Klaus smiled. Not a warm smile. A knowing one. The kind that carried weight. "Because the Mourning Depths is not just a land of death. It's a land of transformation."
Max narrowed his eyes. "Transformation?"
Klaus nodded. "There are different kinds of Infernal Beings in the depths. Some will kill you the moment you lay eyes on them. Others… might give you a chance."
A pause.
"If one can kill an Infernal Being, something happens."
Max and Callie tensed.
"The Infernal Energy within them doesn't simply vanish. It latches onto the killer. Imprints itself. And when it does…"
Klaus raised his palm. His fingers flexed as if tracing something unseen. Just then a mark appeared on his palm lighting with dark red glow.
"A mark appears. A black tattoo. We call it…"
A flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.
"Infernal Demon Tattoo."
Max's breath slowed. His eyes fixed on the tattoo.
