Chapter Twenty-Nine

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Kozzanth

I've never seen magic like this before. It comes in many colors, forms, and potency. But magic from a staff isn't something I've learned of, and I am not sure how this vampire has managed to have such a thing. The worst part is, if we don't know what it is, we cannot defeat it.

Had Theodas not taken Tabitha away to keep her safe from the blazing fire, he'd be able to help. Surely he knows the answer to our problem. But everything happened so fast that he did not stick around to see what happened. When the first blasts of magic shot out, he darted toward Tabitha, taking her to the ground to shield her body. And when the magic was barely thwarted by us, her father throwing ring after ring of magic toward them and setting things on fire, Theodas picked her up and ran. It was the right choice. I'd have done the same.

I can hardly see through the room now, the smoke filling it so thickly. Though it pours from the open doors that lead outside, the flames are too strong, too big now, for it to stop. And magic fire is not the same as regular fire. It burns faster. Kills faster. Eats away at everything it touches… faster.

This room is gone. It will never be the same. And if we do not get a handle on it soon, this entire castle could be gone too. There will be nothing left of it but ash, and the thick blanket of magic hanging in the air.

But it isn't the fire that is the problem at hand. It is this staff. My only solution to this problem, since I do not know how to destroy it, is to take it. But how will I get close enough to take it without him burning me with his fire?

Norrix has lost none of his energy, while Raisi and I are losing all of ours. We've spent this entire time defending ourselves from him and the magic he throws at us that we haven't been able to get a single hit on him. Our energy is depleting while he still seems in tip-top shape. Meaning, our only option is to flee. Recuperate. Re-plan. Return. That is what we were taught. Always remember RRR.

Tabitha will not like this plan, but we have no other choice. Not if she wants to live. It's clear this father of hers only wants her dead. It's a terrible thought. Even coming from someone who doesn't have parents, I understand the duties of parenthood and how it works. There is much purpose there outside of procreating, and it's why Dravens don't have parents. Too much emotion gets in the way. Seems not all parents are made equally. Not the way Dravens are. We would be excellent parents, as we are excellent teachers and learners. But we cannot be parents and warriors. Though our emotions are kept in check, I know enough to know that if I were able to have children of my own, I would never treat them this way. Never. But I also know that would make me soft, and I wouldn't have the same skills I have now.

"This will all stop if you hand her over!" Norrix bellows.

"Never!" Raisi returns, taking a step forward and thrusting his hands out, sending a rather large ball of magic toward the evil man. He knocks it aside with that staff, sending it soaring through the air and right through the wall, leaving a gaping hole.

I wish I had more time to be impressed with the power Raisi put into that magic, as it's not normal for us Dravens to have so much. It's clear his anger is helping it along. He cares a lot for Tabitha, as do I. As does Theodas. Which is why we must get out of here and form a better plan. If only I could get word to Raisi, so I don't leave him here alone, or catch him off guard by running away. Taking a step back, I glance at him, hoping he will spot me and get the hint that it is time to retreat. I'm far enough away that it makes me uncomfortable, and still, he pays no attention to me. Instead, he shoots magic at Norrix, hoping for the best. It's pointless, and when I see Raisi's hands shaking, I know there is only one thing left to do.

"Enough of this!" I shout, running to Raisi and grabbing his arm.

Instead of taking advantage of it, Norrix only smiles. As if he has won.

"We must leave," I hiss at Raisi.

"No," he growls, yanking his arm out of my grasp.

"Yes, Raisi. Let's go," I grit out, keeping my focus on Norrix but reaching for Raisi again and pulling him. This time when he fights, I do not let him go.

"Run along," Norrix calls, shooing us condescendingly.

Raisi lunges forward, but I whir. my body in front of him, giving Norrix my back. A foolish move, but I have a feeling he won't kill me this way. He is like his daughter in that sense. Only wants to kill if it's worth it. I shove Raisi in the chest. He stumbles back.

"We will die if we keep on like this," I say, just as a wall beside us crumbles, fire pouring into the room like a tsunami. We run into the hallway, coughing from the smoke, and when I turn to see what is left of it, all I make out through the rubble, smoke, and licking flames, is Norrix's smile and gleaming staff.

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