The Breaker (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #2)(81)

Alex shook his head. “No way.” She had just escaped an attack on her life; he wasn’t going to put her in harm’s way again. Memories of the cuts on her mouth and the bruise on her head came flooding back to him. She was in danger around him. There was no way he was going to let her come with him.

“Well, I’m not leaving,” she said with a stubborn smile as she reached out and took his hand in hers. She squeezed it lightly. “I’m staying right here. I’m going to fight with you. I’m not afraid anymore,” she stated, boldness in her blue eyes.

“Ellabell, you have to go with the others. It’s too dangerous where we’re headed,” Alex urged, gazing at her with concern.

“I don’t care. I want to help,” she replied, her face defiant.

“Please, Ellabell—”

“I can’t just run, knowing your life is on the line,” she murmured, holding his hand more tightly. “I’m staying, and you can’t change my mind.”

Seeing the stony expression in her shining eyes, Alex knew he wasn’t going to get her to budge. She was determined, and yet he wished she weren’t. If anything happened to her, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. At least, he thought grimly, he’d be able to see her and protect her if she was with them, but it didn’t mean he was happy about it. With Gaze, he was certain she’d be safe. With him, he was less certain.

“Why?” he asked, wanting to understand.

“I can’t hide while you fight. It’s not fair, and I don’t want to leave you,” she whispered softly.

“Are you staying?” Gaze interrupted, addressing Ellabell from the edge of the adjoining corridor as she ushered the last of the students through.

Ellabell nodded.

“Very well,” Professor Gaze said reluctantly. “Stay safe. I’ll be thinking of you all.” She tipped her hat one last time before disappearing into the hallway after her wards, leaving Alex, Natalie, and Ellabell alone in the vacant hallway.

The golden line that barred the way to the Head’s quarters was already broken, yet to be repaired after their last adventure into the forbidden zone, although it still buzzed where the line remained intact.

“Well, here goes nothing,” breathed Natalie, raising her eyebrow at Alex as she spoke the Americanism she had learned from him. She stepped toward what remained of the barrier line and touched it cautiously, wincing as she made contact. It wouldn’t be long, if the plan worked.

Moments later, there was a cold rush of air as the Head whipped his cloak around and appeared in the hallway before them, called by the touch of a student’s hand against the line. A menacing grin rested on the pale, skeletal features of his face—what was visible, anyway, beneath the hood.

“And where,” the Head growled, his voice rasping, menacing and unnatural, in the back of his throat, “do you think you’re going?” He stalked toward them with a smirk, already raising his hand to form a thread of energy between his fingers.

Thinking fast, Alex plucked the bladeless knife from his belt and wielded it at the Head. The blade shimmered to life as soon as Alex’s hand wrapped around it, crackling with metallic energy, the sharp edge ready to bite. The energy that pulsed through the arm wielding it was cold, pulling at the twisting tendrils of his anti-magic to draw into the blade. Alex’s gaze flashed toward the knife, wondering what powered it. It seemed to be using him—his anti-magic. Natalie and Ellabell fell in behind him with their palms raised, ready to fight. With a cry, Alex charged forward, brandishing the knife.

The Head hissed as the glowing blade swept the air close to his face, the light reflected in the deep, sinister pools of his eyes.

“How can you—hand me that knife at once!” he demanded, his voice pouring from an unnatural place deep beneath his cloak. “It does not belong to you. You should not be able to wield it! Give it to me!” The Head reached for the blade. Alex slashed a warning slice between them, stopping the Head in his tracks.

“Never,” replied Alex.

“Where did you steal it from, you vile little thief? How dare you!” the Head seethed, the whispering sound sending a shiver up Alex’s spine.

“You know very well where I took it from,” said Alex in a low voice, the knife’s silvery energy emboldening him. “I will make you pay for what you’ve done.”

As Alex’s anger rippled out from the epicenter of his heart, the blade began to glow more brightly. It strengthened with every pang of emotion felt through the hand that held it, burning more fiercely as it connected to the soul within.

The Head gave a hollow laugh. “You,” he whispered, pointing a bony finger toward Alex. “What are you?” His foul gaze leveled with Alex, but Alex refused to look away.

“You know who I am,” growled Alex, slashing again with the blade as the Head took a step toward him.

A vicious smile appeared on the wizard’s emaciated lips. “Can it be, after all this time, that you have come to me?”

He lunged toward Alex, but Alex was ready for him, swiping at the Head’s bony arm with the knife. His mind focused on the pulsing center of the Head’s essence, feeling the coiled creature within the Head’s body. It was cold and uninviting, pushing against Alex’s mind. He pushed back, teeth gritted, and lunged forward once more.