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I stare, mesmerized. I have long known the Doomsday Diary held awesome power, but seeing it for myself… Bloody hell!
Suddenly, a blast of light flashes on my right. A fireball of pain hits me between the shoulder blades, setting my whole body ablaze. I stagger under the agony searing my skin, burning away my joints. My next breath becomes almost impossible to draw in. Is this Morgana’s way of punishing me for daring to open the book and end my curse?
Bram shouts as if at a distance. I sweat as I funnel every bit of my strength to grip Olivia.
But as the torment continues, I lurch, my head knowing not up from down. I struggle to stay upright. My fingers turn numb. My knees all but melt.
My pain multiplies, unrelenting, slashing through muscles, gouging into my bones. My neck no longer supports my head, and my chin falls to my chest as I strain to control my body and maintain my grip on my mate.
What magical treachery is this?
“Gray!” Bram shouts.
Why is he so angry?
That matters not. I must focus.
Must…protect…Olivia.
A second blast comes, this time in the back of my skull. My head jerks. My muscles twitch. I sink to my knees as my body threatens to dissolve into the floor. Still, I refuse to let go of Olivia, clinging to her waist. But never in my most harrowing battles or my centuries of war have I felt such excruciating pain. The torture infects me like venom, scorching my system, freezing my muscles, and searing my lungs. My heart stutters and—for long, agonizing moments—stops.
I remain conscious by sheer force of will. Vaguely, I hear Olivia gasp at my side, and I force myself to look up. I gather all my strength and stumble to my feet.
Richard comes into view, teeth bared, fury distorting his face. His violet eyes flash with hate as he levels his wand at Bram.
“Nay!” I try to shout.
Pain renders me voiceless.
Olivia’s father raises his wand. The bolt of light bursts forth again and a fresh wave of agony slashes me unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I brace myself for the spread of torment and remind myself that I am immortal. But my consciousness is slipping. I wonder if having the book open and a Le Fay strike me with magic is enough to end the curse and kill me, all in one fell swoop.
I lose my hold on Olivia and slump against the table.
She releases the book and grabs my shoulders, screaming my name, but she sounds far, far away. I cannot possibly tell her that I am well. Such a terrible lie.
Bram growls something, and a ping of magic sounds to my left where Bram tries to stun Gray.
Still Olivia’s touch gives me the will to fight. I will not leave her to her father’s evil whims.
With a battle cry, I shove away from the table, sweating, bleary eyed. I push Olivia behind me and swing a mighty arm at Gray. Before the punch connects, he leaps aside, grabs Olivia, and points his wand at Bram.
A burst of energy flashes, this time across the table. Bram feints and staggers forward, slamming his hands on the surface in front of him.
After a vicious curse, another ball of dark power flares around us, killing the lights in the room. I reach for Olivia.
I feel nothing but air.
Chapter Fifty-Four
“Olivia!”
She does not answer. I’m terrified to the bottom of my soul.
In the pitch blackness, Bram snaps his fingers. The lights blaze on again. The book lays on the table under the wizard’s palm, saved from Gray’s desperate grab. But frantically scanning the room only confirms what I feel in every corner of my heart: After showing his true colors, the maggot is gone.
And he has taken Olivia with him.
I whirl to Bram, anxiety clawing my composure. “Where are they?”
