Page 103 of Discovered Magic
“The protective shield, chér,” Draven supplied helpfully.
Blood rushed to her face, as heat flooded her body. Dammit! Their link slipped her mind.
“Thanks,” she muttered, wishing she were anywhere but there. Her cells warmed, and Draven clamped a hand on her wrist.
“When we’re done here today, I will teach you to curb the impulse to teleport.”
“It’s involuntary. Not something I can control. I wish I still had your—holy shit! The bracelet!” Digging into her pocket, she drew it out. “It stops magic, Draven! Can we use it on the fuckface?”
“That’s one alternative from the four,” the Aether replied with an infuriating, secretive smile. She was positive it meant, you’re not going to like the other options.
And she also took it to mean it was the best one because he didn’t volunteer any of the others. Turning back to Draven, she asked, “Can you still control it? Maybe alter it a bit so even if he’s in his right mind, he can’t open it?”
He accepted the offered jewelry and stepped away, likely to consider how to adjust the spell for her needs.
“We are out of time, and Damian must embed the Protector’s new power,” Isis said.
Dutifully, they stood by as he wove his spells in the air. The sight was wondrous, and sigils lit where only empty space existed before. She didn’t recognize any symbols, not that she would’ve, considering she’d been a mortal before the fall.
Ravens appeared from nowhere and everywhere, surrounding Royal and dipping their shiny black heads in silent homage.
“These creatures shall be your spirit animals. They are wise and able to see what humans do not,” Isis informed him. “Are you ready to receive my gift?”
“Yes.”
“Excellent. Aether, you may begin.”
Abbie frowned. Leaning toward Ronan, she said, “I thought he had.”
“Oh, no. Your friend isn’t gettin’ off so easily, love. I’ve had magic infused in me DNA, and it’s after burnin’ like a feckin’ bastard.”
“But he doesn’t know?—”
Royal’s agonized screams made her blood run cold. She rushed forward, only to be detained by Trevor and Ronan. Abbie struggled against their hold, swearing and sweating, thoroughly pissed off by their sneaky omission of the truth.
Royal’s transformation seemed to go on forever, but in reality, it was five minutes of their fifty.
The instant the Aether was finished, Royal dropped to his knees, pale and trembling.
The ravens attacked! They pecked his head, neck—hell, any part of his body they could reach. With the exception of Isis and the Aether, they all froze in shock.
“What the actual fuck?—”
But Damian cut Ronan off. “It’s ceremonial, and an exchange of blood magic for their ongoing connection. He cannot feel it.”
“Blood magic!” Trevor’s enraged tone suggested he was ready to exact retribution on Royal’s behalf. “Since when do you perform blood magic on Sentinels, Dethridge?”
“Since the Goddess requires it,” the Aether replied coolly, one brow raised in challenge. “He must be able to see situations from every angle, or it could cost Abbie and the others their lives.”
Arms crossed, mulish expression on his face, the Death Dealer wasn’t liking it. “That’s fuckin’ barbaric,” he growled. “Find another way.”
“All will be well, Trevor Blane,” Isis promised. “Abigail Monroe, step forward.”
32
PRESENT DAY
She was afraid. Like piss her pants terrified.
