“Of course. Even though my original plan failed, all is well. I felt you the moment you stepped through the gate. I’ve been hunting you ever since. You see, we need your blood to unlock the chains holdinghimprisoner. Then he will tear this world apart, molding it into his. Mold you into his.”
I freeze in horror, unable to move or even think. The sound of her laughter pulses around me, turning my blood to ice. I blink at her and watch as she bursts into a dark mass of shadows and comes barreling my way. There is no way to avoid it.
My vision is momentarily filled with a burst of vibrant color as a ball of fire crashes into the demon, sending them both hurtling into the side of a building.
The sound of fighting reverberates, making the very air tremble with violence. I catch a glimpse of Maxon amidst the scattered rubble. My heart lurches in my chest as he fights with the demon.
With lightning speed, his obsidian sword slashes through the air, almost too quick for my eyes to follow. Flames flicker inhis eyes, igniting a fury in his movements. He is channeling his dragon fire, and he’s not holding back.
A noise draws my attention away from them, and I turn to see an army of dark figures approaching. The sound of their approaching footfalls echoes all around, the sound bouncing off the empty streets.
I hear my name, and I spin around in terror as Rayna comes sprinting toward me from between two buildings.
“Everly!” she screams, her big brown eyes locked on mine.
Dread. That is all I can feel as I put my hands up to block her path to me. But my magic is depleted. I hear a shrill whistle and feel the hair around my face move as the arrow narrowly misses my face, hitting Rayna in the chest. Her body jolts and her steps falter, the light fading from her eyes before she even hits the ground. A scream erupts from my throat, and I feel like my heart is being torn from my chest. I take a step toward her, but my movement halts abruptly as Yumekui’s sinister laugh rings through the air. I whip my attention toward the building where Maxon is fighting her. The moment I lay eyes on him, my stomach drops, and cold dread slips through my veins.
Maxon's knees buckle beneath him as he struggles to stay upright. Dirt and blood coat every inch of his clothes and skin. But it’s the dense tendrils of swirling shadows enveloping him that cause my heart to freeze in fear. They are suffocating the flames that danced over him, smothering his fire. Maxon strains against the restraints, attempting to break free, his attention shifting from the oncoming army to meet my gaze.
“Everly, run!”he bellows, the command clear.
Tears stream down my face, as panic overtakes all thought. “MAXON!!”
Shadows snake around his throat and pour into his mouth, stalling anymore words.My heart stalls in my chest, squeezing painfully as I watch his eyes grow wide in alarm.
“Maxon!” I scream.
The moment I start running for him, an icy cold hand grabs hold of my arm, making my heart race even faster.I spin on my attacker, and I fight.I fight hard, because Maxon needs me.
“Everly, stop.” Alivar's furious gaze meets mine.
“Let me go!” I snarl, trying to pry my arm free from his grip.
“There is nothing we can do. We need to regroup!”
“Fuck you!” I yell, swing my fist at his face.
Alivar dodges all my attempts, and I growl in frustration. This is a waste of time. With a burst of energy, I spin, slipping from his grasp. I run toward Maxon, my heart pounding in desperation.
The demon emerges, obstructing my way and preventing me from reaching Maxon. Alivar grabs my arm again, but I’m to focused on the demon in front of me to care this time.
‘We only need you,’she whispers in my head.‘You can save him.’
“Alivar. Take her!!!” Maxon roars, the sound shaking the buildings, as he struggles against the blinds.
Nooooooo . . .
My elbow connects with his chin, and I push his arm away, lunging forward. But somehow, he manages to snag the back of my dress, pulling me back. I stumble backward into Alivar as Nymeria and Anika bolt past me toward Maxon.
‘We will go with him, mother.’
‘We will protect him for you.’
Twin voices echo in my mind. Nymeria and Anika.
Their voices give me enough pause that Alivar gains the upper hand, swinging meover his shoulder and creating a portal. As hesteps through, I hear Raiden bellow, the sound slicing through my chest, and piercing my heart.
I can hear the sound of thundering footsteps in the distance, but they are too late. The last thing I hear before the portal closes is the familiar pounding of hooves. Storm.
