64. Pallas

Iwas nearly gone; the edges of my vision were black, and my throat was raw. My screams were silent now, but they still tried to escape. I felt my heart giving out. I wouldn't survive much longer.

Thenit tugged, trying to jump out of my chest. The sensation was so similar to the feeling in the hallway before I was able to cling to it.

Ifelt it, something unraveling inside me, and then they were there.

We'rewith you, Pallas.

Fight, Pallas.

Thepain ceased for a moment as Hadeon retracted his magic. He threw me onto the floor, and the side of my head cracked against the stone audibly. My vision danced black again, and he stooped over me.

"Tell me what you know, my enchantress."

"I don't know anything!"

Hishand snaked around the front of my throat, and he lifted me. My lungs strained, and pain radiated from his tight grip as all my weight was forced into it. I clawed at his hand with my own, but it did nothing.

"Perhaps a night in the dungeon will trigger your memory. No need to worry, my love; the men have been quite without amusement these arduous weeks. I'm sure you won't be alone down there for long."

No. No, no, no, no. FightPallas!

Ikicked him hard in the stomach, and it stunned him so much that he dropped me and staggered back. I coughed, trying to force air into my head. He didn't move towards me yet, but his eyes burned like the heart of a storm.

"You bastard! I can't believe I..." I wouldn't say it. Not to him. His smile broke into that wicked, knowing grin that haunted me whether I slept or woke.

"What, Pallas? Do you think I loved you? Me, the DivineEmperor, the GreatHero? LikeI could love someone like you. You're weak, powerless. Don't insult me." His hand shot out, and I was consumed by lightning again. It always seemed to find those old scars hidden away just below the surface, taking the same path over and over, century after century. The pain was more familiar to me than kindness. My oldest friend. Now, I felt different. That pain made a power inside me swell like something had been unlocked. The creature in my gut roared, no longer willing to be contained. I was scared, but I didn't want to cower.

"I'm going to kill the prince, Pallas. I'm going to make him scream and beg and make you watch. When the light finally dies from his eyes, I want you to know you could have stopped it if only you hadn't been such a na?ve little girl. ButI won't let you go then. I'll keep you, my little enchantress, forever."

Iwanted to fight him. I wanted to kill him.

Icalled to that animal in me. She was ragged and ferocious, but for the first time, she wasn't starved and broken. She shined with that glowing blue light that Tori gave to me. Just a small seed, something she said I would need to make grow. So, I did.

Icalled to her, and she purred. That blue magic grew into my claws and skin. For a moment, I was free. Free of Hadeon's magic, free of his hold. I slashed the blue flames of my claws across his face as his eyes grew wide. Red lines blossomed along pale flesh, and I cursed myself for missing his eyes. I slashed again and again. More blood welled up across his chest and arms. He tried to strike me with his magic, but my skin was protected. Protected by my magic.

"Don't you ever dare touch me again!"

Hiseyes were wild with alarm as he staggered back, trying to protect himself. There was nothing he could do. I could taste his fear now, and I never had anything so delicious. His mouth moved, and he might have been commanding me to stop, but I only heard the blood rushing in my ears and the magic pouring out of every broken piece of me.

Iraised my hand, ready to pluck out his heart, when ice shot over my body. The ice cracked and broke every bit of myself. The magic I conjured was snuffed out like a light, and I felt the harsh bite of metal around my neck.

"Seems like these bitches keep surprising us with new tricks." I could barely hear Luxos voice over the ringing in my ears, but I could smell ash and rose, the telltale sign of his magic.

Aharsh metallic taste rose in my mouth as my hands clawed at my neck. A collar, he'd collared me!

Ididn't know if it was the enslavement magic or my shock, but my body shut down. I collapsed back into the hard wall of Luxos' body, and my vision tunneled as I saw nothing but Hadeon's eyes glowing with rage as he came at me, hands outstretched. I felt Luxos wave his hand, words floating in one ear and out the other, incomprehensible. And then there was nothing. No light, no magic, no hope as I blacked out.