Morana had arrived in the plaza exactly as she planned. Her subordinates had the target’s allies under control up above. All she had to do was wait for him to arrive, use the urn, and fly him back to Connor. Her master would be so pleased when she returned with his prize. Of course Mikhail had gotten himself killed, but Connor couldn’t blame her for the black knight’s stupidity. It wasn’t Morana’s fault he flew off on his own to confront Damien.

She nodded to herself. It most certainly wasn’t her fault. Maybe if she said it a few more times she’d start to believe it.

A shiver ran through her as the target’s soul force drew closer. Outside of Connor himself she’d never felt a presence as powerful as Damien’s. If Morana hadn’t had the urn she would have fled already. As it was it took all her willpower to remain standing in the plaza and not tremble.

A scuff of boots on gravel alerted her to his arrival. Just looking at the boy you wouldn’t have thought he was anything special. Average height, lean, sinewy build, and hard, cold eyes. His gaze locked with Morana and she had to clench her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering.

They had a brief conversation, surprisingly pleasant. He even asked about her hair. Morana had really loved her coppery hair. When Damien offered to let her surrender she whipped out the urn and fed corrupt soul force into it.

Black lightning shot out and she directed it toward him. Unlike a regular person or sorcerer, a warlock like Morana could control the urn’s power without suffering any ill effects.

She expected him to drop just like all the others she’d fought. He didn’t. Most of the lightning was deflected by the demon sword and while it did drain some of his power he regenerated so fast the urn couldn’t drain him dry.

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Damien leaned forward and took a step toward her.

Morana stared. It wasn’t possible.

He took another step, his face set in a pained scowl, proving her thought a lie. There would be no surrender offered her now. If she didn’t finish draining him, Damien would kill her without a second thought. She saw it in his eyes.

He was only five paces away when a familiar, dark presence approached. Master?

Four steps away. Connor drew close. Would he arrive in time to save her or avenge her?

Three steps away. A second stream of lightning struck Damien in the side and finally put him down. Not out though. He still glared at her through pain-filled eyes.

Connor said something to the boy, though she only half heard, before hitting him with another blast and rendering him unconscious.

“Connor, I—”

He rounded on her. “Be silent. And be grateful that I still have a use for you. Otherwise I’d kill you where you stand for disobeying me. Bad enough your stupidity cost me a useful tool, but you almost failed to capture the boy. If I hadn't sensed Mikhail’s death or if I’d been any later getting here he would have killed you. Why do you think I said to have Mikhail help you?”

“It’s not my fault, Master. Mikhail went after the boy on his own the moment he sensed his soul force. I couldn’t stop him.”

“You should have gone with him. After Mikhail weakened Damien you could have struck him down easily.” Connor shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. We have what I need. Keep your urn ready and stay close to him. I’ll transport us back to the cavern.”

“You don’t think he might wake after that?”

“How much more evidence do you need that we’re not dealing with a normal sorcerer? Now do as I say.”

Morana stood beside Damien and a black bubble formed around them. She glared down at the young man. He’d cost her Connor’s good will, but at least she’d survived. Considering she was surrounded by monsters, that was something.

They flew over the ruined city, down a tunnel and out into the sky half a mile from Port Valcane. Even with Connor’s speed it would take them half a day to return to the cavern. Damien groaned and tried to sit up.

Disbelieving, Morana hit him with a blast from her urn. The boy collapsed again. How could he have recovered in less than an hour?

She shook her head and kept the urn primed with dark soul force. Monsters, they were both monsters.