Page 162 of Gift from the Source
“I will,” he says.
Unlike any other time someone has attempted to touch V, when Gaster walks past Cas, he raises his hand to gently lay it on V’s side. The two of them lean their heads together and I tear my eyes from the sight.
While V’s presence in our lives may have been short, it was impactful. His wisdom, smart mouth, and guidance will forever live in our hearts. The direction he led us on will always be appreciated.
Oakly, Gaster, and I approach the door to our secret room in silence. The three of our hands tremble the slightest bit as we grip the knocker and release our magic.
With each footstep into our room, my heart thunders against my rib cage. The nerves of not knowing the exact steps I’m going to take to cleanse this relic have me on edge.
My faith in V, Elementra, myself, is the only reassurance I find in this moment. I tell myself repeatedly that it’s going to be just like how it was learning about the portals. The instructions will be given to me in real time and it’ll work out just the way it’s supposed to.
“I really don’t like that you’re going to have to touch it with your bare hands,” Oakly says as we approach the glass casing we keep the relic in.
“My bare hands aren’t what I’m worried about. It’s giving it my blood that I share with a monster,” I mumble as the two of them lift the box carefully as though it’s a bomb and hand it to me.
For a relic that holds hundreds of pieces of souls, it’s light as a book. The fortified case we put it in weighs more than it does.
Still, it feels like I’m holding a mountain in my palms.
“Time to go,” I murmur and turn on my heels.
The two of them walk on either side of me. Their shoulders are tense while I keep mine relaxed as much as possible. I allow all the tension to go to my fingers where I hold the case against my belly in a death grip.
Existing the room, I force a small smile to my face. The concern etched across my men’s brows matches the erratic beat of my bonds.
“Ready?” I ask and they nod.
“Be careful, child. Please let me know when you return,” Gaster says as he brushes a few loose strands of my bangs out my face.
“I will.”
“Same. And no adventures to another realm. If I have to figure out a way to open a portal, I will. Then Elementra help me I’ll kick your ass after I rescue it,” Oakly says, causing me to laugh.
“I promise no side quest. I’m sorry for cutting our night short but thank you for sharing a wonderful day with me,” I tell her sincerely.
“We have a lifetime of days and nights to go,” she promises as she gives me a kiss on my cheek.
“On me, little warrior. You just focus on holding that,” Tillman says, and I nod.
V climbs down from Cas’s shoulder and perches on mine, hooting softly as he nuzzles against my face.
A shuddering breath falls from my lips, but I force another smile aimed at Gaster and Oakly. “We’ll be back.”
Darkness steals my sight of them.
The transport last seconds and the dead of night greets us. The moon isn’t at its highest peak yet, but its full shape and bright glow make the stagnant water of the portal look magical once again. Here in just a moment, for a fleeting minute at least, we’ll be able to witness its glory again.
Exhaling sharply, I step out of my men’s embrace and kneel at the edge of the water. I stare into its depths, recalling the last time I stuck my hand in there.
“V,” Draken says from behind me.
A small purr falls from V’s throat as he begins to slowly walk down my arm. With each press of his claw, a change occurs. My eyes widen in shock as with each step, his body grows.
As his feet touch the ground, he morphs until his owl-like body is as tall as Draken is. I clench the earth between my fingers to stop myself from falling.
Corentin’s, Tillman’s, and Cas’s looks of shock match my own, but not Draken. He puffs his chest out proudly and leans his forehead against V’s.
“It has been an honor to learn from you.”
