I had finally tracked him down. It was 1978. I had used magick to disguise myself as a human bounty hunter, and spent almost a decade in that form, hunting him across the United States.

Because of what happened, the memories of the events are a little muddled. I can’t remember where we were, exactly. Just that it was a run down part of whatever city we were in. The main inhabitants were pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers and their victims. But I barely paid them any heed. They couldn’t harm me. And neither could Blackflame.

Or so I thought.

He was in an abandoned house. Unusual for him, as he had developed quite a taste for the finer aspects of human life. But I didn’t care. I had him, and that was all that mattered.

Dragons can detect the energy of other dragons nearby. But enforcers can dampen their energies. I could feel him, but he wouldn’t be able to sense me.

Under cover of night, I slipped up to the building. There was a scent in the air, but I didn’t pay it any heed. I should have.

It was blood.