Page 106 of Alora: The Portal (Alora 2)

Jireo’s throat convulsed as he tried to speak, but no words emerged. He nodded his head, staring at the floor.

“Empusa!” Vindrake’s deep voice spilled into the room, oily and putrid, and Jireo felt the hackles rise on the back of his neck.

Inside the foggy dome, the evil shaman lifted her head to the ceiling, opening her eyes, though her arms remained outstretched above her.

“Kill them now!”

*****

Alora faded in and out of consciousness. Empusa stood between them, so silent and still, Alora thought she might’ve died where she stood. Empusa’s dome effectively cut off all the sights and sounds from the rest of the room, so Kaevin and Alora used the precious time to speak their hearts.

“I’ve failed you.” Kaevin’s deep green eyes pierced her soul.

“I’m the one who failed. I was too weak to bear the pain.” Alora tried to lick her dry lips, but she couldn’t find a drop of moisture in her mouth.

“No one would describe you as weak. I felt it, too… I know how much it hurt. I’m still willing to speak the oath, Alora. Whatever is required to stop the torture.”

“I know you want to help, Kaevin, but nothing is worth letting Vindrake’s mind inside you. Besides that, he was going to make you torture me. It would’ve made us both go insane.”

“I must do something. I can’t simply lie still while he burns you over and over again. I cannot.”

“We have to, Kaevin. We have to hold out until it kills me; then we’ll both be free.”

“How I wish I could take the pain in your place. The fact I can’t protect you is agony to me. I love you so much.”

Like cool water, Kaevin’s love washed over Alora, chilling the fiery agony of her burns. She fought to hold onto the precious sensation, though it made her feel weaker. Perhaps I’m finally dying.

“I love you, too, Kaevin. I love you too much to let Vindrake into your mind. Better to suffer now and die than live under his control, wishing we were dead.”

“Alora, I want you to know, I have no regrets about us. I’d rather die in agony like this, knowing you love me, than be safe at home in Laegenshire without you.”

“Every girl dreams of being loved like that. I’m just glad I got to experience real love before I died. If we weren’t soulmates, I’d still choose you.”

“I wish I could kiss you one last time.”

“I wish for that, too. One last goodbye kiss. And I wish we could tell our friends goodbye.”

“Empusa!” Vindrake’s deep voice penetrated the silent shroud.

“Oh God, he’s back.” Alora’s body trembled, anticipating the torture to come.

“Kill them now!” At Vindrake’s booming order, Alora tensed, desperately wishing she could hold Kaevin’s hand. Empusa lowered her arms, stretching them out on either side, over Kaevin and Alora.

A shock went through Alora’s body, relighting the faded nerve endings. Her heart sped up like an adrenaline rush, and she panted against the pain.

“It hurts,” she cried.

“Don’t be afraid; we’ll die together,” Kaevin called.

Uncle Charles, I wish you were here so I could tell you… I tried to stay alive. The world went black.

*****

The echoes of their footsteps reverberated against the walls as they hurtled down the dimly lit stone passageway. Charles’ lungs burned; he hadn’t run this much in years. Humbling for these two little kids to leave me in their dust. He had to be close behind them when they passed the guard’s station at the passage junction, or his strategy wouldn’t work.

With grim determination, he put on a burst of speed, gaining on Haegen who followed close behind Markaeus. Both boys held their cans of pepper spray in their right hands, ready to aim at the guards. Peering over Haegen’s head, Charles realized the plan was doomed to fail. The sentries were supposed to be just inside the side corridor so the boys could run past them, spraying to the side. Then Charles would follow behind to stop the chase group. But instead of standing to the side with the other guards, one lone sentry stood right in the middle of the corridor.

Fifty yards away, the guard shouted, waving his sword. Another sentry joined him. And another. Markaeus slowed, casting an uncertain glance over his shoulder.