“Yeah,” says Scar. “I saw that, too. Then Az called us over. He and I go way back.” Scar folds her arms over her chest, a movement that makes her leathers creak.
Avianna raises her hand. “I’m only here because Scar asked me. She knows Az and everything.” The bird caws again. “And Bernie wants you to know that she’s our best friend.”
This is a lot of sharing from Avianna. I get the feeling she doesn’t hang out with folks other than Bernie and Scar very much.
Az steps closer to me. He has issues with invading personal space, even in his wolf form. “You’ve learned something.”
By the way, Az does this a lot. “You’ve learned something” is meant to be a question, but Az rarely asks questions, technically. So, I go through everything that happened. I start with school and the weird situation with the doors. After that, I tell him about assembling the new papyri and learning that we need to find the Codex Mechanica to locate the fountain. And, finally, I share that I saw the Void.
I almost say something about Knox feeling worse, but I’m guessing that the camel dung comment means Az is onto that part already. Instead, I segue right to my big question. “You know anything about the Shadowvin?”
“Yes. I had an unfortunate encounter with them once, many years ago. One side effect is that I’m now immune to the curse about the Void. The Shadowvin and Void like to work through dreams.”
“For a while, I couldn’t remember when they visited.”
“The Shadowvin make exceptions to the Void’s curse when it suits them. And now, in your case, it seems to suit them.” He gestures to Scar and Avianna. “I asked these ladies here to help Knox, but now that you know about the Void?” He rubs his chin slowly. “Perhaps there is only one way to help Knox … and that is to aid you.”
Scar tilts her head. “Am I the only one who’s having trouble remembering what Az says?”
“There’s something going on with my memory too.” Knox blinks hard, like he’s trying to clear his mind. “But if it’s something we need to know, my guardian will tell us when the time is right.”
Scar nods. “True that.”
My brows lift. Indeed, Scar must’ve known Az for a long time if she’s used to how he withholds information. It’s yet another personality trait he shares with Gandalf. I decide to start with a simple question. “Az, what do you know about the Void?”
“Only what I’ve learned from my unfortunate encounters with the Shadowvin. The Void is an evil creature that came into being when magic was created. According to the First Wardens, the Void wishes to consume the world into nothingness.”
Knox turns to me. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I did tell you.” My voice is tinged with sadness. This memory curse is terrible. I hate keeping things from Knox, even if it’s beyond my control.
Az gestures around the room. “Just be patient. All will eventually be made clear to you.”
Avianna and Scar share a confused look.
“Hey,” grumbles Scar. “We need to …to … what were we talking about again?” She turns to Avianna. “Do you remember?”
“No idea,” says Avianna.
Az grins. “We were discussing the fate of the world.”
“Sure we were,” says Knox. “You’re doing that thing again.”
“What thing?” asks Az.
Knox shakes his head. “The one where you talk in riddles.”
“Ah, that. Apologies.” Az chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. He focuses his attention on me. “Now that you’re ready, there are some things I can do to help you.”
My inner wolf starts to howl. “Help our mate! Our maaaaaate!”
“I completely agree,” I say in my mind.
I hold up my hand with the palm facing Az. This is the universal symbol for stop right there, friend. “Before we do anything else, you need to help Knox. Why is he getting sick?” I ask.
“You wouldn’t tell me on the phone,” says Knox. “Is it because I need to find the fountain before the equinox? That’s only four days away. Not sure that’s really possible.”
Az’s mouth thins to a line. “I’m no wizard, but I know a few witches and warlocks. I’ve consulted a powerful witch with expertise in diagnosing magical ailments. Your sickness is not due to the fountain.” He lowers his voice. “This is a personal matter that can wait until we’re alone.”
“No,” growls Knox. “You can tell me now. I’ve got nothing to hide.” His gaze scans Scar and Avianna. “From anyone.”
Az swipes his hand over his bald head. It’s the motion he does when he’s about to deliver really bad news. “Magic doesn’t like you two together. You’re a warden. You should focus on finding the fountain of magic. No other shifter warden has found his mate before discovering the fountain. That’s become a problem. You’re distracted by your love for Bryar Rose.”
“But Bry and I aren’t married, Az.” Knox’s words come out as a low snarl. “Magic is supposed to leave us alone unless we try to get hitched. You said that to me.” Knox pounds his leg with his fist. “Hell, you encouraged me to go after Bry. You said if you’d had a chance at love, you’d have risked everything.”
“I gave the best advice I could at the time,” says Az.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. This is all moving so fast. The autumn equinox is approaching, and the fountain’s about to rise. I hate to think this, but if magic wants Knox to find the fountain fast, maybe he has a better chance without romantic distractions around.
Without me.
Inside my heart, my wolf rouses. “We’re hurting our mate,” she whimpers. “We can’t be with him.”
“Az is wrong,” I reply in my mind. “There must be another explanation.” But my words don’t have much force. Az has never been wrong before.
Az steps up to Knox. “Magic does what it wants. There’s no controlling or predicting it.” The old were places a meaty hand on Knox’s shoulder. “And magic wants you to find the fountain. It sees your love for Bryar Rose as lessening your chances.”
Knox keeps his gaze locked with Az’s. A long pause follows before my mate utters a single word: “No.”
“Here is the truth of the matter,” continues Az. “The more time you spend with Bryar Rose, the more ill you’ll become. It has nothing to do with the equinox in four days’ time. You must be apart. Spend your time searching for the fountain, but do it separately. It’s the only way you’ll live.”
“That’s a load,” snarls Knox. “I know who you go to for magical advice, and my ex-girlfriend is not a great source of information.”
My eyes bulge with shock. Did Knox just say ex-girlfriend?
I round on Az. “You know Ty?”
“For years,” says Az.
“Az knows everybody,” adds Knox. “Especially if they play any serious role in my life. But he can get too emotional when it comes to my safety. I’ve seen it before.” He shoots a pointed look at his guardian. I know that expression. It says, You’re full of crap on this one.
“How can you doubt my methods?” asks Az. “As always, I consulted many more experts than merely Ty.”
“But she’s on the list.” Knox folds his arms over his chest. “Look, Ty is a manipulative freak. I don’t trust this or her. I have to be apart from Bry, or I fall over dead? I call bullshit. ”
Avianna takes a half-step toward the door. “Maybe we should leave.”
“Nah,” says Scar. “Things are just getting interesting.”
Az steps away from Knox. “You asked for my assessment. That’s what I have to tell you.” This time, Knox doesn’t reply. The quiet in the room turns deafening.
Inside my soul, my wolf curls into a ball and falls silent. The fact that she’s turned quiet means she suspects the truth like I do.
I’m killing my mate, just by standing near him.
Azizi sighs. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to help Bryar Rose travel through time.”
All the air gets sucked out of my lungs. This was alr
eady a pretty surreal day. I must’ve misheard Az. I clear my throat. “Let me get this straight. Did you say, ‘Travel through time?’”
Az lifts his chin. “I did.”
Inside my soul, my wolf stands at attention. “Travel through time? Will there be fairies to chew on?” I have enough to worry about right now, so I decide to ignore my wolf for a bit.
“Sorry,” I say. “I’m still stuck on the last thing we talked about. If I’m near Knox, I kill him? I don’t want to go anywhere until we figure out if that’s the truth.”
“I disagree,” counters Az. “We must protect the fountain of magic and stop the Void at all costs. Do you understand?”
Time travel. Knox dying. And now, the fate of all magic is at stake. My brain goes into overload. My eyes well with tears. “This is too much, Az.”
“Come here.” Knox wraps his arms around me and pulls me against the solidity of his chest. Closing my eyes, I soak in the warmth of his touch. A long minute passes this way before I feel ready to talk once more.
“Why me?” I ask.
When Az speaks again, his voice is gentle. “I don’t know. All I can say is that magic has chosen you.”
“I still say the stuff from Ty is crap.” Knox holds me more tightly. “Bry is my life. Being near her won’t hurt me.” He glares at Az. “You made a mistake.”
“Anything is possible,” says Az. I’ve heard that phrase from him before. It’s Az’s way of stating, I’m right, but I’m done fighting with you.
There’s a long moment of silence where no one’s quite sure what to do next. We can’t stand around like this all day, so I step away from Knox. Losing his touch hurts, but waiting around forever isn’t an option. Turning, I address Scar and Avianna. “I guess you’ll take me through time, then?”
A small smile rounds Scar’s mouth. “If you’re up for it.”
“I am. Let’s do this.”
And so we begin.
Chapter 13
“Glad you’re ready for your journey,” says Az. “I’ve asked Scar and Avianna here to take you to the past. You alone will keep the memories afterward. That’s the best I can do.”
I shift my weight from foot to foot. “Out of curiosity, what were you planning to do before?”
“Before?” Az raises his brows.
“Before I said how I remembered the Void.”
“Ah,” says Az slowly. “Knox told me you were accompanying him here. By that point, I had already spoken to my witch contacts. I learned that your future with Knox ends in tragedy.” He shoots a pointed look at Knox. “I brought Scar and Avianna here to use magic and try to show you the truth. Bryar Rose is draining your life force. The two of you are better off apart.”
“I see.” The words come out as a croak.
I’m hurting Knox. We need to be apart.
Knox glares at his guardian. “You can’t know that for sure. This is all scaring Bry for no reason.”
“Now, now.” Az raises his hands in a motion that says, Calm down. “In this moment, fate and magic have seen fit to give Bryar Rose certain knowledge. We now know magic and the fountain are at risk. It is no longer the moment to prove to you the truth of your future without Bryar Rose. We must focus on the fountain.” He turns to Avianna and Scar. “Let us not waste the time of our valuable allies.”
I turn to Scar and Avianna as well. “How can you help?”
“I created a potion that will allow you to travel through time,” says Avianna.
Before I can stop myself, my mouth falls open. “You can really do that? That’s a rare skill even for a senior witch or warlock.” I’m no expert in magic, and even I know that.
Avianna stares at her feet. “Thank you.” Bernie caws again while puffing out his chest. That thing is growing on me.
Scar steps forward. “And I’m a shifter with an unusual gift. I’m a spirit shepherd.”
I take in a shocked breath. “I thought those were myths.”
Spirit shepherds help guide you in any number of ways. They can take the form of a loved one and provide advice, or they can reincarnate someone from your worst nightmares. Whatever the situation, spirit shepherds are powerful, all-purpose shapeshifters. Like me, they’re super rare. No wonder Madame recruited Scarlett and Avianna to our little teen therapy group. Jules would’ve loved to consume our powers.
Scar shrugs. “There aren’t many of us, but we exist. I can take any form I want, including a wolf, when it suits me. And when I need to, I can guide people on the path to their futures. Sometimes, that’s by taking a form they need to see, like a loved one. Other times, it’s being a more literal guide.” She turns to me. “After you take the potion from Avianna, I’ll ask a question. Based on the answer, we’ll both move physically to another time. Once we’re there, I can take the form of a local and help explore from there.”
“Will you know about the time we visit?” I ask.
“I’ll ask what you need to know about the Shadowvin,” says Scar. “Safe bet we’re going to the past. I don’t know exactly when in time we’ll arrive, though.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” I gesture across her red leather outfit. “Depending on when you arrive, you might not exactly fit in.”
Scar shrugs. “I’m good at bluffing. Plus, my powers help us both understand what everyone is saying and be able to talk their language.”
I grin. “That’s great.”
“Oh, this is magic.” Scar chuckles. “There’s a catch. We need to stay connected. As in physically. By a cord.”
“Handy,” says Knox.
“Good guess,” adds Scar. “We have to keep our hands tied together for the magic to work. It’s a pain.”
I look down at my outfit. I’m still wearing my unshreddable clothes from school: a duster, dark pants, and heavy boots. That said, I still do wear the bracelet that can glamour me into looking like I’m wearing the school’s uniform. “Not sure I’m wearing the right clothes.”
“We don’t know where we’re going, so there’s no point in changing. Besides, you’ll have me with you. I can look like a local like—that.” She snaps her fingers. “And I’m fast on my feet. We’ll talk our way around it.”
The world seems to pause. I’m about to take some sketchy potion and travel back in time with a girl I barely know. Words tumble from my mouth without any conscious thought. “Can I trust you?”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about from me,” says Scar. “All I know about how to control my powers, I learned from Az. If he says I’m to allow my magic to guide you to wisdom, then that’s what I’ll do.” She nods toward Avianna. “And this one’s a goodie two shoes who’ll do anything for anyone.” That last phrase is said with a little venom, as if this is part of an ongoing fight between these two. Bernie caws in agreement.
Avianna lifts her pale chin. “I’m doing the right thing.” She could be talking about helping me, but she isn’t. The way she glares at Scar, I can tell this is all part of another conversation. Interesting.
Scar sighs. “You’re too good, Vi.” Again, Scar fixes her gaze on me. “What do you say? Are we doing this?”
I look Az over carefully. This guy basically raised Knox. “If Az says you both can be trusted, I’m in.”
“Good.” Scar cracks her neck from side to side. “Everyone needs to leave the room. My gifts don’t work as well with an audience. You’ll throw off my focus. I could end up transforming into someone’s dead grandmother, and that won’t help Bryar Rose here.”
Knox slowly walks over to stand before me. He towers above me, but even so, my mate has never seemed frailer. “You sure about this?”
“Positive. There’s no question in my mind that the Void and Shadowvin are after the fountain of magic. We have to protect it. And the rest …” I don’t need to say what the rest is. We both know that I’m talking about magic killing Knox for being near me. “We’ll worry about that later.”
Knox gently rests his palm against my cheek. “I’m not leaving you
. I’m not losing you.” All the intensity in the world shines in his ice-blue eyes.
What do I say here? I’ll allow you to stay by my side, even if it kills you? Or we need to stay apart, even if that destroys our souls?
Az saves me from having to reply, though. “Let’s go,” announces Azizi. After that, the elder were wraps his arm about Knox’s shoulder and guides my mate toward the door. It’s a sign of how weak Knox is feeling that he leans against Az as he walks. My heart cracks. Knox is dying before my eyes.
And I might be the one killing him.
I shake my head. I can’t focus on that now. If I don’t protect the fountain from the Void, many more people than Knox will be at risk. And maybe once we find the fountain, we can use it to heal Knox and fix things. It’s not much, but it’s a plan.
Knox pauses by the door. “See you soon, Bry.”
I nod and blow him a kiss, but what I really want to do is weep. Knox looks so pale and tired. Please let me make the right decisions here.
Within seconds, Knox and Az step into the main hallway, closing the door behind them. Now it’s just Scar, Avianna, and me in the room.
“So how does this work, exactly?” I ask.
“Damned if I know for sure,” replies Scar. “Normally, soul shepherding takes days to transport. But Vi and I have been buds since were kids. We stumbled across this trick for speeding up the process when we were nine.”
“Seven, as a matter of fact,” corrects Avianna. She pulls a small vial from the folds of her robe. “Drink this, and within seconds, you’ll be transported in time to the point you most need to see.”
For a moment, I hope I might see the day I was born. How amazing would it be to actually get a look at my parents? I shake the thought off. What I really need right now is information on how to find the fountain and save Knox.
I scoop the vial from Avianna’s palm and down the contents in one gulp. It tastes like rotten apples. Crimson lights flash in my peripheral vision.
“Did you see that?” I ask.
“It’s my magic,” says Avianna. “The spell is starting to work.”
Scar loops a bit of golden cord between our wrists. “Like I said before, we need to stay in touch for me to guide you.” She turns to Avianna. “And you need to get out of here.”
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