“Please don’t make me do this,” Likh begged, as sharp Wind brushed against the older woman’s neck, ready to strike the killing blow.

Altaecia closed her eyes. “If I have to sacrifice my life for you to understand, Likh, then I will gladly do so, with all my being.”

Wind died down. Likh made a strange choking noise. Her hands fell against her own neck, her eyes wide. And then I saw the Blight rune surrounding her. No! I screamed, as Druj lifted her fingers, prepared for the last stroke.

The Heartshare rune shone, bright and beautiful. Asleep or not, Khalad’s strength was counteracting Likh’s impending transformation. But it was taking far too much from him, and I knew with sudden clarity that he too would die.

No! I struggled to break free, finding enough strength to redirect Druj’s attention back to me. For the first time, I could feel her difficulty restraining me, the Blight rune forgotten in her desire to overwhelm me again.

No! I cried out. Kalen struggled to his feet despite his injuries. His Wind rune was deadlier than Likh’s, with none of her hesitation. Altaecia raised her hand to construct a Shield of her own, but Kalen’s rune sliced through hers like there was no barrier. The woman screamed as it chopped off one of her hands, the useless wrist dropping to the floor.

The Blight rune flickered and faded. The young asha had not yet transformed, and I had no idea if she was dead or alive, or if the Heartforger was all that was keeping her from her horrific change. I could see the Heartshare rune wrapping itself around them without anyone’s direct guidance. And Kalen doggedly constructed more wards around them both despite his own injuries.

Still, I was trapped. I pushed and shoved against Druj with all my might, but it was like fighting a brick wall with bare fists. She wasn’t just controlling me; she was depleting my strength. I could feel my energy draining from me and adding to hers as she greedily consumed my Dark like a parasite. Severely weakened, I could only watch helplessly as Altaecia rose to her feet, clutching her stump, and turned toward Kalen.

Tea?

No. There was one thing I could do.

I turned toward another brick wall in my mind, planted there not by Druj, but by my own resolve. Desperate, I took hold of the wall I had painstakingly built and clawed my way through until the Veiling broke from the force of my despair, until the door opened.

Tea!