Page 67 of The Aether

With a buss to Vivian’s temple, he moved away and squatted next to Sabrina. Stroking her hair back from her brow, he called her name. Though her lashes fluttered, she didn’t wake.

“Rise and shine, Beastie,” he urged gently, giving her an added boost to clear her mind. “We have things to discuss.”

She shifted to a sitting position and rubbed her eyes. “Is it time to go with him?”

“No. It never will be, either. I wish to discuss alternate timelines.”

“Uncle Alex was here from the future?”

“He was.” Damian rose, then sat next to her, gesturing for Vivian to do the same. “He told us a few disturbing things, and I’d like you to clarify something for your mother and me. Can you do that?”

Sabrina nodded.

“Morcant has someone powerful backing his agenda. Do you know who?”

“No, Papa.”

“Is that the truth, darling girl, or is it what you want us to believe?” Vivian asked.

“It’s the truth. I can’t see it in here.” With her finger, Sabrina tapped the place between her eyes and frowned. “I don’t know why.”

“I suspect I do.” Whoever was behind the Dethridge family takedown would’ve anticipated the need to block Sabrina from seeing them. Damian shared a frustrated glance with his wife, then addressed his daughter. “You intend to sneak out and give yourself up to Morcant, don’t you? You believe by doing that, you can save Nate and me, is that correct?”

“Mama, too, if she stays away from him.”

Wrapping an arm around Sabrina’s thin shoulders, Vivian kissed the top of her head. The poignant picture was one he’d hold onto forever.

“I’m never not going to try to find and save you,” Vivian told her. “You’re my child first and the Oracle second. The first is what’s important to me.”

“Nate needs you, Mama.”

“So you’ve said, but so do you. I intend to be here for both of you until the day I can’t.”

“Castor believes our wards will fail, Beastie. Do they fail, or do you lower them?” Damian asked her.

“Fail. But I’ll put them back, Papa. I swear.”

She appeared so earnest in her desire to protect them that Damian’s heart ached. No child should have to carry the weight of responsibility his daughter did. Perhaps Vivian had been correct when she tried to bind Sabrina’s powers years ago. Didn’t she deserve to have a childhood like any other kid?

“Because I can’t?” he asked gently.

She nodded.

“So someone is playing fast and loose with my abilities.” Tipping her chin up, he considered his next question. “When am I to confront the Authority about this? Now or after?”

“After. They won’t interfere when you come for me.”

“Then why all of this in the first place? What’s the point?” he mused aloud.

Feeling an unfamiliar presence behind him, Damian rose, prepared to blast the newcomer to hell. Although he didn’t drop his arms, he did relax when he saw Draven Masters pouring himself another drink.

“I thought you’d gone, Masters.”

“Just to test the wards at the edge of your property, friend.” After a single gulp to empty the glass, he set it on the sideboard and faced them. “They’re faulty at times, but there’s a pattern. If Morcant or his cronies are paying attention, they’ll feel it. If not, he’ll continue to believe he’s locked out.”

“How frequent are the glitches?”

“Every five seconds at thirty-foot intervals.”

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