Page 54 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Three.”

“Then you can run headlong into whatever crazy dangerous shit you want.”

“One.”A bolt of power flies from Duncan at a clueless Zee.

Zac jolts forward in sync with Nathan, grabbing a stunned Zee under his arms. They run towards the temple.

“He’ll struggle to forgive us,” Duncan says, watching them retreat.

“I couldn’t give a rat’s ass, at least he’ll be alive to hold a grudge.” The largest griffin circles above the dome of protection, his eyes tracking the guys. I don’t like the way they narrow, this one is too intelligent for his own good, or ours.

“Tell me when they are safe,” I tell Duncan. He glances behind him. Seconds feel like hours as the smaller griffins continue to attack the shield, the largest one tracking each wince I make. Great, we’re dealing with the Einstein version of a griffin.

“They’re inside,” Duncan murmurs, turning his attention to the leader of the pack. Or is it a flock? “What’s the plan?”

I glare at the griffin. “We need to take out their leader. He seems like the brains of the operation.” Another griffin bounces off my shield in a tumble of white feathers and tawny fur, tumbling to the ground.

“Agreed.”

“I’m going to shrink the bubble.”

Duncan grabs my arm. “Wait, can you expand it?”

I frown. “I’m already over reaching to include the temple.”

“Could you do it for a few seconds?”

“Maybe, why?”

“Push out as far as you can, then give me a count of three before you drop it.”

Understanding dawns. My way would have been idiotic. Sucking in a breath, I pack the pain tight in the back of mind. I can go to pieces later. Right now, we need to survive. I shove at my power with all my might, calling upon air for reinforcements. It whooshes around me, tossing my braid over my shoulder before fortifying the edge of the dome. I grit my teeth and plant my feet apart. Power zips from me and zooms outwards, the bubble expands, knocking back the startled looking boss griffin and his followers. I keep going. “That’s enough, Locks!” Duncan shouts.

I drop the shield and with it my mental barriers. Power explodes in my chest as I let everything out. Duncan curses a blue streak as my limp body descends to the ground. My legs crumple and my arms flop like noodles. Aw hell, this fall will not be fun. I spy the tiny cluster of rocks hurtling towards my temple and curse my bad luck. I screw my eyes closed and prepare for the sharp pain in my head. Agony explodes in my left side, and with a whoosh I’m lifted into the air. I snap my eyes open and come face to face with a beast. My head twists and I spy Duncan hurtling power at the other griffins. I know they are like cannon fodder for this creature who seems intent on taking me to the highest possible point he can, before he drops me and I land like a poorly executed fried egg on the ground.

I wriggle, if I can get free now I might survive the fall. Talons dig deeper into my side, a scream of pure agony rips from me.

“Locks!”

“Duncan, I can’t break free.”

“If you can, cover yourself in water.”

“Huh?”

“Do it!”

You know when you’re so exhausted, you’re ready to face plant the nearest horizontal surface? Then someone tells you, do one last thing which requires energy and you curse out their entire existence and dig your fingers into their eyeballs in hopes they’ll get the point and go away? Duncan was right there with his command the elements comment. Still, he has a plan and unless I wanted to be griffin chow, I needed to get with the program. I reach out, my mind connecting with the sea like an extension of myself. I gave it a garbled message, fighting the encroaching dark spots on my vision. Was it me or was the air getting thin?

Cool water surrounds my entire form.“Head too,”Duncan instructs. If I wasn’t destined to be a griffin happy meal, I was going to drown by my own hand. What. A. Day.

Water rushes around my face, but instead of being underwater, it wraps around me like a helmet. If I had the energy, I’d be impressed right now. The griffin vibrates before letting out a deafening growl. I wince. A hot rush of blue flames hits it square in the face, and for a second, its talons dig deeper. The water drops from me in a shower and the flames draw back. Bile explodes into my mouth. Bloody flesh hangs from its face, and raw, burned holes replace his beady, intelligent eyes. The talons release and I hurtle towards the ground. Brilliant plan, Duncan. If he was expecting the elements to save me, he was fresh out of luck. I have no power left. I close my eyes and pray mythical beings who weren’t quite gods, but not quite human were made of sturdy stuff. If not, consider this my descent into hell.

Air explodes out of my lungs. Vomit rushes up, I turn and spit it out. The ground is hovering a yard away from my face. What on earth? “I’ve got you,” Duncan whispers as he runs towards the temple. The bumpy ride in his arms jolts my injuries, causing warm, sticky blood to trickle out.

The air transforms from hot and clammy to dark and damp in a sudden contrast. The sunshine disappears as we run down a hill into an underground chamber. “What the fuck were you thinking!” Zee hollers from somewhere on my left. Duncan lays me down, four worried faces appearing above me.

“Good. You’re not dead,” Zac mutters. Eye rolling takes energy, who knew?

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