Forever - Chanda Hahn Page 0,42

doubted her strength. If she risked the fight and lost, she’d only guarantee the death of everyone she loved. A tear slid down her cheek. “Okay, you win. Take the dagger, but leave my friends and family alone.”

“Step away from the circle,” he demanded.

Mina stepped away from the protection of her circle. A glow of light appeared under the hallway door. The knob turned, and the door opened. Teague.

He came in and studied the display of mirrors. “Very impressive for a human.”

As he moved toward her, she backed up. The back of her knees bumped against her bed.

He chuckled at her fear and reached out for her face. She turned away, but he gently plucked a strand of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Where is it? Do not make me ask again.” His voice was softer than she expected.

Her eyes flicked to her nightstand and back to him.

Teague pulled open the small drawer filled with her hair brush, numerous hair bands, and pens. His hand lingered over her blue notebook of Unaccomplishments and Epic Disasters. He pulled it out, flipped open a few pages, and skimmed them.

“You really are bad luck, aren’t you? Some would say cursed.” He tossed the notebook onto her bed. “Of course, that could be in part because of me.”

Teague reached back in and dug around until he pulled out the dagger. He stared overly long at the small missing tip. His free hand touched the spot over his heart where the tip lay. An expression of contemplation flickered across his face, and she saw a chance.

“Teague,” Mina whispered his name. “That dagger is evil. It’s changed you. If you’d let me help you, we could remove the rest, and you’d be back to normal.”

“And why would I want that?” His eyes went dark, and he turned on her. “I’ve never felt so alive… so powerful… so in control of my own destiny.”

“Fine. So does this mean it’s over?” she asked. “That you’ll leave me and my family alone?”

He turned to her, his face lighting up in an evil grin. “I’ll spare your friends, but I’m not done with you.” Within seconds, he was pressed up against her, his hand cupped around her face, his thumb just brushing the corner of her lip.

Mina’s breath caught as he leaned forward to kiss her. She pinched her eyes shut, scared to fight, scared to breathe as his lips barely brushed hers.

“My only wish,” he whispered, “is for you to share my fate.”

Her eyes shot open. The dagger glinted as his arm lifted to plunge it into her.

“No!” Mina screamed and reeled backward falling onto her bed.

Her fall made her even more vulnerable. He smiled.

The door burst open, and Ever exploded into the room flying straight for the dagger in his hand. She grabbed his wrist mid-lunge and yanked backward.

“Now, Mina!” Ever shouted, as she struggled with Teague to pull him closer to the their target.

Mina pulled all of the power through the mirrors into the room. The mirrors glowed, lights flickered, and the paintings on the wall shook.

Teague blasted Ever against the wall, leaving a spidery crack up the plaster. She looked a bit dazed, but the pixie shook it off and flew toward him again, grabbing the hand with the dagger. Teague seized her in a net of power, frozen, her hand still wrapped around his wrist.

Mina didn’t have much time. The mirrors were charged, but Ever was too close to Teague to go through with their plan.

Ever’s eyes flicked to Mina. “Do it!”

The joint attack surprised Teague. He spun his attention on Mina. She aimed the concentrated power from the mirrors at the knife and Teague. Power shot into him, making him glow, turning a bright white.

He screamed in frustration and countered her power with his own. Teague was stronger. He released his hold on Ever.

Screaming, she fell to the floor with a thud.

Teague began to laugh.

That worried Mina.

“Don’t quit, Mina. Keep going,” Ever shouted. “This has to work!” She got back up and flew behind Teague. Grabbing him around the waist, Ever lifted him into the air. He roared as the pixie pulled him toward the center of the circle of mirrors.

“Come on, Mina,” the pixie yelled over the glowing ball of light that now almost engulfed her.

“Move. I can’t do it,” Mina hesitated, desperate to keep from hurting her friend.

“It’s my job to protect you, Gimp. Forget about me. Think of your family!”

Teague slashed Ever across the arm with