123. The choice

[Kian]

Nulzar slammed into me, knocking me off course and away from Calista.

Reacting on instinct, my left hand gripped a handful of his hair, while my knee delivered a forceful blow to his gut, shooting him towards Illumi. Nulzar crashed into Illumi, shattering the grip of his spell on my mother.

The ribbons around her neck loosened and slithered away in the air like a retreating snake.

Without a moment’s delay, I sprinted towards her, catching her right before she crumpled to the ground.

“Mother…”

She coughed violently, struggling for breaths, but her hand was outstretched towards Aamna.

“A-amn-a…”

My heart thundered in my chest, its beats echoing in my ears as I frantically took in the chaotic scene.

Carys had attacked Calista right after Nulzar had attacked me. But Calista’s crushing laughter haunted the room up to the ceiling.

The thread that had once glowed between Aamna and Jackson had turned into charred remnants, fluttering down like ashes.

Aamna and Jackson lay lifeless ag