Page 97 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
“It’s not a ward I can control,” Lucan panted, trying and failing to recast his magic.
“She’s killing her!” Ember screamed as Willow fell to her knees and cried out, clutching her heart while the steam misted higher.
Willow dropped to all fours and yelled something to us, but we couldn’t hear over the rushing geyser and the bubble that formed the perfect dome of the barricade.
Lucan closed his eyes, straining as he fought against whatever we couldn’t see.
Malachy’s roar was so powerful it shook the trees. If anyone should’ve been able to break through, it was him. The guardian’smassive fists beat at the wall, bouncing off as if hitting a trampoline.
Kieran held Ember back as she screamed and kicked, trying to tear the ward apart with her teeth.
I knew Lucan would be next. His dragon would force him to pick me up and carry me to safety.
I stared at Willow, my heart slowing for a focused second as she mouthed the word, “Help.”
“This is a really bad idea.” I closed my eyes and ran straight for the pulsing dome, bursting through the other side and tumbling ass over end down the hill.
Not my finest moment, but I survived.
Wincing, I sat up. There was definitely a bruised rib in there somewhere. Thankfully, I’d lived through much worse.
I didn’t wait to see what else was broken as I crawled on all fours to Willow, who lay on her back, staring up at the sky.
“Please don’t be dead,” I whispered. “I’ll kill you if you are.”
Willow was smiling as I leaned over.
I’d never wanted to punch my own friend so much in my life. “What is wrong with you? We thought—”
“I’m so sorry about this.” Willow grabbed my hand as I went to shove her and pain shot down my arm, starting at my wrist.
I stared in horror as the ink began to spread.
A loud crash sounded behind us as Ember burst through. I turned, seeing Lucan’s tortured expression as he beat uselessly against the wards.
“Holy heck, what is going on here?” Ember slid downhill, catching herself before she landed on her butt.
“Finally! I thought you both would never hear me.” Willow held out her hands to Ember as I stared at the rune tattooed on my wrist. The fourth one that appeared on the cave walls, throwing our whole lives into a tailspin.
It was starting to make sense.
“How is this possible?” I asked, realizing we were what She needed all this time.
Willow laughed as she shook her head, still reaching for Ember to join us. “Come sit down. We’re going to be here for a minute. Earth has a lot on her chest and this girl needs to vent.”
37
Willow
And That’s How It’s Done
“Thank you,”she said.
“My pleasure.” I stood, dusting off my pants. “Same time next week?”
“Please.”Earth’s voice was a caress of wind on my cheeks as the barriers fell and Malachy stumbled through. He was the only one of the three males still standing.
The breeze rushed past my ear.“Let him know he’s the greatest guardian that ever lived.”
