Page 144 of Mantle

Nyx had this. He’d become a pro at dreamwalking. He’d already had a very favorable and healing impact on Ketheron when he’d interacted with him before inside the dreamscape. And he was coming to him with promises fulfilled—Corvin being apprehended, the Encompassing Inhibitor created. Both conditions that Ketheron had laid out for agreeing to leave the dreamscape so he could ensure he didn’t hurt anyone against his will again had been met.

Nyx’s magic suddenly pulsed on both his palms.

I saw Ketheron’s unconscious form stir.

That pulsing evolved to flaming vibrant-blue bursting toward the ceiling.

It snuffed out abruptly.

And then Nyx sucked in a harsh breath and turned his head right toward me, smiling. “It’s done.”

I looked from him to Ketheron, and I saw his eyes slowly open.

He blinked, frowning in confusion for several moments and staring up at the ceiling.

I saw him scent the air and a peaceful moan escaped him.

And then he sat up and his gaze shot straight to mine.

He smiled.

With relief.

With hope.

Unfortunately, that was cut short when he noticed the audience just beyond me.

He narrowed his eyes on Pops. I saw recognition there. He was remembering that Pops had tried to kill him with the Wrath of Hades.

But then looked to me, clearly recognizing he was family to me. He drew in a harsh breath, then bypassed him and levied his glare upon the Guardian and Unity Council members only.

The room bristled behind me. Guardians adjusting their stances and grips on their Bastion Gauntlets, the things humming with barely leashed power. Unity Council members all calling their magic, the vampires tensing and readying themselves.

“You need my help. Killing me will kill you,” Ketheron spoke.

It had everyone shifting uncomfortably, not sure what to do with it.

They didn’t know how to reconcile the threat they still saw him as with his childlike air that was also mixed with knowledge that nobody else held.

His eyes flicked to Nyx, who gave him a calm nod and a reassuring smile.

He let out a slow, shaky breath.

And then he slowly held his right hand out in my direction. “They need proof. Nyx said you have something for me.”

As I pulled from Pops and went to approach, he freaked everyone out as he passed through the Underveil Shield cube and my ward.

“Stop!” I cried out at the Guardians as a couple of them fired. I swept my hand in an arc, deflecting the magic, grunting as the Celestial power hit me. Although I could absorb it, it still packed a punch. And I was also trying to conserve my power for the Severance spell so I wasn’t using my full might.

Ketheron’s eyes flamed as he heard my cry, me being hurt.

I was there in the next second, standing in front of him, barring his way to everyone, and pressing my hand to his chest.

He stilled and calmed instantly.

He clasped my hand on him and I didn’t pull away like I had during our first meeting.

He smiled and let out a peaceful groan.

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