Page 181 of Eternal Ruin

“And how will you become Sage?” Arin asked, looking to the crowd. “We’veheard myths and empty promises but only one thing leads us. Only one thing is solid and true.”

Susenyos nodded, and unleashed his two jagged blades, the sound whistling through the air. “I’ll prove my strength to you. I’ll fight anyone who wishes to challenge me.”

Arin’s lips curved like she’d been waiting for this.

No… this wasn’t what June wanted.

Warde pulled June aside as Samson stepped forward. He spun a gear on his left forearm, making the silver shield raise four sharp spikes. He cut his tongue, turning them poisonous with his blood.

June’s heart plummeted. She didn’t want to see this fight. It wasn’t safe here. June rushed to grab Kidan’s sleeve and exit but her sister tugged free. The Adane House silver pin came away in June’s hands, a knife twisting in her chest. Kidan didn’t say anything, merely regarded June for a long time, full of questions, and faced Susenyos, making it clear she was staying. A spark had taken to Kidan’s eyes, pure fire. As if she wanted to witness the brutality that’d take place.

June stumbled back, trying to shake the image.

See the hunger in her eyes.

“Begin.” Arin moved up the stairs and sat in the chair.

The moment a blade sank into flesh and a cry pierced the room, June turned and wound through the crowd, rushing out the side door.

This is nothing to the violence that’ll come,the man in her mind said, furious again.You’re only wasting time.

65.

KIDAN

Kidan healed each time Samson shouted in pain. Susenyos maneuvered and broke another bone—the shoulder this time—and Samson’s scream became more animal than human. It fed her rage like kindling in a fire.

Her finger moved to her sweater’s collar, tracing her burned skin. The heat of the fire poker had nearly melted her bones. But it wasn’t the physical pain she wanted revenge for. Samson had scarred her long before this, when he’d come to take June from their garden two years ago. June had merely been a pawn in his rivalry against Susenyos, a path to Adane House.

His obedient servant.

Until today.

Today, June had somehow broken away from Samson. The shock and betrayal on his face had been delightful, as he discovered, along with the rest of them, June was her own person. With knowledge of things Kidan couldn’t begin to wrap her mind around.

Compulsion marks.

Lusidio’s true identity.

Varos the Night Lion.

There it was again, the name writing itself with a hissing sound, like icy breath on the skin. Full of evil. Kidan rolled her shoulders, trying to shake off the new chill.

And that wasn’t all. There were five more. Six Manes of Blood. If they were powerful and alive today like June said, where the hell were they?

Her heart pounded as her vision faded in and out of the room. Susenyos’s swift movements danced around the wide space, dodging the jabs of Samson’s spiked arm. There was too much uncontrolled power in Samson’s blows, roaring rage while Yos was calm, centered.

Arin watched from the throne, her irises spinning golden red. She’d taken the seat when no one was paying attention. Her power was silent, contained until it leaked around her like dark flames. The vampire tilted her head, noticing Kidan’s gaze. The silver jewelry piercing her nose and collarbone glinted like stars on night skin. Kidan itched to read her mind. There was something terrifying about her, not in her strength, but in her restraint. Why let anyone rule the Nefrasi when it was obvious they would bend to her?

Iniko was standing next to Kidan, watching. “You see it too.”

“What… does she want?”

Arin smiled.

Of course she could hear her. Even past the slashing blades.

Arin’s mouth moved, responding. While Kidan heard nothing, Iniko’s face darkened. The sound of Susenyos’s whistling blow reached Kidan instead, a slice to the back of Samson’s knees with his jagged blade. The Nefrasi all watched, a circle of soldiers waiting to see which leader would rise.