Chapter 103
The faint glow of dawn barely reached the tunnels where we had set up our temporary refuge. Though the ground was hard and the air thick, people huddled together for safety, clutching their loved ones. Jake and I moved among them, offering what little comfort we could. His presence, steady and commanding, seemed to give the pack a glimmer of hope even in this nightmare.
I paused beside an elderly woman lying on a makeshift cot. Her leg was bandaged, but the blood had seeped through. I knelt beside her and placed my hands over the wound, channeling my magic. Warmth radiated from my palms as I whispered a soft healing spell. Her labored breathing eased, and she gave me a grateful smile.
Jake crouched beside me, his hand brushing my shoulder. “You’ve been doing this all night,” he said softly. “You need to rest.”
“I’ll rest when they’re safe,” I replied, keeping my focus on the woman. The golden light from my hands dimmed as the spell completed. “How can I rest when there’s still so much to do?”
He sighed, his thumb tracing a gentle line along my jaw. “You can’t save everyone, Priscilla.”
I looked up at him, meeting his green eyes, which were filled with worry. “I can try,” I said stubbornly. “That’s what I promised when I became Luna.”
Jake’s lips quirked into a small, tired smile. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it,” I teased, leaning into his touch.
He chuckled softly, his forehead pressing against mine. “I do. More than you’ll ever know.”
For a moment, the chaos around us faded. It was just us, two souls finding solace in each other. His lips brushed mine, a soft kiss that anchored me even as my magic hummed beneath my skin, restless and ready.
The moment didn’t last.
A scream tore through the tunnels, sharp and chilling. Jake and I were on our feet in an instant, running toward the sound. It came from the far end of the refuge, where Fatima had been organizing supplies.
When we reached the scene, my heart dropped. The spiders had breached the outer wards. Dozens of them swarmed through the narrow passageways, their monstrous forms illuminated by the faint glow of lanterns. People screamed and scattered, the panic rippling through the crowd like a wave.
“Fatima!” I called out, scanning the chaos.
“I’m here!” she shouted, her voice shaking but strong. She was backed against the wall, her dagger clutched in trembling hands as one of the massive creatures advanced on her.
Jake drew his sword, his movements fluid and lethal. He slashed at the nearest spider, black ichor splattering the walls as the creature fell. “Get the people to safety!” he barked at me.
I ignored him, my focus locked on Fatima. The spider stalking her was enormous, its eight legs clicking ominously as it moved closer. Its fangs gleamed, dripping with venom, and its red eyes glowed with malicious intent.
“Stay back!” Fatima shouted, her voice faltering as the creature lunged.
Time seemed to slow.
I raised my hands, magic surging through me like a tidal wave. The air around me shimmered as I stepped forward, my voice ringing with authority. “Not today.”
A blast of pure energy erupted from my palms, slamming into the spider and sending it skidding across the floor. It screeched in fury, its legs flailing as it struggled to right itself.
Fatima stared at me, wide-eyed. “Prisca…”
“Get behind me,” I ordered, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins.
Fatima didn’t argue. She scrambled to her feet and retreated as I advanced on the creature. It hissed at me, its mandibles clicking, but I didn’t falter. Magic burned brighter and hotter within me, a force I could barely contain.
The spider lunged again, faster this time, but I was ready. I raised a hand, and a wall of flame erupted between us. The creature recoiled, its body charring as the fire licked at its limbs.
Jake fought beside me, his blade cutting through the other spiders with brutal efficiency. “You’ve got this, Prisca!” he called, his voice filled with unwavering faith.
And I did.
I felt it in my bones—the raw, untapped potential I had always been afraid to unleash. But now, with lives on the line, there was no room for fear.
The remaining spiders turned their attention to me, as if sensing the threat I posed. They swarmed, their monstrous forms converging like a tidal wave of darkness.
I closed my eyes and reached deep within, pulling every ounce of magic I had. The power surged, wild and unrelenting, but I didn’t fight it. I embraced it.
When I opened my eyes, the tunnel was bathed in light.
The spiders hesitated, their movements faltering as the glow intensified. My magic poured out in a torrent, a swirling storm of fire, light, and raw energy that consumed everything in its path.
I raised my hands, and the magic answered, taking form around me. Flames danced along the ground, creating a barrier that separated the spiders from the pack. Lightning crackled in the air, striking down the creatures one by one.
The largest spider, the one that had nearly killed Fatima, let out a deafening screech. It lunged at me, its fangs bared, but I met it head-on. My magic surged, forming a blade of pure energy in my hands.
With a single, decisive strike, I drove the blade into the creature’s chest. It let out a final, guttural screech before collapsing in a heap of smoldering ash.
The remaining spiders scattered, their connection to Jena’s magic severed. Some fell where they stood, their lifeless bodies crumbling to dust. Others fled, retreating into the darkness.
The tunnel fell silent.
I stood there, breathing hard, as the glow around me dimmed. My knees threatened to give out, but Jake was there in an instant, steadying me with his arms.
“You did it,” he said, his voice filled with awe.
I looked up at him, my vision swimming. “Is... is everyone okay?”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Thanks to you.”
Fatima approached, her face pale but determined. “Prisca, that was... incredible. Terrifying, but incredible.”
I gave her a weak smile. “I couldn’t let them hurt you.”
She hugged me tightly, her trembling hands a testament to how close she had come to death. “You’re amazing,” she whispered.
Jake helped me to my feet, his arm wrapped securely around my waist. “Let’s get everyone to safety before more of those things show up.”
I nodded, leaning into him for support.
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