Page 119 of Possess Me at Midnight

At the sight of the heavy broadsword, Mathias scoffs. “A human’s weapon for a wizard’s fight. You’re as mad as your reputation. You’ll get nowhere near me with that.”

It will be a challenge, but certainty fuels me, overriding exhaustion. I will succeed. For Gailene. For Sabelle. For the past and future.

Using the edge of the blade, I slice open my own thigh. Sabelle gasps. I spare her a moment’s glance to assure her I’m all right. Then I put her concern from my mind. Bram stands behind her, offering security and support. We’re not friends; we may never be again. But I’m grateful he has his sister’s back.

Now, I have to focus all my energy on delivering my blow to Mathias and ending two hundred years of agony.

The blood wells from the stinging wound on my thigh, and I wipe the flat of the blade across one side, then the other, coating the sword with the essence that beats from my heart. I only know enough about blood magic to be dangerous, but right now…that should be more than enough.

For a moment, I grip the blade, bow my head over it, and wrap it in an enchantment that spreads hope and joy. Love.

When I right myself, Mathias’s eyes widen. He backs away, wary. His nostrils flare. His face reddens.

“Do not touch me with that blade.”

I don’t bother replying, just step closer, blade in one hand, wand outstretched in the other, paralysis hex at the ready.

The pungent stench of fear wafts across the challenge ring, and I smile, the gesture every bit as warm as my nickname.

Mathias shakes his head, steps back through the cracking sheet of frozen water and slushy remnants of snow. “No!”

The raw shout reverberates through the force field. Then he thrusts a hand toward the unsteady sheet of ice between us. It shatters, the pieces hovering as Mathias twists his wrist, then hurls the shards directly at me.

As I melt the frozen projectiles, I watch fury overtake Mathias. I laugh. Adrenaline charges my system, fueling my energy, as I raise the sword. No doubt, Mathias will try to thwart me using some underhanded method.

He won’t succeed.

I charge the evil wizard, blood-wet sword at the ready. My nemesis retreats a step, then another. So Mathias fears my human weapon. Because he doesn’t know how to wield it? Because he doesn’t understand human combat? Perhaps he fears the unknown. My blood must frighten him as well. This magic, though not practiced widely for centuries, is notoriously unpredictable and strong.

Mathias continues to back up until he hits the force field. A few steps more, maybe two or three, and victory will belong to me.

“Cease all combat!” Blackbourne calls. “The break period has begun.”

Bloody fucking hell. Everything inside me itches to lunge forward, finish off Mathias for good. Bury my ghosts. But if I do, I’ll violate the rules of the challenge and forfeit all rights to the Council seat—not to mention any chance I have of spending my future with Sabelle.

With great force of will, I lower the sword.

Mathias’s gloating sneer nearly makes me rethink my position. Cheeky bastard will likely use the next fifteen minutes to his advantage and devise some new counterattack. Though my limbs feel heavy, I’d rather keep fighting. A thinking Mathias is a dangerous one.

“You heard the esteemed gentleman,” Mathias gibes. “Put the sword down. Unless you wish to forfeit.”

With a curse, I turn to find Bram standing nearby and hand the sword to him. “I don’t trust that wanker anywhere near this sword.”

Bram grimaces at the blood-soaked weapon but takes it. “Nor do I.”

But when I look up, Mathias has fled, all but running inside the house.

Nodding, I follow, making my way to the room prepared within for my respite. Now that the imminent moment has passed, adrenaline seeps from my system. Heavy limbs become a burden as I drag one foot in front of the other to reach my appointed room. Mathias has a witch stashed upstairs, at the ready to provide a fresh dose of magical energy. While I…

I avoid Sabelle’s concerned stare. The Council might not accept me if Sabelle and I look too cozy. It’s unlikely that Bram and I will ever be close again. But appearances and all that. I can’t make the elders wary.

It’s also imperative that I keep Mathias from looking again at Sabelle, plotting to use her as a weapon against me. I only pray that ignoring her will at least confuse Mathias long enough for me to kill him and win the challenge.

I must keep Mathias off the Council at all costs.

Inside the house, the artificial heat melts the December chill that settled in my bones. Instead of relieving me, it smothers me like a blanket over my face.

I trudge upstairs, shutting the door behind me. Then I flop across the bed, wishing like hell that I could hold Sabelle. Yes, sinking inside her would be heaven, and the energy would be nice, but I don’t want Mathias anywhere close to my beloved. She’ll be safe outside with her brother and the rest of the Council. I can’t risk Sabelle for my own comfort.