Four is a Party (Part 1)

"Exactly." Milea nodded. "Yet rather than compensation, the real goal of the Council and the Royals would be to exploit Dusk's weakened state to coerce him to share his knowledge with no regard for his current host."

"You mean the girl is still in there?" Kigan said in surprise, staring at Kelia who hid behind the Empress with remarkable speed.

"She is not Dusk's tool, she is his partner. Kelia, these two scary guys are Xenagrosh and Kigan, the two hybrids I told you about. Xenagrosh, Kigan, this is Kelia Sunbry, second year student and rising star of the Red Emperor academy." Milea moved to the side to introduce Kelia, but she followed her like a shadow.

"How come she was so brave before and now she's a scaredy cat?" Xenagrosh chuckled, softening her expression.

"Because Dusk was in control until a second ago." Milea said trying and failing to get Kelia off her back.