My eyes fly open as full-body twitches rush across my skin. Even as my shrill tapers off, power continues to pour out of my mouth in a billow of gray smoke, and ash coats my tongue before it surges into the Binding.
Power traps me in place, and the excruciating seconds drag on.
Valories, I’d give anything for Kyzen to speed this along for me and get me to the end.
The pressure inside my dry throat wanes as my Obliteration continues to pour out of me, and I sense when the last of the taint slips past my lips.
“There you go, Thayla. Prepare for the snap,” Willow warns.
The snap?
A grunt falls from my mouth as it slams shut, and I tumble backward. Before I splash beneath the surface, something wraps around my waist, hoisting me up until I’m on my feet again.
Swaying, but standing.
My Obliteration settles, fully opening my airway, but not helping at all with the taste of ash or dryness on my tongue.
“What the actual fuck?” I gasp.
My question is directed at what literally just happened, and at the tree vine slithering from my stomach. The second vine that’s passing the Binding back to me takes me completely by surprise.
“Crazy, isn’t it? Fighting off a power that’s trying to take over your body. One of the worst feelings in the realm.”
I stare, dumbfounded, as the goddess nods.
“Last step, then we can get out of the hot spring.”
“Last step? Is this shit not out of me?”
She covers her small laugh with a cough, then clears her throat.
“It is, but now it’s infecting the Binding. It needs to be cleansed back to its original state. This part is easier than the last.”
No, nope. I’m fucking done.
Done with this Binding, this power, this day, this stranger…
I’m over it.
“I know and understand how frustrating this is, Thayla. I swear to you, though, you’ll want to do this now rather than later. I know it’s a big thing for me to ask you to trust me when you don’t know me, but I am asking.”
My shoulders bounce with my breaths, and I peer over at my men once again, and at V, who’s been far too quiet for my liking.
The fact that he’s still restraining them with his power is adding to their fury, but his features reflect nothing but confidence and certainty.
“V…what’s going on?”
“I swear to you, the being in front of you means you no harm. Listen to her, then she’ll allow you out of the hot spring, and I’ll let the boys go. It’s crucial that you get the Binding back to its original state.”
I stare into his bright teal eyes until my breathing levels out. The goddess before me waits. She doesn’t push or press me to hurry, and her unwavering temperament helps.
A little.
“What do I do?” I ask for like the millionth time.
“You’re going to command the Binding to release the power.”
“The last time I released it, it had to have somewhere to go.”
