Soulbound: Embers of Defiance

Chapter 26: The Price of Power

Elyse lay sprawled on the floor, unconscious, a crimson puddle where she stood only moments before. Marcus knelt beside her, his face etched with a mixture of shock and concern. His hand hovered over a gleaming dagger that lay on the floorboards next to Elyse's outstretched arm, a scarlet stain marring the silver hilt. Across the room, Isaac stood by the table, his face pale but resolute. Caleb, surprisingly, seemed to be awake, a bloody handprint smeared across his chest.

The scene before me defied comprehension. What had transpired in these few moments of silence? Where did the dagger come from? And most importantly, who had attacked Elyse? My questions hung heavy in the air, unanswered.

"What happened?" I gasped, my voice barely a whisper. Marcus looked up.

"He's okay," Marcus said, the words hitting my ears with the force of a revelation. I turned, searching his face. Relief battled exhaustion in his eyes, but a genuine smile, the first I'd seen in what felt like forever, tugged at the corners of his lips.

My vision, blurred with worry, sharpened. There on the table lay Caleb. His chest rose and fell, shallow but steady. Gone was the sickly green glow that had emanated from him moments ago, replaced by a faint, rosy flush.

My legs, shaky from the adrenaline surge, propelled me towards Caleb. Every muscle in my body ached, a dull throb that paled in comparison to the storm of emotions churning inside me. Tears pricked at my eyes as I saw the peaceful rise and fall of his chest. Relief battled with a fresh wave of worry.

"What about Elyse?" I whispered, my voice hoarse.

Marcus' gaze flicked to the unconscious figure lying a few feet away. Her brow was furrowed, even in sleep, and her pale skin seemed almost translucent. Concern creased his brow. "She used a lot of energy," he explained. "She'll be unconscious for a day or two, but she'll be fine."

His words should have been a comfort, but a knot of unease tightened in my stomach. Elyse, always so vibrant, drained? The cost of saving Caleb seemed heavy, a debt we owed her tenfold.

I forced myself to focus on the present. Caleb was alive. That was all that mattered, for now. But a silent vow bloomed in my chest. We wouldn't leave Elyse's side. We'd repay this debt, whatever it took.

I eyed the bloody handprint on Caleb's chest and the dagger on the floor next to Elyse. "What kind of magic was that?" I blurted out, curiosity warring with worry.

Marcus hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features. His eyes darted towards Elyse, then back to me. "Look," he said, his voice low, "There are things about Elyse's magic...things she keeps close to the chest. Trust me, it was powerful. But if I explained it, well, let's just say she wouldn't be too happy with me."

Then, across the room, a flicker of movement. Caleb's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a sliver of brown. His gaze, unfocused at first, met mine, then slowly sharpening with recognition. A weak smile, or maybe a grimace, tugged at his lips.

"Sparkle," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper.

"Caleb," I breathed, my voice thick with emotion. Tears welled up again, blurring my vision. Relief, overwhelming and fierce, washed over me.

Just then, Isaac beside him spoke. "Easy there," he said gently, offering Caleb a small cup. "Let's get you some more pain relief."

The flickering fire cast dancing shadows on the walls of the infirmary as Marcus stretched and stood before the cots that now served as Caleb's and Elyse's sickbeds. "Alright you two, I should probably head back to the dormitory. But if anything changes, anything at all, you yell for me, alright?"