Kai froze in place. The warm room became a walk-in freezer. An icy aura washed over his body. The aroma of sweet rotting death assaulted his nostrils.

  His limbs slackened as if obeying commands that weren’t his own. The smug smile etched on Noll’s face betrayed the oppressive atmosphere bearing down on Kai.

  Danger.

  Kai urged his legs to move away. They disobeyed his orders. He moved toward the sinister book nestled in the wall. His nostrils struggled to retrieve air as thick as nutrient paste. A prickling sensation crawled across his skin.

  His mind raced.

  He’d bet his life this was the black book Old Haggar mentioned in his note. The grim skull adorning the book’s leather sheath was keen to take the bet, straining to break its bonds. Though it had no intention of paying him any winnings.

  Why was the book here? Kai expected a fruitless search, maybe a sliver of vague information before he moved to execute his plan. This was too convenient.

  How did Haggar know? The old man didn’t have a Gift. Kai had seen his bare right hand. It was plain. No Marked symbol. But this…

  Kai took another step toward the dark artifact. A freezing whirlpool swirled in his chest. His jaw stiffened. Noll’s smile remained.

  He had to run. Now.

  His legs had different thoughts. Another step.

  The silver skull watched him with cold, hollow eyes. Escape wasn’t an option. That being the case, why fight against the inevitable?

  No, that wasn’t him. His whole life had been a fight against the inevitable. He wouldn’t falter in the face of the impossible. But wasn’t this what he wanted? To find the black book? Why resist it?

  Kai shook his head. ‘Use the black book.’ Old Haggar’s words echoed through his mind. The old bastard had no reason to sabotage him now. He gave up plenty of better opportunities for that in the past.

  Kai stopped trying to escape. His legs stopped moving toward the devious book. His hands trembled.

  Safe. For now.

  This safety was unlikely to last for long. The pull on his soul grew stronger with each passing minute. If he had no other choice, he had to learn what he could. To figure out how to use this tool without damning himself with whatever vile forces lay inside.

  Noll continued to smile. Only moments had passed since he revealed his prize.

  Kai sighed as his unruly legs wobbled. “Where did you get that, Noll?”

  The bald man raised his chin. “Impressive, right? It’s one of a kind, you know.”

  Kai shook his head. “Gods.”

  Noll glanced at the book. Then back at Kai. “You could at least pretend to be impressed.”

  “I’m very impressed. Now, where did you get it?”

  Noll’s head shook slowly. “You’re no fun. You know that?”

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  “That’s not what your mother—” Kai stopped himself. “We’re getting off topic. Are you gonna answer my question or not?”

  Noll released a heavy sigh. “Up north. On business. Some old guy sold it to me.”

  “Did you know him? Have you seen him before?”

  Noll narrowed his eyes. “No. Total stranger. Why are you so curious about that?” He gestured to the book in the wall. “The book’s more interesting than that old man.”

  Kai raised a hand to his forehead. “You call yourself an information broker?”

  Noll scoffed. “The man said he had a special book and sold it to me for peanuts. What more do I need to know?”

  “Do you remember what he looked like? Any details?”

  “No…I remember he was old. That’s about it.”

  “Let me get this straight. A mysterious old man gives you a mysterious black book with a skull on the cover, and you don’t ask questions? Don’t pay attention to any details?”

  Noll stroked his chin. “Now that you mention it, it was odd.” He shook his head.

  “But the offer was too good to be true. I didn’t want him to realise his ash up and kill the deal.”

  He straightened his back, and thrust his chin toward Kai. “I might have rushed things, but who cares? I got the book; he got a few shards. I came out on top.”

  “Do you value your life, Noll?”

  Noll laughed. “I must not. I got mixed up with you, didn’t I?”

  A bitter smile bloomed on Kai’s lips. “What else do you know?”

  Noll met Kai’s eyes, fervour clouding his vision. “Wanna see what it can do?”

  Kai glared back. “Is that what I asked?”

  Noll huffed. “No fun. Everything’s business with you.”

  “You think we have time for anything else? With Renzo breathing down our necks and a deadline creeping closer by the minute?”

  “Point taken.”

  “So?” Kai asked.

  “I was skeptical at first. I mean, you would be, right?” Noll looked to Kai as if waiting for approval of his prudent caution.

  Kai offered a stiff nod. Noll continued.

  “But he didn’t ask for much. Only two Darkshards. I’d make triple that selling the leather binding. So I took the deal.”

  “And?”

  “When I touched the book…” Noll glanced around the room as if searching for spies. “I felt it.”

  “Felt it?”

  “Yeah, I dunno how to explain it.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I knew the old man wasn’t lying. This book is special.”

  Kai focused his gaze. “Special, how?”

  “When I got back, I tried to open it.”

  “What’s inside?”

  “I don’t know. It won’t open. But that’s not the point I’m getting at.”

  “Please. Don’t let me stop you from getting to the point.”

  Noll shot him a sour look. “I’m getting there!” His hand found his chin once more. “Where was I? Oh, I couldn’t open it. But while I strained to pry it open, I closed my eyes.” His smug smile returned. His chest puffed up.

  “That’s when it happened. I felt…different.”

  “Thanks for the vague explanation. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’d make a fine seer.”

  “I’m not done! I’d get to the good stuff faster if you stopped interrupting me!” Noll sighed and took a moment to compose himself.

  “After,” he hesitated. “The feeling. I became one with the darkness. It was like I had a Gift.”

  Impossible. Only the gods gave Gifts. And only after the First Trial.

  Kai shook his head. “One with the darkness? The depth of your description enlightens me.”

  Noll shook his head in return. “Ha. Ha. Ha. You won’t understand unless you see it.”

  Kai snorted. “Show me your gift then.”

  Noll moved his hand toward the unholy book. Kai stepped forward and grabbed his arm before he could touch it.

  “What are you doing?” Kai asked.

  Noll’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m showing you?”

  Kai glanced at the ominous book. He stood inches away from it. Close enough to grab it. It called to him. Compelled him. He hated being manipulated.

  “You need the book to show me your Gift?”

  Noll smiled. “I said it was like I had a Gift. I can’t use it without the book.” He glanced at his arm locked in Kai’s stern grip. “Will you let go of me now?”

  Kai kept his gaze on Noll. Struggling to avoid looking at the dark book. “Don’t touch it.”

  “Didn’t you just—”

  Kai spoke in a tone that brooked no disagreement. A tone he had honed to perfection in rivers of blood. “Don’t.”

  Noll got the message. He gave Kai a soft nod and moved his hand away from the malevolent book. Kai released his grip.

  The black book tugged at him harder than before. Could he step away from it? That didn’t work before. It was a mistake to get close to it.

  At the edges of his vision, the embossed silver skull glared at him, straining against its bonds.

  He had to find a way out.

  Closing his eyes to calm himself, he took a deep breath.

  Noll’s voice reached his ears. “So you can touch it but I can’t? How is that fair?”

  What? Kai’s eyes shot open.

  His right hand caressed the gleaming skull on the book’s cover.

  How? When did I—

  The world shattered.

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