quote:Rolf admits that dragons made the portals between Chimeria and the non-magical world. But there’s more to it. The object he was seeking, the Lock, is one of a set also capable of opening portals. Its mate, the Key, can, with difficulty, open temporary portals. But the pair can make permanent portals like the one they used. The dragons made these objects and now they want them back. Valeriah refuses to believe him. In order to overcome her skepticism, Rolf shows her a reference to the Lock in one of his books. Seeing the drawing of the object, Valeriah recognizes it as something her father had. It’s buried with him.
And now they finally have their first clue to the motive for the murders and the attacks on Crystal. Whoever has the Key must be trying to gain possession of the Lock as well. Rolf can use the Lock to help them find the Key. When they catch the man who has the Key, they can free Crystal to return home without fear and accomplish Valeriah’s revenge in one stroke.
Zobran has not been idle, however. He has tracked them to their hideout. By good fortune, he finds a would-be serial killer who can kill the women for him, without risk to himself. Zobran arms the serial killer with biological-weapons-grade viruses and specific instructions to use one particular virus on Valeriah. As a werewolf, she will be acutely susceptible to rabies.
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