Page 106 of A Dusk Of Stars

I go for a grumpy walk around the castle grounds, ending up in the Entrance Hall. I’ve no idea what exactly I’m looking for, but I’m hoping that the sights or the smells or the sounds will set things in motion in my head.

Last night, it occurred to me, however vaguely, that I might not need anything except myself to figure this out. I’m the Aurora after all. As the Aurora, I should be able to know what it is that I’m looking for when I come across it. If nothing, by feeling.

I walk over to the statue of Zahra, figuring it might give me a hint as to the fae element. The first Pied Piper ever is standing peacefully by the wall, holding the carved Flute in her hand.

It doesn’t stir any particular feelings.

I do the same with the statue of Lilith, the smirk on her face exposing fangs as she holds the three symbols of her House in her palms — the candle, the spindle, the swirl of blood.

Nothing.

Then the statue of Bronwen the Great, his robe lined with the fur of his mighty bear.

Again, nothing.

Despite being alone in public, I let out a dragged-out groan.

Then my eyes get drawn to a shifter guy’s tattoos starting to glow just before he uses his magic to kick himself off the ground and fly up to the gallery.

And it hits me. Maybe I won’t need anyitemsto do the ritual. Maybe I only need to visualize the magic, like I did when I was a kid.

Suddenly invigorated, I start marching back to my room.

***

I get settled in my bed, the book open on the bookmarked page in front of me. I close my eyes, trying to get in the right mindset, when my phone pings and the image of him flashes through my mind, getting me instantly fuming.

When I check my phone, I see it’s a message from Raven. “Hi Anna, are you coming to the mixer tonight?”

Disappointed and angry at the same time, I just type, “I’ve work to do. You two have fun.”

Then, just as I’ve lowered the phone, I remember how much she hates having to pick outfits for these things. “And I’d go for that forest green one if I were you, it’s just formal enough and looks gorgeous on you,” I add and put the phone down again.

I close my eyes again, focusing on visualizing the central symbol first with the intention of blocking its powers.

I don’t think you should be doing this,my wolf’s voice booms.

Frowning, I open my eyes. “Why?”

There’s a second of silence before she says,I don’t know, but you should stop.

My eyebrows shoot up. I’m even angrier now and it’s in a mocking voice that I echo her words. “You don’t know?Fine, yeah. I’ll stop trying to do the only thing Icanright now, and I’ll stop because… Well, no reason, huh?”

Fine, have it your way.

Yeah, my way, I say, more to myself, as I try to get back into it.

I visualize the central symbol. Nothing happens.

Then I visualize the feeling of having an animal’s presence inside me.

My emotions get heightened.

I jump straight to visualizing the feeling of using Sight, or at least what Ithinkit would feel like.

The image of him flashes through my mind again, making me so angry, I’m barely keeping myself sitting still.

I’m warning you,my wolf’s voice sounds again.Stop doing that or I’m cutting you off.

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