Page 53 of Devastation
I nod my agreement, and the two groups of men head out, leaving me with the teal-haired vixen currently eyeing me up and down with a curious expression.
"Like what you see, Witch Bitch?" The teasing tone and nickname come naturally, and a part of me is so relieved to see her right now. I can really use her guidance and wisdom with everything going on.
She purses her lips, and her silver eyes come back to rest on my face. "Just wondering how the Anal I knew grew up so quickly into this fierce queen before me. Seems like just yesterday you were a wee lass with a serious attitude problem."
"Oh wait," I stop her there and reach into my pocket like I have something for her, which I do. Pulling my closed fist from my pocket, I turn it over and flip her the bird and wink, "I still have some of that."
She cackles with glee at my antics and pulls me into a side embrace as she leads me into the arena.
Some people just have a way of making you feel like you're home no matter where you are or what's going on.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lana
Hale returns within the hour with the good news that they were able to put out all of the fires and that there seems to be no further immediate danger. Serenity's people are allowed to leave the arena and go home, but many stay behind to help set up a shelter for anyone that needs a place to stay while their homes are rebuilt.
Over the course of that hour, I caught Serenity up on our visits to the angel and shifter realms and told her that I needed her assistance with breaking this block on the demon realm.
Hale walks forward tentatively, looking like he needs to say something further. Serenity notices and snaps, "Spit it out, kiddo. Come on."
He takes a deep breath and asks, "I was wondering if Elizabeth is here. I'd like to speak with her about my shadowkissed condition, and I think it would be beneficial for Ash to work with her..." he trails off and a perplexed look flashes across his face before he adds, "I trained with him briefly, and it might sound crazy, but he feels like he has an energy similar to hers."
I don't know who this Elizabeth chick is, but if she can help us get answers about Ash and his powers and help Hale, she might possibly be my new favorite person.
Curious, I ask him, "And what exactly is her energy or powers?"
Serenity responds while simultaneously lost in thought, "Her powers are a very rare form of soul magic. She is a spirit guide."
"Soul magic?" I muse aloud, mostly to myself, but Serenity continues to answer me.
"It's a unique branch of magic that is almost extinct. It requires the person wielding the magic to either have a pure soul, which is rare, or have an artifact of some kind that holds a pure soul."
Hale nods as if this makes sense to him, "Is it possible that Anshar was able to hijack his body with the dual soulbecauseof this power, if it is what he has?"
Serenity's silver eyes widened as her mouth opens a fraction, "It's possible...but Elizabeth will definitely be our best bet at getting answers and helping him understand it if so. Let me visit her temple and see if she is able to come."
Without waiting, her sparkling rainbow portal appears for a split second before she disappears through it.
Focusing my attention on Hale, I ask, "You really think this is a possibility? I don't want to get Ash's hopes up if it isn't."
His arms cross over his chest as he shrugs, "I don't know for sure, but when she touched me—"
I can't help the glare that immediately comes from me at the thought of another woman touching my mate. It must be a vicious enough look for him to stop speaking and glance around like he's looking for an exit strategy in case I hurt him.
Quickly uncrossing his arms, he holds his hands up placatingly, "Woah. First of all, she's old enough to be our grandmother, most likely. Second of all, we had to hold hands for her to be able to use her powers to see how far the darkness seeped into me. Purely platonic."
Realizing how ridiculous I'm being, I cough and say, "Continue."
He hesitates briefly, looking me up and down to assess if I'm still in crazy mode. "When she gripped my hand, I felt an almost static-like energy around my body. Like an electrical charge buzzing on my skin. When Ash and I had a chance to train for a bit back in the realm of the gods, I got the same sensation."
I'm unable to answer, as Serenity's portal flares into existence once more. She walks through with a satisfied look on her face and a petite older woman following behind her. Her long grey hair is pulled into a neat bun on top of her head, and her eyes wrinkle with the smile she gives me.
She's dressed comfortably in flowing, loose clothing in a soft green color. A black stone hangs from her neck, nestled securely against her chest. As I look into her eyes, I gasp at the swirling milky orbs that stare back at me.
"Hello, young goddess. It is an honor to meet you," she says to me, dipping her head in a show of respect.
I'm quick to rein my astonishment back in and respond, "Thank you so much for coming to assist us on such short notice. My mates and I are extremely grateful."
