Page 68 of Of Fate & Forbidden Desire

The first two swept past on either side of her body as her cackle got lost in the din of the battle, however she didn't see the third ball that hit her square in the face. I blinked and another foe—a gruesome looking creature this time— stepped forward with its red eyes fixed on me.

Shaking out my feet that were going numb, I summoned two swirling fireballs and launched them right at it, confused when it continued its lumbering run towards me. Switching tactics, I summoned a great gust of air and picked it up from the ground. Its legs flailed about uselessly in the air before I threw it across the battlefield.

“Well, well, well looks like our witchling learned how to fight.” A familiar voice made a shiver race down my spine.

The vampire from under the bridge stood staring at me, his lips turned up in a half smile as his red eyes blazed.

“What? No Huntress to protect you now?” He sneered, making me gulp, as my eyes scanned the area around us. All I found were enemies.

“How…how…” I stammered, shivering and becoming the scared woman I'd been that night.

“How…how,” he mocked, stepping closer and making my shield of wind roar, “such a pathetic little witchling, your vampires hid you well, however my Master has many ways to find what she wants.”

“And who is the one holding your leash?” Dina's voice snapped out from behind him.

“Ah, you were supposed to be too distracted, they promised you would be.” The vampire snarled, clearly annoyed with her appearance as he stepped to the side, so he could keep his eyes on both of us.

“What a pity.” Dina replied, sarcasm dripping from every word.

“I'm only here for the witch.” He said, raising the hairs on the back of my neck.

Dina stepped to the left, moving herself closer to me and edging the vampire further away. “Tough luck, you won't lay a hand on her. I won't let you.”

Her voice was calm, as though she was merely discussing going on a picnic.

“Why do you want me so much?” I said, finally finding my voice again, as Dina stepped closer still, spinning the sword at her side.

“If it was up to me lovey, you'd already be dead, but it's not me that wants you.” He said, watching Dina slink in front of me.

“As I said, over my dead body.” Dina snarled, stepping forward, already swinging her sword at his head.

The twang of steel hitting steel rang around me as I flinched. The vampire met Dina's sword perfectly, and they began a complicated looking dance. Neither one better than the other as they snarled and cursed. I was far too focused on their battle to notice anything else happening around me and almost missed the sudden hush that fell over the clearing.

An influx of magic inside the mass of creatures, dragged not only my attention but that of the two battling vampires as well. Steel clanged against steel one more time as their heads snapped towards the magic that was still rising. The air dropped a few more degrees colder and screams erupted into the air, seconds before I flew backwards.

The wind yanked at my hair and a scream tore from my throat, as I tried to find my new assailant. My eyes bounced over the field, and widened in wonder and fear as I saw Dina follow me, and everyone else began stepping away from a slightly off-central point. The magic I felt earlier continued rising as the sudden wind stopped and I fell to the ground, scraping my arms on the twigs and broken branches of the treeline. Sharing a worried glance with Dina who landed not too far from me, I gave her a brief nod and we both ran back towards, where I could feel the magic growing.

I slowed my steps as static raised the tiny hairs on my arms until they stood on end and I could begin to see a swirling vortex of magics. Creatures shuffled nervously, some even turning tail and running as we drew closer.

“Careful,” Dina warned quietly, as her hand landed on my shoulder so weweren’t separated.

Nodding to let her know I heard, I forged ahead, until I could see Ally standing alone in the centre of the magical tornado. Human and inhuman screams filled the night air and I watched in both horror and confusion as she unleashed her magical storm. It lashed out harshly at our foes; some burned or suffocated where they stood. Others have their necks snapped as some, but not many, manage to escape.

Holding my hand in front of my face, I shielded my eyes, keeping them on Ally. A man with dark hair stood across from her. I saw his mouth move, but couldn’t hear his words before shadows swirled around his body. Ally's eyes just looked straight through him, like he didn’t exist, or she wasn’t hearing him.

A shadow loomed up behind Ally, and its wavering arm pulled back to reveal a pitch black blade. My heart slammed against my ribs and I forced my feet to move faster, pushing against the wind that's battering me.Please let me make it?I mentally shout at any God or Goddess that may have been listening. Its arm pulled back further and then, like a band snapping, everything sped up.

“Alyssa!” Jace screamed from her right, and her head snapped towards him, as the creature behind her thrust its blade forward. A scream tore from my throat as Ally's eyes widened and the blade poked through her stomach.

Ally turned to face the shadow creature, freezing it in place, before her head turned back to Jace, who was also stood frozen in place. I watched in horror as her mouth moved and red blood bubbled from her mouth. She looked down, finally noticing the sword protruding from her body. Her wind dropped and I was finally running faster, but not fast enough. Jace beat us both to Ally as she slid off the blade and falls towards the ground.

“Is she?” Dina's voice startled me as we both watched Ally's eyes lock with Jace and my first tears rolled over my cheeks. Her mouth opened and closed over and over as Jace hushed her and brushed the hair from her face. White flecks join my tears, as the first December snow began falling.

“I've got you.” Jace mumbled over and over as his hands pressed into her stomach, trying to stop her blood from escaping. Tears coursed down his cheeks, dripping onto the backs of his hands as his voice wobbled and broke.

Ally's eyes fell closed and a scream, more similar to an agonised howl, snapped mine and Dina's attention to the pale man with dark hair. His face scrunched in pain and his eyes shone with tears that washed down his face, before shadows encased him and he vanished.

Jace’s eyes don't leave Ally's face, even for a second, as he rocked back and forth. Grief crashed over me like a tidal wave. I may not have known her long but I'd grown close to her. She was the closest thing I had to a friend now.

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