"NO!" she screamed as Taylor entered the room, his fists tightly clenched. An evil grin spread across Blackthorne's face, and the knife levitated over to Taylor's neck. He stood there, fire in his eyes that burned across the room.

Liana's brow was slick with sweat as she concentrated, trying to will the knife away. "Don't!" she begged Blackthorne.

"What will it be, Witch? Snap every neck on Outcast Island? Or... watch him get gutted by your own power?"

Liana panted, staring at Blackthorne, willing him to release his control on her. He simply smirked and pushed the knife against Taylor's neck, drawing a single drop of blood. "You know I'll win, either way."

She glanced at Taylor, who was looking surprisingly calm for the situation, like he knew what Liana would do.

And he probably did.

As the knife began to shoot forward, she spun it, channeling all her power into the blade, and it slammed into Blackthorne's neck with a sickening thud.

He made a sort of screeching gurgle as scarlet poured from the wound, utter hate slitting like a razor across Liana's gaze. The hologram pad dropped and shattered against the cold floor, and she was released from its cold bonds.

With a single thrust of her fist, Allie, Demitri, and the guards were slammed against the wall as a ripple of force protruded from Liana's core. She once again felt the surge of strength in her fingers, the power that could kill, the power that could save.

Taylor smiled as she tackled him with a hug, letting her tears of relief soak his neck. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, and he whispered into her ear.

"Shh... it's okay."

She pulled back and looked up into his eyes, surprised to see them filled with tears. "You knew what I-"

He cut her off with a kiss.