Page 35 of It Varies
“Did you ever find out exactly what happened?”
“Yes.She had had three miscarriages before.The damage was never addressed before her last pregnancy.She wanted kids and was determined to have them.So, both sides of that equation were to blame if blame has to be assessed.I have a nephew that I will never see, and her pack has moved on with a series of betas.”
“Why have I never asked that before?”They were nearly back to the seats, where excitement was building.
Emhara was sitting with her deltas, and they were presenting her with a series of snacks from the truck.Her hands were clean of paint, and her clothing was wearing every colour of the rainbow.
Win came up and took pictures of Emhara sitting in front of her mural, legs crossed and back straight.Then the deltas sat with her and grinned.Win took a bunch of images before walking to Emhara and talking to her.
Emhara glanced at Vine and the others, and Win grinned, nodded, and came over.
Vine looked at her and smiled.“Slumming, blood witch?”
Win blinked.“Hang on.”She lifted her camera and took a picture.She stared at the image.“What are you?”
“Just an enchanter.”She fluttered her lashes.She heard the croak of her voice and smiled.
“You are broken.”
“In so many ways.”Vine smiled.“Are you having fun in this new phase?”
Win paused and nodded.“I am.I have even met my parents.You have no idea what a rush that was.”
“I can imagine.”
“You and your friends are very relaxed.”
“We are all human.There is no doubt as to our place in this world; we just need to figure out what it is that we do.The world itself has made us in response to the dark elves’ arrival.It has been waiting.”
“And your focus is...”
“Sticking magic to things with a specific purpose.”Vine chuckled roughly.
“I know that pain.”
“I know you do.I can see the memory that clings to you.”
Win scowled.“Why didn’t you help us overtake the stronghold?”
“Because your powers that be blocked us out.We gave strength to those who would fight.Cleverness, planning, and hope.Strength gave as much hope as she could, but it was hard to get to you guys.Our direct magic hitting yours can be sparky.”
Win asked, “Can I see?”
“Sure.This is a control charm that I made for a friend.Try to shape the power to your purpose.”
She held the charm out, and Win touched it.The arc and sparkle of power at the contact were obvious.Win tried to shape the energy, and it cracked and crackled, stinging her fingers.She paused.“What the...I can’t.”
“I know.”Vine chuckled and held out her hand.The charm returned.“I am alternating current; you are direct current.My energy taps into the world beneath us; yours links to a distant start with a brushing of the earth that birthed you.So, you and the other new elves are made of the two worlds.You can move the energies of both, but it is like moving water.The mages seem to be moving things in the air.More to the elements than the elves are.Everything is rooted in the energy of the world beneath our feet.”
Win nodded.“I am more attuned to the movement of life and flesh.”
“Yeah.And portals.I can do a portal, but I need to use an intermediary item for focus.Like loaded explosives into a shell waiting for a spark.”
“Nice.Would you like to come for coffee?I can meet you at Hynura.”
“Why Hynura?”
Win grinned.“My great-grandmother is Lady Fen.I eat for free.”
