Page 24 of Midnight Magic

"Rowan!" Oliver called to me, his voice laced with urgency, and I turned my attention back to him. "Keep him occupied. I'll finish this!"

I nodded, my heart pounding as I faced my brother once more. He’d gone silent, his eyes closed. Was he accepting his defeat? That seemedhighlyunlikely.

Gathering more energy, I kept my powers at the surface, ready to strike out if needed.

Suddenly, Casimir's form shimmered, and he vanished in a burst of lightning from the sky, leaving nothing but a smoky residue behind. He had teleported himself out of the fiery circle.

"Damn it," I muttered, scanning the cave for any sign of him. “I didn’t know we could do that.”

Then, without warning, Casimir reappeared behind me, a malevolent grin on his face. Before I could react, he sent a surge of electricity through the ground, creating a shockwave that knocked me off my feet. I cried out in pain as my body convulsed from the electric current.

"Rowan!" Callan’s voice echoed in the distance.

But Cas wasn't done. He approached, his eyes filled with a twisted delight. "You were always the weaker one," he sneered. "Too compassionate, too soft. An abomination. Just give me what I want. You are only prolonging the inevitable."

Summoning all the strength I could muster, I focused on the lightning within me, gathering more. With a defiant burst, I sent a torrent of electricity toward Cas, catching him by surprise. He screamed as the lightning surged through him, and his body convulsed.

Gasping for breath, I forced myself to my feet, my vision still blurred from the shockwave. Cas laid on the ground, twitching. He was injured, but I couldn't let my guard down.

Oliver appeared by my side, concern etched across his face. "Are you alright, Rowan?"

I nodded, panting heavily. "I'll live. But we need to finish this."

Nia continued to manipulate the water with finesse, creating a swirling vortex that entrapped the nagas, rendering them momentarily immobile. Her concentration was evident as she struggled to maintain control over the elemental forces. "We need to go, now!" she shouted over the chaos.

Callan, still engaged in a fierce struggle with Lexi, understood the urgency. His panther form lunged at Lexi, teeth bared, momentarily pushing her back and keeping her from pursuing us.

Oliver's flames blazed brighter as he created a wall of fire to deter Roxy, jumping in to help Finn with the powerful witch. "We'll hold them off! Rowan, get to the temple, you’ll be protected inside!"

Finn conjured a swirling gust of wind that created a temporary barrier between our group and our adversaries. "Move! We’ll be right behind you," he urged.

I ran. Finn’s air power now coupled with Oliver’s fire as they created a fearsome wall that bought me precious time. The temple loomed in the distance, its grandeur becoming more apparent with every step. I pushed myself harder, my adrenaline-fueled legs carrying me closer to safety. If we could just get there, we’d be momentarily safe on the inside. Cracks of lightning burst overhead, and I knew Cas would come in hot.

The sounds of battle echoed behind me, and I risked a glance, eyes widening as I saw the elemental shield flare brightly. My friends turned to follow me, Callan’s panther form breaking ahead. The temple's massive doors grew larger in my vision, and intricate runes weaving a mesmerizing pattern on the stone.

With a final burst of speed, I reached the temple doors.

ChapterSixteen

Entering the Primoris Temple was like stepping into another world—a world of tranquility and ancient magic that seemed to embrace us the moment we crossed the threshold. The temple's polished marble floors glowed with a soft, ethereal light, and the air was filled with the soothing scent of blooming flowers.

It was a jarring contrast to the chaos that brewed outside as my friends ran in behind me. I scanned their faces, grateful to see everyone had made it in. Callan’s panther brushed closely by my side.

‘Are you hurt?’

“I’m fine,” I responded aloud, severing our connection by walking ahead, toward the back of the temple.

As I ventured further in, my friends followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the grand chamber as we entered. The atmosphere was thick with an almost tangible sense of enchantment. It felt alive, full of power.

The intricate carvings adorning the walls depicted stories of ancient times and forgotten legends. The temple's magic seemed to resonate within each of us, drawing us deeper into its depths and filling us with a sense of rightness that I couldn’t explain.

I couldn't help but pause, marveling at the breathtaking surroundings. It was as if the temple itself held a secret, an answer to the questions that had plagued me for so long. I glanced back at my friends, a mixture of excitement and trepidation churning within me. I was so close to getting my memories back.

A willowy woman approached us, her pointed ears and wise demeanor a testament to the agelessness of this place. "Welcome to the Primoris Temple," she greeted us, her voice soft and melodious. "I am Vailia, the guardian of this sacred place. How may I assist you today?" Doubt consumed my mind, and I didn’t know how to respond. Vailia, as if attuned to my inner conflict, offered a reassuring smile. "Do not worry, dear child. You have a special purpose to fulfill here. We thought you might come."

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "Special purpose? Does that come with a manual?"

Vailia's laughter was like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves. "Not a manual, but guidance, if you’re lucky. Follow me. Your friends will need to stay here."

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