Page 120 of A Kingdom of Monsters

“…I don’t believe there is any one person who is worthy, so I set out to make one.”

“…The new heir will be created, forged of Source fire.”

And I was the Source, wasn’t I?

I was creation and destruction; power and magic.

I was fire.

“…I’d tear out my heart and give it to you.”

“…I love you enough for both of us.”

“…I’ll always find you, little monster.”

And then, with sharp clarity, I understood.

I gripped the crown in my hand so hard that it bled as I darted forward.

“No!” Someone shouted behind me, grasping for me, but I pulled away.

For once I wasn’t questioning anything. I had no confusion. No curiosity. I simply knew that like there was no one ruler, there was no one worthy person. The worthy had to be forged by sacrifice to the Source.

And I knew, as surly as I’d ever known anything, that Iwoulddie today.

I looked down over raging fire and didn’t hesitate. I jumped, plunging downward.Down and down and down.

The voices above me rose in a cacophony. They screamed and screamed andscreamed.

I screamed too, but not with terror or sadness. Not with pain, but like a battle cry. I screamed with anger. With relief.

And then, it was over.

And it was beginning.

I was life and death.

I was the great equalizer.

I was the flames; burning, blazing, Wilde.

38

SCION

THE SOURCE

Iheard myself scream before I’d realized I’d opened my mouth.

My shout chased Lonnie out of sight, the sound echoing all around me, reflected back from the other screams of horror and pain.

Bael roared and leapt to the edge of the rocky fissure, staring down as if he planned to follow her.

My mind was blank.

Perhaps I’d follow her too?

And then all at once I felt a strange weightlessness wash over me. It was like darkness fell away and for the first time I could see colors clearly. I could laugh fully, and feel true pain. I felt as if I could taste vinegar and realize it had been wine all along.

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