Page 47 of Breaking the Bloodstone Curse
Those burning eyes
I’ve heard its secrets
Felt its lies.
And now I wish
The curse to break
I give permission
My past to take.
I sacrifice my yesterday
To break the curse
And save today.
To stem the tide
Of woe and strife
I give my name
To save my life.”
As he spoke the last word aloud, the shadowy apparition appeared before them, its red eyes blazing. It gave a sudden, hissing shriek so loud that Serenai clapped her hands over her ears and winced in pain.
Then, as they all watched, it seemed to explode. A huge puff of black smoke and shadow expanded to fill the room and for a moment everything went dark. But then it dissipated almost at once and there was nothing left but a faint burning smell in the air.
Serenai looked around cautiously.
“Is…is that it? The curse is broken?”
“It’s broken and gone—your life will be long!” Jacobim declared. He seemed very pleased by the result because he was grinning widely.
“That’s wonderful!” Serenai clasped her hands to her heart. But then she looked at Brax. “Are you all right?” she asked the half-Kindred. His pearly gray skin had gone pale and he looked unsteady on his feet. “What happened? What did you forget?”
“I…I don’t…” he began.
But then his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed on the floor in front of her.
29
SERENAI
Luckily Jacobim’s receiving hall was carpeted in a thick, plush rug which kept the big half-Kindred from getting a head injury. But he still went down like a sack of bricks. Serenai tried to get to him but there was no way to do it in time. And even if she could have, he probably would have just crushed her on his way down. He was just too much bigger than her to catch, she thought in dismay as she knelt beside him.
“Brax?” she called, patting his cheek. “Brax, are you all right? Please, talk to me!”
At last his pale eyes fluttered open and focused on her face. Serenai felt a rush of relief…but it was short lived. Because when he looked at her, she could see no recognition in his gaze—none at all.
“Brax?” she asked again. “Are…are you all right?”
He frowned up at her as he reached to rub his head.
“Who are you, lady? And how do you know my name?”
