Silence.
Then, “You lie.”
Sweat dripped down my brow. “No. I don’t.”
“It’s not possible,” Myrin snarled. “Death is final. No one can—”
A sharp crack blasted overhead.
Everyone looked skyward.
Everyone, that is, except for Myrin and me. We didn’t look away from each other.
“That,” I said, “was a signal. From Randall. To show that the slums have been evacuated. Because while we stood here, while you went on and on and on, the people of Camp HaveHeart breached the City. They saved those you imprisoned. You were all so arrogant to think nothing could happen to you with me here.”
Myrin took a step toward me.
I laughed. It sounded like I was choking. “And while we take back our home, three of the dragons of Verania are in Meridian City at this very moment, laying waste to everything you’ve brought upon us.”
“You killed your cornerstone,” Myrin said coldly. “There is no coming back from that.” His expression stuttered. “Three. You said three dragons. There are five in total. Where is the—”
A loud roar split the air around us.
It didn’t come from Kevin.
“What is this?” Myrin demanded.
“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” I told him. “Because there’s one thing you’ve forgotten again and again and again.”
“And what would that be?”
I grinned rakishly at him. “I’m Sam of Dragons.”
Zero Ravyn Moonfire roared again as he landed on top of Castle Lockes, his muscular body curling around a turret, tail twitching dangerously. His eyes were blazing red.
Now? he growled in my head.
Now.
The hood around his face flared, the bony tips rattling as they shook. The Darks barely had time to react before the stone shattered beneath their feet as thick, dark roots burst up around them like tentacles, wrapping around legs and torsos, holding them in place. A few of them had a chance to scream before the roots covered them completely, cutting them off.
It was over in a matter of seconds. Where there had once stood the Darks of Verania, there was only a great prison of vermilion root, binding their magic in place.
But three remained untouched.
Caleb.
Ruv.
And Myrin.
Because there was a price to pay for what they’d done.
For what they’d taken from me.
There was a boy born in the slums.
The gods whispered about him.