Page 60 of Shift of Morals
Cernunnos studied me for a moment before he tilted my chin up with his index finger. I shivered at the power crackling against my skin. “That was never a worry. Your Floromancy comes from the very heart of the world, a blessing from the oldest goddess herself.”
A tear slipped down my face. “You promise.”
Cernunnos smiled, the gesture one of terrible sadness. “Gods are not in the business of promises, daughter of the earth, but in this…” He laid a hand over his heart. “In this, I promise your Floromancy will remain. Perhaps changed, but forever there. The earth will still answer your call. This is not a death sentence unless you make it one. Change, Evie. Embrace who you are meant to be.”
Fear, my ever-present companion, made my fingers tremble. “Stay with me?” I whispered.
“Always,” Cernunnos promised.
The competing magics burned inside my body, snapping against each other, tearing my insides apart. I reached for the god’s hand, not caring about showing weakness, and let my magic go.
I let go of everything. I let go of what it meant to be Evie Quinn, Floromancer and local florist, of what it meant to be confused and angry and hurt. I let go of past transgressions and mistakes and let the magic do with it what it would.
“Remake me,” I whispered to the winds.
And the magic responded.
I sank into unconsciousness once again, the pain too much to bear, and awoke only at the barked sound of my name when Ben’s familiar scent washed over me.
If I could shift, I would turn into a wren and fly away to avoid him seeing me like this, but I was as weak as a newborn kitten. Warm hands and blue healing light settled on my body.
The front door slammed open, Hazel’s accented voice speaking rapidly.
“We need to get her inside,” Ben murmured. “She’s lost a lot of blood.”
A scream tore from my throat as Ben lifted me.
“Shh, baby. I got you. I’m so sorry.” His deep voice rumbled over me, concern thick in his tone.
Ben cradled me gently against his chest as he carried me. Every cell in my body screamed in agony. All I could do was whimper and wish for death.
When he laid me down, I gagged in pain.
Ben hissed. “I’m almost done. Hazel is getting something for the pain.”
I opened my eyes to see Ben on his knees next to me, palms glowing with blue light. Hazel’s herbal scent washed over me.
“A little stick and burn, Evie.”
The needle went into my arm, blissful relief flowing through my body almost immediately. I moaned. “Hazel.”
“Hush, child. Rest now. Let this healer work on you. We’ll talk later.”
My skin knitted under Ben’s careful ministrations, the shifter’s eyes glowing bright blue. I could barely keep my eyes open, but Ben and Hazel’s murmured conversation kept me conscious. Barely.
“She was smoking,” Ben murmured. “Covered in thorns and blooms and magic I’ve never seen or sensed before, crimson magic all over her and soaking the ground.”
Hazel sucked in a breath.
“What is she?” he asked.
“Some questions are never meant to be answered. If you’re smart, you’ll let this one lie.”
A low growl sounded.
“Don’t you growl at me,” Hazel snapped. “I know how to neuter a dog just as well as a man.”
A surprised snort from Ben.
