Page 6 of Total Lunar Eclipse

And then I am nothing.

CHAPTER 3

ZAHRA

Power consumes me until I’m high on its light.

I have never felt anything so potent.

So electrifying.

I can feel it expanding outside of my body until I am formless in its thrall.

I am light.

Pure, unaltered energy.

Nothing can take me from this moment.

Until I feel something cool against my lips.

My eyes fly open, and I see Kane kissing me.

Just as quickly, he releases me. His skin is an ashy color and is reminiscent of Nyam’s. . . after he gave me his powers.

“I love you,lahela’iki,” he says as his body starts to disintegrate.

I suck in a petrified breath.

What has he done?

But in my heart, I already know the answer.

He tricked me.

Betraying me worse than when he fucked Lina.

He gave me her powers.

But also his.

As I watch his body slowly evaporate away, I catch his eyes. My mouth cannot form the words my heart wishes to say. My only hope is that he can read them in my gaze.

My fear.

My hurt.

My love.

And even my forgiveness.

His eyes acknowledge it all, and then. . .

He’s gone.

Just like that and just that quickly.

The only thing that remains is shimmering specks of. . . something. . .