Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

Time seemed to slow as I stood at the edge of the fairy pools, staring into the darkness, knowing I might not survive. But I didn’t have a choice. I would do anything to protect Justice, my brother, and the others, even risk my own life.

I closed my eyes, steeling myself for what was to come. When I opened them again, determination had replaced fear. It was time.

After a deep breath, I turned to Justice and gestured toward the backpack. Our eyes met, and frustration flared in his. “Keep them safe,” I whispered. The ‘them’ hung in the air—not merely the contents of my bag, but also our friends, should I fail.

He pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was fierce and unyielding as if he feared I would disappear from his grasp. I clung to him with equal fervor, grasping his strong shoulders as I hungrily absorbed the taste of him. His body radiated strength and determination, and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to it. Nothing else in the world mattered but being with him.

Someone cleared their throat, then my brother blurted, “Whoa there, lovebirds. I hate to break up this Hallmark moment, but we’ve got a phoenix to save and a big bad to gank. Save the makeout session for when we’re not knee-deep in magical crap, all right?”

He faced me, his tone softening but maintaining its urgency.

“Look, sis, I get it. Destiny’s a pain in the ass, and being the ‘chosen one’ or whatever? It sucks. But right now, you’ve got a job to do. So how about we table the teen drama, gear up, and go save our feathery friend before things go from bad to apocalyptic? ‘Cause trust me, that’s a road you don’t want to go down.”

I drew a deep breath, feeling the weight of a legacy I couldn’t fully recall. A sad smile tugged at my lips. “I don’t know, Damon. I can’t remember.” The admission felt like a punch to the gut, a reminder of the void where my memories of our father should be.

Sympathy and fierce protectiveness flashed across his face. He squeezed my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “Dad would never give up. You might not remember him, but you’re a carbon copy of him. Believe me.” His voice dropped lower, thick with emotion. “You’ve got his stubbornness, his courage, and definitely his knack for finding trouble.”

A chuckle escaped me. “Gee, thanks.”

“I mean it, Sawyer,” Damon continued. “Dad faced impossible odds more times than I can count, and he always found a way through. The same strength is in you. I’ve seen it.”

He pulled me into a fierce hug, and I held on tight, drawing strength from his unwavering belief in me. I might not remember Dad, but Damon had always been there for me. My rock, my protector, my link to a past I couldn’t recall.

As we embraced, fragments of shared memories flashed through my mind. Damon teaching me to ride a bike, bandaging my scraped knees, staying up late to help me with homework. He’d been more than a brother. He’d been a father figure in his own right.

When we finally pulled apart, I saw a glimmer of moisture in Damon’s eyes that he blinked away. “Now go show that phoenix and whatever else is down there what a Grant is made of,” he insisted.

I nodded, squaring my shoulders. The fear and uncertainty were still there, but now determination tempered them. I might not have my father’s memories to guide me, but I had Damon’s faith and the Grant legacy coursing through my veins. Whatever awaited me in those fairy pools, I would face it head-on.

Zara winked at me. “You’ll be fine. I believe in you, Sawyer.”

Her words washed over me, a balm to my frayed nerves. “Thank you,” I told her. “Your faith in me means so much.”

I meant what I said. The team had thought she’d been a traitor, but she’d proven she wouldn’t turn her back on me or anyone else. I was grateful for her unwavering support.

Zara reached out and squeezed my arm, her touch grounding me. “We’ve come too far to fail now,” she stated. “You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.”

I nodded, drawing strength from her confidence. My impending task still prickled my skin, but I knew if I got into trouble, my team had my back. I drew a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I turned to face the shimmering fairy pools again.

Brody stepped forward, his movements hesitant yet purposeful. In one fluid motion, he pulled out a blade that gleamed ominously in the glow surrounding us. His expression was apologetic but determined. The weight of what we were about to do seemed to hang heavily on his shoulders.

“The mirror said only your blood would break the spell,” he murmured. The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

Justice’s reaction was immediate and vehement. “This is ridiculous,” he growled, stretching his hand toward Brody. His eyes flashed with anger and a protective instinct. “I’ll cut her.”

A moment of tense silence ensued as Brody and Justice locked gazes in an unspoken battle of wills. Brody nodded, and a flicker of relief crossed his face as he handed the blade to Justice. He was glad to relinquish this particular responsibility.

Justice took the blade, its weight appearing more than physical in his hand. He turned to me, and the fierce look melted into something deeper, more vulnerable.

“If anything goes wrong, you cry out, and I’ll be there.”

My heart swelled with love, and I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hang onto him for dear life, but my job was to protect him as much as he wanted to protect me.

I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat. His protectiveness both thrilled and terrified me. Part of me longed to give in, to let him shield me from the dangers we faced. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t.

“I will. I promise.” My voice came out stronger than I felt, bolstered by the unwavering support surrounding me.

My fingers itched to reach out and trace the line of his jaw, to feel the warmth of his skin. Instead, I clenched my fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms. The pain helped ground me, reminding me of the gravity of our situation.

His eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. It made my resolve waver, but I stood my ground and relaxed my hands.

Then, with a movement that seemed both too fast and agonizingly slow, he slashed across my palm.

The pain was sharp and immediate. I couldn’t help but wince, a small hiss escaping through clenched teeth. The cut wasn’t deep, but it stung fiercely, and blood welled up almost instantly.

“Sorry,” Justice murmured. His free hand moved as if to comfort me but stopped short, hovering uncertainly.

I inhaled deeply, pushing past the pain. “I can handle it,” I insisted, meeting his concerned gaze with what I hoped was a reassuring look. He would do anything to protect me, but this wasn’t his path. It was mine.

I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself for what was to come. The pain in my hand was already fading to a dull throb.

Justice, Brody, Zara, and Damon watched silently. The air around us crackled with anticipation.

Lisa tapped her foot. “What are you waiting for, Sawyer? You need to go now. My phoenix needs me.”

Before I could respond, Damon stepped forward, his eyes flashing with barely contained anger. “Back off, Lisa,” he growled, positioning himself in front of me. “My sister’s about to risk her life for your bird. She’ll go when she’s ready and not a second before.”

I placed a hand on his arm, both in gratitude and as a gentle restraint. “It’s okay, Damon. She’s right. It’s time.”

Damon’s jaw clenched, but he nodded and stepped back. However, his gaze never left Lisa, watching her with a mixture of wariness and warning.

Justice clasped my shoulders. “Remember, just call out my name, and I’ll be there.”

My heart raced, and the depth of emotion in his eyes made my breath catch. I wanted to stay in this moment forever, safe in his presence, but I couldn’t. I had a job to do.

The moment of truth had arrived.

As I turned toward the shimmering pool, my bleeding hand outstretched, I felt their fears and their hopes. The cut on my palm was more than a means to break a spell. It was a symbol of the sacrifices I was willing to make to save those I loved.

With one last deep breath, I stepped down the misty rocky embankment toward the fairy pool and scanned the shadows and the water, looking for any hint of danger.

Nothing moved. It was too still, as if something was waiting for me.