Page 109 of Ancient Magic

“Genocide?” he finally managed to rasp.

Azra twisted his lips into a cruel smile. “Vampires are true believers in might makes right, aren’t they, brother?”

“You’re no brother of mine.”

“It doesn’t matter. Soon you’ll be dead along with all the others who underestimated me.”

“Including you, you idiot,” Micha hissed. “Skye has seen a vision of your glorious future. Do you want to know what your precious dragon is going to actually do to you?”

“No.”

“Tough, you’re going to hear it anyway,” Micha growled, moving until he was close enough to attack the traitor. “She’s going to bathe the world in fire,” he warned. “She’s going to destroy everything and everyone. Including you.”

“Shut up.” Azra whirled toward the silent Lynx, who was staring toward the pedestal with wild eyes. As if he was seeing something even more terrifying than a crazed vampire bent on destroying the world. “Take the crystal to the pedestal,” he commanded. “Now.”

Lynx grimaced. Then, with an awkward shuffle, he walked forward like a puppet being jerked by unseen strings. The crystal was still held over his head as the crimson glow pulsed brighter and brighter. Micha lunged toward the fairy, his fangs extending. The pleasure of destroying Azra had to be put on hold. At least for the moment. He couldn’t allow the crystal to reach the pedestal.

He was just inches from the male when he felt a pulse of energy push against him. It wasn’t coming from the fairy. Or even Azra, who was too occupied with his compulsion to steer Lynx to the center of the cavern to notice Micha’s attack.

It had to be the crystal, he belatedly realized, bracing himself for a blast of pain. It was obviously protecting itself. Or perhaps it was protecting Lynx. Either way, Micha sensed it was going to lash out.

Reaching the glow, Micha clenched his fangs, determined to put an end to the threat no matter the cost. But it wasn’t pain that sent him flying backward to land in an awkward heap on the marble floor.

The crimson glow was not only an impenetrable shield, but the moment he’d gotten too close, it’d lashed out with enough power to send him flying like he was a twig, not a vampire who weighed a ton.

Micha surged to his feet. Dammit, he had to stop him. But how? He couldn’t get close enough to wound him. And he doubted even a physical weapon would get through the glow.

Perhaps he could kill Azra and break the compulsion, but that was going to take time. Time he didn’t have. Plus, there was no guarantee that the fairy wouldn’t return the crystal to the pedestal even if the compulsion was gone. Lynx had convinced himself he was destined to become a demon savior for too long to easily give up the dream. He was desperate enough to try anything at this point.

What Micha needed was...

Actually, he had exactly what he needed.

Turning his head, he glanced toward Skye, who was concentrating on the fairy with a fierce expression.

“Skye, we have to stop him from reaching the pedestal.”

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