Page 86 of Crossing Between
Zoey's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, listening intently.
"After we offer the blood," my voice grew softer as I approached the most intimate part, "the ritual enters its final phase. We, um, we form a physical connection."
Elias snorted. "You mean we fuck."
I shot him a look. "It's more than that. The physical union completes the magical circuit, binding our energies permanently." I cleared my throat, suddenly finding it difficult to meet Zoey's eyes. "According to my grandfather, the, uh, culmination needs to happen simultaneously for the strongest bond."
Zoey's cheeks had turned bright red, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her borrowed shirt. I continued, explaining the final steps of the ritual, how our magicalenergies would merge, how Zoey's Soulbinder abilities would be the anchor that held us all together, how the bond would manifest physically as the red string visible only to those involved.
When I finished, the kitchen was quiet save for the soft ticking of the ornate wall clock. I closed my notebook, finally looking up to meet their gazes.
"Once completed," I added softly, "the bond is permanent. We'll be connected in ways most magical beings never experience. We'll sense each other's emotions, know when the others are in danger. In extreme situations, we may even be able to draw on each other's powers."
Another beat of silence passed before Zoey finally spoke, her voice small but steady.
"We're all going to do this? Are you all sure?" She looked around at each of us, vulnerability written plainly across her features. "This is, well, it's forever. You'll be tied to me forever."
Varon moved with that inhuman speed of his, suddenly right beside her. His fingers gently tilted her chin up, and he leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss that left no room for doubt. When he finally pulled back, his eyes had darkened to storm clouds.
"We're sure," his reply was a low rumble. "I've lived for centuries, little one. Forever with you sounds like a gift, not a burden."
Zoey looked dazed, her lips slightly parted as she blinked up at him. The blush that had started to fade returned full force, spreading down her neck and disappearing beneath the collar of her shirt.
Elias cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "It'll take a few days to get everything ready," his eyes were soft as they rested on Zoey. "Some of the ingredients are rare, and the ritual needs to be performed during the new moon for maximum power."
Chapter 48: Zoey
I stared at my phone, reading the text from Quilith for the third time.
You agreed to lunch. I took the liberty of making it an experience. Dress for mischief, darling.
What did that even mean? With Quilith, it could be anything from a simple café to, well, anything. They were nothing if not unpredictable.
I sighed, tossed my phone onto the bed, and faced my closet. Dress for mischief. Right. I pulled out my brightest yellow sundress with pink polka dots, paired it with purple leggings, and topped it with a teal cardigan. If we were going for mischief, I might as well look the part.
The past few days had been a whirlwind of preparation for the Red String Ritual. Kenji and Elias had been hunting down rare ingredients while Varon worked on securing a location that would be safe and private. Meanwhile, I'd been practicing with my newly awakened magic, trying to get a handle on the constant hum of power beneath my skin. At the same time, the Essencefeaster had been suspiciously quiet.
A break would do me good. Just a normal lunch with my fabulous dragon friend. What could go wrong?
I was just finishing my makeup when I heard the distinctive whoosh of a portal opening in Varon's living room. Taking one last look in the mirror, I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs.
Quilith stood in the center of the room, resplendent in flowing silk robes of midnight blue that shimmered with every movement. Their hair was styled in an elaborate updo with tiny crystals woven throughout that caught the light like stars.
"There you are!" They clapped their hands in delight. "Oh, I do adore your fashion sense. So vibrant!"
"Thanks," I smiled, twirling once to show off my outfit. "So, where are we going for lunch? That new sushi place downtown?"
Quilith's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, we're going somewhere much more interesting than that." They extended their hand. "Shall we?"
I took their hand, feeling the familiar tingle of their magic against my skin. "Lead the way."
The portal swirled open before us, a kaleidoscope of colors spinning into a vortex. I'd gotten somewhat used to Quilith's portals by now, but the sensation of stepping through still made my stomach flip. We emerged onto a busy street in what looked like the fashion district of the city.
"Um, Quilith? This just looks like downtown," I glanced around, confused.
"Appearances can be deceiving, darling," they winked, guiding me toward a small, unassuming shop with a weathered sign that read "Tailor" in faded gold lettering. "Watch closely."
As we approached, the letters on the sign began to shimmer and rearrange themselves, transforming before myeyes into an elegant script that spelled out "Boutique of Necessities." The plain wooden door morphed into an ornate entrance with intricate carvings that seemed to move when I wasn't looking directly at them.
