Page 194 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“C’mon, c’mon, please open.”

Scraping footsteps echoed from above.

Ammena, hear my prayer. We are your faithful servants. Please open this door.

Tharan squeezed my hand tight as the clanging of steel against steel grew louder.

Please, please, please.

Beside us, a wall descended, revealing a chamber surrounded by flames.

Before the door could fully open Tharan pushed me through, followed by Amolie, and then Caiden. As soon as his feet hit the dais, the wall sprang up trapping us in.

48THARAN

Flames flickeredaround the walls of the chamber. The smell of dampened earth mixed with the distinct smell of myrrh. Tattered tapestries of ancient battles hung on the walls. A narrow stone pathway surrounded by dark water led to another pedestal where another golden book sat. Only this one was empty. Beyond the pillars two barred doors stood ominously. Overhead, a painting of the goddess Eris giving the gift of the breath to Arendir.

Tharan swallowed hard.

“Aelia, are you alright if I set you down? I think this one is for me, as I am the only elf here.”

“Yes, the pain is better now that we’re down here.”

He set her gently on her feet before kissing her forehead.

“Be careful,” she mouthed.

“I always am.” He gave her a wink, then approached the pedestal.

The book sat blank on its stone stand. He turned back at Amolie, Aelia, and Caiden who stared at him with eyes full of hope and dread. “What do you think I should do to trigger it?”

“Press your bloody thumb to the book,” Caiden said. “That triggered the last one.”

Tharan did as Caiden suggested. The paper absorbed his fingerprint like it had before. Moments later, a message appeared:Hello, Lord of Nothing.

Tharan swallowed hard. The book knew his shame. What did it have in store for him?

The book continued,I have been waiting for you.

He tried not to think of the thousands of questions the book could throw at him. It knew he was a half-breed. Would it use that against him? Punish him for being only half an original?

“Perfect,” Tharan said under his breath.

“Did it work?” Aelia called from behind.

“Yes, it knows who I am,” he replied. “…Or at least who I used to be.”

More writing appeared:Answer my three questions and prove you are worthy to hold the power of Moriana in your hands.

A quill and ink appeared next to the book. “It’s going to ask me three questions.”

No one said anything.

Question one: Name the three originals who received the Trinity’s blessings.

Tharan thought for a moment. He knew the elven original, obviously, and his father was the sylph, but who was the original human? He’d never even bothered to ask. A pit grew in his stomach. He tried to think of his elementary lessons from hundreds of years ago.

“Anyone know the name of the original human who received Ammena’s gift?”

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