Two titans faced off above us, magic flowing from the stronghold, through Belaisle and the gathering storm and into the crystals Demetrius held in his hands.

"No!" Belaisle's denial reverberated, my ears aching from the sound.

"You were so certain you broke me," Demetrius said, voice softer, but still overwhelming as the gush of power diving for the crystals increased in speed, the wind it raised battering me, forcing me to hunch forward with my face pressed into ...