Page 4 of Bones

Once we reached the church, the dark power pulsed over my skin and into my veins. It churned my stomach until it was an effort just to keep it from revolting.

The building of salvation for souls was lacking in both salvationandsouls.

Juno attempted to use her magicks to get inside but was prevented.

“I told you,” Thanatos told her. “I have never experienced anything like that.”

“I have.” Juno shared about the wards that protected the holy grounds in her island territory by blockingallmagicks, not just the kind rooted in evil.

“Will we be able to defeat him if our powers are useless?” Lenuson asked, echoing my own thoughts.

“Together. As I said.” Shaking her head, she added, “You act like I’m not the smartest one here.”

“And the most bothersome,” I said.

She lifted her hand to playfully swat at me, as though we were normal siblings. When I caught her wrist, I felt it.

Her emptiness.

Her aching desire for her own mate.

Her fear she hid behind arrogance and unusual words.

Her despair at…something.

I did not know what because she also did not know.

I gave her what I hoped was a comforting squeeze as we shared a look.

Releasing her, we entered the building and followed the path of hallways Juno had set on Thanatos’ map. The difficulty of simply walking grew worse the closer we got to the room.

The despair.

The hatred.

The evil.

The emptiness.

I felt it. Tasted it. It invaded my senses and my thoughts so completely that it made me feel hollow. A dried husk with nothing inside. No heart nor soul.

Empty.

With immense effort born of centuries on Earth, I focused on our powers. On our togetherness. On the brightness that filled us like a sunrise cutting through the inky darkness of a long night.

Juno grabbed the door and froze. As Thanatos pried her hand free and checked it for injury, she blankly said what we already knew.

We would not win that day.

We would not lose that day.

We would fight.

Together.

As we should be.

The door burst open, and we rushed in, arms out.

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