Jaxon snarled, and then he was moving. A sword slashed toward Morgana's neck, but she merely stepped out of its way. She had no weapon, and Jaxon was moving too slow. Why was he moving so slow? I could feel Morgana’s amusement stirring through me again, and my gut sank, stomach knotting further.
Jaxon shadowed, a flash of silver arching through the air, but Morgana moved, a sword now in her hand as it met with Jaxon’s attack. She smiled, and Jaxon shadowed again behind her, vines lashing for her feet as the earth around her exploded upwards as if to swallow her whole.
Power blasted from Morgana, and the earth scattered outward, rocks and clumps of dirt flying dangerously through the air. Jaxon threw a shield around me, but he wasn’t fast enough as rocks slammed into him, throwing him back.
Morgana pounced, landing on top of him and punching him directly in the stomach.
Jaxon screamed, and I frowned as Morgana said, “Do you think I am a fool, Xavier?!”
Xavier? What was she talking about? Jaxon’s gaze slid to me and emerald eyes met mine. My eyes widened as Jaxon's form rippled, and Xavier appeared below Morgana, his face contorted in pain.
“Xavier!” I croaked, and panic flooded me as I reached for him through our bond. I instantly regretted it as it cracked open and Morgana slammed into it, opening the barrier between us wide.
What did I just do?
Pain, so much more than Xavier’s injuries suggested, slammed into me, and I shuddered.
Magic exploded from him and Morgana went flying backwards. He groaned and rolled onto all fours as he dragged himself back to his feet. He was covered in blood, mud mixing with it as it smeared over his body. His hand still clutched his stomach.
Realization hit me and I hated that I hadn't thought of it sooner. Her claws… “You are poisoned!” I shouted, and he gritted his teeth.
“I know.”
I could feel his power waning. He was already so weak, and yet he came over here, came to face her. He should have gone to Julian first, should have done anything but this.
“You were in pain. She was hurting you,” he hissed, and my heart bled at his words, something twisting inside of me.
“She was trying to get to you…” I breathed.
“I know, love. She can have me.”
Morgana appeared behind Xavier, her power slamming into his back as he flipped through the air, landing on the ground a few feet away from me. He groaned, his head arching upward to meet my gaze, and a sob left me. Morgana was already on top of him again, her hands digging into the flesh of his skull. My power surged, and I screamed as she used me to dive into his memories, his thoughts.
Run!I cried through the bond, but he couldn’t hear me.
Fighting broke out around us again, and I saw Jaxon, the real Jaxon, fighting his way up the hill to get to his brother. More soldiers joined, and I spotted Dedra and Theo fighting my father. He must have regained consciousness, and my chest cleaved open at them being so near.
There it is. Morgana’s voice purred, and a vision of Soren and Xavier in his study appeared in my mind. Of Xavier placing a book on one of the shelves, hidden among the rest, and an inky dark magic thickened around me.
Bring me my book.
Xavier, run! Leave!I begged.
No. Xavier’s voice sounded in my mind, but it was weak, and my eyes opened to find his emerald gaze staring right back. Warmth spread through me, and an overwhelming feeling of love passed through the bond. It swirled around me protectively, soothing my pain, but I also felt the goodbye woven into it.
Don’t you fucking dare leave me, I sobbed, and Morgana’s voice screamed in our minds.
BRING ME, MY DAMMED BOOK! MAKE HIM BRING IT TO ME!
Morgana’s command rang through me again, and I resisted it, resisted her, but she was chipping away at my lingering will. I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to be able to hold her off.
Xavier's voice floated to me, distant, hidden.
Do it, Zara.
Xavier.
Do it.
