“What does it mean?”
“It means Selene marked her. She placed some concentrated magic into her body to use at will. They are rare, and hard to craft properly. They’re meant to do one thing very well, and they are very hard to break. This one looks like it was used to knock her out—like a sleeping spell? But that’s just a guess. Was she unconscious when you found her in Selene’s lair?”
“Yes, she was out cold,” I answered, panic edging my voice. “Please tell me we can break this magical flora on our own.”
Marcy bit her lip. “I’m not sure. How did she wake up before? Did Selene do it? Or did she wake up another way?”
“No, Selene was occupied.” I thought back for a moment. “I’m not entirely positive, but I think the first time she woke was when my brother gave her his blood.”
Marcy’s eyes widened. “Huh. I didn’t think wolves ever fed vampires willingly, but go, Tyler. Then blood must be the ticket here.”
“I’m not sure if it was only that, and how would blood break the spell of the flora? That seems too easy.”
“The only way it would work, in my mind, is if his blood was stronger than Selene’s spell. I don’t know that much about floras, since they’re incredibly hard to perfect, and they backfire like no ones business, so most witches don’t bother. But whatever Naomi needed, it came from his blood.”
“It makes some sense, since he’d taken some of my blood just before we got there. If his blood worked with only a trace of mine, full potency should do the trick.” I rolled up my sleeve and brought my wrist up to my mouth, slashing it open with my dull teeth, trying not to wince. It sealed immediately. “Dammit, I’m healing too fast.” As I made the second slash with my teeth, Danny growled, staggering to stand. Once he was up on shaky legs, he pushed his snout against my arm to move me away. “Danny, you need to settle down. I’ve already fed her twice. A third time won’t make any difference. And you’re in no way capable of feeding her yourself.” He snapped his jaws. “Do you want to risk giving her your curse? Either I feed her or she stays asleep, and that worries me. We all want to know if she’s okay. Let me do this without arguing with me.” He sat down with a thump and then laid his head on his paws, inches from her body, and whined. “I know. I hate this too. But I promise you she’s going to be okay. You’re going to have to trust me.”
I ripped my wrist open once again, this time making a huge rent, and brought it down to Naomi’s mouth.
Right as something rammed into me from the back.
15
I somersaulted headfirst over Naomi, rolling once, and then I was up. There was nothing in front of me. “Marcy,” I called, “can you see her?” When there was no answer, I turned my head around to look for my friend.
Marcy was lying facedown in front of the altar next to the sacrifice, not far from Naomi.
You think you can best me? I think not. Blistering wind whipped by my face at top speed. At the same time, the air temperature around me dropped significantly.
Danny whined and tried to stand.
“No,” I commanded him. “Stay and guard these two and don’t let the bokor get near them if you can help it.” He growled and shook his head, trying to refuse my order and come to my aid. “I’m still your Alpha, Daniel Walker. Do as I say. I need you to protect them.” He whined, but sat.
You are strong, yet weak. You interest me. The breeze ruffled my hair and I swatted at the space in front of me as I backed up. I had not thought you to be so young… and inexperienced. And you have no more spells to use.
“Yeah, my age isn’t ideal, but I had no control over the timing of my birth.” She was right. I was out of spells. “What do you want?” I turned in a slow circle, edging away from Danny to give them ample space.
What does everyone want from you? I shivered as my breath came out in a soft plume of white. The air temp had dropped to bone-chilling. I want life. I want power. I want strength. My life was taken from me. I was immortal! Currents of cold and hot air zipped around me. But I will rewrite my fate and make up for the injustice that was done to me.
“How do you know so much about me?” I asked, stalling.
The breeze was reaching a cyclone level. My hair began to sway and I was forced to close my eyes against the current. The loa was everywhere and she was pissed.
I know about you because I am you. Laughter echoed on the wind.
“You’re going to have to be a little more clear.” I took a few steps backward. “How can you be me? You can’t be my reincarnate, because I already have one of those.” My wolf barked her agreement.
There was a whisper of mirth next to my ear, and just as quickly it was gone. I am not she, but I am your creator, and a piece of my soul resides inside you.