Zane’s face had turned pink as he listened to Oracle and he glanced at his brother, unsure what he’d think, but only found pride reflected in Logan’s face. Giving a slight smile, Zane turned to his mate, and whispered, “I’m the luckiest wolf alive because you’re my mate.” Tucking David along his side, he kissed his mate’s forehead before turning back to Oracle. “Please tell the Fates that I will always treasure my mate and pledge not to let them down.”
“Yes, I will,” Oracle said, smiling. “But now it is time for me to tell you of your gift which you have already received. This particular gift was selected because it will ensure no one will ever be able to hold David a prisoner ever again. More about why that might happen in a minute.”
“What gift could do that?” asked Zane.
“The gift of Ghost Walker,” Oracle announced.
“Ghost Walker? You mean I can become a ghost?” asked Zane.
“No, a ghost walker can pass through any physical barrier as if it didn’t exist,” Oracle said.
“Are you telling me that I can pass through any obstacle like a stone wall, or through a closed door no matter how thick it is or what it’s made of?” asked Zane.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Wait, is that what happened when Michael tried to jump on me during the battle? He went right through me and landed on the ground?”
“Yes, you had the gift even though you did not realize it at the time.”
“Huh,” Zane grunted, thinking about the battle. “I thought it was David’s ability that caused that.”
“It was that also. When Michael leapt onto your back, your gift allowed you to pass through his body so his claws could not inflict any wounds and then you disappeared using David’s ability,” Oracle explained.
“Is there an off switch to this gift?” Zane asked. “You know, so I have a choice of when to use it?”
“Yes there is. You decide when to use it but it is different when you shift. Then your wolf will make all decisions about your gift as he did when you were fighting,” answered Oracle.
“And David can do this too?” asked Zane.
“Yes.”
Zane looked at David and, seeing the doubt on his face, decided to test the gift. “Let’s say I want to walk throughthat door,” Zane said, pointing to the closed door to the suite. “What’s involved?”
“Stand in front of it, say ‘Ghost Walker’ and then walk through it,” Oracle replied.
“That’s it? Simple enough,” Zane said, walking over to the door. Eyeing the solid wood door, he felt a trickle of unease run down his back. Glancing back at his unbelieving mate, he turned and faced the door. Taking a deep breath, Zane muttered, “Ghost Walker.” He took one step, then another, and on his next one his foot and lower leg passed through the door. Grinning as he looked down at the sight, he continued walking and quickly found himself in the hotel hallway. Reversing his direction, Zane quickly repeated the action and was now back in the suite.
“Wow, love! You did it!” exclaimed David.
“Babe, now you try it,” Zane said. “C’mon, it’s fun!”
David rose and walked slowly over to the door, not quite as enthusiastic as Zane was, but after seeing the eagerness on his mate’s face, muttered the words. Then he hesitated as fear overcame him, remembering the story the High Priestess had read to him. If Oracle was correct about him being able to do this, it would be the second thing he’d have in common with the boy…myth…or whatever it was. Then, feeling his mate’s hand on the small of his back, sending love and strength to him, he held his breath and walked forward, passing through the door. Fear about his abilities began to grow and he could feel a panic attack coming on. Realizing he was still holding his breath, David exhaled but it was too late; his knees gave out and darkness descended.
Zane followed his mate through the door and caught David as he fell, sweeping him into his arms. Unsure if his gift would work with his mate in his arms, he opened the door and carried David inside the suite.
Jumping up at the sight of his brother holding an unconscious mate, Logan asked, “What happened? Did something go wrong?”
“I’m not sure. There didn’t seem to be any problem when he walked through the door but then he had a panic attack and passed out,” Zane explained, laying David down on the sofa. “Do you have any smelling salts? And I need a cool, wet washcloth.”
“I’ll get them,” Logan said, hurrying into the bathroom.
Gathering up the loose pillows on the sofa, Zane elevated David’s legs by piling them under his mate’s feet. Checking to make sure David’s sweatpants were loose, he took one of the cool, wet cloths Logan handed him and laid it on his mate’s forehead.
“I couldn’t find any smelling salts, so I called Colton…he’s bringing some over,” Logan said.
Using another wet cloth, Zane gently wiped David’s face and neck, hoping his mate would regain consciousness soon. Murmuring words of love to his mate, Zane laid his hand against David’s cheek, giving comfort. Glancing up, Zane saw Ian and Colton enter the living room.
“What happened?” Ian asked, kneeling next to David, checking him over.
