Annie's Song(31)
FOURTEEN
Annie felt the spell halfway across the field.
“Holy shit—”
An unbinding spell.
She ran faster, terrified she wouldn’t make it in time, more terrified of what she’d find when she got there.
Whatever they dug up in the circle was a big ugly, and the idiot woman was trying to set it free.
She made it to the outer gate when she felt the binding unravel. And the power that rolled over her nearly buckled her knees.
A fire elemental.
“God, no.”
The last time she faced an elemental it tried to burn down her apartment, with her in it. Only Claire showing up saved her and her neighbors from fiery death.
“Angel, elemental—” She remembered the connection Claire told her about, the hold angels had over elementals, and the rage it sparked in the ones who wanted to stay when they manifested. “God, Zach—”
She bolted for the main doorway.
*
Diana stood in front of the pedestal, arms over her head, cloak billowing, shouting over the unnatural wind that poured out of the box. In its wake came the real occupant.
A column of fire surged out, reaching as high as the castle walls. Diana stumbled backward, letting out a shriek that raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
The column narrowed, compacting until it was eye level with Diana. She stared, mouth open, dropping her wand as it moved closer. Zach watched it move, like a glowing snake, red and gold flames snapping out.
He shouted, knowing he’d draw attention. “Get away from it!”
The column of fire swung toward him, and he stilled. Without thinking he gripped the amethyst at his throat. The result was explosive.
The fire recoiled, an inhuman scream tearing through his mind. Zach hit the ground, clutching his head. He felt the heat before he saw it, hovering over him, twitching and—angry. How did he know a column of fire was angry? No, not angry. Enraged. And scared.
When he moved the fire whirled away, like it was afraid of him. He didn’t have time to think about it. The column threw itself at Diana, engulfing her in flame.
“No—” He scrambled to his feet, running at them. “Get off her!”
The fire screamed again, leaping away from him. He crouched next to the smoking figure, eyes on the column, expecting it to soar up through the open roof. It tried, and halted in midair, hitting up against the blocking spell. Instead of recoiling, it hovered, and he swore it glared at him.
Keeping it in sight, he touched Diana’s shoulder. She gasped, scaring him. He thought she would be dead.
“Diana?”
She flailed, throwing off her cloak. Zach realized it took the brunt of the attack, leaving her with just minor burns. “Get away—what have you done? I nearly had the power to myself—what have you done!”
Her fist smacked into his jaw, hard enough to knock him backward. His shoulder slammed against the hard ground, the impact jarring him. He got his arm under him, pushed up, and saw Diana, arms outstretched, calling to the fire.
“Come to me! I am the one who found you, set you free. Infuse me with your power!”
“No—”
Zach got to his feet and ran toward her. The fire was faster. It swooped in, wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground. He covered his ears as her agonized scream ripped through the air.
*
Annie ran through the doorway, chilled by the scream echoing off the walls. Her ring flashed—and to her shock threw a flare of blue at the elemental.
It shrieked, dropped its captive and shot to the far end of the huge room.
“Zach!”
“Okay.” He raised his head, his face sheet white.
“Stay that way. And stay down.” She moved to the twisted figure, and halted a foot away, one hand over her mouth. Nothing would help Diana now. Annie looked for the elemental, found it hovering near the open roof. “No matter what happens, you stay out of the way. Understand?”
“Annie?”
“Your mom’s still with us, sweetheart.” He let out a shuddering breath, nodded. “Okay—let’s get ourselves out of here in one piece.”
She braced herself and moved toward the elemental.
*
“Zach—” Claire lurched up, reaching for him. Fire shot through her right side. She ignored it, clutching the ground—
“Claire.” Strong, gentle hands caught her, eased her back to cool sheets. Bed, hotel . . . God above, every inch burned. She took in a shallow breath, opened her eyes. Marcus leaned over her, gold-laced green eyes exhausted. “You need to rest.”
“Zach.”
“Annie has gone after him. You taught her well, as did I. Though I will never admit that in her hearing.”
A smile flashed across his face, faded. He looked exhausted, his shoulders slumped, the wild black curls she loved pulled back in a messy tail. She frowned. Marcus was never messy. He made her feel slovenly at times, with his sleek good looks and impeccable dress.