Marko’s mighty roar had called to his brothers of the forest and they’d come to his aid. There were two of them, large, male and fierce. Adrenaline kicked through her system like rocket fuel, giving her the boost she needed to climb to her feet when all she wanted to do was curl into a ball and stay where she was.
But Marko needed her. Even with the help of the two bears he was losing ground. There were simply too many demons and not enough of them to fight the evil creatures. There weren’t likely to be any more bears in the area that could reach them in time to help. Even an immortal warrior had his limits, and Marko’s had been tested relentlessly since he’d been freed.
Mordecai was sliding around to Marko’s left, unseen as Marko continued to battle the two major demons. The bears were fighting the lesser ones and, as strong as they were, the sheer number of demons was overwhelming them.
It was hopeless.
She shifted position and swiped her arm over her sweaty forehead, all while keeping one eye on Mordecai. The moonlight hit her watch, illuminating the dial. Midnight. Or almost. Thirty seconds to go. They were almost there. Almost home free.
Mordecai crept up behind Marko. He raised his sword.
Kellsie didn’t think, didn’t hesitate. She threw herself between the two men just as Mordecai’s sword shot out toward Marko’s back. The blade sliced through her chest, piercing her flesh as easily as a spoon through Jell-O.
Somewhere in the distance, she heard a bell tolling. She counted each ring. One. Two. Three. As quickly as it penetrated her, the sword was gone. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Blood spurted from her body, pouring onto the ground. Eight. Nine. Ten.
A roar of anguish surrounded her. Eleven. Strong arms enfolded her. Twelve.
The ringing stopped. The fighting stopped. Silence filled the space. Her gasps for air were the only sound. It was midnight. They’d made it.
“I’ve got you.”
Marko. She could hear his voice, the anguish and pain lacing it, but his face was blurry. She blinked but it didn’t get much better. She couldn’t feel his arms around her and she was so very cold.
His hand covered her chest as though he meant to keep her blood inside her body by sheer will alone. She appreciated the effort but knew it was too late. But it was okay. They’d won. Marko was safe.
She licked her dry lips several times as she forced the word past her lips. “Won.” It hurt to speak and she groaned, clutching her hand over his where it rested near her heart. She shivered. She was so cold now that she’d stopped fighting.
Footsteps crunched on the ground and Hades came to stand beside her. He stared down at her, studying her as though she were a mysterious bug. “You were supposed to save yourself.”
“Did.” She coughed, and this time blood bubbled up past her lips. She wanted to tell him that her soul was her own and Marko had lived. As far as she was concerned that was saving herself. The money, the career, the fame, they were nothing compared to her need to see Marko safe.
Mordecai stood behind Hades. His blade was by his side, dripping with her blood. He inclined his head to her and stepped into the void, the vortex swallowing him whole. She thought he looked sad, even regretful. Or maybe she was imagining things. Either way, it didn’t matter. She was dying and there was nothing to be done about it.
Hades followed Mordecai into the abyss, leaving her and Marko alone in the clearing except for the two enormous brown bears that had joined in their fight. The smell of scorched flesh mingled with the scent of blood, but even that was starting to fade as the cool night air disbursed it.
“Don’t leave me, Kellsie.” Marko lifted her into his arms. She tried not to cry out but the pain was too great. She felt herself starting to slip away and struggled to stay with him. She wanted to tell him she loved him, that her sacrifice was worth it. Saving him was everything.
Chanting. Someone was chanting. She heard it, even though she couldn’t understand the words, she felt it throughout her body. It started with one voice but grew to many. The bear claw attached to her necklace began to burn where it rested against her collarbone.
She looked up at Marko and was surprised to see tears trickling down his cheeks. Like rain, they fell from his face and dripped onto her chest. “You can’t leave me,” he ordered, clutching her tightly.
She didn’t want to go but that was out of her hands. Gathering all her energy, she gave one final push. “Love you.”
Marko threw back his head and roared. His hair flowed down his back, so soft and silky. She wanted to touch it one more time but didn’t have the strength to raise her hand. Her heartbeat was slowing. Soon it would stop.
He peered down at her, his brown eyes swimming with tears and pain. She wanted to take that from him. “Live,” she whispered as she felt the last of her strength fade. Darkness closed in around her.
“No!” Marko roared his fury to the gods and goddesses, to the heavens, to all who would listen. Kellsie had saved his life, taken the sword thrust meant for him. How could she have known it wouldn’t kill him? It would have wounded him, but he’d have survived. To her it was a fatal blow, struck by a man he’d once called friend.
She loved him. She’d sacrificed her life for him. Could he do any less?
He was free. Free from the curse. Free from Hades and his minions. According to the terms of the curse, the god had to let him live in peace for the rest of his eternal life. But he no longer wanted that life, not without Kellsie.
In comparison to his, her life had been so short, no more than a few brief decades. He’d lived for time beyond remembering before the curse. She deserved to live.
Time was running out. He could feel her heartbeat slowing. Her breathing was labored. Blood bubbled at her lips and seeped out through the wound in her chest.
Strength flowed through Marko, a power he thought he’d never experience again. There was still a chance he could save her. Conjuring the cloak, he spread it on the ground and laid her upon it. She didn’t flinch, didn’t cry out. Her eyes were closed and her skin was pale and cold as death. The spark of life within her was almost gone.
Marko laid his hands over the wound, closed his eyes and concentrated. Light surrounded him. He loved Kellsie. He would not let her go. The light blazed down his arms and into her chest. He poured himself into her—his strength, his healing power, his immortality. He’d give it all if it meant she would live.
Chanting drifted on the midnight breeze, caught easily by his preternatural senses. Wood smoke and incense drove back the stench of the demons. Those who’d died had already turned to dust that was swept away by the wind.
He didn’t recognize the words of the chant, not at first, but it didn’t matter. They fed his strength, his determination.
“You will live,” he told her. There was no other choice. He couldn’t live if she died.
Her heartbeat slowed and stopped.
“No,” he cried, anguish washing over him. He renewed his effort, pouring everything he had into her, including his love. “I love you, Kellsie Morris. Don’t leave me.”
He didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. If he drained himself of power, so be it. He’d rather die on the forest floor beside Kellsie than to leave her this way.
The bright, golden light was stronger now, enclosing both of them in a bubble. Beneath his palms he felt her skin begin to knit together. “That’s it,” he crooned. He swiped his face against his shoulder to dry his tears, never moving his hands from her chest. “You can do it.”
But her heart remained still. Hope began to dim.