Chapter 39
Thirty-Nine
BECKS
The gash in my chest is leaking blood, my broken wing is screaming, and I think my shoulder might be dislocated, but none of that matters because the demon is headed straight for Haven.
As a dragon, my thoughts aren’t as complex. My world is whittled down to two things.
Protect Haven. Destroy the demon.
I thrash against the dark smoke chains binding me, but every movement only makes them tighten.
Unable to use my voice to tell her to run, I roar, but she’s frozen in place, terror splashed across her face.
Expanding my chest, I stoke my fire, letting it build in heat and magic before releasing a stream of flames at the demon. But just like before, my magic and fire have no effect on it.
The demon nears Haven, the onslaught not even fazing it. And she’s still just standing there, doing nothing.
I go absolutely feral, bucking and twisting, roaring loud enough to be heard for miles. Bones in my broken wing grate together; agony rips through me.
But I. Don’t. Care.
I need to save her. Have to save her.
I’m somehow able to rise from the ground, the smoky cords squeezing so tightly I feel the slender bones in my other wing start to break, but I won’t let that stop me.
As if sensing I’m close to freeing myself, the demon turns its eyeless head toward me and flicks a clawed hand. More cords snap tight, binding my limbs and long neck, before yanking me back to the ground.
It’s a struggle to even breathe, let alone fight against the demon’s dark magic.
Hope sinks like a boulder in water.
This can’t be happening. I can’t lose her.
Haven glances from the approaching demon over to me. Our gazes connect. There isn’t fear in her eyes, only sadness.
She mouths the words, “I love you,” right before her hands light with magenta and purple flames.
It makes sense now. She’s not running because she’s planning on fighting the demon.
Something a little like renewed hope flickers in my chest. We already know she’s the only one who has the power to destroy the demon. My magic doesn’t affect it, but maybe Haven’s will.
But can she defeat it without having fully awakened her magic?
Determination flickers across her face as she focuses back on the demon.
I’ve never been so proud of someone, and so terrified for them at the same time.
But now there’s only one choice left.
For her life. For the lives of humans and creatures in both worlds.
Fight, Haven. Fight.