Page 165 of Barbi and the Villain

“What now?” I ask in a strangled voice.

“Now it’s up to you, sweetheart. Wish them free, and they will be free.”

I gulp down. Squeezing my eyes shut, I channel my energy into a healing one, letting it spread from soul to soul in an effort to calm them and let them know they are safe—that they can now continue their journey into the afterlife.

A wave of heat develops in my chest and a loud explosion startles me from my trance.

I fall to the ground, but Nykander is there to catch me, cradling my body to his chest.

Pieces of Damien’s body are scattered on the ground as Nykander pulls back his shadows.

“Look, Barbs.” He nods to the night sky that the thousands of liberated souls lit up. The moment they are out, though, other beings appear. Mechanic and somewhat robotic, they have humanoid appearances, but they do not seem to stray from their script.

“They are messengers,” Nykander murmurs. “They are now escorting the souls to P’asala.”

“I did it then…” I mutter numbly.

“You did it, Barbs. You did so good. I’m proud of you,” he whispers, kissing the tip of my nose.

“I did it,” I repeat in disbelief.

Light shimmers around me, and as I look down, I’m startled to see that the previous lavender energy has now changed color.

It is no longer a light purple.

It is pink.

Pink.

Somehow that’s fitting.

A smile pulls at my lips, but it’s a rather sloppy one as my body fails me.

That’s my last thought before my eyes close.

25

“Yes. Eat it all. Just like that, Ander.”

Nykander’s voice filters through the veil of confusion covering my mind. I slowly open my eyes, and there he is.

He’s lying in the grass with Ander in his lap. He’s feeding the little pup and praising him every time he eats.

My smile widens.

Nykander whips his head around, his lips curving up. He puts the pup down, urging him to go play with his parents, and he rushes toward me.

“You are awake,” he notes, a smile creeping on his face.

I get up. For the first few seconds, I am disoriented as I recall what happened at the Sanctuary.

“Where are we?” I frown as I look around. We are in a forest, but the scenery isn’t familiar.

“We are in P’laisa. It is an intermediary realm close to Tartareia. It isn’t populated, so I thought we might not stand out too much here.”

I nod.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, brushing one hand over my forehead.

---