With a surge of strength, she wrenched to the side as hardas she could, attempting to distract Andras. One hand yanked at his arm while the other stealthily pulled the dagger from a hidden panel on the back of her thigh.
Wrapping her fingers around the grip, she lunged forward. His hold loosened ever so slightly. Enough for her to sink the blade into his thigh.
Shouting in fury, he released her. She rolled, snatching the crystal.
In the blink of an eye, her vision went dark. As if she was in a void, as black as a moonless and starless night. She couldn’t see anything. Couldn’t feel anything except cold mist swirling around her like a wicked caress.
Wisps of shadow snaked around her legs, her waist. Her arms were yanked above her head, shoulders screaming in protest. Stepping through the onyx smoke, Andras appeared.
Unable to move, all Ava could do was stare into his enraged eyes. Her gaze moved to his leg. The dagger was gone. There was no trace it had been there at all. No blood. No obvious injury. Even his clothing was intact.
“That was foolish, princess. Now I must hurry and join the battle. It seems the daemons are unable to defeat the fae on their own, the useless fools.”
That means we’re winning, Ava thought, now even more determined to see this through.
She clutched the crystal, willing Andras to move closer, to release her so she could grab him. But the shadows only tightened, squeezing. He raised a hand and an ebony thread floated toward her, moving closer to her face.
“Open wide, dear.”
She clenched her jaw, panting through her nose.
“I’m going to have to make you, aren’t I? Very well.”
The dark tendrils around her torso abruptly squeezed. A rib snapped. She bit down on her scream, refusing to give in as a tear trickled down her cheek. Another rib broke. The coppertang of blood bloomed in her mouth as she bit her lip. Andras growled and squeezed again. This time she couldn’t control the cry that left her lips. The moment she opened her mouth, the black wisp plunged down her throat…deeper and deeper.
Itburned.
She tried to breathe, tried to move. But her efforts were futile as the agony of Andras’ magic overtook her. Her body convulsed. Tears stained her cheeks. She choked on a whimper. Every inch of her was on fire. Pain like she had never felt before.
The shadow was pulled back. Ava gasped, the burning disappearing as her head fell forward. Something didn’t feel right. Inside she was empty, hollow.
Wrong.
Like a part of her had been removed. Chipped away into nothing.
Andras took a step forward. “It won’t be much longer now. Though I suppose I don’t have time to stay to watch you succumb to my magic. Any last words?” He cupped her face, tilting it up to meet his eyes.
She could barely catch her breath, the pain of her broken ribs flaring with each inhale. But he was touching her at last. And she knew what she had to do. Gripping the crystal, her arms still raised above her, she muttered the chant under her breath.
“Sorry, dear. I can’t hear you. What was that?” He leaned closer.
Not raising her voice, she continued to utter the spell, the warmth of magic flowing from her palm into the conduit.
It didn’t take long for Andras to understand. He tried to pull his hand away, his shadows releasing her as he gave in to panic. But he was too late.
“What are you doing?” His eyes went wide. “Stop that.”
But she continued, ignoring his frantic pleas.
He roared, trying to send out a wave of his power, but it was sucked back into him, the darkness now gone. Ava squinted at the return of the sun, shielding her eyes.
Speaking the final incantation, she scooted away, remaining on her knees.
“What have you done?” he bellowed.
Raising her hand, she held up the crystal and gave him a feline smile. “Surprise, Lomos.”
“No!” He tried to move, to wriggle out of the magical trap. But it held fast.
