It was not recognition in any form she appeared able to understand, but the pull of it existed regardless.
“I don’t know how I came here,” she repeated. “But I can help.”
Rhen’s eyes narrowed.
“The male you carried inside—Cole. His power is making him sick.”
“How do you know his name?”
“I heard the others say it.”
“And how do you know what is happening to him?”
“I am an elemental witch.” Her words emerged rapidly now. “I can feel the energy around him. It is out of control, and it is destroying him from inside.”
She was correct.
That fact only increased Rhen’s suspicion.
“What are you proposing? That I allow you to put more witchcraft inside him?”
“I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Your intentions are irrelevant.”
“If you do not let me try, he will die.”
The fear remained in her voice, but something firmer had begun to emerge beneath it.
“His power is not only passing through him anymore. He is becoming part of it, and his body cannot release what remains. I may be able to draw it out.”
Rhen watched her.
Her hands shook. Her breathing came too quickly. Every visible response suggested real fear, although he trusted appearances less than words.
“If this is a trick,” he said, “I will tear out your throat before you complete it.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Move.”
The witch rose upon unsteady legs.
Rhen led her back to the main hall, keeping close enough to kill her before she could direct a spell elsewhere.
Cole remained where they had placed him. His face had become gray, while dark veins stood beneath his skin like trapped lightning. The remaining storm energy continued moving through him in uncontrolled aftershocks.
Malakai had returned and stood near the couch. Dax remained at Cole’s side.
The witch did not hesitate.
She lowered herself beside Cole and placed both hands lightly at the center of his chest.
Her fingers trembled.
Rhen positioned himself directly behind her.
“I need space,” she said.
