Page 155 of A Game of Monsters

I had thought the noise of Cassial’s skin ripping against the glass shards was the most beautiful thing in the world. But I had been wrong.

It was the voices of the two men I loved that took that mantle.

“I would normally correct someone on their manners, but I will make an exception this one time.”

“Do the honours, he is your father after all.”

Duncan hefted a great sword above his head and swung down before him with all his might. Steel through the air, Cassial lifted powerless hands up to shield himself. His attempt was wasted.

Duncan’s sword carved clean through Cassial’s neck, severing head from shoulders, taking part of his hands with one strike of the blade.

As if time slowed to an almost stop, the severed head tumbled onto the ground where it bounced over mud and grime, before rolling to a stop.

Once the dead, lifeless eyes of my enemy stared at me, I no longer had the strength to resist the poison. I gasped out the names of Erix and Duncan, aware that they were shouting for me, searching the rubble for where I had fallen.

They were too late. By the time they found my body, leaving Cassial’s corpse framed by the stain that the released portion of Duwar had become, I was fading.

Hands grasped me. Voices shouted demands. But this time, when my eyes closed, I was unable to open them again. My mind latched onto Erix’s and Duncan’s cries, filling my exhausted thoughts, refusing to let go as they called for me. They were the last things I heard, my name painted on their beautiful lips.

All I could think about was how I had failed.

My end came swiftly for me.

CHAPTER 36

At least I wasn’t alone in death.

On both of my sides, warmth radiated from the bodies of two men. I didn’t need to see them to know they were with me. Nothing could keep us apart, not even the endless abyss of the beyond.

I luxuriated between the heat of Erix’s and Duncan’s forms. They filled my senses, their touch something so familiar that even in this strange place of shadow, I couldn’t help but imagine their flesh against mine.

Even if I’d failed the world, they would never leave me.

In this strange state, I wasn’t confident I had hands, but I imagined reaching out with them, only to feel the physical wall of flesh as if I could physically hold it–

“Robin.” Two voices sang from beyond the dark, blending seamlessly together.

“He’s awake, Altar, he is going to be okay!”

I felt the firm grip of fingers wrapping around mine. It was odd, to have death react as though it was as much a living thing as this illusion it awarded me. Then the caress of a hand brushed over my chin, inching into my hairline where it was laid flat.

“Slowly, little bird. Don’t rush yourself,” Erix’s voice called through the haze. He was here. But how? Panic seized me, making me believe he had somehow died as well. How else was he here, in this strange place?

I longed to roll toward his voice and forge my body with his, just to stop this illusion from ever ending.

“Take your time, darling. We’re here. And we’re waiting for you.”

I longed to call for them, to locate them and never let go.

What had Cassial done? Had he followed through with his promise of destroying the realms, and both of them had found me in death?

This was not the peace I expected, and certainly didn’t deserve.

Or was this Duwar, in death with me, tricking and punishing me with eternal torture?

Splitting pain scorched through the nerves in my brain. I must’ve groaned against it, because I was aware of another voice, one that belonged to me, interrupting the gentle hush of Duncan’s encouragement.

Pain and punishment – weapons used against me for my final act.

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