Page 165 of Cursed Heirs

“I’ve siphoned it out of your system and also broken the spell you worked on my daughter so you’ll no longer be inundated with the black magic running through her veins. And I also took this from your vault.” She held up the brass object that looked a lot like a tuning fork.

“Anenhancer.”

“I used it to lock onto all black magic across the supernatural world and draw it to me, siphoning it out of all those afflicted or foolishly practicing the forbidden art.”

“You’re wiping black magic from the face of the earth,” I breathed.

“It’s become clear through Constantine’s despicable acts that it’s the only way to safeguard those we love. Too much loss has already occurred because of it, the one thing we cannot fight. He took control over my daughter because of it. You almost perished. Half your army was decimated. He’s in possession of the Orb. He just used it to control El’s son too and take my daughter away again. It has to end. And I’ll see to it that it will.”

“That much black magic… drawing it all into your system… as strong as you are… it will—”

“It will corrupt me beyond measure. I’m aware and it won’t be an issue.”

The realization hit me, the only possible solution to what she’d done. “You’re going to lay down your life this night.”

She smiled out at me bittersweet. “I’m sorry, Saryan.” She gave my hand a squeeze. “Three years ago, you were right. But I was too afraid of risking magical corruption to see it, to even acknowledge it. You didn’t deserve that and I’ve put something in place that will see to it that you’re vindicated and absolved of what I put upon you during that time. I’ve seen the change in you since and I hope you continue in that vein. Especially where Orpheus is concerned. He doesn’t belong here in the dark. I think you know that. I’ve offered him a seat at the head of the table atExemplaralongside my daughter when they’re both ready. I hope you will see to it that they’re prepared for such a task.”

I didn’t know what to say, which monumental thing to start addressing first.

“Constantine will perform the spell tonight and I will prevent it from coming to pass. He also aims to attack Electi Academy with his acolytes to acquire the second key to Valmont, something your son and his army will foil. I will destroy the Orb so nothing like this can ever occur again. Those will be my last acts.”

“Don’t do this. We’ll find another way. We’ll putyouin stasis until we find a cure.”

She shook her head sadly. “I’m tired, Saryan. So tired. This is my time. Please respect that.”

“Abi.”

She smiled. “It wasn’t all hate between us after all, hmm?”

“No. No, it wasn’t.”

“There’s a thin line, I suppose.”

“That there is.”

“Well, although that could not be between us, I wish you all the happiness with Edgar. You complement one another well.”

She went to pull her hand away, but I held on. “What about Alena? Consider how she’ll take this.”

“Alena no longer needs me like she used to. She has her own family she’s built now to support her, to love her.”

“Even so—”

“It is how it must be.”

With that she pulled away and rose from the bed. “You’ll feel weary and weak for the next couple of days while your body acclimates to being completely without black magic after so long bearing it within.”

“You’re warning me that I’m in no condition to stop you.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“That’s why you risked telling me this.”

“Yes. And also to make peace.”

“There’s no way El knows about this. He’d never allow it.”

“He’ll understand in the aftermath.”

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