Swapped Fate

60: Fighting For a Soul.

TRISTAN DEVEREUX

Mavis remained unconscious after her wounds healed. Luckily, the stable hands were awake by half past five, so I had some help getting her on my horse. I made them swear to act as though they never saw us this morning, as with the gatekeeper.

To get Mavis through the magical cave in the pines, I wrapped one arm around her torso, using my knees and free arm to crawl backwards through the darkness. Finally on the other side, I gathered her in my arms—one across her back and the other under her knees, and hurried up the hill where the sky had just started to change colour with a new dawn.

Unable to use my hands, I made do with my feet.

"Atlas!" I called, kicking the door as hard as I could. "Atlas, open the door!"

It took several more minutes of kicking and yelling before the door finally opened, an irritated sorcerer standing behind it. Her red hair was wild and messy, her cat green eyes glaring. She assessed Mavis in my arms then turned to me.

"It's much too early for this, Devereux."

I pushed past her, barging into the cottage.

"Oh, sure. Come in, why don't you?

"I haven't the time for your snarky comments," I snapped, placing Mavis gingerly on a chair. "She will soon return."

"Pray tell, of whom do you speak?"

"The taalmin." I stood up to properly face her. "The amulet is missing, which means there's nothing protecting Mavis from possession. I need you to gather your wits and think of another way to save her. Right now."

Atlas' jaw dropped, her black pupils thinning in utter disbelief. "I gave you all the options."

"And I'm saying there must be another!" I snarled. "Surely you must know of spells to restrain her so the taalmin won't hurt her!"

Atlas stammered helplessly, looking towards Mavis.

"Listen, sorcerer," I lowered my tone, but maintained a solemnity that was indicative of the urgent situation. "I'm not going to let her die, and neither are you. So until that curse is broken, we must do everything to keep her alive, do you understand me? Everything."

She scowled. "I gave you information, helped you kill a taalmin, and surrendered one of the greatest reverse spells of all time." She gave a resigned sigh. "I suppose I'm stuck helping you till the end now, aren't I?"

I looked back at Mavis' unconscious body. Her head was hung at an uncomfortable angle that was sure to strain her neck. As I stepped forward to reposition her, she stirred, lifting her head with a groan.

"Mavis?"

She cast her eyes at me, and a smirk crossed her lips. "Guess again, handsome."

Shit.

The taalmin regarded her surroundings, stopping when her gaze met Atlas. She hummed, nodding in understanding. "A sorcerer. So that's how you killed Hizieleon—you had an ace up your sleeve all along. But enough chit-chat. Have you decided whose soul you're giving up?"

"What are you talking about? What is she talking about/" Atlas demanded.

"You're early," I said to the taalmin, who stood from the chair.

"Well, you know what they say," she cooed, stretching her neck. "The early taalmin catches the soul."

Atlas commented, "Nobody says that."

"I'm not giving up either of them," I proclaimed to the taalmin. "You shall be sent back where you belong."

She blinked, tilting her head. A grin slowly formed on her mouth while a chortle hummed up her throat. She erupted into a fit of manic laughter for about fifteen seconds straight.