He frowns. “That doesn’t sound right.”
Wings flap overhead. I look up and spot five ravens, all flying in a row. One carries a charm in his beak. My mind breaks and I grip it with my hands.
“Dig deep,” the Shaman says. “You can’t give away what isn’t yours.”
I feel in my belly. I reach in my heart. I feel a pebble—round and perfect. I pull it out and see it is a shiny pearl—white and bold. I hold it to the sky. A raven, the biggest of them all, swoops down and takes it in his beak and flies away. The pearl leaves a trail, glossy like a satin ribbon, and I glance at the Shaman. “Follow it, child. That’s your way home.”
I pick up my feet, sticky from the black goo, and chase after the raven.
“Morgan.”
“How much longer?”
“How the fuck should I know?”
“Shut up. She’s moving.”
“I can’t handle this.”
“I can’t handle your mouth.”
“Seriously, is this what you want her to wake up to? The five of you acting like assholes?”
The final voice cuts through my mind like a knife.
“Hildi?” I rasp. My voice feels like sandpaper mixed with tar.
“Babe.” It’s her voice but I feel five other sets of hands. Strong, capable hands. Familiar hands. I blink and spot my guardians. Hildi elbows Dylan out of the way and brings a glass of water to my lips. The liquid is cool and I gulp it down faster than I should. She wipes my chin and says. “Nevis sent it to help you heal.”
The wicked feeling in my throat vanishes, soothed by the water. It settles in my belly and I feel the magic working. I look at Hildi and the first thing I think of to say is, “I’m so sorry about Andi.”
“You tried.” She brushes back my hair. “You should have killed her.”
“Death would have been too good for her. This way, she has to live with the consequences and redeem herself to the people in her kingdom.” I search for a pair of copper eyes. I find them near my feet. “Redemption is good.”
I wiggle to a sitting position, feeling almost back to normal. I’m on the bed in my room. I look around at my things, my books and journals. The trinkets I’ve collected during my time in New York. It truly feels like home.
Again I focus on Bunny. “Did you close the gate?”
“Yes.”
“And the Darkness? I know I carried it with me.”
Dylan takes my hand. “The Shaman was waiting for us when we came through. He cured you.”
“What was the cost?”
“He took the Darkness with him,” Damien says. “Locked up tight. I made the box myself.”
That news doesn’t sit well with me and from a glance around the bed, not with anyone else either. Clinton stands, arms crossed, to my left.
“We didn’t have a choice,” Sam says. He leans over and I brush his hair out of his eyes. Gods, I’ve missed him. All of them.
“Okay, it’s time to give Morgan a little rest, everyone out.” The directive comes from Sue and I smile thankfully at her. I love my men. I adore my mates, but choking down an unhealthy dose of evil wore me out.
Everyone leaves, but I grab Dylan’s hand before he leaves the room.
“Hey,” I say quietly. “Do me a favor.”