Page 71 of Amethyst and Iron
“You breached the Celestial Plane, Velra. Without Celestial power at your disposal. And you did so by employing both your Dark Fae and Wraith side in equal measure, fusing said abilities together in order to create something miraculous.Thatis what will be the key to defeating him and enemies like him while alsoguarding yourself against harm. You are far stronger than him and it’s time you were shown the indisputable truth of that.”
His words rolled through me.
“You’re right. And it’s actually one of the reasons I wanted to attend Wraeven Academy. To reconcile both sides of myself so I could perform magic like that and be at peace with both.”
“I know it was. And you were doing impressively well with it. Unfortunately, the Academy needs time to safeguard against the extreme threat level thatPuritasrising poses. Until those measures are put in place, we will facilitate our own training.”
“Our?Do you mean—”
“Yes, I do. You can teach me also.”
“You’re a master of combat, a master of magical knowledge too. You’re doing so well with improving your emotional intelligence. I don’t know what else I could teach you.”
He cupped my face. “Show me more of what it means to exist beyond combat.” He smiled. “Teach me what it means to truly live.”
I stared up at him.
And there it was.
The other reason I’d gone to Wraeven Academy—to actually start living a life.
Not just existing.
Not just hiding from the threats against me.
To learn how to move beyond that.
And I’d been doing well finally.
Here and now, Cassius was warning me in his supportive, non-condescending way that I’d come too far to turn back now, to allow what Sorin andPuritas’rise had done to shake that resolve.
“Yeah,” I said, nuzzling against him. “Yeah.”
12
~Sylas~
I jolted awake, lurching up with a heaving gasp as a rush of power shot through my system.
Panting and sweating, I swung my head from side to side, unnatural energy infusing me like a massive bolt of adrenaline making my body vibrate.
“It’s okay. Breathe. Slowly, for the love of fuck.”
That voice.
I turned to see Kai there at my bedside.
Bedside?
What was… I was… this was the infirmary inside the Guardian Compound.
Fuck.
I washere?
After I’d performed the highly illicitAuctoritas Mortis?
Andviolated the sanctity of the Valley of the Dead in such a profound way to pull Velra the fuck out of there?
