Rosalie let out a forlorn sigh and stared out the window once she had the souffles prepped . “I see everyone around me settlingdown, and I get that I’m still young, but I can’t help thinking about it. I want a life where I’m secure and loved. God, I want a family of my own. If I’m being honest, I’d be willing to do anything to secure that happiness.”
As I studied her face, I couldn’t ignore the intensity emanating from her. It was a side of Rosalie I hadn’t experienced before, and it both surprised and impressed me. “I think it’s natural to want those things,” I reasoned. “And I have no doubt that one day, you’ll find someone who will give you all of that and more.”
“Thanks, Liza. I truly appreciate hearing that from you.”
“Anytime,” I said with a grin, patting her on the shoulder.
“I should get going. We’ll talk more later, okay?” Rosalie grabbed her coat and waved goodbye, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
The moment the door closed behind her, I sighed and shook the heaviness out of my limbs. The conversation I’d just had with Rosalie and the unresolved issue of Liam and Sabrina’s bond cluttered up my mind.
There was only one way to clear my head, and that was to train.
“Ready for another session?”Liam asked as I approached him, the corners of his lips twitching.
The two of us stood in the middle of the small clearing, the towering trees around us seeming to close in on our bodies. The sky was overcast, casting an eerie gray light over our makeshift training ground.
Liam circled me. “I want to be honest with you, Liza. There were some methods in that book on how to help you channelyour energy and use it at will. But they were borderline torture. I can’t bring myself to even consider using those methods on you.”
His words sent an involuntary shiver through my body as I recalled some of the memories of the cellar. The thought of enduring such pain made me sick. I was glad Liam was being honest with me, and the fact he valued our relationship enough to come up with his own ideas was admirable.
“Thank you.” The memories of the cellar had affected me more than I liked admitting, and I clasped my hands tightly to keep them from trembling. “I trust you.”
“Good.” He smiled reassuringly at me. “Now, let’s try something different. We’re going to try to find the thread where your magic rests. It might be difficult at first, but don’t get discouraged.”
I took a step back to steady myself, feeling the ground beneath my feet. Finding the source of my magic sounded like an insurmountable challenge, but if anyone could help me do it, it was Liam.
We started off by sitting cross-legged in the grass, facing each other.
“Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Listen to the sounds around you,” he said softly. “The wind rustling through the trees, the birds singing, the distant hum of cars on the highway. Let your mind wander, but don’t let any single thought take hold. Just allow them to pass through your awareness like clouds floating across the sky.”
I did as he suggested, my body gradually relaxing more and more as I let go of the tension I’d been holding onto. My thoughts came and went, but I didn’t dwell on any of them, I simply let them be, trusting that they would lead me to the thread of my magic.
The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky rose-gold as Liam and I continued the training session. Sweat trickled downmy back, but I ignored it, determined to find the source of my magic.
“Think of it like this,” Liam said. “Your brain is made up of different areas, each responsible for a specific function. The same goes for your magic. It’s somewhere inside you, fueling your abilities, and helping you function. You just need to locate it.”
I nodded, yet still struggled to find that elusive thread of power within myself. My frustration grew with each passing second, and my wolf began pacing restlessly beneath my skin, equally eager to uncover the mystery.
“Take a long slow breath, in for two, out for three,” Liam said. “Relax, and remember that you are not alone in this. Your wolf is here to help you, and so am I.”
I closed my eyes and breathed in and out, trying to relax my mind and focus on the sensation emanating from deep within my body. The overwhelming energy danced just beyond my reach, teasing me with its raw power. My wolf was eager, encouraging me to push past the uncertainty and take hold of this newfound force.
“Remember, you’re in control. Your magic is a part of you, waiting to be harnessed.”
“Okay.” I took another breath, held it, then let it go. “I’ll try.”
As I reached inward once more, my fingers brushed against the energy. The magic resting in my heart was like a dormant volcano waiting to erupt. It was intoxicating, and for a moment, I reveled in its untamed beauty.
“Did you find it?” Liam asked excitedly.
“Yes,” I said, awe washing over me. “It’s there inside my heart.”
“Good, that’s brilliant. Now, let’s work on controlling it.”
“Right.” Determined to master the unpredictable force within me, I pushed on. As we continued practicing, I foundthat summoning the magic was far more exhausting than I had anticipated. My body grew heavier, and my thoughts slowed.
“Liza, are you okay?” Liam’s worried voice penetrated my mind.
