Serafine POV
As soon as we move from behind the pillar, the head is overwhelming and slams into me, It’s so thick and oppressive that it clings to my skin and weighs down every breath that 1 take.
Raising my hand, I try to feel the magic that still crackles in the air, it’s thick even though it can’t be seen, I know it’s there.
My threads respond immediately and pulse to life again, this time, though, they are slower and weaker than before.
It’s like they have frayed from me overusing them, I know I have. I’ve stretched them so thin that there’s barely anything left, but all I need is one small bit of magic to succeed.
Xander steps beside me, now close enough that I can feel the warmth of his body. It’s close enough that his presence steadies me and eases my worry
I can see the guards around us, moving in careful formation, trying not to damage the threads, and I know it would be so much easier if they could. Hell, if I could do it, I would have done it myself so quickly.
I can see Killian guiding his men, and while some flank Gideon, others surge forward with their blades ready. They are doing everything possible to distract Gideon. The moment they get too close, fire erupts, and I can feel the heat from it.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask again. I don’t look at Xander, but my voice carries.
“No,” he says. It’s so honest, and he’s so unsure for a change, that I almost smile. “But I trust you and that’s enough and all that matters.”
The magic responds to him before I even try to, and my threads flicker, and stretch toward him slightly. Something in the air changes around us, it’s subtle, but I can feel it.
It’s like a steadying, or maybe settling? I’m not sure but it’s strange. His presence doesn’t disrupt my magic, instead it balances it.
Reaching toward him slowly, I let my fingers graze his, and the threads wrap around both of us, binding and bright. They pulse gently and warmly, almost as if they were waiting.
“Close your eyes,” I whisper.
“What?” His head snaps around so he’s facing me.
“Just for a second. Trust me, Xander.”
He looks at me for a moment, then slowly he closes his eyes. I guide his hand until it rests flat against mine. Our palms now press together, and I let my magic stretch around him.
The threads don’t resist, if anything they pull toward him, and I watch as they ease into him. It’s so easy and effortless, it’s almost scary to see. I feel the warmth of his power now waiting, unused but there, strong and still.
“Feel for the rhythm,” I murmur. “Not the force, or the pull, just let it move through you, don’t push it out of you, instead, focus on the rhythm.”
I hear him exhale, then feel it, his magic angering. It’s clumsy for a while, almost jagged and unsure, as if he doesn’t know where to direct it. I guide it instead, gently, and together we push it out.
The threads follow our command, and for the first time, they move in harmony. The silver light now grows a little brighter than it had ore.
Gideon turns suddenly, and his face twists with something that oddly looks like amusement. He lifts one hand, and the flames surge again. Xander still has his eyes closed, so I pull him back this time, and just in time to avoid the worst of it.
It scorches our arms, and I have to bite back a scream as the skin on my forearm burns. The pain is instant, but I don’t release Xander, I can’t and won’t
1/3
Chapter 149
Xander grips tighter. “What now?”
“Now, we need to focus on binding,” I say. “Don’t strike him, not yet. If we hold him still, the others can get to the threads.”
Gideon steps forward again and sweeps a column of fire toward where one of the guards is attempting to reach the threads. The fire catches his cloak and sets it alight. The scream that follows shatters something within me, but I force myself to stay focused. I know Killian will help him.
The flames do vanish within seconds as another guard tackles him to the ground and rolls him to smother the fire.
This is total chaos, but we can’t give up.
Twisting my hand, I guide the threads, and they wrap around Gideon’s leg, but he kicks forward, and his magic lashes out. It instantly severs the line, and I cry out, the pain from the broken thread burning through my chest. Xander swears beside me, his jaw clenched tight. He still doesn’t falter.
We need to try again. I look at Xander and give him a nod. I don’t need to say anything, he knows. This time, we move in unison. The magic shifts differently this time, like there’s more power behind it with us both doing it. My energy is shattered, but Xander’s is stable and clean, which seems to help.
I can feel it filling the gaps in my own magic, fixing the weaknesses, while strengthening the hold. I direct the thread around Gideon’s arm, and Xander pulls quickly. It tightens just enough to halt his next spell, and for a breath, we see him stumble. Good, it’s about time Gideon loses all this power.
“Now,” I say, and Xander understands what I mean without asking.
He pulls his hand back before throwing it forward again. I watch the magic slam into Gideon’s chest, but it’s not enough. It doesn’t knock him down, but it at least holds him still, just long enough for Killian to reach the edge of the threads and grab one.
“Pull carefully!” I shout. “Don’t tear it, you have to ease it loose!”
Killian grits his teeth and braces. I watch as his hand wraps around the glowing thread tightly, and Gideon roars. He moves and flings his arm out, sending a wave of dark magic to Killian.
I lift my free hand and catch the dark magic mid–air and deflect it enough that it doesn’t hit Killian. Finally, this is working, maybe I should have let them stay and help the first time?
I feel my body shaking from the force of it, and every nerve feels raw. “I can’t keep this up,” I whisper. “Not for much longer.” It’s too much, too heavy.
“You’re not alone,” Xander says. There’s so much determination in his voice. “I’m here, don’t give up, find the strength, we’re nearly there.” He leans in and kisses my forehead.
We press our hands together again, and I draw deeper, focusing on the magic inside both of us. It swells around us, creating wind that spirals and the threads pulse with it. The glow begins to spread across the floor, and I see another guard reach for a second thread, then a third.
Gideon is screaming now and fighting harder and more aggressively. His magic begins to lash out wildly and blindly, the flames tearing through the space like claws. Two guards go down screaming loudly as the fire catches them.
I can’t tell if they are dead or not, I don’t have time to look or worry about them, my focus needs to stay on Gideon. I push back the guilt and throw another wave of water at Gideon, and freeze it mid–surge.
He slips, it’s only briefly, barely even half a second, but I use it.
I move quickly and whip a thread around his waist and lock it there. I press everything I have with it, and Xander steps forward, his voice is low. He begins chanting something that even I don’t know, and the magic seems to answer him. His hand lifts, and the threads glow golden now as they tighten, I try not to pause for too long from shock.
Gideon screams suddenly, and his hands jerk wildly, the magic writhing around him. It’s like a living thing, trying to tear free, but the threads that connect him to the source are beginning to fray.
They aren’t torn or damaged, but instead they are loose, one slips from his shoulder, and another from his wrists.
2/3
Chapter 149
Killian grips his teeth and pulls another out, then another. “Almost there,” he shouts.
“Hold him!” I cry out. “Just for a little longer.”
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The magic inside of me is already crumbling, though, and I can feel it in my bones. I’ve used too much. My body stumbles, and Xander catches me with one arm, his other still directs the threads. He’s trembling too now, but he doesn’t give up.
“You said I could connect to your magic,” he says. “So let me carry the rest.”
Pressing my forehead to his shoulder, I nod slowly and let go just enough to let him take more of it. The magic surges forward again, this time more steady and not wild. Xander’s will is sharper, stronger and colder, and it cuts through Gideon’s power like it’s nothing.
I watch as the second–to–last thread is pulled free from Gideon, and I want to relax, but I can’t.
Gideon lets out a roar of fury and throws a final burst of power across the room. It crashes into the ceiling, and the stone shatters. Dust rains down, but the guards continue to hold their ground.
Killian jerks the last thread back, just as Gideon stumbles again, it’s working, it’s actually working.
I can feel it, though. His hold isn’t releasing on the body. I thought removing the threads would remove Gideon? How hasn’t it removed Gideon from James?
“I don’t understand,” I whisper to Xander. “I thought this would release his hold on James?”
Xander looks at where Gideon is still screaming, still in James’s body. “I don’t think he’s going to live.”
My heart thuds harder. “What?”
Xander points to Gideon. “Removing the threads removed all the magic. James has been down here for years. He’s alive because of the magic, without it, he’s going to die.”
No! I thought I was saving him. I watch as Gideon falls to the floor, and the groan that comes out of his mouth is James, I know it is. I rush over and knee! beside him.
“I’m sorry for trying to kill you,” James whispers.
“No, it wasn’t you, I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” I cry while wiping away the tears.
He opens his mouth to talk, but then I watch his expression soften and his body go still. Something inside of my chest explodes, and I scream, falling forward, unable to breathe.
My vision swims, and I gasp for air, clutching my chest harder. I can’t breathe.
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