Part 26 (1/2)

Suddenly, Valeries attention was drawn to light glinting off of a crystal hanging on a chain around Sanguinas neck. She looked down and saw Henrys image inside the crystal, screaming. With her other hand, Valerie grabbed the chain and yanked it off of Sanguinas neck. In the process, Sanguina tried to push her away, but she didnt budge.

Sanguinas eyes flicked down to look at Pathos, and suddenly shock replaced the seething hate in her eyes. She looked up at Valerie searchingly. Why do you have Adelitas sword? Who are you? Tell me. Now! Sanguina commanded, but her hatred seemed diluted, as if something had distracted her from their fight.

This time its you whos not in a position to give orders, Valerie said, pressing her blade against Sanguinas throat even harder. Youre not going to distract me. But she was genuinely confused at the change in Sanguina.

Could you be its not possible, but Sanguina said, so puzzled that she seemed almost unaware of the sharp blade against her neck. Its you! Sanguina cried out, and her face contorted as anger warred with some other emotion that Valerie couldnt begin to guess.

Valerie realized that Pathos had nicked the thin, chalky skin on Sanguinas neck. It was only a scratch, but Sanguina shrieked in pain. As Valerie watched, the light from Pathos poured into Sanguina through her wound. Valerie pulled her blade away, but it was too late. The light traveled through Sanguinas body, illuminating her veins from the inside out. The sight was ghastly, as Sanguina appeared to be nothing more than a network of glowing veins in the blackness.

The pitch of Sanguinas scream became higher, and Valerie knew, without a doubt, that the light was killing her. But instead of feeling triumphant, she was more horrified than she had ever been in her life. Because of her, someone would die. She hated this woman, but suddenly she wished more than anything that she could take it all back. There was no way that she could live with herself, knowing that she had ended a life. Faintly, she realized that there was a clatter in the hall. Someone was coming. But she didnt care. She didnt know if she would ever care about anything ever again.

The door to the room burst open, and dim light streamed in. But Valerie couldnt take her eyes off of Sanguinas death throes.

Strangest of all, when Sanguina looked at Valerie now, all of the loathing was drained from her eyes. For the first time since Valerie had known her, Sanguina spoke without bitterness, and said, If I had known who you were, I never would have hurt you. Then Sanguinas eyes rolled back in her head.

It was more than Valerie could bear. Agonizing remorse left her frozen in shock.

Something flashed through her like fire. She was burning with an energy that filled her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Sanguina started to fall to the ground, but before she collapsed on the floor, Valerie caught her, and the energy inside her burst from her fingertips and shot through Sanguina. Sanguinas entire body glowed fiercely with a bright yellow-green light.

Energy flooded out of Valerie and into Sanguina in a torrent, and she could feel her strength fade as her field of vision narrowed to a tiny circle. She knew that if she didnt stem the tide, she would be swept away with it, gone forever. It was as if she were pus.h.i.+ng hard on a door inside of herself that didnt want to close. With a burst of strength, Valerie slammed it shut.

Abruptly, the light inside of Sanguina went out and her body relaxed. She shuddered in Valeries arms and sighed. But then something miraculous happened”Valerie heard the sound of ragged breathing. Sanguina was alive.

You saved her. Azras soft voice moved through Valeries mind, comforting her.

Valerie struggled to remain conscious and not give in to the darkness that surrounded her mind, inviting her to lose herself in its oblivion. She couldnt let go, not yet. Henrys life depended on her. With a struggle, she pushed the darkness back inside her.

She blinked, aware for the first time that Azra and Kanti stood in the doorway, and behind them were a crowd of other Conjurors, some, like Gideon and Midnight, whom Valerie recognized, and many she had never seen before. Everyone was staring at her, stunned. Even Azras eyes were wide with surprise and sudden understanding.

I dont understand. Valerie said.

Youre a vivicus, a life-giver. It has been many centuries since a Conjuror has been born with this gift. I sensed something untapped inside of you when we first met, but I never guessed Azra trailed off with a shake of her mane.

Will Sanguina be okay? Valerie asked, resting her gently on the ground. In the dim light, Valerie could see that Sanguinas skin had lost its pasty sheen. She looked almost”human.

Better than okay”you brought Sanguina the woman back to life, but the vampyre in her is dead. She is as she was before she was changed by Zunya.

Zunya was the one who made her a vampyre? How” Valerie began, but Henrys fear ripped through her. Henrys still in danger! I have to go to him! she cried, realizing that she was still clutching Sanguinas charm for Henry in her hand. Her exhaustion vanished in her fear for her brother.

Go and comfort him as best you can. We will wait.

She gripped the charm and concentrated. In the s.p.a.ce of a thought, she was transported to Earth.

Chapter 43.

A barrage of sights and sounds overwhelmed Valerie. Rus.h.i.+ng water drowned out almost every other noise and filled the air with a wet mist. To her astonishment, she was standing on a gra.s.sy patch of land next to a swiftly moving flood of water. Her eyes followed the flow of the rapids, and she saw that about a hundred yards out, the water dropped away, falling into an abyss of mist.

She realized that she was not far from the edge of the enormous waterfall that she had seen through Henrys eyes earlier. The view would have been breathtaking if it werent for the realization of how easy it would be to slip and fall into the raging water coursing past.

Her a.s.sessment of her surroundings was interrupted by a cry, and she saw Henry trying to run away from Venu. He only made it a few steps before Venu leapt onto him, and the two crashed to the ground. Her heart squeezed at the sight of the terror in his wide brown eyes.

Youre going in, whether you like it or not, Venu barked. Then he smiled, revealing his yellow teeth. Theres even a surprise waiting for you over the edge of the falls. Time to go find it!

Get away from him! Valerie yelled. Venu and Henry looked at her in surprise. Venus grip loosened on Henry, who wrenched himself away. Run, she said to Henry, who looked at her with eyes filled with fear and wonder. But before he could take off, Venu deliberately touched Henrys arm with one finger.

No! Valerie screamed, but it was too late. Henry fell to his knees and stayed there, motionless but conscious. Venu clearly didnt want to kill Henry, she realized. He had paralyzed him so he couldnt escape.

This time, you wont leave alive, Venu said to Valerie, his eyes narrowing into slits.

Somehow I doubt that. That will make, lets see, three times that a girl kicked your b.u.t.t? she taunted, hoping to distract him.

Venus body tensed, ready to attack. Valerie automatically a.s.sumed a defensive stance, but she knew that there was nothing she could do to stop him from hurting Henry”Venu just hadnt realized it yet. A helpless panic tore through her. She was so close to Henry, but there wasnt a thing she could do to save him.

Venu crouched, and then leapt toward her. She did the only thing she could”she dodged his outstretched fist. For several minutes, the dance continued as Venu tried to punch and kick her, and Valerie dodged his blows. Venu looked confused when she didnt go on the offensive.

Finally, one of his blows punched through her shoulder, and the puzzled look on his face vanished. Youre not here. Youre on the Globe, with Sanguina, Venu said, and he smiled, revealing his yellow teeth. You cant do anything but watch.

NO! Please, Ill give you anything you want! she cried in desperation, but Venu turned his back on her and trudged toward Henry. Ive defeated Sanguina. Theres nothing she can do if you release him. Ill give you money, find a way to get you to the Globe, anything!

Venu stopped. He turned slowly, surprised, and raised an eyebrow. Sanguinas gone?

Yes. Now let him go.

It doesnt matter. Sanguina is not the one who gave me this order. I will be rewarded for this beyond anything that witch could give me, Venu said with a greedy smile, turning to Henry, who was looking at them both with wide, terrified eyes.

Then he put on his gloves and lifted a limp, helpless Henry off the ground and carried him to the water. Valerie knew he was about to throw him in, and she clawed in vain at Venu. He laughed as her arms went through him. Panic gnawed at her mind, threatening to swallow her whole. But before she could give in to her terror, Thai came tearing past her and crashed into Venu, knocking him to the ground. Venus grip loosened on Henry, who rolled dangerously close to the place where the land dropped away and the falls began.

Thai! You made it!

Of course, he said, kicking Venu hard in the chest. Venu grunted and fell, but only a small flicker of pain appeared in his eyes. He eyed Thai from the ground, sizing him up.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Venu was on the attack. Ripping off his gloves, he leapt to his feet and lunged for Thai. Venu was fighting to kill. Valerie watched as Venu and Thai sparred. Thai carefully avoided the poison oozing from Venus hands and feet, and managed to land several more kicks to Venus stomach and chest.

To Valeries eyes, the fight appeared to be a blur at first as they swiftly attacked and blocked each others blows. But Venu was growing tired, Valerie realized, as Thai landed a punch squarely across his jaw. Venu grunted in pain.

Thais eyes flashed with triumph, but the look was quickly replaced by terror. Not now, Tan! he shouted.

Valerie saw him shudder, and then Tans gold eyes appeared in Thais face. He looked scared as Venu pulled himself off the ground. Venu saw the change in Thais face. He couldnt possibly know what had happened, but he must have sensed that this change was to his advantage, because he didnt hesitate. He laid his hand on Tans neck, and Tan fell to the ground, moaning.

Valerie was by his side in an instant. He opened his eyes, and Valerie saw Thai looking back at her. I failed you, he whispered, and then his eyes closed and his breathing slowed. Venu laughed.

Dont give in to the poison. Please, wake up! she begged, tears pouring down her cheeks.