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But Elinor shook her head. "No," she told him. "You'll be needed here, Brian. Even if a barrier is erected around the city, your father and I will need you to look after the pack. Barriers can be broken."
I frowned at that, and Hekate stopped at the door.
“She’s not wrong,” she told Brian. “The barrier will be erected by the gods, but like you all now know, what we're facing is somewhat stronger than us. Come with me, Rehema. But Brian, I agree with your mother. You’re a hybrid werewolf and vampire. There’s a good chance your gifts will be needed to protect your family.”
Then she exited the room, leaving a heavy silence behind. I'd felt so comfortable hearing about barriers and lockdowns. But not so much anymore.
“The barriers are the first line of defense against anything that might happen,” Rumir explained. “But if they don’t hold, you’re going to be very busy.”
Brian looked disappointed, but he said nothing further. Elinor looked apologetic, as well. We all wanted to do our part in protecting the realm, but I agreed with Elinor. Brian’s family needed him right now.
"We'll be back in no time," I told him, and he nodded.
Elinor leaned over and took my arm. “Can I speak to you?”
Rumir, Lucian, and Brian left the room, and Elinor and I sat down. Her face had been the first one I’d seen when I’d woken up in this realm, and just having her here gave me more confidence.
“Sit,” she instructed. “I’ll wrap your hair up.”
My hair hung loosely, and I'd planned to put it up into a ponytail. Instead, I sat down, and let her help me. She seemed to need it as much as I did.
She tapped at her bracelet, and seconds later, a comb appeared in her hand. Then she began combing my hair back. She didn't rush, and I closed my eyes while the comb slid through the strands.
“I was in many similar situations to the one you’re facing, lifetimes ago on Earth,” Elinor said, and my eyes opened. "I know it’s terrifying.”
"I honestly feel like I'm going to throw up," I admitted, then laughed awkwardly. "I faced vampires on earth, and that was horrifying in itself. But this… People are expecting so much of me. I can't even sleep without worrying that I'll somehow hurt someone."
“I know the responsibility can be crippling. But trust me when I say those people out there, your mates, Rehema, Brian, and even the gods, they know you're strong. They see your strength more than you can right now."
She rested the comb on the arm of the chair beside me once my hair was in a ponytail. Then she started braiding.
“You know, I undertook a similar journey to prepare for the moment I had to face the Vampire Queen. I, along with a few others, including my husband Will, went on a quest to find three magical sisters who would help me.” She chuckled. “So much had happened on that trip," she said, shaking her head. "I can laugh about it now, but it was truly terrifying. We saved a town that was being attacked by vampires."
“Really?” I asked, fascinated. This woman was so cool!
“Umm, yes, we did. I'd been afraid to use my power because it was so unstable. I was so worried about hurting someone… But the night I finally let go? I remember that—vividly." She wrapped the braid in a circle, then secured it into a bun. "That night, I decided I wasn't sharing my body with this power—it was mine. After weeks of playing tug-of-war, my divinity and I came to an understanding of sorts. Balance was needed, or many would die.”
When I turned to face her, she touched my cheek. "So I understand what it feels like to not know who you really are,” she continued. “But when you have people you love, people you want to protect, anything becomes possible."
She paused as if trying to find the right words to say. "I know you're trying hard to keep this power under control right now, Natalie, but”—Elinor held a finger up—"you'll have to let it go eventually. And when that time comes, you'll know what to do.” Then she shook her head. “I never told anyone about this, but I think it might help you. After I finally let go all those years ago, I realized something that changed everything. I discovered that when I didn’t trust my power, when I was fighting it at every turn… It didn't trust me either.”
I looked at her in wonder. That was exactly how I felt. I didn’t trust the divinity inside me. I just wanted it to go away, and things to go back to how they were.
Elinor picked up the comb and walked around to sit where we could face each other. "Now, I still spent a long time training after that, but I'm telling you this because I can see you’re going through something similar. It took me a little while to accept that whatever I was turning into was still me.” She smiled. "What you're doing is evolving, honey. There is nothing wrong with a little change. A butterfly never wants to go back to being a caterpillar, does it? So, I just want you to know… you've got this. Trust me, you do."
She reached out, and I took her hands. “Thank you,” I told her, feeling a little less stressed about the journey ahead.
"We're Blackwood women. We always rise to the occasion," she whispered with a smirk, and I laughed.
“Yes, we do. Would you mind checking on Ruby and Xavier at the S.R.F. for me until I get back?"
Elinor nodded, and we stood up together. "Of course," she answered. "Now go, before Hekate comes barging in. This realm isn’t going to save itself.”
* * *
Natalie
Rumir stepped out of the portal, followed by me, Rehema, and then Lucian.
