Page 20 of Echoes of War

She pointed toward the center of the room, where she’d outlined a circle in chalk on the wooden floorboards. It was merely guidance for us, so we knew where the metaphorical circle she’d be envisioning with her magic would appear. Tomoe claimed it served to protect us. From what? Fuck if I knew, as long as it gave us a shot of coming out of this alive.

We shuffled into position, the size of the circle forcing us to stand shoulder to shoulder. Tomoe turned around, scanning the room and stopping at Sloan.Here we go. Sloan had bitten her tongue with Tomoe far more times than I would have had the patience for. A shocking turn of events considering these days she was fresh out of patience. Perhaps it had something to do with the perspective I’d offered. Sloan and Seth visibly appeared more like siblings than Reina and he did. It drove me crazy that I didn’t notice it before, but faces become blurry when you have no pictures and you’re separated by thousands of miles.

Tomoe inspected her spell book, then glanced over at her notes, then back at Sloan, making a show of the whole charade. “I miss something? Last I checked, you weren’t needed for this to happen.”

Sloan opened her mouth, shock crossing over her delicate features. “Listen here,witch, I don’t know what your problem?—”

“Right now, my only problem is that you’re here breathing my sacred, ritual air. Now beat it.”

I pleaded with Sloan silently. Her only response was the roll of her eyes. “Whatever,” she said, arms crossing over her chest. “Find me when it’s done.”

“Wouldn’t dream of doing something and not informing you, Sloan,” Tomoe retorted, clearly amused by the turmoil she was causing, “including taking a shit. Now out. Now.”

“Abel, Reina, let’s go,” Sloan said, taking the opportunity to clear the room. If she couldn’t be here, then neither could they. As far as she was concerned, they weren’t necessities either.

Tomoe’s face crinkled mockingly, nose scrunched. “Mmm, they’re fine to stay. Thanks though.”

Icy eyes shot toward Abel, who then followed her out of the room without a word or glance back at the rest of us. He would do what he needed to, for now. Reina remained, her movements twitchy and brows scrunched. She was lost in thought. It wasn’t evident that she’d even heard Sloan’s request.

“Ya know,” she said, making me jump. “I like him.”

“We know,” we all said collectively.

“Can we keep him? Please?”

With this, we were all on the same page. Abel would be coming back with us. Coming home. We would not leave him here, no man would be left behind. Not on any of our watches. As much as I wanted to say Sloan wouldn’t kill him, she one hundred percent would. It wouldn’t be out of cruelty or enjoyment, but because she could no longer trust him.

He knew too much about the ins and outs of Duluth. In his revelation, he’d become a liability. The only reason he was still alive was because Sloan knew I’d raise hell if she raised a finger toward him, let alone a weapon. But the second we left, I was certain she’d make him a casualty of war.

Besides his safety, one thing remained true about Abel’s presence. He’d been the only one to pull so much of a crack of a smile out of my sister since we’d arrived. When she wasn’t with Tomoe,she could now be found with him. And when she was with either, I hadn’t a clue where she went, and Alexiares hadn’t budged on revealing any of the details he had discovered.

How cute,I’d remarked when he’d noted that friends don’t share friends’ secrets. What did he know about friendship? Please.

It’s in the past; it doesn’t matter as long as she has a plan on moving forward,he’d replied. And I’d left it at that, because he was right. It didn’t matter, as long as her head was in the game now. I didn’t need any more secrets disrupting my life. What was done in the dark would clearly always be brought into the bright ass light. I didn’t need to go seeking any new secrets out.

“Come on, let’s get this over with.” I said, grabbing Alexiares’ arm and pulling his entire body into the circle.

The tension in his body softened under my touch and his hazelnut eyes met mine. For a fleeting moment, I forgot that I was terrified. I felt … peace. Calm. Safe.

I shook my head, breaking that train of thought. “We’re going to have to work day and night getting your magic under control now if this works.”

“It will work,” he offered, voice steady. “And I know the risks. You can repeat them thirty fucking times if you want, doesn’t change my decision.”

“Enough small talk. Let’s begin,” Tomoe cut us off, walking over with a small knife in and a silver goblet in hand. “Alexiares, I’m almost positive you’d like to do the honors.”

His eyes danced as he took the knife and sliced the palm of his hand. Alexiares cleared his throat, fighting off the smile plastered across his olive skin. Drunk off the pain, something I recognized all too well.

Blood seeped from his hand as he squeezed what he could into the cup, hesitating once he grabbed my hand to do the same. I stood tall, forcing my stare to lock into his. Gently, I placed myhand over his, forming a deep cut over the palm of my opposite hand.

When the last drop fell into the cup, Tomoe stepped back toward her table, ready to begin. Reina sat on a stool near the center high-top, leaning forward with interest. Tomoe held the cup in her hand, gently swishing the red contents inside, her eyes closed as she focused on her power.

Her movements were careful as she poured a few drops of our blood onto the parchment. She lifted a sprig of rosemary next, followed by a pinch of sea salt from the wooden bowl beside her. The black tourmaline was last, placed directly near the paper. Her eyes flickered, and the room fell colder than outside.

Alexiares wrapped me into an embrace as my teeth chattered from the freezing temperature. We didn’t dare use our fire to warm us, not when it could fuck with the spell. Tomoe’s fingers traced each item.

She’d walked us through the entire ritual several times; right now, she was taking a moment to imbue each item with her intention for our protection. With each touch, she would have to envision merging their energies, forming a shield of defense around us.

Her inky eyes shot open, staring absently ahead. She chanted in Latin. Each word left her plump lips with confidence and clarity.

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