Page 51 of Within the Flames
"You wanted me to come to you, well here I am." She held out her arms, not caring how dramatic it made her look.
Or how crazy. She had no idea if Jared and Rónàn could hear the Voice too.
BUT NOT ALONE.
"Even if I was, I wouldn't be alone."
THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK.
Macey didn't answer. She knew she'd never convince him. Just like she knew she was right. Her heart would never be alone, no matter what he said.
"What do you want from me?" Her voice shook despite her attempts not to let it.
TOTAL SUBMISSION.
"That's not an option."
THEN MAKE IT ONE.
A sensation like she'd never experienced before flooded through her body and she tried to push it away. She wouldn't let him have the upper hand. She couldn't let him. He was the Mahoun, the person they were trying to destroy. He couldn't be allowed to gain the upper hand. She would resist him if it was the last thing she did, while hoping it wasn't.
"Why won't you come out and face us?" she demanded.
Jared reached out and placed a comforting hand on her back. Rónàn did the same on the other side. She leaned back into their touches, their support filling her with strength she'd been missing before.
YOU AND YOUR ARMY?
His laughter reverberated throughout her. He really didn't believe they were any kind of threat. That would be his undoing if he wasn't careful. If there was one thing she'd learned, it was that underestimating anyone was a bad move. But then, wasn't she doing the same by not believing his threats?
She frowned but said nothing. Her head was in knots as it was. She didn't want to make it worse.
WHAT HAS YOUR ARMY GOT THAT I HAVEN'T, LITTLE KELPIE?
She thought through the people assembled around the foot of the castle and came back with nothing. They were just a gaggle of people brought together for a common cause and nothing more. She didn't even know how some of them would fare in a battle situation. She hoped well, but there was no way of truly knowing. And if she was honest, she was in no rush to find out. Battle meant death. Having anyone's on her conscious wasn't what she wanted in life.
Thoughts of Izban flitted through her mind but she squashed them down again. The last thing she wanted was the Voice to work out what she was up to.
The booming laugh returned, making her jump as the shock overtook her. She really didn't like it when he did that.
THE ICE WARDEN? YOU STILL HOPE HE'S ON YOUR SIDE, DON'T YOU?
She didn't answer, but doubts started to creep in as he spoke. She was still hoping Izban was on their side and that she hadn't just handed him the tools to betray them all. She couldn't think about it now, there was still time before she'd know which side he was on for sure.
"We can take you with or without Izban." She wasn't completely sure she was telling the truth, but she had to believe it or else he'd sense her indecision.
She could feel the Voice's disbelief but ignored it. There was nothing else she could do about it other than stand her ground. There was a great deal of confusion about the situation though. Why was the Voice being so passive? He'd wanted Macey to come to him but now she had, he was doing nothing with her.
YOU WILL COME WITH ME.
"Why should I?"
The Voice laughed again. What was it about this time? He wasn't doing anything she'd consider to be laugh worthy.
Choking sounds sounded from behind her and the two men's hands fell away from Macey's back. Panicked, she spun around and took in the sight of the two of them clutching their throats and desperate for breath.
"STOP!" she screamed. "I'll come with you."
ALONE?
