Page 110 of Mantle

The former was still, eyes wide, trying and failing to process what had just happened.

Ryker ripped the blade out and levitated it over to Cornelius who removed it from the vicinity rapidly with his magic.

Ketheron choked and slumped to his knees, the ground rumbling at the impact.

Valkrith fell from his grip.

In a blink, Kai’s magic enveloped it, and had it dematerializing, removing it from the battlefield and sending it somewhere safe. I saw concern light Cornelius’ eyes at Kai now being in possession of it.

I looked away as Ketheron slapped his palm over the wound, frowning, not understanding.

He sucked in a couple of stilted breaths, staring into space.

And then he drew his hand away.

I choked at what I saw beneath it.

Ariana gasped.

Kai cursed.

And Ryker staggered back.

The wound was gone.

No gushing blood.

No mark even.

And… he was still alive.

“What the—” Ryker started, but Ketheron shot back to his feet and lunged, wrapping his hand around Ryker’s throat and hauling him off the ground.

“Cornelius!” Kai bellowed. “Now!”

With a burst of teleportation, Cornelius was there beside Kai, while Lucian snagged Ryker and whisked him away, back behind the wall that Cassius was now holding up alone.

Just for a moment, because then Mia arrived in a blaze of magic and joined Cassius with holding up the wall. She scanned the area, her hands shaking for a moment as she saw the state of Jaxon. Thankfully, he was actually mobile again now and he and Vorzyr were being helped up by the few Guardians who wereunharmed thus far. Her eyes shot wide as she noted Ariana was right up close to Ketheron.

There wasn’t time for anything else as Cornelius grabbed Kai’s hand and allowed him to channel his power.

Kai jolted from the rush of the intense power that he really shouldn’t be channeling as a non-Celestial being. There were a lot of things that Kai shouldn’t do, but it was Kai. And he was prepared. Always prepared.

“Zheiren val’kara!”he thundered.“Nuriel thaz’en!”

Ketheron dropped Ryker as his arms were wrenched out either side of him.

He snarled and tried to fight against it, but it held steady.

“Kael’shara ven’torii! Zhurai ek’tol kai’neth!”he bellowed next, and Ketheron was forced to his knees.

He tried to fight and struggle, and I winced at the strain it caused Kai, and even Cornelius.

Ariana and I moved in.

Ketheron gnashed his teeth at her as she drew close.

But she didn’t even flinch.

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