Page 48 of Eternal Sacrifice
“I said no.” Jax’s tone wasn’t harsh and commanding, but raw. Even despite the damage, Jax poured his fears into the words.
“I’ll do it,” I said, stepping toward Aggie.
“What about me?” Jace asked with his arms spread wide. “I have demon, vampire, and angel healing, which makes me just as qualified as Mor.”
“I also have poison immunity,” Mor amended.
“If you want the rune, Jace, it’s fine with me.” I took a step back from Aggie.
“Can we just fucking pick and get on with this?” Aggie said, while attempting to keep the ink from escaping. “How do I do this, and what kind of rune am I making?”
“I’ll take the silencing rune Justice has,” Jace said, pointing toward Justice.
“Oh, I bet Fox can’t break this one.” Justice rubbed his hands together before licking his lip.
“Good, that’s easy.” Aggie moved her hand above the ink, chanting words in the ancient tongues.
The power of the universe was coded into those languages, which was the key to unlocking bonus abilities. Simply translating the words didn’t work unless translated into another coded language. And, of course, as long as there weren’t any errors. The slightest mispronunciation could throw the entire thing off.
Aggie was fluent in all but Enochian.
Aggie stopped speaking and looked at Jace. “As long as there isn’t anything else, it should be ready.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Where do you want it?”
Jace raised his right hand, making a large backward “C.” “Back of my hand, please.” He shot Mor a look, and she smiled in response.
“Design?”
“Surprise me.”
Aggie shook her head and smiled before placing the ink on Jace’s skin. Her artistic skills were just as impressive as her linguistics. Within moments, the shape of a skull formed, but a baby dragon emerged from the back as if hatching from it. The instant the lines were in place, Aggie stabbed the bone needle into Jace’s skin.
Jace roared in pain.
Aggie grabbed his hand and pushed the bone further into his skin.
“Fuck. This one fucking hurts,” Jace said through clenched teeth.
“Almost done. You’re doing great,” Aggie said, using a professional tone, but I could hear the stress in her voice. Inking runes wasn’t like this.
Mor’s eyes were wide as she looked between Jace and Aggie and then at the rest of us. She wasn’t sure if she needed to jump in and help or if that would only worsen matters. None of us knew.
“Oh, it’s getting better,” Jace said before gasping. His iris turned white while the sclera turned black.
Aggie removed the needle from his skin and took a few steps back. “It should be done.” Her skin had lost all color, and she continued to move away from Jace as if she expected him to attack.
“Jace?” Mor’s tone was soft, coaxing him to turn his attention away from Aggie.
“Yes, Love?” His tone was two, one overlay atop the next but offset just a fraction.
“Are you feeling alright?” Mor’s tone was tense, but her nervous fear was practically palpable.
“It’s getting better,” Jace answered. The split tone had at least aligned, and his eyes were starting to fade back into their normal color.
“Well, that was intense,” I breathed once the tension left the room.
“No kidding,” Jace breathed, flexing his hand as he marveled at the new rune on the back of his hand. It stood as a stark black warning.
“You have to try it!” There was excitement back in Mor’s tone.
