Matt rubbed his face. “Good bloodyearlymorning.”
I frowned at her, sensing something. “Is everything okay?”
She sighed and pushed clothes off the chair in the corner before seating herself. “I saw Sebastian yesterday evening.”
That was enough to get Matt shooting up to a sitting position, although he still clutched the sheets to his waist. The bed bounced beneath us.
“How is he?” I asked cautiously. She’d responded to that question a million times, and the answer was always the same. That he needed time, and we should grant it to him.
But this morning, her lips straightened. “It is time to push the situation,” she admitted. “He will not heal without you.”
My heart twisted, and Talakai straightened, exchanging a look with Matt.
Let’s go get him, Angel.
* * *
Cara’s words echoed through me as I leaned over Talakai’s neck and peered down into the forest rushing past below.
Cara had managed to secure us access to Elandriel. It hadn’t been easy, and it had its risks. Because everyone now knew just who and what I was. Soon after the battle, the Elder Council had stated their wish to bring me to Elandriel for “special training.” Cara and Bess had argued for my continued participation as a Shade recruit.
The Satyr royals had spoken for me remaining at the academy. But the clincher had been big brother Nikolai. Who insisted that I remain with him.
It had silenced the Elders.
Talakai swung his head to regard me with one huge metallic eye.This place—the life essences here are so pure. I have never felt anything like them.
The entire realm is looked after by Unicorns, Tasi. Of course, it’s pure.Matt flew alongside us, matching Talakai’s wingbeats.
My mount snorted.Some regard Watchers as witches because of their powers. No one suspects it to be so close to the truth. Isobel proved that their abilities can be used for evil purposes.
That bitch is not just a witch. She’s a Sorceress,Matt corrected.
What’s the difference?I asked.
I call you a witch,he stated, accompanying it with visuals that made me blush.
I am unsure as to how that can be considered complimentary,I countered.
Anna’s not a witch, she is bewitching,the Dragon clarified.
Thank you,I approved. For that, you get special privileges.
Matt snorted at me.Hey, my witch comment came with stonkin’ great imagery.
Witches have warts,I explained absently as I leaned over, my eyes scanning the ground below.
Humor rippled through the link from Talakai. Matt ignored him as his head cast back and forth like a hound searching for a scent.You sure he’s out here, my witchy Angel?
He’s here. I can feel him.And I could. To me, his energy was a beacon, but neither Talakai nor Matt could sense more than ripples.
Sebastian wasn’t part of us. Not yet. It was something I was determined to remedy.
I glanced down at forests thick with vegetation, with brightly colored flying creatures flitting through the branches. Herds of grazing animals raced through the grasslands. I sensed the balancers, too—the predators that kept those herds healthy. This wasn’t a pretty, peaceful, theoretical type of Eden. It was nature functioning as it should. Life and death in complete harmony.
Sebastian’s energy beckoned to me, even though the man himself was on the run. My mind flashed with images of four swift legs galloping away as fast as they could manage.
Nothing on four legs could outrun a Unicorn. Fortunately for us, we weren’t bound to the ground.
