Page 95 of The Starlight Savior

If the creature came down the stairs, would Conor be able to protect them? Most of his energy was being used for the mirror and getting them home. Saige suddenly felt so small and foolish. She couldn’t fight. Couldn’t draw upon her magic.

She didn’t know how to do any of this.

The light of Conor’s magic dulled as he spun her limp body to face him.

“Saige,” he breathed, “I can feel everything you’re feeling, and I need you to take a breath. If we’re going to get back, we need to activate the portal now.’

“H-How?” Saige said with a shake of her head.

“Try to channel any other emotion than fear. Anything, even anger. Fear will always hold you back.”

Conor turned back towards the mirror. His grip was tight, squeezing and pulsing, his thumb roaming her hand. She closed her eyes, held out her palm, and tried to think of anything other than the possibility of being attacked.

Brevil’s general smirked in her mind, his crooked nose waiting to be broken. Blood seeping from her mother’s neck. The King of Etrane's cool voice compulsing her to be his pet. Everything the kingdom had been keeping from her.

Heat flooded her gut at the thought.

“Good,” he murmured beside her.

She didn’t dare open her eyes to see if light pooled in her palms, but she hoped it was enough.

She continued to think of every person in Opela who had ever ignited her flames. Every moment that was laced in anguish. Each time she was set back, flung into hiding and isolation.

Her eyes flung open, chest constricting. The room faded back into purple light, her own white streams dimming.

Her father’s face had danced in her mind. His cool voice in her ear when he compelled her to stay under the bed. The secrets he tucked away. Secrets that could have helped her. Could have kept them alive.

“Saige!” Conor said, his voice cracking. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“I—”

But she didn’t finish her sentence.

The scent of rancid flesh filled the cellar as a blur of movement stumbled down the stairs. Heading straight toward them.

Chapter 37

Apale creature in scraps of clothing pummeled towards them. Saige stumbled back as she realized it looked human. Two arms, legs, hands, and feet. Its body was deformed, moans and screams escaping its cracked lips. Black veins bulged under its thin, infected flesh, replacing spots where hair and nails once were. Pus oozed from sores, black blood and bile dripping from its eyes. Its jaw clacked with sharp teeth as it swung a sharp fist at them.

“Sybil,” Conor choked, “S-Sybil!” His hand reached towards the creature, lightning flashing across its skin.

Magic didn’t stop the figure as it leapt towards Saige, mouth open wide. Raising her hands, she braced for impact. She only felt the whoosh of air against her, pushing her backwards, away from the creature.

Conor’s hands were outstretched, eyes and veins bright as wind and lightning pulsed throughout the room. The creature was held down, but it thrashed and snarled until his magic faltered. Once his guard was down, it leapt from the floor, sharp fingers dragging across Conor’s cheek. Saige stumbled back, body rigid against the stone wall. Conor danced back and forth, letting it swipe at him over and over. Blood dripped down his cheek, but he ignored it. The creature’s hand grazed the top of his head. Ducking, Conor slid on the ground, stumbling behind it. Lightning pummeled into the creature’s back.

It didn’t falter.

Saige stepped forward, unwrapping her hands from herself. She reached for her magic, but came up empty. Fear numbed any sensation building in her palms. Her breaths were shaky, heartbeat thundering against her ribcage.

Conor groaned as he pushed his palms out, striking the creature rolling on the floor. Wind continued to move throughout the room, knocking down jars and supplies from shelves. The greatness of Conor’s power simmered throughout the room, all his energy channeled towards the ground.

Its body flung across the room, a loud crack echoing as it hit the bottom of the stairs. Conor let his power travel through him until his opponent stilled. Burning flesh filled the room as the pale body charred from the heat.

Conor wasted no time as he turned back to Saige, scanning her body for any injuries.

“It needs to be you.” He pointed towards the mirror, the blood still seeping through the crevices of the silver’s edge. “I have nothing left in me.”

She breathed heavily with her back against the wall. “I-I don’t know if I can,” she stammered. She couldn’t stop looking at the mangled creature, at the way it looked so human. “W-What is that?”