Page 115 of Catastrophe

“I’m worried about her,” Zaide muttered, his brow furrowed as he stared at her. She watched the skies as though she thought it might rain.

“We’ll get this done and then spend time with her and ensure she is well,” I promised.

He nodded, and then I got to work creating my own portal.

The rest of the afternoon was spent sending the witches and the council to their allocated destinations. It was tiring making so many portals and thirst made an unwanted arrival as I created my last portal and waved the witches through. Daithi finished early, and he and Savida wandered back downstairs to rest while Charlie hovered around Clawdia.

She stared worriedly at the sky and didn’t seem to listen to Charlie, which Charlie noticed too.

When my last witch passed through safely, I headed toward her and crouched. “Sunlight, what’s happening? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Her smile was stiff, and it bothered me that she wouldn’t tell me why she was acting so strange.

“Is this about Mary?” I asked.

“No. It’s not about Mary. I just don’t feel well.” She gazed over my head at the sky again. Her next words seemed to come from nowhere. “Why could I use your power over blood when I confronted Fafnir in the warehouse, but Kaatu couldn’t use my power without touching me?”

“Your connection to me is more stable because my soul is whole. However, since my soul’s mate is divided, so too is the bond. It’s strained without consummation and so I couldn’t access your power. I needed to be closer to you both to have a more solid connection.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” she muttered.

“But what has made you think about this?” I asked suspiciously.

“How do I do it? What can I do with your blood threads?”

“You want a lesson? Now?”

“I—Yes.”

“You aren’t well.”

“I’m well enough to learn this.”

I exchanged a glance with Charlie and the worry in his gaze echoed my own, but he shrugged.

She licked her lips nervously and whispered, “Please, Baelen.”

Unable to deny her anything, I told her to look for blood threads which corresponded to the veins in my body. Her eyes unfocused as she searched for them and when she gasped, I knew what she saw. Bundles of twisted tiny lines which covered my entire body.

I explained that manipulating the threads was like changing the dreamscape. Instead of imagining turning them another color to indicate health, you twisted them, cut them, tied them in knots.

Just as I finished explaining, Clawdia nodded solemnly and Zaide joined us, asking, “How are you now, little cat?”

“I’m glad to see you feeling better,” she replied illusively.

He smiled and stroked her leg. “I’m tired, but not tired enough to notice you have practically turned to stone with how still you have been sitting.”

“I’m fine. But you and Baelen are tired. You should lie down,” she said with a stiff smile.

I didn’t like how she was acting. None of us did. It reminded me of how my mother would make suggestions and wondered if she saw her again last night.

“Whatever is troubling you, we can help,” I assured her.

“Of course you can.” Her expression cleared, softened for a moment, and then she added, “After a nap.”

“Why don’t you come with us?” Zaide suggested.

She hesitated. “I’ll join you in a moment.”

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