Page 40 of Kell

“Stupid dragon. It does not work that way. It can only grant immortality, and I will use it to secure mine.” His arm shot out as an electric current shot from his hand and impacted with Breggar’s chest. The dark hadn’t had time to erect a shield and his skin burned away before the white blaze began to erode tissue and bone. Breggar screamed as his heart was incinerated and he fell to the ground with unseeing eyes.

Allorin walked toward the body as Kell raised his sword. “Go no further mage. You die today.”

Allorin grabbed the claw from beneath the cloak Breggar had been wearing. Alana had thought he was being nostalgic but had not realized he had hidden the artifact on his back.

Allorin inspected it before turning to Kell. “Looks like you are next.”

CHAPTER22

Kell kept his sword raised in the air as he circled the mage. He had no doubts that Allorin was stronger than him, but he had used an exorbitant amount of power to kill Breggar. He heard Alana hiss and wanted to check to see if she was alright, but the mage would use any distraction to attack. If Breggar had erected a shield, he would have had time to send a counterattack or shift. Dragon scales were far more impervious to mage fire than human skin.

“Alana, are you okay?” his eyes remained on Allorin as he spoke to his mate.

She moved closer to him, but remained behind him. “Yes. The rune burned more when it disappeared than when it formed.”

“Understood.”

Allorin glanced behind Kell, and he knew he was staring at Alana. “You are quite skilled. It’s a shame you mated. I had considered keeping you. It was ingenious of Breggar to tag you with a rune. I wish I had discovered how he did it before I was forced to kill him.”

The portal continued to swirl in the distance and Kell wondered how much magic the mage was consuming to maintain it as well as form mage fire. It was a skill Allorin had not possessed until he absorbed Jemma’s magic. His power was growing, but it was eroding his human body. The claw was likely his last chance at immortality, and Kell would rather die than see that happen. His dragon wept at the decision he must make for himself and his mate.

Alana whispered in his mind.Do what you need to do. I am thankful for our time together. At least I am free.

I love you. I would have lived a thousand lifetimes with you if I were able.

Though she wasn’t beside him, he felt her fingers caress his cheek. I know.

He swung his sword toward Allorin, and the first wave of white fire impacted the shield he had erected. Luminescent energy arced in a ball around Kell. But he could see it attempting to consume his magic as well as his protection spell.

It took all his strength, but he took a step toward the mage as the heat surrounding him increased. It was a rare experience for a dragon to feel hot and uncomfortable. His skin smoked within the bubble of magic.

Alana spoke in his mind.Stay where you are. I will start the conversion.

What do you mean?

The artifacts Adara consumes are absorbed in this world. If I can connect to her, she can drain the claw while it remains in Allorin’s hands. I need him distracted, so he doesn’t realize what I am doing until it is too late.

He will kill you.

I know.

He had never been so proud of anyone in his life. How did you allow the greatest gift you had ever been given to slip through your fingers days after acquiring it?Tell me what you wish me to do.

Stay alive.

So simple and yet so difficult under the circumstances. His druid was not one for flowery words and he had come to appreciate her direct nature.As you wish.

Kell arced his sword toward Allorin as Alana began to chant in his mind. When he swung around, he noticed her staring at the mage, but there was no consciousness behind her eyes. She was in the temple.

The mage raised his hand, then stopped when the dragon claw began to glow. “What have you done?”

Kell lowered his sword. “It seems you are not the only one who seeks the claw.”

Allorin hissed and stepped toward Kell. “Stop it. Release the spell.”

“I cannot, as I am not the one who cast it.”

Allorin glanced at Alana. “Druid, recall your spell or I will incinerate you.”