kellan let his flames free. They burnt brighter than the blazing sun, and Bethan couldn’t wait to see what Hells they would unleash on her enemies.

He sheathed the dagger, and only the short sword remained in his other hand.

Julius moved toward him, and Bethan noted Tharin moving behind High Councillor Edington.

Julius and Kai worked together as brothers, and though Kellan was skilled and powerful, he was indeed no match for the two expert witches. Kellan threw flames, and Bethan wondered why he was not using his weapons. Bethan bit her lip. Silent fury waved within her, and she was feeling vengeful.

She stared at Elnora and said, ‘I wouldn’t have dared to do this to you. I wouldn’t be capable of doing this to my friend.’

Elnora’s lips opened to speak, but in the corner of her eye, Kellan fell to the floor and hit his head on the marble, like Sam had done facing off with Canden. Bethan didn’t know the cause of his fall, but unlike Sam, Kellan got up. Kellan got back up; no matter how many times Kai or Julius bested him in their magic battle, Kellan got back up. Each time he fell due to the enchantments thrown at him, Kellan got back up angrier.

It was only a matter of time before he cracked. Before reaching his breaking point, before unleashing his power and anger onto them.

But with each enchantment thrown at him, Julius and Kai would share a knowing glance at each other. Kellan managed to dodge the next onslaught from them and created a wall of flames that separated her from the fight.

The fire looked as if it were swallowing them up into an inferno. Bethan wasn’t sure how the fire held on the marble floors, yet it burnt anyway. She couldn’t see much, and she heard no screams. Perhaps Kellan contained it. She was almost thankful for it.

But that overwhelming sense of uselessness returned; even with her magic, she was futile in the situation. She cursed herself, cursed the Trine for burdening her. She was just a pawn, a steppingstone to a sinister and violent end. She wanted to shrink into herself, and she nearly did. But her eyes found Kellan again, amongst the smouldering flames. He was there, fighting. Fighting for her. She should too.

She wasn’t sure exactly what she could do, but Kai was ready to strike Kell from behind over the shield of fire that protected her.

Her hearing became so clear that she could have sworn she heard Kai’s blood roaring in her ears; her eyes narrowed as she focused on Elnora’s father. She flicked her wrist, and Kai’s movement slowed.

Kellan dropped his hand and noticed Kai behind him. Kellan side-stepped to avoid the attack.

Except, one of Kellan’s brows raised slightly in quick contemplation—