The Fallen Prince glared at me.
And I glared back.
Crimson red ethereal cords shot out through the glass top platform, latching onto Quazar from all ends. Several Fallenspawn shot to their feet, crying out. They were yanked down by their fellow Fallenspawn by their wings, keeping them quiet and in place.
I studied the cords. I’d never seen them before.
“Those are bloodletters,” Jael said barely above a whisper, almost in shock. “The Farasees have access tobloodletters?”
“Holy stars,” Hosea breathed.
I watched as what Jael called bloodletters latched onto Quazar like leeches. There were so many of them.
My seven hearts began racing. I tried anticipating what was about to happen, but I’d never been exposed to Blood Rites before.
As I looked at Quazar, it seemed like the world fell away. As if in this moment, whatever was about to happen, while it was in front of the world, it was almost like it was happening just between him and I. I checked the veil of our bond. It was still there, stronger than ever.
Yet, I couldn’t help the sensation as if I could stillfeelQuazar. In my blood. My bones. My soul.
I felt his hatred and how it grew for me with every passing moment. I wish to the stars I could make him feel mine. After all, he was on that dais now because of what he’d done to my Manmi.
“Blood for blood,” Granmanmi said softly, but every ear in Titombwe heard her loud and clear. “For the Infinite, for the empyrean, for Farasee Amaryss. Blood forblood.”
The last word was spoken like a curse.
Then Quazar began to roar.
The bloodletters pierced into his body with spikes jutting out from their ends. I shot forward in my cloudchair, slamming my hands over my mouth. A cacophony of excitable screaming exploded across the arena. Lust for blood tainted the air as angels screamed for more.
The inscriptions on Quazar’s body came to life, glowing bright and golden across his skin. Whispers filled the air, reading the text aloud for us to hear. But it was an old tongue. A dead language. No one knew what it meant.
Poised like nobility, Granmanmi Asarah floated close by, watching Quazar as he was bled out, intently. Quazar strained against the bloodletters with all his might, but there was nothing to do for it.
As Quazar screamed, the bloodletters drained his blood. Every last tendril began filling with the golden ichor, as it began seeping down the tendrils, into the glassy foundation, and beyond to who knew where. I hyperventilated as the beast of an angel, tall as a mountain, and probably strong like one, too, was brought to his knees. His limbs began contorting from an unseen force. Black veins began crawling up his bronze-kissed arms, his neck, his face. As if he was being drained of life. Being drained of his very spirit. His soul.
My stomach twisted, forming a knot that made me ill. I thought I would turn over and vomit with how nauseous I felt.
Quazar roared in agony. The angels roared back, demanding he give more of his blood. The more he bled, the more his inscriptions came to life, evidence of his curse.
My Safah. My precious fifi.Bend, but do not break.Burn, but never bleed.Never,everlet them see you bleed, Safah. Promise me.Manmi would say.
Who, Manmi?I’d asked.
Everyone,she responded gravelly.No one can see you bleed, my Star.
I ground my teeth together unable to wrench my eyes away from the curse crippling Quazar. From the blood being drained from him.Stars. There was so much blood. My hearts galloped at a speed I wasn’t sure I’d survive. My hands shook. I struggled to breathe.
“Youare the one bonded to him, aren’t you, Safah?”
I didn’t look at Ezekiel.
But now all my siblings were looking at me.
I only had eyes for the Prince who’d now fallen to his knees and was writhing in agony from the torture. My nostrils flared as tears pricked my eyes.
This was what I wanted, wasn’t it? I wanted him to pay. I wanted him to suffer.
I wanted him tobreak.
