Page 94 of The Starlight Savior

“A strong witch. Ancient, unfamiliar magic. In our climate, that could be used for anything.”

Conor grabbed hold of her arm, guiding her through the hallways and out into the main corridor, just as he had in the castle. As they were about to slip through the servants staircase and down the cellar stairs, he suddenly stopped.

Before she could ask why, Conor moved quickly. Pushing Saige against his chest, he flattened his body against the wall as the sound of breaking glass echoed around them.

She opened her mouth, but his hand covered hers. It took great effort to not gag against the taste of rotten dirt.

Head against his chest, she looked up. One finger trailed on his lips. His eyes were on their surroundings, roaming for any sort of danger.

Conor’s arm slid around Saige’s waist, pulling her alongside him. He slowly stepped towards the servant quarters. She flinched as something groaned across the manor, coming closer to where they once were. It didn’t sound like any animal or human she’d been exposed to before. The wail came from the throat, splintering her ears.

Reaching the cellar’s staircase, he removed his hand and arm from her waist. His gaze was hard, expectant, as he nodded slowly. She gave a curt nod back, a silent agreement to remain quiet.

Saige was quite skilled at hiding in the shadows.

Their feet were silent as they took one step at a time. Her heart thundered when the mirror came into sight. They were so close, but they’d have to activate the portal in silence. Hopefully the crying creature would keep their distance.

Conor stepped closer to Saige, flinching when the bag of dying plants swayed. “We do it exactly the same,” he murmured against her ear, barely audible in the silent cellar.

His boots crunched under sand as he stepped forward. Dust fell on top of her head as someone lurked above. Looking from the stairway behind them to the mirror, Conor pricked his finger. Blood filled the enchanted edges. Back in the castle, it seemed like such a quick process.

Now it was the longest moment of her life.

Her fear overpowered any sense of control she’d gained in Athalos as the cellar glowed from light emitting hands. The moans and howls echoed above her. Each one closer and closer, like strikes of lightning.

“Conor,” she hissed as quietly as possible.

He shook his head. The blood was almost surrounding the edge of the mirror. The only thing they could focus on was the final act: infusing the mirror with magic. Getting back to the castle.

But the hairs on the back of Saige’s neck stood rigid. The steps from above were coming closer, no longer right above but behind. A blood-curdling wail rattled her skull.

But Conor wouldn’t turn around.

If something crept down, attacked them from behind, what would she do? Grow plants around them? She didn’t know how to fight on her own. She had begun to muster expanding her control of her magic.

She could summon the light, just as she did against the Tiranos army.

But would it scare away whatever lurked beyond?

She could try to burn them with her grasp. Her skin often heated to an unimaginable temperature. But it would be stupid to get so close.

Conor turned back towards her, nodding quickly. “Your turn.”

The thought of focusing on her magic was unimaginable as her ears pricked at the sounds behind.

“Conor,” she murmured as he gripped her hand. His other palm was already beginning to fill with the purple light of storm, lightning ready to infuse with the mirror.

“You can do this,” he said, “just focus.”

Another scream echoed around them. This time even Conor flinched, his hand gripping her tighter.

“Go,” he ordered loudly. “We need to go!”

Saige looked down at her free hand, trying to imagine the light. But her heart was beating too fast. Blood rushed in her ears, drowning out the sound of Conor’s frantic cries. With a shaky hand, she lifted her palm.

No power flowed from her.

The only emotion surrounding her was fear.