7
CARWYNN
My palms slammedover my ears.
“Stop! Stop it! Stop it!” I roared.
The pain was an ice pick through my temple.
“Quiet!” I shouted again, keeling over from the agony.
A strong arm wrapped around my torso, halting me from collapsing to my knees.
“What’s happening to her?” Finley shouted.
Keeffe looked around suspiciously, smelling the air. “I don’t feel good about this. I smell decay.”
My eyes squeezed shut.
“Carwynn! Open your eyes! What is it?” There was an edge to Lochlainn’s voice.
An arm tightened at my waist as a warm breath brushed my ear.
“They are in your house, so make them abide by your rules.”
I followed Pogue’s voice like a beacon. He held me up, anchoring me against the tornado of assaults my ability was striking me with.
“Don’t tell them—willit!”
When souls spoke, I could usually filter them, one at a time. But this—this was a dam breaking open, a flood of souls overwhelming my senses. They swarmed like wasps, circling me, buzzing in and out, begging for my attention.
I focused on Pogue’s words. This wasmymind.
With a deep inhale, I envisioned a wall of energy pushing out from my body. Then, I sent another. The next one carried a calming vibration, meant to sooth the frantic swarm.
A shiver snuck up my spine.
The buzzing slowed, dampening the screams. I was no longer under attack. The souls were still there, but instead of manic chaos, it was like they’d been hit with a nice dose of sedative.
Holy shit, it worked!
I opened my eyes, steadying my legs.
“Got it?” Fingers sunk into the soft spot on my hip.
I kept following that voice, looking up to find that cold, handsome face.
Pogue furrowed his brow.
“Yeah, I think—” My voice wavered. “I think I’m all right now. Thanks.”
The men stood around us and the air thickened uncomfortably.
I paused. My unease crept back in as I scanned the area.
“That’s never happened before. All those voices, all at once. Too many.” I shook my head. “They were screaming to be freed. Kept sayinghewas coming. That this was a trap.”
Lochlainn’s face sobered.
