Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [265]
"Let her be!"
I was grateful for it. I laid my head on Bao's still chest, pressing my cheek against his cooling flesh and closing my eyes.
"Moirin." It was Master Lo's voice, deep and commanding. He had returned. I opened my eyes, unsure how much time had passed. "Oh, child!" He sighed. "Today I have seen the son of my heart slain by the son of my blood. Today I realize I have lived too long. If you are willing, there may be a way. Will you share your magic? I have never asked this of you, but today I do. Are you willing to give a part of yourself that my magpie might live?"
"Anything!" I gasped.
He knelt beside Bao's body, his head bowed in silent prayer as he cycled through the Five Styles of Breathing, then rubbed his palms together, conjuring energy. "Then let us attempt this."
I knelt opposite him.
There was power in that place. There was the sacred energy of White Jade Mountain, its pristine reflecting pool and untouched snow, the mountain's peak thrusting toward Heaven, its vibrant mantle of spruce, all present here in the dragon himself.
And there was dark power, too—the blood of thousands of men and horses spilled in unnecessary sacrifice, soaking into the earth.
I breathed it in, all of it. I fed it to the guttering spark of my diadh-anam. Master Lo waited patiently, his dark eyes somber. When I was ready, I nodded.
"Whatever happens, know that I spoke the truth," Master Lo murmured. "I am proud of you, my last and unlikeliest pupil."
"Thank you, Master," I whispered.
He laid his hands on Bao's chest. "Now." I put my hands atop his and called the magic, making a gateway of myself.
It came in a rush more powerful than ever before, spilling through me—bright and dark, twined together in a braided torrent, taking a part of me with it. I breathed it out, breathed it into Master Lo Feng. On and on, the rushing torrent poured. Master Lo's hands grew warmer beneath mine, warmer and warmer, almost too hot to touch, but I didn't pull away. I let the magic flow through me, draining me, until spots of glittering darkness danced before my eyes and I began to fade.
The stone doorway beckoned.
And there was a part of my fading self that yearned for it, yearned to pass through it. The dragon's cry echoed in my mind. Home. On the far side of death, home and the Maghuin Dhonn Herself awaited me.
Ah, gods! It was a peaceful thought. I was tired, so tired. Tired of blood, death, fighting, jealousy, ambition, and cruelty, tired of being a stranger far from home. And after all, I hadn't failed. I had found my destiny and fulfilled it.
No, the dragon said in my thoughts. It is not finished.
Master Lo Feng took a deep breath, a breath so deep it seemed he breathed all the Five Styles at once, his entire body expanding with it. Through failing eyes, I saw him smile his wise, gentle smile one last time.
He released his breath.
My diadh-anam flared to life—flared and doubled. I felt it blaze like a beacon inside my chest…
… and inside Bao.
Bao loosed a shout, his body jerking to life. He scrambled wildly to his feet, clutching his chest and staring at me. "What have you done? What have you done?"
"I don't know!" I cried. My vision had cleared, but I was too weak to move. "Master Lo—"
"Master Lo!" Bao crouched beside him. "Ah! No!"
Master Lo Feng's eyes were closed. The hint of a peaceful smile yet curved his lips. But there was no breath in his lungs, no life in his body.
He was gone.
"Take it back!" Bao's eyes were wild and staring-wide, white around the irises. "Moirin, undo it! Take it back!"
"I can't!" I said in agony. "He did it! I didn't know, Bao! I didn't know!"
Baring his teeth in fury, he lunged at me, shaking my shoulders. "Take it back!"
"I can't!"
The dragon roared a deafening warning. Hands pulled Bao away, more hands helped me to my feet, helped me to stand. I wavered, Dai's hand beneath my elbow keeping me upright. Bao glared at me, breathing hard, his chest heaving. He had the two halves of his staff clutched in his hands once more, and he looked ready to fight. Either