Chapter 9

The air thickened ominously and glowing white streaks bursted out of my palms, heading straight for a shocked Lan.

Before it got to him, a bodyguard jumped in, getting struck. He froze, then erupted into black ashes. Dead.

I fought down the panic and guilt threatening to rise, focusing on one thing; I missed. I'd missed and that was the only opportunity I would get. And I'd f*cked it up. Frantically I summoned another energyball as the guards closed in on me.

The death of the guard seemed to snap Lan into action. He stood, fury boiling in his feral eyes. "Bound her hands," he ordered with deceptive calm.

I fought wildly as one grabbed my hair. I fought wildly while the rest rushed for me. But before they got a hold of my hands, I worked up another energyball and blasted them with it, weakening.

More and more warriors poured in, and when they came at me again, I desperately chanted a spell, "Lis eida!" A call for help.

My hands were pulled painfully behind me and shackled. I was for