Page 60 of Hopeless Sacrifice
The dragon horse’s wide wings sweep over the sea, beating down on it as it breathes flames over the limbs of the nix trying to crawl out of the waters.
Our soldiers stand waiting for the nix to flee the wrath of the longma. As I train my flames on the nix before me, other soldiers slice and rip apart the creatures climbing up the shore.
We’re winning.
I think.
Is this what winning feels like?
Razor sharp talons sink into my calf. Wild flames are burning across the nix’s arm and still the thing tries to attack me.
I kick my boot into its arm, detaching the creature from my leg. The shores are ablaze, flames move with every nix that tries to escape the sea only to be demolished by the fae waiting.
I’m pleased with our work. We’re doing well.
Perhaps I was worried for nothing.
And that feeling of achievement washes away as his fingers grip my throat.
Just as I had hoped, black ash is scraping over one side of his sneering face. The flesh isn’t fully there. Black char and slick burns make up half his features now.
My fingers dig into his arm but he only tightens his hold on me.
“I wanted you to suffer. That was before I realized how annoyingly resilient you are. Now I want you dead.”
You think a burned face is bad? There are far worse things.
I gasp for a breath. His smile falters for an instant as I grip his dick hard enough to make him wince.
Fire burns through my veins. I release it with shaking power.
My flames are barely ignited when a high pitched cry leaves him and he stumbles back from me, clutching his tiny dick like there was even much there to roast.
I stalk closer to him. His jaw tightens as he straightens.
His palm rises and once again, I feel that combusting power of his shake through my chest. The energy burns brightly in his hands. Cautiously, I step back from him, wary of the quick magic I know he’s bound to use on me.
I reach within myself for the power Loki taught me. I can’t help but realize the god did in fact give me a gift.
My fingers arch painfully and I try with force to bring his hand down.
But he’s stronger.
The magic in his hand burns bright and unwavering.
Fire flashes from my palms but Tristan sidesteps it. He shudders away just in time only to flicker back right in front of me. The hard angle of his head slams against mine. The force of it washes spots of bright white all through my vision. His fingers grip my wrist tightly, averting my flames to the damp ground as he holds his powerful magic in the other hand.
He’s poised, prepared to end me once and for all.
Nefarious’ rumbling roar signals his arrival and my stomach sinks from the sound of it.
“No.” My voice is a shrieking sound filled with fear and heartache and a knowing sense of what’s to come.
Darrio stands between the wings of the dragon horse. He’s tall with determination etched upon his handsome face. He’s ready to leap, ready to save me from my stupid, stupid decisions.
It all happens so quickly.
Nefarious is just above Tristan and he turns at the sound of the longma’s roar. The magic in Tristan’s hand is released the moment he sees Darrio crouching for an attack.
May you have the strength to understand what you can and cannot change.
The Traveler’s voice echo’s through my mind but I know this is something I cannot change. I’m not fast enough. Tristan is too quick. His magic is too powerful.
And there’s only one way this will end.
At the last moment, Daxdyn shoves his brother, pushing him from Nefarious and letting him hit the ground without caution. The magic in Tristan’s hand releases. It burns so brightly I can’t help but memorize the crimson colors that wash over Daxdyn’s beautiful and innocent face.
Just before it hits him firmly in the chest.
