Ethan didn't put his power away right away.
Instead, he took a step back.
The newly fused force inside him started turning again.
The air vibrated.
Even the deep-sea currents seemed tugged by something invisible, slowly spiraling around him.
He didn't attack.
But his presence alone was pressure.
His eyes locked onto the draconic elder.
That aura—
he wouldn't mistake it.
Dragon.
And not just any dragon.
A dragonline tied to the Phoenix Empire.
"The power on you," Ethan said slowly, voice low and even, "comes from the Phoenix Empire's dragon bloodline."
The sea went silent.
The Thalaryn didn't dare make a sound.
"Who are you?" Ethan pressed, his gaze sharpening. "And what's your relationship with Drake?"
The instant the name left his mouth—
the draconic elder's body stiffened.
His pupils tightened slightly, like Ethan had brushed a past he didn't want to touch.
Ethan didn't miss it.
His voice went colder. "You're a remnant of the Phoenix Empire?"
