Arman was scrambling back to his feet. Larliesl’s attention was on the Portal. The Magical Militia moved towards Arman relentlessly as he threw up a shield.
Maeve narrowed two fingers on her right hand and a silver spiral shot towards one of the soldiers. He slouched to the floor is agony. Mal took care of two more, and Larliesl took out the the next. Arman was back on his feet.
He screamed as he poured his Magic into the Portal. It expanded in size.
A student flew around them. A hex from Elgin, aimed at Rowan, clipped his shoulder. He rolled to the floor, gripping his arm. Maeve stepped towards him. The castle quaked once more, knocking her off balance. Chunks of the ceiling smashed into the floor. Maeve looked up. The castle was going to fall completely.
“Come, Darian!” Screamed another student, grabbing the wounded boy’s hand as she went by, dragging him towards their portal.
“Where’s it go?” She asked.
“Sinclair Estates,” Mal and Maeve answered together.
They hadn’t even discussed where the portal would lead to.
Roswyn appeared at Mal’s side, assisting him in his fight. In one step, she could be home. With her father. Safe.
Rowan and Elgin’s duel continued. Maeve watched as the Headmasters of Vaukore fought with deadly intention. Elgin, who had welcomed students with open arms. Who had promised them safety and peace. Who had vowed to protect Vaukore and its students with her life. . .was now an enemy.
Sparks of red swarmed Maeve’s finger tips.
She stepped towards the Headmasters, the floor beneath each step trembled and shook more.
She pointed at Elgin and fired. Red light ripped into her side, blood spewed from the wound.
Rowan’s eyes grew wide.
Only Dread Magic drew blood.
Elgin writhed on the stone floor as Maeve and Rowan met eyes. She pointed her finger at Elgin as it shook.
“Don’t,” said Rowan. “You don’t need her on your conscious.”
“She already is,” said Maeve as Elgin’s blood pooled. “The bleeding won’t stop.”
Larliesl appeared at Maeve’s side. “Rowan,” he gasped. “There are more coming.”
They were being surrounded. And outnumbered. It appeared that there were more Magical Militia here against them than with them. Rowan stepped towards Elgin. A bright white shot of light knocked her unconscious. He looked to the Portals.
“Everyone is almost through. We can hold them off Larliesl.” He looked back at Maeve. “Take Mal and get to your father. We cannot lose our Dread Descendant.”
Maeve stepped away from Rowan and Larliesl, her head shaking.
“There’s no time, Maeve. You must protect him-”
A second burst of magic slammed through the hall, sucking Maeve’s hair back as magic withdrew from the castle.
And everything went dark.
And cold.
Larliesl and Rowan ran towards the last few students, shooting spells at the soldiers, attempting to stop them.
Massive pieces of the castle cut loose from the ceiling and slammed to the floor, Maeve narrowly removing herself from their path. The last few students crossed their portal where it stood beckoning them to safety.
But she froze. That prickle down her spine, and something under her skin stilled. She turned back to look at Mal, her face struck with horror. She could feel the stalling breath of prepared Magic.
Without warning, the floor was yanked from underneath them as the magic holding up Vaukore Realm snapped in half.
