Page 176 of Eternal Ruin

The disgraced leader stalked forward with powerful strides, two curved bladesstrapped to his back. The charge in the air shifted, like the sparking ash of war. All shoulders straightened, even June’s, as if they were soldiers at attention. June had heard the Nefrasi call Susenyos every insult under the sun, lamenting their brave emperor who lost his courage at Lusidio’s feet. In the tales of Susenyos’s conquests, she’d felt smaller than ever, an insect in the wilderness.

And today she’d witnessed with her own eyes what it meant to rule.

Her breath stuttered when Taj walked in next to… Kidan. Her sister scanned the crowd, looking for someone. June quickly sidestepped, hiding behind the fearsome warrior Tilahun’s shoulders. His build was large enough to easily shield her, second to Warde’s unmatched height.

The last time she’d seen Kidan had been in Adane House, in front of the Sage portrait, a knife between them. She had prayed Kidan hated her enough to put them out of this misery, choose the power of the mask over her. But none of it had worked.

A burning sensation engulfed her heart.

You need to kill her before it’s too late, the ancient voice spoke into her mind.

June squeezed her eyes shut and willed it away.

“Have you come to bow?” Samson barked, making her bones wince.

Susenyos’s voice boomed in the cavernous space. “I have come to win my people back.”

Murmurs bloomed around her. Slowly, she peeked around, trying to spy the throne.

Samson descended the short stairs. “You dare come here after all these years and demand their attention?”

Susenyos’s face remained a night storm. He stared into the crowd, focusing on each face.

“You believe you’re free… that he’s freed you. He’s made you fools.” Susenyos spoke with all the calm of a brewing tornado, eyes savage. “Do you know your usurper is still working with Lusidio?”

Thunder cracked above their heads, and June winced at the name.

“The same vampire that tortured us! Do you know Samson bows for him, which meansyouall bow for him?”

They all whipped their heads to Samson. The scar on his jaw moved like lightning but he’d otherwise gone still.

The floor beneath June shifted. She’d clung to Samson’s heroism, asking him to recount the tale of the Great San Er Fire countless times, the rescue of his people from a tyrant. She’d marveled, atruehero. As long as there were people like Samson in this world, Lusidio, all wicked creatures would be defeated.

But… had it all been a lie? Samson wasn’t denying it, his pupils red. Ice flooded her blood. Invisible bars rose all around the throne room, caging them in a gilded prison.

How long will you hide?A voice snaked into her mind, ancient and powerful.Have I not told you? There is no safety.

June flinched, and squeezed her eyes tightly until she could focus on the room, the wrath flickering in the Nefrasi, the snarls starting a low hiss.

“You’re angry,” Susenyos shouted, spinning with his arms wide. “So am I! The Lusidios took us captive, tortured us, and killed those we love. They are our enemy!”

The door banged open, making June jump. Iniko walked in, dragging a vampire in spiked silver chains behind her. The liquid red eyes and black fangs marked him as a human transformed after death—clearly a member of the Lusidios. June took a step back, stepping on someone’s feet.

“I’m sorry—” she began.

“Your sister has brought us a gift.” A deadly tone spoke over her shoulder, making her jerk.

Arin’s smile curved, her feline eyes scanning across June’s face. June didn’t dare breathe. Arin had appeared a week ago covered in blood and gray dust without an explanation. Sometimes, it felt like Arin could see right down to her rib cage, to every weakness and strength, measuring her worth.

To her secret.

Stay still. Don’t do anything.

Arin walked past, her boots clicking, and June nearly sank to the ground.

The crowd parted like the sea for Arin. Everyone fell silent.

So silent, June dared to peek at the scene.