“Sisters, help me.”
The two of them hovered in the air, entwined in light and shadow. Luna’s eyes shone, their silver beams locked on the ceiling as she held a limp Fern in her arms, the Fae’s body bowed backwards.
Power choked him. Insidious and cleansing at once, it was like sweet poison on his tongue. So much worse than the study. So much more consuming than Glynmor or the chasm.
When he sent a command to the stone in the walls and beneath the floorboards—hoping to use it to separate them—it barely rippled, as if it couldn’t compete with the pressure she was creating. Just as Lyriat had said.
This was different to when Luna had healed Fern’s physical wounds. Deeper, a vortex, like the watchtower in Glynmor. Which meant he couldn’t fucking touch her.
He needed help.
Brand raced back the way he’d come, pushing himself free of the barrier. Cool air rushed in, a relief against the dampness of his skin. When he saw Hedda and Faldir there as well, his knees nearly buckled in relief. They would understand.
“The same as Glynmor, but so much worse.” His chest was heaving. “I need someone else to separate them.”
It rankled, but Luna was more important than his stupid fucking pride.
Hedda’s shoulders went back instantly. “I’ll do it. I already know what to expect.”
“I’ll be going with her,” Faldir said.
The twins stepped forward and into their rage, rising to meet his own towering height. Lyriat did the same alongside them.
“Obviously, we’re all fucking going now the door is open,” Mag said.
Brand twisted to look behind, the prismatic wisps getting larger, sweeping out farther.
“Fine. Shield us from the shadows, Araxis, but no other magic.” He gave a pointed look to him and Vann. “Whatever is happening in there, adding more might bring the whole place down.”
Back through Luna’s room and into Fern’s, everyone following close behind. He ignored the gasps and murmured prayers, and turned to Hedda.
“You’re sure?”
His Second was limned in Araxis’s power, her face serious when she nodded. “She’s my friend. Just… if anything happens, put me in a stunning gown for my pyre. I want to look incredible when I step into the Veil.” She offered him a cheeky wink and lunged.
Her screams tore through the room when she latched on to Luna. Faldir rushed forward to brace her, his bellows joining the cacophony.
Magnus and Vann went to Fern’s side, unaffected as they pried the Fae away from Luna’s hold.
Pulling, pulling…
Both he and Lyriat were poised for the inevitable snap, waiting to catch everyone as they fell. He chose to ignore Araxis, hovering on the perimeter with his short blades in hand.
Almost…
They broke apart with a shuddering boom, bodies flying in opposite directions.
Brand dug his feet into the floor, skidding as he wrapped his arms around the twins. He watched with a sort of fascinated horror as all of Luna’s power retreated into her, while the shadows either evaporated orwent back into Fern.
Conscious of Luna’s undoubtedly horrific pain, he extracted her from Hedda’s hold as gently as he could, cradling her againsthimself. It was the only thing stopping him from either kissing her, or shaking her awake so they could have it out.
He settled for speaking his earlier thoughts aloud. “Stubborn, reckless fool,”he hissed into her hair. “What were you thinking?”
Old parchments and worn books littered her bed, and he swept them away to lay her down. Same as too many times before, he shoved her fangs into the meat of his palm and coaxed her to drink, to come back, his massive fingers grotesque against her delicate throat.
Better he stay in his rage, though, lest he fall to his damned knees and weep.
She drew in a sharp breath and latched onto his arm with both hands, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t even upset when she went slack almost immediately, a drop of his blood trickling its way down her cheek as she fell into a deep sleep.
