The power to alter the world’s perception would be far too dangerous in Shadow and Mal’s hands. She loosed a long breath, reality forcing its way to the forefront of her mind as she stood between Maxius’ sleeping body and Mal. It was dangerous in her hands, too, it seemed.
“I can’t give you that,” said Maeve softly.
“This is not a bargain,” replied Mal smoothly.
“No,” she said, more bite in her tone now.
Mal’s lip twitched. “Maeve,” he warned.
“No,” she repeated.
“No?” said Shadow with a laugh. “That’s fine.” She rested her arm against the arm of the throne, flexing her fingers. “Malachite,” she called, his attention turning back to her. His eyes glistened at her draw of Magic. “Kill the boy.”
Mal turned without hesitation, power thrumming at his hands as he stalked towards her. Maeve’s insides twisted violently, and her Magic snapped to attention. To battle. To whatever unfortunate end.
“Mal, please wake up,” she begged softly.
Shadow laughed. “You did this, Little Viper,” she mocked. “You alone set me free. He was so weak from keeping me back. From keeping you safe and away from all my Dreaded Dead and creatingbarriers to keep you from where I slumbered at the top of Mount Morte. But he could never have unleashed me. That was only you.”
Mal stopped before he reached her, their position a reminder of so many duels from their past. But those ended in his praise. His kiss.
This one would not be so lovely.
“I won’t let you harm him,” said Maeve. “You know that.”
“It will take all of you to stop me.”
Maeve sighed. “Then so be it.”
Maeve jumped quickly, slipping into Alphard’s mind, far easier than she had ever jumped before, and moved behind Mal. He swirled around and blocked the burst of Magic from Alphard’s fist, as she let go of her hold on him. Mal sent Alphard flying across the hall. Maeve Obscured, placing herself closer to Mal’s back, and slammed two fingers into his back.
Her Magic rippled through him, successfully landing and drawing a throaty groan from him. She Obscured again, putting distance between them as he turned on her, shaking off the impact of the spell.
“Shadow dulls your senses of my Magic,” remarked Maeve. “I could have never landed that before.”
Alphard glared at her, now back on his feet.
Mal was on her in a flash. Their hands collided in a burst of Magic, sending each of them sliding away from each other. Maeve Obscured again, careful to keep herself between him and Maxius as they dueled. Mal blocked one advance with ease. Then another. And again. He didn’t fire back at her until his fourth block.
His foot shifted to the side, sharp Magic shooting across the floor and yanking her forward. The back of his knuckles collided with her cheek. The force of the hit was enough to blur her vision, but the Magic that penetrated her at contact caused her to cry out.
She Obscured quickly, placing herself behind him. He turned with speed she could barely register and a single finger pulsing with Magic, ready to strike her chest. She dropped to one knee, and his blast of Magic exploded over her head. With a quick slice, she struck his legs, landing a hit. Her victory was short-lived as Mal’s free hand coiled in her hair and yanked her up and against his chest. His otherhand snagged her forearm as she moved to make contact, electric Magic dancing across her fingers.
His grip tightened.
The bone snapped, shattering in half.
Maeve’s reaction was delayed as her eyes widened and her mouth parted. Nausea rolled through her toes, up to her stomach, and exploded. Her cry that rang out across the hall was primal, like stabbed prey surrendering. Mal gripped her harder, drawing her even closer.
“You will not take him from me again,” he whispered, his voice calm and even despite the horrific hold he maintained on her broken arm.
“I can help you, Mal, please,” she begged through staggered and shallow breaths. Pain tore through her in wave after wave, each one crashing harder than the last. “Together, we can rid your mind of this dark possession.”
“How can I believe a word that comes out of your traitorous mouth?”
Shadow smiled triumphantly from the throne.
“Give me the spell,” he commanded.
