Page 152 of Of Blood & Stone

The vines unraveled as Sylzenya and Kharis fell into their chairs. She made to stand up, Kharis following her, but Distrathrus raised his hand, halting them.

“Look a bit more closely, Sylzenya and Kharis.”

Dynameis stood behind her parents, each of them holding a glass vial filled with black liquid.

Distrathrus’ blood.

She turned to Kharis, his face losing all color.

“I’ve kept my word, your parents are in good health. I’d hate for that to change.”

Nyla sat down next to Sylzenya, her twisted smile never leaving her mouth as Distrathrus continued. “Now that everyone is finally here, let’s get onto the celebration, shall we?”

He began pouring wine into empty glasses.

“What celebration?” Sylzenya asked, her parents trembling as they stared at their wine glasses.

“Oh yes, we practiced this, didn’t we, Theraden?” Distrathrus looked to her father. “Why don’t you tell Sylzenya what’s happening tonight, hm?”

Throat bobbing, her father turned to her, fear riddling his eyes. “Tonight—” he stopped, turning to Distrathrus. The god smiled, clapping her father’s shoulder. Her father winced. Sylzenya clenched her fists.

“What have you done to them?” Sylzenya demanded.

Distrathrus held a finger to his lips, the Dynameis with the blood vials stepping closer to her parents in response. Sylzenya scraped her nails along the table.

“Tonight, Sylzenya,” her father turned back to her, his mouth trembling, “Distrathrus will use our goddess’ power through a Kreena to free himself.” Sweat beaded down his face as he glanced at Distrathrus. “And you’re to be the one to do so. A great, wonderful honor.”

Distrathrus continued pouring the wine. “See? A celebratory night indeed!”

“I won’t do it,” Sylzenya stated.

Distrathrus’ smile vanished. “Sylzenya, this is your great purpose, the one I’ve been preparing you for ever since your parents left you at my temple’s steps. Remember that, Theraden? How she begged to go with you but you made her stay. Withme?”

Her father’s lips curled.

“Don’t you dare speak to him like that,” her mother hissed.

Quickly, one of the Dynameis took her shoulder, uncorking the vial.

“No!” Sylzenya shouted, her heart deflating as she turned to Distrathrus, hating how he’d already placed so much power over her. “Please, leave them alone.”

He smiled, motioning the Dynami to stand down.

She gulped. “Distrathrus?—”

“Your Grace,” he interrupted.

One of the Dynameis stepped to her father, uncorking the bottle. Her father trembled, leaning away. Sylzenya stopped, digging her fingernails into her palm.

“Your… Grace.” The words grated out of her throat. Painful and sharp.

The Dynami stepped back.

She shoved the anger down.

Brute strength was gone. Now, all that was left was tact.

While he can use his blood to stop your power, you can do the same to him, although in lesser measure.

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