Page 17 of Shadow & Stars
Shadowy Bastard rolled, pushing himself onto his knees. Black blood leaked from his hood in a heavy flow.
“You’ll die here today. You’ll…” He swayed, the hammer looking ready to slip out of his hands.
Cool. A head injury to fuck him up. I loved to see it.
Xavier took the opportunity to attack, going at him full pelt and landed a hand on the hammer’s handle. My heart leaped into my throat as the big demon roared, throwing elbows.
Xavier dodged too late, getting slammed in the chest. He hit the floor on his back.
“No!” I cried, darting forward.
“Be careful!” Butterfly yelled.
Shadowy Bastard clocked me. I prepared for a swing of the hammer, not expecting him to throw it at me with an earsplitting roar.
Everything slowed for long, painful beats. The thrum of the hammer cut through the air like a rhythm of doom, its killing blow about to end my life.
I didn’t have time to move. I’d be dead with no Xavier, no hope, moved onto the next life when I wasn’t ready. Not yet. The idea of seeing my grandma again meant everything, but only at the right time.
Not here.
Not in this place.
I let a thought break free.Make his hammer flowers.
The demon’s chest caved in as if stomped on by a heavy boot. A spray of black blood hit me in the face, the demon making a gross, gargling sound. His body swayed left and right before landing in a twisted heap.
Dead.
A bunch of pink carnations landed at my feet, wrapped in cellophane. I stared down at them, the device hot inside my chest. Sweat trickled down my spine, beading across my brow.
I’d made a wish. I’d put everyone here at risk to save myself. What if I’d killed my best friend or my lover? Oh, God. I couldn’t even think about it in case I made it happen.
Guilt riddled my body like a spray of bullets. I collapsed onto my knees, my heart pounding in my ears. My stomach lurched, a bubble of acid escaping my throat.
Not your heart! You don’t have one!
Footsteps approached. Xavier’s. His feet appeared beside the flowers. Slowly, I lifted my head to meet his face.
“I… I’m so sorry…” My throat was closing up.
He crouched down, his white gaze too sharp, too scrutinizing. “Did you make these flowers happen with your power?”
“Y-Yes. I didn’t… I… Oh, God.” I closed my eyes to avoid eye contact, biting my bottom lip.
“We have to get to Level 88.”
“Is that wise?” Butterfly wondered from somewhere over to my left. “Wouldn’t Earth be a safer option?”
“Not right now.” Xavier reached for me.
I flinched, falling onto my backside. “Don’t… Just don’t. I’m jinxed.”
“You have to get up, Roman,” he said softly.
“I’m too dangerous. I’m a lost cause.”
“Please don’t say that.”
