Page 83 of The Mating Frenzy
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Winter was sodamn cold withoutKieran.
She had spent three months of earth time training with each wizard from the Brehon, most of her time with Xavier, the Crystal Wizard. Three months of honing her powers, learning to harness them whenneeded.
Three months of missing Kieran terribly. Three months of raging at Kieran, releasing her anger as the immortal wizards taught her how to use hermagick.
Today, as a blanket of newly fallen snow coated the ground, she worked outside the condominium complex with Xavier. Dressed in a form-fitting bodysuit similar to the kind worn by ice speed skaters, Ella didn’t feel the cold. She could have been naked and it did not matter, for the Crystal Wizard had taught her how to regulate her bodytemperature.
The last task on her checklist was using the power of mystic energy. Tossing energy from her hands that could make large objects invisible, required the most concentration. For the past several days, she’d struggled with this magick. That bastard Kieran kept invading her thoughts. Kieran with his engaging smile, his wicked kisses and his protectivenature.
Focus,Ella.
“Exactly as I taught you. See empty space where the building sits. Air and nothing else. Focus on one small item instead of the entire structure so the energy you direct will spread outward,” Xavier murmured as she stared at thebuilding.
Taking a deep breath, Ella flung a current of pure white energy at thebuilding.
Suddenly nothing was there. Not even the flower potremained.
“You made the entire building vanish.” A wide smile split Xavier’s face beneath his black beard. “Goodjob.”
Ella released the breath she’d held. She’d accomplished the most difficult task of hertraining.
“Now make it appearagain.”
Ella envisioned the building in her mind as it had stood, the dark brown siding and roof, the balconies. The complex’s buildingreappeared.
“Excellent. You didit!”
A touch of pride filled her at the wizard’s praise. “Now what?” sheasked.
“You’re ready. Our work with you isfinished.”
She tried to squelch a rise of panic. He was leaving her alone. Facing the unknown. “I don’t know if I amready.”
Kindness shone in his eyes. “Ella my dear, you are. Don’t worry. You won’t be alone. The goddess will assign someone to you to aid you on your next quest. It will be someone who will make a perfectpartner.”
The only perfect partner she’d envision was Kieran. Giving a shrug to hide the tumult of emotions raging through her, she asked, “Male or female? Shifter orFae?”
“You’ll see.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Danu will send someone to you soon. Your first assignment will be locating the next werewolf of the Wyld. Thank you for accepting the duties you have, Ella. My heart is lighter now, knowing you’ll be aiding theBrehon.”
His gaze twinkled. “And I do like your sense ofstyle.”
Her gaze dropped to her lime green body suit with the pink stripes on the sleeves. Ella laughed. Waving a hand, Xaviervanished.
She was truly alonenow.
Ella went into the condo Xavier had gifted her and fished a bottle of water from therefrigerator.
She drank and then returnedoutside.
For the first time in months, she was alone and had time to think. She pulled off her boots and socks, relishing the feel of the icy air against her bare feet. Then she regulated her body temperature as Xavier had taughther.
Feet cutting through the snow, she walked alongside the river. She had purpose and a reason. Ella understood her mission to protect and defend innocents. But she missed her big cat, the man who’d made her laugh, who kept her grounded and feeling safe and cherished. She missed his touch, his kisses, making love withhim.
Ella turned a corner and nearly collided with a nudeman.
Kieran.She blinked, willing this to bereal.
