Page 33 of Enchanting Her Mate
I roll onto my side and watch in horror as Nee-roh pushes through the crowd and charges Tibik. It is not until after Tibik sends a deep crimson orb into his chest, sending him flying into the forest, that I discover why.
It is because Tibik is holding Alu’s unconscious body inside a purple orb, the orb of immobility, high above the ground.
I struggle to get to my feet, still weakened from what Tibik attempted. He let his ego guide his hand, and he tried to suck the life from my body before he reanimated me. It would have been an impressive way to win theKituva Bravatiandsecure the title of Prime, but Alu must have interfered and stolen his focus, because now he is holding her inside the orb as he turns it around slowly for the crowd to see, and I am left here, unattended.
How foolish of him.
Suddenly, the argument I had with Alu no longer seems important. She is clumsy––so what? She is not someone who intentionally tries to hurt people. Her destruction of the food hall was an accident, and I unleashed the anger I felt toward Tibik upon her instead.
I must apologize and win her back. But first, I must rescue her from the orb of immobility before Tibik tries anything sinister.
Closing my eyes, I focus my power in the center of my palms, where it always originates, and lock onto the orb using a protection spell that I quietly recite under my breath.
Tibik feels my intrusion and starts laughing maniacally.
“You think you can win this one?” he shouts. “I almost killed you once, Jobaki. Do not make me do it again.”
I step toward Tibik, keeping my tread light and my body still. He is still not looking at me, and I do not want that to change. His focus remains on Alu.
“Let her go, Tibik,” I say, my voice still a low rasp. “This is between the two of us, and who will become Prime. Alu is not part of it.”
“Is she not?” he asks with a snicker, turning the orb so that Alu is facing me. Her eyes are open, but there is nothing behind them. The orb of immobility traps the body of a person while sending them into a state of unconsciousness. She knows not what happens right now. “This draxilio has invaded our village, our coven, and she has kept you from focusing on what should be your only priority––your magic.”
“That is not true,” I bark back. “She invaded nothing. I invited her here.” I have taken six steps toward Tibik, but the distance that remains is still too great for my liking. My protection spell is a temporary shield around her body inside the orb. I do not know how long it will last, or what he plans to do with her once it fades.
Finally, Tibik’s eyes meet mine. “It is such a shame,” he says, shaking his head. “When we began working together, I saw incredible potential in you, Jobaki.” His face twists into a look of disgust. “But you have been a catastrophic disappointment.”
His opinion of me means nothing at this point, given what he has already attempted, and the only reason I am paying any attention to his words is to determine what his next move is.
He lets out a weary sigh, then sends a crimson orb barreling toward me. I block it just in time, but it is enough to release my shield around Alu.
“Say goodbye to your plaything,” he taunts. Then he awakens her from inside the orb. Her body jerks as she looks around and slams her fists against the barrier, trying to free herself from his hold.
Her eyes meet mine, and the panic in them threatens to send me to my knees. Out of nowhere, a horrid stench hits my nose, and it is as if parts of me suddenly awaken––parts that I did not even know existed. I look around the path for the source of the smell, and my gaze is dragged back to Alu.
The scent comes from her. It is fear.
Alu is experiencing fear.
My heartbeat quickens as her fear scent fills my lungs, and it is only when I feel wetness dripping down my fingers that I realize my claws have pierced the skin of my palms. Is Tibik doing this to me? When a wave of lightheadedness causes me to stumble, I realize it is not Tibik at all.
It is the tether. My soul has recognized Alu as my mate, my reason for living. My inara.
Tibik continues laughing as he uses his free hand to twist and pull at the air, causing Alu’s eyes to roll back in her head and her claws to scratch at her throat.
“No!” I shout as her body goes limp inside the orb.
He is killing her. It is the same spell he used to pull the breath from my lungs, and he is doing it now to Alu, my fearless draxilio.
A blood-curdling scream fills the air, the echo bouncing off the trees, and it is only when my feet leave the ground that I realize the sound comes from me. A bright orange glow surrounds my entire body as I float higher. Tears blur my vision, but I feel no pain.
Only power.
Pure, impenetrable power shoots out of my every pore as I bring my palms in front of my chest. I focus on the terror I saw in Alu’s eyes right before her body went limp, and I let vengeance fill my lungs as I slowly breathe in and out.
My eyes land on Tibik, and his mouth hangs open as he watches me hover above him, magic radiating from deep within my body. Our entire relationship was built on how he could manipulate me into giving him my power.
It is time I take it back.