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According to the dragonman, the process was the same for shifters and done subconsciously once mastered. It explained why I hadn’t thought of it and why Veronica hadn’t mentioned trying it.
Unfortunately, none of us had figured out how the staff’s magic worked. Abaddon’s Last Hope was holding its cards close.
Once I had mastered accessing my scales at will, Tundreg left us to train while he assisted Imos with the incoming dragons. His parting words to Angela were to listen to the staff’s magic, but neither of us knew exactly what that meant.
It was all I could do not to listen to its seductive call.
Panting, Angela wiped her sweaty forehead with her arm. “I think this is a sign I’m not the one meant to use this thing.”
Instead of replying, I rushed toward her, swinging the scythe at her unprotected arm.
She yelped and raised the staff just in time to stop the curved blade from connecting with her skin. Grimacing, she shoved the scythe back, then dropped to a crouch and swiped at my feet.
I evaded her swing and spun, tapping her lightly on the back with the scythe’s blunt end. “Good. Again.”
She flopped back onto her butt and held up her hand. “I need water.”
To her credit, she hadn’t complained or asked for a break once over the last hour. I stepped back and deactivated my scythe before grabbing the two bottles of water we’d left near our mat. I handed her one, and she gulped it down greedily.
“It may not feel this way, but you’re picking it up quickly for how little training you’ve had. Your reflexes are fast,” I said and sipped my water.
“Not fast enough.” She pressed the cold bottle to her cheeks, flushed from the workout. “And there’s still no magic. I don’t think it likes me.”
“What does it feel like?” I asked.
“Like a stick. A long, thick rod.”
I grinned at the innuendo she probably didn’t even hear. “No, when you try to connect with the magic.”
She squinted at me. “It doesn’t just do its thing on its own?”
Okay, back to the basics. “What did you sense about the weapon when it was first created?”
She glanced at the staff. “Nothing. Was I supposed to sense something?”
Adam had been right in choosing Angela. Anyone else in that conference room would have drawn on the magic as soon as they picked up the sword. I’d felt its energy pulsating without touching it, calling me to take what was mine.
Even now, the dark magic whispered enticing fantasies in my ear.
I finally understood Tundreg’s message.
“Try it now. Close your eyes and reach out to it with your mind,” I said, hauling Angela to her feet and taking the empty bottle. “Try to connect with the staff and listen.”
Her dubious expression spoke volumes, but she did as I asked. Holding the staff in both hands, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Black wisps drifted up from the metal, wrapping around her hands.
She yelped and opened her eyes, panic taking over her expression. “I can’t let go!”
“Don’t be afraid of it.” I gripped her shoulders. “You are in control, not the staff. Assert your dominance.”
She grimaced as the black wisps traveled up her arms. “You know I’m not the dominant one.”
My cheek twitched as I held back a laugh. I didn’t think she meant I knew from the time I’d teleported in on Kit and her in a compromising naked situation on the couch. She probably meant their personalities.
“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for,” I said, squeezing her shoulders.
Her knowing gaze met mine. “So are you.”
I knew I had a fantastic poker face, so I’ll admit her intuitiveness surprised me. Unlike Veronica, who sensed my unease and frustration through our soul link. Reading people wasn’t one of her strong suits, though she’d gotten better.
