Morgana’s eyes landed on me, and she laughed mockingly at my outstretched hand. Her laughter, however, abruptly haltedwhen something landed in my palm. A red gem encased in gold glowed brightly, and dark mist swirled away from it.
My eyes widened in recognition—her amulet.
A faint pulse radiated from it, its rhythm like a heartbeat—slow and disturbingly familiar. It tugged at me, a sensation that both terrified and calmed me. Dark magic thrummed within it, I could feel it and yet there was something else. Something that felt like home. A strange, twisted comfort laced with shadows.
The realization crashed over me like an icy wave. I knew, without a single doubt, deep in the marrow of my bones—that this... this contained my soul.
Morgana’s wail of frustration pierced the air, and Jaxon tackled me to the ground as magic shot above me. He rolled us out of the way of the incoming attack, quickly deflecting another blow as we rolled to our feet.
He grabbed my injured arm, and I screamed in pain, his eyes widening a fraction as he noticed my bandages. But before he could react, Morgana struck again, a dark spear hitting Jaxon’s leg.
He let out a gasp of pain as he fell to his knee with a disturbing crunch.
“No!” I screamed, flinging myself in front of him. His arm slammed into the back of my knee, sending me crashing to the floor just as another spear of darkness whizzed past us, mere inches from my head.
Jaxon cursed under his breath, and Morgana’s mocking laughter echoed through the room. We were nearly under the table, and I could see her feet as she prowled around it.
I glanced up at Jaxon, his golden eyes finding mine. A fierce resolve settled deep inside me. I had to try. Gripping the amulet tightly in my palm, I focused all my energy on its power.
Morgana stepped into view, her eyes locked on me with cold and calculating intent.
“Go to hell,” I spat, my voice steady despite the fear twisting in my gut. Relief washed over me as I saw darkness begin to swirl around us.
Blinding pain erupted in my shoulder as the world around me dissolved into shadows.
Chapter 21
Zara
Pain exploded through my shoulder and side, dragging me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes to find Xavier’s face hovering above me, his handsome features twisted in concern. His eyes widened as they locked onto mine, a mixture of shock and relief flickering in them.
I did it. I had gotten us back to him.
“She woke up,” he spat, his voice sharp as he glanced toward someone out of sight. A moment later, something was pressed against my mouth. I tried to protest, but darkness swallowed me whole once more.
When I woke again, the pain was different. Dull, lingering soreness replaced the scorching agony from before. I moved hesitantly, wincing as a sharp ache pulsed in my shoulder, but the hot, searing pain that had once radiated down my arm was gone.
What had happened?
I cracked open an eye and found Xavier sitting beside me in a chair with his feet propped up on the bed. His arms were crossedover his chest, his head tilted to the side, lost in sleep. I held my breath, not wanting to disturb him. Like this, he didn’t look dangerous—he looked soft, warm, almost welcoming.
His white strand of hair had fallen over his eye, and I couldn’t help but notice he was still in his clothes from dinner. His shirt, now loose and unbuttoned, revealed his naked chest and bandaged side.
I snorted softly at the sight, trying to sit up without making too much noise.
Xavier jolted upright, his dagger now in his hand as his eyes darted around the room, scanning for threats. His sharp gaze found mine, and his eyes widened in relief. “You’re awake,” he breathed, the words barely audible. “You shouldn’t move too much—you’re still healing,” he said, sitting back down on the chair he had abandoned. As he settled, the chair creaked under his weight, but his eyes never left me, making my pulse quicken.
Concern etched into the lines of his face, and the muscles in his jaw tightened slightly. “How do you feel?”
I shifted cautiously, the soreness in my shoulder pulsing with discomfort, but the pain wasn’t as sharp as before. “Sore,” I said, my voice a little rough, “but other than that, I feel fine.”
His shoulders seemed to relax a fraction, and I scanned the room, finding that we were alone. “Jaxon!” I shouted abruptly, sitting up too quickly. Pain tore down my arm, sharp and unforgiving, and I let out a strangled cry.
Xavier’s hands were on me instantly, keeping me from moving further. “Dammit, you’re bleeding again,” he hissed, his frustration clear as he glanced at my bandaged arm. Without hesitation, he bellowed, “Julian!”
“Jaxon, where is Jaxon?” I begged, my hand clutching onto his shirt, the panic surging through me as I searched his face for answers. Xavier had moved onto the bed, one arm bracing mygood shoulder while the other rested on my waist, holding me steady.
“My brother is fine. He’s here,” Xavier ground out through clenched teeth, his jaw tightening as a ripple of anger crossed his features.
