50
Savannah
Smoke and ash burned my throat, and every inch of me screamed in agony. The return through the rift had been twice as bad as the journey there.
I exhaled in relief as my feet landed on asphalt, but dread rocked me the moment I looked around.
Aunt Laurel stood across the street, her arms outstretched. Lightning bolts of magic cracked and flashed between her hands, and the skin on her palms was scorched and blackened. Sweat beaded all over her with the strain, and the pain and determination in her eyes undid me.
I ran toward her, but Jaxson’s arms locked around my waist. “I need to help her, Jax!”
“No.”
I fought against his hold, but deep down, I knew he was right. I had no idea what spell she was working, or what it would do if I got too close and interfered.
An orange aura blazed around her, and the energy snapping the air above was electric and searing. My heart cracked. I could see the agony etched in her strained expression.
“It’s done! He’s locked away! You can close the rift!” I shouted.
Her attention was distant, but a subtle flicker of acknowledgment flashed across her face, and she shut her eyes.
The fiery aura around her swelled, and the wind picked up, carrying leaves and trash in eddies. Tendrils of purple-blue light snaked out of her upright palms as if from a plasma ball. The heat coming off them scorched my face and arms, like I was standing too close to a fire.
Three successive streaks of lightning exploded out of Laurel’s hands, piercing the night sky. The resounding thunderclaps erupted around us, and deafening pain struck my eardrums. Clutching my throbbing ears, I forced myself to stay upright as I watched my aunt.
Would she survive this?
Her hands were raw, and the tendons in her neck strained as she dropped her head back, angling her face to the heavens. The wind picked up, and Jaxson shielded me from the debris whipping around. A heart-shattering scream tore from Laurel’s throat as a blindingly bright white ball of light burst from her chest like a shooting star. It flew into the rift and detonated in a blast of searing energy. The aftershock threw us backward, and the pavement scraped my exposed skin as I landed and skidded to a halt.
Shock and adrenaline dulled the pain. The wind died down, and an eerie quiet settled over the streets. I rolled onto my side, glancing over at Sam and Jaxson, who’d also been knocked over by the blast.
Jaxson was on his feet in seconds and pulled me up. I spun out of his arms, panic choking me. “Laurel!”
My aunt was on all fours, her head hanging and her body spent. I sprinted down the street and dropped beside her.
She whimpered at my touch but lifted her head to meet my gaze. Her features were sunken and hollow, and I almost didn’t recognize her. “We did it,” she whispered.
Tears filled my eyes as I helped her to her knees. I gently took her hands and turned them to see the damage, and my stomach heaved at the sight of the ruined flesh. “What can I do? You’re hurt,” I choked.
She forced a small smile. “I’ve seen worse.”
Really? Because she looked like she was at death’s door.
“Laurel!” My uncle came dashing down the street. He sank to his knees beside her and kissed her forehead. “My love.”
Moving away to give them a moment of privacy, I took in the damage around us. Scorch marks seared the pavement where the rift had been. Smoke and fire billowed from the buildings around us, and brick and glass covered the streets.
Dockside was in ruins, but the nightmare was finally over. Magic Side was safe, and we’d locked the Dark Wolf God away for good.
And we absolutely kicked his ass, Wolfie said.
That, too.
Relief settled over me, and I let out a deep sigh.
I was free. And she was free.
But I had one thing left to do.