As they prepared to leave the map room, Ao Run's expression grew even more troubled. The Dragon King moved to a different section of the charts, one that had been hidden in shadow until now. When he gestured toward it, the symbols on this particular map began to glow with an unsettling dark light.
"Before you go," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made everyone stop and turn back. "There is something else you must know. Something that changes everything about what you believe you're facing."
The map he revealed showed locations, but together they resembled a face.
"Jiaolong is not acting alone," Ao Run began. "His corruption, his knowledge of the realms, his understanding of the Dragon Emperor's tomb—none of this came from his own research."
Lin felt a chill that had nothing to do with her ice magic. "Someone's been helping him."
"Not helping," Ao Run corrected grimly. "Controlling."
