She changed and dashed out of the room. Angelus approached from down the corridor, a smile on his pretty face. “Ready?”
Moments later, they reformed at the foot of the mountains. The cold, earthy scent of soil and water nearly froze her. Despite the shivers flooding her skin, it did little to soothe the energy inside her. She let go of Angelus. “Waithere.”
“Shae, I cannot. The sires, Nik and Dagan, would persecute me badly if anything happened toyou.”
“Ange, I need to runalone.”
“I shall make myself invisible and accompanyyou.”
Oh, great!She took off in a hard sprint, desperate to exert the energy swirling like a storm inside her. As she ran, the winds picked up speed, the trees raced past her like a movie on fast-forward. Her thoughts drifted away, as didtime…
In some far-off place, she heard her name being called. Hands grabbed her, and she staggered to a stumbling halt. Worried purple eyes searched hers. “Hey, Ange,” shepanted.
“Are youokay?”
“What?” Then she nodded, her gaze skipping all around the place. “Why?”
“Your abilitiessurfaced.”
Oh, no-no!She cast him a horrified look. “Did I—did I hurtyou?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. But your corporeal body was fading, and you have a little blood here.” He touched hisnostril.
Breathing hard, she grabbed the bottom of her navy t-shirt and quickly wiped her nose, her heart pounding hard at the realization that she could have unknowingly teleported to some otherplace.
“It’s okay. I-I’m okay—please don’t tell the Guardians about this?” Especially not Dagan, he’d probably lock her in the monastery if heknew.
A pained expression crossed Angelus’ features. “Shae—”
“You will allow the lad to become a pawn in your deceit?” Dagan strode up to her, his eyes spitting yellow fire. “I felt your distress from myworkshop.”
“Had to run—had to—” The words escaped in a staccato rush. “Couldn’t do that up there—” She flung her hand at the mountains and swayed. Powerful arms caught her, and she sagged against his chest, breathing in his warm, soothingscent.
“Angelus, you cango.”
After throwing her another worried look, Angelus shimmered andvanished.
“Is this why you wanted me to train with you earlier?” Dagan asked, stroking a hand down herback.
No, he never shouted or lost his temper. Whatever had happened earlier between them was probably a distant memory for him. But it only brought back the awareness that seemed to grow betweenthem.
“I did want to train then…” She pushed away from him, retied her loosened hair, and faced the gurgling creek. “But, I need to expend the energy that suddenly overtakes me, and I don’t know how. I used to run or do a rigorous gym workout when it first started…now, nothinghelps.”
He came up beside her. His warmth, his calm presence should be comforting, but now it only made her edgier and too aware. “Your abilities are growing stronger. You have to learn to shieldthem.”
“You think I don’t know that?” She shot him a frustrated look, feeling as if her entire being was fragmenting, and trying desperately to center herself. “I try, but Ican’t…”
Warm, callused hands engulfed both of hers. “Okay. Let’sbegin.”
“What are you doing?” She stared at him inconfusion.
“Seeing into yourmind—”
“No!” She snatched her hands back and tucked her fists beneath herarmpits.
“Shae,” he said quietly, “I’m only interested in the events that led to this, but I have to touch you to do so before too much time passes, or I will miss the importantdetails.”
When she didn’t move, his expression hardened. “You want to survive this? You need myhelp.”
