I pulled the power to me. As easy as taking a breath, it rushed forward. Eager to be used. Waiting. A smile pulled at my lips as I moved up behind the whining druid. I felt no panic, no alarm, no frenzy of need for it to work. I simply thought it, willed it, and the magic leapt to do my bidding. Something had changed, but I didn't know what. Right now, I simply didn't care.Starshine settled in my palms as if I'd placed the stars themselves in the sky. No strain, no pain. Nothing but the joy of power and magic. I laid my palms against his head, cradled it to my belly. "Translatio postestatis," I said softly. He bucked against me. His legs went out from under him. A limp doll. A haunting chuckle that might or might not have been mine filled my mind. I followed him to the ground, rode his body like it was a horse. I kept my grip on his head, stretched his neck back all the way. Snugging it against my abdomen, I sucked his power down as if it were a milkshake and my hands

The darkness was comforting, in its own way. Not that I would like to remain in perpetual night, but it was nice. Lots of good things had happened to me in the dark. Crashing into Thane. Meeting Grumpy and Tove. Making love. Although, we did that in the light, too. Making love was my favorite. I sighed. I'd like to make love with them again. Maybe even get dirty and ask them to fuck me. I giggled. Grumpy would probably like that. Throw me over his shoulder, slap my butt, and carry me away. If I could figure out how to get out of this void of midnight nothingness, then I was going to do just that. Stomp up to them and demand they fuck me with their cocks. I nodded. Made the vow into the ether. If I get out of here and back to them, that was the first thing I was going to do. Could a person fall if there was no gravity? I wondered after a moment. I didn't get that deep yucky slide in my belly that felt like I was falling. But I also didn't feel like I was zooming upwards e

My grandmother buried her mouth next to my ear. "Do not fight me, garinion. I will help you defeat Patrick. I will right this wrong that has been landed at your feet. I vow that you will never be bothered by my siblings again."I tried to pull away. Tried to cover her mouth. I'd heard words like that before. Right before my mother allowed me to kill her. Before she sacrificed herself for me as a child. I wouldn't be losing anyone else from my family. I might not fully understand everything that is going on right now, but if all of this was just some kind of game? Heads were about to roll. I was tired of my family, my loved ones, being used as pawns in someone else's game. I pressed my lips to my grandmother's cheek. "Do not fight me, grandmother. I will not let you sacrifice yourself for me." I leaned my forehead down against hers. "A wise woman once told me that I'm more powerful than I realized. I'm going to take her words to heart."Grab her. Don't let her speak. Don't let

Incandescent rage flowed through me as Thane's mouth smashed down onto mine. I bit at his lips as his words crashed through my brain. We won't let him have you, Stretch. We claimed you first. You're ours.The drain was immediate and painful. I shrieked against his mouth as I felt them pull and suck away my power. My birthright. My legacy. They ripped it from me in large gulps. My arms were locked to my sides by Tove's hands. My hands were clenched in Grumpy's fists. Made helpless by my men.Not helpless, Stretch. Never helpless. Not with us. We're saving you. Saving you from him. Look inside. This isn't you. I snarled and pushed his words aside. He was stealing what wasn't his to take. Just like all the other men in the Vi-Something sharp carved through my upper arm right before a boiling hot rag was stuffed inside the wound. Thane swallowed my scream of pain. My whimper of agony. We're saving you. I'm so sorry, Stretch. Sorry we didn't notice it earlier. Speak for y

I woke in the dark. For the first time in what felt like forever, nothing had invaded my sleep. No whispers. No nightmares. Nothing. Just solid, healing sleep. As my eyes adjusted, I saw that my men had left a light on in the bathroom for me. Joy and peace lit my heart. They were the best. And they were mine. A soft knock sounded at the door. I tasted the air, smiled as I recognized the energy signature. "Come on in, Grams."Ari opened the door, a giant smile on her face. "I've always wanted to be called that." She walked over to the bed. "How are you feeling?"I nodded. "Really good actually. How are you?"She spluttered a laugh. "I'm well, thank you. But then again, five days of rest and recovery will do that for a body."I jerked. "Five days? I've been sleeping for five days?" I pushed the covers down my body. I was both unhappy and incredibly relieved to find that I had a pair of men's boxer briefs-blue and red with a giant S in the middle of my pubic bone-and a white