Demon magic, Mikayla thought. But this magic was more powerful than whatever Rouke had done to Alina. Mikayla stumbled, nausea clawing at her. The cloying darkness of the magic washed over her, raising all the hairs on her arms. Pain burst through her temples and forced her to her knees as she gripped her head in agony. The malevolence of the spell beat at her. This magic was never meant to be cast in the human realm.
Ciar glanced back at her, hesitating when he saw her pain.
“Do it,” she yelled to him, knowing he needed to be on equal footing with Rouke.
Regret washed over his face as he called up his own powers. Mikayla saw her lover produce another blade from the air, but the tainted magic swirling around her was making it hard to breathe. She’d never known how truly disadvantaged she was around demons. Over and over she’d heard their kind didn’t mix but she’d thought it was because of their penchant for violence. She’d never known how deadly their magic could be to her. How easily Ciar could have taken his vengeance on her these past days they’d lived together. That he hadn’t showed her more clearly than words that he did care for her. But did he love her?
The clash of metal against metal rang out over the park as the two swords met. Ciar parried and ducked past Rouke’s guard, attacking from the side. His movements were fluid and practiced. Mikayla knew she was seeing years of training being put to use.
Flying past Rouke’s guard, Ciar thrust out. His blade cut through his opponent’s skin with astonishing ease. Mikayla couldn’t help flinching at the howl of pain that escaped the fallen demon.
Rouke knelt on the ground, his hand pressed against a vicious gash on his side. Dark blood leaked through his fingers. Before him Ciar raised his sword, ready to deliver the killing blow.
“Watch out!” Mikayla cried out as she saw a grin of triumph twist Rouke’s lips.
Rouke grabbed a handful of sand and threw in into Ciar’s face. While he was blinded, Rouke kicked Ciar’s legs out from under him. Ciar crashed to the ground. The sword flew from his weakened grip, landing just out of reach.
“Ciar,” Mikayla gasped, racing forward.
She had no idea what she could possibly do to help but she knew there was no way Ciar was going to die in front of her. Not as long as she had breath in her body.
With a roar, Rouke drove his sword toward Ciar’s unprotected chest. He barely managed to roll out of the way in time.
“Mikayla, no!” Ciar yelled as the flames appeared in her palms once more.
Mikayla hesitated. How much was she going to risk for this man?
But looking at him dodge Rouke’s blade she realized it was an easy question to answer.
Everything.
Mikayla threw the flames. The fire sailed through the air toward Rouke. He ducked out of the way with a curse but the distraction gave Ciar the time he needed to reclaim his blade. While Rouke was off balance, Ciar attacked, sending his adversary to the ground. Rouke crashed into the sand and froze when Ciar’s sword pressed sharply against his throat.
“Stay down,” Ciar ordered.
Rouke bared his teeth in reply but made no move to fight. “Finish it,” he growled.
But Ciar didn’t deliver the killing blow.
“What are you waiting for?” Alina demanded, striding forward. “You won the fight.” Her eyes flickered to Mikayla. “Mostly. No one needs to know of her involvement. Kill him.”
“No,” Ciar snarled, staring down at his cousin. “If I kill him, I have to become him.”
Alina smiled in agreement. “You two are the last of the bloodline. If you refuse to replace him, it means civil war for us. You have to come back with me, Ciar. There is no choice.”
Ciar turned his gaze to Mikayla.
She stood frozen. Here was his chance to go home and have the respect and power his father and brother had once enjoyed. This was the position he should have rightfully held all these years. Despite his protests to the contrary, would he really pass up the opportunity? Especially when it meant he could have Alina at his side?
“Ciar,” she said, knowing how selfish the words were. “Don’t kill him.”
Alina snorted. “Why wouldn’t he?”
“Because he needs to stay here.”
Alina scoffed. Mikayla ignored her, focusing on her lover. “You need to stay,” she said, taking a step forward. “Because there are people who would never stop missing you if you left. Don’t kill him. You are not that man anymore.”
Their eyes met and Mikayla wished she had the power to read Ciar’s expressionless face. But her lover gave nothing away as he dropped to his knees, careful to keep his blade pressed against Rouke’s throat. Leaning over his cousin, Ciar studied his angry face.