Page 117 of The Mating Quest

TheAnam Cailltewas draining him dry. Ilana ran, her sword bouncing against her back, dagger in her right hand. She could not fight them with hersword.

But her dagger, the gift from Caderyn, could killthem.

Grinding to a halt about a hundred feet from Ethan, who now writhed on the ground from the dozens of beings covering him, she held out her dagger and chanted the words she’d learned to conjure the most powerfulmagick.

Purple and blue energy blazed forth on her blade. With a loud scream, she waved her hands at the invading horde siphoning away Ethan’spowers.

Hislife.

TheAnam Cailltereleased Ethan and began advancing toward her, as if sensing the power she held. When they were away from Ethan, she brought up her blade and threw it straight into themist.

As her dagger hit the cloud, the mist exploded into a shower of gray rain, with dozens of shrieks splitting the air. TheAnam Caillteweregone.

But Ethan lay on the ground, panting in terrible anguish, writhing and moaning. She limped over to him. He lay on the ground, his face scrunched inanguish.

“Ethan.” Sheathing her sword, she assessed his injuries from the zombies. Blood flowed from terriblewounds.

“I, I have n-no magick left to h-heal,” hegasped.

“No, you can’tdie!”

“Kill me, Ilana.” Ethan stared at her, bright red bubbling from his lips. “I’m dying, but I don’t want to be a zombie and hurt Others. Please. If you love me, do what you must. Cut off myhead.”

“No.” Sobbing, she tried to stem the flow of blood. “You can’t die. I loveyou!”

“Listen to me! I, I d-on’t have much time. Y-you can do this. Believe in yourself.” He reached out and touched her chest. “In h-here. Magick i-insideyou.”

Ilana squeezed his hand, tears rolling down her face. Then she remembered the diamond in thecave.

Healing properties. Able to bring someone back from the brink ofdeath.

With all her strength, she ran, her broken ribs stabbing at every step. Ilana reached the cave and retrieved the blue diamond. Its warm glow illuminated the cave. Immediately warmth settled into her and the pain from her broken ribseased.

But would there be enough power left to heal Ethan? She tore a piece of her shirt and used it to hold the diamond so she could not absorb the power through skincontact.

When she reached Ethan, she placed the diamond on his chest and then touched it to each of his terrible, bleedingwounds.

His rattling gasps for air grew fewer. Eyes opening, he blinked as the gem’s healing power flowed throughhim.

No longer did his wounds bleed. She left the gem on his chest and felt his pulse. Strong andsteady.

The gem’s light faded and it became an ordinary diamond once more, the magickgone.

Smiling through her tears, she touched his face. Warm skin beneath her caressingfingertips.

Life.Magick.

Wondering eyes met her gaze. He reached up, touched her face. “You held the power inside you allalong.”

Ilana laughed and stood, turning around. Her hand automatically reached for herdagger…

Pain exploded in her chest, searing like fire. Ilana gasped, her heart slowing and saw over her shoulder Cormac a few feet away. His final triumphantsmile.

Killed by her owndagger.

She fell forward onto her knees, her lungs desperate for air. Ethan started to scramble to hisfeet.

“Ilana!”