Wings shot straight into the air.Within a moment, Huck’s caramel skin and chocolate curls came back into view, eyes grave.
Destroyed . . .
“No.No!”David roared. “Go! Get as many people to safety as you can!”
At full speed, the Cherubs sped away.
He sprinted to the top of the hilltop to see it for himself.
A complete inferno. Crystal City was ablaze. Raging, fiery plumes dispersed throughout the city quarters, smoke angrily billowing from the Crystal Castle.
Faint screams bellowed through the valley below.
Mount Lovelorn was smoldering. Massive rocks spewed, catapulting through the sky like meteors. They smashed into the buildings with force, sending flaming sparks flying.
So much destruction. So much death.
Great thick clouds swelled above, sprinkling a flurry of ash. Cinders swirled like chalky petals in the wind.
An explosion erupted, sending a menacing tremor through the ground.
The Crystal Castle.Its beautiful walls crumbled, lifting clouds of pink-kissed debris.
David clutched his chest, hyperventilating. He wasn’t sure if his heart was still beating. It felt brutalized after losing Maura, but now—now it was entirely cracking in half.
His home. His people.
David’s knees slammed into the ground with a vicious crack and tears streamed down his face.
A bolt of red lightning struck his body from above. Backarched, he roared to the heavens, to any Souls in Celestial City who would hear his cry.
Radiant wings tore through his shoulder blades, splaying wide as if born gasping. Power, birthed in pain.
The new Lord of Loveland ascended.
15
SKELL KING
HALLOW LAND—THE PAST
“The land is being searchedfor the child, my King,” the pathetic Skell guard stammered.
“No one entered, I swear—” His vexing voice halted as the Skell King turned to face him.
Fear slicked his already wet brow as he took a step back, pressing against the stone wall like cornered prey.
The Skell King’s shadows struck, coiling around the guard’s throat in a slow, deliberate constriction. A serpent unleashed.
Weak gurgles left the guard’s lips as the darkness tightened, then tightenedmore.
His pitiful, fragile heart finally slowed. The King usually enjoyed taking his time,to feel the life drain from their useless meat sacks,but today’s matters were too crucial to waste on indulgence.
A crispsnapsent a pleasing shiver through the Skell King’s core. He closed his eyes, reveling in the delicious sound, replaying it over in his mind like a favorite hymn.
Ribs crunched as he stepped on the body, making his wayinto Maura’s chambers. The air reeked of fresh death and ghost lilac, a perfume she’d worn.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” His tongue clicked in mock reprimand at the Queen’s soulless body.
