Page 51 of Crossing Between

I sank into the loveseat, the cushions soft.

The warmth from the crackling fire caressed my skin, a stark contrast to the cold, formless void I'd been drowning in moments before.

I traced my fingers along the plush fabric, marveling at how real it felt despite knowing none of this was happening in the physical world.

Shanna sat elegantly beside me, her silver-blonde hair shimmering in the firelight. Up close, I could see the delicate lines around her eyes, not wrinkles of age, but markers of a life lived with sorrow.

"Tea?"

Suddenly, two steaming cups materialized on the small table before us. The rich aroma of cinnamon and cloves wafted up, intensifying the cozy atmosphere.

I accepted the cup with a grateful nod, letting the heat seep into my palms. "How are you doing this?" I gestured around the room. "Creating all this?"

"This is your subconscious, dear. I'm merely directing the scene." Shanna took a delicate sip from her cup. "I thought you might be more comfortable having this conversation somewhere warm, rather than in that gray emptiness."

I wrapped my fingers tighter around the cup. "Thank you."

"So tell me, Zoey," Shanna tilted her head slightly, her eyes studying me with gentle curiosity. "What do you know of your abilities so far?"

For several minutes, we talked. I told her about discovering my power when my parents died, about accidentally bringing my mom back to life, about my connection to souls.

She listened attentively, occasionally nodding or asking a clarifying question.

It felt surreal, discussing magical abilities over tea like we were chatting about a new hobby.

All the while, my mind raced with thoughts of Ryan, of the Essencefeaster, of the men I'd left behind. Anxiety built in my chest until I couldn't maintain the pretense of casual conversation any longer.

"I need your help," I blurted out, interrupting her question about how I'd met the supernatural detectives. "The Essencefeaster has my brother. It's killing people. I don't know how to stop it, and I don't know how to save Ryan."

To my surprise, Shanna laughed. It was a bright, musical sound that transformed her face entirely. The sorrow that had weighed down her features lifted momentarily, and I caught a glimpse of the vibrant woman she must have been before whatever tragedy had scarred her.

"Oh, Zoey," she set down her teacup. "You remind me so much of myself. Always direct, always ready to charge into battle." Her laughter faded, but her eyes remained warm. "That's precisely why I'm here."

She leaned forward, her expression growing serious once more. "But before I help you unlock your full potential, you need to understand what you're asking for. The burden of your magic will be heavy, heavier than you can possibly imagine right now."

I straightened my spine, preparing for whatever warning she was about to give.

"Are you sure you want to unlock it? For when it is unlocked, there is no going back.

" Her voice dropped lower. "You will be unable to hide what you are, Zoey.

The humans may not like that you have so much magic at your fingertips.

You might find yourself facing a different kind of enemy altogether. "

I swallowed hard but kept my gaze steady on hers.

"It will be painful," she continued, "and once it is unlocked, your life will be shortened significantly because the amount of magic will be too much for a mortal body to contain for long.

" Her eyes searched mine. "Does that matter to you?

Have you considered what that might do to your loved ones?

To those men I sense you're developing feelings for? "

My heart stuttered. I hadn't considered that. Unlocking my power might mean cutting my life short, might mean less time with Varon, Kenji, and Elias. It felt like a sucker punch straight to my gut.

The fire crackled in the silence as I considered her words.

Images flashed through my mind: Ryan as a child, following me everywhere with hero-worship in his eyes; the tormented souls I'd heard screaming; Varon's fierce protectiveness; Elias's quiet strength; Kenji's playful smile that hid such depth.

I thought of all the people in the city, human and supernatural alike, who would suffer if I didn't stop the Essencefeaster. Who had already suffered because of the demon.

And I thought of the three men who had somehow, in such a short time, carved out pieces of my heart for themselves. I wanted to keep them safe, wanted to have a future where I could explore these new, intoxicating feelings.

But I couldn't have any of that if the Essencefeaster wasn't stopped.

I looked up at Shanna, my decision made. "I will unlock my power," I squeezed my hands together into fists. "Whatever the cost to me, I have to try to save my brother, to save everyone. I can't stand by and do nothing when I have the ability to help."

A brilliant smile broke across Shanna's face, like sunshine after a storm. "I knew you would say that." There was pride in her voice. "You will surpass me, Zoey, because you have something that I never had."

I frowned slightly, confusion momentarily replacing my resolve. "What do you mean? What do I have?"

Shanna's eyes sparkled. "If you complete your connection with the men in your life, and if they agree to it, they can bind themselves to you. Their combined magic will keep yours steady and prevent you from dying from the magical overload. I never made that choice. I was a fool."

My breath caught in my throat. "You mean there's a way for me to do this without sacrificing myself?"

"It's not without risk," she warned as she shook her head. "The binding ritual is intense, and they must be fully willing. It would connect you all in ways that can never be undone. But yes, it could save your life and allow you to control your power."

Hope bloomed in my chest, fragile but undeniable. "I need to speak with them," my mind raced with the implications. I straightened my shoulders. "But even if they don't agree, I still have to stop the Essencefeaster. I have to try."

I looked her directly in the eyes. "How do I complete the connection?"

Shanna nodded, as if my answer had confirmed something for her. "You need to share yourself with them. They must be open to completing the connection and protecting you. The ritual requires physical intimacy, emotional openness, and magical synchronicity. Your oni will know what to do."

My cheeks flushed at her meaning, but I nodded. If that was what it took, I would face it head-on.

"And as to unlocking your powers," Shanna's expression softened. She reached forward suddenly, her movement too quick for me to react.

Her index finger flicked against my forehead, the touch deceptively gentle.

For one suspended moment, nothing happened, but it didn't last long.

Pain exploded behind my eyes, white-hot and searing.

Light burst through my vision in kaleidoscopic patterns, and magic surged through every cell in my body like liquid fire.

I felt myself being ripped apart from the inside, molecules separating and reforming.

I might have been screaming, but I couldn't hear anything over the roaring in my ears.

My back arched, my body no longer under my control. The cozy parlor spun around me, colors bleeding into one another. I felt myself falling backward, consciousness rapidly slipping away.

Through the chaos of sensation, I saw Shanna's face hovering above me, her expression both sad and hopeful.

"Good luck, Zoey," her voice echoed distantly as darkness began to claim me. "May you succeed where I failed."

The world went black.