Prologue

The enemy had blood on their hands, and as were mine. The skin of my palm was coated in red. Thicker than water. Shock barely lacerated my nerves because a burning sensation dominated.

I struggled to stay awake. All that latched upon my head was the fear of failure. The fear that the crown had slipped through my fingers like sand.

I grunted, releasing a wail of agony. Right through the flesh of my abdomen was a raging inferno that flared from the piercing silver bullet. Slowly, the wind picked up the distorted arrival of music. Death.

This wasn't how I expected to conclude this life. Certainly, not expected.

And as the unwanted tango with darkness pulled me closer to the embrace of shadows, the soul trapped in my body begged to float free as the deathly strings rose to a crescendo. With my last fire breath, my lips shaped the name of the monster who shot me.