As if summoned, the creature Lorian must have been referring to appeared only a few paces away from us. It appeared humanoid, closely resembling a Faeling, with bright yellow eyes and long silver hair that almost reflected blue in the moonlight. Slender, spindly horns protruded from its head like branches, and softly pointed fangs showed in its smile: a telltale sign it was something preternatural—beautiful in a breathtaking way, a way that didn’t belong in this world. Its features were both feminine and masculine—perfectly blended to create something utterly captivating. It was out of both terror and fascination that I continued to stare at the creature.
A sword came swinging down at the creature and before I could blink, it disappeared from sight, sending the man who’d attacked stumbling over his own two feet.
“It’s time to go.” The words caressed the back of my ear, evoking a gasp from my throat.
I turned in time to see those unnatural eyes peering into mine, to see its clawed hands reach to grab me, and to see Kaelias bring his sword down towards the creature in the same breath.
Thankfully, Kaelias had aimed so as not to strike me on the chance that the creature dodged out of the way in time. And it had. Easily.
It reappeared behind us, seated on a box with its legs crossed, as if bored. “I promised my darling I would kill no one unless it was absolutely necessary.” Its smile twisted into something deranged, as laughter tore from its throat. “She didn’t specify what qualified as necessary. Foolish of her, right?”
Lorian stepped in front of me, his arm out in front of my body.
The creature stopped laughing. “Oh, that’s adorable.”
Then it looked at Lorian, narrowing its eyes, and showed up directly in front of him. “You are…” It ran a clawed finger down the side of his face, turning his cheek, and sniffing down the side of his neck. Lorian could do little but flinch at the touch. “How unfortunate. She will be upset if I kill you.”
I could hear Kaelias breathing beside me, itching to strike the creature again, waiting for an opportunity that wouldn’t put Lorian in danger.
There was nothing I could do.
Nothing.
Answer the magic that dwells within you. Stop fighting it.
It was there. It had always been there, slumbering beneath my skin like a caged beast. I’d let it seep through the cracks before, but that was only scratching the surface of what it was capable of. It was more. It could do more, and all I had to do was open the door and set it free. Freeing a beast was simple. Shoving it back inside of its cage was not. The answer to my prayers in the present could very well be the beginning of my end.
I flicked the cage door open.
Darkness exploded around me, fueled by a rage and desperation I couldn’t control. I reached for the creature with hands painted as black as night and saw its mask slip for the first time. It was cautious—slipping away with less than a second to spare.
The voice I’d heard in the mirror whispered in my mind.Yes, this is power. This is what it feels like to fear nothing, to be the one who is feared. Revel in this feeling.
When the creature reappeared, I shot my hands forth in front of me, letting the shadows form into giant claws that clamped down on its body. It wreathed itself in blue flame and shattered my magic to pieces as if it were nothing.
“Very interesting,” it cooed. “Not strong enough, though. You are inexperienced.”
“I won’t let you hurt them!” The voice that came from me was an odd mixture of my own and that of my reflection. Each part of me fought for dominance, slurring and fragmenting the words.
“You should be more worried about yourself hurting them.” It spoke sternly.
I clenched my teeth and threw my arms forth once more—not quick enough. The creature blinked away with ease, appearing behind me in an instant.
“They are unconscious. Look at what you’ve done.”
I looked to my feet and saw them. Lorian. Kaelias. Makatza. Collapsed and wrapped in ribbons of shadow. My magic was seeping into their skin, staining them with that agonizing darkness. I clenched my arms to my sides, digging into my skin until I felt my nails draw blood. I had done this. Not the creature. Me.
It clicked its tongue. “Don’t fret, Nairu. If you ask nicely, I’ll save them. Maybe I’ll even stop the flames from turning this ship to ash.”
Shame be damned. I dropped to my knees. “Please. Please help them.”
“That’s much better.” It grinned.
It snapped its fingers, and I watched as all the flames and darkness disappeared. The crew who had been above deck were unconscious—or I hoped only unconscious. With such littleeffort, it had undone everything. As if this were all a game. But it had been fear I’d seen, right? I’d done something to help them, right? This had to mean something.
The creature then sat on its heels, dropping down to my level. It tapped its finger on my nose. “You’ve really irritated me now.” It pulled its hand away and clicked its nails together, contemplating, before its voice twisted with fury. “Love is a miserable thing. You dared challenge me! Me! I’d normally take immense pleasure in your death, but I cannot, or she will anger. Miserable, it is.”
The magic I’d accessed was retreating back into my body, draining any last bit of energy I had. My world was spinning and spots of white were darting across my eyes. “Spare them. Please.” The words came out as a mumbled whisper.
