Page 94 of Riftborne
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, callingforth the webbing. Its strands pulsed with anticipation as they coiled around my vertebrae. Each fiber seemed to hum with satisfaction, weaving itself upward, eager to fulfill its purpose. But this time, I commanded it. I was in control. I could feel its every movement as if it were an extension of my own being.
“You were able to worm your way into the ear of a Sídhe General. You manipulated him into demoting me. It’s blasphemous. I’m a Soleil—one of the chosen protectors of the land, graced with the most powerful focus of all. To turn enemies to ash.” Baelor looked to the sky and closed his eyes.
At this distance, he could incinerate me in a second.
“You got yourself demoted. I had nothing to do with it.” The web was thrumming through the bond as it wound around my mind, lying in wait for the right moment.
“If you care about this realm as much as you pretend to, just sacrifice yourself to the flames now. I’ll make your death quick.” He looked upon me, a smile creeping up his lips, but his eyes were still distant, hollow. He stepped backwards, putting a great distance between us.
"I’d love to see you try.” The words slipped out before I knew what I was saying. But they felt good.
His eyes blazed, lighting from within. Fire enveloped his hands, and his smile widened.
I goaded the tendrils, preparing them to strike. They flittered out of me so effortlessly now. I could almost feel their rage meshing with my own. They wanted to attack just as much as I did.
“Your death will fortify the land,” he said, and the clearing went silent.
Fire erupted from Baelor, shooting towards me, bright orange specks flying in all directions.
With my eyes locked fiercely on him, the webbing orbiting his mind came to life. I couldn’t help the smile that crept from thecorners of my lips as the wind whipped around me, raising my hair in a wild frenzy, like a tempest swirling above my head.
Time seemed to move in slow motion.
In an instant, I was weightless. My feet lifted from the ground. Energy crackled and surged, radiating from the very core of my being until my eyes burned, turning my vision white.
I let the power go.
It struck into him, making contact with Baelor’s mind, but it didn’t attack. It didn’t squeeze... The fibers caressed it gently and began spreading like an insidious vine, seeking, probing. It was intoxicating. A rush of euphoria flooded through me.
The webbing purred as it found its mark, and a whisper surged through the fibers connecting us, illuminating something I couldn’t quite understand.
But I wanted to.
My vision snapped back to see the flames, just a mere breath from my face, retreat.They thrashed as they were pulled back into Baelor’s hands.
His body stood rigid, like there was no one behind the glowing eyes. Slowly, the last spark died out, and Baelor trembled in response.
A hush moved through the crowd as Baelor lowered himself, kneeling before me.
And then it clicked.
Iwas in control.
Leave this clearing.I sent the words through the bond.
I could feel his mind fighting in resistance, but it was no use. He was going to do what I told him. I don’t know how I knew. I justdid.
Baelor rose to his feet. His movements were rigid and unnatural as he walked toward the tree line. Every eye was fixed upon him as he brushed against the bristles of an evergreen and disappeared from sight.
I released the webbing's hold on Baelor's mind, the shimmeringstrands sinking back into my being as I felt the solid ground beneath my feet once more.
Reality hit me like a jolt of electricity as I saw the shocked faces of my friends. I felt everyone’s eyes on me. A distant part of me wanted to disappear. I shifted my weight nervously as Raine shook her head in amazement and began clapping.
Briar followed suit, along with Osta and Nazul, and it spread through the crowd slowly from one side to the other until the entire clearing was echoing the sound.
“The Riftborne’s a fucking legend!” Someone shouted, and they all erupted in cheers. Before I knew it, they were rushing me and hoisting me up on their shoulders, carrying me around the clearing and chanting.
My mind was still reeling from the shock of it all, but I forced myself to smile. Sibyl herself couldn’t have foreseen this turn of events.
