Power bled from my body like a broken swimming pool, flooding the area with light. Rowan gripped me tightly, funneling and weaving his magic with my own. Slowly but surely, the darkness gave way to our power, breaking up the blackness one chip at a time.
We’d almost finished when a presence made itself known. Stifling, monstrous, omnipotent power saturated the area.
Rowan froze.Evie?
I feel it.
DAUGHTER AND SON OF MY WORLD, DARKNESS HAS COME TO THESE LANDS.
Holy fucking shit, Rowan whispered through the link.
My fingers tightened on his arm.Mother Earth. Let me do the talking. Be subservient.
I’m a bear.
As best you can if you don’t want to get smashed into smithereens.
Mother Earth sounds kinda mean.
I CAN HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS IN THIS PLACE.
Oops.
What is this? I asked.
ONE OF MY SISTERS. SHE IS ANGRY AT YOUR ASCENSION.
Of course she is. Can you tell me which one?
THAT IS AGAINST THE RULES.
Rules? Rowan asked.
I elbowed him.
YES, CHILD. THERE ARE RULES TO OUR GAMES.
And no one ever breaks them?
ONLY IF THEY DON’T GET CAUGHT.
Will you get caught if you tell me who did this?
THEY ARE WATCHING.
Underground? Who is they?
Amusement sparkled in the air. CLEVER GIRL. REMEMBER MY WORDS. MY SISTERS ARE ANGRY. BEWARE THEIR FURY.
I don’t understand why you’re telling me this. I don’t have a tenth of the power you do.
Surprise surrounded us, there and gone in a heartbeat. THE MAGIC IS DEADLY TO ME. MY SISTERS KNOW ME WELL.
They strike at me through you.I frowned.Your sisters don’t sound very nice.
Are you sure they’re striking at Evie?
YOU DOUBT ME, SON OF MY LANDS?
