Her eyes turned to Blake and his body grew preternaturally still next to mine. "Don't let her come, wolf. It isn't safe for her."
I opened my mouth to argue, but Blake spoke before I did.
"I'll keep her safe. I swear it." At his words, I felt the ping of magic. It was a vow, backed by magic. He couldn't break it.
"Ava, please let me help you," I pleaded. "Tell me what's going on."
She shook her head. "I don't know. It's just a feeling, a premonition. I can feel...something coming. It's dark and dangerous and as strong as you are, Candela, it's too strong for you."
"But not for you?" I asked, my voice quiet.
"Not for me," she replied.
"Be careful," I admonished her, knowing further conversation was futile.
Because she was right. Compared to the amount of power I'd felt pouring off her skin moments ago, my magic was still in its infancy. If she said I would only end up hurt, she wasn't lying.
Ava reached out and pulled me into a hug. "I will. And I'll be fine. Eventually."
Before I could say anything else, she released me and vanished in the throng of people that surrounded us.
Suddenly, the sounds and scents of the part assailed me and I realized she'd kept them at bay as we spoke. That she'd cast a spell to prevent anyone from hearing us and I'd never even felt it.
I couldn't imagine having that kind of power and a shiver ran down my spine.
It seemed there was a lot I didn't know about my cousin.
"She'll be okay," Blake assured me, putting his arm back around my shoulders. He'd removed it when Ava pulled me into an embrace.
I tilted my head to look up at him. "And how do you know that?"
"Instinct," he replied. "Wolves recognize survivors and she's definitely one of those."
"I hope you're right," I murmured.
"I'm always right," he shot back.
"Goddess save me from arrogant werewolves," I muttered beneath my breath.
His arm squeezed me tighter and he chuckled.
"Too late for that, darlin'," he commented. "I've got you now."
