"The angel's heart?" Solomon repeated, his voice trailing off as he stared at the eccentric professor in complete bewilderment. "What are you talking about? I didn't touch its heart."
For a few agonizing seconds, Solomon's mind drew a complete blank. Then, like a physical blow to the head, the mechanical voice he had heard upon waking up violently echoed through his skull.
[ The Eden heart has been synchronized with your body. ]
Solomon's breath hitched. His hands began to tremble. He slowly lowered his gaze to the center of his own chest, directly to the spot where the phantom ache still lingered.
The memory of the ruined cathedral flashed before his eyes. He remembered the exact sensation of Prince Vlad driving the celestial dagger between his ribs.
He finally understood what had actually happened. He understood exactly what Vlad had done while he lay paralyzed and bleeding out on the marble stairs.
