Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1) ✔

Chapter 36: Crossing the Line

Magic burst through me, led by my anger. The moment was strange; it reminded me of the time I first rode a horse for real. Between the excitement and the high, there was a moment I had lost all control over the beast. I was aware of it too. Completely and utterly aware one slipup separated me from chaos.

The energy flew through me, without my consent or control, and it felt exhilarating. It slammed into Ace's mind and the hard, smooth shield he had around.

There was nowhere to go. Magic cracked into a million pieces, breaking against the solid shield. Disappointed and helpless, I blinked and gasped, having no clue how to protect myself.

Ace's lips curled upward in a smug smile, "Nice try."

A sickening, revolting sensation trashed against my stomach, turning it upside down, almost making me vomit. The world spun and dots appeared before my eyes. The ground came closer and closer until my head bumped against its grassy surface.

I shut my eyes tight and breathed in deeply, trying to calm my heartbeat and settle the panic.

"It's harder than it looks." Ace said, his voice distant and muffled. I couldn't open my eyes to look at him. "Now, Princess, don't be offended. After all, I needed a powerful mind mage to decide whether I could trust you. There has to be a compliment somewhere in there."

My mind turned to mush, I barely understood him.

I knew one thing, though. I wasn't as good as I thought I was. They were right all along. I was selfish and weak and thought I deserved more than others. I curled up in a ball, my mind still spinning.

"Now you know." I squeezed through my teeth, still unable to open my eyes. "You can't trust me because I'm only loyal to myself."

Ace's steps crunched the branches, approaching me. "And I don't intend to trust you. But now I know what you want. And I know you will do anything in your power to protect yourself, including what I need you to do."

I opened my eyes by force, swallowing the dizziness and vomit, "What?"

The mage squatted in front of me, his bare, dirty feet and his uncut toenails so near I could smell them. I sat upright, ignoring the vertigo.

Ace smiled at me, "There's something I need you to do for me, Princess."

Anger flashed before my eyes, "Why do you possibly think I would do you a favour after what you've done?"

"Because," Ace came closer, grinning in my face, "If you do not, I will tell everyone you're a mage. And if you think getting rid of your magic at the Vanishing Well will save you, you don't know much about politics."

My head dropped back on the ground. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Hot tears blurred my vision. How could I be so awfully stupid? I hit the dirt with my fists. How could we be so damn dumb to think having a mage on our side wouldn't have any consequences?

I knew mages were evil. It's been written in every fucking history book I've ever read. Twisted, cruel, unscrupulous!

No, I wouldn't go down without a fight. I raised my head, ignoring the pain in my temples, and sat up again.

"Maybe I'll own it." I said, malice and rage lacing my words. "Maybe I'll tell them before you do."

Ace grinned, "Really? Let's face it, Irina, you're too much of a coward to do so."

"Maybe they won't care." I tried, feeling the lie all too tangibly. "People changed, the world changed."

"Oh, come on now." Ace offered his hand. "Rixen might think you should own it, he might even think people wouldn't care. But you and me both know that a mage cannot rule the human world. Now, you're a bright little thing and you understand your choices. You also know exactly what you'll do, so let's cut the dramatics and do what we came here to do."