I notice Jade glaring our way and Ava’s eyes darting between us all.
“Can you be quiet over there? We’re trying to work,” Jade huffs.
“Sorry.” Celine apologizes with a sheepish smile and sets Pom Pom down.
Jade turns back to Ava and has her hold her hands on top of hers. “Now breathe deeply in and out. Picture a fiery ball at your core pulsing in time with your heartbeat.”
The three of us watch enraptured while Jade takes Ava through her exercise.
“Do you feel it?” Jade asks.
Ava’s features twist up in frustration. “No.”
“It’s okay. Just keep doing that while I try to nudge your magic with mine. Sometimes we can kickstart each other’s powers when they need to be activated or replenished.” Jade furrows her brow in concentration. “I feel it, but it’s buried deep. Keep breathing and imagine yourself reaching out to me from your core.”
The energy in the room feels like it drops and is funneling into the two witches. It’s an odd sensation that prickles along my skin.
“Whoa.” Zav marvels while stroking Pom Pom, who mysteriously appeared in his hands while I wasn’t looking. “Go, Ava! You can do it!”
I smack him, wanting to keep it silent for Ava, but it riles up Pom Pom, who starts barking like crazy, almost as if he’s encouraging her too.
“Ugh.” Celine holds her head in her hand at the disruptive chaos, and I feel frustration bubbling in my chest.
“So close, Ava, keep pushing,” Jade encourages.
The pressure in the room begins to feel stifling, and Zav’s cheering and the barking must get to Ava. The lights in the room burst, glass shattering everywhere and everything rattles. Celine yelps and Pom Pomwhimpers.
“I can’t do this!” Ava shouts, throwing her hands off Jade’s.
A lone tear streaks down her cheek and something inside me snaps.
“Everyone out!” I growl.
“What?” Zav asks incredulously.
“Get the fuck out,” I reply, enunciating every word. “My mate is nervous and overwhelmed and you’re not helping. Out.” My chest rumbles in warning, and he takes the hint.
Even though I’d never hurt Celine, having her right next to me is a red flag to him, and he quickly ushers her out into the hall. I hear a whispered apology from her.
I try to control my breathing. Seeing Ava like that awoke a primal part of me I didn’t realize I had. Seeing her upset is too much to bear.
“Take care of her,” I warn Jade and see myself out with the others.
CHAPTER 14
AVA
Pom Pom barksfrom his doggy bed in the living room, rousing me from my sleep. Rubbing my eyes with a tired sigh, I look around, confused. Nothing seems out of the ordinary that I can see. Then I hear it … Valen yelling.
I attempt to jump out of bed but end up twisted in my comforter and almost fall flat on my face. Scrambling to grab the bed for support, I right myself and run to the living room.
Valen has his arms wrapped around his torso, hugging himself, and he whimpers like he’s in pain. His eyes are closed, fighting against invisible demons in his sleep. His mumbling is too quiet to make out, but the wounded noises break my heart.
Pom Pom runs over to me and paws at my leg with a whine. Seeing his owner in pain must bother him too.
“Valen,” I carefully call, floundering on how to wake him up without scaring him. “I’m here. You’re okay. They don’t have you.”
He thrashes, and I panic as he appears to become moredistressed. Reaching out, I grab his arm and shake him slightly. Jolting, it does the trick, and his wild eyes meet mine. I can tell it takes him a second to realize where he is but sigh in relief when he relaxes and lays his head back against the couch.
