Spellbound (Otherworld 12)

I lowered myself in place on the ritual circle.

"The case studies suggest demon blood is a better conduit than spellcaster blood for this particular ritual." Adam lowered himself to the floor. "I think that's because in those cases, a demon was clearly responsible. If that's the case here, I should be able to do it. If not, though, we'll call in Paige and Lucas. I haven't told them yet, because they've been busy and because, well, I've been begging off on actual investigative work by saying I need to do research, when the truth is I've already done all I could. Or I had, until you got this immortality angle."

He paused. "That doesn't sound good, does it? But I figured I can justify it, though, because having you back as a full-powered investigator and fighter is worth more than a couple days of research. And now I'll stop yapping and get casting. Sorry. Just a little nervous."

Having you back as a full-powered investigator and fighter.

While he prepared, his words kept repeating until they pierced the fog.

"I can't do this," I said.

"What?"

"I can't get my powers back. Not yet. You were saying before that there was no good reason why anyone would take them. I think there is. To teach me."

"Teach you a lesson, you mean? No, Savannah. If there's a lesson to be learned about not counting on your powers, you've learned it. And if you're thinking this will undo the deal you made, and Paula Thompson will go to jail, we'll monitor the situation and Lucas will get involved if--"

"It's not that," I said. "Watch this."

I took a pinch of dried herbs from a censer and put them on the carpet. Then I concentrated until they levitated.

"So your powers are already coming back? That's great. But why not speed it along--"

"They aren't coming back. I can bring them back if I work at it, though."

"Okay, but--"

"I didn't tell you everything that happened in L.A."

I explained about the two supernaturals trying to kill Cassandra, and what I'd done.

"So you had a power flare. Huh." He settled onto the floor and pulled the book over. "I didn't see any of that in the accounts. Maybe this wouldn't work."

Then I told him about the man in the alley. "Which sounds like whoever is responsible didn't drain my powers for kicks. They want me to work harder. Prepare for . . . I don't know what, but as we know, this exposure threat has everyone on the other side paying attention, too. You said it seems more likely to be a deity than a demon. Presumably, then, they're just holding my power in check until

I get my act together. Then if I need the power--like I did with Cassandra--they'll give it back."

"That's possible . . ."

"And it's also possible that it's a demon playing tricks and convincing me not to try getting my spells back. Believe me, I've worked out the possibilities. But right now, I think I should hold off. If I can tap into more power, that'll help. We can try your ritual later."

"Which would be my suggestion . . . except there's an expiry date."

"Expiry?"

He rose and waved for me to sit beside him on the bed. "Most of the rituals that were successful were done within a week of the power loss. After that, the rate of success drops."

"Okay." I settled onto the bed. "But I . . . I think I should wait. See how things go. A few days shouldn't make much difference."

"If we were talking rate of return on an investment, I'd say it's worth the risk, but . . ."

"We're talking about my powers." I turned to him. "So you think--"

I stopped myself. That wasn't fair. If I got advice and things went wrong, he'd feel guilty and maybe I wouldn't be able to keep myself from blaming him, just a little bit.

After a minute of silence, he said, "For what it's worth, I think either is a reasonable choice and neither is a sure thing. Just don't . . ." He leaned over to catch my eye. "Don't do what you did with Leah. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to kill her. That's noble, but I don't want you being noble, Savannah. I want you to do what's right for you."

"If I wait, and I do tap into extra power, that's good for me and everyone else, right?" I took a deep breath. "I'm going to stick to my decision. Hold off and keep working on it, and if I totally freak out, we can still do this, right?"