So even though she wasn’t here, I might as well have had her blessing.
“So what now?” I asked, suddenly feeling nervous.
Aoiki smiled at Sunny. “She knows what to do. Sunny can call Xander back.”
“Do we need his body or something?” I said, still unable to shake the nerves in my stomach.
Sunny shook her head. “That’s not necessary. Matter will regroup when I call it. I just need the sword.”
Something flip flopped in my guts. I wasn’t supposed to give the sword to anyone.
“What do you need the sword for?” I’d let Xander hold it when we’d sparred, but he truly had no desire to wield it. It felt safe. This...didn’t. I didn’t really know this fae girl. I would have felt more comfortable if Aoiki asked to hold, but still, even then the idea squirmed in my guts.
“My ancestor was one of the fae that wielded the sword before me,” Sunny explained with a small smile of pride. “I know what to do with it. I know that it is capable of more than people think.”
“She’s very smart,” Aoiki nodded with beaming pride.
I slowly drew Bob out from my duster jacket.
“Are you sure this is wise?” he asked quietly.
“You don’t think it is?” I asked in turn.
“I honestly couldn’t say. Like any being, even I lack the full perception of my full potential.”
“You wouldn’t be killing anyone,” I said, feeling the need to soothe him for some reason.
“I suppose so. And if it will make you happy, I can try.”
Something pinched in my heart. How strange was it to bond with a sentient weapon. To have it care for your wellbeing.
“Thank you,” I said. I laid Bob out across my hands before passing him over to Sunny.
Her eyes gleamed with intensity and reverence as she took the sword.
Sunny dropped down her knees and continued to hold the sword as it laid across her palms. She closed her eyes and began to chant in another language.
Aoiki grabbed my arm and pulled me off to the side but didn’t let go of me. She held me fast while Sunny continued to speak.
After a few minutes, a low pressure built in the air and the smell of ozone rose. Aoiki’s grip only tightened on my arm with excitement.
Then sparks shot off Bob’s blade. He yelped in surprise a couple times but settled after a while.
This is the right thing to do, I repeated to myself.The world of immortals doesn’t abide by the same rules as mortals. Xander shouldn’t be gone for all time. He was ready to live. He deserves a chance.
Still, something I couldn’t name wriggled in my belly. So I focused on what it would be like to be in Xander’s arms again. Hell, I'd even break the promise and play a board game with him if he wanted. As long as he came back to me.
The pressure built and built, the ozone smell growing so strong it stung my nose. Sunny continued chanting, her voice growing louder and louder.
A rushing wind picked up in the room despite there being no windows open. It swept at my face and tossed Aoiki’s pig tails around.
Soon it felt like being in the middle of a tornado. The wind roared in my ears so I could barely hear Sunny scream over it.
I wouldn't be surprised if the neighbors called the cops. Not that law enforcement would know what to do about this.
Then another shooting spark lept off the blade, bigger than the first mini ones. Then another, and another. They shot out of Bob like shooting stars.
Another sound pierced through the howling wind. Bob. Bob was crying out. “No. No no no!”
