I offered her my hand. “Nice to meet you, Astrid.”
She shook it with a force that threated to shatter my bones. “Pleasure is all mine.” Two impossibly deep dimples accompanied her crooked grin. A smattering of freckles, a shade darker than the golden-brown of her skin, danced across the bridge of her long nose. She placed her hands on narrow hips. “These two told me you’re a Charmer. Can you show us some beasts? I’d love to see what you’ve got.”
Iov rolled his eyes. “You couldn’t handle all she’s got.”
A fire glinted in Astrid’s eyes. “I could probably handle more than she’s used to.”
Iov knocked his shoulder into her, and she winced. “Trust me, you couldn’t. She’s shacked up with our guild master.” He lifted a shoulder in weak apology as he snuck a suddenly sheepish look my way, unable to hide his unabashed grin.
I laughed—a real laugh—the sound surprising me in its warmth. I’d spent little time with the guild members since returning. Between my hours of research and the guilt I felt for the battle I’d caused, I hadn’t managed the courage to face them. Not when I’d robbed them of so much.
My grin faded as I shifted, and the scars on my legs caught against the seams of my pants. The battle of Hireath had changed us all. Running my hands over my thighs, I took a steadying breath. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell Noc.”
“I don’t care if you do,” Astrid said with a brazen wink. “But I still want to see what you’ve got.”
Emelia groaned. “It’s your second funeral. Leena?” Her eyes slid to my bestiary, the chain just visible at the hollow of my neck, thanks to the open cut of my jacket.
Without thinking, I stroked the small, book-shaped bump beneath the layers of clothing. If Emelia was asking, maybe she wouldn’t blame my beasts for the orders I had given after all. I felt myself begin to relax. “All right.”
Splaying out my right hand, I focused on the well of dormant power brewing in my core, relishing in the sudden flare of eager warmth. My precious beasts were only a call away, and their unconditional love filled me to the brim. Power surged through my fingers, bleeding out through the Charmer’s symbol on my hand. The once-barren tree sprouted leaves and flowers as it grew, showering us with a rosewood glow.
A low rumbling filled the quiet air, and the invisible door to the beast realm creaked open. Flipping through the pages of my bestiary in my mind, I sought a familiar, low-level beast to introduce to my new family.
At our feet, my Groober, Poof, appeared. He was round and covered in soft, white fluff with stubby arms and legs that ended in padded hooves. Saucer-shaped eyes dominated most of his face, and he let out a happy croon from the back of his throat.
“Oh. My. Gods.” Emelia fell to her knees. “This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
I chuckled. “Go ahead, pet him. Just avoid the backs of his ears unless you want to trigger his scent glands. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself hankering for a nap.”
Astrid crouched and tickled his belly with a cautious finger. Her eyes widened, and she stared up at me with a slack jaw. “He feels like a cloud.”
Iov folded his arms across his chest. “Cute. But you don’t have to start small for our sakes. We’ve seen you fight. Why not bring out Onyx?”
My heart stilled. Emelia and Iov had witnessed the power behind my beast. Had seen firsthand as his claws shredded Calem’s chest and ended his life, only to have him brought back againchanged. Flexing my hand, I stared at the ground. I could feel Onyx waiting. Lingering on the edge of the realm between his world and mine.
“We trust you.” Iov looked at me without an ounce of fear. No judgment. No worry. “What happened in Hireath… It was war, Leena. This is different.”
My fingers trembled. “Okay,” I whispered.
Coaxing more power into my veins, I channeled my thoughts to Onyx. To the black legendary feline beast that had changed everything for me. The rush of power that preceded his entrance raised the hairs on my arms and ushered in an eerie calm. Rosewood light exploded in a brilliant sunburst, and the assassins shielded their eyes.
When the glow faded, Onyx stood before us. Lithe muscles rippled beneath thick fur, and the iridescent peacock feathers lining his spine and tail shimmered in the sun. Extending his wings, he beat them once, and a rush of air staggered us, forcing us to fight to keep our feet. He was so magnificent. So stunning. And yet… Wet fur lined the corners of his eyes. A fist wrenched my heart. I should’ve summoned him sooner.
He sighed and knocked his head into my chest with a heady purr. I planted a gentle kiss on the raised ring embedded in his crown. On my ring. “Hey, Onyx.”
“Holy mother of gods.” Astrid scooped up Poof in one arm and inched closer. “Can I touch him?”
The assassin’s lack of fear soothed the last of my worry. “Sure. Just go slow. He’s very protective of me.” I guided her palm to the thick of his neck. Gooseflesh rippled over her forearms, and she worked tiny circles with her fingers into his fur. Onyx groaned, turning his head away from me to sneak his nose between her fingers.
“Traitor.” I grinned at my beast, and he huffed before closing his eyes. Taking Poof from Astrid, I nodded for her to use both hands. “Guess he likes you more than me.”
Wide-eyed and cautious, Iov and Emelia followed Astrid’s lead. Slowly, the tension in Emelia’s shoulders disappeared, and she buried her nose in Onyx’s fur. Iov stuck to kneading circles behind Onyx’s ears, grinning like a giddy kid and whispering endearments better served for newborn children.
And Onyx ate it up. After a while, he crashed to the ground and sprawled out, rolling around on his back and kicking up grass with his massive paws. One of his feathers came loose, and Iov used it to tickle Onyx’s nose. Pupils wide, the Myad batted at the shimmery toy and let out a series of playful yowls.
Astrid laughed. “He acts like a giant kitten.”
My heart soared. He needed this. Needed love and attention. The guilt I’d been carrying for the past few days had kept me from summoning him, and the pain I’d inflicted… I had failed him. I’d promised to be as devoted to him as he was to me, and I hadn’t been able to face what I’d done to Calem. But that wasn’t Onyx’s fault. It was mine. Bending down, I rubbed the side of his maw. He paused his playful batting to nudge my hand.Forgiven.
