Chapter 62 Into the Breach
Amara’s POV
The obstacle has vanished. The air was heavy with ash and smoke. We were surrounded by howls and screams. Despite my heart beating like a drum in my chest, I refused to back down.
"Stoop back!" someone shouted.
"No!" I yelled. "Remain on the line!"
Beside me, breathing heavily, Rowan's blade was smeared with dark blood. A cursed wolf sprang at him, but Kian was just a few feet away, his sword up.
There would be more. Dozens. Hundreds, perhaps.
I raised my blade. My arms shook, but I held on tighter. I had no intention of running. Not with all we cared about at stake.
"You must move behind the line, Amara!" Over the commotion, Kian shouted.
"I declined!" I moved to stand next to him and snapped. "I am capable of fighting!"
Rowan mumbled a snarl to himself. "She is too obstinate."
Without glancing at him, Kian snapped out, "She's brave."
We had no time to quarrel. We were struck by another wave. Wolves that were cursed howled and snapped. The ground was torn by magic. A crimson spell flashed past my head, scorching a tree trunk behind me, and I ducked.
"Go to the left!" Rowan yelled. I spun around barely in time to use my blade to block a wolf's claws. Sparks were flying.
Kian stabbed the beast in the chest and kicked it back.
"Are you okay?" he said hastily.
Even though my entire body hurt, I nodded.
Rowan on my left, Kian on my right, we battled together. Like a single unit, they moved. They temporarily forgot their rivalry. They served as soldiers. Defenders. My friends.
We were encircled.
We weren't giving up, though.
A witch pointed a black bolt directly at me. I raised my palm, blasted it back, and channelled moonlight. With a shriek, the witch disappeared in smoke.
Rowan looked at me proudly for a moment. "You underestimate your strength."
I tightened my jaw. "She won't win this evening."
The air then changed.
The battlefield became chilly.
Still.
Quiet.
Smoke curled around our feet and rolled in like fog.
Through it stepped a tall figure.
Lilith.
The fluid shadow of her cloak flowed. Black flames glistened in her hair. Her eyes were black abysses that never ended.
"Amara," she murmured in a cool, smooth voice. "You've become... intriguing."
Kian moved ahead of me.
"Retrench," he snarled.
Rowan tightened his jaw and raised his blade. "You can't get close to her."
Lilith merely smiled. "You believe that you can stop me? I've slain men more powerful than you.
Give us a try, Rowan urged.
She raised her hand.
Dark magic poured forward in a wave. Kian created a wall of silver light to block it. Pushing energy from my blade, I dove in. The air crackled as the moonlight and shadow collided.
"Leave!" Kian shouted.
"No!" I let out a yell. "I won't abandon you!"
Lilith's head cocked. "Remains so unyielding."
Near us, another curse exploded on the ground. Dust blew. I shielded my face and blinked through the fog while coughing.
After the dust settled, Lilith moved closer, her eyes fixed on me.
"Amara, I didn't come to kill you."
I scowled. "So, what would you like?"
Her grin widened. "You."
My skin became cold.
She declared, "You are my debt's daughter." "And it's time for you to give back what you promised."
"What debt?" With my heart racing, I inquired.
"You'll soon remember."
Rowan moved ahead of me once more. "You won't take her."
With a siren-like voice, Lilith declared, "She belongs with me." "I own her power. I own her life.
"No," I said.
Lilith's face grew serious.
"Then pass away with them."
She held up her hands. Lightning flashed in purple streaks as the sky darkened. The ground shook.
Amid everything, she uttered the words I was most afraid of.
"Give up, daughter of my debt... or observe them burn.