Page 118 of Kingdom of Tomorrow
I hurried down the abandoned street, my new mini dagger in hand. I expected a horde of feeders to attack, but a lone glower dressed in a hooded bloodred robe stepped forward.
Removing the hood, revealing a crown of rubies and skin aglow with symbols, he bowed his head in deference to me. The bearded guy—Domino—followed me in the flesh rather than from inside the Rock.
Trepidation proved a formidable foe, but I pushed on, even when second, third, and fourth glowers glided into my field of vision. None of the other faces looked familiar, but they wore the same hooded bloodred robes and ruby crowns. They also repeated the same actions as Domino, treating this as some kind of ritual. Soon I had an entire convoy of glowers behind me. They even lined the road, and it was an intimidating sight.
My trepidation magnified, but so did my determination. Every step increased the distance between me and Cyrus, the man who had betrayed my trust. If I intended to join the Tome Society, and I did, these glowers were my allies. I had nothing to fear.
I neared the Rock. My shadows stopped behind me, utterly silent. Ember stood before what had once been the bane of my existence butnow acted as my only beacon of hope. She wore a robe, too, though it possessed golden trim studded with jewels. Hello, mistress of ceremonies. Her hood was already down, her ruby crown double the size of the others.
I paused several feet away and gulped. This wouldn’t be a casual thing. These Soalians meant business. Took this seriously. I must as well.
“Thank you for the welcome,” I said, perspiration dotting my palms. The sun set in the sky, light gradually fading, but it didn’t matter. Thanks to the glowers, the area remained well lit. “I’m ready to accept my invitation into the Tome Society.”
“Kneel or fall,” Ember stated, clear and concise. “Your choice.”
Prostrate myself, as if she were my queen and I was some kind of helpless servant? I opened my mouth to protest, only to snap my teeth together. Right now, the Soalians were my only weapon and defense againstCured. Because yes, I intended to dedicate my life to dismantling their power over innocent families. I would avenge Shiloh and Jericho too.
While I was ignorant about this process and the significance of Ember’s request, I refused to do anything to disqualify myself. I willingly, happily sank to my knees.
Satisfaction flickered in her irises. She stretched out an arm and rolled open her fingers, revealing a pebble. Or a crumb from the Rock. “Eat.”
I trembled as I claimed it. The moment of truth. Once I did it, there’d be no going back. But then, I didn’t wish to go back.
With confidence, I placed the piece on the tip of my tongue. No need to chew. The bit dissolved in seconds.
My eyes went wide. And I thought I’d tasted sweetness before. Warmth sparked in the center of my chest, spinning and growing, growing and spinning, washing over every inch of me, reminding me of a cozy blanket in front of a fire.
The mistress of ceremonies performed the same act with her other arm—stretching it out, rolling open her fingers, and presenting me with a corked vial of crimson liquid. “Drink.”
This time, I wasn’t trembling as I obeyed. I emptied the container. More incredible sweetness filled my mouth. Like the warmth, strength spun within me and grew, saturating my being.
Ember wasn’t done. She performed the act again, extending both arms, and a huge sword appeared in each hand. Blue flames danced from the tips to the elaborate hilts. When she slammed the two weapons together, they joined, creating a double-edged blade, shooting sparks in every direction.
Alarm and awe fought for dominance. Was I soon to possess abilities like hers?
“Arden Dawn Roosa,” Ember announced. “We vow to protect you with our lives, give you aid when needed, and come when you call. To be accepted into the Tome Society, you must vow to do the same for us.”
Without hesitation, I rolled back my shoulders and braced. “I do. I vow it.”
“Say the words.”
“I will protect you with my life, aid when needed, and come when you call.”
A bright smile spread over her face, and she stalked closer to me. Trepidation flared anew as she planted the tip of the sword just above my heart. Though the flames flickered, heat spreading over my body, I didn’t burn.
“May you find the peace you seek, gain the wisdom of the ancient of days, and grow into the garden you were created to be.” With that, she shoved the blade deep.
I gasped, jolted inside and out. Except, the blade didn’t pierce me. Not physically, at least. It disappeared into my torso, becoming a part of me. The heat cranked up, flaring in my veins, becoming a roaring inferno. Okay, now I burned. Too much!
“You’re good. You’re all right.” Ember’s voice wafted into my awareness. “The fire kills the Madness and dissolves the poisonsCuredinjected into you. Let it happen.”
A scream parted my lips, and if I’d been on my feet, I would’ve toppled. Dizziness struck, but I panted through it. My world went dark, my thoughts disintegrating. Then light came. My pain vanished as if it had never been, and suddenly I felt lighter, as if I’d shed a thousand pounds of uncertainty. A thick, gloomy fog I’d never truly shed cleared from my mind, leaving no trace. No place for fear to hide. Thoughts snapped into focus, crisp and sure, and I laughed.
“She’s free!” Ember called, helping me to my feet.
Other glowers cheered and crowded around me, giving hugs. Again and again, they called, “Fight one, fight all!”
More laughter bubbled from my core. Even the world looked different. The Rock dazzled. I’d considered it beautiful before, but I hadn’t glimpsed a tenth of its glory. I could detect every individual grain of dirt that composed the stone; they glittered in a self-contained light. The symbols were as bright as precious gems.
