Connor flew directly to the space he intended Damien to occupy. He sensed no change in the crystal matrix and saw no sign that anything had entered the cave during his absence. The loss of Mikhail rankled even more since it meant he risked leaving the cave open to any invaders that wished to enter and were strong enough to overcome his ward.

Connor grimaced. There was nothing to be done about it now. Once he had his army nothing would be able to stop him.

The bubble vanished the moment he set it on the crystal path. Morana straightened up and looked at him with wide eyes. “He woke up five times over the course of the trip. How is that even possible?”

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“He’s a remarkable young man.” Connor gestured and Damien was lifted up into place by bands of dark soul force.

When his left wrist touched the crystal a shackle grew around it. Damien’s right hand still clenched the demon sword, just as Connor had hoped when he ordered Koran to lure the father to his death. When it was in place Connor sent a stream of hellfire into the crystal, altering its growth so Damien’s whole right hand was encased in crystal. That would prevent him from releasing the sword and denying Connor access to its additional power.

Once he’d secured the bindings soul force rushed out of the boy and up the wall toward the portal chamber. With that much energy flowing into it Connor could begin building his army at once. In a week or two he’d control the most powerful force the continent had ever seen. After all the problems and delays, at last everything had fallen into place. It was time to begin The Harvest.