Page 28 of Magic Unleashed

“You can’t win,” Fontaine growled, recovering quickly. “The demon will rise, and your dragon-shifter lover will be nothing more than a vessel.”

Phoenix’s rage flared, and her magic surged in response. “Over my dead body.”

As the cultists scrambled to recover from her attack, Phoenix reached the altar where Griff was bound. His eyes fluttered open, barely conscious, but when he saw her, something flickered in his gaze—relief, recognition.

“Phoenix…” His voice was hoarse, weak.

“I’m getting you out of here,” she said, her voice tight as she worked on freeing him. But the demonic symbols burned into his skin pulsed with dark energy, resisting her magic.

Ash appeared beside her, his face set in grim determination. “We need to move, now.”

Phoenix nodded, her hands shaking as she tried to release the final bonds. The air around them crackled with the energy of the summoning, the ground beneath their feet trembling as the demon lord began to stir.

Once he was free, Phoenix said, her voice strained, “Get him out of here; I’ll hold them off.”

Ash hesitated for only a second before nodding, lifting Griff’s half-conscious body over his shoulder. “Don’t take too long.”

Phoenix watched as Ash carried Griff toward the exit, her heart pounding in her chest. The celestial event was happening—she could feel the magic shifting, the veil between realms growing thinner by the second.

Fontaine was on his feet now, his eyes burning with hatred. “You can’t stop this, fae. You’ll only doom yourself.”

Phoenix’s eyes narrowed, her power blazing as she prepared for the final fight. “Maybe, but if I do, I’ll take you with me.”

With a furious cry, she unleashed her magic, the golden light exploding around her as she charged toward Fontaine, determined to end this once and for all.

No matter the cost.

Chapter

Eleven

PHOENIX

The air inside the cathedral was thick with magic—dark, suffocating, and alive. The ritual was nearing its climax, and Phoenix could feel the pull of the celestial event above them, the moon moving into its full eclipse. The ground beneath her feet trembled as if the earth itself was rejecting the power being summoned.

Her heart raced as she stood facing Councilman Fontaine, his face twisted with malicious glee as he presided over the summoning. Around them, cultists began chanting again in unison, their voices blending with the rising energy in the room. It felt as though the very walls were vibrating, barely able to contain the power brewing within.

Phoenix’s gaze darted toward the door where Ash was supposed to be getting Griff out—away from the danger, but he wasn’t moving. Griff’s body still glowed faintly from the demonic runes that had been etched into his skin.

Ash was holding him up, but Griff was convulsing, his muscles tensing as the dark magic began to take hold. She could feel it—Griff’s essence was slipping, being consumed by the demon lord that was trying to possess him.

“Griff, hold on,” Phoenix whispered under her breath, her voice filled with desperation. She felt the connection between them like a lifeline, but it was fragile, strained. The ritual was pulling him away from her, piece by piece.

Fontaine’s voice boomed over the chanting. “It’s too late, fae. The ritual is almost complete. Soon, the demon lord will rise, and your little pet will be nothing more than a hollow shell.”

Phoenix’s blood boiled at his words, her magic surging in response. “Not if I stop you first.”

Fontaine laughed, a dark, mocking sound. “You can’t stop what’s already in motion.”

Without hesitation, Phoenix hurled a blast of golden energy at him. Fontaine barely flinched, raising a hand to deflect it as if it were nothing. The magic sizzled in the air, absorbed by the dark barrier surrounding him.

“I’ve had enough of your interruptions,” Fontaine sneered, flicking his wrist. A pulse of dark energy shot from his hand, heading straight for Phoenix.

She leaped to the side, dodging it just in time, but the force of the blast sent her tumbling across the floor. She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding as she scrambled to her feet. Time was running out, and she knew that if she didn’t act soon, she would lose Griff forever.

Ash appeared beside her, bloodied but still standing. He had managed to get Griff sort of propped up against the wall, but something was wrong—terribly wrong.

“Ash, what—?” Phoenix started, but her words caught in her throat.

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