The War (Ultimate Power Book 2) Read Free

halfway up the stairs.  My body had given in to my Queens request and as soon as he laid me on the bed, I was out.
    Fire Queen was sitting on the ground directly in front of me when I woke.  She looked stressed and scared.  It bothered me because I had never noticed any other emotion on her face but pure joy.  All of the anguish of Lord Raylan came rushing back to me in an instant.
    “ My Queen?”  I said half a question and a greeting.
    She responded gracefully as always, but with fear.   “Lord Raylan is a true danger to you Bailey.  He will come for Eric soon and you must defeat him.  Do. Not. Let him go or you will pay the price with your life Queen.  Our circle must not be broken.”
    I wanted to ask her how I could defeat him , but it was too late.  She had already sent me back.  I had so many questions for her and without the answers, I was sure to lose the battle that I was facing.  But I couldn’t lose.  Not this. Not Eric.
    When I woke, I had a new feeling of determination.  One like I had never had before.  I was super alert.  My senses seemed to be finely tuned and I could feel the danger lurking around us.
    I felt Eric enter my mind and started observing my thoughts.  He searched my mind and listened to Fire Queen’s warning.  When he was finished, he asked, “When?”
    “ I’m not sure.”
    “ Don’t worry.  We will be ready.”
    “ I’m not so sure about that.”  I said as my voice shook with fear.
    “Why?”
    “Because he is coming now! I can feel him!”
    “ Get up! We have to get out of the house!”  He said as he pulled me off the bed.
    He was entered my mind again, giving me directions on what to do.  The one thing he said that was more important than anything was for me to never let go of his hand for any reason, no matter what.  The strength of our power depended on that one simple thing.
    We ran down the stairs and to our parents.  Eric told them we were going out and that when we come back we will have a date for the wedding.  It was a brilliant plan. They would never suspect anything, and he knew as well as I did that saying that would keep them all in one place. It would keep them safe.
    We got in the car and drove down to the lake.  It didn’t take long.  At the rate of speed he was driving, we could have been out of state in at least an hour.
    The area was dark and chilling.  I was reluctant to get out of the car, but I knew that I had to.  I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.  Lord Raylan has to be dealt with.
    Eric got out of the car, ran over to my side, and opened the door.  I grabbed his hand and the intensity of our combined powers was almost too much.  Searching out our surroundings, I knew Lord Raylan was close.  He was close enough to hear us now.  I took a deep breath and called to my Queens with my mind.  With our connection, I heard Eric call his Kings.
    Everything happened so fast that I didn’t have time to process it.  The Kings and Queens had answered our call.  This time they came in person.  The entire Circle of Light was present. 
    I felt more power surge through my body as one of them took my hand.  The shock of new power flowed each time another one of them touched the other.
    In the tree line, I could see a dark figure approaching.  It moved cautiously, as if weighing his options. 
    I was frightened, to say the least, but I have to stand my ground now more than ever.  Eric ’s life depended on it.  So did the Circle of Light.  I am a Queen so I had damned well better start acting like one if we had any chance of getting through this.
    Eric squeezed my hand as the final member of our circle joined us.  The completed power was unlike any other.  Strong.  Magnificent.  I felt like I could face anything.  My fear was completely diminished.
    As the figure moved closer, I was certain it was Lord Raylan.  I noticed that as I was seeing him I wasn’t scared anymore.  I had Eric and the Circle at my