Ancient power flows through me, up through the soles of my feet, pouring through the top of my head to meet in my core. It’s exactly what happened the night I stood against the snake.
When I was holding Dan’s hand.
My child within me is a living link to him, her tiny heart beating, circulating blood made by both of us. Even as the energy sickens with the taint of Sakesh’s evil intent, my faith doesn’t waver.
This is what is supposed to happen.
I just know it, deep in the marrow of my bones. I see the old families come forward and offer themselves to Sakesh. Their sacrifice makes him stronger, and the circle expands.
Not yet…
More soldiers are devoured by the spreading circle, and my heart mourns for them, but I know this is the final fight and we are racing to its conclusion.
Within an instant, we’ll know if we have him… or if he has us.
The circle of heat grows again, and a horrible wave of sickness flows through me, making me gag. My eyes water, and I’m suddenly aware of the heat. I can hear the other girls gasping as it reaches them, and the horrible stench of burned, rotting flesh clogs my nostrils.
My heart hammers in my chest as the pestilence invades my body, and fear for my child shakes my resolve.
Faith… she whispers, from somewhere deep where my soul meets my body.
Faith!
Recognition sweeps through me, a powerful rush that brings tears to my eyes.
She just told me her name!
“Hold on!” I gasp, and I know the other lunas can hear me. In each of them, I sense that same swirling nexus of power where they are joined to their fated mate. It grounds us, makes our power ten times stronger than it would be without them.
It’s not enough!
Sakesh keeps pushing back, and even though we resist with every last scrap of strength in our bodies, the heat continues to rise.
Just when I feel all is lost, my sisters rush from the forest, raising their hands and chanting. Sakesh challenges Gretchen, and I understand part of the exchange.
How old is she?
There is no time to think, only act. With the help of the coven, we strengthen our hold on the lines of light, pouring all our love and faith into it.
Love, hope, faith, truth…
Sakesh screams at Gretchen, and a massive wave of flame streaks up through the rock. It cracks open even further, and I realize how vulnerable Sakesh has made himself.
He always had the option to seal himself back inside and wait for another opportunity. Now that the seal is broken, he must win… or die!
The fire lives within me, caressing my skin from the inside out. It feels like ecstasy, almost sexual, and I hear the other women moan as it touches them, too.
“Grace…” Sakesh whispers. “I can taste you, Grace…”
“I hope it tastes like defeat,” I croak.
“I never wanted to hurt you,” he hisses. “I just needed you here. For us—all of us. The tales are true, Grace. Every last one.”
I shake my head, and I feel the power leak out around me as the other lunas hear his words.
“Power…” he whispers. “Complete power. Think of how you were treated. The abuse suffered by Alisha, by Sara. The pain Scarlett felt. No one ever needs to feel like that again.”
What?
