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His lips pursed. “It seems internal portals are.”
I sighed in relief. “She’s still in the human realm, then.”
“Yes.”
“Thank the gods.” I sighed and sank into the cushioned chair to hold my head.
“It happened a little while ago. You and Charlie wouldn’t wake up,” Savida added tentatively.
Daithi asked, “You were with the son of the gods?”
“Yes–”
Baelen had been attacked by shadows, Clawdia disappeared from the dream and from our bed, and Charlie was still with his birth mother. We were all apart and in danger, and I couldn’t do anything about it. My helplessness made me breathless.
Zaide?A whisper of a question in my mind sent me sighing with relief.
Little Cat? Are you all right? Where are you?
I’m fine. I’m in a warehouse, I don’t know where exactly, but I’ve found the dragon. Mary is working with him. He wants magic. She’s going to come after all of you. Do you know where Daithi and Savida are?
A warehouse? How did she get there? How did she find the dragon in such a short time between being taken from the dream to waking? How is Mary working with a beast?
But those questions weren’t important. All I needed to know was if she was in danger. She confessed her longing for me, fear tinging her voice, even as she tried to keep me away, and I melted.
All I wanted was to pull her into my arms and protect her. I should be trying to save her. But she wanted to do this on her own. I felt her determination and after seeing her at her worst, I wanted this confidence for her. I assured her I’d protect everyone from Mary, but that she should come back as soon as she has the opportunity.
I love you,she said, and my heart warmed. I’d never not want to hear those words.
And I, you,I responded.
We said our goodbyes and I opened my eyes to see Savida and Daithi hovering in front of me.
“Are you all right?” Savida asked tentatively.
“Clawdia just contacted me.” I sent a quick prayer of thanks to the gods and asked them to help Baelen too.
“Is she well?”
“For now,” I sighed.
Charlie’s phone buzzed on the side table, and I stared at it for a moment before answering the call from “Joseph councilman.”
Joseph spoke, “Charlie?”
“It’s Zaide. Charlie, is not available right now. You have news?”
“Unfortunately, the protector has taken a turn for the worse. He’s dying. We think moving him to a hospital will only make him worse. Can you and Clawdia try to heal him again?”
“Clawdia also isn’t with me—”
“Maybe Alcor could help? We’ve had some of our most talented healers try to help him to no avail. If we don’t do something soon, we will lose him.”
I understood the importance of keeping the protector alive but wasn’t sure I could guarantee Alcor’s help after his ordeal. “I’m not sure if Alcor will–”
Joseph interrupted with an edge to his voice. “Tell Alcor that we know who his witch is, and we have her coming in. He can meet her.”
I paused, hearing what wasn’t said. “In exchange for healing the protector?”
