Page 117 of Owned

I reached out desperately for the grimoire and I could sense its weight in my mind, but it was muffled.

“I thought you didn’t want my help—”The grimoire’s wicked whisper was more like a hiss.

I thought of the motorcycle hidden somewhere within this living nightmare.

I had to find it before the creatures lurking just beyond my vision could ensnare me.

A sizzling ball of magic streaked past me and a tree just ahead of me on my left side exploded in shards of pale wood, and a scream tore from my throat as I covered my face.

My ears rang from the explosion, but I couldn’t stop running. The dark shapes loomed closer, their movements fluid and predatory, like shadows come to life. They reached for me, catching my hair, but not enough to grab—

My shoes were gone.

Lost somewhere in the trees.

Pain lanced through my legs and my lungs screamed for relief as terror surged through me.

Suddenly, anger overtook the smallest edge of my fear.

I didn’t have to run; I had to fight back.

My veins thundered with stolen magic.

Why was it hiding from me?

No.

I skidded to a stop and turned to face my pursuers.

“Come on,” I whispered to the magic that thrummed beneath my skin, desperate for it to respond. I thrust my hand out as if summoning a shield, but nothing happened.

The forest around me felt alive with energy—thick and oppressive—but my own power remained frustratingly dormant.

Laughter melted through the trees, but then it was in my mind. In my thoughts.

Mocking me.

“Please!” I cried out and my voice was raw with desperation and fury.

The ground beneath my feet trembled, and I felt a spark of warmth surge through me, but it fizzled into nothingness before I could harness it. The shapes loomed larger in the darkness and their whispers seeped deeper into my mind as dread threatened to envelop my senses.

“Stop!” I shouted as I spun around and planted my feet firmly against the damp earth.

I focused hard and closed my eyes tight as the chill of the night air wrapped around me like a noose.

With all my strength, I tried again, only to unleash a wild burst of violet energy that spiraled harmlessly into the trees, cracking branches like dry twigs.

“That’s all?” The voice was clear in the darkness. Unfamiliar. But the scorn… I recognized that brand of scorn. I’d heard it before. Countless times in the halls of Messana Academy.

“Try again, little one!” a voice jeered from the darkness, the laughter echoing with malice, reverberating against the trees. I shot a desperate glance over my shoulder, adrenaline surging through my veins. They were close. Too close.

“Dario’s daughter,” a voice sneered. “He’d be so ashamed to see you— pale spark.”

“Get away from me!” I screamed, spinning around to face the encroaching shadows. I raised my hands, willing my magic to respond. A vibrant spark of violet flame and smoke gathered against my palm, and I felt a twinge of victory.

That was more like it.

I’d sacrificed too much to fail—

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