Page 80 of To Crave Truly

“I know,” I said earnestly, reaching for my magic and asking for its help, “but I have to try. Just be ready to catch us.”

“Wait, what?”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I pulled everything I could to the place behind my solar plexus. I could feel the power building, growing bigger as I focussed my energy on channelling the magic, the power of the Sin Reaper and my vampire strength into it. My whole body hummed with electricity, every cell vibrating and making my body tingle to the point of pain.

Sweat peppered my brow, my head felt like knives were slicing against my skull and still I poured more into it. Until all the magic and power was swirling like a giant fireball in my chest. Then, I fuelled it with love. I thought about my men, their smiles, their love for me. How blessed I was, how fucking lucky that I got to share my love with them…

Then, I exploded. It burst from me like a sonic boom, and I couldn’t hold back the scream that ripped from my throat. White light filled the room, blinding in its brilliance. My knees buckled, too weak to keep me upright. But I kept going. I slammed my hand onto her chest, above where her heart should be and I pushed the light toward Iveri, channelling it into her until it was all gone.

The vines fell away from her, the circle runes flashed and flickered, then died. Iveri dropped to the ground with a thud. I followed her down, my chest heaving, my breaths the only noise in the dark room.

Then I heard it. A slow, resolute thud. I felt it beneath my fingertips, the echo vibrating through her chest. I lifted my head, holding my breath, not even daring to move. There it was again.

“Holy shit,” Jasper whispered, no doubt picking up the sound of Iveri’s now beating heart. “You did it.”

Then he rushed to my side, cupped my face, and kissed me for all he was worth.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Lori

Jasper had carried Iveri up to one of the bedrooms, where she still lay sleeping. She hadn’t woken yet, but I knew she would be fine. It was like I could sense it. Like we were going to be forever tied together.

“Are you there?” I asked the Sin Reaper, hoping she was okay. That life spark wielding had done a number on us.

Yes, I’m here. Just resting.

I watched Iveri, the steady rise and fall of her chest indicating her deep slumber.

“So,” I said, drawing the syllable out. “Want to talk about the whole assimilation thing?”

I could sense her hesitating, almost like she was taking a moment to collect her thoughts.

I was never meant to be a singular being. I just… I want to feel whole, Lori. I feel like something is missing.

I knew how that felt to some degree. When my magic was suppressed and when I’d lost touch with the Sin Reaper, even though it had been a challenge to accept them, I’d felt their loss like a visceral thing.

“What about Iveri? Can you not return to her?”

She’s human now. Neither of us would survive long. Do you… not want me? she said dejectedly.

“That’s not what I meant. I just thought you might want a way back to her.”

There was a silence between us for a moment, and I thought she’d vanished, but I felt a warmth seep into my skin. Was she giving me a hug?

Lori, I know I’m asking for a lot, and I won’t hate you if you want to keep things as they are, but it wouldn’t be fair on either of us if I didn’t tell you how I felt.

I thought about what she was asking for and, if this was what the Sin Reaper needed, then I’d give it to her. Even if it felt like I was losing a friend.

“Okay, what do we need to do?”

Really? Even though we’d be stuck together forever?

I laughed. “Yes, even then.”

Wow. Okay. Um, let me just collect myself then I’ll do it. You don’t have to do anything, just don’t resist.

The words of the old man popped into my head then, that I needed to achieve balance. Perhaps this was what he meant.

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