“Kill him.” Ganymede’s voice was a deep echoing boom that whipped the fire into a frenzy. The flames broke into separate streams that whistled and moaned as they gained speed. The streams of fire formed blades that flashed toward Rabid before he could even begin his attack. The searing blades sliced and diced until Rabid was no more than smoldering bits of flesh scattered over the ground.

Damn. Dacian could control fire, but not like that. He turned away. He was vampire, and he’d seen death before, but never such a complete one. He would never mess with Ganymede. Ever. Dully, he noticed Kyla’s head lying nearby. Not attached to her body. The Mackenzies must’ve passed judgment and carried out the sentence.

Stillness settled over the scene.

And then someone began clapping. Slow, rhythmic. Dacian turned with everyone else to stare at the sorcerer, who stood where the courtyard door had been, applauding.

“Great show. See, if they put drama like that on TV, I’d stay home and watch it more.” The sorcerer’s face was still shadowed by his hood, but humor laced his voice.

Ganymede ignored him as he dropped to his knees beside the counter where Sparkle lay still and motionless.

Holgarth stepped from his place beside Edge to face the sorcerer. “What is your name?”

“Zane.”

“Is that your true name?” No matter what Holgarth felt inside, his hand on his staff was steady and his voice rang with authority.

Dacian offered a nod of respect to Holgarth. The old guy had guts.

“It is today.” The sorcerer shrugged. “Tomorrow? Who knows?”

“Will you continue the battle?”

Every person hung on the sorcerer’s answer. Dacian figured if the sorcerer let his power rip, a lot of them wouldn’t survive.

Zane shrugged. “The king is dead, long live the king. And he took my paycheck with him. I don’t work for free.” He started to turn away but paused. “Oh, and I’m withdrawing my application to be castle wizard. Too exhausting. You keep it, Holgarth. It suits you.” Then he simply disappeared.

Holgarth managed to look strangely dignified in his crazy blue robe and pointed hat that once again had slid to one side. “He’s right. The Castle of Dark Dreams does suit me. I’ll retain my position.”

By his last word, everyone had switched their attention to Ganymede.

He smoothed his fingers over Sparkle’s hair. “If I could, I’d kill him again. Over and over and over for all eternity.”

Then Ganymede looked up at everyone watching him. Emotion glistened in his eyes. “I’m taking her back into her castle. And when she leaves me, I’ll…” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“Perhaps I can help.”