Curse of the Forbidden Book (18 page)

“The parlor,” Chancellor Doran insisted. “To remind the three of you that there will be the ashes of destruction. There will be the flames of trials.”

“But there will be victory,” Lillen whispered. Demetri jerked, startled. He hadn't realized how close she was to him. “Because the Great One still stands.”

She and Ward went first through the doors to the parlor. Chancellor Doran paused and turned to Demetri. “Are you confident in your choice, Captain? Once we perform the ceremony, there is no going back.”

Demetri thought of his days in the Guard, of the fight with Uric and Benjamin, and of Desma's scream. “I do not wish to go back, Chancellor Doran. I wish only to go forward.”

The medallion seemed to speak to Demetri then, promising that the better choice lay before him. Forward to defeat the prophecy, to follow the Forbidden Book. Forward to find and kill the four Youth Guard. Forward to forget the past forever.