Chapter 139
Chapter 139
Serafine POV
I could tell things were getting tense between Xander and the others. Someone kept shouting, and I know a lot of the fear came back to me and their helplessness because of how little they actually know.
Which is why I went over and told them, it isn’t right that I know so much and they don’t. Not when they are risking their own lives in order to fight something that they don’t believe to be real.
Now I just need to hope that what I said eases the worry and that it makes Xander’s job easier going forward. Sitting with Helena, I take Eryx from her arms, and she smiles.
“You did the right thing, you might not be able to tell them everything, but at least they know something now that can help them move forward.” She’s not wrong, but I still feel like I’ve not given them enough information.
They aren’t forced to be here and to help, but it’s not going to be an easy choice to walk away either. It’s their pack that is here, their alpha. So, unless they want to pack up their entire life and move to another pack, they will feel they have to help us.
“I just keep thinking about how stressed, worried and anxious I become not knowing much. All the questions I have, that make this seem so much more terrifying, remind me of exactly how they are feeling.”
“Maybe so, but they trained and agreed to follow their alpha without questioning him, at least Xander is listening to their questions, worries and doubts
and not simply ordering them to follow him.”
That’s true, Xander could use his alpha voice and force them to follow and do what he says, but he doesn’t, though. Instead, he focuses on answering questions, reassuring them, and making them aware they have an option, even if the choices aren’t that great.
Helena rests her hand on my arm for just a moment before standing and brushing the dirt from my trousers. “I’m going to stretch my legs,” she says before giving me a knowing look. It’s one of those rare moments where her eyes soften like she’s telling me to take time to consider things without anyone there to distract me or change what I think. I watch her walk off I have no doubt she’s going to where Xander is to see if she can help.
Even I know that Helena will want to help and offer her services. I’m not sure how useful it will be, but maybe she can do something for him.
I adjust Eryx in my arms and glance down at his peaceful face as he sleeps. He’s so completely unaware of what’s unfolding around him. He’s got no idea of the threads that are tying him to all this. I envy that, the simplicity of it all. Eat, sleep, breathe, and be held. There are no expectations weighing on him. There’s no need for him to focus and learn his magic, it’s just him, sleeping and living the most simple life.
I hear movement and look up to see Xander approaching. His strides are purposeful, but not rushed. When I look into his eyes, they tell me that the meeting didn’t end in arguments, but that doesn’t mean that the meeting ended on a good note either. I can tell by his posture that things were tense and arguments happened.
Hopefully, he was able to figure out the next steps with the guards willing to help and stay here. I know he will have thought of the guardians, but in his mind, they are protection for me and Eryx, so I know he won’t have them too far from us.
“We’re ready to get moving,” he says in a quiet voice so as not to wake Eryx. “We’re only going far enough away from the Hollow. I want us off this ground before dark. So, the plan is we make camp in one of the outer ridges, close enough to scout, but far enough to sleep without waking to a tree dragging us
under.”
I chuckle at his words. “A tree dragging us under? You think that will happen?” I ask.
“You do remember it got Killian, Garrick and Helena, and ensured they couldn’t move?”
“Yes, but that was to protect the Hollow; it’s not about to come out and drag us under for no reason.” I want to laugh at how serious he is being right now about this. It’s like he thinks the Hollow is just waiting for us to sleep before the veins and roots come up from underground and drag us back in there. For what purpose?
“Just, trust me, please, we need to move, even if you think everything will be fine. It will also help Killian, Garrick, and Helena settle, considering it was them who were bound in place and had their memories washed away while they were stuck there.”
1/3
Chapter 139
I can understand their fear over it, after all, it was them who got stuck. “Okay,” I say as I rise. “I’m going to get into the car and ensure Erys is sattad 1 say. He leads me back to the car, and I get into the back, before easing Ery into the small carrier nestled between the seats:
The moment he’s secure, I turn and meet Xander’s gaze. There’s something else he’s not said yet. I can feel it, and see it in his eyes that he’s got more to say, but he’s not yet. I wait and watch him.
“Once we’re there,” he says, leaning on the door frame, “you’re going to start practicing.”
There’s only one thing he can mean by that, but I don’t understand why. I showed him I can feel it and control it. “With my magic?” ask, just in case I’m wrong, even though I know I’m not.
“With your control,” he corrects. “You said something in you has changed. Now we test it. The Hollow gave you a gift, and we need to see how far it goes
Of course, he does; he can’t just let it sit. No, Xander wants to ensure he knows everything about it as soon as possible. “I figured you’d want that. You’re predictable, Xander,” I say.
He lifts a brow. “You figured right. But I’m not throwing you into something big and testing. You’ll start small, measured and controlled. It’s about ensuring you understand it fully, how to use it, and how to stop it instantly. More so when we get to where we’re going, you don’t feel pushed into something you’ve not used.”
Behind him, footsteps crunch through the dirt, and Killian rounds the rear of the vehicle, arms folded, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Controlled, huh?” He glances at me. “Guess that makes me your guinea pig.”
I blink. “You’re volunteering?” Is he crazy? He has to be to say he’s going to be the guinea pig while I try out my magic and possibly murder him. Okay, murder might be a bit dramatic, but still, he trusts me enough to let me?
He shrugs. “Not like I’ve got much else to do until we get to this mystery fracture. Might as well find out if you’re going to set my hair on fire or turn me into something tragic. Just… do me a favor and don’t kill me. My wife would be pissed. I might be dead, but she would find a way to come to the other side to lecture me about the safety protocols of playing with a witch.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the small smile that pulls at my lips. “I’m not a witch, I’m Veyrathi, and I’ll try not to kill you, but no promises.”
Killian chuckles. “Okay, at least keep my wife away, tell her that I followed safety protocols well, so I can have peace in death?”
Sighing, I consider it. “I guess I can just about handle that.”
Xander snorts and raps his knuckles on the roof of the car. “Finish up. We move in five.”
He kisses my cheek and walks away, and Killian climbs into the back seat with me, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “You know, when I said I’d die for the pack, I didn’t think it would be by spontaneous combustion.”
“You’re not going to die,” I mutter. He should have more faith in me,
“I’m not convinced,” he says with a wink, and I laugh.
even if I’ve not tested my powers out yet.
I glance at Eryx again, then out the window where the Hollow fades behind the trees. Whatever came alive in me beneath that tree, whatever tethered itself to my blood and bones, it’s still humming. Still ready. I don’t know what I’m capable of yet.
gh without adding
I’ll learn, though. I’ll figure out exactly what I’m capable of soon, and when I do, I just hope it’s nothing that is dangerous. I don’t want it to be dark magic
one wish I can have, it’s that my magic will be light, because people already fear n or black magic. Only the good kind, if there’s on dark or black magic.
