Page 18 of The Discovered
I did, and the crystalline water revealed the fragments of my most cherished memories, my most feared memories, and my most hated memories. I let them come, and the familiar currents of anger, pain, and sadness called out to me, begging to be transformed into magick. They made promises of absolution.
If only I gave in, I could avenge myself and avenge us all.
Daelon’s voice reached me again.No, Áine. Not yet. It’s time to come back.
But this energy was intoxicating. I wanted the rush. I had never made it this far before, to this space between emotion and action, where limitless possibilities spread out among the waves and into the horizon. I was in the center of a whirlpool, growing taller around me like a fortress of water. I heard so many voices, each a thread that weaved through the universal tapestry. In the waves played a cosmic story—of war, greed, and fear, but also of love, sacrifice, and devotion. It was the story of my mothers; it was my story, it was Daelon’s story; and it wasourstory.
All of us.
Come back Áine.
The water collapsed all around me, sending me spiraling into the ocean’s depths. I was not afraid.
I opened my eyes.
I blinked in confusion. I was no longer sitting on the floor cushion, instead suspended midair three feet above it, my legs still crossed. “Oh, what the—” I let out a small squeal as I dropped back down to the floor ungracefully, bruising my backside.
Daelon snorted, but his eyes were filled with awe. “The energy in here has been… intense. How do you feel?”
“Weird. It was like I lost who I was for a moment.” I furrowed my brows, shifting and shaking off the pain of my landing. “Like I was a part of a whole, rather than a single witch.”
“An ego death,” Daelon mused. “A lot of mystic witches see that as the ultimate state of existence—where the purest forms of magick are practiced.”
Sounded like what stoners bragged about when they ate too many edibles to me, but I saw how it could apply here too. I wanted to delve deeper, but a wave of exhaustion hit me with full force. “I feel lightheaded.” I rubbed my temples.
“I told you to eat beforehand for a reason,” he sighed. “You did really well today. I’m proud of you.”
“Aw, thanks coach,” I said. “Does that mean I get to play in the big leagues now?”
He rolled his eyes as he helped me to my feet. Do witches play sports?Oh, no. A sudden headrush almost made my knees buckle. Spots danced in my vision. I swayed, taking in a sharp breath.
“Okay, maybe I should’ve eaten,” I admitted.
“Uh huh.” In one swift movement he scooped me into his arms with surprising ease.
I squealed, glaring up at him. “Not this again,” I said. “Put me down.”
“You should’ve listened when I told you to eat,” Daelon growled, but I could hear the smile in his voice. “I’m not going to watch you faint.”
I knew I should’ve been angrier than I was, but I was weary from today’s session. Also, a part of me just might’ve warmed up to Daelon’s antics, now that I knew that they were primarily out of a concern for my safety. His story still had its gaps, but as a witch, it was hard to believe in mere coincidences. Things happened for a reason. My mothers told me that I was born for a specific purpose, and if all that Daelon said was true—then he seemed intertwined in this mysterious fate as well. Is that why he was beginning to remind me of a home I’d never seen?
He set me down in the kitchen. “Sit,” he commanded. “What do you want to eat?”
“I can make my own food.”
“Duly noted. Sit down,” he repeated. “You can barely stand.”
I rolled my eyes, but I ended up hoisting myself up on the barstool facing the island. “I guess those sandwiches we made yesterday were good,” I sighed.
Daelon’s face softened, and I thought I glimpsed a shy smile as he turned toward the refrigerator.
“What exactly is the plan?” I asked. “Like, after I’m more trained and learn what we are up against.”
“One step at a time, Áine. You won’t be here forever if that’s what you’re worried about. You’re getting better at control every day.”
I studied Daelon as he chopped an onion. This was one of those moments I wished I could read his emotional state. The confident ease of his body language didn’t match the tinge of worry in his voice.
“I’m just trying to maximize the time we’re allowed,” Daelon said, something almost bitter in his tone.
