His words struck me. How could we leave these people behind to die? Was I really that selfish? But if we gave the sword back to him, it meant we lost. It meant Theht would use me to destroy our world and then take control of it. Billions would die… and I would be responsible.
“Return the sword,” he said, his chest rising and falling as anger clipped his words short. “This is your last chance to return it to me before I kill you and remove it from your corpses.”
Jeven’s clenched hands burned with bright red magic. A sword formed in his hands. It was a wicked-looking weapon with a wide, black blade and barbs lining either side. He rushed at Kull, fury lighting his eyes, as their swords clashed.
The two men fought, their swords clanging as the fire roared behind us. Its heat brushed my face as Kull swung his sword in a wide arc, connecting with Jeven’s blade, the sound of ringing steel echoing through the hallway.
Jeven fought with fury, with madness and passion as he parried and thrust, gaining the advantage over Kull. But as the fight went on, Kull moved forward, forcing Jeven back. It seemed as if Kull was getting into the rhythm of the fight, as if he were becoming accustomed to the sword. But just as I thought Kull might have a fighting chance, Jeven’s magic overpowered him. He stabbed his sword at Kull, using magic to knock the warrior backward. Kull fell on his back, his eyes wide with alarm as Jeven stood over him, ready to impale his blade through Kull’s chest, when I reacted with my own spell.
Screaming, I thrust both hands outward and let the magic spiral in a whirlwind from my fingertips. The magical energy caught Jeven in his chest and thrust him back. He fell to the ground, his sword landing with a clatter at his side.
Dizziness overwhelmed me after the magic left my body. Struggling to stand, I had to lean against the wall to stay upright. I could only watch as the two men got to their feet and faced one another.
Jeven grabbed his sword. As he did, red magic ignited around the blade. He brought the sword down, murder in his eyes, but Kull reacted quickly, blocking the blow and dancing back on quick feet. They thrust and parried once again with more intensity. Blow by blow, the men seemed equally matched. Jeven with his magic. Kull with skill.
Kull thrust his sword at Jeven’s midsection. The warlock blocked the blow, but the move threw him off balance, and Kull took his opportunity. He stabbed his blade deep into Jeven’s midsection, piercing deep into the warlock’s flesh and into his vital organs.
The warlock screamed and sank to the floor, dropping the spell fueling his sword and clutching the puncture wound in his stomach.
Panting for breath, Kull stood over Jeven. He held Dracon’s sword, dripping with the warlock’s blood, over Jeven’s chest, ready to deal the killing blow, but Jeven whispered a spell, sending a powerful blast of crimson magic straight for Kull.
On instinct, I reacted, launching into the path of the magic and igniting a spell of my own. Although I had nothing left, I drew on the magic surrounding me—from the stones, the dirt spreading out deep below the tower, the fire raging behind us, from the very air itself. I used the power to block Jeven’s spell, but I wasn’t fast enough. I only managed to deflect a portion of the magic as the spell punched Kull.
Jeven’s spell knocked the wind from my lungs and flung both Kull and me backward. Stars spun in my vision as I landed hard on my back. Staring at the ceiling, I tried catching my breath. I heard Jeven get to his feet and stagger toward us. His magic made acid churn through my stomach and up into my esophagus. Its power crackled through my blood the way lightning shot through clouds. I attempted to stand up, but my legs were unresponsive.
I glanced at Kull. He grimaced as the magic wrapped around him, keeping him pinned to the floor.
Jeven clutched his midsection, blood seeping between his fingers as he walked toward Kull. He stopped when he reached Kull’s side. Blood dripped to the ground, pooling at Jeven’s feet. Rage contorted the warlock’s face as he kicked Kull in his side, then slammed the pommel of his sword into Kull’s stomach.
Kull cried out.
I tried to scream, but only managed a muffled cry.
“You were fools to think you could come to my castle and steal my sword. For that, you will pay the price.” Jeven knelt at Kull’s side, then pressed his thumbs to Kull’s temples. A red mist wrapped Kull’s head. “A curse I lay upon you, Wanderer, from a world unknown, for betraying my confidence. I will take from your mind what you hold most dear. You have stolen my most precious possession, and so I remove from your heart the possession you treasure above all others. Life for life. Death for death. So it shall be. None shall undo this curse, not by my name, nor by any other.”
Kull cried out, arching his back as the magic shone brighter. It surrounded his head, then engulfed his body.
I watched helplessly from my spot on the floor, unable to move or use my magic as Jeven’s spell grew stronger.
“Jeven, stop!” I managed to call out.
Jeven’s eyes met mine.
“Please, don’t do this.” I gasped. “Don’t hurt him.”
Jeven fisted his hand. The magic stopped, although Kull lay motionless on the floor. I wasn’t sure what Jeven’s curse was meant to do to Kull, but it couldn’t be anything good.
The warlock stood slowly and crossed to me. Still clutching his middle, he knelt at my side, his hands wet and dripping with his own blood.
Magic, fueled by his rage, surrounded him in a hazy crimson cloud, threatening to overwhelm me. I attempted to close my mind against
