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I no longer tasted what they suffered.
The more my power sank deep within me, the more Darro was no longer etched with gold, slowly returning to the shadows where he belonged.
Tral looked over his shoulder at Lida who bowed over her knees, almost catatonic with fear. “I also apologise for my youngest hunter. She struck from panic instead of command. She let fear guide her instead of thinking about the consequences. I take responsibility for her mistake and will ensure she is disciplined. I request the wolves take mercy on my clan.”
Salak shifted to his haunches, keeping careful guard over Darro.
I stood too.
I studied Darro’s slack face.
I could accept Tral’s apologies, but Salak never would if Darro didn’t wake.
My stomach clenched with grief.
Please, let him be okay.
Panic smoked my heart, urging me to use my gift. I had to know. Had to help in whatever way I could.
Gathering my fading awareness and pushing it into the man I knew but had so terribly forgotten, I dove into his spirit. I pushed past the shadows and shades that often followed him into the mortal realm, and swam through the darkness to find him.
I no longer tasted death on him.
Merely...sleep.
A deep, deep sleep where his body kept him unconscious, giving itself time to heal.
I sighed with relief and opened my eyes.
Darro’s life still linked to mine, which meant all the other lives here tonight would remain breathing.
Glancing at Salak, I communicated the only way I could.
I fed him images of health and vitality. I promised Darro’s recovery and the joy I felt at touching his sleeping spirit.
Salak relaxed immediately.
His ruff smoothed out from its savage bristle, and the burning anger in his gaze tempered into dominant peace. He sent back trust, stepping away from me with a final message of goodbye.
He would not stay.
His duty was back at his den, now that he’d defended his friend.
We caught eyes and held.
The alpha painted an image of letting Darro go with me. Of no longer standing in our way. Of his permission to let us touch and care because he understood our connection couldn’t be broken. He also gave me his faith that I would keep the stranger and his shadows safe, even if it was in the midst of these mindless mortals.
With a huff, he glanced at his pack, and with silent command, drew them to his side as he padded toward the treeline. Looking once more at Darro on the ground, he shook out his bulk and disappeared into the darkness.
Tral didn’t speak as the wolves followed their alpha. Their paws shaking the ground and their tails whipping through the moonlight.
Only once the last wolf was gone did Tral exhale loudly and march toward me.
I stiffened.
My sensitivity flared, and I did my best to read his intentions, but the truth fell from his lips, proving I didn’t need to pry. “I owe you so many lives tonight. I am in your debt, Runa.”
His towering height overwhelmed me, and the raven feathers in his hair glinted with oily black. The ash marks of war had smeared over his chest, leaving the silvery marks of his spirit tattoo visible over his heart.
A bear.
I finally made out his spirit animal: a bear that defended its cubs with ferocity and fearlessness.
Reaching out, Tral paused for a heartbeat, before resting his palms on my shoulders. I flinched at his touch and my awareness for spirits snapped shut, vanishing into me and snuffing out the remaining light on my skin.
He frowned for a moment then tucked a strand of white hair behind my ear, fatherly and kind. “Solin has said many things about you, Runa. When he first came to Tiptu and I, and spoke of what he’d seen, I feared he’d indulged in too much damaq root. But now...now I see what he did. I see why he pushed to make you his acolyte if you were approved by the fire. And I see why he was so steadfast on stepping into a trance with you, regardless of the danger.”
I breathed hard as he let me go.
Once again, I didn’t know what to say.
“You aren’t just fire touched, girl.” He tensed. “You are fire itself. I have never seen a mortal with more magic. And I believe, just like Solin, that we were meant to find you. You have been given to us for a reason. You belong with us. You are one of us. And whatever you want, you shall have it.”
I clutched at what he said, hoarding his words to pore over later.
For now, the only thing I cared about was Darro.
My eyes dropped to the male who was nameless until today. A male who carried as many mysteries as I did. “He needs a healer.”
Tral nodded.
Looking over his shoulder, he snapped his fingers at his hunters. “Fashion a travois. Now.”
