Corbin’s eyes left Malcolm and fell on her. “Get your fucking hands off her,” he yelled. Mara’s jaw fell. “Corbin, watch out!” she shouted. But he wasn’t quick enough. In a blink of time Malcolm pulled out his glowing spear and plunged it upwards into Corbin’s chest.
“No!” Mara screamed, watching with horror as Corbin stumbled backwards. His eyes were like saucers, and his mouth agape.
Malcolm grinned and raised his hand so that the invisible force pushed Corbin to the ground. He landed hard on the protruding end of the spear. Malcolm laughed and stepped towards his wounded opponent.
“Malcolm, stop!” Mara screamed, trying to break free from Eli. She watched on, feeling helpless. She could see Corbin was trying to summon his energy to heal, but the magic spear made him weak. Then Corbin raised his hand and shot more beams of light, but Malcolm playfully diverted each and every one.
“Corbin!” Mara called out with tears streaming down her face. “Corbin!” His eyes were becoming heavy and then he slumped down on the ground. He was losing his strength.
Malcolm ambled towards Corbin and stood over him with a smirk on his face. He began to create a large white ball of fire in his hands and then he turned to Mara. “I was just going to take his Light and keep him alive, but I think I’ve changed my mind.” He raised the ball of light over his head, getting reading to finish the job.
“No Malcolm, please don’t!” Mara wailed. Suddenly a sharp grunt from Eli sent her tumbling forward. Her hands hit the ground. She looked back to see the end of a blade sticking out of Eli’s shoulder and Drake standing behind him. “Go, Mara,” Drake huffed.
Mara paused in a moment of disbelief and looked back to Malcolm. He stood above Corbin with the white fire still in his hand.
There seemed to be a slowing of time, a stillness that surrounded her, and on her hands and knees, Mara crawled towards the stone. It seemed to call out to her, and when her hand landed on it, it singed her skin like grabbing a burning ember. She held on to it, not caring if it burned her, and stood up. Then there was a humming in her ears and a sharp vibration running through her limbs. The earth seemed to move beneath Mara’s feet. She reached her hand into her cloak and withdrew her dagger. Malcolm’s back was to her, his attention still on Corbin. “Malcolm,” she called out, holding up the stone.
Malcolm jerked his head around and his eyes bulged when he saw what Mara had in her hand. Then his lips twisted into a grin. “That doesn’t matter now, princess. I already have your Light.” He turned with the ball of white fire in his hand and hurled it at her, but when it was just inches from her face, it evaporated.
Malcolm’s mouth opened in disbelief.
Mara smirked. “I think it does matter.” She looked straight into his eyes, still holding up the burning stone, when she felt her body start to draw on his power. Even though they were many feet apart, she felt the energy flowing into her.
Malcolm roared, his face red, his eyes mere slits of light, and he charged for her. But Mara kept her feet planted on the ground, and the moment Malcolm was close enough, she brought her dagger forward and plunged it into his stomach. The humming around her grew louder, like swarms of buzzing bees, but she held on, twisting the dagger until Malcolm fell to his knees. His face was in a desperate grimace and he tried to form the fire in his hands, but Mara was no longer afraid. She bent over him and put her hand on his head. “I win,” she said simply.
The ground beneath them shook, and almost immediately Mara felt the rush of Light envelope her entire body. The weight of it was nearly unbearable, and she thought it might tear her into pieces. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth against it until she felt like she was floating, weightless and timeless. Her entire body pulsated and then a screeching cry came from deep within her. It was a voice not her own. And then the energy released her, the world stopped moving and she went crashing to the ground, surrounded in total darkness.
The hall was silent when Mara turned on her back and opened her eyes. She took a moment to let the flow of sensations settle within her, and then she sat up. Her eyes swept the room. Every color and texture of every surface stood out to her like never before. All of her senses felt strong and finely tuned, more so than she had ever experienced.
She stood up on shaky legs and with a flick of her finger, all of the torches in the room burst with flames. Malcolm was face down on the floor beside her, and the stone laid just inches from his hand. She picked the necklace up and secured it around her neck, feeling its immense power. The sound of a groan reached her ears. She turned towards Corbin at the other end of the room. He was leaning against the wall taking shallow, quick breaths. The light of the spear was dead, but it was still embedded in Corbin’s chest. Mara took swift, flowing steps and knelt down to examine him. His heavy eyes smiled up at her. “You did it,” he breathed.
She tilted her head and stroked his face. “I’m going to take this out, but it will hurt,” she warned before gently pulling on the spear. Corbin cried out and then relaxed once it was removed. “Now heal yourself,” she commanded, sitting back on her heels.
Corbin placed his hands over the wound, but she could see he was struggling. Mara feared he was too weak to summon his Light. He exhaled and his arms fell to his side.
“Corbin!” Mara shook him, dreading the old woman’s prediction was true. He was dying. His eyelids became heavy and then closed. She pressed her hand to his cheek. “Look at me,” she said, barely feeling the energy from his Light. “Corbin,” she said again, but he didn’t move. She guided his hands over the wound, placed her hands over top and summoned her Light. But still, nothing happened.
“Corbin, don’t die,” she whispered, feeling hot tears running down her cheek. “Don’t leave me.” She pushed harder on her Light, and it seemed that an eternity went by in this manner. As he lay there motionless, Mara felt sobs escape her throat. Her stomach twisted and she was close to losing control, when suddenly she felt his fingers lace with hers. She pushed harder on her Light, forcing it into him until his grip on her grew stronger. “Try, Corbin. Please try,” she begged. His body began to take in her Light, and finally the wound in his chest closed over.
Corbin’s eyes opened. Mara let out a tearful laugh and threw her arms around his neck.
“Whoa,” he cautioned, still sounding weak. “You are a lot stronger than you used to be. Don’t crush me to death.”
Mara beamed at him and helped him to his feet. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re all right,” she cried.
Corbin grabbed her in a long embrace. “How did you get the stone?” he asked.
“Drake,” Mara said, looking around the room for him.
“Where is he?” Corbin asked.
Mara turned to the doorway and gasped when she saw Drake on the ground next to Eli. They raced to his side, and Corbin turned him over. Blood poured from a wound in Drake’s stomach. He looked up at them. “The bastard got me when I wasn’t looking,” he wheezed.
Corbin put his hands on Drake and looked up at Mara with uncertainty. “I don’t think I have the strength to heal him,” he said. She could hear the panic in his voice.
“Here,” Mara said. She put her hands on Corbin’s once more. The moment they touched the transfer of Light began. She could feel the pull from Drake’s body as it sucked at the force being offered. The draw of power was strong, but Mara held on until finally Drake’s eyes opened.
Mara and Corbin both jumped back and looked at each other in shock.
Drake shook his head and sat up. His eyes were a luminous blue, the same color as Corbin’s eyes, and his face looked younger. Drake got to his feet. He held out his hands and looked at Corbin with wide eyes. “Son?” he asked, stepping forward. He let out a joyous cry and hooked an arm around Corbin. “I remember you,” he cried. “I remember you, my son.”
Corbin tightened his arms around Drake and breathed a sigh of relief. “How did we get you back?” Corbin asked.
Drake shook his head and looked at Ma
ra. “It was you,” he said, reaching out to touch her cheek. “I can’t believe it,” he whispered. “You look just like Ethnea.” He trailed off for a moment. “She was a very powerful Dia, you know.”
Mara smiled. “I do know.”
Malcolm began to moan.
Corbin’s eyes flickered. “You go check on Annora,” he said to Mara.
Mara raced over to Annora and tapped her cheek. “Annora. Annora,” she coaxed.
Annora opened her eyes. “Ouch,” she said, her hand going to the lump on her forehead. Then her eyes widened at Mara and her mouth stretched into a wide grin. “He didn’t stand a chance,” Annora beamed.
Mara put a hand on Annora. “Wait here and rest for a moment. Corbin will come and fix this,” she said, touching the lump on Annora’s head.
On the other side of the room, Drake stood over Eli. “He’s still alive, though I don’t know if he’ll stay that way. Damn fine fighter though. He almost had you beat, eh Corbin?” He nudged Eli with his boot.
“I doubt that,” Corbin said. He stood over Malcolm and kicked him hard in the ribs. Malcolm coughed and recoiled from him.
“Father, will you please see that the others are all right and let them into Valenia?”
Drake nodded and left through the doorway.
Mara stood back, still feeling a pinch of fear, even though Malcolm was now incapacitated. She had to remind herself that she was the one who had all the power now. She watched Corbin, who turned to her and said, “Have a look at him, Mara. Does he look different to you?” There was a glimmer of vengeance in Corbin’s eye.
Mara took slow steps towards Malcolm and glared at him. Her hands shook, but she called upon her courage and knelt down with her hands on her knees. “Hmm. Look at that,” she mused. “He looks as though he’s lost his Light.” She tilted her head from side to side, like a hungry wolf. “Yes. That’s what it looks like. His eyes are darkened, his skin is pasty, and he has human body parts.” She stood up and gave him a swift kick to the groin.
“You fucking whore,” Malcolm spat, curling himself into a ball on the floor.
Corbin grabbed him by the neck. “Who are you calling a whore, brother?”
Malcolm took in a large gulp of air. “You think I won’t get my Light back, you bitch? I might be weak now, but I’ll get it back!” He laughed through hard gasps.
“Not if you’re dead,” Mara hissed at him.
“Or…” Corbin said, pausing. “We should just keep him a while and play with him…seeing as he likes to play so much.” Corbin pushed Malcolm down so that he had to catch himself before hitting the ground. Mara watched as Corbin’s eyes lit up, and he focused his energy on Malcolm. She wondered what he was doing, but then she heard the crack of breaking bones.
Malcolm’s mouth dropped and a long wail came from deep within him.
“See the new trick I’ve learned, Malcolm?” Corbin hissed. “I have the ability to crush a man to death from within.”
There wasn’t a measure of compassion for Malcolm while Mara watched him writhe. She hoped it was terribly painful. But she didn’t want to let Corbin finish him—that was for her to do. She stepped forward. “I think I would prefer to watch him burn.” Mara let a small green flame emerge from her hand, and she felt an overwhelming sense of power when she saw the fear flash in Malcolm’s eyes. She bent down to meet his stare. “Are you afraid?” she asked.
Malcolm laughed and spat at her. Then he turned to Corbin. “Do you know what she did, Corbin?” Malcolm gave Mara a bloody grin. “She made a deal for your life, you realize?”
Mara’s eyes darted to Corbin and she kicked Malcolm in the stomach. “Shut your mouth,” she growled.
Malcolm laughed again and sucked in a breath. “She gave herself to me if I promised to spare your life. Did she tell you that? And she’s not a whore?”
Mara backhanded Malcolm hard across the face. “Enough of your lies, you disgusting creature!” she screamed.
“Oh, I love it!” he shouted.
Mara avoided Corbin’s stare when he crossed her to face Malcolm. He bent down and grabbed Malcolm by the throat, pulling him up so that their faces were only inches apart. “Was that before or after you turned her into a mortal?” Corbin’s tone was low and menacing. He threw Malcolm back down to the floor and stood over him. “There is nothing she could have done that would make me turn away from her. Because I know everything she did was to protect others, not herself!” He pushed Malcolm with his boot. “You see, Malcolm, that’s the difference between you and Mara.” Corbin gave Mara a gentle look and then scowled down at Malcolm. “Let’s get this over with,” he said, sounding exasperated.
Mara took a moment to regain her composure and watched Corbin, searching for any judgment in his eyes, but she saw none. She took in a breath for courage and let the fire rise in her hand. There was a pause and just when she was about to turn it on Malcolm, she heard Drake yell.
He burst through the door with Ailwen, Gareth, and Barrett following behind.
Ailwen ran over to Annora’s side.
“This won’t take but a minute,” Mara said, glaring back at Malcolm.
“No!” Drake shouted, running up to Mara and pulling her hand down. “You can’t kill him.”
Corbin stormed over. “Why not? Let her finish this.”
Mara watched Drake’s expression. He seemed reluctant to say it as he looked back and forth between her and Corbin.
“What is it, Drake?” she asked impatiently.
Drake took a deep breath and looked at her with the most profound expression of regret. “Your fates are tied together now.”
“What?” Mara demanded, barely understanding the words.
“What does that mean?” Corbin asked, putting a hand on Mara’s shoulder.
Drake shook his head. “You’ve exchanged powers with the Lia Fáil,” he said, pointing to the stone around her neck.
Mara’s entire body shook. “We exchanged nothing, Drake! He stole my powers!” she screamed.
“It doesn’t matter how it happened, just that it happened,” he said gently. “Your fates are tied together now.”
Corbin took his hand from Mara’s shoulder and stepped back. “So what does that mean?” he asked.
Drake hesitated. “If he dies, she dies.”
Malcolm burst into uncontrollable, mad fits of laughter.
“That’s not possible,” Mara cried, shaking her head. “No. No,” she said. The old woman’s words rang in her ears—“Your soul is bound to another. Bound in death.”
“No,” Mara whispered. “It can’t be true.” She lit the fire in her hand once more.
“Mara, don’t!” Corbin grabbed her and forced her back, but she was much stronger than him now, and she pushed him away.
Corbin held up his hands, his eyes pleading. “You can’t do this, Mara. I know you want him dead. So do I, but you will die with him.”
Mara shook her head over and over, refusing to meet Corbin’s eye. “No, no, no, no,” she repeated. “He deserves to die for what he did.” She glared down at Malcolm. “You deserve to die!” she screamed. The ground beneath their feet quaked. She kicked Malcolm and hit him with such force that he was soon unconscious.
Both Drake and Corbin grabbed her and held her back as the tide of tears fell from her eyes. Drake held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. “Mara, I am five hundred years old. I know these things, dear. If you kill him, you will die too.”
Mara stared up at him, but she wasn’t hearing his words. “No,” she said, collapsing into his arms as if she was human. “It can’t be true,” she sobbed.
Drake pressed her head into his shoulder. “I’m sorry, dear. But it is true.”
Corbin felt his body go cold as he watched Mara sob into Drake’s shoulder. In spite of having her Light back, she trembled. “What do we do now?” Corbin asked, unable to push back the feeling of dread that came over him.
Drake’s eyes met Corbin’s. “We should
get her out of here,” Drake said, gesturing for the door.
Corbin inhaled and looked down at Malcolm, who was still unconscious on the floor. “Barrett, will you make sure he doesn’t move?” Corbin asked.
Barrett nodded. “Aye. He won’t be going anywhere.”
“Good,” Corbin said, following Drake and Mara out of the room.
They walked up the steps to Rowan’s chamber, and once inside, Drake settled Mara down into a chair and lit a candle on the table. Corbin knelt before Mara and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. She met his gaze with her large, sad eyes. “I want him dead,” she whispered.
Corbin grimaced, feeling her pain. “I know,” he said. He stroked her cheek and looked back at Drake. “Are you certain about this? Malcolm can’t be killed?”
Drake nodded. “I am very certain.”
Mara balled her fists and stared at Corbin. “How can this be?” she said, shaking her head over and over again.
Drake watched her for a moment and shot a despairing look at Corbin. “There are some things you both need to know.” His eyes were filled with concern as he stroked his bearded face.
Corbin felt the knot in his stomach tighten. “What is it?” he asked.
“Have a seat.” Drake pointed to the chair next to Mara. Drake sat down near them with a long sigh. “This is all destiny’s plan. It has all come to pass.”
“What plan?” Corbin asked. He put his arm around Mara.
Drake paused and his eyes fell back on Mara. Her head was down and her face hidden beneath her hair. “I knew Mara’s mother, Ethnea. She was the one who put the spell on me to shroud my memory, as well as my Light.”
Corbin’s jaw dropped and Mara’s head shot up. “You knew my mother?” Mara gasped.
“Why would her mother do such a thing?” Corbin asked.
Drake blinked and his expression softened. “I was fighting in the east. It was the battle that you thought killed me. Ethnea came to me on the battlefield like a phantom goddess, and spoke to me of a prophecy that would befall our children. She warned me the sacrifice would be great, and in order to see it fulfilled, I must put my duty as a Dia before my own desires.”
The Darkness of Light Page 25