There was more shouting and the sound of heavy footsteps coming from outside the room and down the corridor. Genu and
the others were no doubt on their way. Good. If I could hold off, if I could make this take as long as possible, we’d be fine.
Still bound by Panya’s magic as she held my wrist against the portal, I wondered if she would let go when her brother arrived.
“How long will we do this, Panya?” I asked.
She ignored me, keeping her eyes fixed on Dorian and the doorway. The group busted in, swords drawn and ready to fight.
Dorian was easily outmatched. Which made this even more pleasurable to watch. I craved his demise.
Genu advanced within a matter of seconds as she took out the two guards who handled Nicholas. Then she and the sisters
aimed for Dorian. Karim looked at Panya as they exchanged that same look again.
She shook her head in response and turned away from him, looking at me.
“This is taking too long,” Panya muttered under her breath.
I didn’t think she meant for me to hear. Seconds later, the dagger she’d sliced my wrist open with was plunged deep into my
stomach. I let out a choked cry, muffled with pain and shock.
“ORNELLA!!” Nicholas roared my name.
Panya pulled out the dagger, and I heaved over, falling forward onto my front. She kicked me with her foot to turn me over
and her eyes darkened as she knelt down next to me. Pushing my bleeding hand into the portal ripples, I screamed out in agony.
The blood from my stomach and wrist wounds were pulled from my body.
“When I heard of the ultimate power, I decided rather than allowing a male to rule over me again, I would take it for
myself,” she said close to my face as tears dripped from my eyes.
After that, I couldn’t hear anything else aside from the ringing in my ears. The electricity that ran through my body was
enough to make me freeze. The darkness, the demons and the creatures behind the door were coming. I could see them as they
stepped closer and closer, waiting for the gateway to be open. They couldn't wait to set their evil against this world.
Trapped, frozen and stuck watching the portal slowly opening, I didn't see when or how Nicholas broke free of his bounds.
Morgana stood over top of me, protecting me as she fought and pushed Panya back. It was magic against magic, sword against
sword.
“Ornella!!! Stay with us!” Morgana shouted, sending another wave of light towards Panya.
I was fading fast. I was so dizzy, my vision was darkening around the edges. I could feel the warmth of the Goddess as she
held out her hand to me. She was greeting me, welcoming me and wishing to take me home. Home to the plains of beautiful
grasslands and sun filled days. I wouldn't feel any more pain. No more suffering. I would be at peace.
“ORNELLA!! STAY WITH ME! PLEASE!!!”
I could hear his voice in the distance. Nicholas’ voice. He was calling for me. But my eyes were so heavy, it was so hard to
