Page 184 of Rose and Shadows
I saw Rhyza about to leap into the fray.
But an explosion of white power right in front of me stilled her, and then it was rushing at my attackers and sending them all hurtling into the distance several feet away, where they landed in unconscious heaps.
When the blindingly bright light died down, I caught sight ofhim.
“Cassius,” I breathed, as he spun around to face me and came to me, kind of looming over me in a very protective way, while his gaze darted around constantly, monitoring our surroundings.
“Little shadow,” he uttered, beaming at me.
“I thought… I was so worried that I’d feel a painful pang from you next.”
“Ketheron and I determined a solution that wouldn’t cause harm to me. All is well. The process is complete. Ketheron is well. All the Celestial children are unharmed.” He chuckled. “Actually, they are elated that they were heroes tonight. I’m sure they will be up all night talking about it. Ambrose is well also and has absorbed all the black magic that tainted the Celestial power.”
“Wow… that’s… I can’t believe it. Thank hell.”
“Indeed.” He moved in then, to brush his lips over my cheek in that sweet way of his.
But he never made it.
He was suddenly frozen mid-step.
A gray film materialized all around him.
No.
No. No. No.
In the next second, a blast of that awful power slammed into my side.
It sent me flying out fifty feet beyond the battle, where I’d been earlier with Rhyza.
I rolled from my back and somersaulted to my feet, just as I caught sight of Rhyza leaping toward me, only to be frozen in Undead Domination too, like Cassius.
An intense rush of fear hit me through the Soul Brand from Cassius.
An explosion of gray power had Morien Morgrave materializing right in front of me.
A flick of his fingers had me knocked to my knees on the grass.
“Stay down and no harm will come to you,” he told me. His gaze dropped to my belly. “Not until that child is born.”
I choked.
He knew?
He knew about our baby.
And our child was part necromancer… in his hands…no.
“You’re done. The Celestial power has been extracted.”
“Ah, yes, but I still have my own black magic that wasn’t tied to that. Not to mention, my son has provided me an immense boost too.”
“That was what I felt… you were draining him.”
“Draining him, weakening him, on the verge of ridding myself of Remnant and his son too.” He looked out at the battlefield. “Hmm. Gregor is no more. Well, he became too reckless and emotionally volatile near the end. We will retire from this foolishness until the child is born. If you are good for me, I will allow you to remain to raise him.” He flicked his magic at me, forcing my chin up, making me grit my teeth. “You will bearmean entire line of necromancers who will belong to me and be shaped by my blood and teachings.”
A shudder rolled through me.
