Guardians of the Boundary (Book 3 of The Conjurors Series)

Chapter 25

It could have been a minute or an hour that passed before Oberon returned with Gideon, Cyrus, and Leo. Valerie was still conscious, though every breath she expelled released more of her power. Some part of her mind also registered that Henry had sensed her distress and was coming, too.

Oberon cradled her in his arms on the ground, and Cyrus knelt beside them.

"Light," she croaked, hoping Cyrus understood her meaning. They'd be testing their theory that light was the antidote to the Fractus's weapon much sooner than they thought.

Leo leaned forward, his body tense. "We haven't even begun to test the possibilities. We need to get you to a Healer who knows his craft."

"The Healers' Guild won't admit her," Gideon said. "And Azra is in Messina, talking to the leaders there."

"Call for Darling," Cyrus urged Valerie.

She shook her head, unable to speak. She wouldn't put Darling's power to the test against such powerful new magic. He could die trying to save her, pouring his power and himself into the healing until Reaper's weapon fed on him as well.

"Do what you can," Henry told Cyrus, sensing her thoughts, and Valerie was relieved that he had arrived. No matter what happened, her family was with her now.

Determination replaced fear on Cyrus's face. He looked up at the light pouring through the trees and attracted so much to himself that he glowed bright enough to make everyone squint.

He didn't seem entirely aware of what he was doing as he placed his hands on her chest. When Cyrus's magic poured into Valerie, she knew. Reaper's magic left only emptiness in her soul. Cyrus's magic was like him—all warmth and joy.

It traveled into the core of her being and spread out to her arms, legs, hands, and even her fingers. She was lit from the inside out, and she wondered if that was how Cyrus felt every time he used his power. The thought struck her silent with amazement.

Finally, Cyrus sat back, and Valerie could see that he'd poured every bit of the magic he possessed into her. The bright glow surrounding him had dimmed, but he gave her a tired smile as she sat up on her own. She checked inside herself to see how much of her magic Reaper's weapon had taken, and even though it was almost all drained away, like it was after she used her vivicus power, a spark remained, and she knew it would grow again. Thanks to Cyrus, her magic hadn't been torn from her soul.

"You did it. You beat Reaper's weapon," she said, her voice shaky.

"Never doubt the mastery of a true hero at his craft," Cyrus said.

Valerie pulled him into a hug and kissed him hard, for once not the slightest bit embarrassed.

"I hope you're keeping track of how many times you save my life," Valerie said. "I owe you big time."

"You may have saved me, too, once or twice," Cyrus whispered, blinking rapidly as if he were fighting back tears. "Thought I might lose you, and it would be all my fault."

"Never," she replied.

Cyrus pulled back and assumed his brightest smile. "Now we know that light is an effective antidote against the Fractus's new weapon."

But Leo's mouth was set in a grim line.

"The amount of power that was required to eradicate the poison from Valerie's system was immense," Leo said. "You may be the only Conjuror on the Globe who can do that. If Reaper uses his weapon against many Conjurors at once, who will save them all?"

The smile fell from Cyrus's face.

"Does this mean that light-infused weapons won't work in battle against the Fractus's weapon?" Valerie asked. She didn't think she could take any more bad news today.