“No.” Davy shook her head, but her voice was quiet.
Yaeyn started looking around. “Release me, Thread-Holder. Release me now.”
It was too late, though. The Mori sensed what Davy already knew, it was why she released The Immortal to stand next to her. Her power was still locked up, but Davy knew what she would do. She needed the extra encouragement or she didn’t think she could go through with it.
She was going to kill the Mori.
They were all attached. It was why they called each other sister and brother. If she took this Mori’s essence, it was a gateway into their community. She would be connected to all of them and she could yield that connection as she pleased. She could slip into their minds. She could tell them what to think, feel, do, and so much more.
Yaeyn whispered, shaking her head, “Don’t do this, Davy of the Thread-Holder. Jiyama said you had good in you. She longed to assist you. She wanted to be your friend.”
Davy snorted. “She loved Lucan. Her judgment’s off.”
“I can feel it in you, too.” Yaeyn’s eyes were piercing, pleading with her. “It’s why I didn’t attack or flee. My reflexes are faster than yours are. I feel what she felt. You are good. You are pure. Do not listen to the evil in you.” She gazed with scorn at The Immortal. “This one is power hungry. She wants to take control over you, and she’ll swallow your soul whole to do that. She won’t hesitate. Don’t let the darkness win.”
But as the Mori was talking, The Immortal reached over. She clasped her hand onto Davy’s, who turned her palm around. They were now palm to palm, and their fingers intertwined. They were the most connected in a long time, before Davy merged with her back at Roane’s restaurant.
“This is good. This is the right thing to do.” The Immortal spoke quietly to her, clasping her hand tight.
“No, Davy.” Yaeyn thrust a hand out, as if to grab ahold of Davy.
Davy closed her eyes and hung her head.
“Block her out. Don’t listen to her. You need her essence. It will help you against the Mori and Jacith. You’ll be able to find Kates.”
“I . . .” Davy still hesitated.
“The Mori captured you. They assisted Lucan with taking the others and torturing you. You can use her essence and her power. When we’re done, you can let her essence go. It can rest with her family.” The Immortal squeezed her hands. “We have to, Davy. It’s no longer you and me. It’s us. We have to do this.” She paused a beat, then added, “This will save Lucas, too.”
The last sentence was enough. Davy was wavering, but her mind was made up. She shut her emotions off and started to chant.
She concentrated on the words. Magic hadn’t been an effort for her before. The effort had been in trying to control her power, but since Lucan’s witches, it was like she was learning everything new. And this spell, drawing the Mori’s essence, was beyond anything she had done knowingly.
“Davy!”
The Immortal moved so she was directly in front of Davy. Her back was to the Mori, and she tucked her head next to Davy’s. She took Davy’s other hand, and she began to chant with her. They both spoke at the same time, in the same breath, with the same focus and attention.
“Davy,” Yaeyn yelled once again. “I know there is good in you. Please don’t do this. I’m one of my people’s leaders. They will be devastated by my death—”
Enough!” The Immortal slammed a hand behind her, and in a moment, she snapped Yaeyn’s neck. Her hand returned to Davy’s, and she squeezed it hard. “Hurry. We can still take her essence. It hasn’t depleted to the earth yet.”
They worked together, as one mind, one mouth, and when it was done, a peace settled over Davy. She opened her eyes, but she was back in her own body once again. She wasn’t in her mind and she looked down.
The Mori was at her feet. Her eyes were wide open with death in them, and her mouth was open, like she had been gasping for breath.
“I can feel them.” Davy didn’t turn to the others. She said, “I can feel all of them. I know where they are.”
“Davy . . .” Gavin gestured to the Mori. “What about her?”
Davy didn’t look. She only said, “She would’ve killed us. I was protecting us.” And with that, she stepped over the body.
ROANE
As soon as Roane walked into the encampment, the Christane wolves knew. He still wore Benshire blood on him, and it wasn’t long after that before Christian issued the order. They were marching on their enemy.
“You’ll lose.”
r />