Page 76 of Changeling
“Right. Like a greeting.” Another deep breath and I begin again. Eyes closed, mind open, energy waiting for my instruction.
I can do this. I can use my magic for good.
Dominus is steady beneath me, a solid, comforting presence holding my waist and trusting me with his surrender. I place my hands on his chest, his heartbeat grounding me with each pulse.
The vision reappears, shadowy at first but with more clarity as I linger without attempting to change anything. Dominus’s pearlescent beauty, ensnared by the ebony trappings of the curse and my own amber glow hovering all around. A greeting.
I simply let the magics mingle while studying the problem. The old fae spell feels nothing like my energy. It’s burned and melted in place, whereas mine is alive and flowing freely.
Behind me, Remy draws close. His golden light is a familiar radiance from all our lessons together. He places fingers to my nape and adds his strength to mine.
The moment Laurence joins is marked by an intense growth of power. I fear our little foursome is lighting the river like a brush fire, but surely, Remy has thought of that. His magic is diverse. If he isn’t alarmed, then neither shall I be.
I squeeze Dominus’s shoulders, reminding myself of his physical presence, then dive into the spiritual. The curse mustn’t be allowed to stand. It was unfair of the fae to put a spell such as this in place when they were leaving this realm anyway. Injustice is but one of many flaws in the magic, but it’s as good a place to start as any.
Using the energy I’ve called, I prod at old charcoal-encrusted weave, slipping into the cracks between it and Dominus’s ethereal glow. Bit by bit, I urge the ancient magic to crumble at the edges, speaking to it like the living thing it is.
Let go. Your effort is finished. No longer needed. You’ve earned your rest.
No matter how much I nudge or what phrases I use to plead, still the black clings, refusing to budge. Breathing in, I collect my magic and redouble my efforts. The air around us fizzles like the approach of an oncoming storm. My ears pop. I clench my jaw.
“Easy,” Remy warns, his voice thin.
Dominus tightens his embrace.
I won’t be thwarted by an ancient curse. Every puzzle has a solution, and so must this one.
Then it hits me.
I’ve been trying to cast the old spell out when this whole time, I could have taken it in. Fae magic. My magic. Mine to control.
I see the oil-slick lattice covering Dominus’s starlight glow with new eyes. It was never supposed to be there. It would prefer to be with me. Somehow, I know I’m right.
I issue the invitation, offering myself as host.Come. Come to me as you want to do. Come, and I will guide you. Come, and you can be useful again.
An amber bridge of my energy forms between us and wakes the slumbering old curse. The ebony magic stirs, stretching its tendrils as if considering whether or not to obey.
I repeat my orders.Come. As your kin, I command you. As your master, I control you. Leave the incubus. He’s done you no wrong. Come home to me.
It’s working. Stars, it’s working.
The tired, old spell reinvigorates as new purpose forces the switch. A long, thick snake of viscous black energy meets with my glowing orange ether, and the two begin to merge.
I see it in my mind, clear as day, the braiding of old and new, but more than that, I feel it—a throbbing power beating at my ribcage, squeezing my lungs, rising in my throat as a sudden wave of nausea threatens to cleave my concentration just when I need it most.
I gasp in air, drowning in excess magic. My heart thuds wildly. I dig my fingers into the meat of Dominus’s shoulders. I must be hurting him, but I can’t stop. My muscles seize.
Remy squeezes my neck. “Don’t give up now. It belongs to you. Tell it what you want.”
What do I want?
Leave Dominus in peace. Come to me in peace. Settle.
My whole body vibrates as if the magic is laughing at me.
“What can I do?” Dominus’s voice, all muffled and odd, as if I’m underwater.
“Nothing. He’s fighting.” Remy. Or maybe Laurence. I can’t tell. “We wait.”
