Page 32 of Forgotten Arcane

“Oh, easy,” I reply as I do just that.

“Wait!” she says, but it’s too late.

I’ve already pulled my magic back, and a squeak of panic leaves me as I hurtle toward the lake below me. The icy depths of the lake consume me, but Mael is right there, and he nudges me to help me get on his back, before we break the surface of the water .

It will never cease to amaze me how he now has a bridle, reins, and a saddle, all of them beautifully designed with gemstones and engravings that, when I get the chance, I’m looking forward to studying closer.

I try to get my bearings and spot the guys waiting for me on the shore.

Huge grins on all of their faces, and looking quite amused. I’m guessing that they saw my unceremonious drop into the water. I grin, I reckon it’s going to be a while before they let me live that down. The water around Mael and me churns, and more kelpies start swimming to the shore alongside us. A quick glance at them shows me that they’re the guys' ones.

When I get to the shore, Doc hands me a pair of shorts and a tank.

“Thank you,” I reply gratefully. I have absolutely no problem with being naked around people under my own terms, but I had no control over this, plus it's too damn cold to be standing out here wet and naked. Pulling on the clothes, I say, “This is not the way that I wanted you guys to see me naked for the first time.”

Reed smirks, “I thought you were super hot.”

I burst out laughing at the bad pun.

“Are you okay?” Griff asks me, still smiling at Reed’s joke.

I nod, “Yeah. I am now, but I was really freaked out when I woke up floating.”

Senka appears in front of me, and I point at her, “You could have told me to pull my magic back slowly.”

Senka raises one of her eyebrows, “I tried to warn you. It’s not my fault that you rushed into it without waiting until I was done explaining.”

“One of your spirit guides, I presume?” Coen asks, his expression slightly shocked.

Out of all of the spirit guides, Senka looks the most spirit-like, especially at the moment, since she’s semi-translucent and floating in the air.

I nod, “Yeah, this is Senka. She finally told me her name.”

“She’s been able to talk this whole time?” Ransom asks, looking as offended at the prospect as I did when I first realized.

“They can’t understand me, but they can obviously hear that I’m talking,” Senka says.

Raiden’s eyebrow raises slightly, “I can.”

This time it’s Senka’s turn to look shocked as she looks at Raiden, and does a little foxy frown, “You shouldn’t be able to. Even with the Gods enhancing your gifts, you shouldn’t be able to understand me.”

River clears his throat, “I can understand you, too.”

“So can I,” Ransom adds.

She looks around at all the guys, “Can you all understand me?”

They all nod.

I chuckle when Mael does as well, and pat his neck, “That’s pretty awesome that you can understand her.”

Mael snorts in reply and leans into my hand for more pets. The guy’s kelpies are all doing the same thing, and there’s even one nudging Coen for pets. His color is as bright as the rest of our kelpies, and I’m pretty sure that I can guess why.

“Well, I was not expecting that. I will have to inform Winston,” she replies.

“When is he coming back?” I ask, “I miss the snarky bastard.”

Senka chuckles, “He should be back in the next couple of days.”

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