Page 104 of Discovered Magic
Speaking of…
Abbie raised her hand schoolroom style.
“Um, can I go to the bathroom first? I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty positive I can’t handle anything like that without soiling myself.”
Beside her, Trevor choked, and Ronan didn’t bother to hide his laughter. Damian compressed his mouth and dropped his head, as if barely able to hold back. Hell, even Isis looked five seconds away from losing it.
“For you, we are only applying a simple spell to remove your deeper emotions,” the Aether finally said. “You’re already next-level powerful, and there’s no need to infuse more.”
Her knees went weak with relief.
The birds scattered to the winds, disappearing as if they hadn’t nearly pecked Royal to death.
She halted in front of him, sickened by the blood and intending to heal him as Wilder had taught her. But as she reached out, the wounds sealed in bursts of light, like hundreds of paparazzi camera flashes at a red-carpet event.
Royal raised his head and met her horrified stare.
“I’m fine, Fire Cat.” He stood and held out his arms, rotating his palms up and down as he shook his head. Awe filled his face. “Hell, better than fine. My body is more alive than… yeah, I don’t know when. God, it’s incredible, this feeling.”
“Indescribable,” she replied with a matching smile. She hardly remembered her first infusion during the tumble from the mountain. In her terror, there had been no chance to appreciate the surge.
“Does this new improved me come with an instruction manual?” he asked Damian.
Stepping forward, the Aether traced another sigil on his forehead.
“Donum scientiae tibi est, Royal Hastings,” he said.
“Yes, the gift of knowledge,” Royal murmured trancelike.
“Okay, then.” Abbie stepped forward. “I’m ready.”
“I need a lock of your hair,” Damian said.
Turning her back to him, she allowed him to select what he needed.
“Don’t leave a bald spot, or we’re going to have an issue,” she warned. His chuckle rolled through her, warming her in ways she hadn’t felt in a very long while. “That voice is potent.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t sound sorry in the least. “I have what I need.”
When she faced him, he was twirling his own hair around his finger. Before her eyes, it lengthened, matching hers. Damian made a snipping gesture with his hand, and the lock fell away, as if cut.
“You’re a complete badass.”
His lips twitched as he wove their hair together, then fused the braid until it was impossible to tell her white-blond from his black.
“Through these locks, bind her emotions to me,
So Abbie feels naught, and the Devourer can’t feed.”
He ran his palm along the length, encasing the blended hair into a platinum metal band. A second later, he slipped it on his wrist.
“That’s cool and all, but what about the others? Royal and my battery-pack cousin?” she asked.
“Royal’s new abilities allow detachment during trying times. The ravens will take over when he is in hunter mode.” He smiled at Ronan. “And our Guardian friend here is well practiced at keeping emotions in check. He’ll not fail you.”
“When does this new transference take—oh!” She blinked as it registered she wasn’t worried about her new mission at all. “Cool. Do we lure him down or head up?”
“That’s your call, my dear. I cannot advise you after this.”
