Discovery

[»Míríel«]

It was just another day in the Stone city for Cecily. The sun was beating down on the earth below without much mercy. The only true relief you could get was in the shadows of the ruins. Inside of Cecily's house it was cool and pleasant, one of the secrets she kept. If others knew if you just had the right house this place was livable, it could result in people moving here, and that was the last thing Cecily wanted.

It had been a couple days from the wedding of Miriel and Damion, and to be honest Cecily was glad she had gone. She had observed some interesting things that happened there. The very thought of it made a smirk rise to her face. Looking up from the kettle that she just placed above the fire she let her eyes wander to Tarian. The man was sitting quietly by the door looking out at the broken landscape before him. It was nice to have his company. Tarian was someone who brought serenity to life, he had to hers, or had tried. He was one of the few people that Cecily respected to such a magnitude she would actually listen to them. Cecily smiled and looked back at the kettle. One of the very few.

There wasn't much going on today, besides Cecily working on her "teas" and chatting with Tarian. Who knew what the day would bring. Considering how peaceful and quiet these past few days had been, there was bound ot be something popping up. There always was. Perhaps that wolf... what was his name, Aeryn? Yes, perhaps he would stop by. There last conversation have been most invigorating.

[saerwen]

The sky was glowing blue, the sun was high and bright, birds were chirping in the trees, and a slight breeze was blowing around. Despite this beauty, Jaedon was unable to find joy anywhere. She had done just about everything that she could think of to do, but nothing cheered her up. She had tried reading, listening to music, going for a run, singing, playing chess down in the city, and taking a nap in the grass, but she could get no rest. There was nothing that she could do. Somehow, everything that she had tried was connected to a certain someone that was not quite the same person at the moment. She remembered studying in the library, hearing his violin, and the day in the garden when he had behaved so abnormally. They all reminded her of him and it made her sick.

She had not slept since Miriel and Damion had left. She had no one to talk to, no comfort, no peace. There was nothing to soothe her fears, nothing to help her think through her troubles. She couldn't even stomach food, which was usually the complete cure-all for Jaedon. She was not to the point of getting weak or sick yet, but she knew that she had to do something, or she would get that way.

She had promised herself that she would pick herself up and continue to try and help Neron, but she found that without knowing where to start, it was a somewhat hopeless attempt. She had gone looking for the wolf, Aeryn, to ask him what exactly he had done and if he knew of a way to get Neron back to normal. He was an overall specialist in telepathy and Jaedon knew that if there was anyone she could ask, it would be Aeryn. Someone that powerful had to know something. However, he hopes of finding him had proven to be in vain.

Jaedon was currently on her way to see Cecily. She knew that Neron's dark side wanted her gone. Dead was probably the optimal choice for him, but even if Jaedon were simply too sick to do anything, he wouldn't really mind that either. There was no way on this earth that she was going to let that slimy lizard win, so she was determined to go to Cecily and get something that she wouldn't have to work too hard to digest that would give her energy and probably something else to help her sleep. She didn't care how groggy it made her, she needed to be alive and well.

It wasn't long before Jaedon had reached the stone City and climbed her way up to Cecily's little house. She walked in the open doorway, a little relieved to be out of the sun. She looked around and saw Tarian on one side of the room and Cecily on the other, working with a pot of tea.

"Good morning to the both of you." she tried to sound happy, but it came out a little less than slightly depressed. She inwardly cursed her habit of being sarcastic and apathetic. Could she not sound joyful for once in her life, even if it was a lie?

[»Míríel«]

Tarian had been watching the dark figure of Jaedon approaching Cecily's little "cottage". To be honest he was revealed. HE had promised Damion that he would watch out for Jaedon, and he meant to do so. The hard part about that promise is that he knew he couldn't stalk Jaedon around, she was a grown woman and could take care of herself aptly. So he had decided to wait with Cecily until the time was right. One thing he knew, with people like Jaedon, more things could be achieved when you waited for the person to come to you for help. As she entered the room Tarian observed her closely. She looked tired, drained, worried. Perhaps Neron was right, though in his experience, people who were crazy didn't ask for help. He let his eyes shift to Cecily. Normally' Getting up he picked up his chair and brought it by Jaedon. " Good morning Jaedon. Why don't you sit down. You have come a long way and must be tired." He smiled kindly down at her, "I don't care how fit or trained you are and it is my duty as a gentleman."

Cecily laughed at this and shook her head and watched as he rough two more chairs over and arranged them around a little table. "I do think he underestimates you Jaedon. Though I do have to admit, you seem the flip-side of happy. " Flouncing over to the fire she added some herbs into the now boiling water. Her eyes seemed to glow as she stirred the concoction a little. A bright scent filled the air, and a soothing one. "Which means, you can to just the right place." Her eyes narrowed as she leaned down. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath over the kettle and frowned. Looking around for a moment she moved towards the back in search of a specific herb.

Tarian, now settled across from Jaedon took his time at getting comfortable. Looking up at her with the same gentle smile he asked softly, "Jaedon, how are you?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon mustered a smile for Tarian. How could she not. He was so sweet. She then focused on Cecily. She had not planned to stay long, but now that she thought about it, it was a little rude for her to just come in, ask for something and then leave. Cecily might have been strange but both she and Tarian understood hospitality and how it affected other people. Jaedon felt like she was going to want to run away by the time this meeting was over, but she would stay anyways to see how it turned out.

As she took the chair that Tarian had set around the table for her, she gave as much of an enthusiastic answer as she could, "Yes, I think he does underestimate me, but that doesn't mean I should turn away the kind gesture." She ignored Cecily's last words. They didn't need to know what was wrong with her.

Jaedon stared at the flames for a moment, watching as their heat caused steam to slowly come from the little kettle. It hadn't been too long ago that she had been in this very room, watching as Cecily bandaged Neron, and then later, Damion. Tarians voice awoke her from her memory, and her eyes snapped back to his in an instant. They were the only part of Jaedon that continued to stay charged and wide awake. She gave a small smile to Tarian. He reminded her so much of Damion.

"I have had better days, but there is hardly anything to complain about in the grand scheme of things. What about you?" she was trying to sound as though there really wasn't much troubling her. She had figured out that the more she persuaded herself and focused on not focusing on Neron, she did much better. Forcing him from her mind was nigh impossible, but she had managed to do it only once, and it hadn't lasted for long.

[»Míríel«]

Tarian nodded at Jaedon. "That's good to hear. Today has been quite nice. I've just been relaxing mostly. Watching the sun soar across the sky." He laughed slightly and lowered his voice, "Wishing I had my pipe, but Cecily forbids such things in here."

"Of course I do." Cecily suddenly seemed to appear besie them and waved a handful of herb at Tarian. "It makes the whole place smell like a smoke stack. ' She shook her head and headed over to the fire, beginning to break the herbs and toss them into the kettle. "Almost as disgusting as blood."

Tarian let a smirk come to his face. It wasn't like Neron's but was more like a quiet smile. "Her ears are to bloody sharp." Cecily shot him an annoyed look from her position by the fire. Tarian just winked and whispered, "See?" Then laughing he leaned back in his chair. "Yes, today has been quite nice. The best is yet to come. Should be happening any moment."

Cecily was absently listening to them as she let the herbs steep. Her eyes glanced every once and a while to the dark form of Jaedon. She knew that something else was going on, but assassins knew how to keep their mouth shut when it came to secrets of things of the "inner realm" that they didn't want to discuss. She smirked as she turned her attention to her kettle. All this was ok, herbs healed just about everything, and for this moment she knew just the right thing. Snatching the kettle from the fire with one hand she brought three tea cups on a platter with the other. Sliding it on the table she began filling the cups. "Tea time!"

"My favorite." Tarian looked at Jaedon. "It's really the best time of the day. I always make sure if I am nearby to pop in around this time."

"I think it's the only reason he comes by. To take advantage of my superior cooking." She plopped down and pouted slightly. Reaching down she picked up her cup and took a sip. Letting her eyes slid over the rim she smiled. "Don't worry it's not one of my special teas."

Tarian reached down and picked up his cup. Breathing in the scent and then taking a sip he shook his head, "Cecily, you are brilliant. How do you do it?" He leaned back and took another sip. Cecily had done it again. She had the amazing ability to access a situation and balance it with something. When she wanted to be helpful, Cecily could be, amazingly so. In fact she could be quite magnificent if that mischief within her didn't win over, which it always did. This tea, which he recognized was a calming tea. It had a certain smooth flavor, pleasing to the taste, and had soft notes of different herbs. This was something that would soon wash away and tightness and reserve and make one feel at home with anyone. It had a different effect on everyone, depending on your mood. Tarian, being in a serene mood already, would just be able to relax more, but still keep his head. Those who had worries and problems would probably feel more likely to tell or unload on the ears of those surrounding. It was strange, now that he thought about it, Cecily never seemed to change with her teas. No matter what she drank she was always constant. "Probably because she is completely mental."

Setting down his cup Tarian let the silence linger for a couple minutes. He let his own mind wander as he looked out of the door. This process, seeing what was going on with someone, was delicate, one misstep and it could be the end of it. He wanted to make sure Jaedon had already drunk enough of the tea for it to start taking effect. Leaning back into his chair he closed his eyes. He could feel Cecily's eyes on him. She loved watching this, seeing him be so calm, so gentle, yet get what he wanted from someone. It would be a minute or two more before he attempted. If Jaedon rolled into her own thoughts she would be focusing on what was troubling her. Then if he said something at the right point, perhaps she would let something slip. Cecily began tapping slightly on her cup, she was an impatient little imp. Still he waited. He heard Cecily sigh quietly and go over to the fire. Tossing a couple logs into the fire she watched with delight as sparks ignited and leaped from within. That was another secret Tarian had picked up on, fire. There was something memorizing about how it moved, it was like the sequence of movement repeated, but was never the same. The time was right. "You have had better days Jaedon? What do you mean?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon really couldn't help but smile. Tarian was so animated and easy-going, it was hard to keep frowning for long in his presence. Like Damion, he had a natural tendency to take things in stride and keep living with a joyful demeanor no matter what might have threatened to pull him down. It was refreshing to say the least. After sitting on her own and brooding, wrestling with her own twisted mind, it was nice to be able to hear someone else and know that she could relax with them.

Inhaling the scent of the tea deeply, Jaedon closed her eyes. After a second, she opened them again with a slight smile, "I can see why. Anyone would want to enjoy this as often as possible." Jaedon took a small sip of the tea after blowing it. It was warm and comforting, just what she needed. "It's wonderful Cecily. Thank you." Any headaches or pains that Jaedon had previously been having seemed to fly away as she took in the tea. It was a remarkable healing balm to her soul.

She watched as Tarian sipped from his own cup. He seemed to be waiting for something. Jaedon's green eyes stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was waiting for. She soon overcame her paranoia though and took a few more sipps from her tea. It was strange. It felt like the tea was clouding her mind. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at the steamy substance. Her mind clung on to it's self-defense mechanism for a moment longer before Jaedon suddenly found herself feeling relaxed and calm. She knew that something had just been bothering her, but now, she hardly even cared what it was. She took another sip from her cup and then turned her gaze to the fire. Fire... She wondered what Neron was doing right now. How was the green dragon right now? Was he still fighting? Was he still chained like a dog? Was he even alive any more? The image of him throwing himself uselessly against the walls of his inner prison came back and her eyes glazed over. Tears were threatening to return. Still able to muster some of her past resolve, she forced herself not to cry, and swallowed back the tears.

"Oh, I am just tired," she answered as she continued to stare at the flames. "I have been staying up all night thinking, plotting would be more accurate, actually." She paused as though she was thinking, "With Miriel and Damion gone, I'm the only one left-" she paused mid-sentence and began to bite her lower lip. She then shook her head and took another sip.

[»Míríel«]

"Not a problem Jaedon, remember whenever you need some of my teas, I'll always be here." She smirked, "Any type of tea." She then turned back to the fire for a moment before coming back over and sitting down. She would watch Jaedon and see how she reacted. It was the most interesting part. She would leave most of the talking to Tarian, as much as she hated relinquishing any power to anyone.

Tarian just nodded when she mentioned being tired. "I would imagine you would be tired. Weddings are not an easy thing. All that work, all the pressure and worry all for one day. It must have been lovely to see Damion and Miriel get married. You knew them more than I had the privilege to. I bet you miss them."

Cecily sighed and reaching down took another sip. "You aren't the only one Jaedon, you have Tarian and I, and Neron. He's close to you. If I remember correctly."

[saerwen]

"It's more than the wedding," Jaedon said without really paying much thought to what she said. She felt like she was in a state of ecstasy. Jaedon had never felt so relaxed, it affected her to the fullest and she was having trouble keeping hold of her thoughts at all. "Weddings are over after that one day. I was doing fine until they left." She looked out the window as though she were searching for the happy pair to come flying home. She knew that if Damion had his way, it would be quite a while before they ever came back. Probably a week at least, if not two.

Jaedon then brought her eyes back to Tarian and gave the brightest, truest smile that she had given in a long time. In fact, she could hardly remember when she had smiled like that. It was probably when she had been with Neron, but she really couldn't think of it. "You must get to know them better when they come back! You would have found yourself two of the truest, most constant friends in the world."

When Cecily mentioned Neron, all traces of a smile vanished. It was almost physically painful. Cecily should have been right. She should have had Neron. THey should have been close, and it should have been him that she was talking to right now. But it was not meant to be the way that she dreamed, the way that she thought ideal. Aeryn had been of great help to her when Miriel and Damion were fighting, but his meddlesome curiosity had given her the worst of times. How could such good and such evil come from the same person?

Muttering under her breath, not meant to be heard, she let out, "Stupid Aeryn." Recovering from her angry thoughts, she looked at Cecily with rather dead eyes and said, "Actually, Neron isn't being the most dependable person right now. If you can imagine that..." She then took another sip of her tea. She was almost done with the wonderfully hot drink. She looked at Cecily, "May I have some more?"

[»Míríel«]

Tarian nodded "Then I shall. They do seem like the best of fellows. They seemed to be made for each other." He listened carefully to what she had to say. It was nice to see Jaedon smile. It lighted up her face like a light bulb. It was so refreshing. Even though he hadn't known Jaedon for long he didn't think he ever say her face look like this. The only time he hadn't seen that darkness was when she had been with Neron as she watched over him. The two had been very very close then. What had happened? The more she started to talk, the more he started to distrust what Neron had said. "Neron isn't? sorry I'm not familiar with his character, what is he doing?"

"Yes! You may!" Lifting the tea kettle Cecily poured more tea into her cup. "Don't be shy. This kettle has more to it then one may think." Even though Cecily sounded enthusiastic something that Jaedon had said caught her attention. Aeryn? Did Jaedon know him? Her eyes narrowed as she sat down and took her cup. Bringing it to her lips and blowing on it slightly she asked, 'What do you mean stupid Aeryn?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon took her new cup of tea with just as much delight as she had drank the last one. She took a few sips from it when she heard both Tarian's question and Cecily's question. It caused her to pause. The answer to both of their questions was in conjunction. It would be easier if she just...let it out. There was a small part of her mind that caused her not want to pour the whole story out, but then there was another part of her that wanted to just unload on them. She would feel horrible after doing it, she had no doubt in her mind, but unknown to her, the tea was working some major magic inside her mind. She would never have considered even telling Tarian or Cecily anything, let alone letting any of the stuff she had just said slip, but now, it seemed like it was okay.

Without thinking, again, she just started to speak, "Yeah, I know him a little." Her voice was bitter, but then it softened as she explained, "He is the one that got Damion and Miriel to stop fighting when they had there little bit of confusion. His telepathy destroyed Eventides illusion." She then became bitter again, "But then he turned right around and had to start messing with Neron." She was raising her voice, her pent up anger becoming quite apparent. It seemed her whole personality had grown a little darker. "I know we telepaths are naturally curious, but anyone could see what he was doing was foolish. He dug inside Neron's mind and let everything out, and now, I might as well be on Neron's hit list!" Her hand slammed down on the table in frustration, causing the little cups to rattle. She glared at the liquid inside her own cup and little round ripples coursed through it. She then took a breath in and sighed, her eyes becoming dull once more.

[»Míríel«]

Tarian watched the whole event with serenity. then frowning a little he leaned forward. This Aeryn fellow seemed like an interesting character. Tarian noticed that Cecily seemed to be quiet and processing what was said. She had a slight smirk on her face. What was that little lady thinking about?

Cecily couldn't believe it. She could imagine Aeryn doing something like this. He had meddled in a mind and pushed something until it broke. "Well done Aeryn. I will have to bring this up next time I see that wolf." the smirk deepened. This was most interesting. "Let everything out Jaedon?"

Tarian nodded. "Yes, what does that mean? Is there any way to return it back to normal?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon's passion for the topic was rejuvenated with questions. She threw her hands up in the air, "I have no idea if anything can be done! Sometimes, when things are done to the mind, there is no way that you can put them back together. Sometimes, when you meddle with too much, you find that you have completely changed the persons personality. The evil that people contain within themselves is overwhelming. Some telepaths learn to focus their power on this one ability because if taken far enough, it will drive the person completely insane." Jaedon paused for a breath. She then bowed her head and a smirk rose to her face, "In a way, it's ironic. I used to be just one of those telepaths. I only gave it up after trying it once on a rather strong willed man and failing..." Damion had been the only person to stand up to her. He had, without even knowing it, forced Jaedon to stop. She had vowed that she would never use her power in that way ever again.

She clenched her fist as she continued on in a much more subdued voice, "It took Neron months to fight off the evil inside himself. He went through weeks upon weeks of starvation and mental war to conquer that black dragon. But the difference this time is that Neron's good side has completely lost control. Last time, he was able to access the good as often as he did the bad, but this time..." She paused and practically choked at the memory. Suddenly, through the relaxation and vexation that she felt at the same time, her mind let loose. For some reason, Cecily's home seemed to do that to her. When she had been caring for Neron after the ordeal with Ares, her mind had opened up like this. Now, again, her thoughts were projected like a billboard to every living thing around. The images that she showed to her two companions was not a pretty one. Indeed, it was the picture of the green dragon, locked inside his cage, throwing himself against the walls. It then switched to the image of Neron's lizard like eyes as he spitefully spoke to her at the wedding, right before she had left. The sorrow from her own soul was projected into each and every part of these images, forming an overwhelming concoction of misery, grief, despair, hopelessness, and desperation. Neron had practically broken her and she had nothing else to do. As she forced her mind to close, feeling she had shared too much already, she began to cry. Her sobs were silent, but the tears flowed like a waterfall. Jaedon hardly ever cried, even if she was harmed within and inch of her life, she wouldn't cry. However, more than any knife, bullet, or magic, her broken heart was the most painful.

Through her tears, she said quietly, "And the worst part is that it is Neron doing it. It is still the same man, just not the same person."

[»Míríel«]

Tarian and Cecily had almost similar reactions to the whole story, at least on the outside. First both looked at each other and smiled slightly. The tea had done the work and the truth had been spilled. After this moment both sat there quietly looking at her, digesting what was being said. Cecily's eyes narrowed at this whole outpouring and images in her mind. There was such pain in everything, she didn't know that Jaedon could feel such things or that she could, anymore. Still holding her cup at her moth, gazing over the rim, she took a slow sip and then set her cup down. Tarian on the other hand didn't move. He listened, absorbed, and processed everything coolly, but on the inside he felt like he was being ripped to pieces. Heartbreak was no light matter, and it hurt, no matter how much you had been through. There was something different about it, it was as if it was a different breed of the same species. When you got so close to someone and then had them regret you, and flaunt it in your face, it could be terrible. You gaze someone your heart and then they betrayed you, leaving your heart being crushed under every step they took away from you. He had to help her, he had promised.

"Jaedon. This can be fixed. I'm sure of it. What is broken can be fixed, sometimes it just takes more time and more effort than others." Leaning forward he looked into her tear clouded eyes. "As long as that good is still alive in him, there is hope."

Cecily found this whole ordeal interesting, and the imaging in her mind most intriguing. Secretly she envied mind readers, they had access to things that she could only guess by outward actions. Even though she had dealt with telepaths before, but every time they put something in her mind, or entered her mind themselves, she enjoyed it, secretly. "I thought something was up with him. The look in his eyes, there was something smooth, and intense. He wanted something. When he looked at you there was a certain hatred that I hadn't seen before." She took another sip before setting the teacup down on the platter. "Jaedon. I need you to tell me if you have observed anything about him. Anything different or anything that bothers him the most out of this whole thing. What ticks him off the most. Then we can start messing with that little dark head of his. It will all turn out" She smirked and her eyes grew brighter. "After all I am the peacemaker."

[saerwen]

Jaedon looked up at Tarian, her cheeks stained with tears, her grief still pouring out of her soul through those emerald green windows. Was Tarian right? Could Neron ever be back to normal? What would it take? How would he fight this? What could be done? How would Jaedon be able to help, if at all? And if she couldn't help, then who could? She knew that Tarian was trying to be nice and that he wanted to give her hope, but right now, all she felt was despair. She felt as though Neron, her lovely Neron, would never be back to normal. She had not missed him when he was nice before because she herself had not understood what it was, and she had never seen it for long. There was a piece of her that wished Neron had never even changed. It just made things more painful.

"I don't even know if the good is still there. He has been doing all he can to crush it out of the picture. This Neron is ruthless. He suffers no competitors." Jaedon's words were dark. This Neron would tear anything and everything that got in his way to pieces. He was terrifying.

When Cecily asked if there was anything that seemed to set Neron off Jaedon looked down at her cup and began to study it with intensity. It took her a moment before she said in a very gloomy voice, "Yeah, me." She paused before she started again, "He can't stand the thought of love, so I am the epitome of everything that he hates, because there is a part of him that loves me. If I know that scaly lizard as well as I know I do, his number one plot is some way to get me out of the picture. He will file through all of Neron's friends until they are dead or they hate him. It would be completely conceivable that he wants to kill me, Miriel, Damion, and even you," she looked at Cecily, "if you tried to get too close or started asking too many questions." She looked out the window and then finished with, "I know that he has been overly cruel to me simply because he wants me to break down and stop trying to save him. It would make me an easier target."

[»Míríel«]

Tarian's frown grew deeper as he rested his elbow on his knes and let his eyes stare at the tray below them. "He get's angry at you?" Tarian sighed and stood up. "We need to think about this. There has got to be a way to help." Straightening his form Tarian walked over to the door. Leaning against it he stared out across the view. What could be done. If this Neron was as ruthless as she made it sound then this case might be harder than it seemed. They would have to be careful, act in a way that he wouldn't understand. but how?

" Well, I think I think I might just put the kettle on the fire once more while you guys worry your pretty heads about it."

"Cecily, we need you to think as well. This is no light matter."

"On the contrary my English muffin. It isn't all to complex." Her eyes glittered as she watched Tarian turn and stare at her in disbelief.

"What...do you mean?"

'This whole thing can be solved by something very simple." Picking up the kettle she moved slowly to the fire and placed it on the hook above it. Then grabbing a poker she absently jabbed the coals and logs. "But perhaps I'll just let you guys figure it out."

"Cecily." Tarian's call did nothing to alter Cecily's movements, "Cecily. Please."

"I would do it. For a price. Tarian you know what I am talking about."

The hairs, she wanted the hair's from his tail in his true form. They were world re known for holding magical properties, something Cecily never had enough of. 'It's always for a price isn't it."

Cecily laughed her tinkling laugh, " Of course it is, otherwise I would have nothing to live on."

"You better astonish me peacemaker""

Cecily smirked and put the poker back. "Don't worry. I always do." Walking over to her chair she sat down before motioning for Tarian to come back. "You may want to sit down for this." Only after Tarian sighed and complied did she even consider continuing. Looking at Jaedon she began. "Let's see here you said and showed that Neron had two distinct sides to him, simply broken into the good and the bad. Now first off I think this a bit predictable and suspicious considering we all have flaws. No one can be all good or all bad, how boring and predictable would that be. I mean everyone-"

"Cecily." Tarian had a lecturing tone to his voice.

Cecily paused for a moment, blinked a couple times to keep on track, or a traceable track, before continuing. "What I was trying to say is that one thing you have to realize is that if we get this green dragon back. You need to know that he's not going to be perfect prince charming. I didn't think there was such a thing until I met Damion, but I think this world has one to many of those if you get what I mean." Nodding her head to shift her mind away from a tempting rabbit trail she sighed. "Now" She sat straighter in her chair as her eyes grew slightly distant. For most people their eyes would glaze over, but in Cecily's case they only grew brighter. " You say that He hates you and can't stand the thought of love. One must ask why. Jaedon do you hate your weakness?" She didn't even wait for Jaedon to answer before continuing. " Most people do and Neron." She smirked and looked at Jaedon. "Is no exception I don't believe Neron's other side hates you. I believe he is afraid of you. You have more power in your hands than you think. So use it."

"So what you are saying is that Neron knows that his good side is in love with Jaedon and that she can control him more than his dark side can. So the only way the dark side can reign supreme again is to get rid of Jaedon?"

"Precisely. Then he will go down the list of his friends, unless they are easily changed, which truthfully, they aren't in their own way. Jaedon." She turned to the girl. "Tell me, since this shift, has Neron ever said your name to your face?"