The Kindred's Curse Saga, #3
Heat of the Everflame
by Penn Cole
Contents
Chapter 51
Overview
Disarmed and escorted underground, Diem weaponizes Fortos’s own magic to sicken and then heal the King, forcing compliance. In the bloodlocked prison, she witnesses drugged, brutalized captives—including children—while Luther’s power is nullified. Her fury surges, but a voice halts her: Auralie Bellator is alive and imprisoned here.
Summary
After surrendering weapons, Diem and Luther are marched through Fortos’s stark compound by the King, who boasts of male command and female healers. Diem goads him, then channels her godhood to afflict him with his own decay magic, publicly weakening and embarrassing him before healing him to prove leverage.
The King opens a series of bloodlocked gates with willingly given blood, making clear escape is impossible without cooperation. As they descend, Diem and Luther note the absence of guards and the King’s confidence in the locks and terrain.
They pass solitary cells where starved, drugged Descended languish. Diem attempts to ease one prisoner’s suffering, provoking the King, while Luther shields her and warns of consequences. The King insists he keeps prisoners alive per mandate and dismisses humane treatment.
Deeper in a central pen, Diem finds families, including children, chained in squalor. Outraged, she shatters the King’s shield and confronts his claims of equal law. Simultaneously, a wave of emptiness reveals a suppression field; Luther’s magic vanishes, raising the stakes.
As Diem’s fury and godhood surge toward violence, Luther urges focus. The King threatens reinforcements, but Diem presses him—until a weak, familiar voice says her name. Diem turns to see Auralie Bellator alive within the shadows of a cage, instantly halting her attack.
Who Appears
- DiemProtagonist; uses godhood to weaponize Fortos’s magic, confronts prison abuses, nearly attacks before recognizing Auralie.
- LutherStands guard for Diem, withdraws on her command, loses magic under suppression field, calms Diem and points out Auralie.
- King of FortosMisogynistic ruler; blood-unlocks prison, is sickened then healed by Diem, boasts of inescapable cells and harsh policies.
- Auralie BellatorImprisoned captive; reveals her presence by calling Diem’s name, stopping Diem’s imminent attack.
- Fortos soldiersMale, red-eyed troops who obey the King, witness Diem breaching his shield and her show of power.