21. Luce

21

LUCE

I tore my gaze away from Rissa and walked over to Jeanette, who was trembling, her delicate features etched with distress.

"It's okay," I said softly, putting an arm around her slim shoulders. "You're safe now."

Jeanette looked up at me, tears brimming in her eyes. "I can't believe I was possessed by one of those...those things."

I pulled her closer, letting her rest her head against my chest. She felt so fragile in my arms, and Jeanette had never been one for fragility.

"The formless ones," Jeanette whispered. "They've been working with the Council. The Council promised to give them the humans and monsters, as long as some of the daemons and all of the Council were protected."

Rage boiled inside me at her words. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm for Jeanette's sake.

"It won't happen now," I said firmly. "Rissa just made sure of it."

Jeanette nodded against my chest, her slender fingers clutching at my shirt.

Rey cleared his throat. "Maybe we should give Rissa some space to work," he suggested.

I glanced over at Rissa. She hadn't moved, her green eyes closed in concentration. The air around her shimmered with barely contained power.

"You're right," I said. "Let's go inside."

I kept an arm around Jeanette as we followed Rey and Cathy into the main cabin. The rich scent of leather and wood enveloped us as we stepped inside. Rey left the door open so we could still see Rissa on the deck.

Jeanette sank down onto one of the plush couches, her strength clearly spent. Cathy sat beside her, murmuring soothing words.

I leaned against the doorframe, my attention divided between Rissa and Jeanette.

Rissa didn't move, her lithe form poised in concentration. I hesitated, torn between giving her space and wanting to be near her.

Jeanette, under Cathy's quiet urging, laid down and almost immediately fell asleep. Rey and Cathy joined me at the door, watching.

For several long moments, nothing happened. Rissa remained still, her breathing even and controlled. I found myself watching the gentle rise and fall of her shoulders, the way her newly long black hair ruffled in the salty breeze.

Then, slowly, something began to change. A soft glow emanated from Rissa's skin, growing brighter with each passing second. My breath caught in my throat as tendrils of magic unfurled from her, iridescent and shimmering with every color imaginable. They stretched out across the deck, reaching towards the horizon in all directions.

I'd never seen anything like it. The sheer power radiating from her was staggering, the magic so tangible I could almost taste it on the air. It was beautiful and terrifying all at once.

The tendrils continued to grow, weaving together in an intricate dance that left me dizzy. I couldn't look away, couldn't even blink, afraid to miss a single second of this breathtaking display.

But beneath the wonder at the skill and power I beheld, worry gnawed at my gut. This level of magic...it had to come with a price.

Let it not be high enough to destroy the woman I cared for. I wasn't sure who or what I prayed to in that moment.

I barely noticed the passage of time, watching the universe unfold before me, a psychedelic light show that left me breathless.

My fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and touch her, to feel the magic humming beneath her skin. I clenched my hands into fists, forcing myself to stay still. Rissa needed to concentrate, and I couldn't risk distracting her.

But gods, it was hard. Desire coiled in my gut, hot and heavy. I'd never wanted anyone the way I wanted her in that moment. It took every ounce of self-control I possessed not to close the distance between us and pull her into my arms.

Instead, I let my gaze roam over her, drinking in every detail. The way her silken hair danced in the breeze, the slight furrow of her brow as she focused on her task. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

The world narrowed down to this single moment, to the magic thrumming in the air and the goddess before me. In that instant, I knew with bone-deep certainty that I would do anything for her she asked. Anything at all.

The lights around us grew brighter, pulsing with an intensity that made my heart race. The air crackled with energy, and the magic built, swelling like a tidal wave about to crash over us.

Suddenly, a shimmering bubble of light enveloped us, lifting us off the deck of the yacht. I let out a startled gasp as my feet left the ground. Then I looked at Rissa, her face serene and focused, and fear melted away.

I trusted her. Completely, utterly, without reservation. It was a strange feeling, one I wasn't used to. In all my centuries of existence, I could count on one hand the number of people I'd trusted like this. Jeanette, of course, but that trust had been hard-earned, forged over centuries of shared experiences and battles.

With Rissa, it was different. Easier, somehow. Like I'd been waiting my whole life to find someone I could trust this way.

We rose higher, the yacht shrinking beneath us until it was nothing more than a toy bobbing on the waves. The wind whipped around us, but the bubble shielded us from its force, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety.

I couldn't tear my gaze away from Rissa. The magic danced across her skin, making her glow like a star. She was radiant, a goddess in her element, and I was lost in the face of her power.

"Rissa," I breathed, her name a prayer on my lips.

Her lips curved into a smile, but she didn't open her eyes. "Trust me, Luce."

"I do." The words came easily, a simple truth that resonated through every fiber of my being. "I trust you."

As we hovered high above the water, cocooned in Rissa's shimmering sphere of magic, my senses suddenly sharpened. It was like a veil had been lifted from my vision, allowing me to see far beyond the normal limits of perception.

That's when I saw them.

"Rissa, look!" I gasped, pointing toward the horizon. "The formless ones...they're coming!"

One by one, the cloud of them crested the curve of the earth, hurtling towards us from every direction. My enhanced vision allowed me to track their approach, even from this incredible distance.

But as they drew closer, I recoiled in horror. These were no ethereal ghosts or wispy clouds, as I had imagined them to be. No, the formless ones were something far more grotesque.

They looked like giant, bloody amoebas, their gelatinous bodies pulsing and undulating as they moved through the air. Gloopy tentacles trailed behind them, leaving a viscous residue in their wake.

"They're disgusting," I choked out, fighting back a wave of nausea. "I thought they'd be more...I don't know, ghostly? But this? This is just wrong."

Rissa's brow furrowed in concentration, her magic flaring even brighter around us. "I see them, Luce. Don't worry, they won't get through my wards."

But even as she spoke, the formless ones drew closer, their pulsating bodies growing larger and more detailed with each passing second. I could see the pustules dotting their surface, the sickly sheen of their skin.

"Are you sure?" I asked, hating the tremor in my words. "There's so many of them..."

Rissa's hand found mine, her fingers lacing through my own. "I'm sure," she said. "Also, it isn't what they look like that makes them ugly. It's what they do."

I nodded, clinging to her hand like a lifeline as the formless ones descended upon us, their grotesque forms blotting out the sky.

The first formless one hit Rissa's wards with a sickening splat, its gelatinous body sizzling and popping as the magic fried it to a crisp. An acrid stench filled the air, making my stomach lurch.

"That's nasty," I gagged, covering my mouth with my free hand.

Rissa just smiled, a fierce, determined expression on her face as she watched her wards do their work. "One down," she murmured, "so many to go."

And then they were upon us, a writhing mass of pulsating flesh and grasping tentacles. They slammed into the wards one after another, their bodies bursting like overripe fruit as the magic incinerated them.

The sizzling and popping sounds were almost deafening, a cacophony of destruction that made my skin crawl. But through it all, Rissa remained steadfast, her magic never wavering.

I lost count of how many formless ones met their end against her wards. It felt like an eternity, trapped in that bubble with the stench of burning flesh and the constant, nauseating sounds of their demise.

But finally, mercifully, it was over. The last formless one disintegrated with a pitiful screech, its ashes scattering on the wind.

Silence fell, broken only by the gentle sound of the wind. The ethereal glow surrounding us gradually dissipated as we descended back onto the yacht's polished deck.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Is...is that it? Are they gone?"

Rissa turned to me, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "The ones in this world are gone," she confirmed, her magic finally fading back to a soft glow around her body. "We did it. We won."

Relief crashed over me like a tidal wave, so intense it made my knees weak. I pulled Rissa into a fierce hug, burying my face in her hair as I clung to her. She wrapped her arms around me in return, her body warm and solid against mine.

"You were incredible," I murmured, my words muffled against her skin. "I've never seen anything like that before."

Rissa chuckled, the sound vibrating through her chest. "You weren't so bad yourself," she teased, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. "Not many people could handle seeing something like that and not lose their mind."

I grinned at her wryly. "Guess I'm just special like that."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a quality in her expression that made my heart skip a beat.

"Don't let it go to your head, lord daemon," she warned, but there was no real bite to her words.

Rissa's aura remained, a shimmering halo of power that clung to her like a second skin. She landed with feline grace, her feet barely making a sound against the teak.

I stumbled slightly as I touched down, still reeling from the incredible display of magic I'd just witnessed. My mind buzzed with questions, but before I could voice them, Rissa's gaze flickered towards the main cabin, where Rey, Cathy, and Jeanette were no doubt anxiously awaiting news.

"We should probably go fill them in," she suggested, though I could hear the reluctance in her voice.

"In a minute," I decided, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "I just...I need a second to process all of this."

To my surprise, Rissa leaned into my touch, her eyes drifting shut for a brief instant. When they opened again, they were softer, more vulnerable than I'd ever seen them. "I know the feeling."

We stayed like that for a long moment, the world narrowing down to just the two of us. The salty breeze, the faint cry of gulls overhead, the gentle rocking of the yacht beneath our feet—it all faded away, leaving only the electric connection crackling between us.

I couldn't restrain myself any longer. The magic radiating from Rissa was intoxicating, filling me with a euphoria I'd never experienced before. I threw myself at her, scooping her into my arms and twirling her around in a dizzying circle. Her body pressed against mine, the heat of her skin seeping through our clothes.

Rissa let out a startled laugh, the sound pure and joyful. "What are you doing?"

"Celebrating," I said, grinning down at her. "You did it. You saved us all."

"Put me down, you oaf."

I obliged, setting her gently back on her feet. Rissa smoothed her hands over her clothes, but there was a softness to her features that hadn't been there before, a warmth in her gaze as she looked up at me.

"So," I said, sobering slightly. "What now?"

Rissa's smile turned fierce, determination etching itself into every line of her face. "Now," she said, "I create a self-sustaining ward around our world. No more formless ones, no more threats from beyond. We'll finally be safe."

The thought of her channeling that much power, alone and unprotected, made my stomach clench with worry.

"Okay," I said finally, my tone leaving no room for argument. "But I'm staying with you."

Not that I could do anything.

Rissa opened her mouth as if to protest, but something in my gaze must have stopped her. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Fine. Just don't get in my way."

With that, she turned and strode back to the center of the deck, her movements purposeful and controlled. I followed close behind, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

Rissa settled herself cross-legged on the polished wood, her hands resting lightly on her knees. She took a deep breath, her eyes sliding closed.

For a moment, nothing happened. The only sound was the gentle lapping of waves against the hull, the distant cry of seagulls wheeling overhead.

Then, a beam of light appeared from her chest, so bright it nearly blinded me. It shot upward, piercing the clouds and disappearing into the sky above.

I watched in awe as the light pulsed and throbbed, growing stronger with each passing second. And through it all, Rissa sat perfectly still, her face a mask of concentration. She was lost in the magic, her entire being focused on this one monumental task.

An enormous pulse of light, incandescent and iridescent, began to travel up the beam from Rissa's chest. It moved slowly at first, then gained speed, glittering and sparkling as it ascended. Higher and higher it climbed until it disappeared above the clouds.

I stood transfixed, barely daring to breathe. The display of raw magical power was both beautiful and terrifying. I could feel the energy radiating off Rissa in waves, making the hairs on my arms stand on end.

She remained motionless, her face a mask of concentration. I couldn't even tell if she was breathing. It was as if she'd become a conduit, a vessel for this immense magical working.

Minutes ticked by, then hours. Rey, Cathy and Jeanette joined me, all of us waiting in silence and worry.

The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in vivid oranges and pinks. Still, Rissa sat unmoving, the beam of light pulsing steadily from her chest.

More time passed and Cathy made sandwiches which were tasteless, but we all ate. I paced the deck, restless energy thrumming through my veins. I wanted to do something, anything, to help. But this was beyond me. All I could do was keep watch and pray that she would succeed.

As the sun kissed the sea, the others went to rest. I draped a blanket over Rissa's shoulders. Her skin was cool to the touch, as if all her warmth had been channeled into the spell. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at the determined set of her jaw.

"You can do this," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the hum of magic in the air. "I believe in you."

Rey emerged from the cabin a moment later, his brow furrowed with concern. "How's she doing?"

I shrugged, my gaze never leaving Rissa's face. "The same. No change."

He nodded, rubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. "I'll sit with her for a while. You should check on Jeanette."

Part of me wanted to argue, to insist that I couldn't leave Rissa's side. But I knew Rey was right. Jeanette needed me too.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself to my feet. "All right. But call me if anything changes."

Inside the cabin, Cathy sat beside Jeanette, holding her hand as she slept fitfully. She glanced up as I entered, her expression strained.

"How is she?" I asked softly, settling into a chair on Jeanette's other side.

Cathy shook her head. "Not good. That formless one really did a number on her."

I reached out, brushing my fingers over Jeanette's clammy forehead. She stirred slightly at my touch but didn't wake. Guilt twisted in my gut. I should have protected her better. I should've known somehow.

We sat in silence for a long while, the only sound Jeanette's labored breathing and the distant hum of Rissa's magic. I found myself drifting, my thoughts tangled and chaotic.

A sudden shout from the deck jolted me back to awareness. I leaped to my feet, my heart pounding.

"Luce!" Rey's panicked voice carried through the open door. "Get out here, now!"

I bolted outside, Cathy hot on my heels. The scene that greeted me stopped me cold.

Rissa was sprawled on the deck, the beam of light gone from her chest. Her face was ashen, her limbs limp. Rey knelt beside her, his fingers pressed to her throat.

"Is she...?" I couldn't finish the question, terror closing my throat.

Rey glanced up, his expression grim. "She's alive. But barely. That last pulse...it took everything she had."

I dropped to my knees beside her, gathering her into my arms. Her head lolled against my chest, her breathing shallow and erratic.

"Rissa," I whispered, brushing my lips over her forehead. "Come back to me. Please."

But she remained still and silent, lost to the world.