Page 59 of Detonation
I'm unable to form words as my power flares so brightly within myself, it overwhelms all my senses. It feels like the soothing warmth of a fire on a cold winter night and I slowly relax into it, opening that gate further.
Pushing more into the doctor, a bright flash behind my closed lids tries to draw my attention but I refuse to break my concentration to satisfy my curiosity.
A deep cough sounds and the cot creaks with movement, making me smile at the thought of him healing enough to have the energy to move.
I feel myself begin to falter as my energy stores drain. Hands on my arms yank me back and my eyes fly open as the connection is severed, my head swimming, almost feeling like I'm on a high after that.
"We must keep you in fighting condition," Liviana scolds me as she guides me over to my cot to lay down. I relax into the cot and give myself a few moments to breathe through the haze.
I turn my head to look at the man and I smile at the sight of him hugging Doc tightly, a few stray tears falling down the doctor's face. They've been each other’s only support for countless years. I can't imagine the feeling that that shell of a man standing evokes in the doctor. The hope of escaping here finally feels attainable.
Liviana turns my face towards her with her palm on my cheek and I furrow my brow at the tears on her face. She must see my confusion because she laughs and massages away my frown. "I'm proud of you, silly girl."
Why does my heart feel so full right now?
Chapter Nineteen
Lana
"We need to implement our plan now," Doc says as he bustles around the room. He finds a shirt and tosses it at the mage, who’s looking at me with suspicion.
I stick my tongue out at him and cross my eyes. When I uncross my eyes, he has a look on his face that I can't place and I frown, quipping to break the tension, "If you're gonna stare at me, I'll give ya something to look at."
He barks out a laugh that doesn't reach his eyes and, in that moment, I see him for who he is—a broken man, with no hope.
Livi and Doc discuss the best timing and routes to get to the dungeon and I zone them out, knowing that they have the most knowledge of the inner workings of the castle.
"Hey..." I trail off, wanting to give this man a reason to believe that he has a whole life waiting for him on the other side of this castle. Whatever it is he wants to do with it. But I can't quite form the words and my mouth flaps shut.
He meets my eyes as he plasters a smile on his face. "Thank you, for helping to heal me. It's going to take more time for me to get back to normal … if that's even possible..." he stops, shaking his head, a mask of anger twisting his face before he wipes the emotion from his expression. "I have enough energy to be able to help you all escape now, if you're ready?"
To help us?
I cock my head sideways, trying to get a read of him. "I have something I need to do before I can leave but I want all of you to get out now, so I know that my people are safe. I can't let him use anyone's life as a way to control me again."
His eyes flash dangerously. "I also have something I need to do so I suppose we're on the same course of action. Let's get everyone else out of here."
Who is this man?Why wouldn't he want to escape while he has the chance after everything he's been through?
I don't ask these questions aloud because it's obvious he doesn't want to share his personal details. Can't say I blame him. You never know who to trust and he’s only just met me.
Leaving him to put his shirt on, I stand, a bit wobbly at first from the fatigue of healing him. Liviana must notice this because she tuts at the doctor. "She isn't in the best state to do this. We need her at full power!"
A corner of my mouth tilts at her protective mama bear coming out.
Doc glances over at me and I force a smile, offering him a thumbs up. "Even with her drained, she’s more powerful than the majority of the lackeys here. With Lord Anshar gone, this is the perfect moment. We only have to worry about Sebastian."
I cut in. “He's right, Livi. If we can get to the dungeon without alerting Sebastian to our plans, we’ll have enough time to get there and blow a hole in the stone to get everyone out. Doc said that, from his rounds in the castle, what he can gather is that the dungeon is located in the lower corner of the castle and should be level with the ground or a waterway."
The unknown man chimes in. "Oh yes, there is definitely a waterway. My affinity is water and I've tried to draw upon the energy of the river beneath the ground in my time here."
Liviana frowns. "A river? Are you sure?"
He nods. "Yes, from the size of the energy source, I can safely say that it is a river, which means that they will most likely have boats nearby for their personal use. Now, I can't say where it is the river goes."
Doc rubs his face and looks between myself and the water mage. "Do you both feel like you can handle this right now?" He turns to face his friend directly. "We can try to bide time for a different day but I'm sure Sebastian is going to notice the way you've filled out and the energy he's going to feel from you the next time they ask you to do their bidding."
The mage responds with a dark chuckle. "I can't wait to sever his hands from his arms."
