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“Are you the Skull King? Is that why you have this power?” I asked, hoping to use this time to create a strategy, but also to figure out what exactly I was up against.
“Lucky for you, I’m not. However, the Skull King has gifted me with this power. He chose me to learn this craft, just as he’s doing now with the rest of his army.”
“How is that possible? Crafts are hereditary.”
“Unlike the worthless King Pater, the Skull King cares about equality. He was born with this craft, the only one in history to wield such power, and he claims it to be the stars’ way of changing fate. That it’s time for a new ruler, a generous one. He didn’t hog all of the power to himself; he tried countless times to see if there was a way he could share with his followers. Then, one day he figured it out, and he’s been sharing it with those he trusts, leading us in a revolution over a kingdom that has overlooked us for so long.”
Words and questions got stuck in my throat as I absorbed all of the information he was telling me. It didn’t make sense. How could someone just be given power like that?
“How is that possible?”
He began to circle me. “Your useless little Golden blood can’t restart the heart. It’s one of the biggest flaws with your craft. However, our Electric blood can. I was actually the Skull King’s first successful experiment. I was the first person to be born mortal, but now hold Artis blood in my veins. It was a risk, but I trusted my king. He drained me of blood until my heart had none left to pump, then he willingly gave me some of his, injecting it into my veins and making it my own, before using his craft to shock my heart into starting again. I was reborn that day, and have dedicated my life to the cause of the Red Bones.”
I stood there, looking at him as still as stone. I wouldn’t have believed him if I didn’t see the proof right in front of me. This was bad, really bad. If there really was an army, I wasn’t sure how Veladis could stand a chance, but I couldn’t worry about that now. I needed to focus on surviving today so I could live to see tomorrow.
“Why didn’t the Skull King come and fight me himself? Who is he?”
“BECAUSE I WAS CHOSEN FOR THIS!” he yelled, his patience for my game of questions finally running out. “And you’ve made me look like a failure for the time it’s taken me to find you. There’s no need for names, you won’t be living long enough to find out.”
Mendex quickly flung out his hand and sparks shot out from his fingers. I dodged just as quickly, but not fast enough as the energy grazed my arm, burning the skin.
I yelped at the singe of the strike and planted my feet in a fighting position. I wasn’t ready that time, this time I was. I gripped my golden dagger tighter, focusing all of my energy on predicting his next move.
He shot out his power again at me and I ducked and rolled to the other side of the room, dodging his attack. He had the advantage over me by being able to attack from a distance. I needed to find a way to get close to him.
I threw my dagger with deadly accuracy right for his heart. I assumed he would probably dodge it, but that was fine. It was the distraction I needed to get close to him. He moved out of the line of aim and I leapt towards him, getting close enough to his feet to try and grab his ankles. If I could get my grip on them, I could break them.
My fingers were inches from his ankles, but before I could reach them, he kicked the side of my face hard enough to see stars and my vision blurred for a moment.
I gripped my nose in my hand as it bled down my arm and tried to quickly get up before he could strike me again.
As my vision came back to me, I was struck again by the electricity, this time in my shoulder.
I screamed in agony at the blow and the intensity of the pain.
Bennett’s muffled screams shouted at me to run, but the ringing in my ears overpowered him. I gripped my shoulder and flinched at my burned leathers.
Holy shit, this craft is deadly.
I had no weapon, no advantage, no plan, and no way for me to use my craft unless I got close enough, which was virtually impossible.
Mendex laughed maliciously as he lashed out another strike of energy. I rolled out of the way just in time to avoid the blast, but landed on the wounded shoulder in order to dodge it. I tried to hold in my scream at the impact of the pain. My stomach churned as I lay in a fetal position on the floor.
Footsteps sounded as Mendex walked up to me. I looked up with fear in my eyes to see him looming over me, his eyes as white as lightning. The same eyes that looked at me with appreciation after healing him time and time again. The same eyes that saw beauty in me before the masquerade ball. The same eyes that looked thrilled at the adventure of streaking in the lake. The same eyes that my friend had. However, these eyes were worn by a person I had never even met.
“Oh, Rhia, you shouldn’t gamble if you know you can’t win.”
“NO!” I screamed, before he stood above me and blasted his power straight into my chest.
Bennett’s screams were all I could hear over the ringing in my own ears. A scream that told me his heart was breaking, and even in this moment I wanted to run to him and wrap my arms around him. I didn’t listen to him—again. I caused this.
I’d never felt such pain in my life. This was worse than the fire, the whip, than any wound I’d ever gotten. My soul felt as though it was turning to ashes, burning from Mendex’s power and betrayal. Every nerve in my body was alive with pain, and I had no control over my limbs. I was trapped, lifeless, I could do nothing to save myself or Bennett. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I knew the inevitable, but prayed one last time.
I licked my bloody, dried lips and coughed. My throat was so dry it felt like I swallowed dust. I tried to speak, but only a hoarse whisper passed my lips. I swallowed roughly and tried again, blood gurgling past my lips as I weakly cried, “Stars, help me.”
My body screamed as power burst from every fiber of my being, and something unleashed inside of me that I’d only experienced once before. On the night I fell into the fire and my Golden blood was unveiled.
I gasped and my eyes flew open. Golden shadows erupted from my body, creating a light so bright it was blinding. My skin glowed and energy thrummed in me like never before. I was levitated off of the ground, as if the stars themselves picked me up and set me on my feet.
