Page 78 of Dark Reckoning
I walked closer to get a better look and saw El-Kazir reaching out as if he were trying to destroy the weapon. Kakashi's chanting grew louder, and his nose began to bleed as he poured more power into the weapon. His pull on my magic grew more forceful as he fought to keep the weapon activated while it did its job. I dropped to one knee, panting hard, as did the other mages. I could feel my strength seeping out of me, leaving me breathless and dizzy. I watched as El-Kazir's body began to shrink into itself as if all of the moisture was being evaporated from him. All around us, I could hear the cries from his creatures and the sound of their combines wails hurt my sensitive ears. So much so, I felt blood seeping down my lobes. As El-Kazir's screams grew hallow and frail, just like him, theirs began to die down too. His skin became ashen and brittle, and his eyes dried up instantly as he mummified before us. Finally, his corpse fell forward and burst into ash that floated away in the light breeze.
Kakashi's legs gave out and he fell to the ground, the weapon still clutched tightly in his fingers as his chest heaved. God, I felt like death warmed over and I barely had enough strength left in me to crawl over to Adrian. But I did, one inch at a time, until I reached my baby. I took him into my arms and kissed him again.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He nodded. “I'm healed... I'm okay.” Adrian kissed me again, then leaned against my chest.
Not one among us had the strength to stand yet, but I watched Aldéric kissing Kakashi. When I saw how much blood was on their clothes and imagined the injuries they had suffered during the battle, I understood why Kakashi and Aldéric wanted to link themselves to Salino even more. Had they not, they would have died and well, we all would have died, because without Kakashi, none of this would have been possible. As much as I hated to admit it, I did owe the bastard my appreciation. Not a debt, because he got something out of the deal too: immortality. But I made a mental note to thank the asshole later.
Maryanne crawled to the edge of the crevice to look into it. “They're all dead,” she announced.
“All... all of them?” Kakashi asked, still out of breath and recovering.
She nodded, a wide smile on her face. She was bleeding and her wounds were still healing. Which meant the protection spell she made was working, but none of her wounds were fatal ones. Not like Adrian and Aldéric's were.
“Were you bitten or scratched?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “This came from the Dark God's power. I'd be dead if I hadn't put up two barriers.”
I nodded, satisfied.
“So, it's finally over?” Adrian asked.
Kakashi nodded and held up the weapon. “He's dead, and everything he created is dead with him.”
“Not vampires, though. Right?” Adrian asked. “I mean, I don't feel any different, I just want to make sure.”
Kakashi shook his head. “I did tell you. You broke that link. In doing so, you freed yourselves from his fate.”
I snorted. “Yeah, but you weren't sure though. You were hoping that would happen.”
He laughed and nodded. “I wouldn't have wanted vampires to die.”
Yeah, I bet. If Salino and all vampires died, there goes his and Aldéric special powers.
“Well, you won't find me complaining.” I sighed. “What next?”
Kakashi huffed and with Aldéric's help, he was able to rise to his feet. One by one, we all did as our strength slowly returned to us. “Now, we must erase this blight in our history. Humans knowing about our world will only cause more chaos. More deaths. They will try to attack supernals and they will fight back. Can you imagine what Salino will do if his vampires are threatened? Or what about you, Sage? If someone comes after your pride?”
“I'll kill them without thinking twice about it,” I said, and meant every word. Adrian slipped his hand into mine and I knew it was his way of showing me support. If anyone attacked me or my pride, he'd side with us, not the humans. That much he was telling me.
Kakashi nodded. “Of course, you will, as will every supernal. Our duty is to protect our secrecy, protect the world we live in. We need to return to the Chamber and do one more spell.”
“Can we at least acknowledge the loss of two of our members?” Rene said. “They sacrificed their lives.”
“We will hold a ceremony. We all knew going in that we may not all survive this. If you're expecting me to pretend that their sacrifice was greater than the risk we all took, I have no words for you,” Kakashi said.
“Interesting how you and Aldéric managed to survive your own injuries,” Maryanne said, motioning to the blood on their clothes.
I was wondering if the other mages would get pissed seeing that Kakashi and Aldéric made themselves damn near invincible before the battle and did not include them.
Kakashi smirked and in that response, I understood why his dark magic was even more powerful than mine. He wasn't just wicked, or selfish, or cruel... he was evil. But also necessary.
“Be glad that I survived, or you wouldn't have. I do not owe you an apology or explanation. Now, let us finish this,” Kakashi said, then teleported.
“Aldéric, you know that wasn't right,” Maryanne said.
Aldéric shrugged. “His magic is the level it is because he does things many some feel isn't right. Even me. But I love him, Maryanne, and he's not wrong. We're all alive because he did what he did. Let it go.” He turned to Adrian and me and smiled with a wink. “You two were so hot fucking earlier.”
