Page 16 of Shrine of Fire

“What if something goes wrong?” Nikki crossed his arms over his chest. “At least keep the deltas close so they can watch the flow of magic.”

Zara bit her lip, and then finally nodded. “Okay but stay along the far wall.”

“What do you expect to happen?” I frowned. “I pictured you would set up a magic circle, and then there would be a flow of magic from the box to link me to the Shrine.”

“Which is what I expect.” Zara pulled out a bag of magic supplies. “But I want to be prepared. We might get a flux of spirits coming through, for example.”

I helped her set up a large magic circle, adding in extra layers of protection around the outer edges.

Once we had that settled, Zara and I sat in front of the altar on soft cushions. Aki and Valens remained close, and the rest of the men hovered near the doorway. They would be running for us, not away, if something went wrong, but it made Zara feel like she was doing her due diligence in making sure they were protected.

Zara squared her shoulders and smiled at me. “Ready?”

I smiled back. What a blessing had come out of the worst tragedy of my life—a true friend. “I am.”

“You’re sure?” Zara looked around. “We could try other Shrines if you want to make sure.”

“No.” I let out a breath. The air was peaceful in the heart of the Shrine, and the usual prickle of fire magic under my skin felt more intense here, becoming warmer, like a comforting flame. “This is the right place.”

“Great.” Zara grinned. “Each Shrine was created where many ley lines connected. The anastasis boxes create an anchor point for that magic. I’m going to open myself up to the spirit world and use the magic flowing through the anastasis box to weave around your spirit. It’s how I bonded my Shrine.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t ask if it would hurt. It either would or it wouldn’t, and I didn’t want to make Zara feel bad.

“Close your eyes and open up your heart.”

I closed my eyes, taking slow and steady breaths in and out. I wasn’t an empath like Ayla, or a spirit walker like Zara, but we were in a volcano, the heart of elemental fire, and I’d have to be dead not to notice the flow of magic around me.

I focused on that, picturing the murals in my mind. Zara’s energy shifted, and behind me, Asano shifted his weight.

Zara must have entered the spirit world. I kept meditating, trying to push away the intrusive thoughts. Once, I had been second to none at meditation, able to section off my mind and focus on opening up myself to the energy of the universe.

Now it was hard enough to fall asleep without seeing my lost lover’s faces.

I centered myself again on the mural. It showed people carved into the wall in not-quite stick figure form, their hands raised up to a flaming ball of fire.

I went over the images in my mind, the fire becoming larger, turning into the sun, the people gathering crops, a couple embracing. I wondered who made the art on the walls of the Shrine.

Something tugged on my spirit, and I jerked.

“Sorry, sorry,” I said out loud. “Let me relax again.”

I took in another breath and let it out as slowly as I could. I released my breath bit by bit, my lungs slowly deflating, increasing my awareness of my body as I focused on this one important task: exhaling.

When the last gasp left my lungs, I slowly, slowly pulled more air. When the tug came on my spirit, I was ready this time. It was unmistakably Zara, like she was hugging me.

The breathing exercises were an integral part of my training, and on the second breath, I allowed a small ring of flames to rise up around me and my friend. It circled us and the altar, the flames colored a merry red and orange, and only ankle high.

The tugging sensation grew stronger, and I flinched away. It started feeling like she was reaching into my soul, demanding things of me, and it was all I could do to not shove Zara away.

I pulled in another breath and let it out. Open yourself up, I said to myself. Zara needs your mind and spirit open if this will work.

It’s like bonding.

A flash of memory: Barrett rolling over to me, his hand closing over mine. “If you’re sure you’re ready.”

I had been surer of wanting his bondmark than anything in my whole life.

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