Page 12 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

A single guard stepped forward, his black-and-malachite armour causing Kora to gag as he held a pendant swinging from a dark chain.

Her talisman.

No, no, no!

Kora attempted to scramble back, and her hand closed around Blake’s accidentally, jolting her body. Curling his fingers around hers, his dull eyes sparked as energy travelled from his clammy skin. She sucked in a clear breath, able to fully open her eyes from the bolt of power from Blake, as Barron neared, dangling her talisman with glee. Its colour had faded, returning to its original midnight blue, and the eight-pointed shape had folded in, reverting to a teardrop encased in columns.

Blake remained crouched beside her as he tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder, as if he were trying to support her. As if he cared. Kora hissed again, baring her fresh set of teeth at him. Her skin crawled at Blake’s touch, revulsion spearing through her.

His clothes hung from his frame, his dark shirt dishevelled, loosely tucked into his breeches. Threads unravelled from the tassel looping around the golden cutlass sword Kora had gifted him. The metal had lost its hue, the gold diminished, and the blade duller.

Almighty Thanos, he looked as dead as she felt.

Good.

“Now, my pet,” Barron swung the talisman inches away from Kora’s face. “Are you ready to join us? To take your place in the new world, by my side. Or do I need to use this on you?”

The intricate metal pendant still took her breath away—more so than being a corpse for over a month. The blended hues of the sea dazzled her, and she instinctively leant forward, drawn to the talisman as it twirled from Barron’s icy grip.

“Kora,” Blake whispered harshly, his stare flaring in warning. The last time she’d seen the talisman, it had sucked her power dry, nestled against the bosom of her former best friend.

“Where’s Bree?” she forced out, her lips still numb and mumbling around her teeth.

Blake stilled, his hands falling limp to his side as he pushed away from the tree supporting Kora’s shredded back, shaking his head. She didn’t want to admire the way his grown-out hair tumbled around his handsome face, dancing around his ears, before connecting to his stubbled jaw.

No. She didn’t love him—not anymore. Her shattered heart scraped her ribcage, the individual pieces flaying her from within for even remotely admiring him.

“Lady Hydrafort has taken a temporary leave of absence from public duties.” Barron’s weathered face crinkled with the slightest frown.

“Is she dead?” Kora swallowed.

“No,” Blake answered, as he retreated behind his father. “She’s still very much alive.” A deep exhale followed, as he wrung his wrists. A shadow lingered behind him, weaving around his shoulders, fluttering through the ends of his hair, tickling his neck.

“Having marital issues already?” Kora gibed. “Couldn’t stick out the lies with her? Or was I an exception?”

Blake ran a hand through his grown lengths, the strands glistening like the dark of the void. “We’re not married.”

“Yet,” Barron added, that sick smile still on his face. “But it abhors me that you’d think I’d kill a noble.” He shook his head, his matching dark hair falling across his back like oil. Identical in every way, yet not enough for Kora to have noticed the first time.

“You have no issue killing everyone else,” Kora bit back, flexing her feet as her muscles slowly hydrated. She ground her fresh teeth at the small skip in her heart at how her future with Blake had been destroyed.

“Ah, there she is,” Barron crooned. “See, didn’t take her long to revive, my son. Now,” Barron clapped his hands, the talisman dangling between. “Tell me, Kora pet. Will you join me, or will I have to use this pesky charm on you?”

“How many are dead?” Kora diverted. “How many innocents have you already slaughtered in a month?”

Blake flinched, his once-dazzling eyes dropping to the ground, their tone lifeless and muted. In comparison, Barron oozed life, his complexion positively glowing and golden. It sickened her.

“The new world requires sacrifices. As per the prophecy,” Barron’s tone frosted. “Their souls will be gifted to the rift, and my power will ignite the tear in these lands as the new vessel of divinity.”

Kora scoffed. “Sounds like bullshit to me. The gods still exist, they see all.” Surely Thanos knew about this? If he was still aware of Hallow’s Day, then he must be aware of Barron’s plans. What would stop him enough from interfering? Could he even interfere?

“Enough!” Barron’s power spooled, dripping from his form and latching onto the mossy plain, staining everything it touched. Killing it.

Kora dared to yawn in response, her legs stretching as life sizzled in her veins once again. “You know your power was never recorded by the Devanian scholars?” Blake’s gaze narrowed at the mention of scholars. “Makes me curious. Certainly doesn’t fit into any of the factions. Perhaps you’re a new kind of witch?”

Barron seethed, spittle flying from his mouth. “How dare you associate me with that scum!” He bolted forward, smashing the talisman into the side of Kora’s face, her cheek smarting with sharp pain. “Time to make your sacrifice, pet.”

Blake stuttered as the talisman remained cold and lifeless. No water materialised, and the core of the pendent didn’t shine. Barron froze, his dark eyes raking over Kora’s dishevelled state, tracing every curve, limb and scar peeking through her torn, filthy clothes.