12. Chapter Twelve
1169 Words
12
Chapter Twelve
Bryar Rose
“Glad you’re ready for your journey,” says Az. “I’ve asked Scar and Avianna here to take you to the past. You alone will keep the knowledge afterward. That’s the best I can do.”
I turn to Scar and Avianna. “How can you help?”
“I created a potion that will allow you to visit the past,” says Avianna.
Before I can stop myself, my mouth falls open. “You can really do that? That’s a rare skill even for a senior witch or warlock.” I’m no expert in magic, and even I know that.
Avianna stares at her feet. “Thank you.” Her bird caws again while puffing out its chest. That thing is growing on me.
Scar steps forward. “And I’m a shifter with an unusual gift. I’m a spirit shepherd.”
I take in a shocked breath. “I thought those were myths.”
Spirit shepherds help guide you in any number of ways. They can take the form of a loved one and provide advice…or they can reincarnate someone from your worst nightmares. Whatever the situation, spirit shepherds are powerful, all-purpose shapeshifters. Like me, they are super-rare. No wonder Madame had recruited Scarlett and Avianna to our little teen therapy group. Jules would have loved to consume our powers.
Scar shrugs. “There aren’t many of us, but we exist. I can take any form I want, including a wolf when it suits me. And when I need to, I can guide people on the path to their future. Sometimes that’s by taking a form they need to see, like a loved one. Other times, it’s being a more literal guide.” She turns to me. “After you take the potion from Avianna, we’ll both move physically to another time. I can take the form of a local and help explore from there.”
“Will you know about the time we visit?” I ask.
“Hell, no,” says Scar. “But I’m good at bluffing. And we’ll both understand what everyone is saying and be able to talk their language.”
“Handy,” says Knox.
“You have no idea,” adds Scar.
I look down at my outfit. I’m still wearing my unshreddable clothes from school: a duster, dark pants, and heavy boots. That said, I still do wear the bracelet that can glamour me into wearing the school’s uniform. “Not sure I’m wearing the right clothes.”
“We don’t know where we’re going, so there’s no point in changing. Besides, you’ll have me with you. I can look like a local like that.” She snaps her fingers. “And I’m fast on my feet. We’ll talk our way around it.”
The world seems to pause for a moment. I’m about to take some sketchy potion and travel back in time with a girl I barely know. Words tumble from my mouth without any conscious thought from my head. “Can I trust you?”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about from me,” says Scar. “All I know about how to control my powers, I learned from Az. If he says I’m to allow my magic to guide you to wisdom, then that’s what I’ll do.” She nods toward Avianna. “And this one’s a goodie two shoes who’ll do anything for anyone.” That last phrase is said with a little venom, as if this is part of an ongoing fight between these two. Avianna’s bird caws in agreement.
Avianna lifts her pale chin. “I’m doing the right thing.” She could be talking about helping me, but she isn’t. The way she glares at Scar, I can tell this is all part of another conversation. Interesting.
“Whatever.” Scar fixes her gaze on me once more. “What do you say? Are we doing this?”
I look Az over carefully. This guy basically raised Knox. “If Az says you both can be trusted, then I’m in.”
“Good.” Scar cracks her neck from side to side. “Everyone needs to leave the room. My gifts don’t work as well with an audience. You’ll throw off my focus. I could end up transforming into someone’s dead grandmother, and that won’t help Bryar Rose here.”
Knox slowly walks over to stand before me. He towers above me, but even so, my mate has never seemed more frail. “You sure about this?”
“Positive. There’s no question in my mind that the Void and Shadowvin are after the fountain of magic. We have to protect it. And the rest…” I don’t need to say what the rest is. We both know that I’m talking about magic killing Knox for being near me. “We’ll worry about that later.”
Knox gently rests his palm against my cheek. “I’m not leaving you. I’m not losing you.” All the intensity in the world shines in his ice blue eyes.
What do I say here? I’ll allow you to stay by my side, even if it kills you? Or we need to stay apart, even if that destroys our souls?
Az saves me from having to reply, though. “Let’s go,” announces Azizi. After that, the elder were wraps his arm about Knox’s shoulder, and guides my mate toward the door. It’s a sign of how weak Knox is feeling that he leans against Az as he walks. My heart cracks. Knox is dying before my eyes. And I might be the one killing him.
I shake my head. I can’t focus on that now. If I don’t protect the fountain from the Void, many more people than Knox will be at risk. And maybe once we find the fountain, we can use it somehow to heal Knox and fix things. It’s not much, but it’s a plan.
Knox pauses by the door. “See you soon, Bry.”
I nod and blow him a kiss, but what I really want to do is weep. Knox looks so pale and tired. Please let me be making the right decisions here.
Within seconds, Knox and Az step into the main hallway, closing the door behind them. Now it’s just Scar, Avianna, and me in the room. Avianna pulls a small vial from the folds of her robe. “Drink this, and you will be transported in time to the point you most need to see.”
For a moment, I hope I might see the day I was born. How amazing would it be to actually get a look at my parents? I shake the thought off, though. What I really need right now is information on how to find the fountain and save Knox.
I scoop the vial from Avianna’s palm and down the contents in one gulp. It tastes like rotten apples. Crimson lights flash in my peripheral vision. Witch magic for her potion.
“Did you see that?” I ask.
“It’s my magic,” says Avianna. “The spell is starting to work.”
Scar loops a bit of golden cord between our wrists. “We need to stay in touch for me to guide you.” She turns to Avianna. “And you need to get out of here.”
Avianna nods and scurries away just as everything in my vision turns a singular shade of red. An odd warmth fills my veins. The familiar sensation of riding a Ferris Wheel takes over my stomach.
I’m transporting somewhere.
And I’m accompanied by a powerful soul shepherd that I barely know.
Let’s hope this works.
- Writer
