The cold stone pressed against his cheek. Luca opened his eyes slowly. Pain burned through his chest like a hot coal. He remembered the dagger. He remembered Amelia standing over him with empty eyes. He thought he was dead. But dead men did not feel the rough bite of solid rock beneath them. He tried to move his arm. A sharp ache shot down his spine. He gasped and rolled onto his back. The air here was thick and stale. It smelled like damp earth and forgotten secrets. It was not the courtyard. It was too dark and too quiet. He forced himself to sit up. His hand went to his chest. His shirt was torn and stiff with dried blood. But there was no open wound. The skin beneath his fingers was smooth and whole. How was this possible. He had felt the blade pierce his heart.A soft yellow light flared in the darkness. Luca squinted against the sudden brightness. A figure stepped out from the shadows holding a small lantern. It was Amelia. She did not look like a cold killer anymore. Her face w

The smiling face of Dominic Kane glowed in the dark tunnel. It was not a real body made of flesh and blood. It was a projection made of pure golden light. The false god was not actually here in the damp dirt. This was an ancient trap left behind to guard the catacombs. His massive glowing eyes stared right through them. The golden light felt hot and heavy. It pushed the cold air away and made it hard to breathe. Luca grabbed Amelia and pulled her back.The tunnel walls began to crack and crumble around them. Heavy chunks of rock fell from the ceiling and smashed into the ground. Dominic Kane raised a glowing hand and pointed a finger at Luca. A beam of pure burning energy shot through the darkness. Luca pushed Amelia behind a thick stone pillar just in time. The beam hit the wall and exploded with a deafening boom. Dust filled the air and blinded them. Luca felt his new dragon core pulse with a strong steady rhythm.He did not feel weak and helpless anymore. The power of his old soul

The harsh bright spotlights blinded Luca. He squinted against the fierce glare. Reuben stood in the center of the beam. His hand gripped Amelia by her neck. She struggled but his hold was tight. Heavy boots marched toward them from all sides. The elite heavenly guards wore silver armor that shined in the night. They carried long spears pointing straight at Luca. The trap was perfect. Reuben had played them from the start. Luca felt a deep rumble in his chest. His dragon core pulsed with hot anger. He looked at the man."Why did you do this Reuben?" Luca asked. His voice was low and calm. Reuben laughed. The sound was sharp. "Dominic Kane offers great rewards for the false sovereign," Reuben said. "I am just a poor scholar. I want power and gold. You are my ticket to a better life." Amelia kicked at his shins. "You are a coward," she spat. Reuben tightened his grip on her throat. She gasped for air. Luca took a step forward. The guards raised their spears higher. "Do not move," a guard

The cold mud soaked through his torn shirt. Luca stared up at the man standing above them. Kaelen Draven smiled a very dark and twisted smile. The silver sword in his hand glowed with a faint blue light in the deep trench. Rain began to fall from the black sky above. The cold drops washed the thick dirt from the dark boots of the inquisitor. He had not come with the three heavenly commanders. He had tracked them on his own. He wanted the glory of killing the dragon for himself. Luca pushed Amelia behind him and stood up.Kaelen stepped forward and raised his weapon high. He did not speak a single word to them. He just swung the heavy blade down at the neck of Luca. Luca leaned back and dodged the sharp metal. The sword smashed into the muddy wall of the deep ravine. Dirt and wet rocks flew into the cold air. Luca used this small opening to attack. He lunged forward and drove his fist into the chest of Kaelen. The force of the punch made a loud cracking sound. Kaelen stumbled backward

The cold hands of the cursed general squeezed the neck of Luca. The grip felt like solid iron. Purple fire burned bright inside the wild eyes of Elias Thorne. The old warrior did not see his king anymore. He saw a strange target to destroy. Luca grabbed the thick wrists of his friend. He tried to pull the deadly hands away from his throat. His injured leg gave out and he dropped to his knees. Elias fell with him but never let go. The heavy metal chains rattled loud in the dark room.Amelia screamed loud and rushed forward into the shadows. She raised her small sharp rock high to strike the tall monster. She wanted to save the young man she trusted. Luca saw her move and gasped for air. He forced his dry mouth to form words. He told her to step back and stay safe. He commanded her not to hurt the broken man. Amelia stopped running and lowered her pale hand. She looked terrified but she listened to his clear warning. She stepped back against the smooth black stone wall and watched the t