“I'm not leaving you,” I argued back.
Holding up his sword, Crispin charged forward, ready to defend me until his dying breath. But that’s not what I wanted! We were a team.
Kane sidestepped as Crispin’s blade harmlessly passed him. Crispin pivoted, using the momentum to his advantage. He came back again in a sweeping attack, nicking Kane's arm. Not a large wound, but enough to prove that the Deathless One bled like the rest of us.
A flicker of surprise danced in his eyes, and a slow, amused curl tugged at Kane’s lips as if he found our terror entertaining.
“It’s been a long time since that’s happened.” Seemingly entertained by Crispin’s attack, the shadows in the fae king’s hand morphed until they became a black blade, the misty substance transforming into solid darkness.
He parried Crispin's next strike.
There must be something I can do. Anything.
A massive oak hung over us, its branches thick with summer leaves.
Holding out my hand, I called to the wood, becoming one with it. Using my ability, I manipulated the wood, bending it with my will. Using one of the large branches, I tried to get close to them, but they were moving too quickly. Crispin became a blur as he weaved in and out around Kane, his swordplay sharper, his moves faster.
Berserkers, like Crispin, were powerful. Even though they couldn’t spew magic from their bodies, their ability with the element of force enhanced their strength and speed to extreme levels, making them deadly opponents and excellent guards.
We can do this. Crispin and I are strong enough. I know we are.
Kane growled as Crispin's blade slashed across his left side, cutting him.
Staying on the offensive, Crispin rushed at the Deathless One again, swiping his sword in a sweeping arc that forced Kane to bend backward, barely missing the blade’s sharp edge.
With a little magical aid, we could subdue Kane.
Hope blossomed where it shouldn’t, but I had to stay positive. Crispin was matching Kane’s strength. Against all odds, we had a chance.
Forcing the limbs on the nearby tree to extend, I reached out to Kane. Branches elongated and extended. I visualized them smaller, thinner, vine-like, and then shot them toward Kane’slegs. The ropey twine wrapped around him and yanked him off his feet.
He slammed onto his back with a thud, his furious gaze whipping to me, all humor and snarkiness gone. “Enough! I'm tired of playing with you both.”
Black mist surrounded him.
Crispin stepped back and I used that moment to take the tree and crash it on top of Kane. The oak tree split at its base, covering the now hopefully dead king.
Even if we managed to kill him, Kane could regenerate. The stories around his immortality were both terrifying and unreliable. Some believed the fae fabricated the tales to keep humans scared of their king.
I wasn’t about to wait and find out.
“Come on!” I yelled, urging Crispin to follow.
He ran forward and grabbed my hand. “Jump in the river.”
Running to the cliff’s edge, we stopped short.
My feet dangled off the ledge where the waterfall plunged. It wasn't too high, and it looked as if we were clear of the rocks. A sense of vertigo washed over me, keeping me planted where I stood.
“Go,” Crispin said, pressing a hand to my back. “I’m right behind you.”
Taking a deep breath, I jumped first, plunging into the cold water.
My soaked dress tangled around my thighs, threatening to drag me down to the depths of the river, but I kicked my legs hard and fast, reaching for that night sky. When I breached the surface, Kane was back in dragon form with Crispin in his claws.
No… Please, no. This can’t be how it ends.
“Crispin!”
