Page 157 of Mantle

The only problem was, with me almost tapped out completely magically because I’d been in combat with True fucking Celestials for so long, I’d just sent my only real defense away.

Corvin grinned triumphantly, recognizing that as well, then he slammed me into the tree.

Over and over and fucking over.

I managed to blast him with my power, but it only had him stumbling back a couple of steps, when normally it would have blown him clear across the fucking forest.

He was obviously using illusionary magic, because as he attacked me, nobody noticed—unable to see or hear a thing that was going on.

He grabbed my throat and slammed me back into the tree again, making me gag at the brutal grip restricting my airflow so severely. “You’ll die with me draining you dry. Then I’ll take your magic while you’re drawing your last breath and you’ll go to the Valley of the Dead in utter torment knowing I’ll use all that intoxicating power against those whom you love. So many years building all of that up and it’ll be used to destroy what you love.”

He dropped his fangs. “Any last words, sorcerer?”

“Psychopathic shit,” a familiar voice rumbled.

A blast of magic tore him from me in the next second, and sent him rolling on the ground.

And then I saw Sylas standing there. He smiled at me reassuringly, then he turned his attention to Corvin.

His necromantic magic enveloped him.

I watched as Corvin started to desiccate, his hands turning to ash rapidly.

“See how you like it,” Sylas spat.

With his free hand, he swept his power all around us.

He was breaking the illusionary magic.

I heard cries and shouts, so much movement then, and I dazedly looked to see my loves running over. Cornelius and Cassius. Ketheron guarded the children. Mia and Jaxon teleported into the fray.

But in all the chaos, it unfortunately gave Corvin an opportunity.

His power sparked a moment before I heard a known incantation.

He was calling a portal forth, trying to escape us.

“His power… I only have his blood,” I warned Sylas.

Sylas thrust out his necromantic magic and as a vortex formed that Corvin was creating, Sylas’ magic fused with it.

He tried to tether Corvin, but the fool used more power to fight against it.

The vortex went wild, and then it started to swallow him.

Piece by piece.

He screamed as it tore him into shreds, before pulling him in entirely.

Cornelius and Ariana tried to yank him back.

But it was already done.

Too late.

The portal closed in a violent explosion of light.

Corvin was gone.

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