Page 126 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“No…” The quiver in my lips shook as much as the rest of my body. Just like that night all those years ago, the air evaded my lungs and I struggled to catch my breath.
Chaos swirled around us as my friends continued to fight off the Nightshades.
Cold lips brushed against the side of my ear and the iron blade dug deeper into my neck, nicking the flesh enough for blood to trickle down from the wound.
“The gods continue to bless us this evening,” he purred into my ear. “Three beautiful sirens crossed onto our path.”
His teeth bit into the shell of my ear, and I could be silent no longer. “Take your damn hands off me!”
The rumble of his laughter soured the dinner in my stomach. He spun my body in his grip until I was facing his solid chest. One of his meaty palms secured my wrists behind my back, the other slid my dagger inside his belt.
Bastard.
Fiery magic burned and sizzled against my skin, my dynamis filled with just as much fury as me. I’d yet to use my light dynamis—the fear of losing control was too great.
Nayla and Clara were surrounded by three cloaked men. Desperation sank creases of worry into their faces, and I could tell they were reaching the point of burnout.
The man before me tugged my chin, shifting my view back to him. “My men will be very happy tonight.” A sly grin formed on his lips. “Especially since we have such a prestigious woman in our grasp,Light Phoenix.” Leaning down until we were face to face, he whispered, “I wonder if you’ll be just as feisty with me between your luscious thighs?” His deathly grip tightened, locking me in place. “You know what I think, angel? I think I’ll have you screaming my name for all to hear.”
“Fuck you!” I seethed.
“Oh, don’t worry, darling, I plan to.”
Searing bolts of dynamis zipped throughout my body. I shut my eyes and thought about Declan, when he’d first taught me to control my power.
“Remember, our dynamis bends to our will. If you don’t want it to hurt someone it’ll listen…You are in control. You are its captain, it just awaits your command.”
“Gods, I hope you’re right, Dec,” I whispered.
“What did you?—”
Before he could finish, bright light flashed between us. The smell of burning flesh overwhelmed my senses.
“SHIT!” he snarled, tossing me backwards.
“This is mine!” I reclaimed my dagger, then kicked his knee and watched in glee as he collapsed onto the muddy forest floor.
Using my moment of freedom, I ran and launched my light dynamis towards the other Nightshades. They howled in pain, shifting their attacks towards me. Dodging their flames, I made my way towards Nayla and Clara.
Side by side, we continued to hold them back.
“I can’t hold much longer,” Clara panted, her face pale and slick with sweat.
Gathering my remaining dynamis, I prepared myself for one final launch. “Stand behind me,” I whispered.
“Lena, no!” Nayla growled.
“Just let me try. It may be our only way out of here.”
The tension in my voice made her pause, then she took a deep breath and stepped behind me. Clara followed and I called my humming dynamis.
Love once again became my overpowering emotion. There was a deep, unwavering love for the women behind me and the strength and determination that I’d witnessed from them tonight. No one was going to stop us. We were walking away.
Raising my hands towards the hooded figures, I watched with delight as their eyes filled with terror. I launched a fiery blast of light dynamis and Tempest wind.
White-hot flames blew forward, encompassing the men in a fiery inferno. Their screams filled the air as they ran back into the forest, shedding their cloaks as they tried to stop the flames from searing more flesh.
“How’s that for feisty?” I seethed through clenched teeth.
