Crap. No wonder he turned up.
“I wasn’t sure what was happening at the time,” she explained. Everything had overwhelmed her, not that it was any better now.
Hands on his hips, Michael frowned, appearing equally intimidating and concerned. “Aethan’s not here to show you where he used to go—”
“It’s all right. I will speak to my brother.”
“Yes. Reynner’s place in Exilum would be better.” A nod. “The mountains there are richer with the white quartz needed to aid you.”
Her heart bumped hard at his understanding, but guilt strangled her. “Thank you. Let me try at the Catskills first. I’m sorry to put you on the spot like this,” she rushed out, “especially with Aethan gone.” The gods knew she just might have to Ground, but only after she tended to Nate.
“The others can handle the extra work.” Michael glanced around the living room, then back at her. “Are you hurt?”
“No-no. I needed something to aid me.”
Thank the stars she had the foresight to ask the Oracle for help. So it wasn’t an outright lie.
The Arc didn’t say anything for a moment, the silver fissures in his irises sparking like lightning in a sapphire storm, as if he could see into her soul.Vae, she hoped not.
“Yes, the goddess’ gifts emerge when you’re strong enough to handle them,” he murmured, then added, “You can talk to me about anything, Ely, just so you know.”
Aw, gods, more guilt piled. And all she could do was nod.
Not like she could say,Oh, wait, there is something. I’m seriously attracted to this demon who runs with those blood-drinking cretins that drain humans.
Yes, it would definitely get her ass castle-bound.
“Thank you,” she said, grateful when the Oracle entered the room, a package in hand, ending their one-on-one.
She smiled. “Hello, Michael.”
“Jaden,” he greeted, then to Ely. “I’ll see you when you get back from Grounding.” Shades shoved back on, he walked out, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Ely rubbed her burning eyes, her entire being a mass of churning emotions. More, she hated this subterfuge—
“He doesn’t know, does he?” Jaden asked softly.
She lowered her hands and stared.
With quiet understanding, Jaden handed over a package. “All that matters is that a life is saved. I’ve made a slight adjustment since he’s Other. Hopefully, it will aid him.”
She lightly touched Ely’s arm, and a gentle warmth flowed through her, calming her agitated mind. “The pale potion is yours. It should help stabilize your temperature, but it’s not a cure, Ely.” Green eyes held hers, her warning clear. “Being immortal, it shouldn’t be like this—”
“It’s my abilities. My power’s awakening.”
“Oh…” Jaden’s eyebrows tipped in a V. “I thought you already had yours.”
“I do.” Ely grimaced. “I meant, when I took my oath to be a Guardian, Gaia bestowed me with another,” she said, hugging the package to her chest. “I have to go. Thank you for this.” Then she bolted out of there.
* * *
Back in the quiet cottage in the Adirondacks, ignoring her discomfort, Ely ran downstairs to the granite basement where Nate still sat on the pallet, leaning against the wall, head tipped back. Eyes shut.
Her heart in her throat, she hurried to the gate but found it locked. Dammit. A bolted gate wasn’t going to keep her out if that was his intention. She dematerialized, slipped through the bars, and reformed near him.
He appeared far too pale beneath his honey-toned skin. Blood seeped from the wound on his tattooed chest even though he’d covered it with some acrid-smelling ointment. A med-kit lay spilled on the pallet.
Ely set the package aside, shrugged off her coat, and dropped it on the floor. Then she crouched next to him and picked up his discarded t-shirt to clean his chest—
