It was going to be another long night, but hewould do what was necessary to keep his people happy and safe.
CHAPTER 23
Over the next week, Lexi worked to spread hershield over her whole body. When she wasn’t in the outer realm withKaylia or training with her dad, Brokk, and Cole, she would sit inher room near the window.
She remained on the floor where no one couldsee her if they happened to pass by and look up at her window. Orif the Lord sent some of his men to watch over her… which was apossibility.
She’d often find a spot with enough moonlightto practice some more with her shield. It never lasted long as themoon’s ever-changing arc through the sky meant she only had alimited amount of time before its light was gone, but it was stillsomethingmore.
She was getting so much better at it too.
Today, she sat beneath the sun as Coleinspected the note Kaylia had written to the crones, telling themshe was safe but would be gone longer than she’d anticipated. Thatwas the extent of the message, but he kept checking it for somekind of hidden message.
She didn’t know why he was so worried aboutit. Kaylia was trying to help, but Cole and Orin remaineddistrustful of her.
Finally, Cole called a crow and slipped themessage into its beak. The crow flew through the air and vanishedinto the portal it opened.
Lexi closed her eyes as she returned toconcentrating on her shield. She had only her left foot left topull inside it, and once she did…
The shield slid into place over her toes witha click only she could hear and one that was entirely in her mind.But to her, it was like the final piece of a puzzle sliding intoplace.
It was complete. It was a whole. And when shecracked open her eyes, she saw the glow was gone. Completely.Fucking. Gone.
Tears sprang into her eyes. She became sooverwhelmed with emotion and relief that she had no control overthem. They flowed down her cheeks and dripped off her chin as sobsshook her shoulders.
She’d never seen anything so wonderful. No,that wasn’t true.
The glow was beautiful, and it feltright, but so did walking outside without having to dreadbeing destroyed by the Lord… and anyone else who saw her.
Kaylia knelt beside her and rested her handon her shoulder. “It’s okay. You did it. It will get easier for younow.”
“We… did… it,” Lexi breathed betweenthe embarrassing sobs she couldn’t get under control. She was farmore exhausted than she’d realized.
A soft footfall behind her alerted her Colewas coming. “Leave us,” he commanded gruffly.
Kaylia didn’t make a sound as she rose fromLexi’s side and walked toward the open portal leading into themanor. When Cole sat across from her, the tears in her eyes causedhim to blur before her.
She tried to wipe them away, but the annoyingthings were falling too fast for her to control. Leaning forward,Cole rested his fingers on her knees. A small shiver of rightnessshot through her.
They’d barely had any time together recently,and they spent most of it training. That could change now that shecould keep herself shielded. She would have to remember to alwayskeep it in place.
He smiled as he used his thumbs to wipe awaymore of her tears.
“I did it,” she whispered. “Ifinallydid it.”
“I never had any doubt.”
A small, choked laugh escaped as her tearsfinally dried. “That makes one of us.”
“You’re the most stubborn immortal I know;there was no way you weren’t going to figure this out.”
“What if I can’t keep it in place forlong?”
“The other arach were often out in public forextended periods. They must have kept a shield in place all thattime. You will too.”
“What if I can’t?”
“How can you still doubt yourself? Look atall you’ve accomplished.”
