Leyka took her outstretched hand and then they vanished.
Warner whistled under his breath. “Whole lotta creepy happening here.”
“I’m here for it.” Henley grinned.
“Aight, y’all, let’s give Riah here some air.” Tegan flicked her hands. “Errrybody shoo. Let’s go be there for Savannah.”
I started to get up when a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.
Tennessee shook his head. “I may not be your Coven Leader, but I’d like for you to just lay here and rest. Regain your strength.”
“I am fine—”
“And I am stubborn.” Tennessee arched one eyebrow. “Please? I prefer my people rested.”
“Am I your people?” I asked and hated the question in my own voice. I did not care for the tension in my stomach as I waited for his answer, or for how much his answer mattered.
But he smiled without hesitation. “I do believe we’re family now. Shall I call you Uncle?”
I nodded and gently laid back in the sand. “Definitely.”
Olli howled from out of nowhere and then leapt onto my chest.
Saraphina curled her legs under her and sat beside me with her hands resting on my chest. “I’ll be here, please rest.”
Deacon nodded over her shoulder and red smoke drifted through the air. “Yes, rest.”
I wanted to fight it, to stay awake, but my eyes closed instantly. This wasn’t the first time I’d used my gift, but I’d never had to use quite so much of it at once either. Healing Savannah had taken a lot. Her wound was barely able to be reversed even by me. Another few seconds and she would have been lost.
The moment my eyes closed, darkness crept in around the edges. It was the same every time I used this part of my magic. I always had the forest dream. It was nearly pitch-black, with only gray fog to guide my way. Yet it wasn’t unnerving or alarming. I actually found it quite relaxing. By now this dream felt like home somehow. A large black dog with one red and one gold eye appeared in the distance, black smoke coiling around its body. Yet it just stared. This was new.
A shadowy form appeared in front of me, blocking my view of the dog. And then stepped into the light and it was Cooper. “Hey there, big guy.”
I scowled. “Dreamwalker.”
He chuckled and glanced around nervously. “Yeah, not enjoying this. You always dream all creepy like this?”
No, not always. Only when I used those certain types of my magic. “Are you here to wake me?”
“Sorry, yeah.” He grimaced like he genuinely felt bad for it. “Time to go.”
I gasped and opened my eyes – and Crone Island appeared on one side of me, the ocean on the other. I sighed and scrubbed my face with my hands. Olli barked and licked my wrists. I chuckled and ruffled his ears.
“Sorry to wake ya like that. Saffie was trying but you were out.”
“Don’t worry yourself, I had not been asleep long— wait. Saraphina?” I frowned and looked around, but there was no one but myself and Cooper… and Olli. “Where is everyone? How long was I asleep?”
Cooper exhaled real slow while shaking his head. “I think it’s been about an hour but I’m starting to think time doesn’t work the same here. I couldn’t…I couldn’t be in there anymore.” He held his hand out to help me up.
I didn’t need help but it was a sign that perhaps they would forgive me for my secrets. So I hugged Olli to my chest and put my other hand in his and let him put me to my feet. “It doesn’t.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Is it strange to be so much older than everyone you’re around?”
“Perhaps in my first century but afterward I got used to it.” I scanned the ocean surface but saw no trouble on the horizon, though I suspected that had more to do with Keltie and Leyka’s interference. “So, is Savannah all right?”
Cooper’s eyes darkened. He swallowed roughly and nodded. “Y-yeah. She’s…she’s tough. She’ll…she’ll be okay.”
I got the feeling he was trying to convince himself of that and it made me wonder if I’d missed something happening between the two of them. “So where is everyone?”
“Oh, right.” Cooper shook himself and pointed behind me. “Headed back this way now. Myrtle and Bentley insist Kenneth and Savannah need to return to Eden. So everyone went to gather them.”
I turned to follow his point and found the whole group walking straight for us. Cooper and I were beyond the line so we were in jeans and shirts, but everyone else was still in the ceremonial white that Crone Island forced everyone into.
Tegan, Bettina, and Emersyn led the group, walking close together and whispering. Lennox and Henley were right behind them talking animatedly. Jackson shook his head while Warner threw his head back and laughed. Braison held Paulina tight to his side while Willow and Chutney giggled beside them. Deacon and Royce were a few feet behind everyone with their heads leaned close, definitely conspiring, but then Easton sped around them carrying Lily on his back. Royce gasped and then jumped on Deacon’s back to imitate.
Cooper snorted beside me.
Devon and Hunter walked hand-in-hand near the back. Devon kept glancing over her shoulder to Bentley who was behind them while Hunter kept his hand on Gigi’s shoulder beside him. She was in human form. For now. She didn’t appear to have any control over that whatsoever, which made her a dangerous person to have around. I’d met many a shifter in my life. Their kings were always strict about civilians controlling their shifting.
I didn’t know what The Coven was going to do with her but she’d already caused trouble.
Gigi kept looking over her shoulder and crying at Savannah who was leaning all of her weight into Kessler. Constance squeezed Savannah’s arm and smiled as she walked beside her.
Where is Saraphina?
Movement caught my eye, so I craned my neck around to see but it was just Tennessee. Him and Timothy had their arms wrapped around Kenneth to help him walk. Timothy’s new IX Mark shined bright on his arm.
And then I spotted a head of fiery red hair and my heart did this strange flip in my chest. She was behind everyone else, clinging to Myrtle beside her. The gold lines spreading over her shoulder and arm were beautiful, and her face was bright with eyes that twinkled, but I saw the dark blue glyph on her chest that meant sadness.
I wished I could make her sadness disappear, but I had not the answer for her. Myrtle should have died two centuries ago but this island kept her thriving. This reunion should have been impossible, yet there they were, walking in perfect unison and holding on to each other like they were the oxygen to breathe.
Just then Saraphina looked up and spotted me. Her whole face lit up. “Riah.”
I sighed. “Saraphina.”
And then she zoomed through the air, flying straight for me. I stepped forward and caught her, then dragged her to my chest, or the part of it that wasn’t being hogged by Olli. She smelled like ocean salt and flowers. The tension in my bones settled.
She cupped my face and pouted, her wings fluttering behind her “I’m sorry I left. You were resting and—”
“I know.”
“All right, everyone,” Myrtle said softly. “Get these two home to Katherine. No detours.”