Page 117 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

Promises, promises, she singsonged. Now stop flirting and tell me how to kill Elana when I find her.

Claire

Cyrus’s roar of frustration sent a chill down my spine.

Yeah, I’d pissed him off.

But we were out of time. One look at the spirit realm and he’d know that. Exos had put up one hell of a fight, but the darkness swarming around Elana was beginning to overpower him. I suspected it was because of me. Exos couldn’t go full Spirit King without jeopardizing my access to the source, thereby weakening me. And the stubborn male would never allow that.

I knew, because I’d do the same.

We all sacrificed sanity for love.

Hence my presence in this ghastly tunnel.

Fortunately, it’d opened up after the entrance, allowing me to walk along the rocks rather than crawl. But I had no idea where this led, and the light down here was nonexistent.

A very small flame flickered over my fingertips, the passage not entirely underground. Or maybe that was wishful thinking, because I felt my elements draining with each step.

I paused, frowning. Cyrus? I asked, realizing he hadn’t replied to my question about how to kill Elana.

Static flowed back at me.

Not good.

Either I was wrong about the depth of this maze or something had happened.

What if Mortus turned on him? I wondered, glancing backward, my feet caught between moving toward Elana to save Exos and retreating to check on Cyrus. She’s the source, I thought, taking a breath. If Mortus is under mind control again, it’s because of Elana. The best way to save them both is to proceed.

Killing her would protect them all.

I just hoped I wasn’t too late.

Picking up my pace, I continued onward, searching with the flickers of my spirit energy for Elana’s signature.

Nothing.

As if she were dead and buried. Because she couldn’t access her elements down here?

My lips curled downward. Hmm, that wasn’t right. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be engaged in a battle with Exos right now.

Which meant that not only was she using her natural gifts but they were also strong.

I hastened my stride into a jog, determined. This had to lead to somewhere, a meadow or a field. An outside source that granted her access to the elements.

Unless we were completely wrong about this being her hiding place, in which case we were all royally fucked.

No.

I refused to think like that.

My heart warmed as I pushed on, my instincts taking over as I allowed the elements to guide me. A twinge of life here. A taste of earth there. And a fire that burned brighter with each step.

Yes.

This is the right way.

Somehow, I just knew. As if it were my fate leading me to the ultimate duel.

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