Page 2 of Forty Deaths Till Us Part
I shook my head. “They didn’t teach that kind of magic in school. Nobody had that kind of magic. I had never seen it before the traitor.”
Rene’s eye flickered. “What?”
Cass wet her lips. “She created the shadow thing that the witch traitor uses to mask her presence. Raven was encased in shadow and hadn’t disappeared yet, but she was close.”
Rene’s eyes narrowed on me. “How does this magic work? What is it called?”
My shoulders sagged. “I wish I knew. The only thing I can compare it with is a form of shroud. The shadows form around me and then the light begins to alter the exterior. The closest thing I can compare it to is a cloaking device. This is the magical version and until that nasty witch used it, I had never seen it before. Now that I have experienced it, I can feel how it works, but I don’t know how to turn it off. Once I began feeding the magic, it didn’t want to let go.”
Rene’s eyes narrowed on me. “Your magic is evolving far too rapidly. Do you have any idea why?”
I grunted. “You may as well ask me why I died, or why I survived transition. I’m sorry, but there is no explaining what I am or what I am turning into.”
Rene pulled me against him. “Do not worry about it. We will take all the necessary precautions to keep you safe.”
I searched his eyes. “How?”
He touched my face gently, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. “We will contact Ursula and get those tests. We will appear to be acceding to her wishes, but they will reveal all your magics so we have a better understanding of your power and how to control it.”
While trusting Ursula was about the last thing I wanted, I had grown up with witches and knew how the tests worked. They would give me the information I needed as well as access to the high priestess’ knowledge. She wouldn’t want a more powerful witch than her roaming around unfettered, and I was beginning to suspect I was exactly that. How I had become this was still a mystery. One I may never solve.
Rene stared at me for some time, and I frowned. “Raven, can I contact her? I would never do so without your permission.”
I was about to remind him that he was the overseer, but I smiled ruefully. “Yes. I appreciate you asking me. I will do the tests.”
Rene took out his cell phone and pulled up Ursula’s contact. She picked up on the first ring. “Ursula, Raven will do the test tonight; make the necessary arrangements.” He was quiet for some time. “I will make no further concessions. Either have things ready for us tonight or we will not accede to your wishes.” He hung up.
Cass folded her arms. “What did the witch say?”
Rene kept his eyes on me. “She is making all the necessary arrangements. We will go to the coven building at dusk.”
I nodded, and my eyes drooped. While my power had seemed endless when it was cascading out of me like a rushing waterfall, my stamina appeared to lack the same enthusiasm. “Okay.”
Rene took my hand. “You are tired. Expending your magic drains you quickly. We will retire until dusk.”
My eyes met Cassara’s. “Thank you for helping me.”
She shrugged casually. “It was nothing.”
Rene cleared his throat. “It was not nothing. She could have expended all her power had you not acted so quickly. A witch dies if she drains her life force using magic. I do not wish to test that premise with Raven.”
Cass held the back of her hand to her mouth. “He is just pissed I got to tie you up before he did.”
The laugh escaped my lips before the image of me bound naked made my heart stutter.
Rene sighed. “Please check on Kirnen.”
He led me from the training facility and almost every vampire kept their gaze on the floor. I had no idea what havoc my magic had caused in the rest of the mansion, but it was obvious they felt it.
I breathed a sigh of relief when we ascended the stairs, and we were alone in the hallway. Our suite was pristine and comforting as we entered. “I need a shower.”
Rene grabbed the hem of my blouse and pulled it up over my head. “That is a good idea.”
I put my hand on his wrist when his fingers moved to my pants. “I can undress myself. You don’t have to shower with me.”
He moved closer to me and didn’t relinquish his hold. “But I want to, and you are barely able to stand by yourself. You are exhausted and I would never take advantage of such a situation, so you are quite safe... today.”
It was implied that tomorrow was a whole different story, and a shiver of anticipation skated up my spine. I allowed him to remove my clothes before he discarded his and I followed him to the shower.