Chapter 33
Kiana
Claim
Jenson took one look at us and growled disapprovingly, but he didn’t say anything before we
climbed into his truck. There was no time for a shower, obviously, and also no time for arguing. I
wanted to go alone, but Troy wouldn’t let me.
Irene wasn’t surprised when the guard let us in. “Your beta can wait outside,” she said stiffly,
avoiding Jenson’s gaze.
Well, wasn’t that interesting?
The cottage that looked so cute in the afternoon sun was just a little bit creepier at night.
All the lights were turned off, and there were candles lit on every surface and in every corner. I wanted to point out that it was a fire hazard, but then I noticed that the flames were dancing. Not
even a little bit.
“Is that your magic doing that? Has it returned?”
“No,” she said mournfully. “It has not, but this isn’t my magic. It’s the natural elements respecting my wishes. Magic is all around us. It affects us even if we can’t wield it. Well, it affects most of us.”
Misstep, I froze. “Shit. Is that going to stop because I’m here?”
“No. Even a null can’t cancel natural magic. You really must learn more about your abilities,” she scolded. “Although I can see you’ve been working on some unfinished business. Good. That will help protect you.”
Good Goddess, she wasn’t even a shifter and she knew we’d just had sex. My cheeks burned as I glanced at Troy.
His face was unreadable.
“You wanted to talk to me.” I cleaned my throat. “In private?”
“No. The alpha is involved as well. Since I’ve been trying to heal myself with natural magic, it’s converged on my cottage. I thought I might use it to try and scry, although I’m not sure if what I’m seeing is in the past, the future, or the present. Using natural magic doesn’t give me the same kind of control, but it involves you, Kiana.”
“You could have called.” Troy was obviously still a little cranky that we were interrupted.
“That’s the thing about natural magic. It sometimes can cancel out modern amenities, like phones. My guard has been cranky all day that he hasn’t been able to text.”
WO
1/3
IMG
O
<Chapter 33
At that, Troy stiffened. “He should be able to get in touch with me if there’s a problem.”
Claim
“He can use the pack bonds if need be. It’s faster than a phone, anyway. I asked him to notify you when my guard changed. I should have known he’d go to Jenson instead,” she sighed. “In any case, I’m hoping if I can access the vision again, I can get Kiana to see it as well and let me know if it’s
from her past.”
Didn’t that sound just peachy?
“What does that entail?” Troy asked before I could.
“I’m going to be a conduit. All I need Kiana to do is touch me. I have no intention of hurting her, Troy. Don’t worry. Now come. The more time we waste, the less chance I have of accessing the
same vision.”
We followed her into the living room. All the furniture had been pushed against the wall, and there was a circle of lit candles that surrounded a small black bowl of water. “Is that a dog bowl?”
“Magical objects can be expensive,” Irene said dryly. “Often times, substitutions work even better. And at the time, I thought I might get a dog. Sit on that side and hold my hand.”
Feeling a little awkward, and still a little tingly which made me feel even more awkward, I sat crossed between the ring of candles and the water bowl. Irene sat on the other side, and she took my hands. “Do not be afraid. The vision shouldn’t hurt. Being a null shouldn’t block the magic since it’s natural magic, but at the same time, you should try to relax as much as possible. Let down your mental shielding.”
“And how do I do that?”
“Try to access a happy memory. One in which you felt safe and secure. Relaxed. Absorb as much of those feelings as possible. Put yourself in that moment.”
I just stared at her. “Irene, this is not going to work. I don’t have any memories like that.”
“Just try.”
Fine. Closing my eyes, I searched my memories for anything that might come to mind.
Times when my father was gone and left me alone. After his death. It didn’t matter. I was always on edge. Always wound up tight.
Except.
“Can I use a dream? Sometimes I have these dreams that feel so real.”
Irene squeezed my hand. “Whatever you need to do.”
WD
IM M G
111
2/3
<
< Chapter 33
Nodding, I kept my eyes closed and brought the dream to the forefront of my mind.
Claim
Troy was there, in the dark, and there was nothing else. No pack to judge us. No rising darkness to threaten us. Just him and his touch. His growls and moans as he explored me.
Learned what I liked.
Behind me, Troy grunted. My eyes flew open, and I whipped my head around. “What? What is it?”
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just got a strange feeling. Continue.”
With a shrug, I turned back around, closed my eyes, and conjured the dream again.
“I have you,” Troy whispered. “I will protect you and cherish you. Side-by-side, Kiana. Together.”
It was a shitty dream. One that was never going to happen, and usually, I tried to ignore it, but this time, I immersed myself in it completely.
And then I began to fall.
“Join us. Join us, witch, or everything you love will burn!”
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
H
Vote
98
WED
MG
O
