I run toward Drake and Briar, but halt when we’re plunged into a prison of darkness.
I fumble through the shadows, absorbing any light. Thorn’s squawk races my heart, as a second shrill, pained sound leaves his beak.
Drake yells, and Ari shrieks. My eyes widen, panic rolling through me in waves as I’m immobile, unable to know what direction to go in. A pungent tower of pollen erupts into the room, followed by a burst of choking and spluttering coughs.
Someone’s hand finds my arm, tugging me back into the wall. A mixture of fear and desire tightens around my core, as the shadowy sickness of magic twists and curls, ready to break out of me.
Waving my arms, I swipe at the fog of dark gray and black, coughing as the pollen clogs my airways.
Briar’s shadows consume, the pollen suffocating as we are trapped, attempting to claw our way out of the room. The house shudders around us, the foundations trembling under the building pressure of powers.
“Keep down,” Ari shouts, her voice cracked in place as she splutters again. I hide my nose and mouth under the fabric of my dress, then kick away from the wall.
Just as the darkness fades, and a creeping clarity overcomes the blindness we were submitted to, Briar’s shadows warp into shapes—some becoming bats, others ravens. All of them swarm at us.
A small, orange flower draws my attention to my right, and recognition floods my mind. Nocturnum Somnus, known for inducing a comatose-like state in those who ingest copious amounts.
Sitting up, my eyes widen as these flowers are now spread all around us, saturating the house with pollen. The tickle at the back of my nose increases, and I sneeze.
“Ari, stop,” I splutter as the room spins around me and a trance-like euphoria captures me.
It must be her. If she continues, we will all fall into a temporary slumber.
My mind whirls as I try to steady myself, breathing only into the fabric of my dress. Then a howl pierces the air, and the shadow ravens fizzle into nothing.
I struggle to my feet, crawling until I find Briar, slumped by the door, shadows pouring from his hands.
I’m over him, my body pressed against his as I scramble for this throat, decay leaking from my fingers and into his neck.
A scream rips through his lips, tears welling up in his eyes, knowing he’s lost. Flesh hangs from his bones as they cave inward, then each limb dissolves in on itself until his body is nothing but ash.
The shadows dissipate along with the pollen, some settling on the floorboards in a sticky yellow. Ari drops to the ground, her head smacking against the dresser in a heart-stopping thud. Drake falls to his knees, shallow gasps swirling through his parted lips, and I spot Thorn, his wings twitching as he lies on his back.
“Get out,” I splutter, breathing into the fabric of my dress. Ari crawls out the door first, followed by Drake, who collapse on the path.
The night air fills my lungs as I fall out behind them, then cough until my lungs feel as if they may implode.
Ari rubs the side of her head. “What happened?”
“The pollen,” I splutter. “Nocturnum Somnus, it can induce a comatose state. Fortunately, the pollen’s effects are temporary. Is everyone okay?”
My heart leaps when I see Thorn, his bluish-gray wings splattered in crimson. I stumble to my feet, then run to his side, placing my hand against his body. He twists his neck to look at me, but he’s weak, barely moving.
My sister may have nature inducement magic, but it is far more deadly when she doesn’t know what plants she’s using. I must teach her when she wins.
The idea of home lingers as I pull Thorn into my arms. It’s like a childish dream now. I can’t return, not after I made the deal with Death. Even if Ari wins, Drake won’t.
Azkiel’s footsteps sound as he leaves the building. When did he enter? I crane my neck to look at him, as he towers over me, hand extended.
“You!” I growl and take his hand. As soon as I’m standing, I slam my fists into his chest repeatedly, my fists taking a battering from his hard muscles. He took advantage of me earlier, just like everyone else, and now he mocks me. “You fucking bastard. I am never fucking help you, you—”
“Monster?” he offers, unmoved by my fists. “Asshole?”
This time, my fist connects with his jaw. “Both!”
He wipes the blood with his thumb, dragging it down his chin with an unhinged grin. “Now you know how powerful your magic is.” He looks as if he’s enjoying himself far too much, and I go to hit him again, but he stops my punch with an effortless block of his hand. “No one died.”
“They did!” I point at Cordelia and Briar.
“Good. Don’t you want your sister to win?”
I shake my hand, looking at Ari and Drake. “They can barely stand.”
He shrugs. “Isn’t that one a healer?”
My jaw clenches. “She is too weak to heal right now.”
Ari coughs, then rolls onto her side before whispering, “The river is close. You can make a potion, right, Cali?”
“Looks like I have no choice.” I turn to face Death. “You’re not coming with us. Our deal is over.”
THIRTYCalista
We leave for the river alone. Ari hangs her arms over me and Drake, walking in between us. I carry Thorn in my other arm, then look back at Azkiel for the last time, nausea rolling in waves as the residual adrenaline runs through my body.
Gods, I am so fucking embarrassed. I never want to see him again. I’m getting Ari away from this damn forest, even if it means dragging her to the caverns while I hunt down the rest of the sacrifices myself.
Sacrifices. The word stings my mind. How quickly I have forgotten what I stand for. It wasn’t Briar’s or Cordelia’s fault. They were products of the elders and, by extension, Death.
