Page 154 of Of Blood & Stone

The Dynameis were swaying, hands at their sides, their gazes empty and wandering as Elnok silently moved through the shadows. He was mere feet away from the Dynami holding their weapons when he turned, finding her eyes, mouthing for her to keep going.

Maintaining her steady breathing, she looked back to Distrathrus.

“And what is it you propose, Sylzenya?”

“You could change the will of your creation,” she said, her words slow, trying to buy what time she could, “have them treat humanity with neutrality, and we can do the same. We could live in harmony as it was always meant to be.”

His laughter stopped, smile falling from his face. “How intriguing.”

Standing up, he walked around the table, stopping behind her, his cold hands gripping her shoulders. She refused to flinch, needing to play this all the way through—needing Elnok to grab the damn sword.

“You were right,” Sylzenya said, willing her hands not to shake. “This is my home, and we can make it a home for your creation as well.”

His breath brushed her ear as a bead of sweat trailed down her back.

“You sound just like my sister,” he whispered, gripping her tighter, “right before she betrayed me.”

Her stomach dropped as Distrathrus rushed for Elnok. Without thinking, she stood to stop him, but her body halted of its own accord. She tried moving her leg forward, but it wouldn’t.

Panic gripped her chest.

What was happening?

Distrathrus grabbed Elnok by his hair just as his hand brushed the hilt of the sword. Pulling his head back, Distrathrus commanded the Dynameis to aid him. They raced to his side, holding Elnok down by his shoulders.

“You must think me simple, Sylzenya,” Distrathrus shouted, turning to face her, eyes wild, his smile unnerving. “Just as you can feel when I’m limiting your power, I feel when you’re limiting mine. I know your mind’s been poisoned away from me. I’ve seen it,feltit. This bastard of a thief and my whore of a sister have done it to you thoroughly.”

Sylzenya tried to speak, but her tongue refused to move, her mouth sealed shut.

Distrathrus kept smiling as he turned back to Elnok. “You’ve been a thorn in my side long enough,PrinceElnok Rogdul of Vutror.”

Elnok grinned. “Strange. I feel the exact same way about you.”

Distrathrus yanked Elnok’s hair back further. Elnok winced. Sylzenya tried to yell, but it was useless.

“How about we duel to solve this problem?” Distrathrus suggested.

“Duel? With swords?” Elnok asked. “Not very god-like of you.”

“I could snap your neck and have it be done with, but you deserve something a bit more…exciting.” He leaned in close, running his nose up Elnok’s cheek, the sight causing the hair on Sylzenya’s neck to rise. “I want your blood to decorate mine andSylzenya’s home. I want it to stain and serve as a reminder for what happens to those who try to take that which ismine.”

Elnok seethed. “It won’t be my blood on this floor.”

Distrathrus smiled. “Dynameis, bring us some weapons. Seems this celebration will call for blood after all.”

“Let me use Sylzenya’s sword,” Elnok argued. “What’s the point in a duel if there’s no real chance of killing you?”

The god smirked. “Your confidence is… endearing.”

“Or perhaps I’m wildly naive.”

“Perhaps you are.” The god raised a brow. “You may use the sword my sister cursed to kill me.” He turned to Sylzenya. “We’ll do it right here so everyone can watch.”

Panic seized her, but she couldn’t do anything. Not even her body shook in fear for what was about to take place. She’d never witnessed Distrathrus’ sword abilities, but he was confident.

That worried her greatly.

A Dynami with clouded eyes approached Distrathrus, offering a sword glowing fresh with orodyte serum.

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