The Ash Crown split apart in a blast of dark fire.

  Half remained fused to Malrec’s skull. The other half disintegrated into burning fragments that scattered across the courtyard like dying stars.

  Malrec fell to his knees.

  “You promised power,” he rasped.

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  “I promised nothing,” Kael’Zareth thundered.

  The demon stepped forward.

  One claw descended.

  Malrec’s body was crushed into the stone beneath it.

  No redemption.

  No last speech.

  Only the consequence of ambition.

  The courtyard fell silent except for crackling flame.

  Kael Thorn collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

  Arin ran to his side.

  “You’re not dying,” Arin said.

  Kael coughed weakly. “That… wasn’t part of the plan.”

  The demon’s shadow engulfed them both.

  “Sealbreaker,” it rumbled.

  Arin stood.

  And stepped forward alone.