Page 74 of Light Magic

“You know what we’re here for,” one of the demons said. “So, let’s skip the part where you resist and we kick your ass, and just come with us.”

A little excitement warmed up my blood as I channeled my magic. Even if it was unstable, I could use it. And if it got out of hand, I had my sword.

I let light cover my hands. “You should skip the part where you talk.”

I threw bolts of light at them. I hit one of the demons, while the others spread out. The vampires were on me in two seconds, while the demons created darkfire. I summoned my sword and slashed the vampire’s arm before she could reach me. The other lunged for my throat, but I lifted my hand and blinded her with my light.

I spun away from the darkfire and used the blinded vampire as a shield. Several bolts hit her chest and she trembled with the impact. The vampire with the arm cut groaned and swiped a claw at me. I swung my blade up, cutting her arm again. She rammed into me. I let go of the other vampire, who was unconscious, and turned my blade to her. When she leaned into me, I plunged it into her chest, right through her heart. I knew that was probably not enough to kill her, but that should be enough to stop her.

A darkfire bolt zipped past my head and I again used the vampire as shield. I pulled my sword back and she fell at my feet.

The demons cast bigger bolts and I created a light shield in front of me. Beside the demons, the half fae recovered. He joined forces with the demons and threw fire at my shield—a Blaze fae.

The bolts kept coming and my magic trembled in my veins. I tried holding on to it, but it fizzled out. Then it exploded and a bright light erupted through the parking garage.

I stumbled back over the car’s hood, my head a little dizzy. Dang, that was strong. I blinked fast, trying to recover before my enemies did. The explosion had hit them. One of the demons was on the ground, struggling to get up.

The fae and the remaining demon renewed their attacks, sending more darkfire and fire at me. I tried creating another shield, but my magic didn’t obey me. I ducked out of the way and hid behind a column. Their bolts chipped away bits of cement with every hit.

I couldn’t count on my magic right now. I needed to find a way to get closer to them and stop them from using their own magic, so I could use my sword and get this over with.

I lifted my hand and called my magic. Even if I could cast a bolt of light, or blind them, that would be enough time for me to get to them.

My magic flickered around my fingertips. I yelled, stepped away from the column, and threw a bolt of light at them.

Just then big light bolts came from their side and took them down. They groaned, trying to come up, but the bolts kept coming. After a short volley, they stayed down.

What …

Then someone rushed forward but halted when she saw me.

My eyes widened and I whispered, “Ylena.”

19

I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Ylena? What …?”

“Thank the light you’re okay.” She rushed to me, her white-blond hair in a loose braid, and hugged me tight.

I stood there, shocked. This woman, this angel, had been my mentor for so long. I had looked up to her for most of my life, and once I was cast out, I sometimes thought that I would never see her again.

“I … How are you here?”

She pulled back but held on to my hands. “I ran away.”

I looked into her pale blue eyes. “What? Why?”

“Rhodes attacked me.”

I gasped. Ylena was one of the most powerful archangels in Elysium. In all of the best scenarios that played out in my head, I went to Ylena, told her about Rhodes, and she captured him and stopped his plan, whatever it was.

“Ylena, what is going on?”

“I don’t know,” she said with a cry. “When he came back from your mission, five years ago, he told me you made a deal with a demon and you killed all of them. He got away because he was stronger. I didn’t want to believe him but there was so much evidence. And you had run off.”

“Which made me seem guilty.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry. I should have known.”

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