Chapter 94
Althea caught her breath, unable to argue. All she could manage was a faint, “I… I couldn’t just stay hidden. People needed help p>
Before Gavriel could answer, a surge of white-blue light rippled across the square.
Uriel had arrived. He strode forward, his cloak whipping around him, a staff glowing in his hand. With one look at the chaos around them, he raised it high, his voice carrying power.
“By the binding laws of the ancients, I command this darkness to scatter p>
A wave of cleansing light burst outward, striking the cursed. Some screeched and fell, writhing as the corruption burned away. But not all of them yielded—the darkness was too deep, too thick. The spell faltered.
Uriel’s jaw clenched. “No… it won’t hold!” He dropped to one knee, sweat running down his brow. His body trembled under the strain.
Althea turned to him, alarmed. “What’s wrong p>
“I need more energy,” Uriel gritted out, his voice tight. “If I force it now, I’ll burn out before the spell is complete. And then the darkness will spread again!” Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs
Althea glanced at the streets, at the glowing domes barely holding survivors safe, at Gavriel standing firm with his blade dripping red. Her heart clenched. She couldn’t let it all collapse.
Her mother’s words echoed in her mind—about sharing, about balance, about the elements lending their strength not just to one, but to many.
Without hesitation, Althea stepped forward and placed both hands on Uriel’s arm.
“Take it from me,” she whispered.
Uriel’s head snapped up, his eyes widening as her energy surged into him—wild, unstoppable, drawn from wind, earth, and flame.
“This his voice faltered, disbelieving, almost afraid.
“There’s no time to hesitate! If you do, everyone in this town will die!” Althea’s voice broke into a near-scream, her ears filled with the cries of the wounded, the wails of children.
The air reeked of blood. Their pleas tore into her chest, and before she realized it, tears streamed down her cheeks like an unending river.
Uriel remained frozen.
Desperation overtook her. Althea no longer cared about the stares fixed on her glowing form, unaware of the brilliance pouring from her body. Drawing on the fragmented spell her mother once whispered in her memories, she closed the space between them and pressed her trembling hand onto Uriel’s shoulder.
“Do it. Now.” Her tone was sharp, commanding, leaving no room for refusal.
The sudden torrent of energy jolted Uriel, snapping him out of his paralysis. His staff ignited, blazing brighter than ever before, light spilling in every direction. A radiant shield spread across the town, sweeping through the streets like dawn breaking over night.
The infected shrieked. Their bodies convulsed violently as the corruption within them was seared away. Smoke poured from their skin, and one after another they crumpled to the ground—some freed from the curse, others lifeless already.
Althea swayed, her knees threatening to give in from the effort. Gavriel caught her instantly, his arm locking firmly around her waist.
Uriel rose slowly, his staff still glowing faintly, his face a mix of awe and disbelief as he looked at Althea. “Impossible,” he breathed. “No ordinary mage could have done that p>
Gavriel’s grip on her tightened, his jaw clenched, his expression unreadable. Yet his eyes never wavered from her face, burning with something between fury and fear.
“You reckless fool,” he scolded, his brows drawn tight, voice low and rough.
Althea’s lips curled faintly, the ghost of a smile. A weak hum slipped from her throat. “I feel… so tired p>
Her lashes fluttered, the world blurring around her, and before Gavriel could say another word, her eyes closed. Darkness claimed her.
Gavriel growled, his voice carrying authority that silenced everyone around. Without hesitation, he scooped Althea’s limp body into his arms. His eyes burned with an intensity that dared anyone to block his path.
“Clean up this mess!” he barked at his men as he strode through the chaos. “Make sure all survivors are evacuated to safe ground—no one leaves unless they’re cleared by the mages p>
The guards stiffened at his command, rushing to obey. Gavriel didn’t spare them another glance. His focus was fixed solely on the fragile weight in his arms.
Her skin was cold. Too cold p>
He burst into the nearest inn, kicking the door open, and hurried inside. The air was still thick with smoke and fear, but he didn’t care. He laid her carefully on the bed, his broad frame shadowing hers as if he could shield her even now.
“Uriel!” His tone was sharp, almost desperate. He turned, eyes like steel locking on his cousin. “Come here and check Althea first p>
Uriel stepped forward, gripping his staff tightly. Gavriel’s own features were carved into stone, but as his gaze fell on Althea’s pale face, his chest tightening. He immediately stepped back, forcing himself to give Uriel space, though his body resisted leaving her side.
Uriel lowered himself beside the bed, his hand hovering just above Althea’s chest. His brows pulled tight, his mouth a thin line. For a long moment he said nothing, only feeling the faint pulse of her energy. Finally, he exhaled slowly.
“She pushed too far,” Uriel murmured, his tone heavy. “That kind of power… it’s not meant to be forced out all at once. Her body’s gone into shock p>
Gavriel’s jaw tightened. His fists flexed at his sides. “Fix her p>
Uriel’s eyes flicked up, calm but firm. “I can stabilize her, but she needs warmth. Not fire, not magic. Living warmth. Werewolf heat runs deeper, steadier. It will keep her alive until her strength returns p>
Before Gavriel could respond, a low growl rumbled from the doorway. The wolf from earlier padded inside, its coat shimmering black and white in the dim light. Without hesitation, it leapt onto the bed and curled itself protectively against Althea’s side.
Gavriel’s eyes darkened at once. His lips pulled back into a snarl as his hand shot forward, ready to grab the beast by the scruff and hurl it straight out the window.
“No wolf touches her without my word,” he growled.