Page 28 of Wolf Trap
Day and night
Know you’re loved
Let your soul
With Zale reunite
No other can harm you
From here on out
We send you the love and light,
To be at peace.
Blessed be.”
We both felt a shift as I finished the words. A swirling of wind, icy, whipped around us like a whirlwind. Jars and books shook on the shelves. A few fell, smashing to the floor. I caught his eye, a small smile on his lips.
The floor shook. I was shaking, as was Austin, his hand reaching out. As I went to speak, Austin shook his head. Heat soared through my limbs, pooling in my palms as light shone from them in a glistening scarlet. A voice pounded in my head, the words foreign to me, but they turned to screaming. As sweat broke on my forehead, I stumbled forward into Austin.
He shouted, “Prohibere! Anima eius in pace requiescat!”
I only knew a little Latin. Something about her soul in peace. The shaking floor subsided, my feet once again felt grounded, and I found my breath.
“I heard a voice. Maybe it was hers?” I panted, trying to fight the distortion. I trembled. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to this much… chaos!”
Austin stared at me, taking a lungful of air. “Well, tea? You’re doing good, Elsa. It does take some resilience though, spell-casting every day. I find eating plenty, and a few tricks help me. I have some herbal tea to calm your nerves?”
“Oh God, no thanks. I’ll make us a regular cup, catch my breath.”
Following him up the steps I asked, “You think that worked?”
“We’ll find out. It’s the best we can do for now. I have some appointments I have to keep, I’m nothing without my word. I need to phone Anthony, then Marrock. Will you do the honours?” He pointed to the kettle.
“Sure. Thanks again, Austin. I’m eager to know how Anthony is, last time we saw him-”
“Yes… he was almost crispy. I’m sure he’s well. Otherwise, Luke would’ve said something.”
“Elsa, you’d have lovely nails if you stopped gnawing on them. I know you’re nervous. Here, take a wand instead!”
He snatched up the wand from the sideboard. It was a thing of beauty. Carved ebony set with glistening raven tourmaline at one end.
“No thanks. I don’t like the taste. Anyhow, too old school for me.”
As I made tea,he wandered off, calling Anthony. The conversation was short. Then I heard Austin speaking to Marrock. My heart was hammered. I wondered if Lycaon was there, or had he changed his mind. After all, he’d spent almost an eternity on his own. Perhaps it was presumptuous of me to imagine he’d change his mind after sex. After all, Marrock had said, werewolves were always after it. Their part animal nature. I rolled my eyes, my heart straining as I realised what a bloody fool I’d been. Lycaon hadn’t seemed like that, but perhaps it wasan act. Or after everything, after Adara had possessed him and set him against me, that was it. It made me doubt him more, but I hadn’t expected him to just go AWOL.
Shifters!
Before I could think more, voices from the living room, deep, and the clatter of boots had me nearly jump out of my skin.
He was here, now! Lycaon’s scent was etched into my soul, sweet, earthy, musky. Who had transported him, Anthony?
Busying myself with making tea, I tried to will my face to stop flushing as I felt the heat in my cheeks.
“Elsa?” Lycaon’s frame filled the doorway. Rushing over, he eyed the cups. I put the spoon down as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t in contact.” He pulled me closer, resting his chin on my head. “It seems your magic and Adara’s control over me left me in shock. Not to mention the blood from their infected werewolf. I’m sorry, I needed time. I am so disgusted in myself that their magic possessed me. I want to be with you, but also I’m a danger to you.” He looked up at Marrock, then back to me. “He, my friend there said I should take a chance. Perhaps there’s a way to stop Adara from controlling me? Now I have their power inside of me? I was... confused. Out of control.”