I suck in my breath at the same time Talin does.

“Immortality,” I whisper in unison with Jeran.

Immortality, Talin confirms through our link.

His search for the artifacts was never about harnessing the Early Ones’ energy to power all of the Karensa Federation, nor was it about learning their weaponry. It was always about one thing and one thing only: Infinite Destiny. The belief that Karensa can accomplish what the Early Ones couldn’t—and in doing so, rule forever.

Constantine has hunted for them because he believes the power within those artifacts might be what can cure his weaknesses, grant him eternal life.

“Does it work, then?” Jeran whispers as he scans the rest of the page.

I shake my head. “If it did, the Early Ones would still be here.”

But Constantine won’t give up. He believes he can figure out those artifacts, Talin adds. He has been searching for immortality for so long. The research I saw in his private chamber proves it. He genuinely believes he can harness this energy and achieve the impossible.

I narrow my eyes as I tap on the paper. “And in the process, he’ll kill everyone here.”

What do you mean?

“Here.” I point to a small cluster of Karenese words scribbled in the center of the mechanism.

Talin looks at us. What does it say?

“Translated directly?” Jeran says. “‘Fire.’”

I nod, but it means so much more than that. Karensa may not have a word for restitution, but we have many different words for destruction.

“It means the center of the cylinder is deeply unstable,” I add. “The Early Ones never figured out how to stabilize it. If tampered with incorrectly, it will set off a chain reaction. We saw what it can do to people just by being out in the open air—it can burn their skin off, make them bleed from the inside out. Whatever the Early Ones created, it isn’t a machine of eternal life. It’s a toxic energy. It’s poisonous.”

“And a weapon,” Jeran replies.

I nod. “Fire, but no ordinary fire. Fire, as if sent from the sun. Fire that will destroy everything around it.”

The color drains from Jeran’s face. Talin sucks in her breath in a soft gasp.

“There are past relics from the Early Ones showing similar designs that have been used as weapons,” I explain. “Why else would the Early Ones bury them so deep underground?”

“They’ve already brought back two to the capital. There are possibly more underground out there.”

“We need to destroy them,” Jeran affirms.

Talin looks at Jeran as she signs, while repeating the same phrases to me through our link. “If you do, do it quickly. There are big things happening in Cardinia soon—and too many threats. Those weapons can’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“We all have to get out of this city,” I say.

“What about your mother?” Jeran asks Talin.

Through our bond, I can feel the tension in Talin’s words. I have to get to her somehow.