Page 312 of The Edge of Darkness

I lashed out at him in warning, my essence rising to the forefront of my mental shield and staking claim.

His slow laugh echoed in a taunting tune, claws retracting and then settling at the edge of the wall, waiting with unnerving stillness.

Come to me. His voice raked against my bones.

In my mind, I remained still, but my physical body was hunched over itself in the dirt, struggling, gripping at my head. Roirdan’s voice was far away, calling my name, but I couldn’t get back to him.

Come to me, Lyceius repeated.

A scene appeared in my mind—a hillside, strewn with rock, overlooking the carnage of the war below. The single twisted husk of a great oak tree rose from the barren land, and next to it, was the fallen god, hand outstretched and beckoning.

Come and face your fears.

My essence recoiled from the mere sound of his voice, but I knew that I had to face him. He was finally showing himself, and I could not waste another minute while innocent and noble lives were being lost.

I would go. I would end him.

As you wish, I said in a growl, then thrust my power toward him, snapping it like a whip and expelling him from my mind. When I opened my eyes, Roirdan was on his knees in front of me, shaking my shoulders.

Our stares collided and he cursed. “Bloody fucking gods, Auren! What was that?”

“Lyceius,” I said, blinking away the haze of the vision.

Roirdan tensed, then helped me stand.

“He summoned me,” I said.

“Summoned you where?”

I looked back over my shoulder again, feeling a pull toward the west. “You need to get back and rally the others.”

“Auren . . . where did he summon you?”

“To face him.”

Roirdan grabbed my arm and immediately protested. “No. You’re not going alone.”

“I have to, Roir. I have to end this. We knew this was the plan from the beginning. It was coming regardless.” I paused, meeting his eyes. “Too many have died.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes. He knew of whom I meant.

“Find Niall and Silas. Tell them what happened.”

Roirdan stepped toward me, his grip tightening. “Let me go with you.”

I placed my hand over his. “No. I won’t let anyone else sacrifice themselves for me.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “No one else, Roirdan. Not even you. That’s an order.”

The muscles in his jaw flexed as he worked them, fighting his instincts. Then, he nodded firmly.

“Thank you.” I gave him a small smile and pulled him in, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“Don’t you start thanking me,” he murmured into my hair. “I will fight for you and at your side, always. Until my dying day.”

“But that day is not today,” I said, squeezing him tight before letting go. “Now, go. I will see you again soon.”

He dipped his chin. “As you command, little one.” He winked, then ported.

Silas, I called out in my mind.