The Iron-Jawed Boy and the Hand of the Moon (Book 2, Sky Guardian Chronicles) (14 page)

“How could you risk a Throne like that?” Ion croaked, Solara quickly adding pressure to his throat.

“Lady Borea and I have long thought the Moon Throne to be overrated. Had it been solely our choice, we would’ve never called for a new Hand. But the idea further enticed the Twins to Illyria, and without the blood of Illindria’s descendant or from you, Ion, Illindria could’ve never been freed.” Lady Helia looked hungrily down at the Illyrian in her grasp. The skin of Illindria’s neck grayed, cracked, and then drifted away like ash. “A Triumvirate would’ve never worked, Aunty, and you know it. So to brush our foolish plans under the rug, you’ll all be killed tonight—Illindria first, then you, Solara. And the Sky Guardian’s meddling has sealed his fate, too.”

The decay crept slowly down Illindria’s chest and over her jaw. Solara dug the blade into Ion’s neck, her hand shaking with uncertainty.

“
This
is what she did to you thirteen years ago, Ion,” Illindria finally said. “Will you let her kill you again after she’s done with me?”

The gray crept up to Illindria’s lips and over her cheeks. A hundred thoughts came to Ion, so quick and so powerful and so urgent. The Illyrians had sent the Callers to war.
They put me in chains
.
Put the cyclops in chains
. They rained destruction upon the Outerworld humans: their cities, their hopes, their lives. The Illyrians were murderers.
My murderers
. They were always planning. And somehow Ion constantly found himself in the middle of them—forced to sway with whatever direction their schemes would take him.

Well now it’s my turn
.

The Hall filled with the screams of Lady Helia, who’d dropped to the floor with her hands over her ears.

“It’s in my ear!” she shrieked. “The pain! The pain! Make it stop! Please, make it stop!”

Solara released Ion from her grip and came to Illindria’s aid, helping her to feet. Both of them turned, watching in confusion as the tallest Illyrian curled up on the floor, writhing in agony. Ion stepped forward then. His fists tight at his side, eyes unblinking, as he continued to expand and contract the air pressure in Lady Helia’s inner ear.

The idea had just come to him, a sudden flash, bright as it was brilliant. He wasn’t sure how he was doing it exactly, given the move’s complexity and his Class level. But he was certain of one thing: this was him taking back control.

Lady Helia let out one final scream, falling into unconsciousness there on the floor of the Hall. Ion turned, glancing at the decayed skin of Illindria’s neck before flicking up to her astonished gaze.

“You saved me,” she said in awe.

“I did,” Ion said calmly. “I know I’m unsafe. Unstable. All of it made worse by my jaw. If I stay here, my friends and family—they’re destined for destruction. Death. And at my hands. I want you to train me, Illindria. Teach me what the pantheon refused to.”

Illindria stepped forward, her head cocked curiously at him. “You’d leave just like that?” she asked. “What of your father? Your sister?”

“I can leave them knowing they’ll be away from me.”

The cracked, grayed flesh of her lips pulled into a smile. “No worries, young Ion. We will make you into the god you were destined to be.”

Illindria offered her hand to Solara, and the girl accepted. Then, she knelt to Ion and offered her other hand to him.

“Take it,” she said. “And it’s done.”

“Ion, no!” came a scream that could only belong to Oceanus.

There they were—Oceanus, Theo, and Lillian—all standing beneath the gates of the Hall, frozen with shock. Ion said nothing as he gazed into his fellow Guardians’ eyes. He knew what must be done. He took Illindria’s hand, and vines exploded out of the stone floor beneath him, snaking up his ankles, legs, chest, and neck.

The vines slithered over his face, and he closed his eyes.
 

Don’t worry, Oceanus
, he thought
.
This time I’ll do right
.
This time...I have a plan
.

Nikolas Lee was born in Evansville, Indiana, moved with his family to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was eleven, moved back to Indiana when he was fourteen, then moved
back
to Las Vegas when he was sixteen. No, neither he, nor his family are under the witness protection program. Though that would be much cooler than the real reason.

He currently resides in Irvine, California, where he’s currently hard at work on the third installment in the Sky Guardian Chronicles,
The Iron-Jawed Boy and the Siege of Sol
.