Page 121
It is Ferra who speaks next. “If Atticul dies, Umbert becomes Emperor of Azuria.”
“Or Damon,” says Elric.
“No,” Damon says, rounding on Elric. “Umbert is the named heir of the empire.”
“Umbert is of the female line. The next emperor could be you.” Elric swallows. He is so much bolder than he ever was, arguing with Damon as an equal.
Lyr says, “Elric is right. The demon could take Umbert. Or you Damon, when Atticul is dead. Can we protect them?”
Perl says, “I believe the Verilissia have protections. They kept the demon babe imprisoned for a long time with their wards.”
Tobi asks this same question of Yaelin in Ambolk. She nods and says, “There is a way.” She looks at Perl. “I can instruct your magician.”
As Tobi explains this in Artemian, Perl says to Yaelin in Ambolk, “And then where will it go?”
“Into the air. If it can find no host it cannot live. He will die as he would have if there had not been a secretly hidden Bellator babe when the Five Fae Princes killed Diazuul.”
Yaelin’s warding spell turns out to be simple, although the amount of power that has been accumulated by Kerik, Perl and Lyr since their battle is stretched thin. Circles of salt and seeds are made around Harok and Umbert. Kerik mutters the words Yaelin gives him, looking quite uncharacteristically stern and serious.
When it is done, Perl follows Kerik over to where Damon stands, “Damon, you will go first, as soon as you have set your blade in Atticul, Kerik will cast one for you.”
“I do not need it,” Damon says tightly. “I am not the heir.”
Before Perl can say anything back, Tobi shrieks behind them. Perl and Kerik spin around to see that Harok, inside his circle, has fallen to the ground, convulsing.
“Give that back,” Atticul booms out from the sacrifice stone, in a voice that is not his own. The voice of Ur-Durik. He is stretching a chained arm out towards Harok, reaching for him.
“He senses the Shard close by,” Perl says to Kerik, then calls out to Tobi. “It will not be long now. He must hold on.”
Tobi is muttering to Harok in Ambolk.
Umbert, inside his ward, whimpers, staring at Harok. Ferra sits beside him, crossed-legged on the floor. “Be strong, my prince,” she coos at him. “My own prince.”
“Mama, I don’t want to become a demon,” Umbert says. He speaks softly, but Perl hears it.
He also hears Ferra’s determined reply. “You never will.”
She looks over at Perl then, eyes hard. Perl is certain Ferra will kill him if anything happens to Umbert.
Harok is still shaking on the floor. There is no time left. This is it. Perl doesn’t know if this will work or if the precautions they have taken are enough. But they cannot wait. He turns to Damon. “You must go now.”
Damon nods. He pulls out the sword. He walks slowly towards Susal-Ur-Bellan and Atticul.
Atticul looks up at Damon. His eyes are fully black now. He’s getting more powerful. Perl can sense the amount of power Kerik is having to put into those chains to hold him. When he looks to Kerik he is breathing hard, as if he is racing uphill.
In the slow, dark voice of the demon, Atticul says, “So, this is how it is to be, my father’s bastards all assembled to murder me. Claiming me to be a demon.”
Damon’s throat moves. He looks so solemn. Half-broken. “Atticul, I have known you all your life. I have seen you grow from a cruel boy into a cruel man. You would have been a cruel Emperor. Nevertheless, I wanted better for you. I am sorry.”
Atticul smirks. He makes a soft scoffing sound. “I am sorry too, Bastard. I am sorry I didn’t fuck your wife and flay your whore-lover while you watched on your knees.” He spits on the ground.
Damon takes a long breath. Lifts the Amber Blade and presses his sword into Atticul’s chest.
Atticul does not move. He barely even reacts. When Damon pulls the sword back, there is no blood. Perl holds his breath.
Damon walks back to where Kerik stands with Yaelin holding the salt and seeds ready to create a third protective circle.
Lukas strolls forward next, “Death to Emperor Atticul,” he says, laughing, as he plunges the Blue Blade into Ur-Durik.
