Page 40 of Court of Aether and Shadows

I gritted my teeth, pushing back against the primal urge. Of course, my wolf just has to nag my subconscious to get some sort of reply at the worst time.

Not now. It's not time. We have a duty to protect her, to guide her until she's ready to know the truth.

And when will that be?When she's already been stolen away to a realm we cannot reach? When it's too late?

I have to bite my lip to stop myself from answering out loud.

My wolf may be throwing a mini temper tantrum in my mind, but he was speaking facts. Notable facts I’ve been desperately trying to ignore all this while because my duty was important.

Vital to ensure the present is preserved and the future bright…

Yet, I didn’t like this.

The idea of her being taken from me. For these days and moments to end, and her being so far away, that I can no longer enjoy her warmth.

No longer listen to her slow heartbeats as she slept. Enjoy her scent that always seemed to mesh and blend with every atmosphere. No more peaks of fanciful laughter, or quiet moments where all we needed to do was sit and stare at the starry sky in wonder.

No more drunk foolishness that leads to us creating such vibrant memories.

And…no more instances where for a few seconds, I get to enjoy the raw taste of her lips against mine.

"Liam?” I blink and look at Sparrow, seeing her pouting expression. “Are you okay?"

I realized I had been quiet for too long, lost in my internal struggle matched with my wolf’s frustrations.

I forced a smile, hoping it looked more reassuring than it felt.

"Yeah, sorry," I said. "Just thinking about what you said. It's a lot to process."

“See! I told you all this shit was crazy,” she groans in misery.

“No, no,” I reassure her. “I believe you. No matter how crazy it may sound to anyone else. Besides, it would explain some of the cuts and bruises on your body. I know those didn’t just come out of the blue.”

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation., looking deep in thought.

"I know. I can hardly believe it myself. I wish I could talk to that medic again – Elenore?” I’m intrigued why she’s bringing her up, but I did sense something off with that medic. I only allowed her to be alone with Sparrow because Vincent wasdrilling my ass for information about what the fuck happened. “She mentioned something about her grandmother's stories, about other worlds and beings that could cross between them. I wonder if-”

Sparrow's voice suddenly cut off, her eyes going wide and unfocused.

I watched in horror as intricate patterns began to appear on her skin, glowing with an eerie red light. It was beautiful and frightening all at once –and absolutely not what should have been happening.

"Sparrow?" I called to her; my voice tight with concern.

When she didn't respond, I grabbed her shoulders, giving her a gentle shake.

"Sparrow! Can you hear me?"

Nothing.

She stared right through me, looking as if she was seeing a whole different scenario playing before her line of vision. Her stillness was haunting while her breathing became increasingly labored.

The red glow of the markings intensified, pulsing like a warning beacon. Goosebumps rushed up my skin, as strings of familiarity filled my mind but I couldn’t grasp what was happening.

All I could recognize was this was a bad sign.

She's being pulled into the Otherworld.We have to act NOW!

For once, I didn't argue, because I now recollect on why those warning sigils on her flesh were dangerous.

---