Page 41 of November Reign
Damon’s hand landed on my shoulder. “I’ve got a barrier up. Get us to Oak.”
I muttered a few words, lighting up the magical tether between us in my mind’s eye.
“There!” I pointed in the direction I knew Oak was. We didn’t have long. As he struggled to stay awake and was overwhelmed with pain, I could feel the connection between us slipping away.
We ran, our footsteps pounding the pavement while I hoped with all I had we would make it in time.
Shifters and witches were kicking a figure on the ground as they jeered. Basil stood to the side, watching. His smirk was cold as he met my eyes before sparing Oak a glance.
“To me!” he called. His people surrounded him. We had no chance if they attacked. We didn’t have the numbers. “See you soon, baby brother!”
Basil let off a smoke bomb, obscuring their escape.
“Why did he leave?” Damon frowned at where Basil had been standing.
“I don’t think we want to know. Just be glad he did.”
The smoke cleared, unveiling Oak. He was lying so still.
“Oak!” I rushed to his side, falling to my knees. Digging in my bag, I pulled out all the healing charms and potions I had on me. “Help me!” I urged Damon.
“Tell me what to do.”
He followed my directions, placing a charm over Oak’s heart, stabilizing it and his magic. With his help, I forced healing tonics down Oak’s throat.
“Is he okay to move?” Damon asked warily. He was watchful for another attack.
“Yeah, he’s out of danger. The potions will work on any internal bleeding. I want to put a shield aroundhim so we don’t jostle any broken bones, especially his ribs. Can’t have one perforating a lung.”
“Right. Need help?”
I directed him to place his hands over Oak’s body and channel his magic and intention into forming a brace with the shield. Oak would be unable to move and he’d stay frozen in place while we moved him back home.
The others surrounded us, keeping us safe. As soon as the spell was done, Barr made the portal. My magic was running low. I’d put so much into defending everyone, then healing Oak.
“Could you carry him?” I asked Barr. There wasn’t enough in the tank for me to float Oak alongside me.
“I’ve got him.” Damon waved his hands in a complicated motion and performed the spell perfectly.
Within moments, we were inside the wards of the mansion, where only Barr could portal in and out. We landed in the foyer. Damon held the spell as we headed upstairs to the bedrooms.
“Take him to my room, please. I want to keep an eye on him.”
Damon set him on the bed gently, looking upset. The others had heard our return and followed us up the stairs, all looking haunted.
“I… I didn’t think Basil would go so far,” Damon whispered.
Cody took his hand and squeezed it. “Me neither. I thought Basil loved him.”
“Basil doesn’t love anyone or anything,” I said, flatly. I found the rest of the tonics to use on Oak.
“Will he be okay?” Damon looked so worried about Oak that any lingering resentment over him exiling Oak from the coven vanished.
“Oak’s strong. He’s reacting well to the magic I’ve used. It’ll take a few days, but he’ll be fine.”
“Thyme?”
“Yeah?”
