Page 159 of Magic of the Damned

My lips returned to the rigid line. She huffed a breath, and with a wave of her hand, it all stopped. My breathing normalized and I took several deep ones, my body craving oxygen. Pain. I had felt it so much lately, I didn’t respond typically to the relief.

Slowly I hauled myself up, furtively scanning for weapons or help. Nothing and no one was available. With magic and shades at her command, she had a definite advantage. Could I outrun her?

“Why?” I asked. The question served as a distraction from the one she wanted answered.

“Why what?” A spark of interest lit her eyes.

So many questions ran through my mind. All of them begging to be answered. How did you stay hidden for so long? What happens if you destroy the Underworld? Why was I chosen to hold Dark Caster magic?

“Why are you doing this?” Perhaps it was the unintended pitiable way I asked that led to her stern look of contempt easing.

“We were hunted and destroyed. There can be no other reason. Revenge.”

I heard the “and” in her words. There was no finality to it.

“And?”

“Destroy the Underworld and those in it.”

“And the people here, what will happen to them? Will they be destroyed as well?” There had to be some lingering bitterness toward them. They didn’t commit the offenses; they were avid supporters of it. “Do you believe magic shouldn’t exist here?” Her eyes brightened at my question, and I heard it also in my words. Fear, panic, fatigue, and raw and abject helplessness laced my question. It falsely led her to assume our goals aligned.

“I don’t want to end all magic. I strive for order. I will provide that so that we can coexist with the humans without issues. My magic will ensure compliance.”

“Not from everyone. Shifters are immune to magic.”

That excited sparkle renewed itself. “Shifters will be divested of their immunity. There can’t be order if they maintain that advantage. Too many vampires currently exist. It is a hassle. Those that can integrate the best in this new world will be spared. If Celeste succeeds, that makes things much easier for me. If she doesn’t, it is still an advantage. If she is killed, the strongest witches, those who would prove to be a problem for me, will die. If her life is spared by Dominic and his family, I will step in to remedy that lapse in judgment.” Her eyes migrated to the building where Celeste was either being defeated or killing any threats to the Dark Caster. She might not be an ally, but she’d become an unwitting accomplice.

Ophelia’s horrid plans mirrored Peter’s but came with a side of what-the-fuck-this-is-horrible-beyond-imagination.

From her wistful look she was waiting for accolades, a pat on the head, or some form of compliment. I just wanted to punch her again. Did the Awakeners realize they were helping the very person who planned to destroy them?

An Oscar-winning actor wouldn’t be able to hide their abhorrence at her plans. I failed miserably at hiding my sheer disgust.

Her delight withered. Glaring at me, she opened her palm. Magic tugged at me, pulling me closer to her. Just as she was about to reach for me a blast smashed into her back, hurling her at a tree several feet away. Helena’s eyes blazed with fire. The fire diffused into amber. Taking in the situation, she seemed to gather what she’d just saved me from. The menacing promise of consequences were in each step Helena made toward Ophelia.

Another mass of magic whizzed past me to Ophelia, hitting the tree where the Caster had been. She was gone. We both searched. I expected a quick reappearance and willingness to challenge Helena. There wasn’t. Instead, the remaining shades fled from the building, as did the Dark Caster’s acolytes, of whom there were notably fewer.

“Luna, are you okay?” Helena’s urgent question broke through the noise. A harsh whooshing stopped my response. The space where Helena stood was now empty.

Scanning the area, I called for her despite knowing she’d never respond.

Then I called Dominic. He was at my side before his name could fully leave my lips.

“What?” he rushed out, his hands on my shoulder in a desperate attempt to give me his full attention and ignore the activity behind us.

“The Dark Caster was here. She took Helena.” I explained everything that happened. He kept me close at his side as we rushed back into the building. Celeste was gone but Madeline standing among the ruins keyed me in that Celeste was still alive. Their bloodline was protected for now. I skimmed over the sickening evidence of the war and the smaller number of people who still occupied the room. I let the naïve thought that they’d left voluntarily creep in, and not the chilling reality of what actually occurred.

“Finish up here,” Dominic directed Anand. He explained Helena’s disappearance to Areleus, tasking him with initial efforts to find her.

“Where are you going? Your sister is missing,” Areleus hissed when Dominic turned his hand lightly on my elbow, guiding me toward his SUV.

“Taking Luna to safety. I’ll join you when I return.”

“You will do no such thing,” he roared. “Finding Helena takes priority. Your—” His preferred use of human wasn’t what came to mind, and the spiteful look hurled at me was proof.

“Both are a priority. I’ve lost my sister. I won’t lose Luna.”

I despised the sorrow in his tone whether his father caught it or not. It wasn’t primarily her abduction—it was her betrayal that festered, and yet he couldn’t stop being concerned about her. The warring emotions had to be difficult to manage.

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