"Go. I would not question that right now," Jen lightly pushed Tilly until she stumbled and then crept up behind Crystal.
Astra was talking about power, about their kind needing more order, and how sometimes breaking their laws to keep order was what would save them.
"You cannot create a new law and order that does not follow its own rules, Astra. You are creating a corrupt system that will only work for those in power."
"Good!" she cried. "We deserve it. You were weak, and that is how Margaret overthrew you. And she became weak. It is how it goes, the cycle."
"This cycle will kill you."
"How about I kill you first? Dark magic feeds on darkness. I know how to keep it strong and build its strength. I've beenpracticing for years. You all had it wrong. Dark magic is the right magic to keep everything in order."
With horror, they realized what she meant to do: kill Crystal, possibly them too. She meant to feed the darkness with more.
Take my hand.
The voice was urgent, a whisper that slightly stung Tilly's brain but she reached out grabbing onto Crystal's arm, feeling for her hand until Crystal's fingers slid around hers. The sudden warmth shot down Tilly's arm, shocking her and pulling a gasp from her.
I'm going to borrow your magic, but I need your permission.
Borrow her magic? That was possible?
She had magic?
"Stop," Astra ordered when she saw Tilly's hand in Crystal's.
Say it. Give me permission.
"Yes. Yes! I give you permission," Tilly whispered. She wasn't sure if she should say it out loud or in her head and she had no idea how any of this worked.
Astra opened her mouth to say something else but the black lightning pouring from the cloud above her abruptly cut off, pulling her eyes up.
Crystal squeezed Tilly's hand as everyone watched silently. But the power break only lasted a few seconds and then Astra pulled it back, siphoning the darkness into her with a triumphant smile.
"It's not enough," Crystal whispered.
Tilly looked behind them to where Jen was clutching Cora and Kelsea's hands. Then a jolt struck through Tilly and she gasped. Looking at Astra she was sure she'd been struck, but it hadn't been her. Crystal buckled at the knees and Tilly caught her with a grunt as the woman fell.
"Crystal!" they all screamed, rushing to her.
Astra walked forward closing the distance slowly, at a pace she could take leisurely.
"If you kill her, you will be held responsible," Tilly shouted. Crystal was alive, but barely. Her eyes were closed and the thin skin looked lined and worn.
"By who? The all-powerful Margaret?" She smiled at the woman who was now awake but bound by invisible bands, her mouth covered and muting the sounds trying to come out. Her red hair was wildly frazzled, the ends burned off.
Astra took another two, easy steps.
Ten would be ideal.
Was that Crystal's voice? It was weak. Or was it the memory of what she had said when they arrived ready to fight? Still thinking that they had a chance.
Suddenly a hand clamped down on Tilly's shoulder and she looked back to see Jen.
"Ten would be ideal," Jen said.
"Back off," Astra ordered.
But then another hand landed on Tilly and she closed her eyes feeling a surge of something hot, and also cold. It filled her chest and wrapped around her heart and lungs until something trickled down her shoulders to arms to fingertips. She watched Crystal's hand twitch on the ground and while Astra yelled commands and raised her hand into the wild sky above her Tilly scrabbled for whatever power was inside of her.
