Page 87 of The Aether

Putting his ring back on, he nodded for the others to do the same.

“Are you all right, Beastie? Can you tell me where Morcant is?”

“He left, Daddy.”

Which meant the bastard was close at hand. Gesturing to Fintan, he once again removed the physical link to allow them to communicate and jotted his instructions.

“Get Mack down here, Draven. I need to use the collective gift of the Seers.”

Expression neutral, which hopefully meant his thoughts were too, the Guardian rushed topside.

“You good with this?” He flashed the note to Fintan and received a sharp nod in return.

Putting his ring on his pinky, he allowed his thoughts to flow. None negative, but enough that, should Morcant be listening in, he’d know Damian was making preparations to rescue Sabrina. Only, he wouldn’t be privy what those were.

It took another excruciatingly long three minutes, but Draven finally reappeared with Mack in tow.

“Narissa?” he asked aloud.

She nodded. “She’s fine.”

“How’s your acting?” he wrote the question and showed it to Trevor, who leveled his hand and shifted it from side to side in a so-so gesture. “Good enough. I need you to converse with Beastie as if you’re me. Do you think you can manage it?”

With a nod, Trevor started a dialogue with Sabrina, leading her to talk about made-up memories and assuring her he’d take her home soon. His ability to mimic Damian was uncanny and uncomfortable.

For the final time, he indicated Fintan and Mack should remove their tanzanite jewelry as he was in the process of doing.

“Follow me,” Damian mouthed.

Leading them to the maintenance apartment, he waved his hand and stacked all the furniture in the corner of the minuscule room. The other two, understanding exactly what he needed, went to work. With her index finger, Mack drew protection sigils in the air as Fintan cast the circle. Damian conjured candles and gave them to the others. As soon as the pentagram was complete and the wicks lit, they sat.

“I need clarity. The three of us combined can overcome any restrictions the Authority and Fates deemed necessary to place on me. Are you prepared to help me?”

Mack smiled. “Whatever it takes.”

Her willingness to trust him in all things was heartwarming. Beyond familial bonds, his affection for her grew deeper, morphing into lasting friendship. Whatever and whenever she needed, he’d be there to return the favor. To repay her for the help in saving his family.

Sensing this, her grin grew wider.

“Fintan?”

“Aye.”

Concise and to the point. Damian could appreciate the efficient manner in which the Seer lived. Fintan, too, would benefit from this gift of trust.

They all joined hands, and the punch of power was heady, giving Damian a better understanding of exactly why the Darkness had hungered for more and more. Of why his mother gave into its allure.

Shaking off the temptation to draw their abilities in and keep them, he merged his with theirs and fed it through the circle.

Mack’s expression arrested in her awe, and Fintan rocked back, barely managing to maintain his grip.

When they shared one collective thought, they began to delve into what awaited them on the other side of that cell wall.

CHAPTER30

Watching Morcant warily, Sabrina waited for Trevor to finish his mental dialogue. She’d laughed aloud a time or two at the wildly funny memories—all fake—that the Death Dealer had created. In a flash, she saw his life, and she smiled at how successful he’d become as an author. In a flourishing garden, he’d write books for young adults, keeping future generations entertained and begging for more.

With a secretive smile she knew would drive Morcant crazy, she listened to Trevor.

---