“I can’t believe you’re making a joke right now.” He sighed. “Although, I certainly know why you are.” He grasped my hand. “Hold on tight. I can’t teleport us without my magic touching you and risking affecting your spell. And you can’t expend any additional power. I’ll employ my speed.”
I nodded. “Perfect.”
I drew in a steadying breath as I tightened my grip on him.
I could see to this.
I had the means, despite the strain.
I just had to hold on.
Just a little while longer.
As we passedthrough into the Rifted Cradle in whichGlacialis Arxwas located, Ketheron stilled in surprise, then swung his head abruptly to the left.
He’d sensed her.
Hiskindred.
Ariana Martel.
There she was, long wavy golden hair flying wildly about as she paced up and down, while arguing with Kai Hunter. Nyx Laryn was also there, and seeming to be of much the same mind as Ariana regarding the lecture that Kai was receiving for his intent to apparently“go off half-cocked like a fucking dumbass”in a bid to retrieve Winter. Well, as their other companion there with them, Vorzyr Titanus, clarified to the formidable angel, Kai intended to“draw that motherfucking twisted True Celestial out”.
This did not bode well at all.
Nor did the fact that Kai was clearly distraught and grieving so very heavily over Sylas’ death. Clarity of thought was compromised. And that was a very dangerous thing for the likes of him. For the likes of all supremely powerful beings, many of which were deeply connected to Sylas and also Winter.
Winter’s loves needed monitoring and soothing. They were young, yes, but held notable power—and connections where Vaxan and Evira were concerned.
They weren’t here, I didn’t sense them.
Remnant was. I could feel that Ancient vampiric weight rolling through the area.
Cassius was most definitely present inside the castle-like home.
Velra and Lazriel also.
“Ketheron!” Ariana cried, registering our arrival.
She beamed at me with that starry-eyed look she always gave me. It was due to her being over the moon and deeply touched for Ketheron that he’d fallen in love and been able to forge a romantic relationship with another—and me, no less.
Her expression faltered all too soon as she took in the sight of my black magic tendrils and thick black glow emanating wildly all around me—and Ketheron—and not dissipating now we’d already passed through the ward into the Rifted Cradle. The truth was, the ward didn’t touch either of us, no magic interference to worry about there as we were permitted regulars to this home, and Ketheron actually lived here. He’d added me alongside him, basically.
She drew closer, but choked from the potency of my black magic and burst back a few feet, her brown suede jacket flapping about her.
Kai was beside her in the next moment, eyes narrowing on me. He didn’t like black magic around Ariana due to corruptibility issues surrounding a pure angelic being of her nature and supreme power.
“What’s happened?” she asked us, worriedly.
“You located an entry point into Sanctus, and Ruxnoth… did this to you?” Kai asked.
“No,” Ketheron responded.
Vorzyr strode over with Nyx, and I saw the latter grimacing as he focused on Ketheron. He’d been inside my love’s mind before years ago in a bid to… salvage him, so despite Ketheron’s power levels eclipsing his, Nyx’s emotion-reading abilities of hisincubus side were able to interpret Ketheron’s emotional state to an extent.
He told Ariana, “You need to get out of here. The black magic potency is only gonna worsen, halo.”
“What’s the deal here?” Vorzyr growled, wrapping his arm around Ariana.
