Chapter 73

The ticking clock sounds louder with each passing second. It grates on my nerves.
The impending battle looms closer. My nerves feel like they are about to explode. The Michaels and Cole potter around sorting out the last few details of the battle plan.
It’s been arranged that I go and stay with Amelia while the battle takes place. There’s no way I’m going to let them leave me out of it though. I have a plan.
“Are you ready?”
I nod my head. Chris takes my hand, and the familiar electric current running through my body gives me strength. The courage I need to get me through.
We arrive in the middle of some snow-covered mountains, near to a log cabin. Amelia steps out onto the porch.
Chris gives me a sad look. “My mother will take care of you. Please don’t do anything stupid.” His voice echoes in my head. I nod my understanding and try to hide any evidence of the deceit I am about to undertake.
He looks into my eyes for a few seconds then orbs away. I feel empty inside, knowing they’re fighting for me. They’re putting their lives on the line for the mess I created.
Amelia places her soft hand on my shoulder. “They will be fine. They have trained their whole lives to fight and protect.” I think she’s saying it more to reassure herself than me.
I follow her into the cabin. Clara sits by the window staring blankly out. I go over to her and place a kiss on her head. She doesn’t move or blink. It’s like she doesn’t even know I’m there.
“Aww come on, Mom, I want to fight. I can do this,” Rory whines from the kitchen doorway.
A shadow forms over Amelia’s kind eyes. “Rory, you are too young. This will be the biggest battle in our history. I will not let you fight.”
Rory stamps his feet and marches out of the room.
Amelia lets out a deep sigh. She stares out of the window. She feels as lost as I do.
Giving Clara one last kiss, I excuse myself. It’s time to put my plan into action. For the time being, I follow Amelia’s direction to my room.
When I enter and see the bare surroundings—a double bed with a matching wardrobe and side drawers—reality hits me. I don’t really have a home anymore. Enchanted Falls has been destroyed, my grandmother is being held by the king, and Clara is lost within her own grief.
Loneliness suffocates me. I must free my grandmother first, and then I will make the sacrifice to save my friends, family, and the different realms.
I close my eyes and picture the place I need to be, the place I’ve seen so many times on the map. I pray it works. Even though I’ve been practicing, I’m still unsure if I can orb great distances like the Michaels. Plus, I have no idea where I am in the world.
I picture where I want to go and close my eyes. A soft hum fills my ears, and my hands and skin tingle. I feel energy flowing through my blood as it pumps through my veins.
I land in the middle of chaos. I dodge the swinging arms, flying bodies and magical powers whizzing by me, and go in search of the portal that will lead me to the castle.
I shudder at the thought of entering that place again. I never thought I would step foot in there again.
Quickly, I find what I am looking for. A group of demons stand in a circle back-to-back. I creep up as close as possible to the demons and then hide behind a large oak tree. Both the demons and our army are rapidly falling. So much bloodshed, and for what?
I conjure up a ball of electricity and aim it at the closest demon. He jolts and shakes then explodes in flames.
The other demons form a line. Some draw weapons, while others have their hands raised. Fireballs sit in some of the demon’s hands.
An arrow whizz towards me. I roll to the side and into the view of the demons, whom I believe are blocking the portal to the castle. They all look at me at once.
Fireballs and other different powers rush towards me. I orb away and land on the other side of the portal unsteadily and fall flat on my face.
The demons whip around and start firing their powers at me. I jump to my feet and raise my hand. I call on the power of the wind and aim it at the demons.
I hear someone call my name. I don’t look in their direction. I concentrate on the twister I’ve created and send the demons sailing through the air and into the crowded fight.
I look into the black hole, and before I have any second thoughts, I dive in. My body feels like it’s being pulled and pushed in every direction. Needle-like pains stab my skin. I spin out of control, and my stomach feels queasy. I feel as if I have been falling forever.
Finally, I hit solid ground. My knees, which take the brunt of the impact on the cold tiled floor, explode in pain.