CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE #3
The Guardian howled, and its anger shook the air around them. But the trap lasted only a second. The fist sank into the terrae to reform and free itself of the Space magic.
Evylin darted forward before The Living Land could rise from its stooped position. She leaped onto the arm and charged up its length. She’d barely scrambled to the shoulder before it resumed its full, towering height.
Deckard’s stomach clenched, but he refused to worry about her. She was a Warrior. Battle was what she was made for.
While Evylin slashed at the Guardian’s shoulder, neck, jaw, and ear, Deckard riddled it with holes. Colossal mountains of dirt began to crumble onto the tiled floors. Thom, Rafferty, and Brea scrambled away, unable to draw near without putting themselves in danger of being buried.
Enraged, The Living Land bellowed, swatting out furiously.
Its arms sailed through the air. Brea shoved Thom down, avoiding a blow, but the fist landed in the center of Rafferty’s chest. He flew back, slamming into a column.
Then the Guardian convulsed in on itself, dissipating in a sudden shower of grass and terrae.
And from the great height, Evylin began to fall.
Deckard thrust his hands out, his heart in his throat. A circular disk of obsidian crystal formed beneath her. Her body landed on it with a thunk.
“That hurt!” she called good-naturedly.
Deckard breathed easily, guiding the disk to drift to the ground. Evylin swung her legs over the edge and leaped the short distance down. He let the magic go.
Ethenn and Ilain approached from the far side of the room. The Terrae Relic glowed brightly in her hands.
Near his side, Brea eyed Deckard with interest. “You have fast reflexes,” she noted.
“It’s not the first time I’ve had to save her life that way,” he said.
A tingle rushed along his skin as the magic drifted around his hands.
Though Space still murmured in his head, it hadn’t overtaken him.
Somehow, he was steady, working with the magic rather than against it.
And when he released it, it didn’t fight him.
Evylin’s laughter soothed over him as she stepped up to their side. “Says the man who’s nearly died every time we’ve entered a Keep,” she bantered.
“I did just fine in the Wind and Time Keeps, thank you very much.”
“Hey,” Thom interrupted, kneeling at Rafferty’s side. The weasel sat propped against the column he’d collided with. “We could use some help over here.”
The group hurried over. Rafferty held his side, and his face bore a few scrapes, but he otherwise didn’t look the worse for wear. “What’s wrong?” Deckard asked.
“Not sure,” Rafferty said, then gasped and grimaced. “It hurts to breathe, though.”
Deckard let out a weak laugh. “I can relate,” he said. “Do you think you can run?”
“Maybe,” Rafferty said dubiously.
Ilain crouched next to him and set a hand on his chest. Rafferty let out a small grunt of pain as she prodded him. “You’ve got a fierce touch, lady flame,” he grumbled through clenched teeth. “No wonder little Lox decided it wouldn’t work out.”
Ilain gave him a bland look but ignored the comment. “He’s punctured a lung,” she said. “He can run with us, but he can’t fight.”
“Can you heal it?” Deckard asked.
“The more healing I do, the more energy I lose,” she said, and for the first time, Deckard noticed how tired she looked. “And the more difficult our exit will be.”
Deckard pressed his lips together, drawing in a long breath. His side spasmed, but he tried to ignore it.
Evylin shifted at his side, looking up at him with sudden agitation. “You’re not serious,” she said accusingly.
Ignoring the pain, he furrowed his brow. “What?”
“I can feel what you feel, you idiot,” she said, worried. “Why didn’t you say you were injured?”
Everyone turned to him in shock.
“It’s nothing,” Deckard assured them. “Just a bruise, I’d imagine.”
Thom shook his head and gestured to Ilain. “Check him,” he said.
Deckard sighed as Ilain crossed to him. “Where?” she ordered. He gestured to his ribcage. She pressed on the wound lightly, then huffed. “Oh, yes,” she said in a mocking tone. “You’re completely fine. Just a cracked rib. No problem there.”
“Jonn!” Evylin gasped. “When did this happen?”
“When the Shade knocked me off the path,” he said, trying to placate her. “I’m fine, though.”
“But it hurts?” Ilain asked.
“Yes, but it’s manageable.”
“A cracked rib is manageable?” Brea asked with skepticism.
Ilain dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “He’s a Mage in a Keep. The magic that flows around us takes the edge off. And I’ll grant that it’s a very small crack, but it’s got to make breathing hellish.”
“I can run and fight,” Deckard said. “That’s all that matters.”
Thom scoffed, and Evylin rolled her eyes.
Gathered together now, Ilain turned to Ethenn, holding out the emerald amulet in her hands. “I’d like the Wind Relic,” she said.
Ethenn’s brow furrowed curiously, but he made the exchange.
Thom voiced their collective question aloud. “Wouldn’t it be better for you to carry Terrae since you’re not as strong with it?”
“That’s the exact reason I shouldn’t keep it,” Ilain said, hanging the Wind Relic around her neck.
She flicked her fiery hair out from under its chain.
“Wind is my second, which means it will drain far less energy from me when I use it. Terrae would wear me down far too fast. Now, help Rafferty up.”
Thom did as requested, and Ilain looked up at Deckard. “Lead us out of here, Colonel,” she said.
Deckard surveyed the troop in one quick sweep. “With Rafferty’s injury, he’ll need to be defended. Thom,” his brother met his gaze, “can you handle that?”
“Don’t worry,” Thom said, then ruffled Rafferty’s white-blond hair affectionately. “I’ll get our little weasel outta here alive.”
Rafferty slapped at his hands, then gasped in pain and grabbed his side again.
“Ethenn, Ilain—” Deckard gave them a searching look. “I’d still like you to work together.”
Ilain raised her chin. “It isn’t me who has the problem, Jonn.”
Ethenn ground his teeth but said, “Whatever you command, sir.”
“Good. Put aside your differences and take the back.” Deckard turned to Brea. “Stick with Vayden and Isla. Focus on protecting them and supporting Thom if he needs it.” He met Evylin’s gaze. “We’ll take the front.”
Marching for the staircase, Evylin and Deckard took the lead. “You’re sure about this?” she asked, worry glinting in the amber of her eyes.
“I promise,” he brushed his hand against hers, “I’m just fine.”
“Don’t black out on me this time,” she ordered. “I can’t take that again.”
“I won’t leave you alone ever again.”
They ascended the staircase, winding back to the top of the Keep. When they neared the door, Deckard reached for his magic once more, letting it coil up his arms. The heat of magic singed his veins, and the world grew shadowed.
Evylin reached for the door, meeting his gaze.
Rather than the questioning he expected to see there, her countenance reflected nothing but unerring confidence in him and his magic.
As his Warrior, she was ready to take on the Keep at his side, and it sent a surge of reassurance through him while his power whispered earnestly in his head.
At his resolute nod, Evylin opened the door.
Deckard raised his hands, and a shower of onyx shards pierced the waiting wave of Shades.
She slipped out and began to tear through them, her sword flashing in the light.
Mountains of dirt exploded all around, crashing into each other as the creatures died.
As if in slow motion, Deckard watched the powerful spray of dirt, realizing its descent would block their path.
On instinct, he gestured in an upward arc.
Glittering, twin walls of Space magic burst up, protecting their pathway.
Deckard hurried behind Evylin, the rest of the troop following.
United in their attacks, Bonded Warrior and Mage led the charge with nearly unstoppable power.
Space magic flew through the Keep, cutting down Shade after Shade.
Evylin defended Deckard from any creature that neared their path.
In response, his magic protected their perimeter with increasing spikes of power.
Pure, raw force tore out of his body. It was incredible and intoxicating.
Perhaps the only thing more truly stunning was the woman fighting at his side.
His instincts drew him to tap into her magic as she waged battle beside him.