The War (Ultimate Power Book 2) Read Free Page B

of life.
    Ice King and Queen joined in and I could now hear his screams.  He was in pure agony.  Their power touched him and seemed to be causing him a greater amount of pain than just the fire power alone.
    Ice Queen raised her hand that joined with mine and at the same time Eric ’s hands rose too.  I was confused, but I let the power flow through my body unrestricted.
    I could smell the Earth. The heat from the fire was soothing because I had to be cold, but I just couldn ’t feel anything other than the power right now.  Sweat started forming on my forehead; I was getting too hot.  Thankfully, I felt the breeze mixed with cool air.
    Our powers were complete and Raylan couldn ’t escape it.  He was doomed.  No question about it, but I wasn’t expecting him to surrender. 
    He screamed with such horror that tears automatically formed in my eyes.  I could feel his pain, the burning of the fire and the ice pulsating through his body.  I overcome by the sensations when I noticed Eric joining hands with Earth Queen.  The Circle of Light was complete. 
    A blinding light forced me to close my eyes and as the seconds passed, I realized that I could not hear his cries any longer.  What was happening?  I tried to open my eyes, but the light was just too much.  It hurt.  I listened and heard no one. Nothing.
    “My Queen?”  I heard someone call.
    “ Yes?”  I responded still blind.
    “ I’m so sorry for all of this. Really. I am.”  A gentle male voice replied.
    “ But, I don’t understand.  Who are you?”  I asked puzzled.
    “ Look at me, please.”  He requested.
    I carefully began to open my eyes, hoping the light had gone away and to my surprise, it had.  I could see the man clearly now. 
    Inside our circle, was a young man. I didn’t recognize him at first, but the more I looked at him the more familiar he became.  He had the same hair as Raylan, but cleaner.  Every feature of his face reminded me of him but sharper and better defined. Younger.  It was him.  I was sure of it.
    “ Raylan?”  I muttered not believing what I was seeing.
    “ Yes, my Queen?”
    “ What happened to you?”  I asked in the most polite tone I could manage.
    “ I have been saved.  I thank you all.  I was forced to join the Dark Union.”  He sighed as he spoke.  “They took my family from me, but thankfully they escaped unharmed.  The longer I was with the Union, the harder it became for me to break free of the hold that was on me.  I am truly sorry for what I have done to you and your King.”
    I couldn ’t believe what I was hearing.  Was this some kind of ploy to get me to let my guard down?  On the other hand, could it be that the man in front of me was telling the truth?  Either way, I wasn’t sure what the result of all of this was going to be.
    The Queen ’s explained to me that I could grant Raylan one request and if I decided he was not worthy of his request, then he would be dealt with accordingly.
    I wasn’t sure how to do any of this, but I went with it the best way that I could.  I tried to act like I was everything he thought I was, but inside I was trembling.  This man ’s life was in my hands.  It was all up to me.
    Or was it?  Eric was my equal, so therefore, he has just as much say in this as I do.  And the realization of that made me feel so much better about the situation.  It gave me renewed strength.
    “What is your request?”  I asked.
    He stood there for a moment.  It seemed as if he was deciding on what would be the best thing to ask for.  I was sure not going to grant him any money or anything like that.  Even though, he looked completely innocent now.  It still was not going to get him anywhere.  He had tried to kill me.  He came after the man I love.  What makes him believe he even deserves a simple request at all?
    I could feel the anger building in myself and, at once, I was sickened by the nature of it.  It was pure hatred, but I had to look at