Page 129 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

I lifted my hand and clenched it into a tight fist. Magic swirled around his throat, cutting off his air. He fell to his knees, his hands grabbing at his neck. Kaden glared at me, but I didn’t release my hold. I paused in front of him, my hand still raised.

“You did this,” I snapped. “All of this, everything, is your fault. You will fix it.”

I spun my magic into a leash and dragged Kaden from his room.

“YOU DRAG ME OUT OF MY ROOM TO WITNESS THE DEATH OF THIS?” Kaden pointed toward Vincent’s body.

“He is not dead,” I snapped from where I stood at the edge of his bed.

“Pretty damn close,” Kaden murmured. “Dianna did this?”

I nodded. “Yes. Yes, she did.”

Kaden leaned a fraction over as his lips turned down. “Impressive.”

“I’m glad you think him being burned alive is impressive, you piece of shit.”

Kaden glared at me. “I’m talking about the reset bone they did and also that gash on his chest. It went straight through his heart, yet he breathes.”

“What?” I asked, scanning Vincent’s body. I hadn’t even seen that when I was in here before. I’d been too concerned with the burns. But there it was, a small red blotch that seemed to still be leaking right where his heart should be.

“What did you do?” Kaden asked me.

“I didn’t do anything.” I sneered at him. “But you’re about to.”

“And what does that mean?”

I raised my hand, my magic swirling over his torso, binding his arms, legs, and throat. His muscles bulged as he tried to break it, and if I didn’t hurry, he just might.

“Relax,” I said. “I only need to borrow a fraction of your life force to heal him, then I promise I will let you go, okay?”

His upper lip curled back, exposing his fangs.

I carefully knelt on the bed beside Vincent and hovered my free hand above him. Magic swirled against my palm before breaking free to land atop him. The vibrant green ropes tightened around his body, just as they did Kaden’s. I blew out a breath, stabilizing my mind and spirit before beginning to chant.

“Viti rucku mocharum.”

A window slammed open.

“Viti rucku mocharum.”

A cold wind curved through the air.

“Viti rucku mocharum.”

A soft groan came from my right.

“Viti rucku mocharum.”

I pulled on every bit of Kaden and myself. That secret part of me twisted and unlocked. I felt moisture coat my eyes and a familiar tug in my chest. It grew and pulsed, contained within the grip of my magic. I took a deep breath and released it, the power whipping out of me. It darted to Kaden and then to Vincent. My eyes sprang open, and the room descended into darkness. Then came the screams. I ignored the hundred-and-one voices whispering into my ears.

“Viti rucku mocharum.”

My eyes were open, but I did not see this room. I saw everything and nothing all at once, darkness and light intertwined. A voice rose from below the world, below the universe, far but close, and something turned toward me.

“Well, aren’t you new?” it said.

I was yanked back to the present, myself, and Vincent’s room. Kaden and I gasped. My magic, an iridescent green, rose like a wave before crashing into Vincent’s form. His body bowed off the bed, and he groaned, skin knitting together. The burns healed, and hair sprouted from his head. He opened his eyes and looked at me.

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