Reaper (Cradle, #10)

by Will Wight

Lindon sat down next to Orthos. The turtle was headbutting him over and over, but each one was weaker. “Run,” Orthos mumbled. “We have to…” “There’s nowhere to run,” Lindon said. He looked up to the sky and watched points of light wink out, one at a time. Orthos lifted his head, and Lindon could see the despair in his eyes when he saw for himself. A moment later, a bar of Blackflame shot up into the sky. “You never know,” Orthos rumbled. “Maybe this enemy can be burned.” Yerin looked at him for a moment before snorting a laugh. She wiped her tears and sat down on Lindon’s left side. “Always thought I’d go down fighting.” Lindon took her hand. “I never thought it would end here.” But it was the end. When he saw the stars vanish, he knew the truth without doubt. An ant had a better chance of resisting a boot. He had to admit, he was somewhat bitter about that. He had set his sights far beyond this world, thinking it was too small for him. He’d fulfilled everything Suriel had promised him, so that even she had descended and met him again. Now, after all that, he was going to die here after all.