“But statistically she wouldn’t likely be alive at this point. The fact that she is says something,” Lynx offered.
“Can we try again?”
Saros shook his head. “That’s not a good idea, Midnight.”
“Just try.” I picked up a cup and went and got the water Saros hadn’t managed to pour before Aspen had decorated his shirt. I chugged it down in a few gulps, then refilled and did it again, shaking the empty glass in their faces. “Please. Maybe we can get a clearer location on her.”
Saros’s fingers massaged his temples. “I need to assess how much magic I can pull without potentially harming you.”
“I need to do this,” I said, tone swathed in resolve.
“Here.” Lynx held his hands out. “Why don’t I take him if you’re going to try again? We’ll go on a little walk around the cul-de-sac.”
“That’s a good idea,” agreed Saros. I wasn’t about to fight them, considering I wanted to see if we could learn anything more about Hazel’s whereabouts. I rummaged through the diaper bag and grabbed the burp cloth, throwing it over Lynx’s shoulder.
After he stepped out of the truck, Saros turned toward me. “How much magic do you feel like you have left?”
“Not much.” My eyes dropped, then trailed back up to him.
He pointed to the cushion on the floor. After I sat down, he undid the halter clasp once again. I held the cups in front of me, suddenly all too aware of our proximity and the fact that we were alone now.
He hovered his hands on either side of my spine and my heart raced, waiting for him to pull on the communal magic again. Silence hung between us, like a delicate spiderweb. Then his baritone slipped between its threads, tone low. “Believe me. I understand having a gift that can also seem like a curse.”
I craned my neck around. “You do?”
“My gift is Recollection.” His throat bobbed a few times. “Seeing and unearthing memories, to be more exact.”
“That’s really helpful for your work, I’m sure.” His gift seemed to almost be the opposite of Hazel’s, and I had witnessed the issue with hers firsthand when people felt it was an intrusion on their privacy.
“It is. I can pull anything I want if I have a timeframe to work from. A focal point.” His voice became a hush. “If I touch someone, I can see the moments that subconsciously weigh on them.”
“That must be hard,” I said, realizing why he’d been avoiding coming in contact with me, understanding how it felt to avoid having your gift take something from another whether you wanted it to or not.
“Yeah, most people don’t enjoy their past being invaded like that.” He reached for more of the balm he’d used earlier, and I let out another hiss as he established the connection. Luckily, it seemed to happen quicker this time, my magic more willing to cooperate with his spellwork. “Lynx is an exception, but we also don’t have any secrets from each other.”
“Well, between his Empathy and your Recollection, I’d guess that’d be impossible.”
“Now you can see why I don’t hold it against you opting to let your magic dwindle.” He made a few small circles, like he was trying to relax me before casting the spell again. “I almost did when I was younger.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Until our boss found me. Talked to me about it. I realized there was a lot of good that could be done with it.”
“I’m glad you had someone to show you that. I’m still trying to find what the benefits are that outweigh the burdens.” I shrugged, clutching my halter tightly to me, pushing away the tingling chill streaking my spine where his spell grazed. “With my Desire, it can sometimes be hard to know what’s been influenced by my gift. Sure, it has to play on feelings the person has already within them, but it still nags at me.”
“I can assure you, I think your appeal has little to do with your ability. It just enhances what’s already there.”
“Maybe.” My chest flushed, heat rushing through me at his compliment. “Then there’s the bigger problem that comes with it…”
I trailed off, entranced by him as he whispered the spell. It breezed against my skin, only a slight sting of magic pricking me, taking from what little I had.
When my eyes fluttered, he stopped, grabbing me another glass of water. “That’s enough.”
I blinked, snapping out of my daze. “Were you able to get anything else?”
“Her presence is strong,” he said, looking pleased. His smirk instantly lifting my spirits.
“What does that even mean?”
