Marcus laid out the plan in hushed tones. "The crystal's their power source, but it's also their weakness. Those channels of dragon blood? They're not just for show - they're searching for something. Or someone."
Samantha's eyes widened. "Lily?"
"Exactly," Marcus nodded. "Dragon blood has incredible tracking properties. They're using it to locate beings with special powers. Your friend must have something they want badly enough to risk this level of dark magic."
"But why all this?" Samantha gestured at the massive chamber. "Just to find one person?"
Kai's expression was unusually serious. "Because they're not just looking for her location. They're trying to identify what she is exactly." He glanced at Marcus. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Marcus nodded grimly. "The gate they're trying to open - it's not to let something out. It's to let something in. Something that can recognize Lily's true nature."
