Adonis, with a practiced grace, pours another glass of our deep crimson demon wine, the liquid swirling like a storm within the glass. “Yeah, Dax, I don’t think any of us could possibly forget that…” Adonis retorts, a hint of playful sass lacing his tone. I shoot him a pointed glance, reminding him to temper his humor. “Sorry, it’s just been a long day,” he admits with a heavy sigh.
“So, the curse is broken, we have our wings, we’ve reclaimed our power, and we’re finally free,” Dax continues, his voice steady. He takes a hearty gulp from his glass. “I guess Amelia was right… once again. When Dani broke the curse, some of our power transferred to her. Maybe she has more abilities...” he says, his brow creased as he contemplates what it all means.
“I think…” Amelia pauses for a brief moment, her face in deep thought. After a short hesitation, she continues. “I think we didn’t fully grasp the extent of that curse. It seems to me that the curse possessed various potential outcomes, each hinging on the choices made by the mate involved. You know, the choice of free will... Octavia didn’t truly understand the depths of the magic she wielded when she cast that curse. And Dani… I believe she is incredibly unique now.”
The notion hangs in the air, intriguing and thought-provoking.
“What leads you to this conclusion?” Dax inquires, his curiosity piqued as he leans in closer.
“Dax… I’m a celestial being,” Amelia retorts with a playful smirk, her confidence palpable. “I know everything, you just said so yourself.”
We all chuckle at Amelia’s words, the sound echoing off of the walls. She speaks the truth, after all; Amelia has always been the one with a vast well of knowledge, the keeper of secrets who often chooses not to divulge all she knows.
Adonis glances towards the flickering flames dancing within the hearth. “Once Dani regains her strength, we should explore whether she can conjure those flames again in her hands. It’s possible that just as the curse was lifted, her ability to produce those flames emerged.”
Amelia’s expression grows serious, and she sets her wine glass down on the polished oak table with a soft clink. “Now, with your fire element coursing through her veins, she likely also possesses other abilities. The visions she’s been experiencing—psychic phenomena run deep in her lineage. But Adonis, consider this: you are a celestial being. What if Dani not only inherited the fire element from Dax and Killian but also acquired some form of celestial power from you? And with the three mystical symbols already etched on her body, along with the new one on her neck—”
Woah, what now?
Adonis interrupts, his voice laced with urgency, “Wait, what do you mean, the new one on her neck?”
Amelia’s eyes widen, her puzzled expression shifting between Adonis and the rest of us. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me?! You guys didn’t see the sowilo rune appear on her neck?! It’s huge! I’m pretty sure it goes down to her back, too,” Amelia says.
“How?!” Dax asks.
“So, you’re saying Dani has a rune etched into her neck now? A demonic rune of her own? Yet, she didn’t die in the process—how is that even possible?” I inquire, my voice tinged with disbelief as I lean forward
Adonis shrugs his broad shoulders. “Maybe because that’s her destiny? Maybe because that’s what she willed when she was holding Carter’s body as she was breaking the spell?” He suggests, his tone filled with uncertainty.
I run my hands through my hair. That all sounds possible.
Amelia, ever the calm center amidst our chaotic thoughts, smiles softly, her eyes sparkling with hidden wisdom. We all turn our attention to her, waiting for her to give us answers.
“Well, come on, spit it out,” I tell her.
“Alright, so,” Amelia flicks her long, shimmering hair over her shoulder. Her eyes glint as she gathers our attention. “Dani’s rune appeared because she willed it with every fiber of her being. Adonis was right about that. She didn’t want Carter to die, but her desire to free the three of you burned even brighter. She kept pleading into the cosmos for your freedom but also to see Carter again… and in response, the universe granted her wish… the sowilo rune.”
We all stare at her, dumbfounded, like deer caught in headlights, grappling with the weight of her words.
“Oh, goddess and gods above! Do I really have to spell it out for you all?!” she exclaims, exasperation lacing her tone.
“Yes, yes, you do!” Adonis shouts, his voice rising impatiently.
Amelia presses on with a dramatic roll of her eyes. “You guys! The sowilo rune represents life and energy. It nurtures growth and inspires expansion, serving as a destination and a guidepost along the way…” She pauses, letting the gravity of her words sink in, her gaze sweeping across our faces. “With that rune, Dani can teleport wherever the hell she desires!” Amelia beams, her excitement infectious. “Dani can travel to the afterlife anytime she damn well pleases!” Her smile is radiant, lighting up the dim room with the promise of possibilities that lie ahead.
Well, holy fucking shit…
“This is huge… this is good,” Adonis says, his eyes filled with excitement.
“Yeah, like really fucking good,” Dax chimes in, his cocky grin spreading across his face.
Amelia beams, nodding her head up and down. “Yes! She can see Carter anytime she wants! And we can all go with her… we can all go back home!”
“And what about Jules?” I ask her.
“Isn’t it obvious? Jules comes too… if she wants to, of course. But Dani can bring Jules with her, or… or I can.” Amelia admits. “Think of Dani’s rune like a real time portal. She can go anywhere and bring anyone with her.”
That’s news to me… we have never been able to bring anyone into the afterlife unless they were already dead or dying
