Page 85 of Petals for Deadly Power

It was also that instant when Hope unleashed her hands.

Her blades flew across the chamber, their hilts burning with Cardinal-red sparks as they followed their course with flawless precision. One blade stabbed his hand, the second struck the Organ Mandor’s open mouth, blocking the entrance of the power he didn’t deserve.

Before her next two blades were ready to attack him, an immensely powerful surge of navy sparks flew from where Jake stood towards their father’s body. The navy sparks hit him straight in the chest, making him lose balance as he stumbled sideways, choking on the blood the dagger made pool in his mouth. He fell on the crystal pedestal the Core Cardinal had occupied.

When Hope reached his body, Ciaran was next to her. The horror in the silver eyes of the man on the floor was blatant, but Ciaran was unforgiving. His dominant shadows squeezed his throat and chest, not allowing the Organ Mandor to take full breaths.

Ayla arrived last. “At least he’s quiet.” She opened her hands, Giving thick chains across his body to hold him down.

Despite their efforts, he still moved, and Hope saw their mistake half a second too late. Her blade ensured the Organ Mandor couldn’t use his panom magic with one hand, but the other—

Jake traced a precise line with the side of his palm, Harming him, separating his wrist from his hand. Even the Organ Mandor would have screamed if he could speak.

Ayla suddenly frowned, looking up at—Nothing. She wasn’t looking at anything at all, but when she spoke, her voice was tinged with sadness.

“Raoul says he has his Stabs on his back.”

On one side of the chamber, Nina gasped, her eyes full of tears as she covered her mouth.

Hope didn’t understand exactly what Ayla wanted to say, how Raoul could be involved in any way without being here, and why she knew, but she slid her hand behind her father’s back and—

Two cold, crystal hilts met her touch, and she pulled them out.

The Red Lawful Stab, used for torture and pain, created with blood of the five Cardinals. The same blade he had tortured Lenna, Ciaran, and Jake with.

The Black Lawful Stab, used for death, born from the blood of the Cardinal Queen. The same black crystal blade Rhei Coralt had used to kill Hope’s mother.

The eyes of the Organ Mandor were closing, his breaths barely noticeable under the thick silver chains and the strain of shadows.

Hope extended her hands towards his chest, Healing his heart and lungs with circular motions.

“What on Terrha are you doing?” Lenna spat.

The cold calculation in Hope’s eyes was terrifying. “He doesn’t deserve a merciful, unknowing death. He will see us being his end. His soul will forever remember who killed him, and why.”

Ciaran’s hand was on her shoulder, squeezing tightly, and she felt the shadows release their grip slightly to aid her goal.

After long seconds, the heavy eyelashes of the Mandor fluttered, his silver eyes full of exhaustion and hate staring back at her.

“Much better,” she smiled.

She held the Black Lawful Stab over his heart and halted. Her father once said this dagger only obeyed the Organ Mandor of Thyria, yet she didn’t feel the magic opposing her. Perhaps the Fifth Power overruled this, or perhaps it was the fact thathewas not going to be the Organ Mandor for much longer.

Hope looked at Ciaran, Jake, Lenna, and Ayla. They all had reasons to be here, to want this man dead. Ciaran’s dead mother. Jake’s tormented childhood and the woman who gave birth to him lying on the floor. Lenna’s torture, removal of panom powers and her revoked heirloom. Ayla’s vengeance for the pain inflicted on her twin.

“Whenever you are ready,” Hope said.

Ciaran understood her first, placing his hand over hers on the hilt of the Black Lawful Stab. Jake was next, and Lenna followed, her eyes lingering on the point where her hand touched Jake’s, as if she was wondering when, if ever, she was going to be this close to him again. Ayla topped the hilt.

The Organ Mandor of Thyria, murderer, torturer, and discarder of countless innocent beings, looked at them as the Black Lawful Stab perforated his heart on its last beat.

55

Hope

Shehaddoneit.Theyhad done it.

Rhei Coralt was dead.

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