Page 182 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

August didn’t say it, but I could feel it: he was low. Even his seemingly bottomless power was dwindling under the weight of endless combat.

Cursing, I leaned into the vision and embodied the sensation at its core. I threw my arms wide and pulled—hard—channeling every flicker of strength I had left.

“Ally,” August panted.

“A little more,” I breathed. My arms trembled as I pulled on the tether between us, flinging the gathered energy into a great arc of flame. I became the phoenix from the vision—gold and orange and light. I inhaled the white-hot inferno at the center of our well and dragged the borders closed. Bit by bit, I sealed the tear in the world.

Something was burning. Singeing like parchment tossed into flame. But I couldn’t stop.

I wouldn’t stop.

There would be other gates to close—dozens, maybe hundreds. This was only the first.

My power shuddered. I drew again—deeper. Into the marrow.

But the gate was too vast. Too strong. Its gravity unbearable. It would swallow us. Drag me straight into hell. My joints popped as fire exploded across my skin, magic erupting in some final, desperate attempt to hold the line. My shoulders threatened to dislocate under the force.

Someone was screaming.

Me, I realized—I was screaming.

Screaming as I gripped the edges of the gate and pulled. Screaming as August and I together cauterized the damn tear in the world. And then—finally—it vanished.

The portal snapped shut and I collapsed.

My knees hit the ground. My hands let go. The world spun and stars sparked to life behind my eyes.

Just for a moment, I thought.

I just needed to rest my eyes for a moment…

My body hit the floor. Blurry vision slid sideways to find August—sprawled out beside me. Terror gripped my chest. My spine refused to hold me up.

I blinked hard, trying to see if he was breathing.

Had we broken?

Slow, meticulous clapping broke through the haze. Terror prickled up my limbs, and a dark ring slid into my vision—black dress shoes, suit hem, gleaming leather.

Adrastos?

I tried to ask. My mind screamed at my lips to move, but nothing came out. A loafer hooked my shoulder, rolling me flat onto my back.

My eyes fluttered closed.

“Brava, Alvara, darling,” came a drawled voice. “Truly. I’m impressed. Though I must admit, you lost points on the landing.”

My last glimpse of the world was slicked-back blond hair, aqua eyes…and a curl of green mist.

Freya

When our boots hit the ground, Ansel gripped my arm to keep me steady. Lana sprang into motion, a commanding bellow ripping from her throat with the authority of a battlefield general.

“Get out! Get out now!”

I tore my mouth free from Ansel’s arm and dragged a breath into my lungs—my first full inhale in what felt like hours. Magic tingled at my fingertips as I met his silver stare. One nod and he peeled away, moving fast.

“Are you deaf?!” Lana shrieked. “Move your asses! Now!”