Page 191 of A Courage of the Chosen

“Right the wrongs. Return the balance.” The spirits issue their instructions, and one of the orbs floats closer to me until it hovers inches away from my chest, flashing vibrant blues and greens. “The powers of our creation will be righted in you.” It shoots through me, and tunnels down into the well of my power, where the cold and dark parts of me live. “You will return, and you will lead this world into an age of peace.”

There’s no question, no seeking of my acceptance. The spirits command me, and as they do, the sharp edges of that beast are soothed into something as equally deadly, but not as consuming as it had once been.

I’ve spent so long fighting the nature of those inhumane parts of my soul that have pleaded with me for revenge. It’s still angry, still speaks to the darkest parts of my heart, but it feels more like me.

It wholly merges with my light magic, and the two of them together is the last piece of the puzzle fitting into place, a part of me that was missing.

This is what it means to be Seelie, to be The Chosen.

The power within me seems boundless, ready to wield as much as my body is capable of withstanding. The measure of my strength is fast approaching, and with this last test, I must be the one to restore balance.

The spirit rummaging through my soul snaps free, and I try to make sense of what’s happening to my magic as light and dark become one. It bobs before my face, speaking into my mind more softly than the others had. “You are more powerful than you know. What you must do will take a toll on you for the rest of your life, do you understand?”

I reluctantly dip my chin once, more tears gathering. “Will she be okay?”

“Your sister shall know peace,” the spirit offers, and the connection between us cuts off as it moves to join the others at Ishbel and Rachel’s backs.

I try to get to her, to hug Rach one last time, but my legs are frozen solid.

“Tell Brodie . . .” She drags in a single breath. “Tell him that I will always love him, and I’ll be waiting.”

“I will, I promise.”

The Lagan Naomh begins to fade into nothing, taking my best friend with it.

I scream her name, and fight with every ounce of strength I have to stay with her just a little longer. She has to know how much I love her, and what our friendship has meant to me.

Rach gives me a weak smile, her face tear-stained. “I know. Me too, Els. Me too.”

Chapter 57

Elsie

The bed is soft under my back, the sheets crisp where they’re lying over my body, and the grip on my hand is tight as consciousness comes back to me. My eyelids flutter open, and Grandpa’s face immediately comes into view.

Relief is pointed across his expression. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Gramps,” I croak. It takes me a few moments to recognize that I’m in my room at the palace, my limbs stiff with being still for so long.

“How are you feeling?” Grandpa questions, placing the back of his hand on my forehead.

“Fine. Just like I’ve been asleep for a long time. I had the weirdest dreams.” Bits and pieces float around at the edge of comprehension.

Dhia.

The Lagan Naomh.

Rach crying.

None of them fit together, though.

“Where’s Callahan?” I ask, and Grandpa shares a look with Finneus, who’s sat in the chair at the other side of my bed.

“He’s gone to fight, my dear. The Dorche marched on the city while you were sleeping.” Finneus tries to soften the words as they land, but my pulse thuds heavily and my stomach swoops. Everything comes screaming back to me then, my dreams piecing themselves together.

A wail carries from the living room, a high piercing screech that has the three of us scrambling toward the noise.

Finneus is the first out, and Grandpa helps me from the bed before I shoo him away. My legs work just fine.