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A hand grabbed the grimoire. It slipped from her grip as the Fae held it in his palm, crumpling the spine with his strength. "I'm going to need you to come with me," he said, quietly.

Ace straightened, her only hope to save Shelby, the warlock who had helped more than anyone had in her entire life. The fear, the panic, all of it gave way to something bigger.

Like a roaring tornado it swept over her. It started in her toes like static that bit into her skin. Like lightning, it crackled up her legs, filled her belly with a heat that built up her throat and traveled into her arms. It wanted to burst out of her. It was expanding, consuming her, and pouring out.

She let her palms fall open at her side and a shout that didn't quite sound like her erupted. The fire inside her stomach burned, and she screamed at the pain as she felt something forming in her hand.

The Fae took a step back, his face going slack with surprise.

Ace could feel nothing but pain, rage, and loss. She'd already mourned everyone else in her life; this was one too many. She wasn't willing to give Shelby up no matter how he pushed her.

Her hands met. The hilt of a white glowing sword materialized between them. She didn’t have to think as her body took control of her, swinging the weapon over her head and through the Fae's body.

He gasped as the blade passed through him. Like Shelby had tried to cup his wound, the Fae pressed his hand to his abdomen. Orange flames ate at his skin, turning pink as they consumed him from the middle out and his body turned gray as ash.

Ace didn't stay to watch him fall. The sword disappeared from her grip as she snatched the grimoire from where it had fallen. Ink was smeared into illegible spells across the pages.

There was nothing left to do.

She threw the book across the room and ran to Shelby's side. His eyes were half hooded as she'd left him. His chest was no longer moving.

Echoing steps moved down the hall outside the throne room. Let them try to take her. Ace dared them as rage filled her and pushed out every other emotion.

"Shelby, look at me!" She patted his cheek. "Wake up, you stupid oaf!" Her voice sounded strangled and distant. Was she even in her own body?

She pressed her hands into his chest. There was no heartbeat. His chest didn't rise or fall with any more breaths.

No.

No.

No.

She wouldn't allow it. She couldn't. This…this would destroy her. Itwasdestroying her. The lightning was eating her up, burning from the inside out.

Fareesh!she called to the goddess of healing.Sylik! Greshta! Anyone!

Please. She rocked back and forth, her hands roaming from Shelby's chest to his face. Spots formed behind her eyelids as she squeezed her eyes shut as hard as she could.Please.

The lightning was flowing through her body now, bouncing back and forth from her head to her toes. Her body felt foreign to her; she couldn't recognize the feeling of Shelby's skin or even the warmth of his spilt blood.

She opened her eyes, even his body was so far away. A shadow shifted in the doorway. Ace looked up, meeting a bright orange gaze. A man, with mousy brown hair and blood splattered across his shirt, nodded at her.

"It's done."

"What?" Ace rasped.

Energy flowed through her, thrumming as he turned and disappeared in the hall. This wasn't the end. Nothing was done.

No.

She gritted her teeth, pressing her palms to Shelby's chest. She'd come from death. The gods had made her new from the flames of their holy fire. They could do it for Shelby.

Even if she had to make them do it.

For once Ace didn't chase away the fire she felt in her. She welcomed the stinging sensation that lit up in her chest and created sparks through her limbs. She fell into it, let it guide her.

The black behind her eyes turned to white. The gods were there. Each of them. She could sense them though she couldn't see them. They were listening. Waiting.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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