“Sorry?” he asked, stroking my hair.
“The position I put you in with Ryker, not being able to keep control, and then causing all of that, a whole spectacle.”
He turned me to face him, holding my arms. “Win, I know that gripping, utterly enthralling sensation all too well. I know how it compels you so forcefully.”
“You do? You? But you’ve done this over a hundred times.”
“It’s really double that—at least.”
“I don’t… how can you keep control, keep a level head?”
“Practice—it truly does get easier because the sensations become more familiar. Necessity—I’m the only one able to do this, I have to. Focus—in the sense, not of the spell itself, but of holding onto something solid before going into it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“I didn’t want to plant anything in your head, to lead you to fear or panic. Also, only the last one can currently apply to you, and I thought it would be enough to have me right there beside you. I’m alone when I perform it, so it has to come from within, not via external help and grounding.” He held me tighter to him. “I’m so sorry, Win.”
“No, I get it. Things don’t always translate over exactly the same, because I’m a hybrid. Part Wraith and Necromancer.”
“Not just that.”
“What then?”
“You’re not me, son.” He kissed the top of my head. “And I’m glad you’re not.”
“Dad, don’t say that.”
“You’re better than that.” He smiled. “Like I keep saying, you’reyou.And I want to make it really fucking clear that what happened here today is actually a testament to that, not a counter to it. The control you exerted the first time reaching that level of power, with that specific spell as well… it was remarkable. Truly, Win.” He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “More power than I’ve ever known from any other necromancer—dead or alive.”
“Ryker was right?”
“What?”
“When he theorized that even you couldn’t stop me anymore?”
His grip faltered on my hands.
“Dad?”
“You mean, the same person who has no idea of my real power level?”
Relief sang through me. “Oh, right. Of course… yeah. Thank goodness.”
“There you go. You’ve always got a safeguard in me. Don’t worry.”
A nasty headrush took me then, and I collapsed into him. “Dad?”
“It’s all right. That was a lot of power in a short release timeframe. You need to rest. Then eat. A lot. I’ll give Vaxan, Evira, and Zayn some pointers.”
“They know about my pickiness with food.”
“Oh. I mean, of course they do. Maybe I’ll have your mom send over some of your favorites fromVantiqeat least?”
“Sounds good. Thank you…”
I felt his magic wrapping around me a moment before my eyes fluttered closed.
The world slipped away.
