Chapter 26 #2
No matter how hard I reach for my Lycan form, the energy slips away the instant I gather it. Like striking a match over and over only to watch the flame die before it catches. A groan escapes my lips as Harlow’s body goes limp in Lucifer’s grip.
“Alastair’s energy is crushing us along with the exhaustion,” Mythril says frantically. “Alexa, focus on one thing. Just one thing. You don’t need to transform your whole body. Focus on... focus on...”
Even her voice falters. She’s struggling against the oppressive darkness filling the room.
“My legs,” I say. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and focus on my legs. If I can only save one part of myself, it has to be enough to reach him.
With that single determination, I force my body to move. Every remaining ounce of energy pours into my legs. Black fur erupts from my skin. From my knees to my feet, my legs transform into powerful Lycan limbs.
Claws extend from my toes. Strength floods through my muscles. My joints tighten like coiled springs. I run, then leap. My hand reaches for the dagger hanging at my waist. The silver heirloom that once belonged to Romero’s mother.
One jump. Fast. High.
My transformed legs launch me forward. I land directly on Lucifer’s back. More accurately, the dagger lands first.
I drive the silver blade into him with everything I have. The weapon plunges deep into his spine. I howl as I force every pound of my body weight downward. The blade sinks to the hilt.
Lucifer screams. Blood erupts from the wound.
“What the hell are you doing, Alexa?” he snarls.
“You seem to have forgotten something.” I tighten my grip around the dagger’s handle. “You’re still inside a Lycan’s body.”
My legs lock around his waist. I hold on as though my life depends on it. Because it does. “There’s nothing deadlier to a Lycan than a shattered spine.”
The monster explodes into a frenzy. His roar shakes the room. I tighten my thighs around him and refuse to let go. He slams Harlow against the wall with a deafening crash. Then he stumbles wildly through the ruined bedroom, spinning and thrashing as he tries to grab me.
His claws slash past my face, my ribs, and my throat.
I dodge again and again. Until one claw finally pierces my thigh.
Pain explodes through my leg. A cry tears from my throat, but I refuse to release the dagger.
Both hands remain locked around the handle.
The blade stays buried deep inside the monster’s back.
“You really think a little wound like that’s gonna kill me?” Lucifer laughs maniacally as his claws sink deeper into my thigh. “I can heal that up and close it within a day.”
Romero’s words come back to me. “These gems are called magic gems. They strengthen the blade when energy flows through them.”
With every ounce of strength I have left, I pour my energy into the gemstones embedded in the dagger’s handle. A yellow light flickers between my fingers. I scream as I force more power into the weapon.
The small silver dagger expands. Light erupts from the blade. In my hands, the dagger transforms into a glowing silver sword. Its radiant tip drives through Alastair’s chest.
He grabs me. Then he slams me into the floor. The impact rattles every bone in my body, but the sword remains in my grasp. As I’m thrown downward, the glowing blade slices through his back from shoulder to waist.
Like butter beneath a hot knife. Muscle parts effortlessly beneath the enchanted steel. His spine splits vertically. Lucifer howls. The scream is unlike anything I’ve ever heard.
I hit the floor hard. The sword flies from my grip and clatters across the debris-strewn room.
Lucifer slowly turns toward me. His eyes widen. Blood pours from his mouth.
“It... ain’t... over...” he rasps.
Then it happens. A shriek erupts from his throat.
The sound is impossibly high, like a winter storm screaming across a frozen mountain pass. Black smoke explodes from his body and floods the room.
Then comes the blinding light. I throw an arm over my face and squeeze my eyes shut. The entire house shakes. A deep rumble tears through the foundation. Cracks race across the floor beneath me. Another blast erupts, and the Scott family house collapses.
I crash through the floor and tumble into the level below. Both arms cover my head as I gather what little energy remains and form a weak shield above me. Chunks of stone smash through it. Something slams into my back. Pain explodes across my body.
When everything finally settles, my legs are trapped beneath a mountain of debris. I cough violently, clearing the dust from my lungs. I wipe my face with my right hand, and gasp. A sharp pain shoots through my forearm. Could it be broken?
“You alright, Alexa?” Mythril asks.
“Harlow...” I whisper. “Where’s Harlow?”
My left hand wipes dust from my eyes and nose. I blink repeatedly until the world comes back into focus.
Above me, the half moon shines through the open sky. The house is gone. Only ruins remain.
Fragments of portraits belonging to generations of Scott ancestors stick out from piles of rubble. The crystal chandelier lies shattered, its twisted metal frame jutting upward like the branches of a dead winter tree.
“My legs...” I wince.
I can’t move them. A massive piece of furniture pins them beneath the wreckage. Judging by the carved wood, it’s probably a trophy display cabinet from the first floor.
“C’mon,” Mythril urges. “Get up. Find him. Focus your energy on your left hand.”
Grinding my teeth, I obey. I push against the debris. Pain shoots through my body. My fingers darken as Mythril’s power spreads through my hand. Black fur appears, and my claws extend.
I groan and shove harder. The cabinet lifts just enough for me to pull my legs free. I suck in a sharp breath and hold it there as I drag myself free.
Blood covers my thighs. Lucifer’s claws left deep wounds. I try to stand, but my legs buckle. The pain is unbearable. Panting, I force myself to keep moving and scan the darkness.
My enhanced vision cuts through the night. When it fails to locate Harlow, I close my eyes and lift my face into the air, following my sense of smell. The breeze carries familiar scents. Mint. Pine. Harlow. He lies there, beneath a pile of rubble only a short distance away.
I crawl to him. Every movement feels like torture. Using my left hand and trembling legs, I drag myself across the ground until I reach him. My fingers brush through his dark brown hair. Dust coats every strand.
“Push that rock off him,” Mythril says.
With a cry of effort, I force my weakened body to move again. I shove against the large stone pinning down his chest. One final push. The rock rolls away. My heart drops.
More blood stains his body. My shaking hand wipes dirt from his face. I run my fingers through his hair, searching and praying before I press two fingers against his neck.
A pulse. Thank Goddess. He’s alive. Weak, but alive.
“I can feel it,” Mythril says through a choked sob. “His energy’s barely hanging on. He’s dying, Alexa.”
“No.” Tears flood my eyes.
I cradle his head in my arms and kiss his cheek.
“No, Harlow. Please don’t leave me, baby. Please come back.”
My voice breaks. Tears spill freely.
“Please... please come back. Moon Goddess, please lend me your strength.”
My sobs worsen until tears soak both our faces.
“We could do a healing ritual,” I whisper.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Mythril cries. “You’ll die if you try that now! You ain’t got nothing left!”
“I’ll die for him.” The answer comes without hesitation. “As long as he comes back, I’d trade my life for his.”
“What? No!” Mythril shouts. “You really think he’s gonna wake up happy if he finds you dead? That’s dark magic, Alexa! You can’t save a dying man by trading your own life!”
“I don’t care!” I scream. “He has to live!”
“Alexa...” Mythril’s voice cracks into a mournful sob. “Harlow’s energy is already starting to rise toward the sky.”
No.
No.
No.
I need him. The world needs him. The werewolves need their king. And I can’t survive losing him. I close my eyes, steady my breathing, and make my choice.
“Do you remember what Mrs. Geeny told us?” My voice is barely a whisper. “Magic is nothing but the exchange of energy.” I tighten my hold around Harlow. “If a soul’s gotta leave tonight...” My tears fall onto his face.
“Then let mine be the one that goes.”