Reaching Retribution(105)

“Vincent?” Nothing. “Go to Claire,” I whisper and place a small kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

Spotting Larkin at the edge of the clearing, I call his name. “We need to bury him,” I tell as I stand up. “He deserves a proper burial.”

“Ryanne…” he starts.

“Please don’t,” I ask him. He’s going to tell me not to sacrifice myself again. I must have a look that he recognizes. After staring at me for a few seconds, Larkin just nods and blinks away with Vincent’s body. I don’t stray from the spot, but I move my eyes around and scan the fighting. Tom, Colin, and Chris are still fighting. Liam is with Natalie and James. Bragden and Incendia are where they were before. David and Emma are working together as well, fighting off as many Gadramicks as they can. But where is Colton? He has to be invisible, because I can’t find him anywhere.

Pushing all the sounds of the fighting into the background, I bring my attention back to the small area in front of me. I need to remain focused if I’m going to do this. I need that confident feeling I had earlier. I need that feeling of happiness and love I experienced when near the tree with the initials carved into it. Running a hand through my hair, I concentrate on calling my magic to me.

When Zahtri comes, I’m not going to fight. I’m going to use all my magic. I’m going to throw everything I can at him, and he’s going to wish he ended me when I was down and injured. He had a dagger and could have easily finished me off. He should have finished me off.

Hearing thunder roll above me, I push more magic out. Dark tenebrous clouds start rolling in as my magic moves around us. The sounds of fighting are completely tuned out as the whispers start materializing. I have all the attention on me, but I don’t look out at the crowd. Taking a few steps back, I take in a deep breath, call out Zahtri’s name, and wait.

I don’t have to wait long.

Zahtri appears in front of me with a large smile plastered on his face. “That was quite the little disappearing act you just pulled. How’d ya do it?”

“Magic,” I tell him without moving toward him. Get creative. I need to get creative. Vincent was right. Claire was right. Colin was right. I can do this. I just need to get creative. “I’ll tell you about it someday.”

“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” he says as he takes a step forward. I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, but I’m going to pretend like I do. It’s kind of my thing.

“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” I tell him as I push more magic around. Strengthening the shield around my thoughts, I stare Zahtri down. I can tell he can feel my magic. These games need to stop. This has to end. I’m prepared to finish this. Right here. Right now.

I feel Zahtri try to penetrate my shield, but I don’t let it affect me. Without breaking eye contact, I take a step forward. Strength spreads through me as a look of shock crosses his expression. When he feels the edge of my magic brush against him, he moves back a little. I can see the disbelief in his face. I’m ready now.

Sensing that, Zahtri starts gathering magic around him as well. I can feel the shift in the air as his moves around me. Taking one final deep breath, I gather all of my magic into a giant ball and push it forward at the same time as he sends some at me. I don’t visualize my magic doing anything other than just hitting him. I need to stun him long enough to do what I fully have in mind.

I’m going to get creative.

Our magic counteracts each other, and neither one of us causes any harm. This could take longer than I planned. Time for plan B. Running toward him, I jump into the air and transition straight into my flips. Usually my gymnastics stuns my opponents long enough for me to get a hit in. Zahtri sidesteps my moves, but he doesn’t take into consideration that I can use my magic and fight at the same time. As I move in front of him, I push my magic out.

It cascades through the air and collides into his chest sending him flying back into the tree. Without giving myself any time to relax, I start pushing more magic out. Extending my hands, I imagine the magic creating a vortex around Zahtri. I just need him to stand up. I’ve created a magical tornado before, but this one will require more magic. I didn’t intend to cause harm the first time I made one. This time, I do.

Zahtri pushes himself up and faces me again. I can feel his magic hit my shield, but it doesn’t penetrate the barrier. He’s going to have to try harder than that. When my skin starts vibrating from my own magic use, I forcefully thrust it forward. Zahtri’s eyes the magic tendrils swirling towards him, but he doesn’t react soon enough. Instead of barreling straight into him, I imagine it splitting down the middle and circling around, creating a magical tornado with him in the middle.