Chapter Twenty-Three: The Power of Love
Russell ducked back into the room and resigned himself once more to the darkest shadows of the dungeon to listen to Carmen and Mordred bargain.
"Where's Two-Bit? How do I know you haven't killed him already?" Carmen argued.
Mordred chuckled lightly. "Why don't you use that sorcery of yours?"
"How do I know you won't harness it and leave me powerless as soon as I cast a spell?" Carmen shot back.
Russell was impressed despite himself. He had learned the hard way that magic is left momentarily vulnerable and in the open air in the split second after a spell is cast before it returns to its master's soul. Mordred was powerful enough to snatch it out of thin air, away from its rightful owner.
Mordred appeared impressed as well, for he set down his teacup and actually applauded a little. "Very well deduced, Carmen," he congratulated. "I commend you. Very well, you have convinced me. Russell!"
Russell stepped obediently forward. "Yes, master?"
"Bring in the mortal fool."
Russell did so, dragging in a garbage-smeared Two-Bit rather roughly, more so than was necessary for extra malice.
Mordred, with a swish of his wand, removed from Two-Bit the invisibility charm and the silencing spell he had cast, but kept him bound.
"WHAT THE—oh. Carmen!" Two-Bit exclaimed.
"Two-Bit!" Carmen exclaimed. Russell thought they sounded like bad actors in a bad movie.
"Enough chit-chat," Mordred interrupted. "Our bargain, Carmen, was your life in exchange for his. He is free," another swish of the wand, and Two-Bit was released of his bindings, "and now I shall reap the benefits."
"No!" Two-Bit blurted.
Mordred smiled. "Very well. If you want to do this the hard way." His eyes glittered with malice as he raised his wand and began to chant…
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Carmen and Two-Bit shared magic; therefore, they shared a bond. This, they were sure, was something Mordred didn't know about. How could he?
As Mordred chanted, the wind howled and the dungeon began to spin, slowly at first, then faster and faster, pivoting around Mordred.
As the room unhinged from its foundation and toppled as it spun, Carmen, Two-Bit and Russell fell to the ground and hung on to whatever they could.
Carmen reached out to Two-Bit with her left hand, digging her fingernails into the cracks on the stone floor and clinging to it for dear life.
Two-Bit grasped her hand in his, his other arm interlocked around a table leg.
Electricity wound itself around sorcery and wizardry as the two forms of magic collided, bridging the synapses of their nerves through which magic crackled and closing the gaps between their fingertips. Their minds were connected.
Carmen, you're crazy! Two-Bit shouted. You can't do this!
I can! Carmen screamed back. I have to!
Working as one, they pooled their power and wove it together, interlocking their individual abilities.
Maybe we can throw him off! Two-Bit said.
That's crazy! Carmen replied.
I know! But it's the only plan we've got!
No, it's not. You're going back as a mortal and you won't remember anything, Carmen told him. I have to die.
No! Two-Bit said, slightly panicked. You're not going to die! We'll make it through!
Don't be stupid. It's the only way. I'm not going to make it, and—
Two-Bit cut her off. Yes, you are.
You're an imbecile. He's the most powerful wizard in the world, and we're two teenagers. What do we have over him?
The power of love? Two-Bit suggested.
That only works in the movies!
Don't do this to me, Carmen. We just have to throw him off. We can.
Carmen closed her eyes as the room tumbled again. I can't.
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Cliffhanger, cause I can. Review, please?