Careless Magic book 1

Chapter 16

I might as well have been drained of all life. The strength I expelled to put an end to the fighting was more than I knew I was capable of; not to mention all of the other crazy stuff that I didn't know anyone was capable of. I lay on the hard ground, barely able to lift my head, let alone my limp limbs.

I was aware of what just happened; a small part of me accepted that the events that occurred were in fact real. But the fight I partook in only moments ago felt more like a distant memory than reality: like a dream I just woke up from and could barely remember. The exact details of everything were fading from my mind quickly and I wasn't sure I cared.

"One got away," my voice came out hoarse and shaky. I pointed in the direction I felt him run in before he disappeared from the tracking device I knew was my mind.

"Talbott, go," Kiran demanded, rushing over to my side and kneeling down. He leaned in close to my face, seemingly examining my pupils, although I had a hard time believing he really knew what he was doing. He took my hand into his and held it tightly in his grasp.

"I can't leave you. Damn it. We should have brought the entire Guard, damn it Kiran," Talbott yelled. "I knew this was a bad idea. Damn it," he repeated over and over and started to walk in circles. "Kiran are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Kiran looked down at me concerned. He inspected me again by lifting up my arms and head, looking for, well I didn't really know what he was looking for, but he eventually seemed satisfied. All the while, he never let go of my hand.

"Damn it Kiran, are you all right?" Talbott shouted at him louder. I watched Talbott continue to pace back and forth from my peripheral. I could tell that he wanted to pursue the attacker, chase him down. I could also tell by the way he glanced at Kiran every other second he was not going to leave his friend alone.

"Yes, I'm fine, I'm really fine," Kiran spoke louder and with confidence. I saw Talbott relax his shoulders a little, but continue to pace. "Lilly go back to camp and tell Mr. Lawly that we have to leave now!" Kiran demanded of the human-again Lilly. She did not speak a word, but obediently took off running through the forest, her bright red hair disappearing into the darkness.

The logical part of me objected to Lilly trying to make it back to camp by herself. The attacker could still be out there, he could have easily circled around to our other side to finish the job and I was too exhausted to pick him up with my new found powers. After what just happened, somebody should go with her, whether he was out there or not. I was too weak to contest. I tried to verbalize my concerns, but only a moan came out.

"She will be fine," Kiran looked into my eyes intensely and I saw his passion and concern. "Lilly can take care of herself it turns out. She will have no problem making it back to camp." Kiran's voice was soothing and calm; it felt like medicine to my fried nerves.

"I don't think you should be so close to her," Talbott stood over us, gruffly assessing our position.

"She just saved our lives," Kiran growled.

"And look at what she did to everyone else," Talbott was calm, but I heard the tension back in his voice. Kiran looked around and let go of my hand to stand up. I began fading in and out of consciousness, fighting to stay awake, but the fatigue was making it impossible.

"Have you ever seen this before?" Kiran asked Talbott, and I knew they were talking about me. My eyes had closed and I was breathing evenly, I was not even sure if I was conscious anymore.

"No, never. I had no idea she was capable of this. I had no idea anyone was capable of this. Four Immortals at once...... it doesn't make sense," Talbott replied.