Discover L (Book 2) | Editing |

~~ Pass The Blame ~~

Andrei was out for blood, and he wouldn't stop now until L was dead. His thirst for revenge was too strong, and with that single train of thought, L was struck with an idea. She took a second to think it through while she dodged Andrei's latest bout of attacks. She didn't like what she was thinking, but it was the only option she could think of in the moment. She took a steadying breath and retrieved the magical knowledge she needed. She'd never tried this magic on this scale before, so she crossed everything in the hopes that it would work.

She ducked and dived and began weaving the spell she needed. Andrei was none the wiser, too hellbent on attacking her in any way he could. L knew that kind of tunnel vision, and despite what she'd been through, she wouldn't let it cloud her mind. It was time to end this once and for all, and afterwards, she could let her emotions take over.

She pushed ahead, keeping the images in her mind while she let her magic spread. She had one chance, and if she screwed this up, she knew they'd be stuck in a stalemate for who knew how long.

"Whatever you're plotting, forget it. You can't beat me."

L ignored Andrei's taunts and connected the many tendrils of her magic with a clap. She gave him a satisfied smile and suddenly, the scenery around them changed. The cavern was gone, and they were now standing in the middle of a dark but picturesque street. It was straight out of a history book, though L had much better references for her work. Every detail was accurate, and she hoped it would be enough to pull him in.

People could be seen nearby, many of them holding blazing torches and shouting profanities. Andrei was looking around wildly, while L eyed him cautiously from afar. For this to work, he had to be fully distracted by their location.

"Keeper! What is this? What did you do?"

He shot magic at her, and L quickly dodged it, watching him side eye the streets as she moved. Many emotions passed over his face, from recognition to anger and pain, and L knew it was working. She quickly moved the scene along before he could start a full throttle fight and mess with all of her work. She brought the crowds closer, and with that, their words reached L and Andrei.

"It is but a trick! That is how they work!"

"Search for the devil worshipper!"

"He cannot have gone far!"

The crowd turned as one and stopped when they saw Andrei, who looked like a deer in headlights. The crowd started shouting in anger, and many rushed to circle him.

"No, this isn't real. There is no such thing as time travel. You can't fool me." Andrei sounded panicked.

L would have almost felt sorry for him, but the deaths of her parents, her whole species, they were all blood on his hands. She threw aside the tiniest bit of sympathy she might have had and ramped up her illusion.

"Kill the witch!"

"Burn him!"

Andrei struggled as the hands circled around him. He fired his magic at anyone who touched him, but thanks to L's control, he managed to miss every time. L admired her handiwork and used the crowd in an attempt to subdue Andrei. She conjured a huge pyre and set it ablaze. The orange flames danced in the darkened street and left disfigured silhouettes of the outraged townspeople. The fear in Andrei's eyes told L he was fully immersed, and she could now use it as a distraction.

She circled around him while he tried to escape the clutches of the townspeople. They were dragging him towards the pyre, and he was desperately pulling to get away. She had to take advantage now before it was too late. She prepared her strongest magic and raised her hands, shooting everything she had at Andrei. She was ready to be done with him now, with all of this. She wanted to go home and see the damage to Lymasia. To avenge anyone who was hurt and finally get some rest.