Page 76 of Light and Shadow
Aaran stares at the lava. “I don’t think that’s magma. Kron. Demon! Kron!” he screams.
The lava snaps away from the land like a striking snake. At least a hundred feet long with a diamond-shaped head and two dark eyes, the kron opens its gaping mouth and shoots fire at the ship.
Jax holds up his hands and mutters. Water slices the air and forms a wall between us and the monster.
The kron roars and pulls back, ready to strike again. This time it shoots fire high, and the tops of the masts and sails catch fire. Flames and ash fall to the deck. Elves run around stomping out small fires.
Aaran casts a spell, and biting cold shoots from his fingertips up the masts and fights back the fire’s heat.
The kron slithers to the edge of the sea and rides the waves like a water moccasin. Even at this distance, the heat bakes my cheeks. My sword is useless. I don’t think an arrow will be of any use. I’m helpless to save these people.
Beside me, Jax grips the railing. His skin is pale. The magic he used must have been very strong to drain his energy. “Use what magic you have, Harper.”
“You said she’d find us. You said my magic needed to be honed.” I don’t even know what to do or how to summon a spell.
His voice is calm, and he looks me in the eyes. “She already knows where we are, and magical training can wait. Do what you do. Make your wish.”
I want to save these people. I came all this way to do the right thing. After everything we’ve been through, it’s unfair for us to fail now. The rush of power begins in my gut. Please let medestroy this demon and save these people. The hair on my arms stands up as my spine tingles with the rise of magic. Having no idea what will happen, I lift my hands and point them at the snake of fire cutting through the ocean toward us.
A shadow flows from my fingers, hovers over the kron, and wraps around it like a sleeping bag. Its screeching rents the air so loud my ears ring.
The shadow smothers the kron, which wriggles violently in an attempt to break free of my magic. A trickle of fire escapes to the sea, and my shadow leaps out like an amoeba and pulls the burning worm back in.
The demon shrieks and throws off the veil of my magic. Body coiled, its head rises and it snaps fiery jaws at us. Rearing back, it roars and shoots flames at the main sail.
In a second, the mast and sail are engulfed. Embers rain down, burning my arm. The acridness of burning hair mingles with that of rotten eggs. The heat is unbearable.
A wave of icy magic shifts the wind. It’s the witch queen’s magic. I’ll never forget the sting of it.
I command more, stronger magic to smother the kron. A blacker shadow forms around my fingers and expands. I pull my arms back and throw it at the demon like a fishing net.
Pushing and binding the kron, my magic tightens, feeling as though it’s tethered to a knot in my gut. I will the shadow to keep wrapping over and over, getting smaller with each round.
The screeching dies, and the fire within the shadow dims. The only sound is the rain pelting the deck.
Thank goodness. The shadow rises from the water, revealing an ashen snake dispersed among the waves. As the sea settles, the ashes sink until nothing of the kron remains. My magic fades until it’s nothing but a bit of haze that blows away in the breeze.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding and collapse to my knees. I guess even my magic has a price. Jax gets blurry while I try to tell him I don’t feel well.
Chapter Twenty
Aaran
Jax keeps Harper’s head from striking the deck when she faints. He holds her like a child. “Shadow magic.” Worry dims his eyes.
I kneel beside her while the last of the fires are dowsed on the charred ship. “Without it, we would all be burned to death.” I take her from him and hold her in my lap.
Ash falls like snow, but the mountain is again silent. The rain slows to a sprinkle.
I kiss her forehead. “Wake up, Harper. Tell me you’re alright.”
Her right arm has a puckered, blistering burn. I run my fingers over it and send healing to her flesh.
Drawing a gasping breath, she sits up, one hand in a fist and the other reaching for her sword. She pulls away from me, but her fear shifts to relief, and she closes her eyes and relaxes into my arms.
Inches from us, Fancor slides to a stop. “By the old gods, let her be alive.” His hair is scorched in several places, and his skin is covered in soot, which makes his eyes appear brighter.
“I’m alive, friend.” Opening her eyes, she tries to smile. “I guess we won?”
