Page 33 of No Honor Amongst Shifters
Roslin had enough.He’d known that cockatrice territory had ghosts because Kenneth had told him and the others, and they’d hoped to be able to convince those ghosts to help.Even if they couldn’t, they could still use their ability to use the ghosts against their will.It wasn’t something most psychics enjoyed, but Roslin was ready to do it.
“I don’t like this man,” the ghost standing next to Roslin said.
She’d introduced herself as Hannah when she’d realized that Roslin could see her.There were other ghosts around them, but they seemed to have decided that Hannah was their leader, and she’d been the only one to talk to Roslin.
“You’re still willing to help?”Roslin asked in a whisper.
Damien seemed too busy monologuing to notice that Roslin was doing anything.His full focus was on Alcott, which wasn’t great considering the state Alcott was in, but Roslin was working on it.
“He and his people have destroyed my home.I won’t let them destroy my family and the people I love,” Hannah said.
“I need you to keep him occupied while I take Alcott away.”
She glanced at Roslin.“How are we supposed to do that?We’re ghosts.”
“And I’m a psychic.I’ll use my ability to strengthen you.”It would make taking Alcott away harder, but Roslin could do it.
He didn’t have a choice.
Hannah nodded and turned toward the other ghosts.Roslin took a deep breath, released it, and reached for his power.
He’d done this hundreds of times, so it was easy to release it.He pushed it toward the ghosts, giving them the ability to become visible and somewhat corporeal.That finally got Damien’s attention, but Roslin didn’t think he realized how much trouble he was in until Hannah rushed toward him and pushed him.
Damien stumbled back.The smile had been whipped from his face, and his eyes were wide, and while Roslin wished he could stick around to see the ghost kick Damien’s ass, he instead turned and grabbed Alcott’s hand.Alcott jolted and cringed away as if afraid of Roslin, but Roslin wasn’t offended or surprised.Alcott had been in his head since Damien had appeared and was focused on the man who’d hurt him so badly.
“We have to run,” Roslin told him.He didn’t give him the chance to argue.
Roslin pulled Alcott along as he rushed between the trees.He felt Alcott stumble, but he didn’t slow down.They couldn’t afford to.
They ran for as long as Roslin thought it would take them to get away from Damien.He could feel the drain on his power, but it lessened the further away he got from the ghosts and was fully gone by the time he and Alcott stopped.They were both panting, and Roslin could hear someone screaming close by and the sounds of fighting, but before they could go and help, he had to make sure that Alcott was okay.
He turned toward him and grabbed him by the shoulders.Alcott was pale and sweaty, but thankfully, he didn’t try to get away this time.Instead, he looked at Roslin with wide eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said.“I’ll do better.”
Roslin shook his head.“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Damien’s right.I’m weak.I should be doing more to help Elijah and the dragons.”Alcott stepped back.“They’re fighting right now.We need to go.”
He was right, but Roslin was worried about what else was going on in Alcott’s mind.He didn’t think that Alcott had recovered from Damien’s appearance, but he didn’t have the time to.They did have to help the others if they wanted a chance to win this fight.
“You’re sure you’re okay?”he asked, even though he already knew the answer Alcott would give him.
“I am.We need to go.”
Roslin nodded and, when Alcott turned, followed him.He’d keep an eye on him to make sure he was okay, but he didn’t know what would happen if Damien found them again.He’d done what he could the first time around, but would they be so lucky a second time?
* * * *
THERE WAS NO TIME FORAlcott to stop and freak out.The clan was still fighting and still needed his and Roslin’s help.Thatwas what he should focus on, not Damien.
He wasn’t sure he could.
He’d known he might see Damien today, but he’d hoped he wouldn’t and that if he did, both of them would be too busy to care that the other was there.He should have known better.Damien was cruel, and he’d always taken every opportunity to hurt Alcott.Even when Alcott told himself that Damien loved him and that was just the way he was, he’d known the truth.
Damien wasn’t a good person.He never had been, and Alcott shouldn’t have allowed his need for someone to love him to push him into a relationship with the mage.He’d been an idiot, and he’d paid for it.
He wasn’t done paying.He needed to do more for the clan, which was why he was here.He couldn’t let Elijah and everyone else down.He especially couldn’t do so because he was freaking out about his ex being mean to him.
