Page 207 of Gift from the Source
There’s a sense of calm in the routine.
Floods of Mastery continue to pour in. Now, though, it’s because they have no choice. They have nowhere to flee from Draken’s unforgiving flame that’s hitting the back of their forces, and they run past the Summum-Master straight into our gaining strength.
Heat flares at my back.
I spin around, not hesitating or second-guessing my decision as I shove my hand through the chest of the person sneaking up behind me.
Both of our eyes widen.
“Give up, Corentin. Before it’s too late.”
“Never. You picked the wrong side, Gean.”
“I know,” he breathes with his last breath.
Gean Everglow’s body slowly crumbles as I pull my hand back out of him. I can’t help but stare at his lifeless eyes. It seems everyone always has something profound to say in their last few seconds of life.
He should’ve decided before death that what he was doing was wrong.
A whoosh of air forces its way out of my lungs when pain like I’ve never experienced slices its way across my chest, then wraps around my body.
My gift rushes back to me from all angles as I struggle to stay on my feet.
My gaze follows the familiar black smoke that’s snaking around me.
I thrash, calling on my element and gift, but they shrivel inside of me. The coils tighten their grips, slithering up my neck and forcing my head to face forward.
Feet in front of me, I stare into the face of Malvolio Choice.
“Corentin Vito. I’ve heard much about you. Although I will say, mirroring yourself was a nice surprise,” he says, and I grit my teeth as the smoke caresses my face. “Shame I’m only finding out now.”
There’s nothing for me to say to him. I’m not sure if I could speak even if I wanted to. His all-black eyes feel like they’re seeping into my soul, infecting me.
I don’t know if Xander was finally able to strip his illusion or if he’s allowing me to see his face just to horrify me.
Either way, that’s what’s happening.
Evil most certainly has a face.
It’s petrifying to flash back to only last night when for a brief moment, this is what Willow looked like. Not to the extent that he’s reached, but her eyes, her skin, the veins coursing through her. They looked as dark as his do.
I continue to glare, and he grows impatient with my silence.
“I assume as much, but tell me, how did my granddaughter react when she took my power?”
My eye twitches involuntarily and I try to smooth my features once again, but it’s impossible as I focus on blocking the pain. He sees it. His pearly white teeth and black gums prove it as he smiles.
“She couldn’t handle it. Glorious. It’ll make me claiming ownership over it once again that much easier.” He throws his head back, laughing manically, and I shake my head as best as I can.
“That…will be your downfall,” I croak.
The harrowing noise slowly fades away as he looks back at me and cocks his head to the side.
“Downfall? Now, Corentin, my boy, I’ve pegged you as being a smart one. I’ve always assumed as much, knowing who your uncle is, or shall I say was. Don’t go making me think otherwise now. Look around you. Myforces are clearing out the worthless space as we speak. Once Willow joins us, there will be nothing left of this mockery.”
“You are preaching of something you don’t even take in consideration yourself. I too have always known you to be smart, yet you continue to underestimate the greatest force to walk this realm against you. Why? Because she is your granddaughter? A female? A daughter of Elementra? What makes you truly believe you can defeat her? You may wipe out our armies, my family, myself, but you are no match for her.”
A violent coughing fit rushes through me as I used far too much of the little bit of air I have in my body. A painful tear splices my throat, and I spit the loogie of blood on the ground at his feet.
