Page 35 of Rage of the Fallen

The moment my fingers touched the cool metal, the harp pulsed with brilliant light. Under my hand, the massive instrument began to shrink, the golden frame folding in on itself like liquid metal until it was no larger than a lap harp. Yet the power felt stronger, more concentrated.

“Size matters not,” the voice sang softly, almost amused. “Its magic lies in the music, in the player’s heart.”

I gazed at the harp. “So, the final battle is here?”

“No,” the voice sang, its melody urgent. “You must get to Rosslyn Chapel. There are carvings that will send the demons back to hell.” The notes grew deeper, more resonant. “Thecarvings of the Seven Deadly Sins. Use the artifacts you have and the phoenix.”

The voice softened to a whisper. “Find the Apprentice’s Pillar. You can imprison Maci.”

Rosslyn Chapel. The name tugged at something in my memory, scenes from that Da Vinci Code movie Dad made us watch during one of our rare nights off from hunting. I remembered ornate carvings and mysterious symbols, but that was about it. Now we had to find this Apprentice’s Pillar there? Part of me wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all, following clues from a movie to stop a shadow dragon and her demons.

I had a destination now, but at what cost?

The harp hummed against my palms, its power thrumming through my blood like a second heartbeat. Even shrunk down, it felt ancient, dangerous. A weapon disguised as an instrument of beauty. Queen Charlotte must have known what she was doing, creating something that could destroy a demon but save the one possessed.

I turned back toward the barrier where my team waited. Damon’s silhouette paced like a caged animal, and I could almost hear his voice in my head warning me this was crazy. Maybe it was. Then again, when had anything in our lives been sane?

Movement caught my eye. Justice at the window, watching. Even from here, I made out the war in his eyes, the way Rage’s darkness twisted through him like smoke. Yet beneath the demon’s corruption, I saw him. The way his jaw clenched, fighting Rage’s control. The slight tremor in his hands that betrayed his struggle.

My fingers tightened around the harp. Everyone said I was the chosen one, but they were wrong. I hadn’t been chosen because I was special or powerful. I’d been chosen because Iloved him enough to face what was coming. Even if saving him meant letting him get close enough to kill me.

I stepped back toward my team, toward the inevitable confrontation waiting outside. The voice’s final words followed me like a whisper.

“Remember, child. Love may give you the strength to play the song, but it’s also what makes Rage’s hold so strong. Your greatest weapon is also his.”

As I approached the barrier, the strands spread apart like a curtain in a theater.

“Sawyer.” Damon moved to take a step, but Brody grabbed him.

“Don’t,” Brody warned. “The barrier may crash down and trap her in there forever.”

I passed through without incident and exhaled in relief. Damon grabbed me and hugged me. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” I smiled and held up the harp. “I got it.”

He released me. “Yes, I can see that.”

“I know where we need to go next.”

The others fixed their gaze on me.

I drew a breath. “Rosslyn Chapel. That’s where the final battle will be. According to the harp, there is a sculpture of the Seven Deadly Sins and a pillar where we can send the demons back to hell and trap Maci.” I moistened my lips. “I can also heal Justice.”

“Let me guess. This comes with a catch that involves you getting way too close to a homicidal demon-vampire?” Damon’s attempt at sarcasm couldn’t hide the fear in his voice.

I held his angry gaze. “Yes. He has to be consumed with rage before the harp will heal him. I have to play it.”

“Are you telling me this is going to be like the Beauty and Beast fairytale?”

“I know it sounds crazy,” I replied as I lifted the harp. “But I think it’s true.”

“We’ll figure out a way to protect you,” Brody’s jaw firmed with determination. “There has to be a way to save Justice without sacrificing yourself.”

I looked at Justice, who paced back and forth at the window like a caged animal. My throat tightened as I placed my hand against the cold glass, wishing I could reach through and touch him, somehow calm the rage burning inside him. If I could only make him remember…

“The moment we step out of the castle, they will attack us,” I whispered, my voice breaking slightly.

Justice stopped pacing. His eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of recognition. Then, they blazed dark red, his face twisting into something inhuman as he snarled at me with pure hatred. The sound carried through the thick glass, making my blood run cold. I stumbled back, my heart shattering all over again. This wasn’t my Justice anymore.

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