The 13th Prophecy Read Free

Eric nodded and asked, “How?”
    I didn’t answer. Instead, I closed my eyes and focused on my power. It was coiled tightly, deep within me. Lifting my hand toward Eric’s soul, I opened my eyes. The ghostlike boy reached for my hand. At the same time his fingers slid into my palm, a rush of wind blasted me in the face from the screaming cavern across the water. Kreturus’ beast was coming.
    The gale was so strong that Eric and Collin were pushed away from me. Power anchored me in place, and before Eric was out of my reach, my other hand grabbed him by the wrist. My hair whipped around my shoulders, as I locked eyes with Eric. Trust me , was the only thing I thought. If he messed with me while I was trying to do this, I had no idea what would happen.   Eric nodded once, quickly. His eyes darted across the water, watching the massive black hole, waiting for the creature to appear.
    Collin stumbled behind me, and lowered himself to the ground so the force of the wind wouldn’t knock him off his feet. His arms covered his face, keeping the sand from pelting his eyes. I wanted to know if he was the boy and not the demon, but there was no time left. I supposed we would find out shortly. If Collin helped the beast, then he was still bound to Kreturus. If he helped us, he was free.
    Pressing my eyes closed, I felt power snake from my stomach, uncoiling, and sliding into my chest as I remained still. Collin shouted as something screeched out of the opening across the Pool. Eric’s eyes went wide as he stared slack-jawed at the beast. Its wings were spread wide, and the wind rippled over the edge of its enormous black feathers. Its head was angular with two small eyes that burned like fire. Scales mixed with feathers, covering its grotesque body. Its underbelly was almost human, with strong muscles and taught arms with fingers balled into fists. It looked like a demon, a human, and a bird all in one. The beast cried again, and the cavern shook with its screech.
    Warmth trailed from my ears and trickled down my neck. I glanced at Eric and saw him touch the trail of blood that flowed from his ear with his free hand. When he turned his palm to confirm that blood was flowing from his ears, he said, “We have to fight it! Ivy, stop!” He tried to pull his hand out of mine, but I wouldn’t let him. The power that I’d used would claim the pain price any second and I wasn’t doing this for nothing.
    The hideous creature barreled at us from across the water. It’s wings were spread wide as it moved across the surface of the water. Another cry emanated from its beak, echoing across the water. The sound bounced off the walls making it sound worse. Eric pressed his hand to his ears, trying to protect them from the sound. But I wouldn’t release his other hand. The trickle under that ear increased. It was possible this beast could kill with it’s scream.
    Without another thought, I felt the dark magic begin. Everything happened in a matter of seconds, but during those seconds, time seemed frozen—stuck. Staring down a frightening beast with outstretched talons and a death cry can do that. The magic fused Eric’s grip to mine. Our palms glowed dark purple and black. It looked as if streams of smoke billowed out between our hands, swirling upward under a black light.
    With each second, my grip grew hotter and hotter. Eric’s face turned white as the beast grew closer and closer. It would reach us any second. If its maw could draw blood with a screech, I didn’t want to think about what its beak could do. I closed my eyes, blocking everything out. I didn’t hear the screams. I ignored the rushing wind that was powerful enough to knock me over. But I stood, with my feet fixed in the bottom of the Pool of Lost Souls where my power grounded me. If I didn’t finish this fast enough, that thing was going to kill all of us.
    Concentrating on the grip of Eric’s soul, I felt it meld to my hand. And then Eric’s soul began to fade as