Page 169 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

Until Aryn stumbled.

He collapsed to his knees, clutching at his chest, followed by a wet gag. Kora screamed, a gut-wrenching sound as horror slammed into Raiden’s mind and chest, her fear, disbelief and anger filling him so much he bent over gasping. Erick held her back as her cries broke Raiden’s ears.

Blood spurted from Aryn’s chest, gurgling up into his mouth.

No.

“ARYN!” Aerion howled.

Larissa floated in the air as Aerion raced forward, sliding across the deck behind Aryn, catching him as he fell backwards into Aerion’s lap.

“No, no, no!” he sobbed.

Raiden snarled at Sam. The weapon in his hand smoked, its curvature shape unfamiliar. He didn’t even blink. He didn’t move or make a sound. He just stared down at Aryn like he wasn’t bleeding out before him.

“Aerion,” Aryn gasped, his voice wet as blood leaked down the edges of his mouth. Barron remained silent, watching the display with keen interest as he kept close to Theron’s back. Theron rocked back and forth, shaking his head, tears springing to his scarily dark eyes.

Had he foretold this? Had he known what would happen? Kora’s cries broke through the chaos and Raiden violently shook, his chest caving in. He had to get to her.

“Shhh,” Aerion wept, pushing Aryn’s hair off his face. “Don’t, okay? Don’t. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay!”

Aryn shakily reached up to Aerion, his thumb brushing his cheek. His arms trembled, and Aerion clutched Aryn tighter, sobbing. “I love . . . you . . . so . . .”

Aryn exhaled, blood pouring from his mouth.

His hand fell, thudding onto the wet dock.

His head lolled, falling away from Aerion’s grasp.

“No. NO!” Aerion’s scream was raw, as he clutched Aryn in his arms, his shoulders juddering from the force of his sobs. “No, you’re not leaving me!” Aerion cried, his tears flowing. His power pulsed, flaring out of him with grief. “My love, no!”

The air rippled, the ash cloud swirling as repeated waves of Aerion’s power flowed out of him. Raiden grimaced, his brother’s pain breaking through the tension. Barron advanced, his stare now on Larissa’s floating body. Aerion’s power increased, a wave knocking Barron backwards repeatedly as he screamed so loud, his voice died upon his lips.

The gold in Aryn’s eyes evaporated. The hazel tinge fading with vibrancy with every second that passed. Somewhere within, a crack formed in Raiden’s chest, a hollow core where something warm used to sit.

“Aerion, we have to go,” Raiden whispered. Barron’s shadows danced, closing in.

Sam followed, stomping towards them, Barron propelling him back into action. Kora pulled Erick up to his feet, tears streaming down her face.

“No. He needs me! I can’t leave him!” Aerion wailed, clutching Aryn harder. Raiden placed his hands on Aerion’s back.

“Brother. Barron’s coming, we need to go. We need to get everyone out now.” Kora still lingered on the other side, near Barron. Raiden had to get to her. But he had to get Aerion back to the witch first.

“NO!” Aerion’s cry ricocheted, pummelling Raiden along with waves of power. Aerion shuffled to his feet, dragging Aryn’s body away from Barron, crying out as Aryn’s bright blood left a streak against the deck. It mixed with Leto’s, and Raiden’s grimaced at the devastation.

“I’ll help—” Raiden cut off as the bond snapped. He choked, unable to breathe, his body and mind tearing in two. The icy bangle around his wrist melted, any trace of it vanishing, disappearing into the deluge of rain.

Coldness wrapped around his mind, filling the gap, followed by Barron’s laugh.

When he glanced up, he met a pair of burning red eyes.

74

Kora

The stone within her chest exploded. The firefly warmth snuffed out by darkness. She felt the moment Aryn died, his soul passing. It was inconceivable, the emptiness he left behind consumed her. Aerion’s cries raked her ears, her own merging with his into warbled outrage. Erick held her back, keeping her away from Barron as a sly grin broke out upon his face.

Raiden stood there, frozen in shock as Aerion’s cries intensified, his grief palpable.