Fearless Magic (44 page)

At some point, late into the night I started to feel Avalon again, I felt our connection and the bond that flowed between us as twins. Part of me was happy just for that, for the feeling that I wasn't completely isolated and that I could communicate with the outside. Part of me wanted to argue he had taken enough, that once the magic was divided, there was no need to drain the rest of me. Part of me argued that if I had magic, I could find a way to kill Lucan.

But the other side of me demanded reason, demanded that all of the magic be taken completely for the sake of my people and the downfall of the monarchy. The wiser side of me argued that even half of my magic would be enough to give Kiran true immortality and it would never be enough to destroy Lucan. And both of those scenarios were unacceptable. Either, Avalon would kill him alone, or together we would face him and together we would destroy him, but Kiran would have no share in our magic.

Eventually, through the darkest hours of the night, Avalon reached the halfway point of our transaction. I was a weak shell of buzzing energy and wavered near the brink of unconsciousness with the strained effort relaxing my magic took on my body.

Eden?
Avalon spoke through our shared connection and his voice was soothing to my system.

Avalon.
I sighed, whispering his name, even inside of my head.

You should have let me die.
He accused, and I had to laugh at him.

Never.
I breathed slowly, fighting now to stay awake.
You are the better leader, the Resistance needs you, not me. Have you met our parents yet?

Yes.
He mumbled shyly, trying to hide the joy at his reunion with them. I knew that he felt it was unfair, but all I could do was sigh with joy at the completeness of my family.

Avalon, you have to take it all. Just like I did for you, now it's your turn to take all of mine.
I ordered, finding the urgency of the moment.

I can't.
He argued.
I can't leave you like that.

What? I'll be fine.
I said confidently, knowing I would welcome death with open arms.
I've lived without magic before. Besides you will come for me. Just like I came for you, only you will do a better job.

Will he take care of you?
Avalon asked, and I knew that he was talking about Kiran.

Did he take care of you like he promised?
I asked, deflecting the question.

Yes, he did.
Avalon admitted seriously.

Then, you have nothing to worry about, do you?
I lied, and I knew Avalon could tell that I lied but there was an unmistakable hope in his spirit that Kiran would protect me. I wished desperately that I shared it.

I love you, Ede, I will come for you soon.
He promised and I held his words in the depths of my soul as if they were a sweet memory I would carry into eternity with me.

I love you, too.
I whispered and then he pulled at the magic again.

This time I did not have to fight my own magic for him to take it, it flowed out of me with ease and openness. Avalon was the one that controlled the magic now; it belonged to him.

At the end of it, when there was nothing left I was surprised to be still breathing. Before I knew about magic, I believed I lived without it, but it had always been there, circulating in my blood, but imprisoned and repressed like I was tonight. Now there was nothing, no energy, no electrical charge to my blood. I was completely mortal and utterly exhausted.

The early morning light began to fill the room with rays of gentle sun. I made it through the night, Avalon successfully saved our magic. He was safe for now. My parents were safe. Jericho, Lilly, Aunt Syl and all the others that I fell in love with over the last couple months were safe for now.

They wouldn't always be. I trusted that they would continue to wage this war with better leadership and more victories. But, for tonight they were safe and they were together. My fight was paused, but, from my actions a stronger battle could be waged. And I could finally slip into the deep abyss of uninterrupted sleep.

The door opened and Kiran walked in. I stayed awake for just a moment longer to acknowledge his presence. He stood, unmoving, in the doorframe watching me and I wondered if I would have to wait for death much longer.

“Eden, what have you done?” he gasped, moving towards me in anger.

But I was already slipping away, into the black unconsciousness that promised respite from this world. I breathed evenly, trusting that when I woke up judgment would be decided and a verdict passed and I could finally say my fearless goodbye to this never-ending struggle.

List of Resistance Teams

* Denotes the Team Leader

Brazil Team (Also known as the Rescued Team)

Ebanks Camera

Oscar Rodriguez

Ronan Hannigan

Jett Fisher

Omaha Team

*Avalon St. Andrews

Jericho Bentley

Titus Kelly

Xander Akin

Xavier Akin

Czech Republic Team

*Ryder Thompson

Fiona Thompson

Roxie Powers

Baxter Smith

Felipe Gonzalas

Trenton Chase

Australia Team

*Hamant Kumar

Christi Rogobete

Priya Fahir

Eshe Iyare

An Tang

Swiss Team

*Alina Pascut

Alexandre Ballamont

Hale Oliver

Ben Hamilton

Evie Santoz

Morocco Team

*Caden Halstead

Bex Costello

Kya Hasting

Lucy Barello

India Team

*Te Che

Pan Che

Grace Lewis

Naima Desai

Sunny Magar

South Africa Team

*Abraham Patel

Henrik Van de Merwe

Jess Zuma

Mamello Mensah

Mandisa Mensah

Lenka Bello

About the Author

Rachel Higginson was born and raised in Nebraska, but spent her college years traveling the world. She married her high school sweetheart and spends her days raising their growing family. She is obsessed with bad reality TV and any and all Young Adult Fiction.

Fearless Magic is her third book, and the third part in a four part saga, The Star-Crossed Series. Endless Magic, the fourth installment of the series, will be out January 2012.

Follow Rachel on her blog at:

www.onedaysomedayeveryday.blogspot.com

Or on Twitter:

@mywritesdntbite

Or on her Facebook:

Rachel Higginson

Look for Endless Magic, coming January 2012