Your magic will come back.
I blinked several times, his words sinking in breath by breath. “How do you know?”
“I’ve been talking to some of the kids, helping them work through what happened in Scarven’s cells,” Everett explained. “Several of them described an injection he gave them. It turned their veins green, and then it was the worst pain they’ve ever experienced. They said it completely took their magic away. But after a day or two, it came back.”
Slowly, painstakingly slowly, the panic began to subside. It was just temporary. My dragon half wasn’t gone forever. It would come back.
My heart returned to its normal speed, no longer threatening to jump out of my throat. Even the pain dulled to a mere whisper of the excruciating fire it was before.
My back sagged into the side of the chair I’d overturned. I leaned my head against it and closed my eyes. “Don’t ever let me do that again,” I mumbled.
The entire room let out a collective breath. “I didn’tletyou do it in the first place, you stubborn old man,” Tessa said, but her voice was still filled with concern. She pressed a hand to myforehead. “You’re burning up.”
I ignored her, my mind now latching on to something else. “He did this to them. He’sstilldoing it to whoever he has down there in his labs. To my sister. All of those people going through so much pain…” I shook my head. “We have to stop him.”
“We will,” Tessa said firmly. “But right now, you need to rest. It’s almost midnight, Nox. And you look exhausted.”
“No. Devora’s still out there with him. I told her I’d stay up for her nightly check-in. I have to make sure she’s safe.”
“Give me the parchment. I’ll monitor it, and I can come get you the second she sends something,” Tessa offered, holding out her hand.
I instinctively reached for the familiar wrinkled edges in my pocket. “I won’t be able to sleep. I can—” I cut myself off when my fingers met the paper.
It was hot.
I jerked my head down and snatched it from my pocket so fast, the room spun. She’d messaged me. I must not have felt it during the fatesprig episode. What if she needed me?
A breath left me when I saw what was on the paper.
There were no words. In fact, it was empty, save for two dark marks in the very center. They were small and slightly faded, nearly blending into the weathered parchment, but it had been enough to trigger the spell. And it definitely hadn’t been there before.
“Silas,” I held the paper out to him, “what is this? An ink blot?”
He adjusted his glasses and bent to take a closer look. “Any substance that touches the surface can be transmitted, not only ink or charcoal. Water, blood, sweat?—”
“Tears,” I finished. “What if she’s been crying? Or bleeding?”
Blood roared in my ears, but for an entirely different reason than the fatesprig. Something was wrong.
I grabbed my piece of charcoal and hastily scribbled a message.
Are you alright?
I didn’t think I breathed for the entire minute it took her to respond.
We need to talk.
That same panic trickled back into my gut, spreading through my numb muscles and coating them in another layer of dread. Visions ran across my mind, each one more horrible than the last.
What happened? Are you safe? Did he hurt you?
I would rip every limb from his body, with my magic or not, if he harmed her. This was my fault. I’d pushed her to do this. I’d made her feel inadequate, useless, banishing her to that tower until she resorted tothisto earn our trust.
This incredible, brave, beautiful woman who was hollowed out by those who simply wanted to use her as a means to an end—and nowIwas one of those people, and I hated myself. I hated?—
“Nox,” Tessa said on a soft exhale, drawing my attention back to the parchment.
It’s not me. It’s your sister.
