Page 138 of Moonlit Fate

Aria pushed me onward, determined to get me to safety.

As we trudged down the short path, I leaned against Aria for support. When we finally reached a distance close enough to be heard, she started yelling.

“Mia! Joren. Someone please help. Atticus is hurt.”

Joren emerged from behind the curtain that concealed the den, scanning the forest to pinpoint the origin of the commotion. When he saw us, he was at my side in an instant. “Shift, Atticus. I’ll carry you in.”

I did, and he carefully lifted me and took me inside. Aria’s weeping reached my ears, and I desperately wished to comfort her, but weariness overwhelmed me.

Mia rushed over to us and inspected my wound. With a sharp intake of breath, she ran to the storage area and grabbed cleanlinens, which she threw over one of the long sofas. “Lay him down.”

He set me down, and I winced at the movement. The pain was a constant, fiery throb. Aria came up beside me, holding two pillows. She carefully lifted my head and slipped the pillows underneath. As she made to move back, I grabbed her hand, as much for my own comfort as hers.

I tried to gauge Mia’s reaction as she examined the piece of wood protruding from me. “Is it bad?”

“Could be worse,” Mia replied curtly, though her furrowed brow betrayed her. “We need Ilaric.”

“Ilaric?” Confusion laced my voice. “Why?”

“Trust me,” she said, not looking up.

Aria swayed slightly at my side. “I’ll go.”

“No.” I squeezed her hand. “You’re weakened.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted as she extricated her hand from mine.

“Really, Aria, you don’t have to?—”

“Be back soon,” she cut in and was gone, shifting fluidly as she darted out the door. The world was a hazy fog around me as I slipped closer into unconsciousness.

“Rest now,” came Mia’s distant voice. “Save your strength.”

I strained to concentrate on her instructions, but the edges of my vision turned dark, and I struggled to remain awake. Sounds from the outside world grew fainter, and I slipped into a restless sleep, where reality and dreams mingled.

“We’re back,” Aria said when she returned with Ilaric in tow. My eyelids fluttered open. I had no idea how much time had passed.

“Good,” Mia nodded. “Ilaric, we need your help.”

He knelt beside me. “Whatever you need.”

“Your ability,” Mia started, hands glowing faintly as she held them above my stomach. The piece of wood was gone. She must’ve done that while I was passed out. “Can you amplify me?”

“I can,” Ilaric confirmed, placing his hands near hers. “But...”

“But what?” I managed through gritted teeth.

“His power enhances the power of others,” Mia explained, looking from Ilaric to me.

“It’s why the forest reacted so violently to Aria’s emotions while she was practicing her magic,” Ilaric admitted.

“Enhances?” Aria looked between them, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt. “You knew?”

“Until today, I only suspected it,” Ilaric said, avoiding her eyes. “What happened earlier, with you, it was too much. I had to leave.”

Aria looked away, and I felt the sting of betrayal from her through the bond.

“I am so sorry, Aria,” he whispered after a moment.

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