Bound in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 3)
Bound in Blood: Chapter 48

84 MINUTES BEFORE THE LIGHT GOES OUT

Something is wrong. Very wrong. Malachi sounded so … Well, he was almost serene. And that is definitely not right.

I turn to Alexandros. “I think the boys are in trouble. And I can’t reach any of them now, can you?”

He concentrates for a second and then shakes his head. “But they are alive, for we would have felt them die. We will go to them as soon as we are able to clear a path.”

“Behind you!” I yell as four vampires charge at him. He pivots and grabs one by the throat, then tears off his head while I force the other three back with a wave of fire. Our moment of reprieve is over, and we both return to the battle.

Enora is beside me as I channel all my training and weave threads of magic together to stave off the incoming hordes. A warlock manages to get by my magic, and after she dispenses of him, I panic. “Why am I becoming less powerful?”

“Magic is like anything. It uses energy.” She casts another spell. “Not only from the elements, but from you. Are you tired?”

I’m exhausted. “Can’t I just channel more?”

She weaves a spell that throws back two hooded figures who were headed for Sienna. “You are powerful, but magic is about stamina and endurance too. You cannot run on endlessly without stopping to recharge.”

I drag in a deep breath. “Am I going to get weaker until I can’t use any magic?”

“No, child. You will always have some magic to channel. But conserve your energy when you can. Fire uses a lot.”

“Got it. Ease off on the fire.”

She smiles and returns her focus to the battlefield that was once Gaea’s Green. And my mind goes back to Malachi and the prophecy.

There is only one person I can think of who might be able to help us, and he isn’t here. Is he close by?

Lucian?

He replies quickly. Ophelia Hart.

Your uncle is a megalomaniac, you know, and he’s trying to take over the world.

And what does that have to do with me?

You already know what it has to do with you. I duck as a warlock throws a spell at me, and Enora finishes him off before I can retaliate. You know what the prophecy says, and you know what it means.

I still do not see what this has to do with me, he says, his tone bland, but I refuse to believe he’s the monster he believes himself to be.

We really need you.

Goodbye, Ophelia Hart.

I swallow down the disappointment that lurches up in my chest. I was so sure he would help us. But I won’t give up. I will figure out a way to get to Malachi and the boys before we lose them too.