TerraWorks by Richelle Manteufel

Author:Richelle Manteufel [Manteufel, Richelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-11T22:00:00+00:00

chapter ten: enter eclipsis

“By the gods, Ean! You’re finally here!”

Mallie squeezed herself past several fans, grabbed her friend by the arm, and pulled her toward the front of the audience. “I was starting to freak out. Did you just log in?”

“Yeah. Take it easy, girl.” Ean looked intense in a gothic outfit and makeup. “You’re even more excited than I am.”

Mallie shrugged. “Well, I’m sure you were invited to all his rehearsals. I guess you wouldn’t be as thrilled in that case.”

Lightcross started to explain that no, she’d never been invited – in fact, now that Mallie mentioned it, why hadn’t she been invited? – but a rising orchestra interrupted her. “Oh my gods!” Mallie squealed above the roar of the crowd. Ean caught her breath, nervously twisting Eli’s ring around her thumb.

The virtual curtains lifted.

A daunting black-and-gold throne rose from center stage, reflecting against the smooth ebony flooring. Elias Mage lounged in it with an informal air, brandishing a tall staff in one hand. The sole cause of the audience’s collective gasp, however, was the elaborate change to his body. His entire skeletal frame, from skull to phalanges, was shining with gold. Rubies and diamonds alternated across his cranium like an embedded crown. Even his clear, dark eyes mirrored a gilt shimmer. The skeleman wore studded pants, boots, and a sweeping hooded cape, but no shirt. His golden ribcage gleamed as if it was on fire.

As everyone stared in fascination, Elias rose to his feet and soberly pointed the head of his staff toward the audience. The drums of the orchestration increased exponentially, and the crowd responded as if by enchantment. Their screams rebounded across the stadium; Ean realized that Eli’s staff was also his microphone. “How interesting,” she murmured, crossing her arms and smiling. Eli bowed his head, the bright gems in his skull glittering, patiently waiting as the crowd worked itself into a frenzy.

Gradually, the rest of the Spectral Tyrants joined Elias on stage, dressed in embellished jeans and leather jackets. A lengthy guitar instrumental ensued. As it progressed, a second set of curtains opened behind the band to reveal an animated mechanism – an enormous golden skull – that opened its mouth to expel smoke and yellow flames.

Elias waited, posing with his staff, while his dark gaze searched for Ean. Locating her at last, he felt disappointed to see her standing so calmly, arms crossed, with the struggle of admiration versus resentful longing radiating from her stiff body language. He knew she felt so far away from him… and as he shone like the king of the dead, countless avatars screamed his name.

Elias couldn’t allow this evening – their evening – to continue like that. He handed his staff to Desmond. Striding powerfully to the beat, he walked to the edge of the stage, holding Ean Lightcross captive with his eyes.

He bent, shifted his weight, and jumped off the stage.

His fans burst with exhilaration. Hands brushed against him and tugged at his cape from every direction. The skeleman continued walking as if he felt nothing at all.

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