth between the two. Astrid passionately angry, and Kyung almost mockingly calm.

"She's a suspect. The only thing you need to do to prove her innocence is to read her mind." Kyung made it sound simple. It was as if the dragon hadn't considered that it was a violation to sift through someone's secrets.

Adeem knew it was rich coming from him, seeing as he'd had no issues stealing memories from humans, but it was different with paranormals. The very thought of digging through Astrid's mind had him on edge, and the surge of power in his core came as if called upon. It grew and twisted with fiery viciousness. This was what he had feared—that his powers would be claimed for use by another. The revulsion to such a prospect turned his stomach, and it only worsened when he gazed into Astrid's furious eyes.

He kept his mouth shut, fighting nausea and anger in equal measures.

Kyung walked closer, obviously unaware of how close to danger he was. "You only have to make sure, then I will gladly let her go."

"I will not."

Astrid rattled the chains. "Let me out of here."

Kyung's stare didn't waver. "Someone reported seeing her at the crime scene. We have to investigate. We can't allow any loose ends. You know that."

His chest tightened. He did know that. If the council found out that they had played favorites and refused to follow up on leads, they would have even more reason to descend on Stockholm with all their might.

Breathing deeply, he tried to calm his racing pulse. Slowly, he approached Astrid, taking care not to scare her. He doubted she would get scared, but something in her stance betrayed that the shackles somehow drained her of reason. Her anger was simply too strong.

"Has she told you anything?" he asked, not looking at Kyung.

"No, she hasn't. Not a word in her defense."

He inched closer. "Astrid?"

Eyes dark as ink focused on him. "I almost believed you."

"What I told you was true, but I'd rather not discuss it here." He nudged his head toward Kyung. He might have told Astrid the story of his parents, but his relationship with Kyung was nowhere near the required trust for an exchange of personal details.

"I still don't believe you."

"What choice do you have? If you don't talk, the council will be hot on our heels."

He could see the turmoil—the shifting thoughts and raging fears. Astrid had more than enough reasons to want the council far away from Stockholm. It was almost unfair to give her an ultimatum like that, but he had no choice. He wanted her to talk rather than force himself upon her.

She lowered her arms, entering a less imposing stance. "I was at home. I was nowhere near the bodies."

"Alone?" he asked.

"Yes. What do you think?" She had a point. She'd never kept regular company.However, without an alibi, she was in a worse situation.

He could hear Kyung close behind him, shifting on the dusty floor. "That's not enough. Read her mind."

"No. I won't." He said the words without looking back, knowing that if he met the dragon's gaze, they would be locked in a battle for dominance. With how close to breaking point his nature was, he feared the outcome.

Kyung took another step, placing a hand on Adeem's shoulder. The reaction was immediate.

Astrid hissed, rattling her chains until the air tasted of ash and smelled of burning coals. "Don't touch him."

Kyung's hold remained, calm and steady. A light pressure, then a simple flat hand against his shoulder. His nature simmered and swirled, testy but oddly compliant. The contradiction battled with reason. He wanted to jerk away and defend himself against the man who wanted to use him. He wanted to save his friend.

He thought of the alternative—of Kyung stealing Astrid's conscience into his, meeting her in that strange reality that didn't exist. No, he wouldn't trust the dragon with such a task.

Blinking slowly, he met her gaze. "Astrid, I want to help you. Can you let me?"

"You're not entering my mind, Adeem. I would never forgive you."

The betrayal tore him apart. He knew exactly how she felt, but it couldn't be helped. They needed to keep the council away. Before he had time for regret, he slipped inside and wanted nothing more than to get out as fast as he could. 

A thousand screams echoed with terror, and talons wrapped around his wrists. He'd never seen or felt anything like it.

to be continued...

A/N OMG this is getting intense! You should make sure your friends are tagging along for the ride from now on. Share, like, comment, let's get people on the train. 

Some questions for you:

Do you think Adeem did the right thing? 

Do you think Astrid is innocent?

Adeem...