by Linsey Hall
I roared, flame blasting from my mouth, and swooped toward Cronos, determined to turn his arm to ash so he couldn't throw a sonic boom. I shot a blast of fire at him, but he knocked it away.
Fates, how did he do that?
I tried again, and it lit his shirt on fire, but he didn’t fall.
I’m more deadly in my black dragon form.
I knew what I had to do.
I called upon the darkness inside me, determined to control it. This time, it rose to the surface but didn’t overpower me. With the crystal gone, I could focus. My scales turned black, and the fire that shot from my mouth was the color of ebony. This time, I managed to light his arm on fire. He howled and surged backward, clutching the flaming limb.
Unlike last time, I didn’t feel the pull toward ultimate evil. I was the master of this magic. I drove Cronos back farther, blasting fire at his other arm. As I dived around Cronos, swooping through the air, I tried to figure out how to get his soul into the vessel.
I could burn him like this, but I couldn’t move his soul with my fire. So what was I supposed to do?
All around, the battle raged.
Ana and Bree had recovered from being smacked out of the air and were battling the Titans again. Ana was still trying to get Theia’s second eye, but the goddess was now shooting fire from it. Bree helped, distracting her by flying around Theia’s head.
Crius raised his hand to shoot a blast of lightning, but Maximus flew from the tops of the castle ramparts. He kicked Crius in the face, sending the Titan spinning backward. Maximus grabbed onto his cloak and went down with him.
Holy fates, he was brave.
The battle raged below. I caught sight of Aerdeca and Mordaca again, both covered in blood as they fought like banshees. Connor, Claire, the FireSouls, and all my other friends were still fighting like mad, risking everything.
Jude fought at the edge of the crowd, her electric whip sending the enemy flying through the air. I caught sight of the Menacing Menagerie, their fur flashing as they took down an enormous red demon with a sword the length of my leg. Caro shot her water daggers, slicing through the enemy until they fell, while Ali and Haris possessed two huge demons and used their bodies to fight.
Queen Penthesilea and Queen Hippolyta led a troop of Amazons. They were headed right for the Titans, clearly determined to take on the biggest threat.
They were all so brave. Every single one of them was risking their lives for the good of the world. They were the opposite of the Titans—light to dark. I felt it in a way I’d never felt it before—as if being in my dragon form gave me an extra sensitivity to it.
An idea flashed in my mind, and suddenly I knew.
I knew how to defeat them.
I needed to do something I’d never done before—I needed to combine the dark magic and the light.
As if she sensed that I’d figured out how to stop her, Theia screeched and shot a blast of fire at me. I swooped away, barely avoiding it. The second blast hit me in the tail, and I roared.
Finally, Ana clawed at Theia’s second eye, giving me a moment to put my plan into action. Tail aching, heart thundering, I whirled on the wind, taking in the battle below.
I could feel the goodness of my friends. Their determination to embrace the light and do what was good. It was almost a physical thing inside of me. Like a glow. I would use it.
I called upon the goodness in my soul and transformed myself back into the silver dragon. Then I flew in front of Bree, letting her know with a shriek that it would soon be time to catch the Titans’ souls. I began to fly in circles above the battle, trying to focus on every positive thing I could think of. My friends’ bravery, sacrifice, hope, and goodness. I could feel it in them, my dragon power like a magnet for it.
I called upon the sun magic that I’d used against the Titans the first time, letting it fill my chest with a golden glow.
I’d always had the power within me. It just needed a little extra juice. As I flew circles around the battle, I collected it all. Goodness and light flowed from my friends like a golden glow, and I drank it all up.
Then I called upon the darkness within me, adding it to the mix. It rose up in my chest like tar, but I had control of it now. Hopefully I had enough to take out the Titans. As I turned to dive for the Titans, I caught sight of my silvery black wing. Silver and black.
My final form.
I was dark and light, good and bad, and I would use it.
I shrieked and hurtled toward my enemy, determined to hit them with everything I had.
Crius spotted me first. He raised a hand and shot a bolt of lightning toward me. It was so big and I was so close that my life flashed before my eyes.
It will hit me.
There was no way I could dodge fast enough.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Maximus, once again plunging down from the ramparts, his shield in his hand. It was apparently his signature move, and he’d spotted Crius, too. But Maximus was fast. So fast that he got between me and the lightning, taking the brunt of the hit.
The lightning smashed into him, making him roar with pain. He dropped from the sky and crashed into the ground, and horror opened a hole in my chest.
No!
Everything in me screamed to go to him, to make sure he was okay.
“No!” Bree screamed, as if she knew what I was thinking.
Ana’s crow caw echoed behind it.
They both knew what I was thinking, and they knew I couldn't do it. This was it—my only chance to stop the Titans. I had to keep going—like my sisters would.
It took everything I had to ignore Maximus—I didn’t even know if he was alive—and race toward the Titans.
I have to keep going.
The sun’s power was so bright inside me that I felt like I might explode. It was strengthened by everything that I’d taken from my friends. I needed more darkness, more of the deadly force that the black magic gave me. I used my fear and grief for Maximus to help it rise inside me.
On instinct, I sucked in a deep breath, then blasted the Titans with my fire.
This time, the blaze wasn’t red or black. Instead, it was a bright gold that blazed with light. It enveloped the Titans, who shrieked and howled. All the goodness in the world—or a lot of it, at least—enveloped them, along with the firepower of my darkness that took them to their knees.
Bree flew behind them, the vessel in her hands. We were working on faith here, and I hoped that Hera was right.
I continued to blast them with the power of light and dark, giving it everything I had. A great roar filled the air, and the walls of the fortress trembled. An explosion burst from the Titans, sending me tumbling in the air.
I righted myself just in time to see them collapse. Three golden blurs flew through the air and collided with the vessel that Bree held out in front of her. She toppled backward, clutching the vessel to her chest.
The Titans lay still. Their army stopped fighting.
Holy fates.
I panted, staring at the Titans. They really were down. And Bree held the vessel that contained their souls.
I’d done it—using the light and the dark. As long as I controlled it, they were both tools I could use to help the world.
The short burst of victory was followed by pure terror.
Maximus.
I turned, racing toward him, my wings carrying me as fast as I could go. I shifted back to human right before I landed so I wouldn’t crush anyone.
Ana knelt at Maximus’s side. She’d transformed back to human, and tears streaked down her face as she held her hands over Maximus’s chest, sending her glowing light of life and healing into his body.
I knelt beside them, a sob tearing from my throat.
“I don’t know if he’s going to make it,” Ana croaked.
I reached for him, pressing my hands to his chest. “Come on, Maximus. I love you.”
Tears poured down my face as I looked between him and Ana. She was doing eve
rything she could, and I couldn't have loved her more in that second. Until he was conscious enough to swallow a healing potion, she was my only hope.
When Maximus gasped, I thought my heart might explode.
He opened his eyes.
“Are you okay?” I demanded. I wanted to throw myself over him and hug him, but I didn’t dare. There was no telling what was broken.
“Fine.” He grunted and tried to sit. He barely made it an inch off the ground. “Sort of fine.”
I laughed through the tears, and Ana collapsed backward. He looked at her. “Did you bring me back to life?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I couldn't tell if you were dead. I just started feeding my healing light into you.”
I scrambled for the potions in my belt. Now that he was conscious and could drink them, I’d pour them all down his throat.
I started with one, though, since too many could be damaging. Finally, he was able to sit.
I pressed a kiss to his lips, tears pouring down my cheeks.
He groaned and pulled back. “It might be a while before I can walk again, but I’ll be fine.”
“Good.” I squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
He gave a half shrug, as if to say, What else was I going to do?
I looked at him one last time, then stood. Our troops had already rounded up the demons who hadn’t been able to flee when the battle ended. The unlucky saps who didn't have transport powers or charms would be sent back to the underworld. Some of the humans looked pissed, while others looked a bit confused. There’d have to be some kind of trial with the Order of the Magica to figure out who deserved punishment and who didn’t, but that wasn’t my job, thank fates.
I turned to find Bree. She stood behind the bodies of the Titans with Hera, who was now dressed in pink leggings and a white top. Her same messy blonde bun sat on her head.
“Go to them,” Maximus said. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll watch out for him,” Ana said.
I turned to her and hugged her hard, whispering in her ear, “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I gave Maximus one last look, then walked toward Hera and Bree. Jude joined me, along with Queen Penthesilea and Queen Hippolyta.
“How are casualties?” I asked.
“Not bad, considering,” Jude said. “There are some grievous injuries, but we lost no one. Not yet, at least.”
I prayed those injuries wouldn’t take them.
“Same,” Queen Penthesilea said.
My shoulders sagged. “Oh, thank fates.”
My gaze scanned the crowd as I walked through. Mordaca and Aerdeca were looting the bodies of the fallen enemies. The Menacing Menagerie were doing the same, while my other friends from Magic’s Bend were all gathered in a circle, talking and tending to their wounds. Ali, Haris, and Caro were slumped against the exterior wall, looking like they’d gone through hell. They were able to give me weary smiles, at least.
I walked by the fallen bodies of the Titans and stopped in front of Hera and Bree.
Hera smiled at me. “You did it.”
“Barely.”
“That just makes the story better.” She lifted the golden vase, which now pulsed with a dark light. “I’ll put this in Tartarus. You can be assured they won’t escape again. Especially since they no longer have bodies.”
“Thank you.”
Her gaze moved to the fallen Titans. “On second thought, I suggest burning.”
“I can take care of that.”
We shared a few more words, then Hera left.
I hugged Bree, collapsing against her. “What a day.”
“What a year.”
I laughed and pulled back. “I’m going to take care of the Titans’ bodies, then let’s grab a drink.”
She nodded, and I turned, transforming into my truest self. I roared and took to the sky, determined to banish every last bit of the Titans forever.
Epilogue
Two days later, once everyone had slept for twenty-four hours straight and done some healing, we met at the Whiskey and Warlock. Jude was throwing us a party, and after the wringer we’d just been through, folks were ready to let down their hair.
Unfortunately, there were still people recovering from the battle. The infirmary was full, which was saying something. With the healing magic that the Protectorate had access to, people would normally be all better within hours.
Not after that fight, however. A dozen people had been so grievously injured that they’d almost died, and it’d taken some quick work on behalf of the healers on our team. My potions store was tapped out, as were Hedy’s and Lachlan’s and Connor’s, and all the healers had worked their fingers to the bone.
I couldn’t be more grateful for the outcome, however, and as we walked into the Whiskey and Warlock, the smile that spread across my face was so big it almost hurt.
Ana nudged Bree and me as we walked into the warmth and said, “Finally, we get to have that drink.”
I’d always wanted to be able to sit with them after a job and have a celebratory drink, and she knew it. I’d helped them with stuff in the past, but for the first time, I felt like I’d really earned it. Like I was truly part of the team.
I smiled. “Can’t wait.”
The little side room where the Protectorate always met was more crowded than it had ever been. People jostled at the bar and huddled around the warm hearth. The thick beams on the ceiling hung low over the crowd, the dozens of copper cups that dangled from them glinting in the light of the fire.
Lachlan and Cade stood at the bar, but I had eyes only for Maximus, who sat in a wheelchair by the fire. He looked like one of those badass Paralympic athletes.
I nudged Bree. “Get me a beer, will you? Something interesting.”
“Sure thing.”
I pushed my way through the crowd toward Maximus. I wanted to plop down on his lap, but that wouldn’t help the healing process any. He should be walking again in a couple weeks, and I didn’t want to do anything to slow that down.
I leaned over and kissed him. “Looking good, handsome.”
He smiled at me. “Not too bad yourself.”
Ali vacated the chair next to Maximus and grinned at me, gesturing to the seat. “For the lady of the hour.”
“The lady of the hour?”
His eyes widened as if he’d said something he shouldn’t have. “Going to get a drink. Want one?” He disappeared before I could say no.
I sat and looked at Maximus. “That was strange.”
“Very.” A secret glinted in his eyes, I was sure of it. But before I could ask, he spoke. “So, I was thinking. I’d like to make this official.” He gestured between us.
“Official?”
“Yeah. With the labels and the real dates and all.”
A grin spread across my face. “I could totally go for that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, good.” He pulled me close for a kiss.
As soon as my lips touched his, my body melted. This. I could definitely do with a lot more of this. And now that the worst of the danger was out of the way, we could see where it went. I had a feeling it would be lasting a long, long time.
“Drinks!” Ana’s voice cut through the haze in my mind, and I pulled back.
She handed me a beer, and I sipped it, nearly moaning at the fizzy happiness of some kind of India pale ale. “Thank you so much.”
“Anytime.” She held out her glass of sparkling pink champagne.
Bree mimicked her motion, holding out a pink martini that gave off glittery smoke.
We clinked our glasses together, and I was so happy I could have burst. I looked around at all of my friends and colleagues, trying to think of an appropriate toast. “To health and happiness.”
“Health and happiness,” Bree and Ana echoed back at me.
I sank back into my chair, spotting the Menacing Menagerie across the way. Sophie had given them
little cans of soda, and they seemed happy as clams on their shared seat at the bar.
“I really couldn't have better friends,” I said.
They were all here, too. The Amazons, the folks from Magic’s Bend, and all of the Protectorate. Even Lavender had given me a grudging, “Well done.”
“Everyone! I’d like to make an announcement.” Jude’s voice carried through the crowd. I spotted her by the bar, standing on a chair so her head rose above the others. “Rowan, will you come up here?”
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I did as she asked, pushing my way through the press of people as my sisters cheered me on. Ali stood next to Jude and another empty chair. He gestured to it, indicating that I should climb on.
I did, not letting go of my beer. It was like my security blanket. Once I was standing next to Jude, I looked at her, confused.
Her gaze was on the audience as she started to speak. “This isn't just a party. It is also Rowan’s early graduation from the Academy.”
My heart leapt, and I almost dropped my beer. “Really?”
Jude shot me a quick glance out of the corner of her eye, along with a grin. “Really.” Then she looked back at the crowd. “We’ve been through the wringer these last few weeks, fighting an evil bigger than any we’ve ever faced. We wouldn’t have made it without every single one of you.”
The crowd cheered, raising their glasses.
Once they settled down, Jude spoke again. “Rowan performed above and beyond the call of duty. Without a doubt, she’s one of the most powerful Magica to ever grace our institution. With that in mind, I am proud to offer her a spot in the Paranormal Investigative Team, so that she can fight evil alongside her sisters.”
Joy exploded within me, so much that I probably glowed like a lantern. I blinked back the tears and nodded. All I’d ever wanted since I’d arrived at the Protectorate was to join the PITs. I wanted to protect the world alongside my sisters and couldn’t imagine anything better. I even liked the dumb acronym.
“Do you accept?” Jude asked.
“Yes!” I nearly shouted the word as my gaze traced over the crowd.
It landed on my sisters and Maximus, and I knew without a doubt, that this was the best day of my life.
