Page 196 of Eternal Ruin

The horrors wouldn’t stop, the damage stretching endlessly, and June was going to die too, any moment now—and then the image shattered like stone through glass.

June bolted upright, back in the real world, alone on her room’s floor. Tears ran down her cheeks.

With shaking legs, she went to her vanity. Her skin was clammy with sweat, her mouth still tasting the ash of war. June turned slowly and pulled her top down a little to see the scar in the middle of her back.

If only she could get the artifact—the stone of a ruby ring, out of her body. Butthe third artifact wasn’t only inside her. The other half, a golden band, was inside Kidan. The ring, bound to the immortality law, was always stored inside the chosen siblings’ bodies, safe from discovery.

Reaching back, June scratched her skin hard enough to wince. She applied more pressure and cried out when her nails cut in and blood poured. It wouldn’t work. The artifact was near her heart, and she was supposed to take it to her grave. She hated this scar, hated how it reminded her of their cursed fate.

To honor the First Sage’s will, Kidan had to kill June, or June had to kill Kidan before they turned twenty-one.

Why that age? It was a mystery the Last Sage had yet to educate her on. All she knew was this: If she and Kidan failed to kill one another, they would both die. And the power of Sagehood that had lasted eons and held together many laws would be brutally severed.

Varos would reign.

June let out a cry and ran an arm through her beautiful collections of perfume and jewelry, letting them crash.

She sank to the floor, still digging around her back, face twisted in misery.

Stop, Desta.

It was Warde, his voice accompanied by a crinkle of bones. The only other soul who knew what awaited her.

I hate him,she said, rubbing her cheek.

You must save us from what’s to come.

June rested her hands slowly, ignoring the sting of her back.How is GK?

His soul is torn, but he can heal. He is curious, which will lead him to the truth soon enough.

Good.

Kidan would need him to be safe.

We need the blade artifact from Samson. He will not give it to Susenyos or Arin,June said.

What do you want me to do?

June thought for a moment, then spoke through their bond.Break him out and take him to the ivory house.

A wave of hesitation came from Warde, but he never pushed her too much. She was thankful for his support.

Because once Kidan took possession of the mask artifact, everything would be clear.

Never hold an artifact bound to a law, the Last Sage had warned all her life.

The myths every acti and dranaic chased weren’t entirely untrue. To become a Sage, all artifacts would have to be possessed. Broken. But it couldn’t be just anyone. Just like a house was inherited by its descendants or someone written on a will, the artifacts were written for June and Kidan. Written right across their hearts. They both carried the First Sage’s soul, culture, and will in their blood. It could break laws and make them. It could rule.

Desta!

The Last Sage’s warning broke through, but June threw up her mental shield quickly. He could not reach her while she was awake if she concentrated.

In the mirror, her honeyed eyes appeared wet but determined. She was done being afraid. Done being told what to do.

Yes, June would crown her sister as Sage. She would lie and do whatever necessary to make sure Kidan lived. She’d do her best to die by Kidan’s hand.

Samson,