Page 232 of Kingdom of the Two Moons

His voice in my mind is gentler than I ever thought possible. “I know, little one. But this time you can control it. This is our only chance.”

It’s the sudden desperation I hear and feel, as if it was my own and yet not. Different. Tinged by a wave of remorse and regret that has me get up and step to the wall again.

This time, as the whitish fire invades me, I’m prepared. My own magic dodges the attack in time, diving right into the labyrinth of bristling, deadly power before the magic can sink its talons and teeth into me. I feel the wall’s magic turning around, giving chase. Flickering and biting threads of magic, designed to kill spear through me while I hunt for a way out.

It hurts, unlike anything I ever felt before. Something eatingaway at me, burning hot and arctic cold at the same time. I fall to my knees, but I keep my hands in that current.

Cold water splashes over me, and I jolt awake. I can feel it coming off me as steam, I’m burningthathot. When I blink, I find that I’m held by talons, immersed fully in the flood of the ocean.

I gasp for air, and the demon pulls me up again before gently carrying me back to the spot where Blair’s settled down with her back against a rock. The first silvery light of dawn graces the horizon.

“What happened?” I ask.

“You—”

“You almost turned into a torch.” Blair’s answer comes faster, but her voice is unusually flat.

The demon shoots her a glare, huffing steam, but she keeps looking straight at me.

“I’m so sorry… we should go. Blair’s right,” I manage to grind out, my voice coming out shaky. Strained. My whole being feels like I’m more dead than alive.

“Sure, I’ve been right. But it’s too late by now. You fucking doomed us. He will be here soon.” Blair jumps to her feet, looking up at the sky, at the hint of sun. “I will get a swift death, but as for your demon here… I’m not so sure Caryan will make it quick. He doesn’t take well to treason. And you…” Her gaze settles back on me, her lips pulling into a cruel smile. “I hope your little attempt to escape was worth it because it’ll probably be the last time you’ve seen daylight in a long time.”

I don’t know what to do with this sudden desperation. This time it is mine, mingling with that of the demon. The flood of both of our emotions united is gripping me so hard I can barely breathe.

The demon behind me growls, but Blair just laughs. “What, lizard? Don’t like me to state what’s going to happen? I know him too well. Melody at least deserves to know. And you, breaking that bond to him…”

“An execution?”My head snaps to the demon and he blinks once.

“I’m sorry, little one.”

“No. I will make two more bargains. That won’t happen,” I say out loud, keeping my voice from breaking.

Blair just laughs harder. “Oh, I’m sure he’s in no mood for bargains this time.” She turns away at that, and I can see her heavily scarred back through her torn clothes. Just so much pain and a life ending like this.

I glance back to the demon who keeps looking at me with his head hung low.“Tell me he’s not going to kill you. I don’t even… fuck, I don’t even know your name.”

He lifts his chin at that.

“I’m Aravanach’lach’kaniss Kahir’ach Manazhsss. Son of the nine hells. Abyss’ born. Forged and hatched by the nine fires at the beginning of the days. And it’s been my honor.”

Tears begin to fill my eyes. “Tell me there’s another way.”

“I cannot, little one. The witch is right.”

“But why? Why do it then when you knew?Why help us?”I scream at him mentally. I feel the sudden wish to destroy something. Anything. To shred and rip.

Something in me rises. Something dark and lethal, silvery and black, rearing its mighty head as tears start rolling down my cheeks. Blair’s right. I’m pathetic. And weak, for fuck’s sake.

“You are not. I do not bond pathetic people. And I am never wrong.”

“Well, you were this time,”I bite out.“I should have never asked for your help. I doomed us both.”

He lifts his head, towering over me. “I am ancient. I have never made a mistake before, and I did not make one now. Maybe you are not strong enough now, but you will be. I know it. And everything has a time to die. Maybe mine has come. And I will go with pride, because I served you, even if only for a short time. But never stop believing in yourself. You were born out of light. Never succumb to the darkness.”

The pride that washes through me makes me sick to my bones. Heisproud of me. Why?

I can no longer hold his soft stare. I shake my head and turn away, marching back to that wall.

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