Page 54 of The Princess of Portals

“Stop it!” I bellowed.

Magic punched out of my words, hurling Fenris backwards. Behind him, the space between dimensions split open, and he fell into Oblivion. The glowing seams stitched themselves back together.

“Savannah,” Seriana croaked.

I rushed over to her, cradling her trembling body. “I’m sorry. I don’t know any healing spells.”

“It’s too late for that now anyway.”

“No, it’s not too late. Wait, I can do it.” I stared at my hands until they started glowing. It was a weak, pitiful glow. “I saw Conner do it. I just need to figure out how he did it.”

“It’s too late, Savannah. You’ve already used too much magic.” She grasped my hands. Hers were so very cold, and mine were so incredibly hot. “You’re running a fever.”

“I’ll be ok. I just need to heal you.” I tried to free my hands so I could perform the healing motions over her body like I’d watched Conner do so many times before.

She clung to them. “No. You can’t heal me.”

“I can. I’m strong.”

She gave me a weak smile. “You are, but some things simply can’t be fixed.”

“No! I can fix anything. I’m supposed to be able to fix anything. Otherwise, what’s the point of having all this magic? What’s the point of me?”

“All of us, we spend a lifetime trying to figure out what our purpose in life is. We all want to leave our mark on the world. Everyone wants their life to mean something. We all want to discover our purpose.”

“What is my purpose?” I asked her.

“I can’t answer that, Savannah. But I can assure you that you have already made a difference. You freed the Apprentices and the spirits that Fenris imprisoned.”

“I need to do more.” I tried the healing spell again, and was treated to a migraine for my efforts.

“Yes, there’s so much left to do. This isn’t over. The Order is still out there. And so I’m going to ask something of you that no one should ever ask of another person, especially one so young.”

I blinked. Everything was so blurry.

“I’ll do what you want. Just don’t die,” I pleaded with her.

“You’ll be all right.”

The curtains of blurriness parted just enough for me to see her tired smile.

“You are stronger than you know, Savannah. Make sure my son pays for his crimes. Make sure he will never again be able to do something so horrific. Stop the Order of Kings, and save the Many Realms from this never-ending madness.”

“Never-ending?”

“Please, promise me you will stop them.”

“I’ll try.”

“I’m sorry to force this burden upon you. My burden. I should have kept Fenris in check. I failed him, and I failed the Many Realms. And, now, because of that, the Order of Kings is threatening everything and everyone we hold dear. I believe in you, Savannah.”

Seriana let out a final sigh, then she stopped breathing.

CHAPTER 6

LAND OF THE CURSED ONES

The Queen of the Vampires was dead, and it was all my fault. If only I’d been stronger or faster or had a better grip on my magic, she’d still be alive. I’d failed her today, and now she was gone. I would not fail her again. I would fulfill my promise. I would stop the Order of Kings. I would make sure what had happened to Kylie and the others would never happen to anyone ever again.