Page 100 of Discovered Magic
Abbie’s mind blanked. What the hell did one ask of a Goddess? Her heart hammered painfully hard at the base of her throat, so heavily, it threatened to suffocate her.
“Do I have to decide right now?” she asked.
“No.”
The Goddess produced a delicate necklace. “This is wrought from mithril-gold, a divine alloy only existing on the plane of the ethereal.”
The pendant depicted a silver serpent coiled protectively around a five-pointed star cut from a blue sapphire. The serpent’s scales shimmered faintly with threads of lapis and gold. In the hands of the Goddess, they illuminated, pulsing in time with Abbie’s heartbeat.
“The Serpent represents wisdom and healing, in addition to dominion over life and death. It embodies transformation, such as the shedding of skin. Much like your own will be shed when Damian heals you,” Isis said.
“Assuming he will.”
The Goddess lifted Abbie’s chin with the tip of her finger. “He knows my wishes, and fortunately, they align with his. The Aether will restore you to what you once were.”
Uncomfortable under her direct gaze, Abbie gestured to the jewel.
“What does the star signify?”
“Your alignment with cosmic forces, your connection to the Fates, and the divine recognition for what you endured in the trials written for you.” Her smile widened. “It represents your ability to rewrite your story through sheer will, thereby defying them.”
“I gather they’re not happy with me?”Abbie asked.
“You’re not to worry about that meddlesome trio, child.”
“What aren’t you telling me? What does the necklace do?”
“Clever woman,” Isis murmured as she fastened the chain around Abbie’s neck. “Its Divine Function, when invoked, is to shield you from their direct interference. Their threads will not hold when they try to weave manipulation into your life after this moment.”
“I don’t understand why you are helping me,” Abbie said, staring down at the pendant in awe.
“You bore the brunt of their machinations, and still, you choose compassion.”
“No, I?—”
“You brought Royal down from the mountain when another would’ve left him to save themselves.” The Goddess cradled Abbie’s face like a mother does a child when trying to impart important wisdom with tough love. “That was one of many selfless acts. The Setarekh is a star of protection meant for you, and you alone. When you call me, I will come.”
And like a parent, she kissed Abbie’s marred cheek.
“Be well, child.”
“Thank you, Exhalted One.”
31
The Canyon - 1877
“It’s about time you came around.” Wilder smiled to soften the sting of his sarcasm. “It’s only been a week.”
“Funny.” Castor rolled his shoulder and grunted, flexing it once before lowering his arm, apparently content with the result. “That bastard knocked me out on purpose. I swear, my son gets all his ornery DNA directly from that one.”
“Not you?” Draven asked, amusement heavy in his voice.
“I’m not talking to you for another hundred and forty-eight years or more,” Castor said sourly. “Your unwillingness to help my daughter is a sore spot.”
Wilder snorted. “She wasn’t in the sinkhole. Give the guy a break.”
In all fairness, he couldn’t say it didn’t still rankle that Draven didn’t do all he could’ve when they believed she was buried. But he didn’t voice it aloud.
