"Wait!" Maxwell's voice broke as the golden dragon coiled around my fist, its ethereal form radiating power that made the air itself tremble. "Please!"
I held the punch inches from his face, letting him feel the raw energy emanating from the spectral beast. Sweat poured down his forehead as he stared into the dragon's blazing eyes.
"You have something to say?" I asked calmly.
"I know who you're looking for," he gasped, his broken hand clutched against his chest. "Your parents. I know where they are."
The golden dragon flickered slightly, but I kept my expression neutral. "Go on."
"The King of the South. He's been tracking missing persons across three provinces for years. Building files, gathering information. If anyone knows what happened to your family, it's him."
I studied his terrified face for any sign of deception. Fear had a way of making people honest, but desperation could make them creative with the truth.
"Why would he help me?"
