If I go back, can I ever escape again?
But I’ve got no choice.
It’s do or die, and I’m not ready to die.
So I picture the void as I scream her name, and finally the heavy blackness rises around me.
It worked. I can’t believe it worked.
But my thrill is short-lived.
I almost forgot how it feels to be here. The air is so oppressive, just breathing takes strength. But Iamstrong. Centuries alone in this prison strengthened me more than anything in the human realm ever could.
That’s the irony of it.
Anselma, this little human’s great-great-ancestor, was too weak to defeat me. So instead, she imprisoned me here.
This damn void.
I hate it, but it made me stronger.
The void seems to stretch out for eternity, but the thin, glowing strand of light leads my way, and I charge through the oppressive darkness as all my heat races into the line of energy connecting us.
Fine. Steal my energy.
She needs it more than I do.
“Just don’t die on me,” I mutter as I close the last few yards between us, collapsing to the ground beside her limp body.
“Anzelika,” I whisper, taking her hand.
Her skin is deathly cold. Nothing but a crumpled heap of herself, all balled-up and shivering there in the dark.
What now?
How do I get her back?
She’s too weak. Taking her through the veil that separates this prison from the rest of the world could kill her in this state. She needs energy.
But how?
I have to do something if I don’t want to die along with her.
“Anzelika!” I repeat, louder this time, flipping her onto her back. “Wake up. Wake up, damn it!”
She stirs softly, like maybe somewhere deep down, her magic is responding to her true name’s call.
Good. That’s a good sign.
But it’s still not enough.
The little thread connecting us is growing weaker. I can feel it fading. She’s pulling my energy away faster than I can supply.
Unless…
I straddle her body in the dark, sliding one hand behind the back of her head, pressing her face to mine as I kiss her. Hard. Willing my energy into her with every passing second.
Finally,finally, she stirs.
