Page 75 of Father of the Wolf

“He’s fine, but he may be weak for a while.” Sgrios was about to step back out the door when he caught Hope staring at him. “And yes, I know. Don’t worry about it. Everyone always thinks the worst of me. I am quite used to it by now.” Sgrios closed the door quietly behind him.

“I really am all right. Can we sit down for a little while?”

“Sure.” She took his hand, and they walked together to the couch.

“I’m sorry I scared you. It was a risk I shouldn’t have taken.”

“Our last words would have been a fight,” she said, speaking her thoughts aloud.

“I want to apologize for that as well. You had good reason to fear Sgrios. The facts did make him appear guilty.”

“No, I was wrong. I should have trusted you. You know him better than I ever will. I should have believed you when you said he was innocent. Please forgive me.”

“I love you, Hope. I will forgive you for anything.”

“How seriously were you hurt? Can I do anything to help?”

“We can try out your ability to heal with magic, if you want. Sgrios may have healed my injuries, but a sharing of energy would speed the return of my strength.”

“How do I do it?” She turned sideways on the couch to face him.

“It’s not very difficult. Some choose to rub their hands together to start, because the friction creates heat. Heat is energy. It isn’t really needed, but it could help you while learning. Think of the power within yourself and picture it as a source. A ball of energy or a spring of power. When you feel that part of you expanding, draw it into your hands. That will allow you to direct it where you wish.”

“I feel it! But what do I do?”

“Now we touch.” He held out his hands. “And we share.”

She reached to touch his fingers but jerked back when a spark shot across the short distance separating them. “What was that?”

“That was you, my dear. Your energy is strong.” He touched his hands to hers, and heat burned through her body. A burn that consumed but didn’t harm her. Athair closed his eyes in the pleasure. Was this her, or him, or both of them? Whatever was happening, it heated her desire and made her want to share more than energy with Athair.

“Steve made a comment on the phone about make-up sex that I thought sounded pretty good….”

“By make-up sex, you mean we make love to show that the fight is over, and all is forgiven?”

“Yes.”

His low chuckle was all the answer she received before his lips claimed hers.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Accepting Whatever Comes

Restless Waters

“Hope, give me a hand, please.”

“Of course, Granny.”

Granny said nothing more as Hope followed her back to her apartment. Once there, Granny went into her private kitchen, got a butter knife, and went to the library area. The library had an unusually cluttered look, with ancient books and scrolls scattered over her small desk, sofa, and coffee table.

“What can I help with?”

“I want you to help with the summoning of Bequlf.” Granny opened a glass-fronted book shelf and slowly removed each heavy book and gently set them aside until the bottom shelf was empty. “Hand me the butter knife, please.”

Hope passed the knife to her and watched as the older woman used it to pry up the bottom shelf, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, Hope saw several books, five wooden boxes, a long, plain dagger, and a handful of smaller items in a woven basket.

Granny lifted out a book and a wooden box, and then replaced the shelf. She handed the book to Hope before struggling to her feet.

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