Mage Storm (Starfall Academy #2)
Prologue - Ellora
“Don’t look back!” Tishiath screamed as she shoved me through the portal.
The salty tears streaming down my face burned when they splashed onto the cuts and gouges across my chest. Tish had been the only demon to show me kindness in the years since my capture. The only one willing to help me escape.
Hellfire licked my heels, scorching my flesh as my fingers touched cool earth for the first time in forever. I dug my nails in and crawled forward, knowing if I failed now, it wasn’t just my life at stake.
Tish’s agonized cries echoed across the glowing opening, accompanied by growls and snarls.
One last shriek seared my brain before her screams cut off abruptly.
Vicious claws slashed my lower legs as the enraged hellhounds tried to follow me through the portal, but each time their paws touched the boundary between the two realms, witch fire blazed with the heat of a thousand suns, scorching their skin.
Their furious howls followed me as I finally wrenched my limbs away from their jaws and claws. The portal closed the second I crossed the threshold. When I looked back, the gateway into the hell realm had vanished.
Cold air sent goosebumps across my arms, but I welcomed it.
I pulled myself upright, wincing as the wounds on my lower legs and feet oozed blood everywhere.
The shredded remains of my gown barely covered anything, but at least I wasn’t naked.
Until my magic recovered, I had no way of conjuring clothing or even food.
The scent of sulfur followed me from the cave. Outside, dense thorny shrubs surrounded the entrance, shielding the cave from view. I pushed through, wincing as thorns tore my tender skin, leaving more fresh wounds.
High above, the sky turned from blue to lavender as the light faded. With each step that took me further away from the cave, more tears fell.
Tears for Tish, the loyal friend I’d left behind. Tears for the life I’d lost when that monster kidnapped me. For the witch I would have been if my coven hadn’t betrayed me.
I staggered through the trees at the bottom of the slope, my lips cracked with thirst. Exhaustion dragged me to my knees. It was impossible to keep my eyes open. My magic reserves were empty. I had nothing left except a fierce determination to live.
The light faded as I stumbled on, following a faint trail. The portal moved from one day to the next, which meant I had no clue where in the world I was.
When the trees thinned to reveal a small stream, I sobbed with relief. The fast-flowing water slid down my throat like the sweetest wine: fresh and cold. It soothed my parched mouth and washed away the blood, ash, and dust that clung to my limbs.
Ice-cold water numbed the wounds on my legs as I whispered thanks to the goddess for giving me the strength to re-seal the realm after Nymon took me. The magic should have trapped me down there forever, but with Tish’s help, I’d escaped.
Nymon would do anything to drag me back, but with the portal sealed once again, he didn’t stand a chance.
The moon rose as the sun sank below the horizon, bathing me in silvery light, and high above, a million stars glittered like diamonds.
Time passed.
I dozed, exhausted from the journey, too tired to care much about any potential threats in the vicinity.
It wasn’t until callused fingers brushed my cheek that I realized someone was there.
When I opened my eyes, a male with shoulder-length dirty blond hair and bright blue eyes crouched next to me, his brow furrowed in concern. The last flicker of magic inside me flared brightly for a second, and I gasped.
From his shocked expression, he’d reached the same conclusion as me.
We were soul-bonded mates.
Against all odds, we’d found each other.
The handsome male reached for me, gently lifting my broken body from the pool. Was he a shifter? He had the muscles, but it seemed unlikely. Shifters and witches rarely mated. No, he had to be a mage, but I couldn’t sense his magic.
Or maybe I was just too tired and burned out after expending so much energy to open the portal.
“What’s your name, pretty lady?” His honeyed, comforting voice lit a fire deep inside me.
“Ellora.” Whispering that one word cost me energy I didn’t have, and I rested my cheek on his warm chest, close to passing out again.
“I’m Adam. Let’s get you somewhere safe.
My cabin isn’t too far away.” Delight in finding his other half seeped into my soul.
This was a kind male. He cradled me in his arms, and when I dared to peek at him through damp tendrils of hair, his smile coaxed my exhausted magic back to life, warming the cold, dead fragments of my ravaged heart.
His sharp gaze checked my body for injuries before a frown appeared when he saw the way the wet fabric of my dress draped over the gentle swell of my belly. The joy in his eyes faded as the muscles in his arms tightened around my body in shock.
“You’re pregnant?”