Page 62 of A Bolt of Magic

“It has to do with—” he tries again, but the barn door opens, and Kyrie emerges, her face pale and frightened. Her hands are shaking as she approaches us. We both jump to our feet.

“What is it?” Kian asks.

“Where is the healer?” she asks, desperation clear in her voice. “We need her. How much longer will they be?” She looksanxiously down the valley. We follow her gaze, but there is nothing to see yet.

“I’m sure Xander will be here as soon as he can. How is it going?” Kian asks. “Is there a problem?” It’s clear as day that there is.

Kyrie shakes her head helplessly. “Maya says she feels the need to push; she has been doing so for a while now, but…nothing’s happening. Something might be wrong. She’s starting to panic. Thesha is keeping her calm, but it… We need help. We don’t have enough experience.”

My heart sinks. I step forward. “Please, let me do it. I have healing magic; I might be able to—”

“I’m sorry, McColl. Thesha won’t hear of it,” Kyrie says apologetically. “I’m so sorry.” She widens her eyes. “I tried to convince her, but she’s adamant. I’m sure I’m just panicking for nothing.”

“I’d better let Orion know,” Kian says, looking somber.

“I’d better get back in there.” Kyrie points a thumb behind her. She gives me an apologetic look and goes back inside.

No sooner does Kian enter the cabin than Orion bursts out. He rushes past me into the barn. Damon and Kian follow behind. Moments later, we can hear Orion’s voice mixed with Maya’s cries and Thesha’s sharp instructions.

I wring my hands together while Damon and Kian pace.

A little while later, Orion emerges; his skin is ashen.

“Maya is struggling.” His eyes are glinting with unshed tears. His face is a mask of concern. “There might be something wrong.” His voice is choked. “My powers were made for working with animals. I’m no good. I can’t help her. It doesn’t look like the healer is going to get here in time.” He looks stricken as he searches the valley for an approaching cart. “Even Thesha is afraid. I can see it. I’ve never seen her afraid of anything. Not ever.”

I step forward. “I can help, Orion.”

Orion looks at me for a tense few seconds. Then he shakes his head. “Thesha won’t let you anywhere near Maya, and I have to say, I’m concerned, too. Have you birthed a child before?”

I shake my head.

“Do you have experience healing others? Healing humans?”

I shake my head again. My heart sinks. “I’m sure I can do it. I’ve studied healing extensively. Let me try…please.”

As if on cue, there is a heartrending scream from inside the barn. We all look that way.

“This would require a deft hand at magic,” Damon says. “Magic, even with good intentions, can still cause harm.”

“Exactly.” Orion starts to pace. “I don’t know what to do. I just don’t know.”

“Don’t dismiss McColl just because she’s a witch. You could convince Thesha. It is your and Maya’s decision to make,” Kian says.

“Please, Orion. My magic comes and goes, but I have control. I’ve studied healing and childbirth.”

“You’ve studied but don’t have first-hand experience. I think you mean well, but I don’t know if I can risk my wife…my child. I will talk with Maya.” Orion disappears back inside the barn.

A shadow passes overhead, and we all look up to see two dragons circling above us. It’s Delphine and another dragon I don’t recognize. They land just beyond the barn with earth-shaking thuds.

Orion appears in the doorway, his face strained. His hands shake visibly. His eyes are red-rimmed. The sight of this strong man so broken makes my throat tight.

“The dragons are here,” he says, his voice hoarse. “This is not a good sign,” he mutters to himself. “Not a good sign at all.” He shakes his head, barely keeping his emotions in check.

I recognize Delphine, who is black with flecks of gold at her points. The other dragon is slightly bigger and looks to be made from pure gold with flecks of black at her points. She is the complete opposite of Delphine, and yet similar.

They are quite beautiful.

“It’s Delphine and her daughter Raila,” Damon says, sounding tense. “Raila is tethered to Maya. She wouldn’t be here if there weren’t a problem. This is bad.”

---