I have no idea where I’m leading us, but the guys follow me without question. I’m beginning to fear I’ve led us all to our doom when a faint but familiar voice echoes across the stone.
“My… beautiful… Star.”
“Doc!” Forgetting my temporary vow of silence, I race toward the source, the mist parting before me as if it’s somehow conspiring to help us.
And there, sitting half-slumped against the cave wall, is our Moon.
I fall to my knees, taking his pale face between my hands. He’s cool to the touch, his breathing labored, but he’s still alive.
“You… came,” he says, a thin smile gracing his lips.
I nod, then press a soft kiss to his cheek. “We’re going to get you out of here. But first I have to heal you.”
He’s still bleeding from the back of his head, and his bare chest is scored with burns and cuts. His knuckles are swollen and bruised, some of them split nearly to the bone.
His condition has definitely worsened since we spoke last night.
“Ani’s… gone,” he says, struggling to speak as the guys set their packs and Ani’s body down beside us. “Said he’d be back… but… hours ago.”
I don’t know what that means, but right now, I don’t have time to figure it out.
“We’ll worry about Ani next,” I say, hoping my soothing voice detracts from the tears in my eyes. Goddess, seeing him like this… It’s breaking my damn heart. I can only hope I’ve got the strength to heal him, or…
No. I have the strength. Failing at this particular mission isnotan option.
Working quickly, I retrieve the Chalice of Blood and Sorrow from Kirin’s pack and place it in Doc’s hands.
“I need you to hold onto this, okay?” I give him a gentle smile as I take out an athame. “I’m not totally sure what I’m doing, but if it turns out I suck at this, you can take it out of my grade.”
Doc’s return smile is more than I could’ve hoped for.
As the guys explore what they can see of the chamber we’re in, I slice my hand and squeeze my blood into the Chalice—as much as I’m willing to lose before I get lightheaded. Fortunately, my body heals quickly on its own. I’m hoping I can transfer some of that magick to Doc.
His eyes widen as my blood splashes into the bowl.
“I know it’s gross,” I say, “but it’s the best I could do on short notice, and—”
He presses a fingertip to my lips. “You are magick, my… my Star. Don’t… don’t doubt.”
Blinking back tears, I nod, making a silent vow to follow his command.
Don’t doubt. Trust. Believe.Know.
With Doc holding the Chalice on his lap, I call the Star card into my mind, picturing myself at the center of it—naked, kneeling in the healing waters before the standing stones.
Then I dip my fingers into the blood and recite my spell.
I call upon my healing gift
I call upon the sight
I call upon my love for you
Which burns forever bright
I share my grace with you tonight
And thus your body shall mend
