Page 96 of Chaos Tempted

“Do you think influencer magic will be strong enough to do anything about this war?” Jaden runs his hand through his black hair as if hating to be the voice of doubt.

He has verbalized my worst fears—that even at my best, I will not be good enough.

“I don’t know.” I sigh wearily. “I only tried using it on Turgon once. And I didn’t even think it was working until he shifted ever so slightly and allowed Corwin to come to my prison shelter.”

“That is actually good news.” Oakes rubs his chin, considering the implication. “He’s trained to resist anyinfluencer or psychic attack magics. So if you could sway him at all…”

“That means that I might be able to use it on my father to some extent.” With the positive conclusion, I’m encouraged to try. I set my jaw and look at Wyn. “And maybe I can soothe your father to back down.”

“Good.” Wyn smiles hopefully, and then her optimism fades. “But will magic alone be enough? Besides, we don’t even know if my mirror magic affects anyone else but you, my mates. What if I can only use my magic with those bonded to me?”

“Only one way to know.” Oakes shrugs his massive shoulders. “But for now, we should take advantage of this slowed time bubble to see what you both can do.”

“How did it work when you used the influencer magic?” I ask Wyn. “Can you teach me?”

“Of course!” Wyn smiles brightly, happy to share the experience she has. Her excitement lights up my heart. “First, I identified the emotion that I wanted to shift. Like when I didn’t want Jaden and Oakes upset. I wanted them to calm down and relax. As I visualized my desired result, an energy grew around my head and my heart. Then I released it, aiming it at them. It was almost like blowing a cloud of smoke to encircle them.”

“That is similar to what I did, but I don’t think I have your knack for visualization.” I grimace at my lack of ability.

Wyn smirks. “You’re imaginative in bed.”

I chuckle, and my apprehension eases. She seems to know intuitively how to get me to see another side of things. She makes me realize I can be a better elf than I ever expected to be. Wyn believes in me when no one else does—not even Oakes or Jaden truly do—and they are supposed to be my biggest supporters. “Alright. I will just need to focus more.”

“Seewhat you want to create, like it was already done,” Wyn adds.

I open my senses to my mate bond with Wyn. She appears calm, but underneath, she’s distraught. Her father and Twyla are not the people she hoped for them to be. But even now, she worries about their safety after their poor behavior.

Focusing on Wyn, I want to ease her worries. I visualize her feeling confident that everything will work out. I want her to feel safe in my presence. I imagine that for her until it’s as real as anything I have experienced, then release the energy toward her.

As it washes over her, Wyn’s eyes soften. Her shoulders relax. There’s an ever so slight grin on her lips.

“Wait! You did it to me, didn’t you?” Wyn claps, bouncing with pride. “I suddenly felt like everything was going to work out. Especially if I have you near me.”

“Now try your magics together,” Oakes orders.

“How do we—” I’m interrupted as the energy in the faerie ring shifts. It’s suddenly pre-dawn outside the faerie ring.

“Our protective bubble is gone,” Oakes growls as his eyes glaze over, and he pushes out his psychic awareness, searching for an incoming threat. “Soldiers… headed toward us. I sense Lalo and Merlara are distressed. They probably couldn’t stop them.”

All four of us retrieve our swords and take cover in the forest trees and bushes surrounding the faerie circle.

44

INFLUENCED

WYNSTELLE

Lalo flies up and quickly lands on my shoulder. Her flight isn’t as smooth as it usually is. “I’m sorry we couldn’t keep them away. The concealment spell dropped because Merlara was taken.”

I curse.

The faerie is in anguish. I sense it isn’t from frustration, but from pain. “Are you injured?”

“It’s nothing.” Lalo waves me off.

Not taking her word for it, I turn my head to better study the faerie. Lalo’s wing is bent. “Your wing!” I almost yell but hiss instead. “Did they hurt you?”

“A soldier hit me with a stone,” Lalo whispers.

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