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“We should go for a run,” I commented when my wolf prowled back to the forefront, pressing against my skin.
Jonathan threw his head back with a laugh, which made Marilyn jerk to attention, narrowing her eyes at us across the field.
“I’d rather not go toe-to-toe with the twins, thanks. They’ve been preening about finally getting you to run with them for days.” I smirked at the amusement in his voice. “Maybe we can all run together, though. Then they won't murder me for you having a favorite.”
I actually laughed, and it was such a relief to feel something other than the unending numbness that had settled in my chest.
Johnny slapped me on the back when his girlfriend finally gave up, getting to her feet and heading toward us. He met her halfway, lifting her in a bear hug when she reached for him. I waved to her when she looked over his shoulder at me, and tentatively raised her hand.
She’d been completely disconnected from everyone since she made it back like she wasn’t sure who she was or how she should act anymore. Jack had warned us that that was likely exactly how she was feeling; witches were so intertwined with their magic that suddenly being without it would leave her off-balance for weeks, if not years.
We were all praying for the former at this point.
Johnny called out a goodbye as he settled her more comfortably into his arms and headed back down the hill. I watched them go with a small smile.
The twins led their class up the hill shortly after my two friends disappeared down it, so I made myself comfortable a few yards away, intent on watching them go through the motions. If I went back to my house, I might not make it back out for a while, and Aria kept insisting the sunshine would be good for me, anyway.
My wolf was itching to get free, but finally gave it up when it was clear I wasn’t keen on handing over the reins. Our one good run had been enough for me, and with my mental state, I didn’t trust him not to sling me to the darkest part of my mind.
He would not.
My angel spoke up for the first time since we’d been hauled out of Hell, which shocked me a little.You might even find it freeing to let him have control for a few hours.
I don’t think so.
I tried to brush off his irritation. Thankfully, he was kind enough to reel it in for me.
We loved him, too.
The words shouldn’t have twisted the knife in my chest so hard, but they did, and I tried to rub the ache away. Tears stung my eyes. We were all one being, despite the way we were broken up. Mikey was their brother as much as he was mine, so, of course, they were in mourning alongside me.
I can’t do this with you,I told them, feeling Aria peek in on me again.I can’t break down right now. There’s too much at stake. Too many people are relying on us. We can have this heart-to-heart and mourn when it's all over, but we have to be strong right now.
Azazel had been too quiet. The Upper Council in general, actually, but they were little more than puppets for my father's unhinged assaults anyway. If we took a moment to trust we were safe and have a breakdown,thatwould be the moment he struck, and I wouldn’t leave my friends without me.
We will wait, but it can’t be forever. We’re already fractured enough.
With that cryptic comment, both of the other beings inhabiting my body seemed to slip into nothingness. Aria’s curiosity flooded the bond right behind them, though.
What do you think that means?
I suspected he meant that I was on the verge of a complete meltdown, but I doubted that would bring her any peace.Who knows? He’s never straightforward.
That being said, he’d been much better ever since Aria had insisted that he try to communicate outside of rapid flares of feeling and slamming migraines into my brain when that didn’t get his point across.
Aria’s amusement tickled, which caused me to smile.I’m almost done in the clinic. Want to walk with me to the cafeteria? Zuzanna promised she was going to make pizza today, and I’m starving.
You didn’t eat before you got your blood drawn?
I felt her eye-roll like it was my own at my concerned outburst.No! We have some new packs coming in, and I wanted to help patrol. Dr. Vasille needed a few more doses to get them all vaccinated.
Promising her retribution if she neglected herself again, I forced myself up and agreed to meet her at the clinic.
Thankfully, nobody stopped me on my hike, though I saw my brother chatting with Elias and a few new wolves along my way.
Aria was already done by the time I got there, bouncing on her heels and eager to go. She linked my arm with hers and tugged me along with a wide smile.
“I’m so glad you took my advice and got out today. You should have harassed Johnny into sparring with you, too! The man needs some fun in his life after all this mess.”
