Killian panted, looking up at me as he hung from the chains. “Reagan,” he said softly. “It’s okay. I trust you.”
In that split second, his eyes shifted to the right. It was only for a moment, but I caught it.
What was he trying to tell me?
I followed where his gaze had landed. It looked as if he had meant the spear that hung on the wall. What did he want me to do? There was no way I was going to make it to the spear, yank it off the wall, and use it on Sir Nathanial Allesandro before he stopped me. And killed me. I wasn’t fast or strong enough.
But Killian was.
I just needed to free him from his chains.
That was when I understood what he wanted to tell me. I just didn’t know if I could be precise enough with my magic to pull it off.
“Do it now,” the Vampire Lord demanded, his voice making me jump.
Killian locked gazes with me. He gave me a slight nod. He knew I understood, and he was trying to tell me he believed in me. I stretched my arms out toward him, my fingers aimed where I need them, and then I called upon my magic. I hadn’t been at the school long, and I hadn’t had a lot of training, but I needed to use every bit of learned magic I could in that instant—with no screw-ups.
Beside me, the Vampire Lord began to cackle. “Yes, I feel your magic brewing. Do it! Use your power!” He stood with his arms apart, his eyes closing. This had to be how he prepared to syphon powers from a supernatural.
And it was my only chance.
I aimed my ash magic for Killian’s chains, shouting out as my energy left me and rushed toward the iron links. It looked as if some of my ash tendrils were being sucked into the aura of the Vampire Lord, but most of it, a good, huge part of it, zipped directly for Killian’s chains and disintegrated them to ash.
Killian didn’t hesitate. He rushed to the spear on the wall. Using his vampire strength, he tore it from its bolts, and without wasting a second, dashed forward and plunged the spear into the Vampire Lord’s chest.
Sir Nathaniel Allesandro gasped. His eyes widened and ran blood-red. His fists clenched, and he buckled to his knees.
“Now, Reagan!” Killian shouted, pushing the spear deeper into his chest until the wooden handle reached his heart.
Though I was terrified, I aimed my hands at the Vampire Lord. With an ear-shattering scream, I blasted him with all the ash power I could. I fought off my dizziness and kept pushing my energy out until a blast of black smoke filled the room.
The smoke clouded my vision and cut off the air to my lungs. I dropped down to the ground, coughing. Two arms wrapped around my middle and hoisted me up. I felt air rush by my face, and suddenly I was up the stairs, wrapped in Killian’s arms.
“Is he… Is he dead?” I asked, clinging to Killian.
“Yes. I made sure. He’s a pile of ash now. You did it.”
I nodded, but tears still spilled over my cheeks. The stress of the situation hit me at once, and I buried my head in Killian’s chest. He pulled me closer, enveloping me in his arms and stroking my hair.
I breathed him in, not wanting to let go.
“It’s over, Reagan.” He inched back and lifted my chin. “You saved us.”
He kept watching me, as if waiting for me to accept his words.
A small smile formed on my lips. “I saved us.”
He let out a small laugh. “You did. I’m so proud of you.”
He leaned in and placed his lips gently on mine. I let my hands roam on his back as his tongue played against mine, and I crushed myself into him, never wanting the moment to end.
Reluctantly, I pulled back and looked up into his eyes. “Killian, it’s not over.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Reaping.”
He stared at me, searching my face. “You think it’s real?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I can’t believe Allesandro went through all this for just a theory. And Christine—” My heart hurt thinking about how I’d lost her. “—she said she knew of an underground circle of supernaturals who spoke of the Reaping too. I think they were trying to prepare for it.”
He worried his lip with his fangs. “I think I know which circle she was talking about. I could track them down, see what I can find out.”
I placed my hands on his arm. “You’d do that?”
He stroked my cheek. “Reagan, no way I’m going to lose you to the apocalypse.”
“Okay. But please, stay safe. And get back to me as soon as you know anything. In the meantime, I’ll have to prepare myself. If Sir Allesandro was able to find out about me, bets are his enemy could have done the same.”
He took me by the sides of my face. “Don’t do anything that will put you in danger.”
I let out a small laugh. “I could say the same to you.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss lingered, the both of us knowing that we’d be apart for who-knew-how-long.
When the kiss ended, I rested my head against his shoulder. “I suppose I need to get home and let my parents know I’m okay.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll get you home.”
He took my hand, and we headed down the hall, searching for the door.
“Would you like to meet them?” I asked. “My parents?”
Killian smirked. “How much torture do you think I can endure in a day?”
My jaw dropped at his joke, but then he pulled me in for an embrace. In his arms, I was able to finally laugh, and I felt fearless. Like I could take on the world.
Look for more in the
Dark Cauldron series
Coming soon
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
From Jenna:
Dorothy,
Thank you for the endless chats across the world
and for helping make our world come to life.
Here’s to many more adventures.
From Dorothy:
Jenna,
Girl, same.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jenna Lee
Jenna Lee is a USA Today Bestselling Author, mentor and creative heart. Most days you can find her writing out the stories that take over her mind, supporting my friends, creating or designing.
Jenna's mostly known for being a go-getter, a book worm and passionate human who loves nature, all things creative and using her experience to empower other aspiring writers and creatives to be unapologetically you.
You can find out more about Jenna on her website.
www.jennalee.biz
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
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Books by Jenna Lee
The Silvia Saga
Emerald
https://amzn.to/2XAGoVT
Topaz
https://amzn.to/2MRoq0z
Ruby
https://amzn.to/2MzBver
Lone Survivor
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Dorothy Dreyer
Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her husband, her two college kids, and two Siberian Huskies. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of young adult and new adult books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family.
You can find out more about Dorothy on her website.
http://dorothydreyer.com
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
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Books by Dorothy Dreyer
The Curse of the Phoenix Duology
Phoenix Descending
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075LLJG2M
Paragon Rising
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FC35SRY
The Empire of the Lotus Series
7 books coming in 2020
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Dorothy Dreyer, Cauldron of Ash
Cauldron of Ash Page 14
