Page 83 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“Good. Then what?”

I gathered all my energy and prepared to throw one of my blasts. White light radiated from me, which betrayed what I was about to do.

He straightened. A quick flicker of orange-red surprise slithered through his aura. He produced a ball of green light right when I was releasing my power.

The two shots of energy clashed midway and entwined with a loud noise of broken glass. Green and white sparks flew in every direction like fireworks. The ugliness of the tunnel—the slimy walls, jutting stones, and chipped floor—became clear in all its grimness.

He pushed harder, and the green glow moved closer to me, filling the air with the smell of burnt mint. My energy dwindled. I’d never sustained a white blast for more than a few seconds, and he was shoving my glow backwards. Sweat dampened my neck in the effort to fight him back. It was like tackling a bear. A tremor started in my legs, and I couldn’t go on.

My power diminished and died while I ran in the opposite direction.

The green light shot at me; it cut through my jacket and reached my shoulder. I cried out as the slash burnt my skin. Warm blood spilt down my back.

“Is that all?” Rothbart followed me at a slow pace. “One blast of light and then you run? I’m afraid I’m not impressed.” He sounded genuinely disappointed.

Panting in the middle of the sitting room, I chose a tunnel and darted down it.

Where was Darius? Were there other exits? Was I alone?

My white light glowed on and off as I tried to control my breathing to regain energy. I ended up in a smoky room where five men were playing cards around a table. The smoke from the cigarettes filled the tunnel with the smell of tobacco. Jugs of beer were scattered everywhere, and half-eaten sandwiches and pork pies added to the miserable sight.

Silence dropped, and several heads turned towards me when I came to a squeaking halt. So many of them, all stronger than I was. Fear left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Who are you?” one asked.

“What a pleasant surprise!” Another one stood up.

“Finally some fun.”

They all stood up. Five of them.

Rothbart stopped next to me, a smug expression on his face. “You chose the wrong tunnel, darling. This place is like life. One wrong turn, and you’re doomed forever.” He flourished a hand towards his men. “Gentlemen, she’s yours. Just don’t kill her. I want her to remember every single moment for the rest of her life.”

I swallowed past the knot in my throat as I summoned my power, but the previous discharge had depleted me. Unbidden, the vile emotions of the thugs overwhelmed me and choked me. Too much cruelty and evil were painful to bear. My stomach churned, and my head grew dizzy.

The men came closer in their swagger, reeking of tobacco and ale. I started to flee, but Rothbart grabbed me, gripping my arms viciously.

“You came here of your own free will.” He bared his teeth. “And now you’re staying.” He shoved me towards the thugs, and I was thrown into a man’s arms.

I gagged at his smell of cheap whisky and sweat.

He seized my chin hard, making me whimper. “You aren’t my type, but you’ll do.”

From my pocket, I unsheathed the silver dagger Myrtha had given me and stabbed him in the neck without thinking. A strength I hadn’t known I was capable of producing erupted from me.

The man gurgled when I withdrew the blade. An expression of surprise contorted his face. Blood oozed from the deep gash in his neck. He dropped to his knees in front of me like a penitent before he fell flat on the floor.

The others yelled, their auras filling with shock and so much anger as to make me almost throw up. Rothbart’s fury scratched my skin. It was the first time that I’d sensed his feelings deeply.

He moved towards me as a wave of energy poured over me. Wilis gained their energy from killing evil men, and I’d done just that.

I embraced the warm flow of renewed strength as glittering light shone around me. My mind became clear. My sight sharpened. My body flourished with power. Magic flowed in my veins, and the sensation was so elating that I laughed.

This time, when I released a new blast, it had the force of a dynamite explosion. Blinding white light filled the chamber, obliterating the darkness.

Rothbart and his men were tossed away yards from me. Some hit the walls and dropped to the floor with loud thuds. Others spun around in the air before collapsing in heaps of limbs at odd angles. Grunts and the sound of bones breaking echoed off the domed ceiling.

Another mighty, huge shot of pure energy replenished me as the men died. Being engulfed by fresh power was like falling in love. The world seemed less dark and more hopeful, and I was reborn. Every inch of my body brimmed with energy, and my blood rushed more quickly.