Calhoun ended his speech with a flourish, and the unseen audience behind the Procul Mirror clapped. The image changed to a split view of several locations, each full of people celebrating their newfound freedom, praising Calhoun as they had once praised the Triumvirs. They were calling that night the First Day of Rising, a celebration of their new ruler’s triumph over the Triumvirate. The skies sparkled with bursts of color from the fireworks set off in metropolises across the nation, and Flynn found it almost funny how they were engaging in the same kinds of festivities as they’d once used for the Triumvirate’s Day of Glory.
After a montage of the festivities, the Procul Mirror switched back to the image of Calhoun, looking wise and fatherly as he clapped a hand on Brax’s shoulder.
Flynn glared at him. I know what you are, and I will stop you. Even if I have to drag you to hell myself, I will stop you.
The Lord looked out the window of the Palace’s conference room. The sight of fireworks filled him with glee. Celebrate, my grateful citizens. Enjoy your lovely earth while it lasts.
The Rising had been a success. Even though he hadn’t been able to stop Flynn Nightsider from closing the Portal to the Underworld, that situation would soon be rectified. His power grew stronger as word of Frank Calhoun’s brilliant one-day revolution spread, and it seemed he’d been right about more people worshipping beloved heroes than intimidating masters. The Triumvirate had taught him much.
His power would continue to increase as former Triumvirate loyalists came around to the New Nation. Someday, they would all bow to him. And once he captured Flynn Nightsider and forced him to reopen the Portal, the Underworld could spread across the earth.
His realm of darkness would know no bounds.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Tash McAdam for talking me through all the ups and downs of this book as it wound its way to publication. Special thanks also to the guys at Crazy 8 Press for letting me join their club: Russ Colchamiro, Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Paul Kupperberg, and Aaron Rosenberg.
Thanks to Joe Rorem and Angel Fan for being the faces of Flynn and Aurelia, and thanks to Tom Castles for bringing them to life through photography.
Thanks to Karen Allen for always providing the best insights to help whip this book into shape. And thanks to Carrie White-Parrish for kicking off this journey.
About the Author
Find her online at www.MaryFan.com.
Also by Mary Fan
In the Flynn Nightsider Universe:
THE FIREDRAGON (A Flynn Nightsider Tale)
FIREDRAGON RISING (A Flynn Nightsider Tale)
A GIRL CALLED FIREDRAGON (Tales from the Flynn Nightsider Universe)—coming soon!
From Red Adept Publishing:
ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES (Jane Colt, #1)
SYNTHETIC ILLUSIONS (Jane Colt, #2)
VIRTUAL SHADOWS (Jane Colt, #3)
THE JANE COLT TRILOGY (Complete Series Omnibus)
BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF GIRLS AND GADGETS
Edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan
Featuring “Takes a Hacker” by Mary Fan
BRAVE NEW GIRLS: STORIES OF GIRLS WHO SCIENCE AND SCHEME
Edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan
Featuring “The Case of the Missing Sherlock” by Mary Fan
BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF HEROINES WHO HACK
Edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan
Featuring “The Altered Avatar” by Mary Fan
MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT: A YA FAIRY TALE ANTHOLOGY
Edited by Lyssa Chiavari and Amy McNulty
LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM: COSMIC TALES OF THE HEART GONE DEADLY WRONG
Edited by Russ Colchamiro
Featuring “The Note on the Blue Screen” by Mary Fan
MINE!: A CELEBRATION OF LIBERTY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL BENEFITTING PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Edited by Molly Jackson and Joe Corallo
Featuring “Returning Infinity” by Mary Fan