Page 108 of Soul of Thorns
Night Bringer.
No, not this time. This is him.
Rev.
He’s... going to kill me. My mind spins. He’ll end it. It hurts. My heart aches that I’ll never know what it’s like to love him completely. I’ll never know what true happiness tastes like. The game is over. I always knew I wouldn’t win. I could only ensure the enemy fails. And that’s what he’ll do now.
I am ready to die.
Agony takes over, my mind flickers black.
The ground shakes, building until it’s a full earthquake. Shattering. Crumbling.
Laughter. My monster is laughing. His mate joins him.
Their laugh becomes one, soaring like a symphony of suffering and rage. Bitter. Pained. Terrible.
Power is sucked from my body in that one quick moment, and my thoughts are wiped silent. My mind quiets, and finally... there is peace.
Rev
The army of wraithsscatter to the winds as the mountains fall, the ground splits, cracks, opening to the void. The fire wall tips over, sending roaring flames over the miles surrounding it, scorching the land with streaks of black scars, and thick smoke rises to the sky.
I remain there on my knees in the valley surrounded by death. I stare at her peaceful expression. Eyes closed, mind spinning over what I’ve done as the world around me implodes. I allow it all to take place without moving an inch.
An hour must pass before I dare to look up.
When I finally do, I am alone. The Night Terror is gone. The bodies she’d raised have fallen limp where they stood. I’ll have to climb over them to get out of here. But now, it seems, the path is quiet.
My hands gently cocoon Caelynn’s head, cradling her limp body in my arms, and begin the long journey from this place.
I won’t leave her here. I couldn’t leave her here.
She is mine. And I will not fail her again.
