The Golden Flames in Bai's white eyes split into layers of flame patterns, like flowing silk. She forced out a few words from her throat. "What are you talking about?"
"Because of this." Brando flicked his hand. A crystal traced a graceful arc through the air, struck the ground with a crisp sound, then rolled to Bai's feet. After hesitating, Bai bent down laboriously and picked it up. It was a dull, pitch-black crystal that radiated a chilly aura in her palm. The color at its center had been drained away, leaving behind an ugly blank.
Bai studied it carefully for a moment before finally recognizing it as one of the culprits behind the ambush against her earlier. Her brows furrowed deeply. "Is this a Soul Crystal?"
"It is a Soul Crystal," Brando replied. "It once stored a spell called Soul Spike, which is a form of Black Magic."
"What does that have to do with me?"
Brando raised his head and surveyed the vast circular hall. The towering dome was carved with thorns and patterns of light and shadow. Gargs stood gloomily atop the stone pillars. It was said that prayers such as "atshsvon"—the Radiance of Kings—were carved onto the tops of every pillar, praising the Lord of Supreme Radiance, the Sun God. The architecture of Perkin displayed the passage of time that had settled over the era to which it belonged. This hall was permeated by centuries of history. "It shouldn't have had anything to do with you," he said. "But how could a follower of the Sun God cast Black Magic and hide such an evil object in his sanctuary?"
A thoughtful look appeared in Bai's eyes. Then she saw Bai Jia walk out from behind Brando. Bai Jia smiled at her politely and continued in a