“Jess, look out!” Tyler yelled.
“I got it,” I called, my voice gravelly once again as my neck morphed. Power swirled around me, inside and out. I didn’t wait to see what the goat was going to do. I bent at the waist and locked one hand into the ground. I dug my claws into the rocky floor and pivoted on my arm, bringing my body and legs around in a blur. My feet connected with the side of the mangy freak of nature hard, sending it flying backward. Straight off the cliff. It bleated its anger and surprise, its red eyes sparking evilly right before it dipped over the side. It was a massive animal, but its weight didn’t even register in this form.
This is too easy, I said to my brother in my mind. Selene wants us here. She’s got the death goats on a level two danger attack, not a level ten. If they were level ten they could probably spit venom.
We still have to watch it, Jess, my brother replied. It looks like she wants us in there, but these goats could be masking something else lurking just behind. A stupid diversion.
Is Danny okay? I asked.
I think so, but I’m not sure. The spell seems to be moving slowly.
Right then I heard Danny swear and yell, “You aren’t going to keep me down, you bloody bastard!”
I turned my attention turned back to the inert goat. My brother was right. This gatekeeper could be a ticking time bomb. We have to move fast, I said to Tyler. Once I insert my power into this thing, all hell could break loose. Which was likely inevitable. The final showstopper. I just hoped the calamity would be contained to me and not destroy the entire mountainside.
I extended my arm slowly.
Get ready, I told my wolf and my brother at the same time. My wolf gave a bark ending on a snarl. She had no idea if this would work either, but it was the best we had. My fingers brushed the side of the goat and once they came in contact with it power rushed up my arm. There was nothing solid about it, only massive energy. The goat was a figment. A mirage. There’s nothing here but power, and it feels like it’s seriously contained, I told Tyler. Get ready to jump.
I took a step closer to the figment; nothing impeded me.
Instead Selene’s signature began to envelope me, covering me completely. It poked and prodded me, trying to burrow under my skin, but my golden strands of power held like a shield locked around me. I heard a faint yell behind me.
“Jess!” Tyler’s voice held more than stress. “Don’t go any farther. You’re fucking disappearing!”
Disappearing?
I gazed outward. Everything outside looked normal. Danny and Tyler started toward me, Danny’s arm clutched to his side, blood running down his sleeve. You can’t follow me in here, I called to my brother. Selene’s power is trying to insert itself into my flesh. You won’t get through. Her power will eat you alive. I have to destroy it. When it goes there’s going to be a massive explosion. My wolf gave a yip of agreement. Tyler kept coming. Tyler, I said back off! I inserted power into my voice.
He skidded to a stop, grabbing Danny by his shirtsleeve.
Jess, it’s too dangerous, he pleaded. There has to be another way in.
I don’t have time to find another entrance. When I throw my power into this goat, energy will ignite. You and Danny have to get off this ledge right now. After I’m in, find a way in.
Jess, he said, it’s too risky. We can climb to the top and see if there’s another entrance. She has to have more than one entry point.
I refuse to waste any more time, I replied. I need to find Rourke and this is it. Do you understand me? This is my last chance. I can feel it. He needs me and nothing is going to turn me back now. I want you to get off this ledge. Tyler struggled against me, but I was issuing a command and our blood connection rang with it. Tyler, go now. I’ll give you thirty seconds. After that, Selene’s power will find a way into my body. I’m running out of time.
Tyler pushed Danny to the edge. Danny understood what was happening and gave me a salute with his good arm. “Godspeed, Jessica.”
Tyler glanced over his shoulder at me and moved his lips one last time. “See you on the inside.”
I’ll see you there. I knew Tyler would find a way in. Or he’d die trying.
Then they were gone.
Okay, this is it, I told my wolf. We throw our power out. If we break this ward, we’re in. She gnashed her teeth, her eyes sparking violet, which mirrored my own. She was ready.