“No!” I screamed. I wanted to tell them to let go; to save themselves and leave me to burn, but I couldn't manage more than that single word.
Then cool water collected around me, just above my skin. The flames eating the worktable hissed out and those inside me drew back. I took a stuttering breath and opened my eyes. Darcraxis stared down at me as if he could will me to live. His eyes glowed sapphire blue and water coalesced in the air around him.
“My Water to your Fire,” Darc said steadily. “I am with you always, Elaria.”
I took a breath to tell him how much I loved him but the pain returned. My teeth cracked on my screams as I forced down my magic. Darc had given me just enough strength to power through. Then I realized it wasn't just Darc; all of my men were channeling their energy to me; giving me everything they could to keep me going. Their hands began to shake, their grips loosen, and I knew I couldn't take much more. If they grew too weak to hold me down, we might not be able to complete the spell.
I concentrated on cutting them off.
The men gasped and jerked. I snarled past my teeth with the effort. The focus was good and not just for saving my men from depletion. It gave my magic a task to concentrate on. Instead of fighting the Witches, it was fighting my men.
“No!” Odin growled. “You need the path between you open, Elaria! Do not block them!”
“I need to fight something!” I shouted.
“No, you don't,” Declan said gently and took my hand. “This is not your battle, Spellsinger. Let the Witches fight for you. You only need to let them.”
“Declan.” I squeezed his hand.
“We're all with you,” Declan said firmly.
“Let go, El,” Banning urged. “I know it hurts but you've got to accept the pain. Come on, baby, you've conquered worse than this.”
“I can't,” I whispered. “I need something to focus on.”
“Then sing, little bird,” Torin urged me as a tear slid down his cheek.
I heard what he left unspoken; that I had vowed to go down singing. If I started to sing now, it would that end had come. It's not over until the Spellsinger sings. So be it.
I've got you, my love, Kyanite vowed.
A light drumming and the shimmy of a tambourine started to play. It sounded almost silly; the entirely wrong soundtrack for this scene. But then the magic lifted, grabbing onto the chance to do something other than fight the men I loved. It gave my voice strength, and I began to do what I do best.
“Make it Out Alive” by Jennifer Hall was supposed to be about surviving love, but its lyrics were perfect for this fight. Fire, grasping hands, and claws; I sang about torture and desire. I sang about love and loss and fear. I sang about survival.
And it was enough.
I let go. Focused on the music, which also focused me on my goal. I was able to surrender to the invading spell. I knew this was the only chance for survival, and I took it. My body began to spasm. I had let go of my other magic but the fight had taken its toll. The music stuttered. My voice broke. I choked on blood; it spurted from my lips. Trailed down my neck and into my hair. The agony was mind-numbing; I couldn't fight now even had I wanted to. I couldn't focus on anything but pain. Kyanite gave me all of his strength—I could feel him pulling power from every piece of kyanite on the island—but it was a drop in my empty bucket. My empty, burning bucket.
I shrieked and sat up, nearly casting off my men. They grappled to hold me down and a new set of hands joined them. Through a crimson haze, I saw the gleam of blue hair. They managed to force me back down.
“Elaria!” Darcraxis was shouting. “Stay with us!”
I looked up into Darc's eyes, directly above mine. They were full of fear. Terror. I wanted to reassure him but another twist of magic sent my back arching. My nails clawed at wood and broke. My legs tried to thrum but were held down and could only tremble. Blood sprayed; I don't know from where. My entire body felt like a giant wound.
“Do something!” Someone shouted.
“We're doing all we can,” Glinda snapped. “Her heart is failing.”
“No!” Darc shouted in denial. “Her heart is stronger than any I know.” He bent over me. “Please, my fire, push past the pain. This is only physical; it means nothing. You are a Goddess, remember? You are above this. You are pure magic and you are truly immortal! Be more than this body!”
I whimpered.
My battered body kept thrashing even though I was exhausted. I choked on more blood. Darc had to angle my head so I could breathe. I heard him weeping; felt his tears hit my cheek. My men pushed their power into me until there was nearly nothing left. Their hands fell limply to the table as they dropped to their knees as if in prayer. They leaned forward, cheeks laid on biceps to stare at me as if they knew it was the end and fully intended for my face to be the last thing they saw. Our family was spent. Tapped out. We had failed. I started to cry; not for myself but the men I was pulling down into death with me. They could have survived. They could still, if they'd only let go. But I knew they wouldn't.
“Don't die with me,” I gurgled past the blood and tears. “Let go.”
“Never,” Declan vowed, speaking for them all.
