Page 229 of Savage Throne
The black lines were spreading across his back now, like rivers of ink flowing. They were unnervingly precise, as if painted by some dark artist.
“Lei, please,” I shook him gently. “Open those eyes, baby. Someone is coming to help. Just hold on.”
His eyes didn’t open, his lips remained slack and stained with that black liquid.
I snapped my view to Leo’s head and glared. “You better not have taken him from me.”
His eyes were still open, staring blankly into the void.
The scene should have been triumphant—a moment of victory, of justice.
Lei had done it.
We had done it.
This was supposed to be our happy ending.
Lei and I should’ve been walking away together, hand in hand, victorious against the nightmare that had haunted him for so long.
We should’ve been celebrating.
But as I cradled Lei’s trembling body in my arms, the truth hit me like a dagger to the chest.
This wasn’t victory.
This wasn’t triumph.
Lei was slipping away from me, his golden skin now pale and lifeless marred by the black lines that writhed like malevolent serpents beneath his flesh.
“No.” My voice trembled. “This can’t be happening.”
It has to be the poison.
I glanced back at Leo’s dead body.
Did you outmaneuver us again? Did you decide that no matter what Lei would die tonight?
A terrifying sob clawed its way up my throat, but I bit it back.
I couldn’t fall apart now—not when Lei needed me. But those thoughts wouldn’t leave me. They gnawed at my mind like a rabid animal.
What if this is Leo’s true final move? What if, even in death, Leo had found a way to destroy us?
“Stay with me.” I rocked Lei, hoping that would help. “Please, baby. Stay with me.”
His breathing hitched and his body spasmed, his back arching slightly.
No. No. No.
Panic swelled in my chest.
The older man got to my side. “Good evening, Mountain Mistress, we will need to—”
“H-help him!” I shivered. “Is he dying? He can’t die!”
“Lei will be fine,” He gave me a sad smile. “Mountain Mistress, calm down.”
“B-black lines are everywhere—”
