A creature like the one that had attacked me in the gym stood upright. Like the other, it wasn't fully formed. There were holes in its torso exposing hollow insides except for the bright lights held stationary by black veins and dull gray ribs. A butterfly sat inside, slowly opening and shutting its wings in time with the creature's chest rising and falling.
Its neck was too long and its head lolled. It saw us, mouth opening on a piercing scream.
Don and Owen thundered toward it.
Don attacked its lower body as Owen swung a massive ax at its neck.
One hand shot out, extending like it was formed of black liquid. Owen dodged, slashing the limb with his massive ax. The limb hit the floor, followed by a pained screech.
Numbness spread in my mind as if responding to the creature's agony.
Another limb shot out toward Don; he flipped over it. His sword bit into the creature's torso seconds later.
"Stop!" I screamed.
They were hurting it for no reason.
Not thinking, I lunged forward.
Travis grabbed for me and missed.
Owen moved to intercept, a big hand reaching for me as Don guarded his back.
I slid under him, punching the side of his knee. It collapsed.
I scrambled to my feet in front of the creature, not surprised when it didn't attack me. I'd never been its target.
I shoved my hand into its chest, reaching for the butterfly that powered it.
"Come to me," I whispered.
It came gladly. The construct unraveled even faster than it had last time, as if now it recognized me and was glad to listen.
I waited until there was nothing but a puddle of night at my feet, my gaze locked on the butterfly perched on the tip of my finger.
Travis approached, watching that butterfly as if it was mana from the heavens. Greed wended through his emotions.
"What do you have there?" he asked softly.
The butterfly's wings stretched then closed, but it made no move to flit away. It was comfortable right where it was.
The Scattered watched me with varying expressions of disbelief and awe.
"That shouldn't have been possible," Callie said.
Astrid's head tilted. "The old legends said the strongest of the magic breakers could unravel anything containing magic, including another Fae."
"So, she is Brin's daughter," Owen said cautiously.
"The veil attacked. Would it have done that to the progeny of Brin?" Don asked.
Owen regarded me thoughtfully. "I'm not so sure it did attack."
Through it all, Travis stole closer, his eyes never leaving my butterfly. He held out an imperious hand. "Aileen, give it to me."
I hesitated. To keep up my ruse of pretending to look for their crown, I should listen.
I looked back at the butterfly, feeling its trust and love. It had come to me when I asked.
