Second Chance

chapter 22




Ralina strolled through the dark hallways of the prison system. She was heading to Ava’s cell. While she couldn’t take her life for officially another eighteen hours, she felt Ava could handle another little cut. The sacrifice she had planned for Ava didn’t require Ralina to take her blood at this time. She just wanted to take it so she could make Ava suffer a bit before her death.

She had always hated Ava, all the way from that first day she waged an unbreakable friendship with Carrick. And then Carrick having the temerity to push her to the side, all so he could have Ava?

It still made no sense to her. Sure, she had been with Carrick as a means to climb her way up into higher social circles. And sure, she had been beyond furious when he broke up with her. Not because her heart was broken, but because she would have to start over with someone else. The fact that he had the gall to immediately start a relationship with Ava didn’t really bother her personally, but others saw it as an insult and immediately pitied her. That she could not tolerate and it just ratcheted up her hate of Ava another notch.

But as she looked back on it now, even she had to admit that was a fortuitous turn of events. Carrick’s break up with her had led her straight into Quentin Solaire’s bed. Not only had she found a bit of mediocre sex to help pass the time, but she soon discovered the Scrinia’s secret of blood magic.

She wasn’t sure if it was done in an effort to impress her, but Quentin told her about blood magic lying in bed one night after he had achieved orgasm and she had not. She had been considering dumping him as he was no match for her sexual appetites, but then he mentioned blood magic. And Ralina was immediately entranced with the idea.

After pumping Quentin for all he knew, and he knew quite a lot given his lineage, she sought out other nefarious sorcerers who were more than willing to share their knowledge with her for a tumble in bed. Within six months, Ralina had learned a lot, the most important was the blood spell that would steal Ava’s magic. Driven by hate and a need for conquest, she immersed herself in the darkest of magicks, not caring one whit for the lives she took in sacrifice.

For her first major blood spell, she killed her mother and with her blood, weaved control over her father’s mind and actions. From there, it was easy for her to control the Stansworth military for her own purposes. Once she had control over the army through their blood allegiance, she had no further use for her father. The loss of her parents was of no consequence. Ralina was never particularly close to them and they served a very important purpose for her.

When it came time to implement her plan to capture Kestevayne and that little bitch Ava, she was quite powerful indeed. It was so easy breezing through the palace, killing everyone who stood in her way. Making her way directly to Ava’s room, she found the snotty brat was not there. She tore the palace apart but could not find her. She couldn’t find Carrick either and assumed they were together.

The only good thing that had happened was that she had killed Jaron and Selena herself, but not before telling them what she would do to their daughter. Before Jaron died, he had looked her straight in the eye and told her she would never prevail over Ava. Just the thought made her want to go back and murder him all over again.

Ralina realized she had anger issues. Some would think she had taken over Kestevayne to retaliate against Carrick and Ava for being dumped. Those imbeciles. She did what she did for power… pure and simple. Ava was the means to achieve that power given she had the most potent magical blood in all of Vyronas. This was something she didn’t learn until after Carrick broke up with her. The fact that Ralina hated Ava was coincidental really.

As she walked to Ava’s cell, she thought back to their last meeting. She had immensely enjoyed the first carving she made to Ava’s bicep. Watching her rich, magical blood drain into her vessel was exhilarating.

She had to admit she was a little dissatisfied that Ava didn’t cry out while she was slicing into that tender skin. Instead, Ava had glared at her the entire time. She rewarded Ava with a vicious hit to the head with the hilt of her knife, knocking her unconscious. Maybe with this cutting, she could get a scream or two out of Ava. In fact, she was pretty sure she could and that made her all the more excited for what she was about to do. Ralina reached Ava’s cell and opened the door.

“Ava, darling. I’m here to draw a little more blood from you.”

Ava’s head was up and she was glaring defiantly at Ralina.

“Why, Ava?” Ralina purred sympathetically. “Whatever could be wrong?” She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes at Ava.

“How about for starters, you’re a f*cking nutcase,” Ava said, reflecting back a syrupy grin of her own.

Ralina’s smile died and was replaced with the promise of retribution. “You’ll pay for that. And I think I’ll let Carrick take a few lashes for your impertinence.”

“No,” Ava cried out. “You said you wouldn’t hurt him if I didn’t use my magic.”

“I said he would enjoy a relatively healthy life,” Ralina snarled. “I never promised not to whip him for funsies.”

Ralina mentally patted herself on the back for duping Ava into thinking she had Carrick. Ava had been nice and quiet for her entire captivity… until now. Oh well, she didn’t need her for much longer. She could put up with a little lip from her if need be.

***

Ava kept silent, afraid that any further rebuke would cause more harm to Carrick. Ralina started circling her again.

“Now, let’s see where should we cut today?”

Ava was mentally preparing herself to deal with the pain the knife would make. She knew it infuriated Ralina when she didn’t react to the last cutting. She hoped she could do the same this time. But she had to admit, she was scared as hell.

Suddenly the cell door burst open and Ralina screeched. “How dare you interrupt me!”

The guard who entered suddenly threw himself prostrate on the floor and quickly exclaimed, “We’re under attack. My apologies, Empress.”

Ava was certain had the man started with the apology comment, he would be dead already. Smart move to start with yelling they were under attack.

Ralina commanded the man to stand and tell her what he knew.

“Empress… troops approach from the north of Kestevayne, led by Commandant Dunne. Thousands upon thousands. They are probably breaching the walls by now.” The guard’s voice was trembling. “There is no way we can defend.”

“Nonsense,” Ralina yelled. “Employ our Hell-Fire.”

“We have, Empress. But it doesn’t work against them.”

“Impossible,” Ralina exclaimed.

“I swear it’s true. And they are sending spells toward us such as we have never seen before.”

Ava thought she must have mistaken what she had heard the guard say. But no, he clearly said Commandant Dunne led the forces. Had he escaped? Idiot! Ava mentally slapped herself in the head. She had been tricked by Ralina into thinking she had Carrick so Ava would not fight her. Well, she didn’t have that worry now. It was time to fire up her power.

But before Ava could even think of what spell she wanted to use, Ralina leapt toward her and clamped an iron collar around her neck. Shit!

“Now that you know I don’t have your boyfriend, I’m going to have to collar your magic until it’s time to sacrifice you. Can’t have you ruining my plans.”

Ava smiled to herself. Carrick was coming to her rescue so she would say that Ralina’s plans had already been ruined.

Ralina pointed at the soldier. “Go. Send my best troops down to guard this cell. Let no one through.” Ava noticed the man ran from the room as if Hell-Fire was on his ass.

Ralina started pacing frantically back and forth.

“You need to surrender Ralina,” Ava said softly.

Ralina turned on Ava and hissed, “Never.”

“Our troops have you outnumbered five to one. We have learned much about blood magic and have neutralized your spells. You cannot hope to win.”

Ralina smiled wickedly. “But I still have you, Ava.”

Ralina made the gripping motion with her hand and Ava’s windpipe was cut off again. While Ava was pre-occupied with trying to breathe, Ralina cut the ropes securing her hands and feet. Ava’s hands immediately scrabbled to her throat in a vain attempt to pull Ralina’s invisible hands off her. Just as her vision was going black, Ralina released her magical squeeze on Ava’s windpipe and replaced it with a firm, magical grip to the back of her neck. Then Ralina stepped close to Ava and put the knife to her throat, just above the iron collar.

***

Carrick made easy entrance to the palace. The overwhelming numbers of their forces, and Ava’s spectacular blood magic paved a clear way. Most of Ralina’s troops and demons were easily cut down. They had neither the training nor the experience found within the Royal armies, and her numbers were outweighed heavily by Carrick’s forces.

From the vision Ralina had provided in the black stone, Carrick knew Ava would be down in the prison system, but that place was huge and he didn’t know his way around it at all. He had bid several of his men, including Kieran and Heph, to aid in the search for Ava. He had no doubt that when he found Ava, he would find Ralina too.

Carrick and his men searched methodically every room and cell in the prison. It was frustratingly slow work, but Carrick didn’t want to rush and miss something.

Heading down a dark hallway, Carrick was brought up short when Quentin stepped in front of him, a ball of Hell-Fire in his hands. Carrick had not received the protection charm Ava made so he knew if he was hit with the fire, he was dead.

Carrick noted that Quentin looked quite deranged. His clothes were dirty and rumpled. His hair was sticking up all over the place, and his eyes were red. From crying, or lack of sleep, Carrick didn’t know. Nor did he care.

“I’m sorry it has had to come to this, Carrick. I truly liked you and Ava, but nothing can compare to my love for Ralina.”

A little bile rose in Carrick’s mouth just imagining loving someone like Ralina.

Quentin reared his arm back prepared to throw the Hell-Fire at Carrick. Carrick braced to throw himself sideways, when Quentin dropped the ball at his feet. It landed on the ground, still flaming, just inches from where Quentin was standing.

Carrick watched mesmerized as Quentin grabbed his throat as if he was choking. Confused, Carrick looked behind him and saw Heph squeezing the air in front of him as if it were Quentin’s throat in his hand. He saw blood from a cut on Heph’s palm running down his arm. Heph had sacrificed his blood to save Carrick.

Turning back to look at Quentin, Carrick saw his lips were turning blue and eyes were bulging. The lack of oxygen had made him dizzy and he started to stagger around. As fate would have it, and the irony was not lost on Carrick, Quentin stepped onto his own ball of Hell-Fire and almost instantly his whole body ignited. Heph must have released his strangle hold on Quentin because Carrick heard a blood curdling scream come from the raging flames. And then he heard no more.

Carrick, Heph and the rest of men, stepped around the burning Quentin and continued down the hallway. Carrick knew Ralina must be close if Quentin was here. He would have stayed near to her in his foolish attempt to protect her.

Rounding a corner, Carrick spied several of Ralina’s soldiers guarding a door. Carrick felt a rush go up his spine… he’d found her. Carrick and his men charged forward, throwing spells as they ran, and then switching to their swords as they met their targets.

A vicious battle ensued. Carrick cut his way left and right, trying to quickly make his way to the door. He cut down several of Ralina’s men in his frenzied attempt to get through. He felt something slice through his upper arm and warm blood start to trickle. He didn’t give it a passing thought. His only purpose was Ava.

Reaching the door, Carrick raised a powerful leg and kicked the door in. It splintered off its hinges and landed ten feet inside the room. He stepped inside and immediately his eyes landed on Ava. He briefly scanned her to ensure she was okay and saw her eyes were shining bright with relief to see him. He gave her a smile of assurance.

“Give it up, Ralina.” Carrick hoped he sounded neutral because he was seething inside seeing her hold a knife to Ava’s throat. “There is nowhere for you to go. It’s over.”

“It will never be over,” Ralina scoffed. “Not until either I’m dead, or your precious Ava is dead.”

“Well, you know what my choice is going to be,” Ava quipped.

Carrick gave an inward smile. That’s my girl!

Ralina didn’t seem to find it as funny, and pressed the knife into the tender skin at Ava’s throat, just above the iron collar. Ava tried to hold her head back as far as she could to get away from the knife but Ralina pressed harder and made a small cut. A tiny rivulet of blood ran down the side of Ava’s neck, under the collar and onto her chest.

Ralina leaned over and slowly ran her tongue over the blood. She swallowed and gave a sigh. “She tastes good, Carrick.”

Carrick heard others come in behind him, assuming it was Heph and Kieran, but he never took his eyes off Ralina.

“I want safe passage out of here and I’m going to take little Ava with me,” Ralina said confidently.

“It’s not going to happen.” Carrick kept his hands casually at his side but was tensed to fly a spell the moment he needed to.

Ralina gave a confident laugh. “I will tell you what I’m going to do if you don’t let me pass. I’m going to plunge this knife deep into her heart and then we’ll throw the dice to see who will win the ensuing battle. I may die, you may die, but either way, your girlfriend will be dead.”

Carrick didn’t know if Ralina was bluffing but he wasn’t willing to take the chance with Ava’s life. He wasn’t close enough to be able to stop Ralina from using the knife if she wanted to. As if to prove her point, she pulled the knife from Ava’s throat and put the tip over her breastbone.

Carrick held up his hands in supplication and backed away a few feet. “Okay, take it easy. If you can give me assurance you will let Ava go, maybe we can discuss safe passage.”

“Of course,” Ralina said smoothly. “I promise to let her go once I’m outside the palace walls. I’ll even swear a blood oath on it so I won’t be able to break it without dying. How’s that for a bargain?”

Carrick considered her words. He was sure they were nothing but a ruse. Ralina would never spare Ava’s life.

“Carrick,” Ava called. He snapped his gaze to hers. “Listen to me. Do not, under any circumstances, let her walk out of here. She needs just a little more time to complete a ritual that will grant her unimaginable strength. You cannot take the risk she will complete it. Kestevayne cannot take the risk that she will complete it. Do you understand me?” Ava’s words were clipped and strong

“If you don’t let me walk,” Ralina taunted, “knife to the heart”. She pressed the tip in just a bit and more blood trickled down Ava’s chest.

Carrick’s heart was thundering so hard, he thought it might jump out of his chest. His eyes flicked back and forth between Ava and Ralina. He just didn’t know what to do.

Ava said his name again, softly and he was once again looking only at her.

“Carrick. Trust me on this and I swear it will turn out okay. Take your shot at Ralina now and do not fear for me.” Ava’s eyes radiated confidence in her statement and for a moment, he thought he saw something glowing deep within her green irises. Carrick didn’t know how it would be okay, but it was time for him to trust her judgment. He thought about all those years ago when he left her without choices. He wouldn’t do that to her again.

Without letting himself think about it further, Carrick summoned a white hot ball of energy and threw it at Ralina, while simultaneously whipping his knife out, and throwing it at Ralina as well.

As if in slow motion, Carrick saw Ralina plunge the knife downward into Ava’s chest, just as the energy ball caught her in the face and the knife hit her in the throat. The force of the energy threw Ralina backward against the cell wall, but Carrick wasn’t watching. He only watched as Ava’s body dropped to the floor.

Carrick ran to Ava. He heard Kieran and Heph make their way to Ralina to ensure she was dead. He couldn’t care less.

Ava was lying on her side, turned away from him. He knelt down beside her and turned her over into his arms, cradling her with care. The knife was stuck hilt deep into her chest. Carrick caressed her face with his hand and her eyes fluttered open.

“Hi,” he said with a watery smile.

“Hi yourself,” she said back with a faint voice.

“Don’t you die on me, Ava. You can’t leave me,” Carrick pleaded.

“Why?”

“Because I love you. I love you so much and will be lost without you.” Carrick reached down and kissed her gently on the lips. He noticed tears sliding down her cheeks. “Please don’t say I’m too late to prove that to you.”

Ava moved her arms and Carrick loosened his hold. He watched as Ava reached up to the knife and grabbed the hilt with both hands.

“Stop,” Carrick commanded to her. He put his hands on hers to stop her from pulling it out. “If you take it out, you will bleed out immediately.”

Ava seemed to be fading right before his eyes, but she looked at him and whispered, “Trust me.”

Indecision clouded his features.

“Please,” Ava pleaded.

Carrick couldn’t refuse. “Let me do it. I don’t think you are strong enough.”

Ava gave a weak smile and let her hands fall to her side. Carrick grabbed the knife and looked up. Through the tears in his eyes, he saw Heph and Kieran standing there, looking down at them with sadness. He turned his gaze back to Ava.

“I love you,” he whispered as he leaned over and kissed her one last time.

Then Carrick ripped the knife from Ava’s chest. The grief of her impending death hit him hard and he flung the knife away. He gathered her back up in his arms and buried his face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her. A wail tore out of his mouth and he rocked her back and forth as knew her life force would start to drain.

But Carrick immediately noticed blood was not flowing from her wound and leaned back to look down at Ava. A warm light appeared over her chest and Carrick watched in disbelief as the hole in her heart closed up. Next the muscles and skin knitted together and even the blood moved backward in time to seep back into her body. The warm light started to fade, and then it was gone.

Carrick was staring dumbfounded at Ava’s chest. He couldn’t believe it as he watched it rise up and down as she breathed. The skin was smooth and free of any marks. Her eyes were closed but her skin was warm. Placing a hand over her chest, her heart was beating strong.

“Ava?” Carrick stroked her face. “Wake up.”

***

Ava heard voices, faint and whispered. She opened her eyes slowly. Everything was fuzzy but as she looked around, her focus returned. She realized that she was in her bedroom in her palace apartments. She was lying in bed, under her blankets. Peering under the covers, she saw she was wearing a nightgown.

In a flash, the events of what happened played out in front of her. The fact that she was awake, and alive, meant her gamble had paid off. She took stock of her body. She gingerly touched her chest and it felt normal. No cut or gaping hole there. She felt good. Damn good as a matter of fact! She sat up in bed. Looking around her room, she noted she was alone.

“Carrick?” Ava called out.

Carrick and Heph both appeared in her doorway, only to be knocked aside by Bing rushing in. He took a flying leap onto the bed and crashed into Ava. Laughing, she wrapped her arms around the furry beast and hugged him like there was no tomorrow.

“I missed you too, you big baby,” Ava murmured. She looked over Bing’s shoulder and saw Carrick was looking at her with such intensity, she thought she might burst into flames. Her cheeks flushed.

Carrick’s gaze raked over her. She saw his blue eyes were burning with emotion. Ava pushed Bing aside who happily curled up at her side. She watched as Carrick walked to the bed and then he was wrapping his arms around her. He picked her up and crushed her to his chest in a hug so fierce, she gasped for breath. Carrick loosened his hold and sat on the bed, cradling her in his lap. He peered down at her.

“How?”

“How what?”

Carrick swept his face down to Ava’s and gave her a swift kiss. “Stop teasing me, brat. You know what I’m asking.”

“Oh, you mean how did I take a knife to the chest and live to tell about it?” Ava looked slyly over at Heph. “Well, it was actually pretty easy. In his teachings to me, Heph told me the greatest protection spell of all can come from self-sacrifice. I figured if I offered my life for the well-being of Kestevayne, I could use that blood sacrifice to weave a spell that would undo any damage that Ralina may inflict on me.”

“You ‘figured’ you could weave a spell?” Carrick’s face was red with anger. “How could you take a risk like that not knowing the outcome?”

“Don’t be angry, Carrick. I was pretty sure it would work. I just had to hope that I lived long enough to incant the spell after she spilled my blood. Once I was able to invoke it, the only thing left to do was pull the knife out and see if it worked.”

Carrick’s brow furrowed. “But how did you invoke a spell while you were collared with iron?”

Ava gave Carrick a sheepish grin. “Well, that I’m not exactly sure. The iron definitely prevented me from unleashing my magic outward. But when I reached inside to invoke the spell, my magic was still there. The iron apparently didn’t nullify the magic. It just kept it contained inside of me. And I only needed it to protect my heart.”

“That’s amazing,” Heph said. “Truly amazing.”

Carrick gave Ava another hard hug, burying his head in her neck. Ava knew he was frustrated and angry with her, but he was more grateful to have her alive so she considered that a win for her.

Heph walked up. “Mind if I give my niece a hug?”

Carrick released Ava just enough so that Heph could bend down and give her a hug. “I’m so proud of you, Ava. I know your parents would be. You’re going to make a wonderful Queen for Kestevayne.”

“Thanks, Uncle Heph. I hope you will stay here with me.”

“You got it kiddo. Now, let me leave as I’m sure you two have some catching up to do.” They both watched as Heph walked out of the bedroom and closed the door.

Carrick looked down at Ava again and gently grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I love you, Ava.”

Ava smiled at him. “I thought I might have heard you make that proclamation while I was dying.”

“I wanted to say it again, so you know I wasn’t just saying it under the duress of experiencing the most incredible fear I’ve ever had.” Carrick leaned down and kissed her softly. He whispered against her lips, “I was a fool to ever think of living without you. Please say you’ll forgive me?”

“Hmmmmm,” Ava pondered. “Are you offering me marriage, Carrick Dunne?”

“I’m offering you marriage, kids and all the hot sex you could ever want.”

“All the hot sex I could ever want? That’s a deal I don’t think I can refuse.”

Sealing her acceptance with a kiss, Carrick told her one more time. “I love you so much, Ava.”

“And I you, Carrick.”