Page 54 of Devastation
She chuckles softly, "I couldn't very well ignore the possibility of another soul mage coming into existence. It has been hundreds of years since the last appeared."
My mouth drops open.Hundreds of years?
Serenity cuts in, drawing my attention to her for a moment. "I need to go check in with my people and make sure my mates can handle everything. Then we can work on opening that demon realm portal, okay?" She doesn't wait for my answer as she heads out the open doors and calls out, "Use this time to have Ash chat with Elizabeth, and I'll be back shortly!"
My skin itches with the need to get to the demon realm right now, but the rational side of me knows that Ash gaining an understanding of his powers will allow him to help us in the war and will help him protect himself, both of which are crucial. Any weak point could be detrimental to us all.
I need to be patient and set us up for the best possible outcome in this war.
"Let me go grab him. Do you want to meet back at our old house here? It wasn't on f-"
"No!" I quickly cut Hale off, feeling my chest constrict with the memories of what happened upstairs in the bedroom of that home.
My breathing becomes rapid as I close my eyes tightly and try to pull myself out of the void I feel myself falling into.
I briefly hear Elizabeth tell Hale where to meet us before small hands are on my arms, rubbing soothingly up and down. "Shhh, child. It is okay. Ground yourself in the present."
Her words are accompanied by a feeling of energy shifting within me, and suddenly the weight lifts from my chest and I'm able to breathe again. Peeling my eyes open slowly, I see her kind smile and ask with incredulity, "How?"
She winks at me. "Magic. You can think of it as your soul getting a tune up like an instrument. I aligned your chakras, dispersing your energies to the proper centers to allow you to not become stuck in that moment."
Her answer blows me away.
Is this something Ash will be able to do?
Looping her hand around my bicep, she turns and guides me out of the entryway of the arena while I'm still trying to process the concept of soul magic and everything it could entail. We walk towards the black house atop the hill, which I know is Serenity's home. It's the only dull colored home in the entire city.
As we walk, I take a moment to ask some of the questions swirling around in my mind while I have her alone. Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I watch her facial expression as I ask, "Hale told me you sensed the shadowkissed part of him. How long will he have to fight it until it's gone?"
Her face doesn't move an inch as she responds with a question of her own. "Has he given into any of the whispers in his mind?"
My brows pull together as I think. He hasn't told me of a time he was struggling since our talk, so I'd like to think no, but I also don't know if he gave into it before we were reunited.
Answering truthfully, I sigh, "I honestly don't know. I don't believe he has since we've been reunited, but I don't know about before that."
She hums and pats my arm that's still within her grasp. "Only time will tell, but he is strong. I felt that his soul was firmly grounded within the light. It was shining brightly, and if he has managed to resist, then its hold on him should fall away soon."
As she finishes her sentence, the front of Serenity's home comes into view, and I see Ash and Hale sitting beneath a large oak tree that's swaying in the wind. They look so at peace with their conversation as they playfully hit each other and laugh.
It brings a smile to my face as they turn and motion for us to come sit by them. The area is shaded by the large tree, and Elizabeth guides me toward them, patting my arm once more before letting go and walking to where Ash is seated.
Her head tilts as she holds her small hand out to him. "Would you mind placing your hand in mine?"
His emerald eyes flick to mine with a hint of unease in their depths as he hesitates to fulfill her request. Nodding to him, I gesture for him to take her hand and reassure him, "It's okay. We'll be one step closer to having answers, and whatever it is, we'll handle it together."
His hand shakes ever so slightly as he reaches out to place his hand in Elizabeth's. As soon as their skin connects, the black stone on her chest becomes a ruby that emits a soft red glow over Ash.
I shouldn't be giggling, but I can't help but think his face looks like Christmas with the red glow and his green eyes. He just needs a few string lights wrapped around him and a star on his head to make the look complete.
Elizabeth's face transforms into one of awe as she pulls him up from the ground and into a tight embrace—one that shocks Ash. His mouth drops open as he glances at Hale and me for help, unsure of how to respond.
A few moments later, he wraps his arms around her as well and pats her back awkwardly. She pulls back to look at his face as she bubbles with excitement. "I didn't think it was possible!"
Ash's voice comes out gruff and a bit skeptical, "What is possible?"
"That you're my grandson."
"What the fuuuuuuck," bursts from my mouth before I can activate my brain-to-mouth filter.
