Shakespeare And Skull Novels & Stories

He looked like he was dying. "Are you sure they can handle such power." The old drealiv said. His shrine was decorated with fish skeletons and skulls. The walls surrounding it had drawings of an eye in a square in a circle in a triangle. He looked at Cordelia who was playing with a fish skeleton that hung from the roof. "And one of them is just a baby." "There is no one more willing or in more need of this than them." Said Cordelia's uncle. "You are dying and you can't let such great power die with you."

Above them, the ceiling cracked open, revealing a starless sky that pulsed like a beating heart. Nihareth lifted both arms. "Bring me the final relic." A female follower approached, cradling an ornate golden skull wreathed in thorns. She knelt and offered it forward, her hands trembling. "The Skull of Orun, taken from the old vault in the east." Nihareth took it with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He turned to the altar and placed the skull into the hollow at its center. The air turned colder instantly. The ground beneath them shook.

“Then her knee. Then…” “STOP!” Rylan shouted. “Stop, we’ll… we’ll do it.” “No,” I sobbed. “Rylan, no, please…” “Good choice.” Marcus stepped back, giving them space. “Whenever you’re ready, gentlemen. Make it entertaining.” The Skulls released Knox and Rylan but remained close, weapons ready. The circle of spectators pressed in closer, eager to watch. For a long moment, neither of them moved. They just stood there, facing each other, brothers in all but blood, forced into something unthinkable.