Chapter 58
“Get down this instant!” Davidson commanded. She dropped her spear and it vanished, her amulets glowing like stars as she raised her hands. She screamed out the words of a spell, and Aiden could feel lines of force like invisible ropes, binding him to the wall—
Cassandra’s blade sliced Davidson’s neck to her spine. The ropes vanished.
His friend yanked her sword out, and Davidson fell onto her knees. A moment later she keeled over, dead.
Cassandra’s sword disappeared as she ran toward him. “Aiden! Aiden, no!”
Aiden swallowed. He tried to smile. “Thank you,” he said to her, pleased he had enough voice for it. “Take care of yourself, and Greg. I love—”
The words broke on a cry as the hand pushed all the way through, black liquid spurting around it like blood. Aeshma’s exultant howl of triumph reverberated through his soul, tearing it to shreds. His own red blood began leaking around the edges of the Crack, mixing with the black ooze. His ribs creaked and began snapping apart…