Oryon and Eurus stood over Marybeth’s body as Artie sobbed into her chest. Her heart shattered as she watched. She never would’ve accepted the invitation if she knew this is what would happen. They didn’t deserve this.
Akadian watched, face contorted as though he couldn’t figure out what to do.
Do anything!Ambrose wanted to say but she knew it was no use.
There had to be something—
The disciple coughed, blood spurting from his mouth and robes as he turned behind him to see Felius who sank his battle axe deep into his back.
Yes!
The robed mage raised his hand to slice Antony’s neck at the same time that Ambrose copied the Magick he used to sever Marybeth’s head and returned the favor, removing his from his shoulders as it fell to the groundwith a wet thud.
But…
It was too late.
Antony gasped, eyes wide as his hands cupped over his neck and blood seeped through his small fingers. His ocean blue eyes filled with tears as his body slumped to the ground.
No. No. No. No. No. NO!
Ambrose ran to the boy’s side and pressed her hands into his neck. He looked up at her, fear in his eyes as tears poured from hers. Frantically she twisted her head around but Danthan was still unconscious.
She had no idea if it would work, but she had to try. She focused her magick, calling her channels forward as she willed everything into her hands. She imagined the warm sensation that had been used to heal her countless times, and willed it into Antony. She channeled every ounce of her mana into the boy but no matter how hard she called, her hands wouldn’t produce the healing glow she knew they should.
Please work. Please work!
But it was no use.
Ambrose was forced to watch the light leave Antony’s eyes as she desperately called but nothing answered.
No!
It had to work. She pressed harder. Called harder.
Nothing happened as Antony stared up at her and gasped one final breath. His blood soaked her hands but she didn’t pull away.
Artie and Alyx’s screams ripped through her heart as she held the small boy in her arms. The eyes that reminded her so much of her brother’s now devoid of anything that made Antony, Antony. The shy little boy was gone.
Oryon held Artie back so he wouldn’t see what she saw. Podara sobbed into the bucket of water and halfheartedly threw it on the flames.
Ambrose ripped her attention away from the boy, hot tears running down her face as she hunted for the deacon.
This endsnow.
When she found her prey, she raised her hand to remove his head butbefore she could, the deacon and remaining disciples burst into bright blue flames. Their shrieks serenaded her as they burned where they stood until their bodies fell to the ground.
Akadian stared murderously at the deacon who had become nothing but bones and ash.
“You?” she sobbed through her tears, clutching Antony’s body.
The prince’s flames were legend across the kingdoms. She’d never seen anything so hauntingly beautiful. Words would never be enough to describe them.
Akadian stepped towards the deacon’s body and set it on fire once more. Until there was nothing left.
Not even bones and ash.
Chapter 24
