Page 28 of Three Dark Kings and the Gilded Serpent

This ribbon is dangerous, whether or not Stellen’s alive.

It also contains enough power that maybe…

Maybe…

I squeeze my eyes closed, fighting the reckless hope rising within my heart. I told Antony I would be his hope and now I am the one who needs faith. More than ever.

Exhaling my doubts, I dig in my heels, wedge my right shoulder against the gravestone, and heave.

Energy strikes through my chest and limbs, severe and biting.

Strong enough to knock me out.

At the same time, my braid jolts forward. The ribbon in my hair yanks my head toward the ground and I narrowly avoid cracking my head on the stone.

I fight to stay conscious despite the sizzling energy until suddenly, the sharp force cuts off.

I haven’t toppled the stone, but the ribbon has slipped free.

Oh, but the rest of it isn’t yellow.

Dark red. Soaked in blood that has turned so deeply crimson brown, it appears like a dark scythe spiraling upward.

The snowflakes floating toward it jolt aside as the blood-soaked ribbon rises into the air, unhurried now by the wind, gravitating toward my right hand.

I fight my instinct to step back from it as a song of breathtaking power fills the air.

At first, a melody of love and compassion and peace.

Then…

Twisting into rage and fury and a thirst for vengeance that can never be quenched.

A terrible, fearful song.

Within it, I hear Stellen’s Lethian Voice shattering his soul and stripping his heart’s feelings from his mind and body.

Dear Goddess…

I stumble back a step, my left hand pressed to my chest, my right hand dangerously outstretched as the ribbon follows me.

A terrifying force, floating closer to me with every beat of my heart.

Chapter Eight

Maxim

“Is this not enough?” My roar echoes in my ears as I thump my cousin’s chest, trying to get Kaiba’s heart to beat, my desperation growing with every second he fails to breathe.

Minutes ago, I dragged him from an Ember Tower filled with toxic black smoke and I carried him to this spot, where the air is clear.

I fought to control my power the entire time, fearful I’d burn Kaiba to ash if my flames took control, but he was going to die if I didn’t act.

All along the border as far as I can see, caustic fumes billow from every Ember Tower, black smoke polluted with burning iron dust extending lazily southward into my land, carried on the persistent, hot winds.

The toxic air creeps toward us and I’m certain the spot where I’m crouching beside Kaiba will soon be black with smoke.

As I thump my fist again and again against his chest, willing him to breathe, the silence grows heavier around me.