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Getting to Sorrel was proving difficult. It was like walking against the wind. As he trudged forward, he caught sight of his father, grandfather, and mother all attempting to flee. Truly, the light emanating from Sorrel was both beautiful and terrifying. It was as if the light she’d created within her called to the sunbeams and combined forces to rain down terror on those who would harm her. Not only that, it was so powerful that there was not one shadow in the building in which they could hide. His family couldn’t bear to be in its presence. One by one they crawled out of the broken windows.
Eric realized there was one family member missing. He squinted as if looking directly into the sun, trying to see if he could spot his great-grandfather. The last thing he needed was another surprise attack. Toward the center of the warehouse he spotted a charred body that bore a chain with a crescent moon. It was the same one his great-grandfather had always worn. Eric knew then the sacrifice hadn’t worked. Something had gone wrong. But where was Sorrel’s book?
He didn’t have time to look for it. He needed to save Sorrel, though she was doing a good job of protecting herself. He had no idea how she had the energy to produce the light that seemed to shoot out of every one of her pores. With great effort he finally made it to her bruised and bloodied body. Fierce anger swelled in him from seeing her so broken.
He knelt near her and took her hand. As soon as they touched, the light instantly retracted and settled back into her. He had never seen anything like it. It was almost as if she were a human floodlight that could be turned on and off with the flip of a switch.
Once the light was out, he could see her injuries more clearly. Blood was spilling out of her abdomen.
He ripped his shirt off and pressed it against her middle. “Sorrel, wake up. You need to heal yourself.” She didn’t stir.
“Please,” he begged. He looked up to the ceiling as if the fungus-covered wood beams would have the solution he needed. When no answer came, he bent down and kissed her brow while continuing to keep pressure on her abdomen. Blood soaked through the shirt and wet his fingers. His fingers began to twitch from the need to control the water within her blood. An idea struck Eric. He tossed the bloodied shirt to the side and carefully placed his hands on her injury. Immediately he felt a powerful connection to her—her pulse became his pulse. It allowed him to become attuned to the rhythm of her heartbeat and the flow of her blood. His energy swelled within him, ready to hold back the life force pouring out of her. Before he could push it into her, her energy captured his and combined forces. The blood flow slowed, and Eric could feel both of their pulses start to tick up. Instead of the normal drain Eric felt when he forced his energy out, this time he felt invigorated.
He kept his hands on her until the blood clotted. The puncture in her skin remained, but there was nothing he could do to heal that. Heal? It hit him that he had used his unholy powers for good. This was no time for reflection. He needed to get Sorrel out of there before his family came back. Carefully, he picked up her limp body. He cradled her against him, grateful to feel her warm breath against his bare skin. When he made it to the door he had come in through, he did his best to make sure the coast was clear. He could never be sure with his family and their ability to hide in the shadows, except for his mother. She had been robbed of her ultimate desire today, and he had no doubt if she saw him with Sorrel, she wouldn’t hesitate to try and finish the job she’d started.
Had Sorrel somehow managed to prevent his family from realizing their lifelong quest? Why did Sorrel say they had killed her mother? How did she know that? And if her mother had died, why hadn’t Sorrel? These were questions he would have to ask her once he got her to a safe place. If there was such a place anymore. And if she woke up. He pulled her against him tighter, begging her to open her eyes.
Eric’s heart pounded as he moved as fast as he could across the gravel road while trying not to make any noise. He entered into the small forest of trees near the warehouse. He had parked his car about a quarter mile away near an old pavilion that was in serious disrepair. This entire area near the river was like a ghost town. Unfortunately, for him and Sorrel, it wasn’t the ghosts they needed to be afraid of. Without seeing any sign of his family, he ducked into the thicket of trees, careful not to scrape Sorrel’s bare limbs against the abundant dogwoods and pines that dotted the landscape.
