Page 96 of Immortal Burden

I fired, grimacing when Lucian jerked back so that I wouldn’t get him too.

My green fire enveloped Thomas and Louise, teleporting them from the grounds to the only place that could be considered relatively safe right now. The Guardian Compound. I’d deal with the wrath of Cornelius later for violating the rule of allowing non-members inside the hallowed walls.

I shot Lucian a disgruntled look as he leaped over the fire again, clearing it with the full force of his vamp speed, and landed right beside me.

“I told you what you needed to hear in order to focus. But, make no mistake, I would never abandon you.”

Draco laughed, a deep, creepy sound that reverberated around us. “The fastest vampire alive indeed. It has been too long, Ravager.”

Lucian bristled at the invocation of his old nickname from his darker days, a reputation I knew he’d tried so hard to shake and to redeem himself from.

“Channel me.”

I jolted at the sound of his voice suddenly in my head.

I eyed him out of the corner of my eye, while still maintaining a close watch on Draco.

“How are you doing this?”

“We have exchanged blood.”

“But—”

“Focus! Mia cannot hold him at bay any longer. How she has been able to at all is astounding, something we will discuss later, as I am sure you have answers for me. Channel me and target the gem in the center of his sword. Only Immortal magic can destroy it, but a blast powerful enough should be able to disable it temporarily. It will then extinguish all Hellfire raging throughout these grounds. We can’t defeat him at present, so we must retreat. This place is lost, but two Coven Heads survive, they can rebuild. Live to fight another day, Ryker.”

I hesitated. “To summon enough power to do what you’re suggesting, I’d need a fuckload of energy from you, damn near all of it. It will debilitate you.”

“I am aware. Do it. Time is of the essence.”

I went to shift my weight, to ready my aim, but Lucian’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, stilling me with his vampiric strength.

“You are revealing your intent. Do not drop your shoulder. Your only move must be the release of your green fire in a straight shot at the gem. Draco has reflexes that rival that of an Ancient.”

I took his words in, absorbing his instructions.

I eyed Mia, panic engulfing me when I saw her fall to one knee under the strain of confining Draco.

Lucian must have sensed my distress, or maybe he’d merely heard the quickening of my heartbeat.

“Focus on him only. Your target is all that matters.”

I nodded, trying to get a grip.

He went on, clearly believing I needed more. “He was right about one thing. You are a true prodigy.”

He let go of my shoulder, giving me room.

“Brace yourself. It’s gonna be fast and fucking brutal.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

I swallowed hard, cleared my mind, and delved deep.

And then I shot out my hand, grabbing Lucian’s tightly. I locked onto his supernatural energy fast, and pulled hard, drawing it into me, melding it with mine.

And then I fired.

I watched as my magic streamed forth, hitting the gem in the center of Draco’s sword dead-on.

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