Page 64 of Of Flame and Fate

Each step I take reminds me of the soft, powder sand along the Caribbean beaches, except instead of white sand, there’s ash in swirls of blue and white. It must have been something to see, but it was a whole something else to perform it. I don’t think I was unconscious long, just long enough to settle the weather-beaten atmosphere and stop the earth from quaking.

If I had to repeat the process, I’m not positive I would be able to, or if I’d survive. I pretty much followed my arm’s instincts and magic, unsure exactly where she’d lead us.

Shayna helps Emme forward until both stand beside me. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped walking. The way the earth continued to sway, I assumed my legs were still moving.

“What happened exactly?” I ask, watching the world pitch from side to side and briefly pondering if it might be me and not it.

“You blew up and everything around you,” Shayna tells me. “But whatever you took, you took for the team. The earth rumbled at our feet, but we didn’t feel the impact.” She gives me the once-over. “I mean, not like you.”

“Good,” I say, thankful I didn’t barbecue the entire mountainside and everyone on it.

Shayna clasps my hand when I take another few steps. It’s then I realize I’m headed away from everyone and into the woods. “Are you okay?” she questions.

“Sure. Why do you ask?” I answer, wondering why there are two of her.

Both Shaynas blink back at me. “You’re wobbling. Not in a bad way, more like a baby learning to walk.” She looks around and behind me. “You might try walking with your legs closed, if you can.” She crinkles her nose. “That skirt you have going on wasn’t made for squatting, if you know what I mean.”

I nod slowly, noting how dizzy the motion makes me. “All right.”

“I think you need help,” Emme says. The soft touch of her fingers brush against my cheek before I can ask her who she’s talking to. “There could be something off in your system.”

“Could be,” I agree.

“I’m over here, Taran,” she says, carefully. “That’s a tree you’re speaking to.”

“Sorry, I didn’t notice,” I say. And I still don’t notice now.

“Oh, I see,” Emme says quietly. “You ruptured your eardrums, and you have some ah, bruising at the base of your skull.”

Almost immediately, the world rights itself. I feel myself straighten and my balance returns. “Better?” she asks.

“Yes,” I reply. I didn’t realize how bad I was until she fixed me. I sigh and fuss with my makeshift skirt. “Much better. Thank you.”

Gemini frowns in my direction, his voice low as he speaks into his cell phone. He must have heard my conversation with Emme and is likely bothered by how much I tried to mask.

He disconnects, looking to Tye. “Destiny is safe. The Elders have settled her at one of our strongholds.”

“How is she?” Tye asks, his glare cutting in Johnny’s direction. “‘Safe’ isn’t good enough and doesn’t tell me shit.”

Tye stands naked, giving us a full view of his muscles and everything else God gave him because Tye iswereand doesn’t give a damn.

“She’s sick, Tye,” Gemini answers. “Whatever happened left her weak.”

My wolf doesn’t bother to sugar-coat anything, but I was counting on a little hope.

“Is she in pain?” Tye asks.

“No, not like before. Mostly weak and fragile.”

“How fragile?” Tye curses when Gemini doesn’t answer. “Just tell me.”

The silence between them is almost too much to take. “She’s dying, Tye,” Gemini tells him. “The Elders don’t think she has much time left.”

Shayna sucks in a breath. All I can do is cover my mouth.

The color drains from Tye’s face. “That’s not possible,” he says. He glances around as if searching for something. “She was fine yesterday. I talked to her on the phone. She wanted to meet up when she returned—”

Gemini meets him square in the face, silencing him instantly. “I’m sorry,” he tells him. “You have the Pack’s deepest condolences, and I swear, we’ll help you and Destiny anyway we can.”

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