GAISCE (At Our Best, Book 3, Part 2 in Baile Series)

Chapter 12 A Glimpse

Callum

I reached out through Asuka's magical force field with my hands ablaze. It was my tenth attempt in two weeks to try and penetrate Isla's mind and free her from Empusa's power. The longer it took, the less likely it seemed that Isla would be saved. It was only a matter of time before things got critical.

My jaw and eyes clenched shut with effort as I attempted to wrap her head with my flames.

"Come on Empusa, let me in." I gritted out. Sweat beaded on my forehead and just as I was about to give up I felt my soul being sucked into Empusa's hold. Empusa's grotesque form flooded my senses, relaying images of Isla's imminent death and Empusa's acclaiming of her life force.

I quickly pulled back, falling down onto my back as I did so.

"No." I clutched my head. "I'm too late." I stood up to see Isla take her last breath. "Everybody get in here! Now!" My shout turned into a roar as the Demonic part of me grew hysterical.

It didn't take long for everyone to enter the room.

"She's dead." It pained me to be the bringer of bad news.

"What do you mean she's dead?" April practically screamed at me.

"She's not breathing." Alick clarified, his eyes already glassy.

"Christ." For once Devon was speechless.

"It's not possible." April's voice was still raised.

"There's still a way to save her." Asuka appeared, removing her bubble of magic from Isla.

"Don't do that, you'll let her out." I moved away from Isla's form.

"We can contain her."

Everyone looked to the side door, where Gwyn Ap Nudd and four other knights of The Wild Hunt stood, having seemingly materialised out of thin air.

"We will revive Isla Dunn, providing that she joins my ranks immediately afterward." Gwyn stated his terms, his voice and presence otherworldly and blatantly celestial.

"You are out of your mind if you think we'd make a deal with you." April was quick to speak up.

"I am not your enemy child." Gwyn reasoned.

"We're wasting time." Alick's voice wavered as he struggled to contain himself.

Gwyn made his way toward Isla and we all watched in a tense silence. Gwyn raised his hand and Empusa's dark magic was drawn from Isla's body, conjuring into a spherical mass in his palm. A thick layer of his own magic coated Empusa's spirit so that she couldn't escape, making her look like a glass paperweight or bauble. He made it look so easy. Gwyn then lifted Isla's very unresponsive body into his arms before exiting the room.

We all followed Gwyn and his knights outside.

"I can't believe you picked his side." April hissed Alick's way.

"What other choice do we have?" He reasoned.

April pressed her lips together, shut down for once.

We followed Gwyn up a staircase cut into a mountain and to a pool of still water that reflected the stars above. Gwyn proceeded to wade into the water, lowering Isla onto it before retreating to the bank.

"You must all remain silent, as the process requires it." Gwyn instructed. He then pulled out a knife from his belt, removing his armoured glove to cut a line across his palm. He squeezed his hand into a fist, allowing his glittering blood to enter the water. His blood shimmered gold, mingling with the water and snaking its way towards Isla's floating body.