Page 57 of The Last of the Dark Lords

"Do not come within the circle." She swung her gnarled wooden staff in a semicircle arc in front of her.

I stepped forward. Something pushed me back, an invisible barrier, challenging me. I strained against it.

"You never understood the responsibility of being the Prime family.” Grandmother’s voice was hoarse and ragged. “I tried to guide you, to show you the webs you must weave to rule in this city. But you always shied away from making the real sacrifice."

Tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked through them. I was mad at myself that she could still wound me, that she still had that much power over me.

"I would have sacrificed anything.” I channeled as much confidence into my words as I had available. “For you and for Greatfalls. I would have given my life."

"But you couldn't give up the myth of your own integrity." She squared her hips as if she were preparing an attack. "Your life is worth nothing. But your marriage, your friendships, even your connection with me, they should have all been fodder for the greatness of your city. You've always been obsessed with honesty. Honesty has no place in being a leader. Lies are your strongest weapons."

I shook my head, but didn't answer. She was wrong, but a tiny part of me still held her in esteem, still doubted myself, still told me I should listen.

"You're wrong."

Cyrus' voice hung in the still air next to me. I turned to him, and he smiled at me. It was sad and hard-won, but it was there. Between us, there was no doubt.

He turned back to Grandmother. "That is the way thatyouled, the way you taught your children. But that is not how it has to be. I am proof of that."

She laughed, and the sound was harsh and cold. "What kind of leader are you? Your people are starving."

"Because of you!" His jaw clenched, and I wanted to jump in, to fight for him. But he didn't need that. He needed me to stand beside him, as he would do for me.

"And you allowed it to continue,” she countered. Bitterness soaked every word. “You are as weak as he is. Neither of you can do what needs to be done. But I can."

Grandmother moved to behind the altar, and thrust her staff into the ground. The gnarled knob of hickory at the top emitted a deep purple glow, casting an otherworldly light on the surrounding greenery. She held her wrist above the chalice.

"This is the Staff of Last Resort. It is the oldest and most powerful of Vazzart's artifacts, to be used only in the direst of circumstances. When triggered, every enemy within the city walls will die. All the artifact requires is the lifeblood of the Prime."

"Grandmother—"

"See what true sacrifice is, child." Grandmother pulled a dagger out of her robe and sliced across her left wrist. The blood flowed, dripping down her fingers into the golden chalice.

I pushed against the invisible barrier, but I couldn’t break through.

"Skye, take my hand."

"I need to get to her—"

"Take my hand. I wear the Crown of Battle. You wear the Crown of Seeing. If you can reveal the barrier to me, I may be able to break through."

I grabbed Cyrus' hand, harder than I meant to, my desperation fueling me. At once, the two crowns ignited with orange and blue light, the colors mingling and producing a warm red-brown radiance. I peered into the clearing, willing the crown to show me what was invisible.

With a snap, the barrier solidified in front of our eyes. It was no longer transparent but a dull gray. Cracks ran across it in a web pattern. There were points where many cracks met, nodes where the structure was the weakest.

"There!"

Cyrus nodded. With his free hand, he gestured toward the spot. A ball of blue fire flew out, striking the weak point, and the whole thing shattered. Shards, like cloudy dull glass, fell to the ground around us.

We ran forward together, but Grandmother’s scream stopped us. She stood atop the altar, her eyes wild. She shook from the loss of blood.

"It is too late now! Soon you will all be dust."

As I went to grab her, do anything, anything that might prevent this, I heard the voice of the God of Fire and Metal in my head.

Stop.

I froze, as did Cyrus. He had heard the voice as well.

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