Page 57 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy
“Kai, it’s me.” The voice is louder, clearer. “Kai, get up.”
My eyes open, and I scramble to my knees. Seb. He’s here, standing before me.Is this a memory?
“What…what is happening?”
“Kai, I’m in your mind.” Seb looks around. “It’s really red in here. I expected more…well, jade.”
I sniff, and tears fall down my face. It really is him. “Sebastian!” I stand up and fling myself into a hug. “You’re actually here in my mind!”
He chuckles and squeezes me tight. “I am, baby. I’m here.”
“Oh, it has been awful,” I say through a sob. “Ashley, she took over?”
“I know. And I’m so sorry for our fight. For lying to you.” He cards his fingers through my hair, and I shiver in relief. I know this is deep in my psyche, but I would be okay staying here with him indefinitely.
“But you’re here. How?”
“Luther cast an elaborate spell. And I’m here to help.”
I pull off of him. “An elaborate spell? Was it blood magic?” I rasp.
Seb shrugs, and I rub his arms. “Sebastian, please tell me you did not give up your life force for…”
“There’s no time to argue.” Seb smiles and wipes my tears. “It takes blood magic to stop blood magic. Kai, you can overcome this if we work together.”
I sniff and gaze around at the crimson-red prison. “No, no, I can’t. Ashley, she wants to hurt everyone. Her hold on me is too powerful.”
Seb shakes his head. “You’re the Jade Lion. Nothing is too powerful for you.”
“But Sebastian—”
“Do you know why the ladies wanted me, of all people, to befriend you and cast a spell to take your powers?”
I shake my head.
Seb smiles and says, “It’s because I love you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I love you, you big, beefy kitty cat.”
We share a laugh, and he wipes my cheek again. “And with love, anything is possible.”
“But how can I fight this?”
“Well, do you love me?”
I gulp and nod. “Of course. Since the moment I came to your century, I have felt this pull toward you.”
“Then close your eyes and focus on that pull. Feel my life force, my heart beating for you. Feel my soul, my flesh, mymagic. Hold onto the love I have for you, and the love you have for me. Take my life force, my blood, into your hands.”
“But, Sebastian,” I whisper. I close my eyes and feel him step closer to me. “You could lose your blood.”
“I trust destiny wouldn’t do that to me. Our story isn’t over.” He takes my hands, and I luxuriate in the touch. “You’re my fated mate, after all,” Seb whispers on my lips. With a simple kiss, my soul lights up. Seb’s very essence enters my being, from his hands and his mouth on mine.
In moments…we are one.
My arms ache. I blink several times to see…rock? A wall of rock. The source of geo arcanum is before me, and my lion paws hover above the vertical surface.
