Mercedes nodded and stood. He scooped her up into his arms, his hand cupping her ass. She wrapped her arms around his neck. She was so close to him. He could get used to this.
Protecting her.
Holding her.
He carried her from the boat to the shore and reluctantly set her down. He couldn’t justify carrying her to the place. Except maybe to spare her getting sand in her shoes.
“Where do we go?” she asked.
“Just beyond those trees there’s a clearing. Come on.” He took the lead, following the familiar path from the water to the tree line. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach. He hated coming here. It felt like the curse was amplified when he came here, and there was something else this time.
As he glanced over his shoulder to check on Mercedes, he could see something was changing in her, and he wondered if he’d made a mistake. The blood that was spilled here flowed through her veins.
Blood magic was powerful. Especially in a maternal line.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. He hoped the rain held off, but at least there was an old cabin they could retreat to if they got caught in a downpour. As they came to the clearing, he could see the moment so vividly, playing out before him. His broadsword, which ended up being shattered after he struck Yrsa. He could hear her screams echoing.
“It’s right there, isn’t it?” Mercedes asked, pointing to the center of the clearing.
“Yes,” he replied stiffly, hating this place.
She moved past him and headed straight for that spot. The wind was howling through the pine trees. Leaves were being blown from branches all around them. He followed her at a distance.
As if she knew, she went to the dead center and knelt.
Something inside him wanted to warn her that it wasn’t safe, but he couldn’t form the words. All he could do was watch as she placed her hands on the earth. There was a surge and crackle of electricity, and before he could stop her, there was a loud boom, a cloud of dirt, and chunks of grass.
“Mercedes!” Magnus shouted, rushing over, clumps of dirt hitting him. When it all cleared, she was lying on her back, dirt on her face and her hands, unconscious.
He dropped to his knees and ran his fingers over her. She was breathing. She sputtered out some dirt and opened her eyes, which were glowing slightly.
“Well, you’re not the reason,” she stated. “It’s all me, or rather, Yrsa.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Are you okay?”
“Nope.” And then her eyes rolled back into her head and she fainted again.
Chapter
Nine
Is this what it was like on the other side? Warm and soft. Except she couldn’t see anything.
I thought the afterlife was supposed to be full of light? What a rip. Wait a minute, I can’t be dead. I don’t feel like I’m dead.
“Mercedes!”
She could hear her name being called, but couldn’t open her eyes.
Well, at least I’m not dead.
“Mercedes, wake up. Don’t make me do mouth-to-mouth.”
“Sure, you can kiss me,” she mumbled, and then she opened her eyes to see a very confused and upset Magnus leaning over her.
Oh Hecate. I hope I didn’t say that out loud.
“What?” he asked, his red eyes wide.
