Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” Adrian muttered, rubbing his now-red cheek.
Tyche glared at Haru and pointed. “Don’t let that happen to him again.”
The dragon’s expression remained hard and cold, but he nodded while not ripping Tyche’s head off. With any luck, this would save both Adrian and Haru.
Tyche turned toward Cirina and took a few cautious steps forward. The wind continued to rage, and thunder bellowed. Lightning flashed in a wild dance across a prematurely dark sky.
“Cirina, I’m so sorry. I was there at the end. There was no way to save her. They held me captive, too. She was worried about you before she passed away. She didn’t want you hurt,” Tyche shouted as he edged closer. “And you know she wouldn’t want you hurting these innocent people. She never wanted anyone to be hurt.”
“Why?” she moaned.
“I don’t know. She didn’t deserve this, and I’m sorry. Please, we need you to calm down. We can talk.”
Cirina shook her head and roughly wiped her face with both hands. When she looked at him, there was a new furious light in her eyes, and she straightened. “Why do you have her power?”
Tyche swallowed hard.
“What is she talking about, Ty?”
His head snapped around and his eyes widened to find Shey standing behind his left shoulder. He hadn’t realized Shey had been keeping up with him. He’d hoped his friend had stayed back with Adrian and Haru.
Tyche’s hand automatically went to the outside of his right pocket and squeezed the material covering the pearl as the panic rose within him. He could always add Yesuntei’s power to his own. If he did that, Cirina’s powers wouldn’t be able to touch him. He could save Shey, Adrian, and Haru without breaking too much of a sweat. He didn’t know what would happen with his luck magic, but in the end, he’d be more powerful. Wasn’t that what mattered? If he were more powerful, he could protect his friends.
No!
Tyche clenched his teeth until he was sure they were going to shatter and squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn’t do that. No stealing powers. That was the path Zyros had taken. She’d just wanted to be powerful enough to be worthy of Lore. Powerful enough to defeat Tula. But in the end, there was no such thing as enough.
“She told me to take it to Brightspire, Cirina,” Tyche shouted. He peeled his eyes open and kept them locked on the goddess. “She didn’t want them falling into the hands of the people who killed her. I promised her I would take her powers to Brightspire. That’s where they belong. The shrine will protect them and give her peace.”
He lifted his trembling right hand to Cirina. “Come with me. We can go to Brightspire together. You can stay there with Teitei. The shrines will keep you both safe.”
Cirina stared at him, and there was a frightening stillness about her despite the buffeting winds. It was as if she’d become an immovable mountain in the storm’s eye. “Give me her powers, Tyche.”
He violently shook his head and took a step back. “I can’t do that. She didn’t want you to take on her gifts. You know that. Please, you must calm down. We can go to Brightspire together and help bring peace to Teitei.”
“My sister will only know peace when all those who hurt her are dead.” Cirina lifted her hands above her head as if in supplication to the heavens. “Listen to me, children. Look at the silly stuffed teddy bear.” She laughed and pointed directly at Tyche, sending his stomach sinking into his shoes. “He’s full of money and gold. Hurry and pull it out of him.”
Tyche swore as people he hadn’t even noticed before crawled over cars and ran from around buildings. Wide smiles twisted their faces, and their hands were outstretched as they raced toward him. As he retreated, Shey leaped in front of him and slammed his outstretched hands together. A huge wind rushed through the street, shoving people off their feet. They tumbled, rolling farther away as the clouds opened up and pummeled them with rain. Cirina screamed and fell, sliding a few feet from the center of the intersection.
But this wouldn’t hold them for long. He frantically searched his mind for something he could do to hold Cirina off, but his stupid luck magic gave him nothing to work with. It might inconvenience her, but it wouldn’t stop her. He needed something stronger. A way to get the magic out of the city immediately.
Shey’s hand landed on his shoulder and gave him a push back. “Get out of here. I’ll hold her off.”
Tyche stumbled and turned to catch himself. The gesture was sweet, but he wouldn’t last against Cirina. It was impressive that he’d lasted this long. Tyche straightened, and his eyes fell on Haru. The dragon’s face was lined with tension and worry while he stood with an arm on Adrian’s waist, restraining him.