Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

Lana

I didn't know how I conjured the fire, but I knew what it felt like. As soon as Destin had forced me out of my head, something hollowed out within me. Like I was an empty vessel. A conduit.

Let me help, my wolf growled.

Gladly.

In seconds I was on the Bone Stalker, slashing first with my dagger, then hurling the flame forward. The creature felt something—it knew I was there and recoiled from the heat. I felt a rush of triumph.

More. I followed Destin's advice and opened myself up again, reaching with the dagger until there was an open, vibrant slash in the haze. I pushed the flames forward, and they surged, wrapping around the creature like serpents.

It screeched, its skeletal body writhing. The flames consumed it, and within moments, there were nothing but ash.

I released the energy, and the fire winked out, the sky slowly fading back to murk. My knees wobbled, and I swayed on my feet.

Destin's arms wrapped his solid around me, and I leaned into him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. When my thoughts settled, I looked up at him, my heart finally beginning to slow. "Thank you."

My gratitude felt long overdue. I wasn't used to having help like this. Yes, I had my pack. I had Rowan and Jasper, my brother, Blake. They all had my back, but this . . . This felt different.

He shook his head. "I didn't?—"

"Destin, spare me the humility. You were a badass on the steps and then you taught me how to light that bastard up. Thank you."

The corner of Destin's mouth curled. He wet his lips. "You're welcome."

My heart was no longer settling. "I'm glad you stayed." Blood rushed from my limbs at the admission. It didn't have to mean anything. The words themselves weren't damning. But Destin could feel what was happening in my head and my heart.

I stepped back from him, dropping my eyes to the ground. "Is there anyone else we need to check on?"

Destin cleared his throat. "We don't know where the other bone stalkers are."

"I know. Do you think—" I didn't finish my sentence. Ahead of us bloomed the same ghostly light.

No. I wasn't ready for another challenge. My bones were heavy with exhaustion, my eyes already drooping. I wanted to speed through the trees and go back to our forest. Our quiet place with the trees, the rocks, and the fairytale bed.

But maybe that was the point.

Destin turned and followed her gaze. His nostrils flared.

"What will it be this time?" I murmured.

He drew a breath and exhaled, then reached out and took my hand. I gripped him tightly as we walked forward.

That time as we approached, there was no otherworldly voice. The light diffused like mist, and in the center was a single, glowing orb. My pulse quickened as we drew closer. Would we be thrown into another treacherous obstacle course? A battle arena? I shivered, thinking of the two bone stalkers we still didn't have a location on.

The orb hovered in front of us, and I stopped watching its slow, rhythmic pulse. Destin stood next to me, not speaking. I didn't have his psi abilities, but it was disturbing how well I was beginning to read him. His silences were nuanced. Specific. Comfortable.

I inspected the orb, waiting for it to do something, but it only hung in the air. My wolf prowled, watching, waiting. On high alert.

Then I felt a tug. A string pulling me towards it. I reached out with a trembling hand, my fingers brushing the air. I didn't know why I was doing it, didn't understand the compulsion, but I couldn't stop.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears as my fingertip neared the light. The air around it was warm, as if I was reached toward a slow-burning fire. My wolf growled low in my chest, a mix of curiosity and caution.

I hesitated for a split second, then pushed forward, my finger pressing against the surface of the orb. It was like a bubble, and when my fingers finally broke through, it felt like dipping into a pool of liquid silk, smooth and enveloping.

Warmth flooded through my arm, and there was a flash, a plunge as if I'd dropped beneath the surface of a lake, and then the world snapped back into focus.

I gasped, my lungs sucking in a breath.

The light was gone, and I was back where we'd started. There were the trees. The place where the table had been. And?—

My heart sank like a stone. "Destin?" I whirled, reaching out my hand as if touch could find him when my eyes couldn't. "Destin!" I called louder, but my voice echoed back to me without a reply.

He was gone. And I had no idea where to find him.