I sigh loudly. “I know we discussed the omens meaning Odin was trying to get our attention, but with Elowen’s vision, I think we need to really focus on training for war. So I’ve asked you guys to meet us here to help look through the books Marcus brought for anything that might help. Same thing as last time. We need to figure out a way to contact our allies, restore magic, or a way to reach Odin. Ideally, it would be all three, but I’ll settle for just one; we need magic back. Marcus brought a few books about runic pathways, but without magic being restored, they are useless. I’ve gone through about a third of what hebrought with him, but I need help to go through the rest. Look for anything about magic.”
The pile of books Marcus brought is stacked neatly in front of the fireplace, and they each grab a few books and haul them back to chairs or couches.
Elowen reluctantly left to head back to the capital to finish recruiting, but I wish she could have stayed longer. Maybe we could have tried to get her to see something else. I need to ask her how the visions work.
Do they just happen randomly, or can she focus on something?
Sighing to myself, I get back to the task at hand and walk to the large stack of books. A book about crystals shimmers in the firelight, and I pluck it from the top of the stack and amble back to the couch that Lachlan’s already sprawled on.
He pats the cushion next to him, and I settle comfortably into his side, gently opening the book to protect its spine.
I inhale deeply, absorbing the smell of the pages, and happiness flutters in my chest. Books have always brought me serenity.
The beginning chapters outline the history of crystals and how they were used in many cultures. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used them for their healing and protective properties. The rest of the book is dedicated to a few pages per crystal.
Quartz has the ability to amplify. Amethyst can protect and ground you. Selenite can inhibit dark magic. And black tourmaline can absorb negative energies. All great qualities, tied to magic, but all useless without magic.
If I could somehow manage to bring back magic, quartz would be helpful in amplifying it, but it still doesn’t help me restore it.
Pages rustle in the quiet library, and I focus on the sound to settle my temper. But my rising frustration has me snapping the book shut and leaning away from Lachlan.
“Nothing?” he asks, peering at me from over the top of his book.
“Nothing,” I grumble. I rub my fingertips in circles on my temples, trying to relieve some of the pressure building behind my eyes.
Mina whispers from beside me. “I know there is a lot outside of your control right now, but try shifting your attention to something that is.”
My eyes blink open to find her staring at me from her perch on the arm of the couch. “Like what?”
She smiles softly and gazes at my wings, “Try vanishing your wings.”
I frown. “I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere earlier.”
Mina shakes her head, her short hair flying back and forth. “You can’t just give up because it doesn’t come easy to you the first time. Try again.”
I pout, but close my eyes again.
I focus on the fire crackling in the fireplace, the smell of all the books, and the pages turning before refocusing on my breathing. Once I take a few slow breaths, I turn my mind to the feeling of my wings protruding between my shoulder blades. The feel of the tendons attaching them to my body and the very air between them. I focus even harder on the air between them before I feel a tiny pop, like a knuckle cracking, and then nothing.
I peek one eye open to see Mina’s face radiating pure joy.
“I knew you could do it.” She smiles broadly.
I turn my head to see, and sure enough, there are no longer wings in my peripheral vision.
“Okay, but how do I bring them back?” I ask, my eyes growing wide.
Lachlan and Mina chuckle before she quietly says, “Close your eyes again and just imagine them unfurling from yourback. It’s much easier to bring them out than put them away, I promise.”
Again, I focus on the fire before bringing my attention to my breathing, imaging the silvery white of my feathers unfurling from my back. There’s a feeling of release before I can feel my wings graze against the back of the couch.
“It’s like working out a muscle. The more ye do it, the stronger you will be and the easier it will become,” Lachlan murmurs, returning to his book.
I smile gratefully at Mina. “Thank you.”
“Of course. You needed a win today.”
I don’t have to focus nearly as hard before my wings vanish again. “I did. And this will make it easier to dance at the party tomorrow.”
