A Feast of Souls: Araneae Nation, Book 2 by Hailey Edwards

Author:Hailey Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2012-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

Slipping into meditation came easier than expected. Part of it was a subtle increase in Brynmor’s energy. Even if he hadn’t been born and raised in this city, his body must lie within these grounds. It gave him strength, and I used our connection to read Isolde’s aura while devising a plan of treatment.

Odd that Kowatsi’s presence bolstered Isolde’s aura on one side. On the other, red energy pulsed in time with her heart. Not the deeper crimson of passion but the brighter red of freshly spilled blood.

Swipes from a wet tongue over my hand made me blink the room back into focus.

Brynmor sat at my feet.

Vaughn stood in the doorway, Old Father’s weathered supply roll tucked under his arm.

I kept my gaze pinned to the floor to avoid the pulse of his anger, resentment, and took what was mine. “I’ll have to ask that you wait outside with Nerys. It’s easier for me to focus with fewer auras in play.” Turning my back on him, I returned to Isolde’s bedside. Her glassy eyes stared at the corner where Kowatsi hovered, and I feared how close to death she must be if she sensed his presence there.

He was waiting for her, another mark against me if Vaughn discovered him.

“I won’t leave her.” Vaughn positioned himself at the door. “You know my aura. You must after all this time, what we’ve been through. Work around me. Nerys, I’m asking you to wait in the hall.”

I saw no point in telling him his was the one aura I was blind to, that his presence distracted me.

With a twist of her lips, Nerys stalked from the room. “I’ll be right outside.”

The door rattled on its hinges.

“Let’s begin.” I palmed my crystal. Let its familiar resonance calm me. “I’ll ask you to remain where you are. No matter what you see or hear, do not breach this circle. It must keep me grounded.”

With no anchor, and I dared not trust Vaughn in his current mood, the circle would suffice.

Kneeling, I set about sorting my tins and letting the practiced tasks calm the nerves in my hands. Once my preparations had been made, I addressed my patient. “Isolde, I must have your permission.”

She didn’t so much as blink acknowledgment.

“Mother.” Vaughn waited. “Mother, answer her.” When Isolde failed to respond, he crossed the room and stood at her shoulder. “This is your only chance at survival. Will you allow Mana to spirit walk with you?” Whatever he heard pained him. “Yes, Rhys needs you, please, give your consent.”

“Yes.” She strangled on the word.

“There, you have what you required.” Vaughn turned from her and resumed his position.

Back to my tins, my herbs, I let his hurt wash over and through and beyond me. Negative energy had no place here or in healing. Inhale. Exhale. Focus. I located my center, then I set about my tasks.

Lifting Old Father’s most battered tin, I unscrewed the cap and inhaled, nose tingling. A whiff of floral mingled with an underlying herbal essence.

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