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Finish the Corruption, she said. I’m done fighting you.
Chaos speared into her, instantly transforming her surroundings into another memory.
She was ten years old, seeking her only friend within the Void, her stomach in knots over the state she would find him in.
Black feathers tumbled from the sky. A gust of wind snagged them, weaving them together to form an endless narrow, dark tunnel around her. Though the feathers held their collective shape, they hadn’t stopped their circular motion, as if they were conducting some sort of hypnotic dance meant to confuse her.
The feathers constricted tighter, jabbing into her side. Panic coiled in her chest. She was about to scream out when blue orb light burst to life at the end of the tunnel. Blinking back tears, she made out a tall, lean figure, his wild auburn curls crowned with thin tendrils of black lightning.
Cirel.
He wore the same white dress shirt and black pants as the night Chaos had infected him. The hot tears she’d been fighting to restrain tumbled down her cheeks at the recollection of how she’d abandoned him.
But he was alive. Alive and somehow unmarked by dark magic.
That weak reassurance vanished as a haze of black smoke materialized around his form. When his eyes darted to her, one iris burned a monstrous orange.
Cirel had always held an air of sophistication. Now his movements were too quick. Too sharp, like a predatory animal.
A pulse of invisible magic rolled out from his body and crushed her to her knees.
Bow.His voice was so quiet, yet it rang loud in her ears. Never had he asked her to do such a thing. They’d always been equals in the Void.
Cirel, she cried out.
His eyes narrowed. His magic clamped down, grinding her into the ground. Her bones groaned under the pressure. Fear licked up her spine.
He was going to kill her.
This was not her friend. She needed to get away.
Shooting out a sphere of protective energy to momentarily break his hold, Tenah scrambled over to the feathered barrier. She clawed at the feathers, but there was no give beneath their velvety softness. It was as if the tunnel was made from solid bone.
Cirel’s posture righted. He blinked a few times.Tenah?
The intense pressure vibrating her protective shield dissipated. She scuttled back against the wall as he rushed toward her.
Cirel flattened his palms against her shield and hissed as it burned him. He examined his wounds in disbelief before his features transformed with anger. The silver eye glinted with a confusing mixture of emotion while the orange glowed brighter.Why are you acting so frightened? You did this to me. You brought me into the Void. Why continue pretending you care about me?
Her heart plummeted into her stomach. She withdrew her shield, leaving a ghostly silhouette of smoke behind in the air.
Cirel grinned, so vicious she had the urge to bathe the entire tunnel in flames to escape him. Creatures in her nightmares curdled her blood less than this boy.
You don’t look…She trailed off, swallowing her words.
I’m here. I’m alive and stronger than ever. You know me.
Tenah squeezed her eyes shut. She wished she could stop replaying his Corruption behind closed eyes. She wished things could return to how they were before.
A hand touched her chin softly. When she opened her eyes, Cirel crouched before her.I would never hurt you. I hold you too close to my heart.
He rested a hand over his chest, and the blue gem in his winged ring flashed. A family heirloom, he’d told her. Not from Advanth though. From his father, who did not rule in this world.
She couldn’t help the sigh of relief. He was truly alive. He was here with her. Everything would be the same.
Reaching out, Tenah cuffed his wrists and turned his hands so she could examine the damage she’d done. Droplets of golden healing magic bubbled on her fingertips.
Cirel ripped his hands free as if he’d been bitten by a snake.Stop that. Don’t ever touch me with that horrible magic. Do you understand? It would ruin me.
