Reaching Retribution(79)

They look me over right as I push some magic out. I trail my finger across their chests as I walk around them. Both of them watch me, but don’t do anything. They can feel my magic moving around them, but neither of them react. When I’m standing behind them, I thrust my magic out and send them flying off the platform.

I know he’s there before I turn around. “Using you’re feminine charms, I see,” Larkin says.

“Emma always told me to flaunt it,” I say. Zahtri is staring at me through narrowed eyes. Why isn’t he attacking?

“I know what you’re planning on doing, Ryanne.”

“I’m going after Zahtri,” I nod. Everyone knows that.

“You’re not going to sacrifice yourself.”

“If it’ll stop Zahtri, I’ll do it.”

“Think about what your death would do to everyone. Don’t do that to us. You didn’t see Colton this past week. Don’t do that to him.”

“I may not have a choice, Larkin.” I put up a shield around us, so no one can attack us. A man runs toward us and bounces off the shield. “He’s stronger than you think.”

“No, he’s not. I know exactly how strong he is and I know that you are stronger, but you don’t believe in yourself, so you don’t see your strength. You think that you have to sacrifice yourself to prove you’re strong, but you don’t. You can take Zahtri on without it resulting in your death.” Larkin grabs my shoulders. “Ryanne, look at me.”

I keep my eyes on the fight around us. I need to be out there. Right now, it’s hard to tell who has the upper hand. I watch Natalie fighting someone. The man behind her suddenly falls to the ground, so I know that Colton is fighting with her while invisible. Liam and Adam are working together fighting off Gadramicks right below me. Liam looks directly at me, wondering what is going on.

Larkin grabs my chin and forces me to look up at him. “Ryanne, when you died, you were supposed to overcome all these insecurities. You are strong, and you are prepared. You can do this without causing your death. Would your mom want you to just give up in the end?” Harsh. Using the mom card is just mean.

“Some things are hard to change,” I whisper to him.

“Not if you have faith,” he whispers back and pushes my hair away from my face. I never have a hair tie when I need one. “You gave an awesome speech earlier. Fight for those you love, Ryanne. Don’t forget how many of us actually do love you. No one will forgive you if you sacrifice yourself,” Larkin looks toward Natalie, but I know he’s actually looking at Colton. “No one.”

“Larkin, we don’t know if any of us are going to get out of this. I’ve never had to go against someone as strong as Zahtri before, and I’ve come close to death so many times. There’s nothing that says I won’t end up dead this time.”

“Just be careful, Ryanne. That’s all I’m saying. Don’t try to be the superhero here.”

“I never wanted to be a superhero, Larkin,” I whisper to him as I drop the shield. “Now, go help our family. Don’t let anyone get hurt.” I run to the other end of the platform and jump off. Zahtri is standing by himself on this side waiting for me.

“Took ya long enough, darling.”





Chapter Twenty-Four


Colton


“I said all I could,” Larkin says as he transports behind me. Natalie yelps as someone barrels into her. She falls to the ground and gasps while trying to push the Gadramick off. Larkin and I both grab onto his back. Larkin stabs him in the stomach and throws him to the side. I reach down and help her stand up.

My eyes travel behind the wooden platform to Ryanne. She’s tense and prepared, but she’s not fighting Zahtri. I see Dravin slowly walking toward her. Ryanne suddenly turns to her right. I see Adam fighting through the Gadramicks, trying to get to her. She turns around and her eyes widen.

Put a shield up, Ryanne.

Dravin brings his arm back. The little sunlight breaking through the clouds, gleams off the metal dagger in his hand as he releases the weapon. Ryanne screams, but doesn’t throw up a shield.

“Ryanne!” I yell right as Adam jumps in front of her.

The dagger implants into his shoulder. Adam falls back into Ryanne, knocking both of them to the ground. Ryanne moves out from under him. Leaning over him, I can see tears falling from her eyes. Liam runs over to them. Ryanne yells for Logan, but Liam starts shaking his head. Even from this distance, I can see the large amount of blood pouring out of the wound.

Some of their weapons must be infused with the same magic as the dagger that Enrique had. I hear thunder crack ahead. We all stop as the deep noise shakes the group beneath us. If there’s thunder rolling, Ryanne is very mad.