Page 23 of Heir of Broken Souls

A shimmering golden wall blasts around us, traveling far and wide along the border of both the Fae lands and the sectors of the human lands. Stopping the wave of destruction from burning everything to the ground. I may want Peter dead, but I’m nothing like him. I won’t destroy innocents to get to him.

Knox’s shield retracts, slowly at first, as if testing my ability. He must feel it, the way I remain unharmed, the unending strength coursing through my body as my magic praises me for letting it off the short leash I’ve kept it on. Despite the goodness that it’s doing, I can’t stop the kernel of panic that my power is going to wash me away.

It’s overbearing. There’s so much more than I ever thought. It continues to rise, despite all that I use.

Now the panic truly sets in.

Knox is racing down my bridge in the next breath as he feels me try to rein in the power now running free. He flings open the door to my pool of magic and without hesitation, he plunges his hands inside, withstanding the sheer force of it. His fingers dig into my forearm upon contact, holding on for dear life. “Keep your mind aware, Delilah!” he bellows. “Don’t let the panic consume you!”

With Knox clutching me, I use it as a tether, a reminder of who I am and where I’m supposed to be. A reminder that I exist outside of my magic.

“That’s it, come back,” Knox coaxes, his voice soft and deep.

With Knox’s voice guiding me to the surface of my magic well, the power pouring out of me, almost consuming me with its strength, finally recedes. I grit my teeth and demand it to kneel to me. The shield lowers, slowly at first and then all at once as Knox pulls me out.

My eyes flutter open to find Knox, panting with his hand still wrapped around my arm. Once he sees me, conscious and free of the haze, Knox hangs his head. Relief pummels him as he heaves.

“Was anyone hurt?” I croak.

He shakes his head. “You have to warn me before you submerge yourself.”

“There was no time,” I say, voice hollow.I didn’t mean to get swept awayis what I don’t add.

Over the passing weeks, it’s become harder to differentiate where my magic begins and where I end. The two have been merging, as if the golden power thrumming through my veins has slowly been consuming me. Although I’m certain it doesn’t mean harm, it’s been difficult to stay in control when using large bursts of it. In those moments, I could swear it rubs up against me, purring as if to apologize.

Knox’s head snaps upwards, and he shoves his relief and fear aside. “Time to go, Angel.” Letting out an ear-piercing whistle, Knox dips into every creature’s mind, including their riders, and gives the command for the next phase.

Returning to myself, I take in the destruction before us, the large crater the explosives left, and say a prayer to the forgotten gods that Knox and I were able to stop it from spreading to the Fae lands.

Aurora turns, her wings beating rapidly as she sits in the middle of the formation the dragons and griffins create around us. Her eyes never leave Zephlyn’s as he guards her front.

Knox tightens his hold on me, now sitting behind me atop Aurora. “Can you do this without submerging yourself?” he asks.

“Here’s hoping,” I mutter under my breath.

A deadly roar pierces the air, eliciting a chill down my spine. Aurora stiffens below me, a vicious growl leaving her lips.

“Now, Delilah!” Knox commands.

Leaning back into his warmth, with his hands as my anchor, I cup my palms and submerge them into my well, careful to only take what I need while demanding that it listen to my command. Feeling my body shift and mold, my very being becoming hidden from sight, I let out a steadying breath as I imagine blowing the magic and my power onto those around us. Allowing the opaque golden shimmer to spread over every strand of fur and talon.

Within moments, I feel Knox’s body sag with relief as I make our legion disappear from sight.

Thank you, I whisper to my power, not at all surprised when it seems to hum in response. It’s just in time, as hundreds of demonic creatures rise to our right, flying toward the blast site. A plague spreading throughout the sky. A darkness with no end in sight.

They were waiting for us,I say along the bridge.

He must have known one of his demons would be foolish enough to slip up.

Does this mean he’s preparing to attack Azalea?

I wouldn’t put anything past him. We need to be prepared for anything.

“Disgusting mutts,” Harlow spits, coming to fly beside us now in her Fae form.

The darkness never stops coming, the hundreds turning into a thousand creatures, all salivating at the chance to destroy the golden princess. My golden shield was practically a beacon for their thirst. My body physically recoils at the sight of their rotting corpses.

“Anything from Nolan?” Lenox asks Knox.