A Prison of Worlds (The Chained Worlds Chronicles Book 1) by Daniel Ruth

exploding
upon death or capture is new.”  Now that she was talking, she seemed almost
happy to unburden herself.  “Most are shifters of some type and many have
supernatural powers.  He seems to have more werewolves than other kinds.”
    “Powers? 
Like?” I prompted her.
    “It's
odd,” she stated, almost unsure of herself.  “They seem unrelated.  Some are
unstoppable juggernauts, others are masters of elements, while others turn
invisible or hurl bolts of force.”
    My
brow furrowed as I thought of what would bring such a wide range of
supernaturals under the power of one wizard.  “That’s quit an eclectic group
you have there.”
    “Yes.”
    “Given
that they can do all of that,” I paused thinking it through.  “Why did the shifters
we met in your suite have nothing?”  A couple of lightning bolts would have
made things more interesting.
    “Jin
just recent arrived in the city.  I don’t know how he acquires new followers,
but they all start off as normal shifters.  I would bet that in a few weeks the
‘elite’ start showing up.”
    That
didn’t sound familiar.  “Do these people have anything else in common?”
    “They
have strange designs inscribed on their bodies.  These are the ones that can
use powers that they didn’t previously have.”
    Well
damn.  That didn’t narrow it down too much.  Many demons and dragons can shape
shift.  My breed for one are exceptional shape shifters, which is why being
trapped in human form was very stressful for me, but any except the very
primitive breeds could do it.  Demons usually only have a handful of shapes
except the Rakshasa.  Those were accomplished shape shifters and very master-plan
oriented.  However as a demon they wouldn’t have much trouble summoning more. 
We would likely be up to our necks in minor demons if it was one of them.  The
good thing is they wouldn’t bring over greater demons for fear of being
overthrown.  It probably wasn’t a demon just based on that factor.  Unless it
was going to summon its master.  That would be a worst case scenario.
    Assuming
he isn't a random supernatural entity such as a demigod, it was very possible
he was a dragon.  I would normally sense another of my kind, but that can
easily be shielded against.  I know I personally do so on an almost unconscious
level.  Rune magic is pretty much forbidden, there's no mystical commandment against
it, but people that pursue it tend to disappear.  However, there are other methods
of impressing permanent or temporary abilities onto subjects.  These range from
inking magical sigils onto a person's skin to alchemical potions that grant
temporary power or pacts with demons or elementals. 
    My
breed is fairly scholarly as dragons go.  My ancestors had dealings with most
of the previously mentioned fields of magics and since we are immune to most toxins
many pursued alchemy either as a hobby or primary method of study.  Even
thinking about it I could feel vague concepts and principles ready to bubble up
through my subconscious mind.  A similarly distracting sensation arose as I
thought of painting spells onto a person's skin.  Pushing this sensation aside,
I concentrated once more on the issue at hand.  With a few years of study, I could
possibly do everything that the girl mentioned except for the pacts.  The very
idea of making contracts with the vermin of the firmament gave me the creeps.
    “You
know something,” the little Asian girl said, staring intently at me.
    “Well,”
I paused, not really sure how I wanted to say this. “I have a much better idea
of what his abilities are thanks to you.”
    “And
would you like to share this?” she asked sharply.
    Not
really, but my poker face really sucked.  If I wanted to work with this girl I
had to say something credible.  I would try the truth.  It's usually slippery
enough to do the trick.  “He could possibly be of a supernatural race some
call,” I spit out a name, half cough,