Page 60

“What do you want me to do?”

“First, you need to get your head on straight. You need to return to the Academy to do it, because it’s a challenging environment for you and a breakthrough like this needs to occur under that sort of duress to ensure it holds, that you’re truly ready. And when you reach that point, come to me and I’llassist you with re-unifying your magic and restoring your full power set. Following that, once you’re in full command of your powers again, you’ll come with me to the Guardian Compound wherein I’ll set you on some tasks to use said power to assist the supernatural world. One day a week is what we’ll start with and we’ll work it around your Academy schedule. Like I said, you becoming a fully-fledged Guardian member may not be the right path for you, but at this point, I believe it will help you to at least dip your toe in a little, to give you something positive to focus your power on, working toward doing some good, experiences that will help you to feel proud of whoandwhat you are.”

“Okay,” I murmured.

“Yeah?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I’ve heard everything you’ve said, and I get it. It needs to be done.”

“Good. Really good.” He pulled me in for a hug then. “You’re not alone. Please remember that. We’re your family and we’ll be here for you, no matter what. We love you. This family accepts each member for their differences and we fight as one. Eternally, okay?”

“I know. Thank you, Pops.” I tightened my hold on him, needing the support.

The understanding.

The love.

And the reassurance.

Because this really wasn’t going to be easy.

The pressure was definitely on even more so, because there clearly wasn’t a choice in the matter. Ihadto do this.

I just hoped it didn’t end up bringing about my worst fears when it came to my abilities.

It was all on the line.

11

~Vorzyr~

Kai had been right on the money.

I rolled my eyes to myself. Of course he had.Arrogant shit.

Although, to be honest, it was proving useful right about now. And, as much as it irritated me to admit it, given that he had enough of an ego trip going on as it was, I doubted this would be the only time that his experience and knowledge base would prove vital.

Well, at least I was only thinking it and not airing it outwardly to him. The last thing somebody like him needed was further stroking of that mammoth ego.

Stroking ofotherthings, however… now that was a very different matter.

I rolled my shoulders and shook off that unsettling thought, not wanting to recall the enticing sensation that he’d sparked in me that day when we’d reached an agreement in my dorm room.

I needed to focus on the other enchanting being in my sights.

Quite literally right now.

She’d come to the turrets just like Kai had predicted.

As soon as night had fallen like desired camouflage for her.

I smiled to myself as I watched her step out there from one of the roof access doors and pull up short at what she found there—what I’d prepared in advance.

I’d essentially transformed the eerie place of emptiness and solitude into a much more intimate and warm environment, something a whole lot more inviting.

For one, I had a dozen enchanted dragonlorn candles that I’d brought with me in one of my trunks casting a soft red hue over the area, as well as a comforting heat. Then I’d set food out for dinner on a luxurious picnic blanket made of the finest silks from the Dracoryn Realm that was a deep black with rich red embroidered edges.

The food aspect was what I was most proud of, because I’d indulged in a little research to determine her favorite things to eat. Surprisingly, given the repressed and withdrawn nature of hers that she projected to everybody else, she was actually a big fan of spicy foods.