We’ve been through all of this, and now it’s right here: the vision, suffocating me.
“Ten!” Calix yells as a monster slips in past the first swipe of the Jarkoreth’s claw. The talons sink into the snow, but the Sur’gos keeps coming, and its pointed beak spears forward. I jump to the left and charge forward, cutting my blade through the strange skin connecting its body and forearm, shredding it. Dark blood spurts from the wound, turning the monster black.
I turn to Ever, but she’s racing off with one aim—to reach the Transference Stone. Calix watches and sprints after her.
“Ever, don’t,” I yell, but my path to her is blocked by a Sur’gos, who’s still coming at me. The uninjured arm swipes at me as it surges forward, looking to hit me again.
I carve my blade and lodge it in its beak, but it wrenches its head back, pulling me forward, and I lose my grip on my sword as it swings its head wildly.
Luckily, the Jarkoreth opens its jaw, clamps its teeth around the Sur’gos’ neck and severs its head with three bites, drenching its own mouth with the black ooze that serves as blood.
I take a second to watch the Jarkoreth, and I give it a small bow of thanks before I break into a sprint after Ever and Calix, now the path is clear.
But as I catch up, it’s already too late. I make it to the edge of the clearing, but Fenix is there, leaning next to one of the pillars of the stone, his arm outstretched, and Calix is frozen in a midair attack.
Wrong move, Calix. I curse under my breath.
“Oh, look, the gang’s all here,” Fenix calls as I slow, coming to a stop next to Ever.
“Let him go, Fenix,” Ever calls.
“And why should I doanythingyou ask?” Anger drips from his words, all directed at Ever.
“You know what happened last time. You don’t hold all the power now, Brother.”
My hand reaches for the second blade strapped to my back, but Fenix clocks it, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t, mate.”
“Oh, I’m far from your mate.” I finish drawing my sword and spin the handle in my hand. I know it’s not even close to an even field without my magic, but I’d never let Ever stand against him without me. “Are you going to do what your sister asked?”
“I killed one, why don’t I make it a pair? It’s what you deserve.”
“I don’t think we’re even close to that.”
Fenix looks to my side as I hear footsteps, but I don’t turn to see who’s joined us—I doubt I’ll ever turn my back on him.
“Kalan. I can’t say I’m surprised, although I’m a little disappointed. After everything, you’ve taken her side.”
“The Usher hasn’t left me much choice, Fen. But you still have one.”
“Calix!” Kyra’s voice draws far too much attention, and Fenix’s lips twitch in amusement.
“Don’t you fucking touch her, Fenix.” Ever moves forward and thrusts her arms forward toward him, and a wave of something hits Fenix, knocking him off balance. It’s enough to break his focus on Calix, who drops to the ground.
Kyra’s right there, but Calix isn’t deterred and is up on his feet with one direction of travel.
“No, Calix. I know you want to.” I put my hand on his chest to stop him. “Please, trust me. He won’t leave here alive, but we need to wait. Ever’s the only one of us who has any magic. Remember what happened when you fought him without magic before.” His eyes are dark, the blue swallowed up and polluted with rage and grief, drowning out his carefree nature.
“He. Killed. Crim.” The words are covered with ash and dirt, as if he had to drag them from the depths of Zuns to say them.
“I know. I carried her body out of there. I am painfully aware of what he did. But I don’t want to say goodbye to you, too.”
“You haven’t lost your power then?” Fenix asks Ever as he gets to his feet.
“No.”
“Have you let it free? Or are you still too scared to see your potential?”
Ever doesn’t answer, but she shifts on her feet.
