“Check this out, our guest is awake!” Kumiko announced enthusiastically.

  The wolf Draconivore was seated on a chair in the middle of a spacious room in the headquarters of the vilge’s guards. His legs and arms, on top of being tightly bound, were surrounded by crude, circur contraptions that had spikes jutting out of them from the inside, and his head was surrounded by a simir but bigger one. In the room with him, other than Kumiko, were Bruno, Alexander, Irina, Mira and Akira.

  “Good morning!” Kumiko greeted the wolf excitedly with a wide smile.

  “Why is she here?” Mira whispered to Bruno. “This is an interrogation and she’s unpredictable.”

  “You’re welcome to try and push her out,” Bruno answered.

  The wolf growled and tried to resist his bondage.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Akira said, his arms folded behind his back as he took a step towards the prisoner. “Those contraptions around you are not just for show. They fit around your body almost just right. If you transform any part of your body into that of a dragon’s, though, they won’t fit anymore.”

  The wolf scoffed. “You think this will be enough to deter me? I can easily survive this!”

  Akira stroked his chin while talking stoically, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you could. That’s why we ced the spikes with poison.”

  “That’s nothing!”

  “Are you willing to bet on it?”

  The wolf didn’t answer, and snarled instead.

  Akira chuckled. “Didn’t think so.”

  “When will we start the interrogation?!” Kumiko whined. “I’m getting bored.”

  Akira eyed her with an irritated look. “Quiet.”

  The prisoner ughed loudly.

  Akira raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s so funny?”

  “You? Interrogate me?” The wolf ughed some more. “You’re fools! You will get nothing out of me! Who the hell do you think yourselves are?! What you have done will not go unpunished! You shall taste the wrath of dragons!”

  “Draconivores!” Bruno corrected. “Scum like you don’t get to call themselves dragons.”

  “Oh?” The wolf looked amused. “Did I offend you? Do you think yourself worthy of deciding who gets to be a true dragon just because you grew up with one? Your sister showed the same kind of audacity.” He shook his head, still smiling smugly. “Didn’t serve her well.”

  Bruno’s rage had never burned so quickly before. “You little shit!” He took a step towards the wolf before being stopped by his father. “I will kill you all if you so much as–”

  “Bruno!” Alexander scolded, then dropped his voice to a whisper. “Don’t let him taunt you! Trust me, I’d love to give him what he deserves more than you do, but right now he’s a valuable.”

  Bruno breathed heavily, trying his best not to snap. He freed himself from his father’s grip and stepped back.

  “As for you,” Alexander addressed the prisoner, his eyes cold as ice. “You would do well to watch your tongue. It will only make things harder for you. We captured one of you, we can capture another. You are expendable.”

  The wolf scoffed. “Likely story.”

  “Actually, he’s a Yeager,” Irina said with a smug smirk. “His job is to hunt down things like you, so you better believe every word he says.”

  “Alright, we’ve wasted enough time,” Akira announced, stepping towards the prisoner. “I would ask if you want to end this the easy way, but you’ve already shown us that you like to give yourself a hard time.” He sighed. “However, I will give you one st chance: talk willingly, or we will make you talk. Where did you take the girl? Who is your leader? And what do you know about the fox with the blood magic?”

  The wolf snickered. “And you think you’re so tough, grandpa? Go fu–”

  Akira didn’t let him finish, smming his knee into his stomach. “Wrong answer.”

  Bruno instinctively looked away for a brief moment upon the impact.

  The wolf coughed a few times, only to chuckle again. “Is that all? You think you can break me with that? Give me your worst, old wolf!”

  Akira punched him in the stomach, his face not showing the slightest emotion. “As you wish.”

  “Goodness gracious!” Kumiko said, walking up to the prisoner. “What is up with you? Resorting to violence immediately? Give the d a chance!” She leaned forward to be on face level with the wolf, who looked rightfully confused. “Sorry about that, honey. Wolves are just so…set in their ways. They just don’t understand that rewards are more powerful than threats. So, let us strike a deal: tell us what we want to know, and I will surely make it worth your time!”

  The wolf looked dumbfounded. “The hell are you pying at?! I’m a dragon! There’s nothing you can give me that I don’t already have!”

  Kumiko leaned closer, her face inches away from his, her voice suddenly low and husky. “Are you sure?” She pced her finger between the two folds of her robe and pulled down, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage. “Here’s a little peek. If you talk, I will show you more. If you talk a lot, you may even get to…you know!”

  The wolf’s jaw dropped, his nose and ears clearly redder than before. He gritted his teeth and looked away. “Y-You are mad! Get away from me, harlot!”

  Kumiko straightened up and turned around to face the others, pouting. “Bad news: he’s celibate.”

  Bruno stared in disbelief at Kumiko’s test stunt, especially since her robe was still dispced.

  “You…” Irina spoke, frowning at Bruno. “Enough staring!” She smacked him on the neck.

  “Hey!” Bruno turned to face her, rubbing his neck. “That’s none of your business! I’m not staring at you!”

  Irina blushed, her eyes wide open. “What…Have you no shame at all?!”

  “You…imbeciles…” The prisoner snarled. “Is this all a joke to you? A game? Are you having fun? You have no idea what you’re dealing with!”

  Kumiko sighed. “Fine. You want me to be serious?” She pulled out her sword. “I can do that.” She faced the prisoner again, the tip of her bde touching his right shoulder, her face level with his again; he froze. “The rules are simple: you talk, the pain stops!” With that, she pushed the tip of the sword into his shoulder, getting a scream out of him. Blood began to trickle down from the wound.

  Bruno flinched, and he noticed Irina do the same.

  “Nothing yet?” Kumiko asked. When she was met with silence, she ever so slowly pushed more of her bde into the wolf’s flesh. He screamed louder, writhing in his seat. “Remember, darling: we have a healer with us, so we can heal you, then hurt you again, over and over and over…until you either talk or lose your sanity.”

  Kumiko continued to torture the wolf, siking her bde slowly into him and twisting it, and he continued to scream.

  Bruno instinctively took a step back. Even though he loathed the wolf and wished to beat him up himself, he still couldn’t watch. He had no idea that Kumiko could be that cold. The fact that her mask made her seem like she was always smiling made it all the more unsettling.

  “I can’t…” Irina said as she ran out of the room, clutching her mouth and stomach.

  “Kumiko, that’s enough!” Akira commanded.

  Kumiko froze for a moment, then pulled her sword away and stepped back from the wolf. “Fine.” She began to clean her sword while walking away.

  “You…you are all savages!” The prisoner excimed, his voice shaky, tears welling up in his eyes. “You wolves love to think you’re all so better than others and especially humans, but deep down you’re all the same kind of rotten! To hell with you all!”

  Bruno took more steps back, puzzled and somewhat intimidated by what was happening.

  Alexander grabbed Bruno by the arm while heading for the door. “Let’s go. You’ve seen enough.”

  Bruno did not hesitate, following his father out of the room. “Did…Did we break him? That didn’t take long.”

  Alexander shook his head. “I knew he was bluffing when he pretended to be tough. As for the outburst, well, you never know how someone will react under that kind of pressure.”

  Bruno stayed silent for a while. “It seemed like he had a grudge against wolves, even though he’s a wolf himself.”

  “Possible. But he could be just spouting nonsense.”

  “Is it…normal that I feel bad about this?”

  Alexander snorted. “It wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t.”

  While walking, they ran into Irina, who was wiping her mouth and seemed uneasy.

  “Irina, are you alright?” Alexander asked.

  “I’m…fine,” Irina said, coughing. “I’m sorry. That was pathetic.”

  Bruno shook his head. “I understand how you felt. It was an expected reaction.”

  “Is this…really necessary?” Irina asked.

  Bruno couldn’t answer.

  “Conflict is never pretty,” Alexander responded. “We do what we must.”

  Bruno sighed. “If you’re still feeling sick, come with us to Mira’s house. She should be with us soon. In the meantime, you can have tea.”

  Irina smiled faintly. “Thank you. I guess there’s no harm in that.”

  *********

  “I told you there’s no need to come with me,” Mira said, adjusting the strap of the leather bag she was carrying.

  “And I told you I’m not leaving you alone with him,” Bruno replied.

  “I won’t be alone; Akira will be there, and the guards outside.”

  “Doesn’t matter, I’m coming.”

  Mira groaned defeatedly. “Fine.”

  They arrived at the building and made their way into the room where the Draconivore was held. Inside, the wolf in question sat silently, although he was awake. There was a rge bandage on his right shoulder.

  “Good morning,” Mira greeted stoically as she approached the wolf.

  The wolf scoffed faintly. Bruno kept his distance, although he wasn’t too far behind.

  Mira sighed. She leaned closer and carefully removed the bandage. “This looks much better now. I’m gd we stopped Kumiko before she could make a deeper cut.”

  The wolf scoffed again, then spoke with a faint voice. “Of course, you’re gd you can torture me sooner.”

  Mira grumbled. “I’m a healer, not a tormentor. I’m simply doing my job.”

  “Doing what you’re told. Just another dog.”

  “It doesn’t mean I agree with their methods.”

  What is she doing? Bruno thought. There’s no point arguing with him.

  “Listen, kid,” Mira continued to talk while cleaning where the wound used to be. “You and your cult started this. That young man behind me just wants his sister back. Help us, and we won’t have to do any of this.”

  “True,” the wolf responded. “Then you’ll just get rid of me when I’m no longer useful.”

  “I’m a healer. I do not kill. And wolves do not execute prisoners.”

  The wolf let out a sudden ugh, startling both Mira and Bruno. “Please, kill me if you wish, just don’t lecture me about wolves and their principles. They mean nothing to me.”

  Mira reimagined her composure, remaining calm. “Why do you hate wolves so much? You are a wolf, too.”

  “So?” The wolf raised an eyebrow. “That means nothing to me, either.”

  “Fine, you don’t have to talk about it. Now…” Mira pulled a bowl of soup from her bag. “You have to eat. Unfortunately, we can’t free your paws, so I will have to feed you mys–”

  The wolf spat in the bowl. “Screw off.”

  “Mira, enough of this,” Bruno whispered, walking up to her and holding her arm. “You’re wasting your time.”

  Mira frowned at Bruno, then turned her attention back to the prisoner. “As you wish. Call for me if you change your mind. Unless you prefer one of the guards feeds you.” With that, she turned around and walked out of the room alongside Bruno. On their way out, they informed the guards of the food.

  “What was all of that for?” Bruno asked as they walked. “Did you really think you were getting somewhere?”

  Mira gnced at him, then faced forward again, a small smile tugging at her lips. “We’ll see.”

  “Oh no,” Bruno said with a chuckle, stepping in front of her. “I’m not going along with this until I know what you have in mind.”

  Mira eyed him for a moment. “If you promise not to interfere.”

  “Unless I believe I can improve the pn.”

  Mira huffed. “Fine! Listen…”

  The next day, the same routine repeated. However, this time, the wolf didn’t decline the food, although he was still bitter about it.

  “May I know your name now?” Mira inquired. “I’m tired of referring to you as ‘the prisoner’.”

  The wolf was silent for a moment. “What does it matter to you?”

  “Nothing.” Mira eyed the wolf, then turned around. “Keep it to yourself if you wish.”

  Bruno and Mira walked in the direction of the door, only to stop right before walking out.

  “By the way,” Mir a said. “Don’t you find it odd that your ‘friends’ never showed up? I guess you really meant nothing to them, nor do they care that we captured one of them. They have the girl, and they decided that was enough. So much for the ‘wrath of the dragons’. I guess we'll just have to capture another one and hope they talk more.”

  Silence lingered in the room for a few moments.

  “For what it’s worth,” Mira continued. “I pity you. I truly do.”

  Bruno and Mira were about to leave when the wolf finally spoke, “Remus. My name is Remus. And the fox with the blood magic…must be Yakyu.”

  Bruno and Mira turned around immediately, giving Remus their full attention.

  “What else do you know?” Mira asked.

  “I will tell you,” Remus replied, lifting his head up to look at Mira. “If you set me free.”

  Bruno chuckled. “Right, not happening.” He snapped his fingers and took a gnce behind him.

  “Deal,” Mira responded.

  Bruno looked at her in disbelief. “What?! Are you out of your mind?!”

  “I am fully aware of what I’m doing.”

  “I highly doubt it!” He took another gnce, then quickly frowned at Mira again.

  “So?” Remus interrupted. “What is it going to be?”

  Mira looked Bruno in the eye. “Trust me.”

  “But–”

  “Trust. Me.”

  Bruno groaned. Hesitantly, he nodded. His body tensed up, ready for any sudden action.

  Mira cleared her throat. “How about you answer one more question first, then I’ll set you free.”

  Remus chuckled with a smirk. “Deal.”

  “Alright. Is Yakyu a Draconivore, too?”

  She should’ve asked where Maki is! Bruno thought.

  “He is not,” Remus replied. “Now, honor your part of the deal.”

  Mira sighed. “Fair enough.” She walked up to Remus and began to undo his bindings, removing the contraptions with retive ease.

  Bruno’s instincts fred up, ready to spring to Mira’s aid, ready to fight or run at any moment as Remus stood up. Remus rubbed his arms, then looked at Mira, taking a step towards her.

  “Mira!” Bruno excimed, his paw behind his back, ready to snap his fingers again.

  Mira gestured for Bruno to stand back, her attention fixated on Remus. She remained completely still and calm.

  Remus chuckled. “You…are unlike the other wolves. You proved you are honorable. You proved me wrong.” He stepped back, sitting in the chair again. “Congratutions, you won. You earned the information.”

  Bruno blinked a few times, then sighed in relief. Quickly, he feigned confusion, tilting his head.

  “Tell me, then,” Mira continued. “Who or what exactly is Yakyu?”

  “I don’t know,” Remus answered. “We only know that he wields powerful magic and can control monsters. And that he’s not alone. He works for someone even more powerful. We don’t know who, either. Their activities have been felt and noticed by us for a long time now. It is not surprising at all that they would go after the dragon.”

  “Where did your ‘friends’ take Maki?”

  “Most likely to Malfred. He’s the leader of my group. Not the leader of all Draconivores. That one…very few have actually met or even know his name. Still, Malfred is a force to reckon with.”

  “And where is that Malfred?”

  “Hiding in a spot near the mountains to the south. I can draw it on a map…or take you there.”

  “I see.” Mira rubbed her chin. “Thank you for your cooperation.”

  “One more thing,” Remus said, facing Bruno. “You and your sister, were you born after the dragon was adopted by your mother?”

  Bruno tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  Remus snorted and shook his head. “I figured as much. Then your sister is in bigger danger than you think. Even if they can’t get to the dragon through her, they can still use her, herself.”

  Bruno frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “You guys really don’t know much about dragons, do you? When a dragon imprints on its mother, a special kind of magic is released between them. For dragons, it doesn’t do anything. However, if a dragon imprints on a non-dragon, some…peculiar things can happen, and it can affect the following offspring of the non-dragon mother.”

  Bruno’s eyes slowly widened in realization. “Are you saying…”

  Remus nodded. “Exactly. If they don’t get to your brother, they will either experiment on your sister, or eat her.”

  Bruno snarled and clenched his fists. “It’s...all because of you!” He stepped forward ready to strike.

  “Bruno!” Mira called. “Don’t. We had a deal.”

  It took all of Bruno’s power not to punch Remus’ lights out right then and there. He lowered his fist and stepped back, but his body was still shaking in rage.

  “Remus, I am afraid we will have to tie you up again.” Mira said. “It’s for the best. If you try to escape now, you will be killed. And the others will not feel safe otherwise.’

  “Fair enough,” Remus replied somberly. “I can’t go back to the Draconivores now anyway. If they find out I gave you any kind of information, they’ll eat me.” He looked Mira in the eye. “As long as you are with the other wolves, I will cooperate. And if you betray me…well, I’ll take my chances with the Draconivores.”

  “You have a deal. I promise that no one will harm you from now on. Bruno, would you help me tie him up, please?”

  Bruno paused, still processing what was happening. “Sure…I’m coming.” He and Mira bound Remus to the chair again, and set up the contraptions around him. On their way out, they told the guards to check the bindings and contraptions again, and found Akira and Alexander, who were standing on guard not too far from the door.

  “Well, that was close,” Alexander whispered.

  Mira motioned for him to stay silent.

  Once they were far enough, they could speak again.

  “He managed to free himself!” Bruno said.

  Mira nodded. “I noticed it when I was feeding him. That whole talk and deal were a ‘test’, I guess.”

  “I will heighten the security around him,” Akira added.

  “I was that close to snapping my fingers a second time,” Bruno said, chuckling nervously.

  “I’m gd you didn’t,” Mira responded. “Now we can proceed to the next step in the pn.”

  “But we can’t trust him,” Alexander said.

  “Of course we can’t,” Akira said. “However, this is our chance to strike. We will proceed with the pn, but we must be prepared in case he tries anything out of line.”

  Bruno nodded apprehensively. As they walked away from the guards headquarters, he gnced back, his mind going over everything that had happened and what was to come, and the increased urgency now that they had learned what could happen, or could already be happening. Maki…hold on a little longer.