I grit out the last words of the spell, pulling all of Hecate’s magic into my mental grasp. Sweat slicked my brow and trickled down my neck. My legs wobbled, but I remembered Hecate’s warning, I had to stand tall. I could not buckle, or this would not work.
Magic burst from my palms, I opened my eyes, blinking against the blinding white light that burst into Luka’s chest.
His eyes were closed as his back arched off the bed, my hands still pressed to his chest.
The magic coursing through my veins subsided, it felt like nothing more than a dull buzz.
Luka’s heart still beat steadily under my palms.
“It didn’t work,” I muttered.
“Patience, keep your hands there,” Hecate directed.
I obeyed, blowing a stray curl out of my face with a huff of breath, only for it to land right back in my eyes.
I counted Luka’s heartbeats as they slowed. Each beat came further and further apart until finally, Luka’s heart no longer beat.
77
LENNOX
We had been fighting against Adreona’s army for what felt like days. The arm that held my sword ached, but I ignored the pain, pushing through as I continued to slash through the enemy.
I had decided not to use my magic today—saving it for when I came across Keziq.
Which was proving harder than anticipated.
None of our soldiers had laid eyes on her—from the ground or the sky. Even Declan had taken it upon himself to fly above and see if he could spot her but had no luck.
So we continued forward. I lost myself in the battle. Trying to keep my mind from wandering to what was happening back at camp.
I couldn’t worry about the spell. I had to focus on my task, just as Luce would focus on hers, I had to trust her.
There was no other option.
I let myself pause for a minute as another soldier fell dead at my feet. I looked up, using my hand to shield my face from the sun. They’d be starting thespell any minute now.
Keziq might not die today, but her tie to Luka would be severed and that’s all that mattered.
“Lennox!” Declan’s wings flapped behind him as he descended, dirt kicking up as he landed, his boots a heavy thud on the ground.
“I’ve gotten reports from my soldiers at the frontlines, Keziq is there, she’s killing vampires.”
“If we hurry, we might be able to make it. Strike her while she’s weakest.” I sheathed my sword. “What’s the quickest way to get there?”
“We’ll fly.” Declan reached out his arms.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, now let’s go so we don’t miss our chance.”
“Okay,” I agreed, letting him scoop me into his arms. I wasn’t going to argue about getting held in the harpy’s arms as he flew me to our location. I doubted the opportunity would ever rise again.
One of his arms wrapped under my legs, the other around my back as he lifted me, his wings flapping behind us.
The ground disappeared as we ascended. “Holy shit, we’re flying.” I slapped a hand against Declan’s chest. “We’re flying!”
“I’m aware.”
