Page 102 of Kiss of Magic

“Need… you… to know. I love… you… Ethan. I love you.”

The words pierced his heart. He thought it might splinter with sadness.

“I love you too, Blue.”

She might have smiled, he wasn’t sure. Then suddenly she arched off the stone. Light poured from her body, so bright he had to turn away. He felt her hand pull out of his.

He looked back to see she had risen several feet into the air, arms and legs splayed as golden rays shot from her,throughher, up into the sky.

When the beams reached the height of the tallest monolith, they abruptly disappeared.

And in Nush’aldaam, directly over the place where the seal had once been, a shining ball of light burst into being.

Forty Eight

Arjhan

Kam stared at the stranger with a mix of awe and disbelief.

“You’re an angel?”

The man tilted his head to one side.

“Have you not seen one before?”

“No. There haven’t been any in Nush’aldaam since the seal was locked.”

“And when was that?”

“Five thousand years ago.”

The angel stilled.

“That long?”

Kam didn’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry. Your great sacrifice is a legend taught to children but it was assumed you’d perished long ago. If we’d known you were still alive…”

“Do not berate yourself.” The angel smiled gently. “You could not have opened the seal before now. And in truth, I was not aware so many years had passed. Time has no meaning in the prison dimension.”

“I’m glad you’re free. But now, so are the demons.” Kam turned to look at the ruins hopelessly. “They’re loose in Nush’aldaam again. We’ve been trying to find the key to restore the seal but it took too long. Even if it activates now, the demons have left their prison.”

“Key?” The angel looked puzzled. “Oh. You mean the singular power we created to counter the demons. Yes, I remember. You found it?”

“We did. But it’s too late.”

“Why is it too late?”

Now it was Kam’s turn to be puzzled.

“Because the demons are out. What use is locking the seal if they’re no longer trapped behind it?”

“Ah.” Understanding dawned. “Tell me, Emperor, if the events you speak of took place long before your birth, how did you learn about them?”

“In books and scriptures, of course. Written by the angels.”

“And you understand the angelic tongue?”

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