After several long minutes, Arianna asked, “What’s wrong with her?”
Sive remained still, her eyes moving back and forth behind closed lids. “She’s trapped.” Arianna’s heart jolted. “You said she was under Vairik’s direct influence?”
Arianna nodded. “She didn’t seem like herself.”
Sive’s eyes opened. “How so?”
“She—” Arianna chewed her lip. “She tried to kill me.”
Sive stared at her, sadness written across her face. “There’s more.”
Emotion swelled through Arianna before she could fight it back. Her lips trembled. She didn’t want to say the words. She didn’t want to sound like she was accusing her sister of murder.
“Ellie killed someone dear to her,” Avalon answered, his voice solemn, defeated.
“How tragic,” Sive said, as if she’d heard it a thousand times. “She’s created her own … shelter, if you will. It’s likely a place of solace.”
“And you want to break her out of it,” Zylah answered, as if doing such a thing would only add to Ellie’s torment.
“It’s the only way for her to move on. She can’t stay in this state forever. Her body will eventually deteriorate.” Everyone knew Sive was right, it was just hard to take in. After all the suffering Ellie had already endured, she was about to suffer even more. It didn’t seem fair. “The healing of the body is a simple task. The mind is far more complicated. I can help break down her walls, but I’d venture that Arianna’s magic could do even more.”
“Mine?” Arianna questioned.
Sive gave her a gentle smile. “The ancient texts mention that you’re able to help those with a fractured soul.”
“How?”
“Place your hand on her head and let your magic guide you. You can create a lightened path to lead her from the darkness. So long as she chooses that path, we can set her free.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Talon questioned.
“Then we might not have the time Lady Eimear hopes we do.”
“Is she going to wake up screaming again?” Arianna asked.
“I’ll apply a few calming runes, but I can’t make promises. Everything ultimately depends on her.”
Arianna swallowed hard and stepped closer, replacing Sive’s hand with her own. She’d do whatever it took to bring her sister back.
Arianna let her magic flow, allowing it to move of its own accord. Her healing power sat on the surface before sinking deep, crawling toward a space Arianna couldn’t name. Ittraveled down her sister’s body next, spiraling around her spine, then her heart. Ellie’s upper body began glowing. Gavin stepped closer, his worry palpable.
Arianna recognized the tissues and networks of blood vessels. She’d healed those plenty of times. But this deeper section was different. She became one with her sister’s heartbeat, letting the steady rhythm consume her until it was all Arianna knew.
Then the magic sank even deeper.
“How do I know if it’s working?” Arianna whispered, afraid that her voice might be too loud in Ellie’s head.
Sive traced a rune over Ellie’s chest and Arianna felt the gentle heat from it sink into that unknown place. Was that where Ellie’s soul resided? Her consciousness? “You’ll know.”
“What’s happening?”
Arianna slit her eyes open to find Rion staring at her, breathing erratically. Talon moved closer, whispering and the male’s sudden spike of panic faded to calm understanding. The anger that always flooded through her with his proximity didn’t rise. Perhaps it was Sive’s presence, or maybe it had more to do with the fact that Arianna could feel the previous Divine stirring. The female moved with her magic, as if she were helping guide Arianna’s hand.
“Take your time,” Sive said. “Light the way. Evelyn will need to do the rest on her own.”
“There’s nothing else we can do?” Rion asked, stepping closer.
“Patience,” Sive whispered, letting another rune sink into Ellie’s chest. “Trust her. She’s strong enough.”
