Watching Olivia walk away from the dome cuts me. An open, bleeding wound, screaming my failure. She's on the other side. I didn't protect her.

My bijass rises so fast I don't feel its approach.

Pounding in my ears, my limbs tingle as blood rushes to them, my vision turns red.

Roaring, I slam my fists into the dome.

Tear it down. Must reach her.

She is mine!

A tiny human, inches away, grins. I'm going to tear that smile from his face.

He's one of them. One of those who took her from me.

Pounding the barrier, my fists are numb, it doesn't yield.

"Ragnar!" Bashir yells.

Ignore him.

Tear it down. Must reach Olivia.

My treasure. Mine.

I slam my tail and fists against the barrier over and over. Beyond pain. Numbness.

Nothing will stop me or stand in my way.

Hands grab my shoulders.

Jerking free I whirl, a new threat.

Bashir. His hands are raised, open, his tail low.

"Ragnar," he says.

"NO!" I scream.

"Together we are stronger," he says.

"She is mine," I hiss. "Mine!"

"Yes," Bashir says as Melchior approaches from my other side.

I move back, keeping them both in sight. They will not keep me from her.

"Edicts," Melchior says. "Ragnar, control yourself.

Their words cut through the red rage, finding me in the maelstrom of emotion. I watch as my body turns and I pound on the barrier again.

"OLIVIA!" I scream, but I'm a passenger to my anger, the bijass is in control.

"Edicts are edicts," Bashir says.

They keep their distance, talking, and their words penetrate the storm that roars around me. I am more than this.

I am myself.

"Edicts," Melchior repeats.

Turning to face them, the urge to make them submit rises.

No one can stand against me. No one will keep Olivia from me.

"Edicts," Bashir says. "Together we are stronger."

Spreading my wings I throw my arms wide and scream my frustration at the stars above. Rage, anger, hurt, and loss pour out of me in one long display of emotion.

I let it all go until I am myself again. I am in control.

The rage fades, leaving an empty aching in my gut. "I must get to her."

"Of course," Bashir says.

"We'll help," Melchior adds.

The bond between us gives me strength. I draw on it, needing it.

"The Council will meet with Lana to discuss the events," Bashir says.

"Then let's invite ourselves," I say.

Bashir leads the way among the tents. The Tribe set them up in a circular pattern, the center of which is clear for gathering. Kalessin and Falkosh, the two Elders, and Visidion, the Commander, stand together. Visidion leans on his staff, staring at the ground. Drosdan stands to one side with his massive arms crossed over his chest. Lana, Astarot, and Ladon stand together.

My attention goes to Ladon first. He considers it his city, being locked out of it can't be sitting well with him.

The rest of the Tribe watches in a loose circle, keeping their distance. Normally the Council would meet in their cave if we were still in the valley and the Tribe could not listen. It's obvious they all want to know what is happening but are holding back from inserting themselves in the debate.

I have no such qualms. My female is on the wrong side of that dome. I will have answers.

Melchior and Bashir flank me as I cut through the crowd. I lead us to a stop, standing to one side of the Council and Lana and Astarot so we can see both groups.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Gershom put one of his followers up to this," Lana says.

"Who is this Gershom?" Falkosh, the Tribe Elder, asks.

"He's an asshole," Lana snaps.

The elders exchange a look at her brash, fast answer. Lana's sharp and doesn't miss it.

"Let me elaborate," she says, holding her hands up. "There are some of the humans who spout anti-Zmaj bullshit. They don't think we should work together. Especially if it means Zmaj men with Human women."

She looks at Astarot for affirmation who frowns and nods.

"Why is this a problem for them?" Visidion asks.

"Fear," Astarot interjects before Lana can speak. "They're scared, facing the doom of their race and have not had time to come to terms with it as we have. They fear that their females falling for our males will mean their end."

"That's entirely too nice a way to say it," Lana says, jumping back in. "That may be true for a lot of the followers but their leader, Gershom, really is an asshole. He doesn't buy the crap he spouts. He knows we need the Zmaj. Gershom is smart, don't underestimate his cunning. He wants power, and this is a way for him to get it."

"He puts his own gain and power above that of his people?" Visidion asks.

"He does," Lana says, without hesitation.

The Council Members look at each other but I watch Lana. Does she understand what she is doing?

"This Gershom, he manipulates the others of his tribe for power?" Visidion asks.

"That's exactly what he's doing," Lana says, crossing her arms over her chest.

A soft murmur passes around the circle.

"We believe that is what he is doing," Astarot says, softening her statement. "It is not something we can prove."

"How much proof do we need that the guy's a dickhole?" Lana snaps, throwing her arms up in the air. "He's been pulling shit since we landed here. Anything he can do to steal power from Rosalind."

"Rosalind is the leader of the humans?" Visidion asks.

"Yes," Lana says.

Anger pulses in my veins. If this Gershom is responsible for taking Olivia from me, he needs to learn the error of his ways.

"There is much to discuss," Visidion says.

"There is nothing to discuss," I interject.

Everyone turns to look at me.

"Hunter, you speak out of turn," the Commander says.

Stepping forward, I make a slashing motion with my hand through the air. "This Gershom has made his position clear," I say. "And he has cut me off from my treasure, the female that is mine."

I claim Olivia out loud for the first time.

"I hear your claim but-" Visidion starts to speak but is cut off as Kalessin steps forward to stand in the center.

"DANGER!" the Elder seer says, his voice roaring out with a power that drives deep in my bones.

All eyes go to him. Kalessin foresaw the devastation. His vision founded the Tribe, brought us together. He gave us the Edicts. No one dares interrupt him.

Astarot pulls Lana backwards, moving himself in front of her while looking around for any threat.

"Gershom will be the downfall of the Tribe," Kalessin says, his voice softer but somehow more sinister.

He shakes, shudders, then stands still.

No one dares a breath, waiting.

Kalessin straightens, then his form goes back to its normal stoop, and he slowly walks back to his position next to Falkosh.

Visidion steps forward two steps then taps his staff on the ground three times.

"That decides it. They must give us Gershom for trial and justice," he says.

"None of this gets us into the City," I say, stepping forward, the bijass pulsing through my veins.

I hold it at bay, reciting the Edicts in my head.

"I'm sure they're working on fixing the door," Lana says.

"Is there no other entrance?" I ask.

"The power grid isn't working well, or wasn't when we left. None of the other doors are powered."

"Can we dig under it?" I ask.

Lana looks at Astarot. He shrugs.

"I don't know," he says, looking at me.

"Then we will try," I say.

"That settles it," Visidion says. "Ragnar will be in charge of the digging. We will retrieve the females who wish to remain with us. The Tribe will not join the City until Gershom has seen justice."

Lana grins from ear to ear as if pleased with herself.

I don't think she understands what she has created. Gershom violates the Edicts if all she said is true. The Tribe will not tolerate it, we can't. The Edicts are our strength. Anyone who undermines them…

Shaking my head, I push the concern away. I have a dig to organize.

I'm coming Olivia.