Page 18 of Wicked Angel
“Keep your focus,” Max said under his breath. He didn’t give Thrallgon any information, just a cold smile. “We have something you’ll want.”
Thrallgon’s gaze flicked over our group, his eyes lingering on each of us before settling on me. A shiver ran through me as his grin widened. “Oh, I see. A tasty morsel you’ve brought me. So much magic, so raw.”
“Here’s the deal,” Max said, his voice cold. “We give you a chance at her magic. You cooperate, we let you live. If you don’t …”
Thrallgon let out a wheezing laugh, but the hunger in his gaze was clear. “You’ll kill me? Come on, Max, we all know you can’t.”
“Look around, Thrallgon.” Max spread his hands wide. “I think with this group, we can.”
The demon glanced around us, taking us all in. I imagined he had some kind of special power that let him sense everyone’s magic.
He grimaced. “Very well.”
Max motioned for us to prepare, and the witches and warlocks stepped forward, forming a semi-circle around me. I handed the crystal to Lacey, who placed it in the center of their formation, murmuring a spell to activate it. The gem flared with a bright green light, sending ripples of energy through the air.
Max gestured toward the barrier, and it shimmered before pulling apart, creating an opening just large enough for me to step through. My heart pounded in my chest as I crossed the threshold, every instinct screaming at me to run.
But there was no turning back now.
Thrallgon’s expression shifted from amusement to ravenous hunger as I stepped closer. He raised a bony hand, and I felt a sickening pull, like something was reaching inside me and tugging at my core. My knees buckled, and I gasped as the foreign magic began to seep out of me, drawn toward him like iron to a magnet.
The witches chanted, focusing on the crystal as it began to glow brighter, its light turning into a shield around me. I could feel the crystal trying to hold on to my true magic, but the strain was immense, like trying to stop a flood with a thin wall of glass.
“He’s too strong!” Abbie shouted, her voice trembling with effort. “I’m not sure the crystal can hold him off!”
Levi’s eyes flashed with determination. “Take my power. Use whatever you need.”
Farrah stepped closer, adding her voice to the chant. “Mine too. Just hold on.”
A surge of energy flowed into the crystal, bolstering its power, and I felt the strain ease slightly. But Thrallgon’s pull grew stronger, his mouth twisting into a triumphant sneer. The cave walls trembled, and I bit back a scream as the last of the foreign magic tore free from my body, leaving only my own power behind.
“Now!” Levi shouted, reaching for me. The witches and warlocks pulled me out of the barrier just as Thrallgon’s eyes blazed with darkfire. He thrust a hand toward me, and a bolt of black flames shot through the air.
It struck the crystal, which flared one last time, absorbing the impact before fizzling out, its glow extinguished. The crystal fell to the ground, lifeless, its power spent.
Thrallgon’s laughter filled the cavern, a deep, echoing sound that sent chills through me. He raised his arms, and the barrier around the chamber cracked, then shattered like glass.
“With all this magic, you thought you could contain me?” he sneered, his voice filled with malice. “Now you will all burn.”
Fire and ice rained down from above, the air filled with illusions that twisted the space around us. Darkfire seared through the air, barely missing me as I ducked. I summoned a bolt of light and hurled it at him, the energy crackling in my palms before launching forward. It struck Thrallgon in the chest, sending him staggering back.
Levi was on him in an instant, tackling the demon to the ground, but Thrallgon shifted beneath him, transforming into a massive wolf. He lunged at me, fangs bared, but Levi intercepted, grappling with the creature.
Max appeared out of nowhere, moving with blinding speed. He brought his Dawnblade down on the demon’s back, and Thrallgon howled in pain, his form shifting back to his human shape.
“It won’t stop him for long!” Max warned, his voice tight.
Jasmin stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. She knelt beside the demon, her hands glowing with a dark, swirling energy.
“Let’s see if you taste as foul as you look,” she murmured, before pressing her hands against Thrallgon’s chest.
A ripple of power surged through the air as she began to drain the demon’s essence. Thrallgon’s mouth twisted into a silent scream, his body convulsing as his soul was ripped from him, bit by bit. I watched, my breath held, as Jasmin’s expression shifted from focus to strain, her skin paling.
“Are you okay?” Lacey called, her voice edged with worry.
Jasmin gasped, her body shuddering as she continued to draw in the demon’s power. “It’s… a lot,” she managed, her voice tight with effort. “I just need to?—”
The demon’s body went slack beneath her hands. Without wasting a second, Max brought down his Dawnblade, piercing the demon’s chest. Its form crumbled like ash.
