Raxx looked back and forth between the two women. The rage on Faye’s face eased, replaced with confusion.
“Impressed?” she muttered.
“For someone who has had little to no training, you shielded my attack. Did you not see the barrier you created?” Tabitha asked, eyes shining with excitement.
“What? What barrier?” Faye turned to glance at Raxx over her shoulder questioningly.
He shrugged. “Don’t look at me.”
“That was all you, my sweet. Try again – this time keep your eyes open and don’t hide from me.” Tabitha fixed her gaze on Faye and allowed majick to glow to life in her palm once more.
“But I can’t—”
“You just did,” Tabitha argued. She pulled her arm back and released another crimson bolt.
This time Raxx faded into the shadow realm to protect his eyes and watched the exchange. Faye flinched and her arms shot up to protect her face, but as she did so, a shining globe of majick encapsulated her. Tabitha’s majick crashed against its surface, exploding into another shower of bright sparks.
The shadow demon stood still, stunned, as the room faded to darkness once more. He re-materialised beside the two women.
“Interesting. Very interesting,” Tabitha murmured to herself. “Do you know any offensive spells?”
“You want me to attack you?” Faye’s eyebrows raised.
“If you think you can.”
“I don’t know how. I wouldn’t know where to start,” the faerie spluttered.
“It seems you majick is very intuitive, Faye. It’s not about method, it’s all in the heart. It’s about thedesireto be able to.” Tabitha grinned. “Give me your best shot.”
The witch walked to the opposite side of her office and turned to face Faye, readying herself for the attack.
“But what about Indi’s body?” Faye asked.
“Let me worry about that.”
Faye stared down at her hands, dumbstruck. She clenched and unclenched her fists, squeezing her eyes shut. Raxx and Tabitha waited with baited breath... but nothing came. The princess’s shoulders sagged. “I told you, I can’t.”
Tabitha shook her head and relaxed her fighting stance. “It’s not can’t, it’s won’t. What a shame. I had started to get my hopes up for a moment there.”
“What do you mean by that?” Faye replied, her tone short and clipped.
“I thought maybe you were something special, but seems you’re just a run-of-the-mill majborne.”
“Tabitha, that’s not really—” Raxx began, but was interrupted as Faye stepped forwards and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’ve never done this before. You can’t expect me to pick it up just like that.” The faerie snapped her fingers and bright white flames sparked to life instantly.
Raxx fought to keep a grin from his face at the dumbfounded expression on Faye’s face as she stared at her fingertips. Tabitha’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“As I said before, it’s aboutdesireprincess. You need to forget youcan’tand embrace that youwill.” The witch’s eyes drifted to Raxx. “Or perhaps you just need a little motivation.”
“Tabitha, don’t.”Raxx warned.
The witch closed her eyes and brought both hands, palm up, to her belly. Majick built, bigger, greater, brighter than anything she had hurled in Faye’s direction. Tension fizzled and Raxx felt the hair on his arms stand on end.
“Wh-what’s happening?” Faye whispered.
“Tabitha.” Raxx clenched his teeth.
