“That’s right Logan, get angry, and show us all who you really are,” Kace snarled.
Logan started to launch toward Kace and I slid in front of him.
“Logan, no. Don’t do it. He’s trying to bait you by playing on your emotions. You can’t let him do that,” I pleaded.
He balled his hands into fists. “But look what he did to you?”
“I know, Logan, but you’re not strong enough to stop him, so please don’t try. Please, for me.” I begged him with my eyes to hear me. Kace would surely bring out the ugly demon inside of Logan. The one I had buried deep. Kace would use Logan and dispose of him. I wouldn’t be able to cope if that happened.
“Fine,” Logan muttered, pacing silently behind me, not making a move towards Kace.
“Very impressive,” Kace said, flashing a smooth smile. “Claire, you might be stronger than I thought, if you’ve tamed this one.”
I glared at him, disgusted by his words. “I didn’t train him. He’s not a dog.”
Kace shrugged, his expression amused. “Not far from one.”
“Fuck off,” Logan spit.
Kace frowned. “See?”
“You have done enough to Logan. Just leave him alone, Kace,” I said, feeling the overwhelming need to defend my friend.
He shook his head and took a step towards me, my discomfort exciting him.
“Logan makes his own choices,” Kace offered.
“Yes, he does, but he doesn’t need you twisting his emotions to do that. He’s a good person. I didn’t train him. I merely helped him see who he really is.”
“Much stronger than I thought, indeed,” he repeated. “You don’t have an inkling of the power in your abilities, which is going to make ending you so much fun.”
Kace was going to enjoy my demise way too much. I played right into his hands. He was ready to make his final move and claim his success. He was right. I didn’t begin to comprehend the abilities I obtained, let alone when or how to use them. Brent and Reese would be here soon and he would finish off everyone, including Logan, capping his victory.
I couldn’t let him do that. With all of the energy I had left in me, I pushed a giant bubble around Kace and locked us in, keeping my friends out. I learned from Omni the bubble was an energy source. It looked so much like a giant version of one that I would have blown as a kid after it landed on the wood floor without popping – rounded on top – yet flat against the floor. I discovered my ability to create the bubble when the Couriers came to get me as a way to keep them out and protect myself. Now, I would use it to keep my friends out, protecting them from Kace. If he wanted me then he could take me. However, he could not have those I loved. I would not give him the satisfaction.
I saw Logan’s horrified face as he ran towards the glass. “Claire, what are you doing? No! Goddammit, no!”
I looked at Logan and watched as fear and panic replaced the warm amber tone in his eyes.
“It’s okay, Logan. I have to do this,” I reassured him. He pounded the glass trying to penetrate it, recoiling backward with each attempt. “Go, Logan! Run!” I yelled to him.
“No, Claire. I can’t leave you,” Logan said, continuing to pound the glass.
”Logan, please, you have to get out of here now. Go!”
Kace closed in on me, stalking me like prey, surprise evident on his smug face.
“A final move of my own,” I told him as he stopped just short of touching me, anger radiating from his body. Kace wanted to finish this game by ending my life and the lives of my friends. I was determined he would not get a victory on his terms.
“It doesn’t end like this. Remove the glass,” Kace demanded.
He was fuming mad because it was impossible for him to escape the dome around us. His fury grew, filling the bubble with hostile energy. I had grown stronger. I held the glass bubble firm with very little effort and was able to move about inside. I stretched it six feet around us.
“The bubble stays, Kace. This is our fight, no one else’s,” I answered, backing away from him fearfully.
He paced the enclosure, cursing under his breath. I played the one hand he didn’t expect, sacrificing myself to save my friends.
“Do it,” I shouted. My voice was feeble as I willed him to kill me, to get it over with. I heard a knocking sound and it took me a moment to realize the sound was coming from my knees as my legs shook wildly.