arms to my sides and forcing me to my knees. The cold ice stung my legs through my pants as the leshane thrashed against Emma’s magic, trying to break free. For as powerful as he was, Emma had caught him before he could unleash, and she was strong enough to hold him.
The leshane let out a cruel laugh. It erupted from my throat and spread like bitter seeds upon the air. “Got me this time, didn’t you? Next time I’ll be more prepared.”
“Let. Him. Go.” Emma spoke through clenched teeth. She kept her hand aloft, to suspend the spell. There was no fear in her eyes. There was only rage, and pure unadulterated hatred.
“I don’t think I will. He’s been the most entertaining host I’ve had in decades.” The leshane flicked his forked tongue. “It won’t be long before he’s mine forever.”
“I will not let you have him.” Emma’s hand shook. “I will fight for him.”
“You cannot stop me. I’ve never lost before. Thousands of souls have fallen to me, and a thousand souls will fall hereafter.”
“You’ve never dealt with someone like me.”
The leshane’s tone was thick with distaste. “Not even a Worldweaver can come between the leshane and his prey.”
“I will get you out of him,” Emma snarled. “You’d better pray to the gods for mercy once that moment happens, because I won’t spare you. Hell will look comfortable compared to what I’m going to do to you.”
“You’ll never get the chance. Ethan Nowak is mine.”
The leshane fled. He hid back within the confines of my spirit, and I gasped as I came back into my own body. The binding spell broke, and I fell forward, my cheek connecting with the cold ground.
“Ethan!” Emma collapsed beside me. She turned me on my back. It felt like a few blood vessels had burst in my face.
My voice was hoarse. Any energy I’d had moments before was gone, lost to the wind. “Leave me, onawilke. Before he comes back.”
“No.” Emma pulled at my shoulders, trying to force me to my feet. She couldn’t lift me on her own. I struggled to get up, but only for her. Once I was standing upright, she flung my arm over her shoulders and attempted to drag me to my dormitory. I ordered myself to walk, though every step felt like another pace closer to the underworld.
My body would not take much more of this. It was only for Emma that I kept resisting.
I fell onto my bed, and didn’t stir thereafter. I was keenly aware of Emma’s presence, but only as I was drifting in and out of my own mind.
The demon wouldn’t give up. Nor would Emma. I knew the leshane was powerful, but so was my mate. My greatest fear was before this was over, Emma would be stubborn enough to kill herself before she allowed this demon to take me wholly. She was headstrong. She would not give in.
Perhaps that’s what the leshane was counting on. He wanted to absorb her power. He couldn’t take it unless he hunted her down.
And I kept giving him opportunities to do so. Yet the time was drawing near. My grave loomed, waiting for me as patiently as my bed. If the leshane wanted Emma’s magic, all he needed to do was bide his time.
These bitter stories had bitter ends. As well as violent ones.
Chapter Twelve
Emma
“Your magic is beautiful, Emma. Sustain it. Nourish it.”
Faylin’s face hovered beside mine as I knelt by the hearthfire. My grandmother was teaching me Unseelie hearth magic, a hidden art that had been practiced by my ancestors for centuries. It was all about making the home a magical and protective space for casting. Apparently, the more sacred your home, the more powerful your magic would be. I was learning as much as I could to take back to my dorm, so I could continue practicing with the grimoire in secret there.
I stirred the cauldron counter-clockwise. The mixture within bubbled and turned a shimmering black, due to the faeseed I’d added. I focused my eyes on the brew, channeling my magic into the potion as I said, “In the name of the goddess Milonna, no evil shall enter here. No harm nor negative energy will come to me.”
The mixture turned to silver. I felt a bit of my energy drain as it siphoned into the spell, but I didn’t feel tired whatsoever. I thought of the intention of protection, as that was the main goal for this exercise.