Page 123 of Of Blood & Stone

I’m with you until the very end of this, Sylzenya.

Thump.

Thump.

Her mind stilled, focusing on the single crack through the barrier; the single source of power running through her veins.

I promise.

Thump.

Clenching her fists and teeth, she searched underneath her, calling upon a single root—any of them.

None responded.

I promise.

Thump.

The thin crack in Distrathrus’ barrier grew wider, power spilling over. She called upon the roots again, breathing through her blood and veins, sending her power deep into the earth.

She needed to push more, to concentrate more, to feelmore. This new plan forming in her head was a gamble, but it was all she had left. She’d made it this far, and she wouldn’t fail this time. Elnok’s life depended on it.

Another breath.

Everything will be back to normal after this, Sylzenya,Distrathrus whispered.Your power will be fully restored, and you’ll be back by my side.

A single root writhed in response.

Her breath caught.

She sent her golden light down, diving after it, encircling it, guiding it up from its home, driving up and up and up.

We’ll be together again?—

She yelled as the root pierced clean through her upper shoulder, her blood splattering on Kharis’ face as the rootcontinued its path and pierced into the gap in Kharis’ armor, just between his collarbone and neck.

Distrathrus’ distant yell echoed all around her, dying into the darkness. The barrier remained, but his presence was gone.

Kharis yelled, stumbling back and dropping the vial of Distrathrus’ blood. Sylzenya quickly rolled to the side, missing the vial and its contents as it spilled onto the earth.

“What-What’s happening?” he shouted, rolling on the dried forest floor, the root lodged in his flesh. “What did you do to me?”

“My blood is now in your blood.” Sylzenya gasped as she cautiously stood, throwing his swords out of his reach. “Both Aretta and Distrathrus’ blood live within me, and now they live in you.”

“Traitor!”

“You need to remember yourself. Remember your love for Vutror’s King. Remember why you were so desperate to get Elnok’s help to find Aretta’s Willow. Remember that youdon’tbelong to Distrathrus, but to yourself.”

He slammed a fist into the dirt. “I serve him. I belong to him.”

She kneeled next to him, holding him down as blood seeped from her shoulder. “Orodyte serum isn’t poison, Kharis. It’s Aretta’s blood—her power—and now it flows in your veins just as it does mine. Feel it within your own skin and blood, not through your orodyte.It’s a part of you.” Gripping his shoulder tight, she forced his eyes onto hers. “Elnok is dying. He won’t survive unless youwake up. Distrathrus is going to eliminate all of humanity. Your king—your lover—is going todieif we don’t stop him.”

“No,no—” Kharis grimaced, his face twisted in pain, the yellow light in his eyes fading and turning black. “Tosh… no, not Tosh!”

Sylzenya ripped the orodyte from his chest. He reached for her hands, but to no avail, unable to get a firm grip on her arms as he screamed and fought with the two bloods battling for control in his body.

“Come on, Kharis,” Sylzenya begged. “Don’t let Distrathrus win. Don’t let him take our lives from us anymore than he already has.”

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