Page 285 of When Sisters Collide
“But I am not only the god of aggression and destruction,” Laran said. “I am the protector of borders. The maintainer of peace. Find that balance within you…” His fingers tightened on her shoulder, power pressing down like an anvil. “And let go of your fear.”
Katell’s body shuddered as something vast and ancient sparked inside her—a blazing inferno of rage so fierce and untamed it seemed capable of incinerating everything in its path. It was a force of nature, wild and uncontrollable, one that screamed to tear the world apart. Her mind roared with the thirst to strike, to feast on the blood of those who dared challenge her, to rend the universe itself with her fury. She could feel it—the power of destruction rushing through her veins, an unstoppable torrent of violence.
Blinding light radiated from her skin in pulsating waves. Relentless. Terrifying.
Her thoughts fractured.
Then—through the maelstrom—a voice pierced the air.
Kat. It’s me. Little star.
The words cut through the madness, clear as a bell in the dark, and Katell’s breath caught.
Air flooded back into her lungs. The magic, which had only moments before threatened to consume her entirely, seemed to withdraw—immense, burning, but no longer dictating her every breath. Her hands stilled. Alena’s voice anchored her, steady as a hand on her heart, a tether pulling her back to what was human.
To the mortal world.
Katell scanned the ashen field of wandering souls, searching for her sister’s form. “Alena!” she cried, her throat splintering on the name.
But her sister wasn’t here. She remained in the mortal realm—fighting, bleeding, in danger.
Katell shoved at Laran’s chest. Pain flared through her side, the gash he’d carved only half-sealed. “She needs me,” she gasped, magic crackling under her skin. “I have to go.”
Laran’s brow furrowed, but he caught her arm and helped her rise. She staggered towards the mirror, one hand clamped to the wound, fingers slick with blood.
The bronze circle rippled with light, though no image appeared.
Behind her, Laran sighed. “Hmm… This is taking too long.”
He stepped forward, but Katell was faster.
She spun, summoning Laran’s Flame to her palm with a snap of heat and light. “If you stab me again,” she warned, the fire casting a red glow between them, “I’ll personally burn down every one of your temples in Rasenna.”
Laran exhaled a quiet huff, but it carried no real anger. A spark of pride flickered across his face as he nodded towards the fire in her hand. “Just like your mother,” he murmured. “Stubborn to the very end. Iamtrying to help, you know.”
He offered his hand.
She hesitated, then grudgingly took it.
Heat surged through her body, and the gash in her gut sealed at once, the pain vanishing.
She gave him a curt nod. “Thanks.”
I failed you. Leukos was right. I should’ve picked up that sword and fought beside you against the slavers.
Katell’s stomach twisted. Why did her sister’s words sound like a goodbye?
She whirled towards the mirror, but before she could reach it?—
“Katell.”
She froze. It was the first time Laran had ever said her name. The usual glint of mockery in his expression had vanished, replaced by something quieter, older. “When you return, your memories will come back with you. Everything your mortal self experienced while you were here. It won’t be pretty, but don’t waste time punishing yourself for what was never in your hands.”
The blood drained from her face. A chill coursed through her.
He knew.
He knew exactly what awaited her on the other side. More than he’d said.
