by Linsey Hall
We worked together, magic joining in the air. The glowing swirls disappeared from the steep walls as I worked, drawing back into my body.
“Are you all right?” Tarron asked.
He could tell I was struggling. Exhaustion pulled at me. I gasped my response. “I’m fine.”
I was going to need a lot more practice. If I managed this, it would be a miracle.
Finally, I’d gotten all of them. It just looked like normal stone as far as the eye could see.
I glanced at Tarron. “Try your bit. I’ll hold the demons off.”
Tarron got to work, his magic filling the air. I drew my bow and arrow from the ether, firing quickly down into the pit. This was so much easier than using my new magic. I aimed for the closest demons, hitting them right in the head. A few flew out of the crevasse, and I diverted my arrows toward them when they got too close.
“It’s not working,” Tarron grunted. “There’s still more of your magic in the crevasse.”
“Deep down.” I stared into the darkness. Shit. “It has to be.”
“Can you reach it?”
“No, I thought I got it all.” I glanced back at my wings, which still flared behind me, silvery and bright. “I’m going to try flying in so that I can work from there.”
“I’ll be right beside you.”
I turned back and shouted at Aeri, “I’m going in!”
“You better come back, or I’m going to kill you!”
“Fair enough!” I gave her one last look as she slammed her mace into a demon’s skull, then I leapt into the crevasse.
My wings picked me up, and I soared gracefully toward the center of the space, then downward. The deeper I got, the more the magic reeked. I shivered, hating the feel of the darkness. We were about seventy feet down when I spotted my magic again. There was a lot more down here, damn it.
Yeah, I was going to need practice with this.
Tarron flew alongside, guarding me. The heat of battle had caused him to shift. His eyes were black and his silver horns curved back around his skull.
I got to work, reaching out with my power to remove it from the walls and draw it back into me. Exhaustion pulled at me, but I forced it aside.
Tension tightened my skin. “Something is coming.”
“I feel it,” Tarron said. He flew next to me, his expression intense.
A horde of flying demons hurtled up from down below, no doubt drawn by our presence.
I kept up with my magic, but I watched the demons intently, bracing myself.
One of them let a red fireball glow in his hand. He hurled it at me. I stared right at it, bracing myself.
“Mari! Look out!”
The fireball slammed into me right after Tarron’s shout. I absorbed the power and sent it right back at the demon who’d thrown it. The ball of flame smashed into him, sending him falling back into the pit.
“What the hell is that?” Tarron asked, throwing a blast of sunlight at one of the closest flying demons.
“New power. If I can see the hit coming, I can send it right back.”
“I’ll guard your back, then.”
“Thanks.”
As he watched my back, I kept my gaze on the demons coming up from down below. As I worked to wipe this place clean of my magic, I fought them off with my new power, sending back icicles, fireballs, and electricity.
Several times, I took a direct hit, unable to send it back. Multitasking with my new powers was nearly killing me. Every inch of my body ached, and my power was flagging.
But finally, I was nearly done. Just a bit more glowed from down below, calling to me.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Be careful!” Tarron was caught in a fight with three demons, unable to follow. He hit the closest one with a blast of sunlight, lighting him up like a firework. He could take care of the rest.
I flew deeper into the crevasse, called by the magic. I was out of sight of Tarron when the air started to feel strange.
My skin chilled.
What was going on?
Squinting, I searched the area around me for anything out of the ordinary. There were some demons climbing on the walls, so determined to reach the surface that they ignored me. But there was none of my magic.
I had gotten it all.
So what had called to me?
“Daughter.”
I stiffened.
Shit.
Fast as I could, I turned. I had to see her before she hit me with her crazy mind/body control magic.
My mother floated in the air about twenty yards from me. She was dressed in the most incredible leather fight suit I’d ever seen. Tight and covered in detailed embroidery, it was gorgeous. The high collar was severe in the best way possible, and her hair was swept up on her head in a ponytail that was streaked white and black.
I hated that I thought she looked great.
Because she also looked super evil. The light of it glowed in her eyes, and flowed with the stench of her magic. Putrid night lilies and brimstone.
Signatures never lied, and hers was downright disgusting.
Her magic flowed toward me, the black wisps moving fast.
15
As my mother’s magic drifted toward me, I braced myself.
Please don’t fail me now.
The dark wisps reached my skin, absorbing into me. She smiled, cold and hard.
Tension tightened my skin in the half-second I waited to see if my power would work against hers. When the energy filled me up, hope surged. I barely had a handle on it, but I kept it under control.
I moved my fingertips, just enough that I would know if my power was working but not enough that she could tell. I wanted the element of surprise on my side.
When my fingers twitched, I nearly grinned.
I resisted, demanding, “Release me!”
“Now, now. Why would I do that?” She frowned. “I don’t think I will.”
More of her magic flowed into me, and I absorbed it, getting ready to send it back at her. I wouldn’t have long before it burst out of me.
“What’s happening?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound confused. Like I was being won over to her side. I wanted information anyway. “Who are the demons?”
“Just my minions.” She frowned at me, tilting her head.
Shit, she could tell I was acting.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “I sense something different about you.”
Like your magic can’t control me?
I could barely control it myself. Her power filled me up to bursting. I had to release it soon. In one massive blast, I let it explode out of me. The gray wisps of smoke shot right back at her. With my magic, I reached out, trying to control them. I wanted to be able to control her like she had me. To bind her up and take her prisoner. Force her to call off the demons.
The gray magic shot into her, and she stiffened. “What’s going on?”
“New power.” I imagined her being perfectly still, bound just like I had been.
Her face turned red, and she twitched.
I smiled at her. “Are you struggling against the invisible bonds?”
She just grunted, rage flashing in her eyes.
“Sucks, huh?” I kind of liked turning the tables, even if it was draining the strength from me.
She turned redder, her rage flaring bright. And her magic.
Oh shit.
I’d definitely underestimated her power.
While she was bound, I drew my bow and arrow from the ether. Something sharp pinged in my chest. I couldn’t help it.
She was still my mother.
But I drew back on the arrow and aimed, right for her chest.
“You bitch,” she hissed.
“Runs in the family.” I released the arrow.
It flew through the air, headed straight for her.
Right before it hit her, there was a massive burst of energy that slammed me backward.
She disappeared, transport
ed elsewhere.
Shit!
I’d lost her.
And she’d definitely be coming back.
The sound of the battle from up above drew me. I had a job to do.
Since I had removed all of the magic from the crevasse, I flew upward as fast as I could. From below, I spotted Tarron. He wrestled in midair with an enormous winged demon. The creature’s muscles were huge, but Tarron was just as strong. He got a blade between the demon’s ribs, then kicked him away. As the demon struggled to pull out the dagger, Tarron hit him with a fireball, sending him blasting back into the crevasse. All around, demons howled.
“Try your magic now!” I shouted.
“On it.” He hovered in midair, right in the middle of the crevasse.
As his magic swelled, I watched his back, raising my bow and arrow at any demon who flew near. I aimed for the heads, sending them hurtling into the pit.
Anytime magic flew at me or Tarron, I made sure to intercept it, absorbing the power and sending it right back at the attacker.
When a fireball hit my leg from behind, I screamed.
“Are you all right?” Tarron shouted.
“Keep working!” I beat the flames away, then whirled to face the attacker. Another fireball was flying right at me.
I braced, absorbing the power and sending it back. The fire slammed into the demon’s head, and he smashed into a demon climbing the wall, and they both tumbled into the pit.
My leg ached as I flew, looking for the next attacker. I deflected more fire and a smoke bomb, but missed an icicle that left a deep gash in my bicep. I sent another icepick through the eye of the one who had thrown it, though, so I considered it even.
I was definitely running out of strength though. We needed to end this.
“Mari!” Tarron shouted. “Get over here!”
I flew toward him. “What’s wrong?”
“This crevasse has become too deep. Too wide. Even I can’t close the whole thing.”
“What?!”
“It’s not just the size. You created this, so your magic will have to be present to fix it. You’re going to have to help.”
“I don’t have any earth magic.”
“You’re a Fae. Find it.”
“I really don’t think I have it.” An idea popped into my head. “But I could make it.”
“Do it quick. Demons are coming.”
I could hear the flap of their wings. The shrieks. There would be a lot of them.
“Okay.” Quickly, I sliced my finger. Blood welled and pain flared. I imagined myself controlling the earth. Pulling the sides of the crevasse back together.
From down below, the demons neared. I could see them now, their massive bodies rising toward me.
“Faster!” Tarron’s magic held strong as he worked to drag the earth back together.
“I’m trying!” Finally, I sensed it. The stone walls around me felt like they were part of me, and I worked to pull them together. Sweat broke out on my brow.
The demons were so close I could see the whites of their eyes. Too many to fight while also using my magic like this. Fear chilled my skin.
“Almost there!” Tarron shouted. “Get ready to fly. Fast!”
I could feel it. It was like our magic was reaching the tipping point. We were pulling on the earth, and soon, the two sides of the crevasse would snap back together.
The earth rumbled, a deep groaning noise that shook my bones. I looked down, spotting the earth closing back up.
Shit.
It moved so fast that my head spun. The stone walls crushed the demons who were right below us. I shot upward, flying as fast as I could. I dropped my bow and arrow, needing to be as aerodynamic as possible. From below, the earth closed, flattening the rest of the demons who still climbed the walls. Tarron flew alongside me, his powerful wings carrying him fast.
I gave it my all, lungs heaving and muscles aching. Finally, I shot out of the crevasse and into the sky. Beneath me, the earth snapped back together, the force making all the fighters go to their knees.
An ugly scar ran down the street, but the west end of Magic’s Bend was back together. Roughly two dozen demons were still alive on the surface. They climbed to their feet. The citizens of Magic’s Bend attacked fast. Weapons and magic flew, felling the demons almost as quickly as they stood. Now that the monsters weren’t spilling out of the crevasse at record speed, they were able to take out the rest in seconds.
Panting, I lowered myself to the ground, landing in an empty, shadowy alley. I could see the main street where the battle wound down, but it was quiet here. Tarron followed, landing next to me. He was disheveled and covered in burn marks and wounds. The demons had gotten in a few good hits. On me, too, actually. My leg and arm ached like hell, and I wouldn’t be able to walk right for days.
All around, the fighting faded. The wounded tended to each other. I could see Aeri, who looked beat-up but fine. The FireSouls and Connor and Claire, too. Other Demon Slayers, here to clean up my mess.
What kind of thank you present did one buy for this kind of work scenario?
There probably wasn’t one.
“Are you all right?” Tarron’s voice was rough.
“Yeah, you?”
“Fine.” He reached for me and gently gripped my arm. As his healing magic flowed into me, the pain began to fade.
What the hell was going on with us?
He healed me first, but he hated what I was.
As the pain faded, pleasure took its place. There was no way to resist it. I just felt this way around him. Any time he touched me, I lost my mind.
Whether it was fate or my own body, I didn’t care.
His eyes darkened as he leaned nearer, clearly feeling the same thing.
All around, the chaos faded away. It was like we were in a bubble, here in the empty alley.
Tension tightened the air between us, drawing us irresistibly together. The heat of the battle, the fear. The danger. All of it drove my desire higher.
I couldn’t fight it.
So I didn’t try.
Desire pushed me toward him. He moved toward me, as well. We collided together, our lips finding each other’s in a crushing kiss. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I threw my own around his neck. He dragged me against the hardness of his chest, and I moaned. He felt so powerful under my hands.
His lips ravaged my own, making pleasure surge through my body. It tightened within me, lighting up all my nerve endings. I parted my lips, and his tongue dipped inside my mouth. He was an expert kisser, making my head spin.
The scent of his magic and his desire wrapped around me as he held me tight against his heat. I plunged my hands into his silky hair, wanting to run my mouth over every inch of his body.
Not here.
The thought snapped me into reality.
We had just finished a battle. There were wounded just a few yards away.
Shit.
I pulled back. He groaned, but released me.
I stepped away from him, breaking all contact. Cool air kissed my skin, bringing me back to my senses. “We shouldn’t have done that.”
“I can’t seem to help myself.”
“You would if you could, wouldn’t you?” The idea hurt.
“We’re fated.”
“I don’t think I want to be.” I shoved my fingers through my hair, frustrated. “You drive me insane, yet fate decrees that we should be together? Why is it so difficult?”
“Mograh doesn’t mean instant love.”
“It sure as hell doesn’t.”
“It just means that we’re drawn together. That something about our souls just fit.”
“I don’t feel it.”
“Really?” He gave me a knowing look.
I scowled. But he was right. We did just fit. Despite the fact that we were always at odds and didn’t trust each other. He couldn’t trust me after I’d lied so many times, and I couldn’t trust that he actually cared and wasn’t just
hanging around to get vengeance for his brother.
But I always knew where he was. I was always there to protect him. Driven to do it. Just like he was driven to protect me. He’d probably saved my life a half dozen times in that crevasse, and vice versa.
And no matter what, I was drawn to him like a magnet.
I felt good around him, even when I was pissed.
And we couldn’t stop the desire that flared between us.
“I don’t want to think about this right now,” I said, my gaze going to the chaos out in the street. I needed to get out there to help. “There’s still a mess to be cleaned up.”
He nodded sharply. “First, what happened down in the crevasse? The magic felt strange.”
For the briefest moment, I debated telling him. Then I spat the words out, not wanting to hide things like I had before. “My mother was down there.”
“Coming to the surface?”
“Coming to get me. She tried to use her controlling magic again.” Of course my mother had the magic that I feared the most. I hated being out of control, so that’s what she did.
“It didn’t work, though.”
“No, I managed to use it against her. I almost got her, too. Arrow right to the heart. But she disappeared.”
“Where?”
“Portal. Probably back to the Unseelie Court.”
“She won’t stop.”
“No, she won’t.”
“I’ll help you.” He shrugged very slightly. “Which I admit, is also helping me.”
“You want vengeance.” I knew it was the main reason he had helped me.
He grinned savagely. “Desperately.”
“You’ll have it.” Because I needed to defeat her, and together, we had our best shot.
This meant we’d be working together to find her. Probably falling more for each other, since we couldn’t seem to help it.
I stepped aside. “I’ll see you later. I’ve got to go clean this up.”
As I walked past him, he grabbed my arm gently. “I believe you didn’t know about your mother. That she was queen, I mean.”
I looked back at him. “Good. Thank you. I’m sorry I lied.”
His touch warmed my arm. Warmed my soul, even. I didn’t understand it. I fought it. But I felt it all the same.
