But when he looked up again, his dragon scars pulled taut, and he said, “It doesn’t matter. I still have an army stronger than any that’s ever existed, and we will achieve the Evermore.”

Prince Gin lifted Hana off her feet and squeezed her throat. Her face purpled.

“Stop!” Sora screamed, but if she moved any closer, he might kill her sister, and Hana would be sentenced to eternal torture in the hells.

He ignored Sora. His voice took on a lullaby softness. “Virtuoso, you are my most loyal warrior, are you not?”

Despite being choked, Hana’s body relaxed in his grip. She nodded.

“Hana, don’t let him brainwash you.”

Prince Gin bared his teeth in a vicious smile. “Virtuoso, you are also honorable. And you know what honorable warriors do when they make the mistake of crossing their sovereigns, don’t you?”

“I do,” Hana said.

“Good.” His ryuu particles whisked Sora’s sword off the floor and floated it into Hana’s hand. “Then you will die by suicide, disemboweling yourself. Hara-kiri is the way of death for traitors.”

“Hana, don’t!” Sora dove toward her sister.

But Prince Gin’s magic hurled Sora backward and pinned her to the wall inside the tower. Hana pointed the sword tip to her own belly, her free will a mere plaything for the Dragon Prince.

Tears streamed down Sora’s face. She’d just lost Mama. She couldn’t lose someone else, not now, not ever again. And especially not when she knew Hana’s soul would be damned.

Sora looked at the sun setting outside and shrieked at the gods. “What are you doing up there? We’re not just ants. If you ever loved Kichona, come help us now! Do you hear me? Don’t let this happen!”

As if on cue, the sky burst in a blaze of blue lightning. It was blinding, and for a moment, Sora had to avert her eyes.

But when she looked back, she saw what was at its center.

A flying wolf, glowing like a beacon.

Chapter Sixty-One

Daemon flew through the break in the clouds. The sky lit up with his arrival, and whatever insecurities he used to have, they were blasted away by his thunder and lightning. He was a demigod who could harness electricity and gravity. He had gone back to Celestae and wrangled a deal out of Vespre, who had been recalcitrant but, in the end, outnegotiated by Daemon. There was no room anymore for doubt about his identity or ability.

He glanced over his shoulder. Liga, in constellation alligator form, glided behind him.

Daemon’s eyes narrowed as he flew closer to the Imperial City. He spotted Empress Aki and Broomstick leading some troops up the road, nearly obscured by the smoke of explosions. They saw Daemon and waved for help.

He and Liga swooped down.

“Boy, are we glad to see you two,” Broomstick said.

“Where’s Sora?” Daemon asked.