Page 120 of When Storms Ruin

Shehadused storm magic.

And it had been Isaac’s.

The magic held within her staff must be the magic she stole from others, to use for herself. It was no wonder my magic had recognized it as something dark, and powerful.

“Donika, what have you done?” My voice was cold dread as I pushed my magic back down. If she killed Nik, I would die, too.

“I’ve only leveled the playing field, little Stormshade. Who says you get to have all the fun?” she asked.

Her eyes fell on the soldier who held Isaac, and he yanked Isaac’s head back by his hair. Isaac’s eyes were endless and black, his teeth sharpened into fine white points that protruded from his mouth in a painful way.

Bile rose in my throat once more, my magic surging forwards violently, begging to be released.

Isaac was one of Donika’s Noctani.

She had used those dark, magic siphoning creatures to steal his storm magic and leave him like this. A monster. But shehatedStormshades…why would she do this? Why would she want his magic?

“How could you do this?!” Annelise cried, pushing against the restraints of her captor.

Her cheeks were wet with tears, a choked sob escaping her throat as she met Donika’s gaze.

“Ah, I had a feeling there was something going on between the two of you. I wanted to hit where it hurts, so to speak,” Donika replied, her eyes burning with hatred as she gazed from Isaac to Annelise. “Zion never was good enough for you, was he?”

“Donika, stop this.” Zion’s voice was sad as he hung his head, unable to look at her.

“Don’t you understand?” she asked, moving towards him. She pulled her sword free of its scabbard once more, using itto turn his face towards her. “I willneverstop.Not until every single soul that stands against me is vanquished from this realm. Hell, thisplanet.You, included.”

She had hesitated to kill our mother once, but I doubted she would hesitate again. We were as good as dead.

Donika somehow had this sick sense of betrayal, as if any of us were going to stand by her side as she murdered innocents. As if we were in the wrong, not her. Her view was sotwistedbeyond reason, I feared there would be no way to manipulate ourselves out of this.

If I tried to strike her down with magic, she would kill Nik. But could I live with the fact that Nik and I would be dead, as long as Donika was, too?

I met Nik’s gaze across the cobblestone street and could see the resolve in his eyes. He gave a soft nod, his neck cutting against the blade held to his throat. A small trickle of blood ran down his neck, escaping under his white shirt. He was willing to sacrifice his life if it meant Donika was gone, too.

I knew I was willing, I had known this war might end in my own death. I had come to terms with that a long time ago. If it meant the people of Istmere would be safe from this tyrant, it was a price I was willing to pay. A true queen would give anything for her people. Donika had stolen everything from me, including my crown, and I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

I met Tess’ gaze, and she lunged against the hold of the guards, tears streaming down her cheeks as the storm clapped above us. Thunder shook the ground we stood on.

Tears blurred my vision as I pulled on my magic, the corner of my mouth curving into a sad smile as I held her gaze. I didn’t know our story would end here, and the thought felt as if it were a knife in my heart as my fingers sparked with magic.

Her eyes blazed, sobs wracking her body as she fell to her knees. The rain above us began slowly, kissing our cheeks and mixing with our salty tears. Within moments the rain had become a deluge, soaking us through.

A soft laugh escaped me as I turned to Donika.

“Little Stormshade…” Donika warned, moving her sword to point at my throat.

I smiled, leaning into the blade, my chest warming as blood pooled there.

“Diana,please.” I could hear Annelise’s voice begging, but it sounded as if she was very, very far away.

My gaze turned towards my mother, and I met her eyes through the tears glistening in my own. I hadn’t even gotten a chance to know her.

I pushed the thought aside as I pulled my magic from the sky, letting it well within me to the point of pain. Donika’s eyes flashed with what I could only assume was fear before everything moved all at once.

Donika reached out with the butt of her sword, knocking me to the ground as my feet came out from under me. As I registered that she hadn’t struck me down with her blade, Puck kicked a throwing knife towards Nik. He leaned forwards, the knife at his throat cutting into his skin as he grabbed the knife from the dirt, turning to plunge it into the soldier’s neck.

Isaac rose to his feet, his expression cold and dark. He moved forwards, his fangs protruding from his mouth as he smiled wickedly, approaching Nik. More Noctani were coming forth now, appearing from around the corner of the building where the Araneoch had appeared.

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