The very thought shook me even after all that time.
But that was that night I escaped. And that was the last of the ink that they stained into my flesh.
The memories of the times on the needle end of the tattoo gun and all those moments filtered in along with each of the spells, but my lips were chanting the words, my voice steady yet quiet, “By earth and air. By fire and water.”
Kane’s despair was settling back into his features.
“By three and nine. This soul in mine. My body I bind.”
Indrell had sat back, leaning against the closest solid piece of furniture to her. The look of hope she had been steadfast with had started to fade.
“By sky and sea. Cord go round. Powers be bound. Keep harm from me.”
Wulfgar lowered his head as he hugged Sarah in closer to him. The twins nearby huddled into the corner of the room. And Aeden moved quietly across the room to knelt down next to Indrell, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“By moon and by sun. May it be done.”
Nothing.
But my soul didn’t feel it was nothing. Immediately, I chanted the spell again. Then, once more.
Along with everyone else, I waited.
Suddenly, I felt a pricking sensation tugging on me like nerves waking up when a part of you had fallen asleep. Numbness with tiny, fuzzy shocks licked every inch of me, pulling me out of the memory of those dark times, out of my baited breath and into the scene before me. I began to feel my metaphysical hands knitting together with my physical ones. My consciousness wasn’t sure what to do or even if I should move at all.
However, I wouldn’t have to figure it out on my own.
My soul lurched forward, the ghosts of my hands reuniting inside my actual body. My legs melded together in a contorted wave. I was being pulled down, my soul stretching oddly as it was being pulled back into my nearly lifeless body. And when my finger twitched physically, I knew it was working.
Kane stumbled back, his face in shock. “Auri?” He rushed back to my side, taking my hands again. “Auri!”
Indrell was right beside him in a flash, as was Sarah and Wulfgar. Everyone pushed forward, waiting to see what was happening.
Kane looked up. “She moved. Her finger moved!”
Indrell placed a hand on my shoulder. “Auriena, my dear? Welcome back.”
My fibers were still knitting back together. The energy that I had combined with the intense powers that were still in my body surged as the last of me bound together. A wave shot out like a gust of wind, rushing around everyone.
Indrell laughed. “Sorry. I stand corrected. Now, welcome back.”
“Auriena? Auri? Little one?” Kane kissed my cheek.
I felt his lips tight, nervous. Then, I took a breath. My eyes fluttered as I held it for a moment before coughing, my hands letting go of the elements Indrell had placed there, my fingers entwining with Kane’s as I gasped for air.
He lifted me up, holding me against him. Stroking my back, he stood, cradling me in his arms. “What does she need?”
“I don’t know,” Indrell replied.
He saw him shoot her a look. “You don’t know?”
She laughed. “Kane. I’ve never seen power like hers. My people only tell tales of this sort of thing. I would imagine water, food when ready, rest and… you.” She brushed her hand down my arm. “But maybe you should ask her what she needs.”
My voice was hoarse. “Put me down please.”
“But…” He started to protest.
“Please.” I looked up at him.
Reluctantly, he complied. Carefully, he lowered my feet to the floor but kept ahold of me as I steadied myself. “Are you alright?”
I shook my head, trying to regain my voice as I coughed. “I will be, I think.”
He ran his hands up and down my arms. “What can I do? What do you need?”
Every cell in me was alive. My senses were on hyperdrive, and I took a breath. Reaching up, I laid my hand against his cheek. “Here…”
I closed my eyes and pushed a layer of energy out of me. A layer of emotions. Everything that happened from the moment I saw him take Mika’s hand and her bite into him to watching everyone and realizing I didn’t want to go. It included my need for him and how much I loved him. And it included my fear that I wouldn’t be able to be in his arms ever again.
He caught my hand in his and pulled me into his chest. “I never would have accepted her. I never would have chosen her over you. No one is above you, little one. I was just trying to get her away from you so I could take care of her.”
I nodded yes, knowing that then. “But I didn’t know that when you reached out for her. And it nearly killed me.”
“I’m so sorry.” He kissed the top of my head. “What you just showed me, how you feel…”
I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. “Fate.”
His eyes softened, and he nodded. “Yes.”
His lips crashed down on mine. I moaned, the hypersensitivity that was forcing me to feel every little thing made the intensity nearly unbearably overwhelming. Just as I was getting lost in the kiss, he yanked back, looking me over. “Your injuries.”
I hadn’t felt any pain when I reentered my body. With all the confusion, I hadn’t really
