The marble platform tilted beneath Kane's feet. He stumbled, clutching the boy tighter as golden clouds turned sickly gray overhead.
"What's happening?"
"The realm is falling apart." The dragon's voice came small against Kane's shoulder. "This is the day the Black Dragon clan died."
Kane's blood went cold.
"How do you know that?"
Crimson eyes lifted, ancient, despite the child's face wearing them.
"Because this isn't your dream." A bitter smile touched too-young features. "It's mine."
Kane's grip loosened. "That doesn't make sense. You weren't even born. You're still—"
"An egg. I know." The dragon pulled back, small hands gripping Kane's arms. "But maybe dragons inherit memories."
Kane opened his mouth, searching for comfort, for logic, for anything—
"I relive this day." The dragon's gaze drifted toward the crumbling horizon where dragons fell from the sky in sheets of flame. "Every day. While I'm trapped in the shell."
