Page 32 of Magic & Secrets
The Sorcerer removed a small bag from his larger one. This foul spell was enough to burn my eyes. Something black seepedfrom the fabric. As he lifted his arm to throw, I prepared for the pain.
Rather than send the magic at me, the Sorcerer threw it over my head and toward where the warriors battled and Delta struggled against easy opponents.
I shouldn’t look back. My target was so close, yet I couldn’t help myself. The infernal magic had once again sent my mind spiraling.
Turning back toward where the dark spell was flung, I saw the moment it hit the warriors. A magenta sizzle filled the air, followed by a deafening explosion.
Fiery magic exploded outward. Turning my head, I found the Sorcerer afraid. This wasn’t supposed to happen. As I reached for him, a burst of energy tore through us both.
I heard hollers of pain from my packmates. As he tumbled from the sky, Koda’s wings were ablaze. Delta howled in agony, barely audible over the Wolf Shifters’ cries.
And somewhere in the wails of suffering was my Calla’s voice crying out my name.
Before my form could adjust to the magic ripping through my flesh, the magic shifted. All the power blown outward was sucked right back to the center point.
I felt the magic tear through me again. Every cell in my body was on fire. The Sorcerer stared in horror right before his body disintegrated into black ash.
My gaze searched for Calla, finding her trapped in a whirlwind of fiery magic. Currents of yellow, silver, and magenta swirled around the warriors.
Nearby, Delta struggled, step after step, toward the females. Not for Calla. I thought I heard him calling out to Mina.
Koda dropped to the ground near the circle of magic. I couldn’t see Calla clearly, but she was still alive. Even as the WolfShifters turned to ash, the warriors persevered. Forcing my body toward the scorching circle, I saw the females huddled together.
Just before the magic shifted again, I heard Calla in my head, asking about the baby dragon form. I saw her smiling at me. I felt her soft touch on my skin.
A smile warmed my face as the magic exploded again, tearing through my body and wrapping my mind in darkness.
Calla
THE EXPLOSION DEAFENEDme. I held onto Enya and Mina as the blistering whirlwind trapped us. My Armgard magic yanked at my flesh, trying to tear me apart. As the magic shifted outward again, I lost my grip on my sisters. I reached for Mina with one hand and Enya with another. We stared wide-eyed at each other as the magic’s power tore us apart.
I was sent flying into a void. My mind fought to remain intact as I dropped into the darkness.
“To a new world order!” declared a male voice.
Dropping through the void, Solme Divige gave me visions of Ivitithi’s worshippers plotting to steal power from the Murade.
“We need the blood of the most powerful creatures still walking the land!” a Necromancer called out.
I saw through the eyes of a member of the cult. Looking around, I tried to zero in on the leaders. This Necromancer was likely the one killed by Roque and his packmates. Who else led this cult?
I pushed past the Shifters, Vampyres, Elves, and Goblins crowded together and staring at the stage.
I heard another male voice declaring, “We will begin with the Bane Shifters! Their magic comes from an ancient one! The Murade will be defeated thanks to their own beasts!”
As I tried to push through the mass of bodies to see those in charge, the ground dropped out from under my feet.
The void opened to reveal that I was in a free fall above a dense wetland. In the distance, I spotted what looked like theElven city of Elatalora. I realized the failed spell had transported me to Varema Territory.
My body crashed through the primeval trees of Pandorium Forest before I dropped onto the moist ground. The impact forced the air from my lungs. My body felt broken and limp.
A musky scent teased my nostrils. I fought to lift my head and examine my surroundings. There were no signs of my sisters or the Bane Shifters. Lowering my head, I screwed my eyes shut and fought tears.
Despair kept me lifeless on the ground. I didn’t have the will to fight anymore. My heart felt heavy. Was there any point in living without my sisters and Roque?
After an unknown amount of time, my nostrils picked up a familiar scent. My heart began to race. I felt hopeful again, even if my body remained slack on the ground.
Roque lifted me from the mud and cradled my body against his powerful build. I inhaled his familiar scent and let the horrors fade from my mind. Hope dug its way back into my thoughts. I was no longer ready to give up.
