Page 89 of Fate Unchained

The other woman sighed. “This is the way it’s done. You know that.” She shook her head. “I told Leader Arnold it was a bad idea for you to run with a vulk.”

Morana had told her she’d had a vulk lover, and he’d abandoned her. This must be when it happened.

Lilah waved her hand. Neither woman glanced her way. While Morana and her companion were clear, the edges of the room faded into nothingness. Lilah ran to the doorway behind the woman in the chair, but the harder she tried to reach the door, the farther away it appeared.

She was trapped in Morana’s memory. Or some kind of odd enchantment. Panting, she whirled back to face the enchanter.

“He’s mine. Only mine.” Morana’s eyes glittered. “I have the power to make him love me.”

The older woman sighed again, clutched at one arm of the chair, and dragged herself to her feet. “No, child. Let’s go talk to the clan leader—”

“No!” Morana flung her hand out. A ball of green light hit the older woman in the chest. She flew off her feet and slammed into the back of the chair. The chair tipped backward, and the older woman crumpled to the ground.

Lilah rushed to the older woman, but it was already clear she was dead.

Morana stood for a long moment. She didn’t check to see if the other woman was breathing. She drew her shoulders back, and her eyes took on a cold, hard expression. “I’ll find my vulk, and he will take me as his mate.” She crossed the room and yanked the silver dagger off the wall. “Or he won’t have anyone.”

The younger version of Morana disappeared, replaced by present-day Morana, her face pale. The vision of the small room, including the body of the older woman, still laid out before them. “What is this?”

“I just watched you murder someone.”

Morana stared around, wide-eyed, taking in the room. “I was showing you your future.”

“No. You were showing me your past.”

Morana waved her arm. “This is all false.” But her voice wavered.

“You know it isn’t.”

The enchanter schooled her expression, restoring her mask of calm with her slight smile. “No matter. This memory only shows you what I’ve already told you.” Morana raised her hands, and they glowed green. “The vulk always leave. They can’t love anyone. They won’t.”

Lilah flinched as if the words had barbs. “You’d rather I bind myself to a leshak? A creature that drinks souls?”

“Better than to a creature who has no soul. A leshak will give you all the power you’d ever want, and you’d be the one in control. He’d love you if you want.”

“That’s not love.”

Morana shook her head. “I’ve explained myself more to you than I have to any other who follows me. Are you joining me, cousin? Or do I need to convince you?” A ball of green light formed on her palm, and she drew her arm back, ready to throw.

Lilah was about to end up on the floor next to the older woman. Her stomach knotted, and sweat slicked her skin.

The rune, still in its smaller version, winked back in the air. She lifted her chin. The rune had shown up to reveal something from Morana’s past. It had come to help her. Morana had been right about one thing, Lilah hadn’t really explored her abilities as a wyrdstaave, limiting her power to unlocking books. Until Kyril had encouraged her and helped her.

Lilah let her own power surge forth. It traced its icy chill across her skin, sucking at her warmth, but her hand glowed brightly. Lilah shouted the runic word for protect.

Morana flung the ball directly at Lilah’s head.

The rune flashed brilliant gold and lit up. It surrounded her just as Morana’s magic hit. Sizzling sparks rained down on her face and arms. Small burning pinpricks burrowed into her flesh. Lilah yelped and shouted, “Urtik.” Cool air blanketed her skin, extinguishing the burns.

Morana hurled another ball, and Lilah leaped behind the still-standing chair. Her magic hit the chair in a sea of green fire. The fabric burst into flame as if it were kindling.

Lilah reeled backward. What would Kyril do?

Attack.

She swore a pulse of warmth squeezed in her chest where their bond used to be as if he were helping her. She took a deep breath and summoned her power.

Morana stepped around the blaze and raised her hand with another glowing ball of emerald. Lilah didn’t run. She grabbed the dagger from her waist, let her power surge through it, and held it at her side.

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