Page 76 of Pure Magic
Offended that the bowl contains Adam’s blood, I lift my hand and throw a spear of water at her.
Kaden steps in front of her and bats it away, and his forearm bleeds where it struck him.
“Fool!” Bowl discarded, Ariana lifts both her hands and screams words I don’t understand, but they make me queasy.
Evil upsets the balance of all things.
Her eyes turn full black, and she bares her teeth in a terrifying smile.
The sky above us swirls in a black funnel. Energy rushes into the vortex, and it shakes with thunder. The funnel flattens twenty feet above Ariana’s head. Rather than the cloudy sky of England, within the funnel is darkness so black and ugly it hurts my head to look within.
Despite my determination to let go of my attachment to Adam in case he really has turned, I have to look at him. My heart sinks at the graying of his skin.
Kaden too is pale, and his shoulders slump.
She’s draining her own brothers for the power to open the gate.
I long to save Adam, but if I give him energy, it feeds Ariana.
Gripping my arm, Prudence says, “Use the staff to shield him.”
Swallowing my fear, I point the blue crystal at Adam and ask Goddess for his protection.
A beam shoots out, then forms a bubble around him. His cheeks pinken. Wide-eyed, he stares at me.
Over the thrashing wind of her gate to hell, Ariana screams, “You broke your vow.” She claws at his face, but her hand bounces off the shield.
Collapsing to the ground, both twins look at their sister with the same horrified expression.
The head of a beast with horns, red eyes, and black skin pokes through the gate and gives a wild screech.
Laura calls upon water and wind energy to push the monster back where he belongs.
Another demon, small and with six legs, jumps to the ground. A stinger, wet with venom, tops his crooked tail. He charges the south side of the circle.
Three witches shoot magic at him until he splatters like a bug under carriage wheels.
More demons fight their way into our world.
Witches shoot into the vortex to keep them away, while the ones that get through are also dealt with.
I keep my head clear and hold the shield around Adam. Remorse for Kaden may very well be coming from Adam, but either way, I extend the shield to keep Kaden safe as well.
Ariana laughs as she waves her arms in a circle, widening the gate. Then, as if just remembering Adam’s transgression, she spins and stalks toward him. “You swore on your Goddess to help me.”
“Only to help you open your gate. I gave my blood. You opened the gates of hell. I have fulfilled my vow.” He pushes to his feet and stands between Kaden and Ariana, as if he might save his brother. He wavers slightly, but he holds firm.
Ariana shoots sickly green lightning at him.
The shield holds, but Adam pushes his wind magic toward her. It escapes the shield and forces Ariana back a few steps.
Sylvia leans in. “We have to get Adam out of there.”
Demons are coming through faster than we can beat them back.
William grabs a slimy beast by the horns protruding from the top of its head and wrestles it to the ground before it can escape the circle.
Esme shoots a magical arrow through its eye.
