Shade’s expression didn’t change, but he knew she could see the faintest flicker of interest spark in his eyes. “And do you know which realms they’re in?”
Celise’s lips pursed, and she hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. “No. I made sure to scatter them randomly. Even I don’t know where they’ve gone. But it doesn’t matter. They’re broken, and that’s all that matters.”
Shade hummed thoughtfully, as he narrowed his gaze. “And the gypsy healers? Have all of them been removed from the human realm?”
Celise’s jaw tightened, and her magic pulsed faintly in response. “As far as I know. All the healers were with the group who attempted to face off with me,” she said tersely. “Though why you’d concern yourself with them is beyond me. What would a djinn need with a healer?”
“Interesting.” Shade stayed calm, though his mind was racing. He didn’t elaborate, and Celise’s irritation flared visibly at his lack of explanation. “And my concern with their whereabouts is not your business. I do, however, believe there are some flaws to your plan. And I will be requiring entrance into some of those realms.”
She squared her shoulders, lifting theNushtoniahigher as though to remind him of the power she wielded. “I won’t open the realms I’ve locked until you open the Realm of the Dead. That’s the deal. You want my cooperation? Prove to me that you can do what I need.”
“I thought you couldn’t open them,” Limaria muttered, drawing Shade’s attention.
His brow rose as he tilted his head toward her. “Explain.”
“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Celise rolled her eyes. “My sisters only just returned from the dead themselves. They’re still disoriented after being brought back to life.”
The crowd murmured around them. Obviously, they were impressed that the sprite had managed such a feat. Shade wasn’t surprised. TheNushtoniawas powerful.
“My offer stands. Realm of the Dead opened, then I will open the realm you want. But only one. That’s the deal.”
Shade chuckled. “That’s where you misunderstand, Celise. I don’t need your cooperation. The djinn don’t take orders from anyone, least of all you.IfI open the Realm of the Dead, it won’t be for you. It’ll be forus.”
Celise’s magic flared wildly, and the ground splintered further as dark tendrils of energy coiled around her. “Then you’ll never have my help! If you want the lesser realms opened, you’ll have to open them yourself. I’ll see the humans destroyed, the supernaturals unleashed, but I won’t lift a finger until the veil to the Realm of the Dead is torn apart!”
Shade stepped closer, he felt the heat of his golden aura growing brighter as he drew his blade, the shimmering metal glowing faintly with djinn magic. “Then let’s see if you’re even strong enough to make demands. TheNushtoniachooses strength. And I’ve yet to see if you deserve it. Melting a hybrid doesn’t count.”
Shade’s smirk widened as Celise’s magic flared around her. The earth beneath them shuttered. Dark tendrils of power slithered outward like living things, coiling and hissing as they sought him out. The air burned with the oppressive energy of her fury, but Shade didn’t flinch. He rolled his shoulders, his movements slow and deliberate. He stood with the calm confidence of a predator who already knew he had the upper hand.
“You want to test me?” Celise hissed, her voice dripping with venom. “You’ll regret it, djinn.”
Shade chuckled as he shook his head at her, a small sigh leaving him before he spoke. “I’ve lived through centuries of battles, Celise. You’re dangerous, but danger doesn’t frighten me. Let’s see if you’ve earned all that power you’re so proud of.”
Her scream—raw and furious—tore through the clearing, as she thrust her arms forward. The dark tendrils snaked toward him, their black, oily forms contorting unnaturally as they moved faster than the eye could follow. They struck at him from all sides, cracking like lightning, but Shade moved quickly. He ducked, spun, and twisted away from each strike. His golden aura shimmered as it deflected the tendrils that managed to graze him.
He wielded the blade in his hand as if it were an extension of himself. In many ways, it was. The sword had been with him for as long as he could remember. The curved weapon glowed faintly, its edge sharp enough to cut through even the thickest magic. He spun it in his hand, the movement effortless, elegant, before slashing through a tendril that surged toward his chest. The severed magic dissolved into the air with a shriek, but two more took its place, snapping at him like the jaws of a beast.
Shade leapt back, his feet landing lightly on the cracked earth as he raised his free hand. A golden barrier erupted around him. Its brilliance was a stark contrast to the darkness of Celise’s magic. The tendrils struck the barrier, recoiling with a hiss, but Celise didn’t relent. She thrust her hands downward, and the earth beneath his feet buckled and split.
Shade didn’t fall. He pushed off with inhuman speed, landing behind her in a flash of motion. His blade arced toward her, but Celise spun just in time. Her black magic formed a shield that barely held against the strike. The force of the impact sent her stumbling back, her lips curling into a snarl.
“That's all you’ve got?” Shade taunted. He stepped forward, his blade gleaming as he prepared for her next move.
Celise’s eyes glowed with dark energy. Her fury was palpable as she raised her arms again. “You think you’re stronger than me?” Her voice trembled with rage. “I’ll show you power.”
The ground erupted. Black fire shot upward, spiraling around her as the tendrils coalesced into a massive wave of dark energy. It surged toward Shade, fast and unrelenting, consuming everything in its path. The air grew heavy with heat and despair, and from the corner of his eye, he saw the gathered supernaturals take some large steps back. Their fear was palpable as the wave bore down on him.
Shade didn’t move. He stood his ground, raising his blade with one hand as his golden aura flared brighter, pulsing outward in rhythmic waves. The wave of darkness collided with his shield, and the impact shook the ground and sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing. The golden light dimmed briefly under the onslaught, but it held, absorbing the fire until it sputtered and died.
Celise’s breathing was ragged, and her chest heaved as she glared at him. “How?” she demanded, her voice breaking. “How are you still standing?”
Shade stepped forward, his expression calm, almost pitying. “You’re strong, Celise,” he admitted, keeping his voice low and steady. “But strength without control is chaos. And chaos doesn’t win battles. It ends them.”
She screamed again, this time in frustration, and lunged at him. Her free hand, the one not holding the book, glowed with dark energy. Her nails, like blackened claws, struck at him. Shade sidestepped her attack, his movements fluid and precise, and brought the hilt of his blade down against her wrist. The impact forced her to drop theNushtonia, and the ancient book hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Celise’s eyes widened in shock. Her magic faltered as she stumbled back. “No!” She reached for the book, but Shade was quicker.
He moved like lightning, and his blade sliced through the air as he intercepted her. The flat of the weapon struck her side, sending her sprawling to the ground. She landed hard. The wind was knocked out of her, but she scrambled to her knees, her eyes wild with desperation.
