Are there two? I wondered, dazed. It felt too energized to be a lone entity. Too consuming. Too… familiar.
The identity kept swirling in and out of my thoughts, too powerful for me to hold on to for long. Which was precisely why I had to close myself off from both Claire and the evil being threatening to take control of my spirit.
I slid into the recesses of my mind, preparing my blockade, hell-bent on strengthening my reserves before I came out swinging.
But it would take time.
Days.
Weeks, maybe.
A month.
And I had to say goodbye to my Claire. At least for a little while.
I sighed as the last ledge of the barrier began to form, my heart aching for the bond I had to lock away. Not broken, just closed. For now. Until I was strong enough to protect us both.
Don’t give up on me, Claire, I whispered to her. I’ll reach out again soon. I promise.
Darkness descended on the message, following the chain to the woman I’d allowed into my heart. I screamed in rebellion, using the last vestiges of my power to cut the fae off and blast the asshole backward.
An “Oomph” followed, telling me I’d won.
For now.
A temporary victory, one that would only enrage the being more.
Who are you? I wondered, infuriated that I couldn’t identify the familiar brush of power.
Ah, it didn’t matter.
As soon as I recharged, I’d destroy whoever tried to subdue me. I was the rightful heir to the Spirit Kingdom. I’d denied it all my life, but now it was time to embrace it. All I needed was to harness that strength and use it.
Soon, I swore. Soon.
The last vestiges of my cage assembled, I shut my eyes and closed myself off from everything and everyone.
The battle had not yet begun.
But when it did, I’d land on top.
I always did.
Claire
A Little Over a Month Later…
The pixie chirped at me in delight, causing my lips to curl. “I have no idea what you’re saying,” I told it. That only seemed to make the little fairy more excited. She began to dance, her dust flying around her and causing me to laugh.
A second appeared beside me, this one conjured by Elana, and the two began chattering in their little language while flying in hypnotic circles across the dining area.
This had become my favorite part of our sessions—the creation of life through magical means.
Elana’s energy warmed mine, her smile one of approval as I called another pixie into formation with my mind, this one a male. The two females immediately drew near, their intrigue evident.
“That’s new,” Elana murmured.
I lifted a shoulder. “I have a few males to draw on for inspiration.” Five, to be exact. Six if I included River. Sol, Vox, Titus, and Cyrus had become permanent fixtures in my life, with Exos a nightly feature in my dreams. The only female I’d grown close to over the last month was Elana, but I couldn’t exactly call us friends. She was more like the fairy godmother I never knew I needed.