Page 202 of Gift from the Source
So much…
“Healer,” I bellow. “Get me a fucking healer now. Vince, stay with me, stay with me, man.”
“Draken,” he mumbles as his eyes flutter.
“Yeah, kitty cat. I’m here, just hold on. Someone who can actually help is coming.” I look around, only to see a fucking war still raging on. Our people are fighting for their lives. And currently losing. “Someone’s coming,” I choke out the lie.
“I’m ready, Draken,” he says with a small smile.
“No, no, no,” I beg, clutching his outstretched hand. “You’re not ready. Just hold the fuck on for me, okay?”
“I never wanted to be an instructor. Did you know that?” He gurgles.
“Shut up and stop wasting your energy,” I demand as I shove magic into him, only for it to be given right back to me. He chuckles as blood dripples from the corner of his mouth.
“My pride’s been gone for a long time. I promised them I wouldn’t follow them. I’d find a purpose. And I did. First it was the shifters who couldn’t control their beast, then it was you. I’ve learned so much from you.”
“I haven’t learned enough from you. You can’t go, Vince. Layton, Carrington, Walker, and all the other students. We need you,” I beg as his eyes start drifting closed.
“They don’t. They have you now, dragon.”
A single breath falls from his chest, then he falls still.
“Vince,” I murmur, shaking him. “Vince.”
Nothing.
My roar burns through my throat as I scream at the sky.
I give myself over to the grief of losing the only person who’s ever accepted me from the moment they met me outside of my own family.
He was family.
My beast takes control.
Corentin
One hour and forty-six minutes.
That’s how long it’s been since Willow woke us up and we found out about her true nature and gift.
Then her vision that led us to where we are now.
Sixteen minutes.
That’s how long it’s been since the Mastery’s illusion washed over us and pulled us apart. That was the last time I had eyes on her or Caspian.
Twenty-two out of twenty-three of our direct family stepped onto this battlefield with us.
I only have ten in my line of sight.
Tanith fell out of the sky four minutes ago.
Draken moved out of my peripheral one minute later.
Nineteen E.F. members have died in front of me.
Ducking, I flip over the Mastery member who charges directly for me. As his back slams into the ground below me, I shove my light straight through his heart.
