Page 108 of Veinblood
But the storm isn’t following any more. We move as one force, unified and unstoppable.
“Let’s see how your crystal handles this,” I snarl.
Power erupts from my hands, and slams into Sereven before he can react, and for the first time, he screams.
“That’s not possible!”
“Maybe not for you.” My voice carries new harmonics where Sacha’s presence echoes with mine. “But we were never bound by your limitations.”
I flick one finger, and shadow-touched lightning flows around his stolen abilities, finding gaps in his defenses. Where his powers are rigid and stolen, mine adapts and flows. Where his crystal tries to feed, my shadows redirect the energy away from its hungry reach.
Sereven fights back desperately, calling on every ability at once. Fire and ice and shadow and stone, all directed at me in a chaotic storm of power. But he's losing control. Blood pours from his face as the crystal demands more than his body can give.
I am storm given form. Lightning made flesh. But I am also shadow’s chosen ally. Darkness that shelters rather than threatens.
Sereven’s attacks grow more desperate, more chaotic. Blood streams steadily from his eyes and nose as the crystal flares with each use of the power contained within them. Whatever the embedded shards are doing to him, they’re clearly taking a toll. His movements become less coordinated, his voice strained with pain.
“You're dying. The crystal is killing you.”
“Better to die as a god than live as nothing!” He raises both hands for one final assault.
The air around him turns. I meet his attack head-on. My power slams into his with the fury of a hurricane. Sereven collapses to his knees as something vital gives way. The crystal's glow wavers, and his stolen powers sputter and die.
“This isn’t over.” Blood bubbles from his lips. “The Authority still rules Meridian. You’ve won a single city, but you won’t take the realm.”
“Maybe not. But you won’t be the one who leads them.”
I raise my hand, building for a final strike. But arrows whistle through the air toward me before I can act. Authority soldiers pour into the plaza from three different directions, crossbows trained on me.
“Kill her.” Sereven lurches upright, two soldiers moving to support him while the rest continue firing.
I throw myself to the ground, sending lightning into the nearest group. They scatter, giving me time to scramble back behind the fountain. When I rise again, Sereven has vanished.
My fist slams against the fountain’s edge.
He’s getting away.Again!
Across our connection, Sacha’s presence dims as the effort of sharing his power takes its toll. He’s fading, leaving me alone, and the impact is devastating.
My legs buckle. The shadow-lightning that protected me only moments ago flickers and dies, leaving only my normal silver sparks dancing weakly over my fingertips. But I won’t let that stop me.
Sheer stubbornness and willpower drives me back to my feet, and I run toward the alley where Sereven disappeared.
I can’t let him escape. I can’t let him connect with his men where he will be able to plan new attacks on the people we’ve just saved.
“Ellie! Stop!” Jorana’s voice cuts through my anger, but I’m already at the plaza’s edge.
Hands grab my shoulders, pulling me back, and I whirl, one hand lifting, ready to defend myself. Corwin’s face fills my vision.
“Let me go! He’s getting away.”
“And you’ll die if you chase him beyond the walls.” His voice is firm. “That’s exactly what he wants. To draw you away from the city, from your allies. Out there, you’ll be facing his remaining soldiers alone.”
“I can handle?—”
“No, you can’t. You’re exhausted.”
“But—”
