Page 141 of Fated In Ruin

Every drop sent ripples of crimson spreading outward until the pool glowed from within, first dull red, then brighter, until the entire chamber was illuminated with light, igniting the runes on the ceiling like a galaxy of stars. The portal pulsed harder, in rhythm with those spreading ripples, the dark, throbbing tear widening incrementally with each thumping beat.

“What have you done?” I fought Ravok’s hold, the water moving unnaturally, reaching up to encase Malachi’s feet.

Ravok spread his arms wide, his face transfigured with terrible joy. “I’m answering destiny’s call. The future has shown me the way, and this untapped magic…this doorway…were put here for me to harness. Your blood and his flesh are the foundation I will build my new world upon.” He turned to Malachi. “And now, heir of Orcus, son of the Underworld, you shall claim your birthright.”

The chains binding Malachi disappeared, but he didn’t fall. Tendrils of crimson water rose from the pool, wrapping around his ankles, his legs, engulfing his torso in a hideous twist of red liquid, almost like it had come alive.

“No,” I screamed, slamming my palm against Ravok’s chest, over and over again. My fire responded to my panic, encasing me in a bone-shredding wreath of darkness and Ravok’s arms blistered beneath my dark flames, his hold loosening.

Malachi's eyes found mine across the chamber as the water enveloped him. There was no fear in them now, only a deep, abiding sorrow.

I’m sorry. You deserved so much and I gave you so little.

“Stop that. I'm going to save you,” I promised fiercely, tears streaming down my face as I strained against Ravok, searched for a way to stop this. “Just hold on, I’m getting us both out of here.”

A small, sad smile touched his lips. “Don't be afraid,” he said softly. “Even after I die, I will always be with you. In the shadows, where I will visit you in your dreams. I will never leave you, Evangeline. Never.”

Ravok's laughter cut through the moment like a knife. “How touching,” he mocked, dropping me on the floor beside the blood-red pool. “Promises are empty, but this transformation is forever. Once the change takes hold, the Malachi you knew will cease to exist. In his place will stand a vessel ready to do my bidding—and my dark bride will have no need for its affections.”

Dark bride…why did that sound so familiar?

The water had reached Malachi's throat now, glowing brighter where it touched his skin. His face contorted in pain, but he kept his eyes fixed on mine.

All I ever wanted was for you to live. Promise me you will.

Not without you.I searched the room wildly.There has to be some way…

“I saw my future, the moment that witch cursed Caine,” Ravok gloated. “Her prophecy was powerful, speaking of ravens and silver wood and a High Lord ruling over all his subjects. Once I heard my own destiny, it was a simple matter of waiting until everything fell into place.”

How I wish I had never shown you that memory, Malachi said sadly.Then you wouldn’t know what awaited us. I never wanted you to suffer, Evangeline, everything I’ve ever done was to prevent such a fate.

The green-eyed witch’s curse played through my head.“When silver wood rises and ravens take flight, a dark son returns, under cloak of midnight. Blood will combine to give birth to a king, a High Lord of Night, a future to bring. Crowned shadows awake, with his queen by his side, both claimed by darkness, illusion’s dark bride.”

There was a long pause, an emptiness in my head before he said, so soft I barely heard him whisper,Whatever monster I become, you need to kill me, Vicious. Forget everything between us except this. I would rather die than hurt you, I would rather you sink a blade into my heart than suffer for one second at my hands. Swear it, Vicious. Fucking promise me you won’t hesitate.

I won’t. All the air went out of my lungs, my body folding down over itself as if the last of my strength ebbed away.I’ll do what’s right, Malachi. I swear.

I went back over the witch’s words, spoken with such bitterness and hate. She hadn’t bestowed a destiny that day. She had cursed Caine and all his Elders, cursed them with every piece of her soul.

That prophecy wasn’t meant as a reward…but a punishment.

Magic is nothing without intent.Intent forms the magic, tells raw power what to become.

From the moment that curse was spoken, those words were meant to punish Ravok.

And I meant to ensure that he was.

62

BLAKE

Romulus stepped out of the shadows ahead, blocking our path, malice rippling from him in waves.

“That's far enough.”

This fucker was going down.

Romulus didn’t look like much, with his slender build and his stupid little smirk, but power churned around him like an evil-as-fuck aura, and I spooled up my death shadows in response.

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