Page 70 of Hex You

My spark of divine immortality

To Mercy Anne Goode I gift life with my breath

And stave off this terrible, untimely death!”

Xena began to glow—so brilliantly that she was even brighter than the dancing spirits. Looking at her made Mercy’s eyes water. Medusa-like, her hair lifted around her. Xena’s smile was feral. Mercy couldn’t look away from this creature she’d known her whole life—though never comprehending the power she could summon.

“Now you must breathe, my precious kitten!”Xena’s voice was a thunderclap.

The magnificent cat person drew in a huge breath before she leaned forward, lifted Mercy tenderly into her arms as if she was an infant, and then the feline familiar bent to completely cover Mercy’s nose with her mouth.

Bizarrely, all Mercy could think as Xena’s face got closer and closer wasthis is like the scary stories of cats stealing the breath from babies…

But Xena didn’t take. She gave.

With the sound of a gale force wind Xena exhaled the air from her lungs into Mercy.

Mercy inhaled the air. No, not air—diamonds. It was like glittering, glistening, magical diamonds cascaded into Mercy and then from there, like shooting stars, they exploded throughout her body.

Sensation returned in a rush, which is when Mercy realizedshe hadn’t been able to feel her body!Now it was like what happened when she sat on her foot for so long that it fell asleep—then she tried to walk on it and it was nothing but pinpricks. Confused and in pain, Mercy lifted her hands to push Xena’s mouth from covering her nose, but her familiar was already gone. She’d collapsed beside her.

“Xena?” Mercy gasped as she tried to reach for the cat person.

“Mag! Don’t move! You could still be hurt!” Hunter clutched her hand.

Jax was there with Abigail’s robe. He held it out and looked around helplessly. “She said she’d be cold!”

Emily rushed to Xena and took the bathrobe from Jax. She knelt beside the crumpled cat person. “Xena, I have Abigail’s robe for you.”

“I-is m-my k-k-kitten alive?” Xena spoke through chattering teeth.

“Yes! Xena! I’m here.” Mercy reached out and brushed a mass of Xena’s hair back from her face.

“Oh, g-g-g-good. Th-there you are, m-my k-k-kitten.”

“What do you need?” Mercy said. “What can we do for you?”

“C-c-cold!” Xena managed between chattering teeth.

“Help her, Em!” Mercy cried.

“I am! I am!” Gently, Emily supported Xena as she sat. Em threaded her arms into the bathrobe and wrapped it securely around her. Then, through the bathrobe, Emily rubbed Xena’s arms and back and even her legs—trying to force her blood to circulate warmth.

Xena snuggled into the robe, holding it closed all the way to her neck as she shivered, but still she managed to turn so that she could see Mercy. The cat person smiled shakily. “M-my k-kitten lives.” She glanced at Khenti. “Y-you m-may h-h-have to c-carry me, K-K-Khenti k-kitten.”

“It is my honor to carry a warrior such as you, miraculous familiar Xena,” Khenti said.

“We need to get them home,” said Hunter. “Mag, do you think you can stand, or should Jax carry you?”

“I can stand,” said Mercy. But as she tried to find her feet the earth beneath her pitched and rolled like a boat on a choppy sea and Jax quickly picked her up, gathering her into his arms like she was a child. “Wait!” Mercy panted and looked frantically around them. “Hunter?”

Hunter put her hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “I’m right here!”

“Amphitrite was here,” Mercy told Hunter as Jax carried her backto Emily’s car. Em flanked them, and Khenti brought up the rear with Xena and Kylie, who was still sobbing quietly as she walked at his side. “I could see her. She was laughing and floating over us—laughing at you, H. She’s behind all of this.”

“You’re sure? I didn’t see anything, and Xena didn’t say anything,” said Hunter.

“I’m sure. She’s not done messing with us. She said she was going to kill everyone you love.”