AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The first tears fall from my eyes and plop onto the concrete railing. They stain the black stone and tiny little spots of magic dance from there, as if my grief is somehow so full of magic, it leaks from my eyes. Every part of me yearns for my hope not to be misplaced, for something to somehow work out for the better.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind, but I don’t flinch. I let them offer their warmth and strength as I cry for the sister I should have been able to save. My sadness reached them while they were sleeping, drawing them to me just as I would have been drawn to them. Wrapped in their arms, the pain becomes bearable, and once I’m able to focus on that, I’m able to focus on something else entirely—the soft buzz of old, burgeoning magic.
I whip up my head, staring out into the Dead Lands toward the bite of magic. Somehow, it feels familiar, as if I’ve felt such magic before and every part of me recognizes it. There’s a soft,brief, pale yellow glow that’s almost impossible to see before it’s gone.
I lean in. “Did you see that?” I rasp. “Can you feel it?”
Nero presses his cheek to mine. “The magic?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, the magic. It felt . . .”
“Powerful,” Bracken says in his usual chipper voice.
I glance at him. “I was going to say familiar.”
We fall into silence for a moment, but as I focus on it, nothing else comes. Sighing, I gesture toward the castle. “Whatever it was, it’s gone now.”
Raz tilts his head. “Would you like me to fly—”
I’m shaking my head before he can finish. “Whatever it is, it felt . . . new. We won’t disturb whatever creature is learning to taste its magic again. If it comes to our door, then we shall address it.”
After all, the Dead Lands are coming back to life. The monsters are learning how to live and taste magic again. It makes sense that they would start to harness what they once were.
Still, I can’t help looking over my shoulder one last time, hope unfurling in my chest like the wings of a gargoyle.
It’s a foolish hope, but still hope all the same.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
KAI
Keeping hold of Kaito’s hand, I move to the edge of the pool before I realize my mistake. He must sense it at the same time and squeezes my hand, so I look at him. “I’ll turn away and get undressed first.” He turns his back and for a moment, I find myself watching.
My cheeks heat as he quickly shucks his clothes, and my eyes widen at his round ass before he dives into the pool. I quickly glance away, not wanting to be caught.
“Okay,” he calls. When I turn, he’s resurfaced, his hair slicked back and eyes sparkling since he’s in the water. With a grin, he turns in a circle to give me privacy. “I won’t peek.”
No, because he’s better than I am.
I hesitantly tug at my top before shedding my clothes and stepping into the water. I groan at the first touch, already feeling the warmth unwinding my stress and muscles as I wade deeper until it’s up to my shoulders. “Okay,” I say, my voice high.
He turns and swims toward me, grinning. “Can you feel it?” He swims laps around me, his wide grin infectious, and I find myself giggling.
“The temperature?” I ask, tilting my head.
“The magic,” he replies.
Closing my eyes, I focus on the feelings around me, sensing the magic in the water just like he said. My eyes pop open in wonder as he laughs and dives under, only to reappear farther in the pool. Unable to resist his playful side, I follow, swimming after him. Laughing, he swims away, letting me chase him. The magical water makes me more relaxed than I’ve ever been. I feel vibrant and whole and for a moment, I am, and it’s all because of him.
When he dips under the water again and resurfaces behind me with a splash, I spin with a laugh. “Two can play at that game.”
I dive under the water, swimming down into the darkness to scare him, but as the dark water closes around me and all the light disappears, old memories take hold.
Ones that took place within similar darkness.
Memories of roaming, harsh hands and cruel punishments close around me like a vise until I choke on water as I scream. Hands reach for me in the dark and yank me up and out until I desperately gasp in air.
