Reaching Retribution(106)

When Zahtri is fully encased inside, I push electrified magic at it. The electricity from the lighting coalesces with the vortex. The tornado lights up like a Christmas tree with thousands of twinkling lights flickering off and on. Gathering all the anger from both mages and Gadramicks around me, I strengthen my magic and continue pushing it out. Despite being wrapped in negativity, my magic glides through the air like the wind before a storm—calm and peaceful, but potentially dangerous.

The edge of the tornado bows out as Zahtri attempts to break free from the magical cocoon. Raising my hands above my head, I close my eyes and unlock my thoughts box. The thoughts of those around me swarm my senses, briefly overwhelming me. I wrap the thoughts in excess magic and push them toward the tornado. I’m hoping when they hit it, it’ll confuse Zahtri enough that he won’t be able to form any counterattacks.

Taking a few steps back, I continue pushing magic out and swirling it around us. I don’t know what is happening in the clearing, but I can’t afford to break my concentration even for a second. A second is all Zahtri needs.

Continuing to move backward, I image the tornado coming together at the top. I open my eyes and watch the vortex. If I can just close the vortex, I can end this. The edge of the tornado is pushed out again as Zahtri tries to get out. With renewed vigor, I thrust more magic at him.

Reaching deep inside me, I break down the rest of the barrier I had constructed around my magic. Zahtri was right when he said I had to release more magic. I had more locked up than I thought; dwelling inside of me was hidden magic begging to be used.

I’m the secret of the flame. Liam said that flames provide the illumination during the darkest of times. Mages have been living in darkness for a while now, and if I can cease the flickers in the flame and bring back its brilliant luminance once again, then I’m going to. No matter what it takes.

I feel my energy start to wane, but I continue funneling magic out. I don’t know how much magic it’ll take to stop Zahtri, but I’m going to find out. Starting to lose my balance, I fall to my knees and push more out. I don’t think I have an endless supply of magic, so I’m sure I’m about to find out what happens when you use all of it.

The tips of the vortex fuse together, capturing Zahtri inside. Placing my palms flat against the cold earth, I push more magic out. My airways tighten with each piece of magic that leaves me. Hanging my head low, I think about Colton. My best friend and soulmate. We had all these plans together and I don’t think we’ll ever get to experience them now. He means everything to me, so I wrap my love for him around the magic.

I’m going to disappoint all them, but this has to be done. David and Logan’s jokes echo in the background and I keep pushing. The time that Emma and I baked a cake for Colton fills my mind. The magic strengthens as the happy memories intermingle with the strands leaving my body. I wrap my love for Liam around vibrating pieces of magic and push them out. My pranks with Bragden are pulled to the front of my mind and though my body is protesting my actions, I don’t stop the flow.

I think about everyone. I think about those that came here to fight today. I think about the lives we have lost during this battle. I think about all those that died before at the hand of Dravin and Zahtri. All these emotions cascade out of me and infuse my magic. Neither one of them can come out of this alive.

All the strength leaves my body, but I don’t stop. I can’t stop. I close my eyes and focus on the vortex. I have to end this. The Gadramick’s reign has to cease tonight. Mages shouldn’t have to live in fear anymore. Humans shouldn’t be at the mercy of them. The world is full of enough evil as it is. Magic does not have to add to it. Magic is supposed to be used for good. For help. For encouragement. For anything, but what they want to use it for.

Taking one last deep breathe, I gather everything I can. I can no longer see what is going on around me, nor can I hear anything, but I know what I have to do. Wrapping the weather elements, the emotions, and the voices into one giant ball of magic energy, I thrust it forward toward the vortex. Everything I had in me leaves and moves through the air. I open my eyes and watch in slow motion as my magic melds around the vortex.

A few seconds later, everything explodes. My magic release plummets back into me and surrounds me with a bright white light.

Then everything goes dark.





Chapter Thirty-Three


“Ryanne,” someone calls out for me. I roll onto my back and try to blink away the fog from my mind. “Ryanne,” she repeats.

When the haze finally dissipates, I look around. I’m in the middle of the field of dreams…only this time I’m not alone, nor is Liam here. I’m surrounded by my mom, Claire, Jedrek, Vincent, and Kyril. I’m surrounded by the dead…which means I’m dead.