“I’ll be fine, Nick,” Kara called out, not bothering to look over her shoulder at her mate. “Go do your thing and save the world with the rest of the warriors. Come back to me with badass stories to tell our daughter.”
“You drive me crazy, female.” His handsome face was masked by a deep frown. “I love you.”
“Love you too, yeah?” She grinned. This got a crooked smile from Nick just before he disappeared into the hall.
“Y’all are cute,” Sally told her.
Kara winked. “Please tell him that when he gets back.”
Sally opened her mouth to respond, but the words froze in her throat as the room went suddenly black. She blinked, and when she opened her eyes, she was no longer sitting in Fane’s makeshift office. Instead, she found herself in the room where she had visited Alice.
The scientist lay in the middle of the enormous bed, her body convulsing so hard it was a wonder her neck didn’t break.
“Alice!” Sally rushed to the bed and grabbed her shoulders, trying to hold her still.
Kara suddenly appeared beside her. “What’s wrong with her? How did she reach you?”
“I have no idea. One second I was sitting on the couch next to Jacque, and the next I’m here.”
“I grabbed your hand and followed your essence.” Kara rubbed her small stomach. A nervous gesture that Sally often did as well.
Sally pulled on the power living inside of her—the power that was a part of the fabric that made her who and what she was—then sent that light into Alice. The convulsing slowed until it finally stopped. Sally moved her hands from Alice’s shoulders to her head and closed her eyes. She sought anything that seemed abnormal, calling on the aid of the Great Luna to give her wisdom beyond what she had. Sally didn’t have a clue what was going on, which meant she didn’t know how to help.
She let her light flow over Alice’s mind, looking for any synapses that might be misfiring.
At first glimpse, there was only darkness. Alice’s body and mind were drowning in an endless night. Sally pushed deeper, searching for the source.
There. Intertwined with Alice’s spirit, thin tendrils of inky shadow pulsed and writhed, exuding a subtle wrongness. Sally recoiled instinctively before steeling herself to examine closer.
Not simple physical sickness then. This was unnatural, alien. An invasive contagion that didn’t belong in Alice’s system. Sally’s chest tightened with dawning understanding.
“It’s the vampire blood,” she whispered. “Her body is attacking it like a virus.”
Which meant in trying to destroy the foreign incursion, Alice’s own immune system was turning against her. A civil war was raging inside that she couldn’t survive.
Sally opened her eyes, dread and urgency swirling. “Her body is literally killing itself. I don’t know how to stop this.”
The words had barely left her lips when a radiance filled the room. Sally’s breath caught at the beautiful, majestic presence.
“Great Luna,” she murmured, going to her knees. Beside her, Kara did the same.
Do not fear, daughter.The goddess’s voice whispered through Sally’s spirit. I have heard your plea. I will help you save this child.
Heart leaping, Sally raised her head. “Tell me what to do. Please.”
The light coalesced into a shimmering female form. She reached out translucent hands to rest on Sally and Kara’s heads.Rise.Her touch was pure love, casting out all shadow.When your hearts seek only to heal, you may stand before me.
The Great Luna gestured to where Alice lay motionless on the bed. “This child strayed from the path I laid out for her.” Her voice spoke into the space and no longer just Sally’s mind. “There are always consequences when we use our free will poorly.”
Sally bit her lip. “She was manipulated by Cain. Surely she doesn’t deserve this?”
“The natural repercussions of wandering from the fold are never out of balance. But only by returning to her true path may she be saved.” The goddess’s voice resonated through Sally’s soul. “Even now, her mate seeks her. Their bond calls out, though they have yet to meet.”
Mate.Sally’s heart lifted with new hope. “He can save her! It’s his blood she needs. We have to bring them together.”
The Great Luna inclined her head. “I will send Perizada to guide the male here swiftly.” Her form began fading. “Trust in your gifts, daughters. All will be as I will it.”
As the light vanished, Sally turned to Kara with fierce determination. “It’s up to us to keep Alice alive until her mate gets here.”
