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September 1 - October 2, 2025
“She will not be easy to dethrone. No matter how strong we are. We have to be smarter.”
An idea formed in my head as I chewed the inside of my lip. “You mean destroy her from the inside out?” Samkiel’s smile sent a chill down my spine. “Exactly.”
“You know, a fate told me once that love has power. I want to test that theory.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Camilla,” He said, his smile fading. “But you are.” “What?” My heart thudded in my chest, echoing the sound of his boots as he stomped to the door and flung it open. A soldier entered, holding a long, blunt-ended golden trident. Electricity shot from the prongs, wrapping me in a net of sizzling sparks. My body shook, and my magic fizzled as my knees hit the floor. My eyes widened and filled with tears. “You treacherous snake.”
Vincent folded his arms over his broad chest. “I never lied about who I was. You were just too simple to believe it.”
Nismera released my hair, stepping toward Vincent for a better view of my humiliation. “Now take her hands,” Nismera whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder. “I command you.”
“No, but this map.” I came around the desk to stand beside him, gazing down at it. “This gives you an advantage and gives us a peek at how her brain works. It also tells us what posts she is interested in.”
The small woman behind the counter nodded to me, but one glance told me Orym and Veruka were not there. I looked out the window toward the docks but didn’t see any ryphors either.
“Excuse me,” I asked the owner. “I’m looking for two of my friends. Have you seen them? About this tall, pointed ears, elves?” “Oh, yes.” She beamed and put the finishing touches on a display behind the counter. “They were in here earlier. They chatted together for a moment before leaving. I saw them head that way,” she said, pointing toward the docks.
Hmmm
“Okay, thanks,” I said, forcing a smile. My gut was telling me something was not right.
Yeah for real
Meeting changed to Torkun. Hurry, they decided this place wasn’t good enough for a rest. Left a transporter for you under the pier. -Orym
Still dont like this
My finger paused over the button to send me. I knew I needed to tell Samkiel I was changing locations, but he would only show up, protesting he needed to go with me. Realistically, I needed to do this alone. I had to show him that we couldn’t do every mission together, and I’d be okay without him at my side.
FUCKING MORON. WtfWTF
My gaze restlessly roamed the tavern. My instincts were screaming at me, but there were no soldiers here that I could see, and I couldn’t locate the danger.
Helllooooooooooo
The bartender returned and dropped a platter down in front of me. Blood dripped from the edges, the scent nearly overwhelming. Veruka and Orym’s heads lay atop it, their eyes drawn back and mouths agape as if they’d died screaming.
“Is this what you were looking for?” the bartender asked with an amiable smile.
A chill raced across my spine. The oracle’s sick, wet laugh mocked me. I wouldn’t follow her, headless boy, or you’ll have a twin to match. And match they did. My eyes darted to...
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“This blade will fix everything, Dianna. No more blind hatred or broken heart.”
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It wasn’t just some glowing artifact to scratch his ego. No, that blade was drenched in magic. Magic made to… “Are you fucking kidding me?” Kaden shook his head. “I can make it all go away. You won’t remember anything. I can make you love me again.”
ten steps ahead of me. Even Mera knows that. One little stick of that dagger, and when you wake up, all your feelings and love for Samkiel will be gone. Replaced and given to my brother.”
Kaden raised his hand, the blade carving a path to my heart, threatening to rip out the love I harbored there. He was threatening to take from me the one person who defied nature itself to help me, love me, protect me.
Something snapped in me. Fire raged in my blood, and for a moment, I felt it in my eyes. A scalding hot fire flowed from my heart and, with each beat, reached more of my body. A flicker of bright orange flame danced across my hands, and the man from my dreams, the one who sat atop his throne made of bone, stood. His orange eyes glowed brighter, and a wide smile revealed his sharp white teeth. “Finally.” His voice scraped over my brain like molten steel.
It rained on Rashearim for weeks after. I remembered how others avoided me, the power rippling around and off my skin for weeks. I was such a danger then. My father increased my training and studies. When my mother passed, and my world was once more in turmoil, instead of losing control, I focused all of that dark rage and forged the Oblivion ring and sword. As soon as it rested on my finger, all of those harrowing feelings left, and now I knew why. Now I understood the look on my father’s face and my mother’s tears as she held me that night. I did not make Oblivion. I was Oblivion.
It felt like fire erupted across my skin, flowed through my veins, and ignited in my soul. The world shook, and another peal of thunder rocked the air. The swirling mass of power in the sky halted and turned as if it had just been waiting. I threw a single arm up, and my power rushed forward, the silver racing so fast night turned into day. It crashed into my fingertips before spreading, surging into me in waves.
My body claimed the power, my cells soaking in the energy. I dropped my arm as my helmet slid over my face, the ground burning under my boots.
fffffffffuckkkkkk yesssssss
They were going to win. I was going to be taken and never see Samkiel again.
“You give me the best memories.” I had said it that night, and he had. Under stars, on a lake at night with sparklers and moonkrest who were rare and eternal. And now I wouldn’t remember that or the first time he made me laugh. I wouldn’t remember the festival and the face he made the first time he tried cotton candy, my heart fluttering as I laughed—really laughed—for the first time in ages. I wouldn’t remember the photo booth he could barely fit in, that stupid garden at Drake’s, or that damned flower I’d tossed away the first time we fought. That was when I thought he despised me, but I’d
...more
twisted to the side, the gauntlet reforming over my hand. Using my momentum to complete the spin, I swung out with the sword. Kaden’s knees hit the ground with a dull thud, his eyes wide with shock. I watched with satisfaction as his head lulled to the side before slipping from his shoulders.
yooooooo what?!?!
Isaiah snarled. He ran toward me, his blade raised and angled to slice me in half. I sidestepped. He swung. I grabbed the back of his armor and pulled him down. At the same time, I brought my knee up, breaking his spine before gripping his head and twisting.
whoa!!!! Both of them!
She smiled, the wound on her lower lip threatening to crack. “Pinky promise.”
Stfu with your pinky promise you repetitive liar
They laughed viciously, looking at each other and then at him hopefully. Wet gurgles replaced their laughter as twin silver blades erupted from Vincent’s folded arms, piercing their throats. Blood sprayed the cell floor in vibrant red as they fell, grabbing at their necks. Vincent stepped over their bodies, leaving them to drown in their blood behind him.
Vincent kneeled in front of me and pushed his cloak to the side. He pulled out a folded bundle and unwrapped it, revealing my hands. I held out my wrists, and when he carefully cut away the bandages, I felt my magic crawl forward. I jolted back as my hands mended to my wrists, feeling that comforting cool balm wash over me, my power settling into my veins again. I glanced up at Vincent. He still knelt in front of me, staring at my hands.
“I’m fine,” I said, holding them up and even wiggling my fingers for effect. “I swear.” Vincent’s mask slipped, pain etching his features as he gently grabbed my hands and placed a kiss to each palm. “I’m still so sorry, Cami.”
“I didn’t mean what I said.” Tears filled his eyes, and not knowing what else to do to help him, I pressed my lips to his. I pulled back just enough to whisper, “I know.”
Vincent kissed me again, sweet and slow, before moving back a step. He dropped one of my hands and dug into his armor, pulling out a key. “I got this, as you said. She will return once she hears the prisoners have escaped, and we need to be gone.” I nodded. “Let’s go.”
Aw
Elianna nodded, but I saw the grief in her eyes. “He’s dead. Kaden’s dead. I don’t know how or why, but I know it. I feel it.”
“Samkiel’s alive?” Vincent whispered. Elianna nodded again and pointed to the window. We nearly ran around the table. The night exhaled in our faces as we pushed the large balcony doors open. I was dumbfounded, but I saw it and felt it. His return. The sky no longer held the shimmers of silver. There was nothing but pure open sky, the stars flickering and flashing in celebration of the return of hope and the one true king. I turned toward Vincent and pressed my hands to his chest.
Elianna’s bottom lip wobbled, and I saw the longing in her eyes for something more than council meetings, death, and destruction. She shrugged as much as she could under Vincent’s hands. “Fine, whatever. We’re all going to die anyway, right?” She said it so calmly, almost like a joke, but my magic stirred as if reacting to it like an omen.
I nestled closer and whispered, “No one has ever protected me like you do. I’m always the one taking care of everything and everyone else. You’re supposed to protect the world, not me.” “You are my world.” He pulled me flush against him and tipped my head back to kiss my forehead, his hand running idly up and down my back. “I’ll always protect you, akrai. No matter the consequences,” he whispered against my forehead. “Even if I break the sky.”
A bird made of night coasted through the window and landed on the table behind me. Nails tapped on the polished wood before silence fell.
THE BIRD OF NIGHT LIKE DIANA SAW BEFORE SHE WAS TRICKED
She didn’t know it at the time, but she used the power of that mark. Without even realizing what she was doing, she did the reverse of what Vvive did. She forfeited the mark for the power to split her soul, and then she tied it to his life. Dianna resurrected Samkiel. As much as I hated being bested, it was both terrifying and intriguing to witness something that has only happened once before. The love she has for him is a power.”
“How?” I gasped out, never having expected this. “Love has power. We have both witnessed empires rise and fall for it. And the love that Dianna has for him is a power. Just like Vvive’s.” “But Dianna laughs, breathes, and loves. She is not just flesh and—” “And she is void. As was Ro’Vikiin, a soulless, empty monster,”
“That’s why she is okay with Samkiel.” I swallowed. “She knows.” “More or less,” Death said. “Some primal instinct knows that her soul lies within him, her true morality.”
The air grew thicker. “It will not matter once Samkiel finds out about her fate. That is what he will focus on, the war be damned. She is all he sees. He loves her, truly loves her.”
“How bothersome.” Death tapped his fingers once more. “You are no better. You care for the child. You always have. We’ve seen it. You have a father’s love for her. It’s immoral. You are above emotions.”
crossed one leg over the other. “You know I will not keep this from her. She has been betrayed enough in her long life.”
“Just as you are aware that I collect a little part of everyone who passes through my gates, yes?” He picked up his cup and drained the last of his tea before setting it back down. “Dianna was kind enough to send me Alistair.” Realization slapped the air from the room. “You would not dare.” “I would dare.” Death rose, adjusting the bullet-riddled jacket he wore.
“So, kinsmen, you will not remember this, but know I do want the new world, and I will help you attain it. That I can promise you.”
“It should never have happened. What Oblivion does is forbidden and quite bothersome, but at the same time, it does make my job a fraction easier. Fewer souls entering my kingdom, you see?”
My mind reeled. I couldn’t catch my breath, and my vision swam as I tried to bring the old, half-burned woman into focus. Her wrinkled hands were propped on her hips, the apron she wore covered in soot and smoke. “You brought me back? Who… Who are you?” “I have many names,” she said, her eyes raking over me as if assessing my injuries or lack thereof. “This will do.”
I started to ask what she meant, but her form burst into a bird the color of night and shot into the sky, a caw raking across the sky before disapp...
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