Page 97 of Spirit Storm

Darius isn't taking hold of anything.

He doesn't reach for my hands, or my voice, or my intention the way Tharuzel did. He simply drifts through my awareness like light through glass, present but not possessive.

I can do this. I owe it to everyone to make things right, and this is the best way to do that. I exhale a long breath and close my eyes.

After a moment, something opens.

Not 'open' like a door or a window, but more like becoming aware of releasing something that was always there, but I never noticed.

Memories that aren't mine but were gifted to me.

Locations, details, instructions…

Each thought Darius releases is distinct and separate. He doesn't interact with them in any way, he simply illuminates them, highlights them so I can see clearly what Tharuzel found.

Then he retreats. The current stills, but the memories remain.

I open my eyes when Darius releases my hands, and I am alone in my body once again. "Thank you."

He nods once and stands, and I get the sense he's a man who doesn't want to overstep. He's seen my innermost thoughts, and I'm sure for some, that can be triggering. I'm simply grateful.

I turn to Garrison.

He stands with his arms folded across his enormous bison chest, watching me with his round, dark eyes. The lantern light catches the polished curve of his horns, and he dips his chin. "What now?"

"Now, if you're willing, I need you to take Asher, Wylder, and me straight into each of the lockstone chambers I remember. Can you work off coordinates?"

Garrison nods. "I can."

"Awesome." I glance at Asher and, as always, he's on board. "Then, Asher is going to seal the rune circles with his guardian shield energy. And hopefully, Tharuzel won't be able to get at them."

“And what am I doing?” Wylder asks.

“You are there with us in case we stumble into Tharuzel in progress. It can’t hurt to have another affinity there to defend. Also, you’re strategic and often think of things I miss.”

Garrison looks skeptical.

Doesn't matter. "Asher wields pure guardian angel magic. He is goodness and honor, and his intentions are pure. He's the Goddess Mother's chosen emissary. I don't think any demon is getting through that."

Asher straightens, his jaw set and his smile bright. "Do you really think I've got the goods?"

I hold my hand out to him and smile. "I've always thought so. Now you get to prove it to the world."

Garrison holds out his hand. "Give me the first of the coordinates. Where do you want to begin?"

We return to the Order compound in the Bahamas after a long and tiring day. Part of me aches to be home with my sisters, to flop into my own bed, and to have the house spoil me with sweet treats. Another part of me realizes that my team is in the Bahamas, working through a crisis, and I've all but abandoned them there.

We find Rowan and Orion in the common area of the guest suite, journals fanned out across the table in front of him, and in a half-circle around where she's sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Orion's shifter hearing picks up our arrival first, his silver-blue gaze flicking up the moment we approach. "The traveling troop returns. How'd it go?"

"Oh, you know, just out there saving the world. Busy, busy. Same ole story." He bends to give Orion a quick kiss hello, then drops into the seat next to him.

"Well, we're glad you're back," Izzy says from where she has her feet tucked under her butt on the sofa.

Clara is beside her with a notepad balanced on her knee. "Did it work?"

I head to the refrigerator and select a can of soda, pulling the tab with a satisfying crack. "We'll have to wait and see, but we hope so."