Page 155 of Children of Fallen Gods

Stay. Stay. Stay.

As a last resort, my magic reached for Zeryth’s mind, and I nearly gasped.

He was so, so far gone.

His mind was a maggot-infested, rotting thing. He didn’t even bother to shield his thoughts, if they could even be called that. There was nothing left but pain and rage. He didn’t care that he had won. Whatever he had hoped to claim still eluded him. Whatever hole within him he had hoped to patch with the stitches of power still gaped.

A horrible realization fell over me: he wouldneverstop. This was a man capable of anything.

I tensed, bracing for the worst.

But Zeryth drew in a long breath. Then let it out. He dropped the knife. Stepped back.

I almost let myself feel relief.

“The truth is,” Zeryth said, calmly, “it’s a relief not to need you anymore.”

I wouldn’t have had time to react, even if I could.

The strike was like a crack of lightning, splitting the room in two. Pain cleaved through my head, my vision going white. When I could see again, Max was on the ground, blood soaking his shirt. Zeryth stood over him, noxious magic peeling from his skin, as thick as his hatred.

And I still could not move.

Max countered fast, pushing himself to his feet, fire at his fingertips. The flames crawled up Zeryth’s clothing.

But Zeryth just smiled.

He lunged again.

His magic was even stronger, this time, knocking the breath from my lungs. Max fought back, fire swelling. He was a good fighter. Zeryth’s magic was strong but his body was a shadow of what it once had been.

But that magic —

Another burst of it had Max on the ground again. This time he was slower to rally.

Zeryth would kill him.

I needed to do something.

But the pact hobbled me. Everything in me roared to comply — to serve Zeryth’s commands. To protect him.

Myblood pact.Mine… but…perhaps…

An idea bloomed out of nothing but desperation.

Reshaye. Help me. The pact that binds me is mine, not yours. Together, we can stop this.

Reshaye examined my panic. And then it said, coldly,{Why?}

Max was on the ground. Fire thickened the air, and it was thickened more by Zeryth’s magic. And Zeryth just kept coming.

{Perhaps he deserves this. He abandoned me.}

My hatred bubbled over.

You are a monster. Is that all you think about? The people who have wronged you?

Reshaye snarled.{You know nothing about what I have suffered.}

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