Rowan growled as he grabbed me. “Amy.” He started, but I held up my hand, cutting him off.
Toby swallowed past a lump, but I grabbed for him. “Can you do that for me?”
Toby nodded. “Yes. Yes, I can.” Rowan growled again, and Toby flinched away.
“Rowan, stop.” I cut him a glare. “I know you would push all you have into me, but I am not willing to kill you.” I grabbed his hand. “I can’t control the drain while I am focused on the ceiling, the rocks, and the wolves buried in there. I need you to live…and I need someone to ensure you do.” He watched me for a few seconds before nodding once.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.”
Toby leaned in. “What are you talking about? Draining him how?” We both turned, and poor Toby held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I’ll mind my own business.”
I puffed out my cheeks. “No. No. You’re right. I’ve just spent so long covering it up that saying it out loud seems wrong.” I blew out my cheeks. “I have magic.” Toby nodded along and waited. I looked at Rowan, confused.
Toby’s eyes shifted between us. Rowan looked from my face to his. “Like real magic.” He emphasized the word.
Toby kept nodding. “And?” He looked between us again and gave a small smile. “Your father…” He laughed again. “He isn’t as sneaky as he likes to think. The main pack members…we all know. We have known for a while.” He looked at me. “I assumed you inherited the magic…that’s how you saved everyone from Aurora.” He tilted his head and I just nodded. His smile was soft, but confident. “So what are you doing…just so I know what to do.”
I felt my mouth just hanging open for a second. “I’m going to use my magic to stabilize the ceiling and then move as many rocks as I can out of the cave.”
He nodded once. “Okay.” He looked back to the cave. “So when you run out of juice, you will pull from the King. And that’s why you want me watching.” I nodded. “Okay.” He turned to Rowan. “I’ll make sure you’re both safe.” His words were soft, but filled with sincerity.
I patted his shoulder and turned back to the gathering crowd. “Silvermoon, hear me!” I called out and raised my hands, waiting for everyone to turn their attention to me. “Our wolves are buried, and I’m going to do my damndest to get them out. But I need you with me.” A cheer went out. I waved my hand to quiet them down. “When I move the rocks, I need you all to be ready. If you see someone, run in and grab them.” Everyone nodded. “If I fail…or falter. Or drop. You all need to run in and do your best to still dig. You will have a small window to save as as many as you can.” Another wave of nods went through the crowd. I turned back to the cave. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Iwalked to the cave and got to my knees at the side of the opening.Why are you getting on your knees?Megan’s voice was confused as she curled up around the pot.
Nix settled on the other side, getting ready to pour her power into our magic.She’s getting closer to the ground in case she drops. Saves her head.Megan nodded and closed her eyes.
Makes sense.She peeked out once more.Save our father, Amy.
“I will.” I whispered as they sank into the magic. I was left alone for the first time since I had found them. Erubus burst into the clearing and dropped next to them, his front paw draped over Megan and his snout pressed against Nix’s.
I will stay with them.He peeked at me before he sank into the magic growing around the clearing.Don’t kill us, mate.He chuckled as he gave himself to the magic. The flowerpot was glowing, pulsing with my heartbeat, and the wind churned around the clearing.
Rowan’s arms wrapped around my stomach. “I’m here.” The heat from his chest pressed against my back, steadying my racing heart.
His words were the catalyst. My magic rushed to my fingers, and I nodded once before I whispered the spell I needed to hold the ceiling at bay. “Ictor hedlin hor neflin bak co fash.” My magic raced through the cracks like water. It flowed upwards, and I felt the tendrils weaving a net to hold back the rocks. I could feel how unsteady it was, and my mouth grew dry. There was no way I was going to be able to do this.
Rowan leaned against my neck. “I believe in you.” His whispered words made my magic flow faster. His belief in me made me steadier. The woven net holding back the rocks turned into a solid shield. “You can do this.” His lips brushed my ear, and for the first time since I had come into my power, the doubts that clouded my mind fled.
“Shif po clinta seg mon pul.” The second spell sprang to my lips, and I thought I heard a gasp, but I couldn’t let my attention slip. My magic flowed through the rocks, searching for the places of the wolves trapped under the stones, and then it started digging towards them. Rock after rock pulled free, and I heard a few calls go out.
My entire being became these rocks — big, small and in between. I pulled them all, flinging them off into the night. But I kept moving, kept pulling. I heard a scream go up, and I felt someone rush in, but I focused on the blood. I traced it to another body, and another. Cries of pain, of relief rang out time and time again, but I kept moving, kept pushing.
“Amy. I love you.” Rowan’s words were soft. “Never forget that.” His arms dropped away, and I wanted to turn, to check, to make sure he was okay, but there was a loud crack that rang out.
A deep groan came from inside the cave, and the ceiling pressed down against the shield. Tiny fractures fissured through the magic I had holding up the cave. I cried out as the weight hit me, but I pushed it all back. “Hurry!” I called out. My magic was waning, and I was losing my hold.
My magic splintered, and I was breathless when a dark shadow ran into the clearing. I turned to the intruder and nearly cried in relief. “Loki.” I wanted to run to him, but he ran straight to the flowerpot, to my wolves. He dropped down, wrapping himself around the trio there.
Hi pup.His eyes were sad.Your father sent me.
“You’re safe.” I smiled as I felt the rocks shift again, and more fractures cracked through my shield. I had to stop shifting rocks and fully focus the last of my magic on the shield.
Loki looked up, and my heart shattered. He shook his head once.No pup. We aren’t. But we felt you here, trying to save the pack, so we came to do our duty.
