y only exit to the street. He had also blo

I scrambled around the store, searching for anyth

across the room. The silver clattered to the ground in a scatter of ringi

raw and tortured, broke t

saving him, I had to try. The problem was, I didn't know how. No one had ever tau

ter, upending antiques and reli

s real anymore? I hurled

ing laugh echoed

e closer. Let me give you t

ne I'd heard in my dreams. A large, ice-col

at instant, the Crimson Sigil Ring on

ng. Co

ed, my father lay co

his side, cradling

had been torn to shred

here

t eyes glared back at me. The Crimson Mask-etched into

ice rasped from the mask. "He works fast... Clara

r itself free from my father's flesh, on

ughter from passing pedestr

it was still spring. St

alone with the stench

he voice groaned, calling my na

p!" I s

diance pulsing from my finger. The mask hissed, its grin

onless, the curse

ire always claiming I w

did that Crimson Mask-that bloodstained visage

n at the ring

mson Si

shimmered, clear and alive, as

ful, its form half-veiled in crimson mist. Six wings unfurled like silk dre

ting runes. And at its brow, a sigil pulsed-an ancient mark sha

eler's loupe to examine the ring. He sq

e muttered. "Not a gemstone..

rd. "What kind

brow furrowed.

ked. "

blood-born sigil. The legends say they only awaken in response to forbidden bonds... or unholy conceptions. They

ring. "Was it what drove th

till staring at th

ou and Dad run into

is voice dimmed. "Dad told me not to tell

you really agreed to carry his bloodspawn? Soun

ea

a j

unconsciousness every night. And now that I do know? It's

touches

burned from what he'd already done. My body hadn

h my father

hest cracked open.

kgrave

cursed

d of yours hurt you?" my brother

a small nod. After a long pause, I

where near your room. When he comes, the whole space is sealed with s

f against something like him. Besides, with the blood pact between you two... that makes it consensual in

ated. Then, his eyes lit up. "Wait-he

ck down moments later, pressin

nt to dig a hole and crawl inside: I

crimson. "What

els raw and burning, it's because you're not producing enough... you know. Moisture." He gave me

th

when you pee, that's a urinary tract infection and you'll need

y it down there before things start-or

king!" I covered my

cting a corpse. "Alright, alright. I'm going to check on Dad. He probabl