Page 193 of Heir of Broken Souls

But don’t be fooled, for the mirror majesties have a pull.

Join your steel and lunge with a roar, weave your golden fate.

And so the scales shall devour their dark souls.”

Elysia shakes her head. “There was another one.”

I click my fingers.

“What you once thought was born was instead created,

Not of love and tender touches but of gentle curses.”

Naia dips her head. “There is more to come, child, and when it does, do not be stunned. Use the emotion to propel you forward and whatever you do”—her eyes fall to the twin dragon swords in my palms—“do not let them possess that.”

I suck in a sharp breath as Naia leaves without so much as a goodbye. Her pod just vanish. There isn’t a flash of light, a ripple of water. There is nothing where they once bobbed.

Knox slowly turns to me. “The blades are yours. Can you hold onto them?”

I’m never letting anything take them from me.“Absolutely.”

He dips his chin. “Keep them on you for when the time comes that the rest is translated. For now—” He turns to his court. “Are we all aware of what we’re stepping into?”

Trepidation lines everyone’s features.

It fills our hearts.

It fills our blood.

It fills our bones.

It is lined in every crevice and crack, present in this moment, present in Knox’s very words.

This could be the end.

Of everything.

We will either win this, or we will lose. Everyone knows what’s at stake and I don’t think I’m the only one who would rather die than be at the mercy of Peter Maloone.

We will all die fighting.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I take in everyone from my found family, and speak from my heart. Because this could possibly be the last time I ever get to do so. “It has been an honor getting to know you all. Some I have had far less time with than I wish,” I say with a dip toward Elysia, “but I hope you all know how much I care for you.” Aurora lands behind me suddenly, grazing her furry raven mane against my back. The tender feelings flowing down our bond have tears sparking in my eyes. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I wouldn’t trade it for one of peace, because then I would have never met any of you, and that would have been the greatest tragedy of all.”

Emotion clogs my throat so thoroughly I choke on my words.

Knox steps beside me, his shoulder brushing against Aurora and Zephlyn as his features grow heavy. “I would hope I don’t have to say that I love you all, but in case you don’t know, I care so deeply for each and every one of you. We were brought into each other’s lives for a reason, and whatever fate has in store for us next, I just pray we can go together.”

As the desolate feelings settle like a heavy boulder between us all, Knox clears his throat, his eyes gleaming with hatred.

“But mark my words, we will go in fighting. This is our land, our people, our family, our magic. He does not deserve an inch. He does not deserve our mercy. None of them do.” His voice hardens, growing thick with every passing second. “We will make them pay for the suffering they have inflicted upon our family, so help me gods.”

With every word, the anger in our hearts rises to Knox’s demands, and with it, our power.

Fire dances along Harlow’s arms, air flurries around us from Axel, and Elysia’s eyes sparkle and shine so bright I fear for those who dare to step in her mind’s way. Shadows leak from every inch of Knox and Lenox, and as for me, my golden power rumbles, coiling, rising at the call of war.

Stepping forward, I feel the spot between my shoulder blades simmer, and without hesitation, I let myself be free. The golden wings at my back spring forth.

“It’s time they met their demise.”