"What did Yvenna say?" I asked.
I couldn't think of another person who would have warned men messing around with spirit magic about me.
Puffy Hair smirked. "You're coming with us."
"Like hell she is," Nikki snarled.
Rune man released another blast of magic as the remaining three men crowded around us.
I lifted my hands and gestured, twisting my wrists. I redirected the magic up and away, into the clouds.
"Yes, just like we practiced," Asano said. "We got this."
I almost missed the next burst of magic, but the fireflies in my vision became crystal clear. I stepped to the side, Asano twisting with me, and his movements focused me, centered me. It wasn't quite the same thing as the Salutations to the Sun dance, but it was close enough.
Magic bent around us, and I twisted my hands again, sending it in a circle. I almost got the men, but one in the back moved his wand up, redirecting the energy with a flick of his wrist.
"Might fuck around and accidentally open a portal," Nikki muttered.
"Why is it every time we go to ancient temples something bad happens?" I glanced at Nikki.
"We're just lucky that way."
I didn't have time to reply because I felt more spirit magic gathering, more than before. Rune guy drove his chisel into the stone, making quick, heavy slashes.
A portal opened. I didn't have another word for it. I didn't see anything, but a giant hole in my awareness opened up right in front of us.
The world went gold. Asano grabbed my waist, rooting himself to the ground as Nikki started absorbing power.
It wasn't going to be enough. I lifted my hands, redirecting the power pouring out of the hole in the world, knowing I was going to fail. It was like parting the sea as a tsunami crashed around me.
Spirit animals poured through the hole as my eyes teared up. My body was screaming in pain, but it was a distant concern. Deer with glowing blue runes raced through, followed by foxes with delicate antlers. Large birds cut through the air.
It was gorgeous, the energy of magic flowing through me like I was a light, burning brighter than ever.
Nikki grunted, but I was frozen in place, unable to look away.
"Zara," Asano panted. "Chanel the magic away from you."
I couldn't stop. It was filling me, covering all the empty places I was lacking.
I was so full of magic, almost bursting, but I didn't care. I understood now why my sex drive was through the roof, why they wanted me to make connections with alphas. It was to link myself to this world, this magic, this higher state of being.
I was going to burst, but I didn't care.
Asano shifted behind me, and Nikki grabbed my wrist. I scented Rayth before I saw him, his hand on my shoulder.
"Divert it away from you, Zara," Rayth's voice was gravelly with fear. "Listen to me."
Rayth and Nikki's energy cut through the fog like a knife. Asano's energy was there, a soft cushion to relax on.
I tried to cut away, to divert the rest of the energy back at the men who would hurt me and mine.
I couldn't stop it. The current of magic was too strong. I couldn't hold it back any more than I could push back the sun.
I cried out, Nikki and Rayth's energy pushing deeper into me. I felt their souls same as mine, like we were all in the same body. Through Rayth, Asano lit up like another sun.
I thought about Valens and Kivai. When they joined me, the empty places inside me would be whole. We would become one, and nothing would stop us.