living, venomous serpent, gliding through the freezing air until i

dic hiss filled

the dark magic, turning into a puddle of foul-smelling, liquid slag tha

lf out of the throne as if the cushions had caught fire, scrambling backwa

Vladya said. He lowered his hand. The black mist disso

e unhooked a heavy, black velvet bag from h

h

sened. Dozens of massive, flawlessly minted Urekai gold coins spilled ou

revenue," Dax stated coldly. He rested one massive, steel-gauntleted hand on the hilt of his

absolute terror in his face was instant

is body involuntarily leaned forward, his eyes locked on th

cid burned the back of her throat. She knew exactly what that look meant

m! She is your blood!" Elinore screamed, stepp

re wide and vicious. "Shut your mouth, you u

His dark red eyes held a flicker of cruel amusement,

against the wall, shot a panicked, commanding glance toward th

the small side

oom. His thick hand was wrapped brutally around the upp

s Jos

tangled mess. Silas's iron grip had already bruised her pale skin, leaving a ring

hrashed, her bare feet slipping on the polished

ced her down, making her knees hit the stone floor right

monsters standing above her. She gasped, sucking in a sharp

ear the main doors. She screamed the name like a

y obliterated her rational thought. She lunged forward, desp

massive step sideways, turning his body into an impene

steel pommel of hi

rectly into the cent

from her lungs. She stumbled backward, her boots skidding on the carpet. The tight linen bindings ar

eling at his boots. He inspected her face and her trembling frame

s so pathetically weak," Vladya cr

ice." Vladya shifted his gaze to Orestus, who was s

r her bleeding wrists. He stared exclusively at the pile of gol

s!" Orestus's voice was high-pitc

rdling scream. She dropped to her hands and knees, crawling f

her boot down hard on the trailing fabric of Jos

dress. She watched the monsters claim her. She

A blood-red haze clouded Elinore's vision. The veins in her neck bulged. The last remain