Passage of the Dragon : Chronicles of Mahon Book Five by Brenda Murphy

Author:Brenda Murphy [Murphy, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quinby Sideshow Publications
Published: 2023-07-19T23:00:00+00:00

7

Ava shrank from Seraphina edging away from her toward the passage leading back to the tombs. “Seraphina?” Her harsh words and tone stung her ears. Guilt over leaving Seraphina alone after her confession of love bubbled up in her chest. Ava pressed herself against the cool tiles as Ardat approached. In her gnarled hand she held a glowing green stone. As she neared Seraphina it glowed brighter.

Ava gathered herself to charge. She could do it, knock Ardat to the ground. Use her claws to pierce her chest. Close her sharp teeth over her throat and hold her until she was still. Ava shook the murderous thoughts from her head. No. She was Seraphina’s mother. Her true kin even if she was one who had no use for Ava. Ava would not wish the aching loneliness she had known as the last of her kin on anyone. Seraphina deserved to have a mother even she was evil.

Ardat closed the distance between them until she stood directly in front of Seraphina. “If I intended you harm wouldn’t I have attacked you when I first saw you? They have poisoned your mind against me but it’s not too late. You were created to rule over all between The Sky and The Void. Seraphina, you are the Empress of All Things. And I created you. You will right the wrongs Mara and her kind have perpetrated on the world since it began.”

Ava turned Ardat’s words over in her head. Not true. Any of it. Her skin tingled with the magic lacing Ardat’s words.

Ardat edged closed to Seraphina. “Goddesses force those who want anything good in their lives to worship them and punish those who don’t bow down before them. Mara and Lilith only care for those who are slavish in their devotion to them. Take this gift I have for you.” She held out the glowing green stone.

Ava trembled. The power of the stone washed over her as it shone brightly.

“I saved it from your crown. Come, give your mother a hug and take this gift.” Ardat held her arms wide.

Seraphina stepped into Ardat’s embrace and closed her eyes.

“No. Seraphina!”

Ardat pressed the stone against Seraphina’s gambeson as she wrapped her arms tightly around Seraphina. The stench of burning flesh rose in the cavern as a circle of flame rose from Seraphina’s back.

“No. No.” Ava growled, her warning echoed in the hall as a purple cloud rose from Ardat and surrounded them. “Get away from her!” Ava bolted toward them. After the first step her skin tingled as her limbs grew weak. She struggled against the sensation of being mired in the floor. Long moments strung out as she watched the cloud enter Seraphina’s body. Ava focused her energy pushing back against Ardat’s magic.

“No! Seraphina! Don’t listen!” Ava roared as she struggled against Ardat’s spell. She lifted her front feet off the floor and clawed at the ground, finally free of Ardat’s spell.

Seraphina’s eyes opened as Ava took a step toward them. She met Ava’s gaze.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.