Page 40 of Clash of Kingdoms

“Take off your armor,” I said. “We have to stop the bleeding.”

Huntley groaned as he removed piece after piece, the armor heavy and locked together.

Rancor stood off to the side, staring into the endless abyss.

When we finally got his skin exposed, I saw the open wound, the blood that continued to pour out. “This is an unusual wound.”

A wound that doesss not heal.

What do you mean?

The gold in their blade isss pure. It’sss much harder for flesssh to heal. He’sss doing better than most.

How do you stop it?

It wearsss off naturally. But the victim isss usssually dead before that happensss.

I ripped apart the fabric of my own clothing and secured it around Huntley’s arm, applying as much pressure as I could to stop the bleeding. Harlow had told me their ancestors were powerful healers, and as a result, their afflictions healed quickly. I just hoped that would be enough in this case.

Huntley gave a grimace but didn’t complain otherwise. “Did you ask him about the crystals?”

“I care more about you right now, Huntley.” I ripped off another piece of my uniform and secured it around his shoulder.

“I will heal,” he snapped. “Now, ask him.”

I didn’t want to tell him the truth, to worry him if there was nothing he could do. There are crystals that grant the demons their immortality. Do you know where they are? I looked up to see the golden eyes of the large serpent, its golden scales still brilliant in the darkness. When they fall in battle, they return exactly as they were before. I need to destroy the source of their power.

I know of which you speak. They are not called crystalsss…but Veinsss of Velkum.

I need to find them.

You can’t go there.

But I need to go there.

You do not understand.

Destroying these crystals is the only way I can destroy them.

I underssstand. But you can’t go there.

I grew frustrated by the snake, but I swallowed my annoyance because he’d saved our lives and was our ticket out of his dark grave. I can go there if you take me.

Not all crystalsss contain the sssame powersss. He lifted his head and looked up, seeing a blue one lodged in the crust of the ceiling. Sssome emit light in dark places. Sssome are pretty to behold. The onesss that possess power are sacred…and guarded by the Demon Lordsss.

“What is he saying?” Huntley asked, impatient.

I held up my hand to silence him. How many Demon Lords are there?

Three.

Are they like Vine?

No. They’re beings that have always been…and will always be.

What does that mean?

“Does he know where they are or not?” Huntley snapped.

---