Chapter 39
CHAPTER
We walked in silence.
The Ashen Corps had been pushed back, but they would regroup at the field up ahead, Michlael was certain of it. He walked ahead of us in order to create an opportunity for a short ceasefire, an opening for me to speak. It was the perfect spot for either a dialogue or another ambush.
Malakai was strolling next to me, while Nate and Ashley kept in the front, carrying Mey.
My eyes were locked on her hand that danced in the air, escaping Nate’s hold.
She had been so lively, she had embraced what she was even though she spent years not knowing.
If even a fraction of humanity was like her, the world would’ve been a much better place.
My gaze shifted, as I saw the movement of Nate’s shoulders, slightly trembling with his steps, giving away his quiet sobs.
Ashley placed a hand on his back, slowly patting him, the silence eating at us.
I knew they likely weren’t sold on the new knowledge about Malakai. I’d bet Ashley had never been this quiet in her whole life.
I glanced up to Malakai, but his expression was blank.
How was he able to look so collected? Another rejection, another one calling him an abomination…
As if hearing me, his eyes turned to meet mine, and a low huff left him as he smiled faintly.
His hand reached out, grabbing me quickly and tugging me towards him.
My heart almost stopped, I had been fighting against my feelings since the attack.
He made reality come crashing down, and I wasn’t ready for it.
I wasn’t ready to feel the devastation of Mey’s death, the rejection of our squadmates towards Malakai’s nature, or Lionel’s silent goodbye as he had walked away from me yet again.
“No matter what happens,” Malakai said, low, his voice embracing me like smoke. “You’ll always be my spark.” Then his lips were on mine, softly, taking his time, but my mind was conflicted. My emotions tried pushing through but I suppressed them again.
Not now.
As slowly as he had initiated, he pulled back, his eyes glowing with a promise.
“I trust you,” I whispered against his lips. His hand caressed my cheek, before he planted a kiss on my forehead, taking my hand in his as we walked together into the open field.
Nate stopped by a small glade, carefully placing Mey against one of the last tree trunks before the open fields.
“I’ll come back for you, sit tight,” he whispered, as if she was still alive.
Maybe he was fooling his own mind, like I was, pushing the emotions away, forcing ourselves forward in the moment and delaying our feelings. There was no time to mourn right now.
But later, we would make time.
On our side were the mages, Michlael standing in the front, with Nicron at his side and a dozen other wielders.
On the other side, I saw the Ashen Corps, with Lionel and Eve standing next to a female, commander—Izera, the woman with a bob of black hair, who had stood beside Malakai at the map table back in Blackreach.
I was almost relieved to see a familiar face, perhaps one which would strengthen our cause since she knew Malakai? Wasn’t his rank above hers?
Nate and Ashley stopped behind the mages, keeping a safe distance just in case.
Ashley sent me a quick glance as we passed them, and her eyes said more than any words would’ve been able to. She was still on my side, regardless of how conflicted she might’ve been, she was still there.
“Lieutenant?” Izera gasped, as he led me to the front, placing us close to Michlael’s side.
“Lower your weapons,” Malakai ordered, not acknowledging her in the slightest.
She tensed. “I’m sorry sir, we have orders from the highest command telling us otherwise.”
Malakai tilted his head, annoyance spreading across his face, the same mask he had crafted when we first met, the very same look that tore inside of you and instilled fear.
She clearly reacted to it, averting her eyes. “What is this about?”
“We wish to speak of treaties,” Michlael stepped in. “To end the war or at least reach a lasting ceasefire, focus our attention to the south.”
“What?” Izera chuckled dryly. “Getting low on morale? Why the sudden change?”
“The demons are building an army,” I cut in, earning myself a burning glare from her.
“And you are?” Izera snapped.
“Your demise, if you don’t change that tone of yours,” Malakai threatened, and Izera straightened herself.
“The actions of the demons are the mages’ fault, not ours.” She glared at Michlael, as if sending the words to him specifically. “They should clean up their own mess. Why would we sacrifice people for their mistakes? No, the demons are their problem to handle, not ours.”
“Then,” Malakai let out a long breath. “How about I make it your problem?”
His words cut the air, my head snapping towards him in confusion as his eyes began glowing, vividly.
“What—”
His eyes turned towards me, his hand clutching my neck as he hauled me against his chest. The grip was firm, putting pressure against my throat.
“Malakai—” My hands shot up, trying to remove his hands, but they wouldn’t budge.
“This one is the first fire mage in decades,” he raised his voice, lazy, yet playful. “If I consume her, I’ll have enough energy to wipe out the entirety of your little platoon of pretend-soldiers. Is that problem enough for you?”
Izera stared at him, wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing without any progress.
Lionel tensed, watching us, but he didn’t move.
“You—” Izera stammered. “You’ve resorted to asking a demon for help?” She shot an accusing glance towards Michlael, who pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Well, well,” a voice called out within the Ashen Corps’ ranks. “Looks like he’s finally showing his true colors.”
A man stepped forth, dressed in finery, clearly of higher rank. His white suit was tailored from the finest cloth, with golden embroideries running up and down its entirety and his brown hair was slicked back underneath his hat.
Was he really of the Ashen Corps? All the people who weren’t soldiers were poor, starving, and yet this man was able to walk around dressed as if he was the king of the lands?
“Ah, Jarkas,” Malakai sneered, his wicked side returning. “I was hoping you would join us.”
Malakai dipped his head, his lips brushing against my neck, a smile lingering on them.
“Sorry, sweetie,” he whispered. “I’ll be borrowing some of that energy of yours.”
“Malakai, what are you—”
“Don’t you see?” he cut through, his voice balancing on a fine line between threat and caress. “I’m here to kill their leaders.”
My eyes widened as his teeth sunk mercilessly into my neck and I gasped.
“Abomination.” The man named Jarkas wrinkled his nose, and Michlael turned with worry spreading across his features. This wasn’t what we had signed up for.
No.
This wasn’t what I had signed up for.
“Malakai, stop!” I hissed, thrashing around in his grip.
Along with my words, his teeth retreated, his tongue lapping lazily at the wound, soothing the sting. Blood curled around us, shooting out in all directions. The scarlet threads clung to Jarkas first, his smugness wiped away with blood bursting out from all the places the threads mutilated.
Screams of agony, echoing around us as panic broke out. Ashen Corps soldiers began firing wildly at us, but Malakai simply swept their bullets away.
The mages trembled, nervously, filled with uncertainty, before the blood swirled against them as well. Michlael used his winds, pushing the sanguine onslaught back.
A gun fired, and Malakai grunted in return, turning slowly as I saw Ashley pointing her weapon firmly at him.
“Let. Her. Go,” she worded, baring her teeth.
Malakai chuckled slightly, pressing harder with his fingers against my throat. “Never.”
“Stop this,” I pleaded, my voice barely coming through as I clawed at him, my eyes desperately searching for his.
“Two more,” he whispered, his voice unnatural, untamed.
“I knew we made a mistake trusting a demon,” Michlael bit out, his eyes flaring at us. “Remember this, fire mage, this is all on you.”
At Malakai’s command, the red threads grew wilder, spreading as they snaked around Michlael, choking his magic, forcing the air out of him, before eventually gutting him from the inside.
“Michlael!” I croaked, tears beginning to pool. “Malakai, please. Stop this!”
His breath was ragged as he turned back to me, the warmth stroking my hairline. I heard his teeth clench, before he transformed into a cloud of blood spreading in the air, curling away towards the forest we had emerged from.
I panted as I fell to my knees, my lungs craving the air they were finally able to reach again. The chaos was still ongoing, as mages and soldiers began fighting each other, fear overcoming them, the loss of their leaders breaking them, forcing them into survival instincts.
To kill or be killed.
Where were Lionel and Eve? A hand landed on my shoulder and I jolted, pulling up my dagger by reflex.
“Are you okay?” Ashley asked, her voice all worried, her eyes moving to my neck.
“Yes,” I answered, not convincing either of us. “We have to stop this.”
She nodded quickly. “What do you want me to do?”
“I-I… don’t know,” I tried collecting my thoughts but they were all over the place.
What had happened!?
Malakai was using me? He needed to take out the leaders… what for? Why wouldn’t he tell me?
Flames erupted, higher than ever before and Ashley stumbled backwards, almost falling to her back.
“STOP THIS!” I screamed, the fire blasting into the sky like an explosion.
The weapons fell silent in an instant, all heads turning to me, mages and soldiers alike.
“Why are you even fighting each other?” I panted, bewildered, angered. Every emotion was spilling into my fire, threatening the entire area, as I carved fear into every single one of them.
“Your leaders were killed, and you think the best solution is to fight each other and die as well?”
Silence.
None of them dared to speak up at first, until he stepped out in front of everybody.
“She’s right,” Nicron said, his face blank as he studied me. “But she was also the one who stood by the demon.” He turned and looked at his fellow mages briefly, as if counting them. “They took Michlael from us… Mages, fall to me and we’ll get our revenge.”
The uncertainty amongst the mages slowly disappeared, as they straightened themselves and began shouting their battle-cries.
Then, I saw it.
Nicron turned back to me, a smug smile lingering on his lips, as his grey eyes glowed.