Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [115]
Grayson followed, slowly, as if weighted down, restrained. His head was steady, but his eyes darted about, taking in the surroundings. His aura was a brilliant violet and orange—stunning to see—but he too had a blanket of darkness hovering around the edges, like fog trying to swallow up the sun. Her heart leapt at the sight of him. She felt a spontaneous smile lift her face, even though her face wasn’t there.
Another came as well—a young man, handsome and confident and…something else. He was different. What beautiful colours shone from his heart—shades of rose and gold and a blast of white light that made her mentally blink. He must be a new apprentice, though she doubted he needed much spiritual training. She could see immediately that he looked to her mother, not An’ Lawrence.
She noticed his sword. Her urge to see it, to touch it, to question him about its making, flooded her. Neptune transit aside, she was more than ready to get her body back. Finally, they were here to help. She called out to them all, directing her energy towards the platform where they gathered. It took her a while to realise that no one noticed. They were bent on finding Drayco. They seemed anxious that he was alone, particularly the Sword Master. She tried to shout at him, attract his attention, but slowly she grasped that they couldn’t sense her at all. In a moment, Scylla shot down the tunnel after Drayco.
Rosette focused on her familiar and sent him a stream of thoughts. Dray? They’re here! They’ve found us. We can go now but no one’s noticing me. Oh, demons, now Kali and An’ Lawrence are arguing about something. Grayson looks depressed…but it’s good to see him. I feel so…Drayco? Are you listening to me?
He didn’t answer right away. She guessed he was communing with Scylla and his mind was full. They’d be ecstatic at their own reunion. She couldn’t stop her thoughts, though. It looks like Kali’s picked up a new apprentice, Dray. Whoa! You will not believe this! He’s Lupin! He just shifted. Heading your way. He’s with Kreshkali, so be nice. Please? He’s got a fabulous aura. Different from the others…like Kali’s really, when you think about it. Drayco? Are you there?
I’m here, Maudi.
Drayco, I can’t get their attention. They don’t respond to me at all.
Which is odd because I find your shouting quite pervasive.
She drew her energy back, like sucking in her breath. Sorry, lovely. I was excited.
Me too. Everyone’s here.
Everyone meaning Scylla?
He didn’t answer, but there was a buzz of purring. She spotted the two temple cats trotting back, their auras green and earthy, overlapping each other’s as they negotiated the drains. Scylla’s had an edge of red, and the Lupin, still on four legs, radiated an aura of such brilliance she felt rapturous looking at it. Now there was a deep soul—rich and magical. What a great place to dwell, that man’s heart.
A conversation was bantering about the platform, and she watched, her sense of joy and enthusiasm slipping away. Drayco, they think I’m dead.
Technically, Maudi, you are.
His response startled her. I’m not. I’m here. Tell them I’m here.
I think the problem is that your ‘here’ isn’t quite the same as ours.
But you can hear me. You know I am alive.
We’re bonded. Our link has always been mind to mind, so of course, with or without the bodies, we are still linked. We still hear each other.
She floated over Grayson, trying to speak with him, sending him her rushing thoughts like pouring cold water over his head. Nothing. She tried the others.
It doesn’t make sense. I’ve mind-linked with all of them at