56 The Rite of Passage

When Hope's feet touched the stone floor, her hand was still on Drake's cheek. The man put his hand on hers in a last-ditch attempt to keep her closer to him. Her fingers slid slowly through his while she walked away, heading back to the altar.

With his head against the door, in a fit of rage mixed with helplessness, Drake Draconian put his hands on his head, grabbing his hair and devastating his perfect hairstyle. His sigh was more of a beast than a man. Without looking back, he opened the door. "I would better leave before I kill you all."

The sound of his heavy footsteps walking into darkness could be heard as he made his way through the shadowy underground labyrinth. Looking behind him, king Typhoon Draconian clicked his tongue. "The Fire Dragon always had a short fuse."

Terix moved his gaze to a table containing multiple vials. "And so does Drake."