Chapter 30
Kira slowedfrom pacing the second-floor landing, stopping at the entrance to the corridor leading to Týr’s quarters. Christ! How much longer?
Silence echoed like a harbinger. One would think none of the warriors were there. Yet all three lined the wall outside their quarters like guards, arms folded.
For heaven’s sake, make some noise, this place is like a damn morgue!
Echo, seated on the Queen Anne chair, glanced Kira’s way, her worried expression softening. She rose and cast Aethan a quick look. He merely stared at her, his expression flat. Her mouth pressed briefly into a tight line, she joined Kira.
The door opened, and Hedori stepped out, looking like he’d been through hell. He shook his head. “The spell still obstructs his regenerating abilities. Lila?”
“She’s not at the brownstone,” Blaéz said. “Nik’s tracking her.”
It had been two hours since they’d brought Týr back. Any longer, and Kira realized she could very well lose him. Apparently, immortals could die from certain weapons and spells, and Narfi had been determined to kill Týr. A painfully slow death had been his idea of revenge.
God. Kira rubbed her gritty eyes, wanting to kill Narfi again. Teeth grinding down, she pulled her cell out from her jacket pocket and called Gran—no, her mother. It went to voicemail.No, no!She bit the inside of her lip to stop from crying again.Please. Please, Týr needs you. He’s been badly wounded, and I’m so afraid.
“Shh.” Echo put her arms around her and hugged her. “She’ll come. You know she will.”
“Then why isn’t she answering?” she demanded. “It’s because of me. I ruined everything…” She broke off at a shimmer in the air. A strange, powerful sensation like a caress coasted across her skin.
I heard you, child,her mother’s faint voice coasted in her thoughts.
The warriors shifted in a thud of boots just as a tall, willowy figure in a long, flowing deep blue robe and a snowfall of hair took shape in the corridor. Of course, even in this form, as an invited guest, Luceré could bypass the wards protecting the castle. A glow emitted from her, almost like a halo, reminding Kira of an angel. But she was an Ancient, a being Kira still had no concept of.
The Guardians had already cut off the corridor, blocking her mother’s path. Then they stilled, brows creasing in confusion.
Kira darted forward, stepping protectively between her mother and the warriors. When Aethan suddenly inclined his head as if in a bow, Kira frowned. Did he know Luceré?
The other warriors slowly offered the same kind of greeting. They stepped aside, making way.
“This is my mother, Luceré,” Kira said, leaving their odd reaction to worry over later.
Echo gasped. “Gran?”
With a tiny smile, Luceré nodded. “Yes, my dear.”
“What’s going on?” Blaéz demanded.
Kira cast the warrior a quick look. “Long story. Echo will explain—”
The door opened, and Michael stepped out, his normally stern features drawn. His focus zoomed in on her mother, his eyes narrowed.
“Michael.” Luceré sighed, tucking back a strand of loose hair. “I feel him. He weakens rapidly.”
Oh, God, Kira ran into the room. At the sight of her big, fearless warrior lying on the bed, a bloody towel covering the hole in his torso with a sheet pulled to his hips, her throat tightened. No, she wasn’t going to break down again.
Luceré waved off the angel helper who enclosed Týr with a golden light and glided to his side. She lowered her hand an inch over his injury. Seconds later, a light, thread-like energy flowed over him, and Luceré lurched several feet away as if she’d been tasered. But she didn’t let the connection break, the glow remained fixed, enclosing him.
Michael appeared at Kira’s side and touched her shoulder briefly as if in empathy.
Echo had probably briefed them about Lila and Luceré.
What seemed like hours later, the light faded, and the wispy, white strands retreated back into her mother’s palms. Luceré’s skin appeared shallow, and she swayed.
With a wave of his hand, Michael moved the armchair from the living room to the bedside. But Luceré shook her head. “Thank you. I’m not done yet.”
A small basket appeared on the nightstand, startling Kira. She’d never seen this part of Luceré when she was Gran. She picked up several flat, palm-sized, pearlescent stones and began laying them around Týr’s body. “They’re healing crystals. He needs all the help he can get until his own healing ability starts up again.”
