Book Eight: Chapter 171

“You shall never leave this place.” Vincentius struck the butt of his spear on the bridge. “You may claim I’m a false player in the Game, but the magic of this armor speaks otherwise. This is my kingdom, the kingdom of the Conqueror! Nobody leaves my land without my head or my permission.”

Natalie busted into laughter. “You say that, but there’s actually a massive hole in your plan. Wanna see it?” Before Vincentius could respond, the illusion burst into motes of light, then reappeared in front of the door to Merlin’s tower. She winked at the vampyr and stomped her foot. The bridge beneath them shattered.

Vincentius and the vassals moved quickly, retreating out of sight as the entire tower plummeted into the darkness. As if in slow motion, Mike watched the structure sink into the depths, his eyes lingering on its final sight. Natalie, no longer an illusion, had leaned out of one of the windows to blow the others a kiss as the tower fell. But it wasn’t the sight of the for