Page 81 of The Blood Rites

I act before I can debate the consequences. I shove myself between Theon and the flame, flaring my shield as wide as I can. The ball of fire explodes against it, bathing me in warmth, but the shield holds.

Kael’s eyes are on me, furious, but threaded with something I can’t name.

Nyxen ducks behind cover and hisses, “We’re too exposed here, Kael. If the wave comes we—”

Kael shakes his head. “Then get on with it. Force them back!”

He grabs my arm, pulling me behind the line of praying Waterborn. Marissa cowers beside Lyssandra, her small face filled with fear, as fire and shadow meet all around us in a clash of power.

“Listen to me,” he says, his grip firm around my wrist. "If the wave comes, run."

"What about everyone else?" I ask.

"I wasn't talking to everyone else."

I shake him off. “I won’t leave them to die.”

He’s standing too close. Close enough that I can smell smoke on his skin.

“You owe these people nothing.”

I meet his stare. “There has to be more than this. I have to do something."

He studies me. For a moment, something in him gives way. Then it's gone. “Then you’re a fool.”

“Maybe,” I say.

His jaw flexes. “None of these people will survive, Luceris.”

“I won’t let this place change me,” I snap. “I won’t do it.”

He closes his eyes, a flicker of real pain crossing his face before he releases my wrist.

A flash of orange whistles down from the ridge, but this time it’s aimed at Kael. Darkness wreathes his hands as he raises them towards the flame, and the fireball dissolves into sparks as it meets the shadows.

“Now it gets interesting,” Atheron taunts.

Nyxen’s voice cuts through the chaos, shouting from the far side: “The wave comes! We have to go!”

Everything stops. In the silence, I feel it: the vibration in the stone, the hum of Mana permeating the air, the pressure building. The wave rises in the distance as it begins its hunt.

Kael pushes me towards Marissa.

“Go,” he says. “Now!”

I hesitate for only a second, then I grab Marissa’s hand and drag her away from Lyssandra. I position myself in front of her and the Waterborn and face the oncoming wave.

“Can you do something for me?” I ask.

She whimpers, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Ye—Yes, but I’m scared.”

“What are you doing, Luceris?” Kael shouts. “Don’t be stupid.”

I ignore him and look down at Marissa. For a moment, I wish I could lie to her and tell her everything will be fine, but I can’t.

“I need you to be brave again.”

I reach for the place where I buried my power and pretended it didn't exist.