She was close, but not close enough.
Fight fire with fire, Ella.
It was Ariana’s voice, and as soon as she heard the conviction in it, she responded. Darting out from behind the tall stone, Ella gazed up at the starless sky and tipped her sword up just as the dragon appeared. Her amulet tingled, as did her arm, until flames erupted from her sword and consumed the dragon, who howled and screeched until it fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Your scheming hasn’t worked. You took a tiny piece of the magic I possess and when I’m pissed…like right now—you have no idea what I’m capable of.” Ella swirled around, waving her hand to call out to the creatures of the forest. Tiny yellow lights dotted the air, each one lighting a path until Ella could see the Morrigan at the edge of the forest by a tall oak. A flutter of wings pressed close and she faced a beautiful fairy surrounded by light, who winked at her. The Fae were here. Trudging her way toward the goddess, a swarm of bees flew to her side, flying ahead to corral the Morrigan as she battered them with her sword. The bees swarmed around her and she crouched, covering her face.
You can do this, Ella.
It’s easy for you to say, Ariana. Where are you?
I’m here. I’m always here with you.
As Ella moved in, ready to strike, squawks filled the skies and a flock of blackbirds flew around, eating the bees.
Once again, the Morrigan darted away, laughing. “It’s no good, my child. Whatever you throw at me, I’ll raise you tenfold. Surrender or I will instruct my soldiers to kill your beloved.”
Ella twisted around. Marcus was fighting three undead soldiers who charged at him with axes. A dangling Nate was held by another. Where was everyone else?
“No…stop, right now. I’ll give you what you want, but don’t harm them.” She held her belly to stanch the blood flow.
Ella, you can’t do this.
For a moment, a watery image of Lady Tenille and Ariana blurred together.
I have no choice.
But I do.
She heard the determination from the moon goddess but didn’t understand what she meant. Twisting away, she faced the Morrigan, ready to do whatever she wanted to secure her loved ones. But her body froze for a second. Heat blasted through her veins, shocking every nerve ending inside, and light radiated from her skin like a candle. She blinked, shaking her head to clear the uncomfortable sensation rippling through her. The wind whipped around as branches cracked and dipped. Leaves swirled around at the incredible surge of energy fanning out from her. Night owls hooted and wolves howled at the perimeter of the trees, waiting.
The wolves are here.
Yes.
Glancing to her side, she saw Marcus gain the upper hand with the soldiers. She took one awkward step after another, propelled by a force other than her own, which cloaked and possessed her body.
Don’t fight me, child. I’m here to help.
Ariana?
Yes, I merged with you. This is my fight, too.
Feeling taller and a million times stronger, Ella swung her sword into action. Metal clashed against metal as she hotfooted and danced around the Morrigan, each shifting back and forth, striking out with their swords.
“I call on the soul-collector…reveal yourself. I have fulfilled my end of the bargain, but you have not. Give me what I desire…now,” the Morrigan called.
The earth trembled beneath her feet, and Ella caught herself before falling over the tree roots as the ground split apart. Worms wriggled upon the ground, and an idea bounced to life as she called out for the trees to assist her. Lunging at the Morrigan, pushing her toward the biggest oak she could find, she thrust her sword and hit her adversary, who stumbled several steps back. The roots from the tree slithered across the ground like snakes and wove around the foot of the goddess, who darted toward her but could not advance as her foot lay trapped.
Ella paused, watching as the Morrigan struggled and cursed, slashing at the roots to free herself. But as she removed one coiling root, another twisted around her. Lifting her head, she narrowed her eyes and screamed at her.
Ella, now.
Ariana’s voice inside her head pushed her on, and she ran, seizing the moment, knowing what to do, and raised her sword. She aimed her weapon at the Morrigan’s heart, ready to strike. The goddess shifted to the side and thrust her sword, but the blade lifted clear out of her hand and flew away, dropping to a tree nearby. Nate must be using his magic.
For a second, Ella wondered whether she could solve the problem of the Morrigan any other way. In that moment, a dagger pierced her right side. Staring down at it, she thrust her sword into the Morrigan’s chest, and the goddess opened her mouth wide in shock. The woman stabbed another blade into Ella’s leg and the light around her blurred.
“Ella, stay with me,” Marcus yelled, and she blinked in time to see him thrust the sword deeper into the goddess.
The Morrigan’s blue eyes flared wide. Her features twisted and shriveled as she transformed into an old hag. As the woman slumped with her head bent low, a bright shaft of light radiated from her center and erupted into flames, consuming the goddess, until all that remained was a pile of ash.
The world Ella knew drifted in and out of focus. Loud voices yelled but drifted away to a comforting silence until there was nothing—nothing at all.
The Final Chapter
Ella stretched her arms, waking from the best sleep she had ever known. A stream of bright colors fanned over her as daylight seeped through
