Sophie's interrogation was focused and intense. She sat across from Brooks with the kind of determination that came from someone who needed people to understand the truth, even if that truth sounded impossible.
"The Eighth is real," Sophie said for what felt like the hundredth time. "He has Lucas. He has Lucas's father. He has King Aurelius, and he has Vex Marduk."
Brooks looked up from her notes. "Vex Marduk?"
"A beast trafficking merchant we encountered on Raiju Prime. He was involved in illegal creature trade, including the dragon that's now Noah's companion, Ivy. The Eighth took him too."
Brooks made a notation on her tablet. "So now we're adding beast trafficking to the list of complications."
