The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 23
Overview
Diem and Luther are shown to a secretive suite where blue-eyed youths display potent light magic. Luther reveals the children are half-mortals he and the Queen have sheltered, and he invites them to return to Lumnos. Diem and Luther clash over secrecy and power-sensing. When they try to leave, they discover the room is shielded and they are trapped.
Summary
Led to an unmarked, dark suite at The Second Chance, Diem and Luther note an unusual number of blue-eyed workers. Two older children illuminate the rooms with intricate, light-made flowers. Luther praises their rare ability to weave magic in tandem, learns they share a tutor named Zalaric, and discreetly buys their creations.
Luther promises to show one flower to the Queen of Lumnos and invites the children to bring friends to the palace, alarming the supervising woman, who warns they would be executed if they returned. Diem realizes the truth: these are half-mortals Luther and the Queen smuggled from Lumnos. Moved, Diem envisions a future with Luther as he insists they should all be welcomed home.
After a brief, tender moment, Luther pulls away, unsettled by the immense power he sensed from the man at the front, likely Zalaric. He cautions Diem about sharing power-level knowledge. Diem presses for broader honesty with their allies, arguing that continued secrecy will fracture the group; Luther reluctantly agrees in principle but grows distracted and troubled.
As Luther moves to find the Jaguar to arrange passage, he slams into an invisible barrier. Testing the air, he detects a magical shield sealing the suite. The chapter ends with the realization they have been locked in.
Who Appears
- DiemNarrator; recognizes the half-mortal children, urges broader honesty, senses Zal’s power, and finds the suite magically sealed.
- LutherAffirms he and the Queen protected half-mortals, invites their return, debates secrecy, senses a powerful Descended, and discovers the shield.
- Woman attendantInn worker supervising children; warns that returning to Lumnos means execution, hastily removes the children.
- Blue-eyed girlHalf-mortal with dual magic; crafts light-flowers in tandem, receives Luther’s invitation to Lumnos.
- Blue-eyed boyHalf-mortal with light magic; collaborates on flowers, references tutor Zalaric before being cut off.
- Zalaric (Zal)Named as the children’s tutor; an immensely powerful Descended, likely the Jaguar, not present but central to tension.