“I don’t know why or how the Master did it, only that he is only one step away from creating a new life form.” Leegaain said. “If I put you back together, Hatchling, I would bear the responsibility of giving birth to something incredibly powerful and potentially unkillable.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes. It means that you wouldn’t let me go.” Zoreth nodded. “You could not.”

“Not without knowing why the Master is seeking this kind of power and ensuring that he can’t give it to himself and the rest of his hybrids after he studies your life force and reverse-engineers my technique.” Leegaain said.

“Let me be crystal clear, pumpkin. I can and am willing to heal you, but only on one of the following conditions.

“Either you accept to come with me and stay in my lair like Thrud’s Generals until I understand the threat the Master poses and remove it, or you tell me everything you know about the Organization, its members, and its goals.

“If you choose the former, I’ll heal you immediately and bring you back home. You won’t be allowed to leave under any circumstances until I decide otherwise. I can arrange for Bytra and Lith to visit from time to time, but that’s it.