Page 72 of These Fractured Bonds

Her teeth chattered as she hovered by her core, the chill emanating a white mist.

“Pull out for now,” he instructed.

She attempted to float away and started.

Frost covered her ankles, creeping up her legs. Up until now, she had been incorporeal, a hovering sense of self, but she had taken form. She tugged at her legs, but her hands became glued to her thighs. Horror filled her; she was stuck.

“Augrys, help,” she shrieked.

“Don’t panic. I’ll get you out of there in a moment.”

She heard him shuffling, and she gasped as his hands made contact with her shoulders. They were scorching compared to her frozen body, and like licking flames, his heat melted the frost. Within a few seconds, she was freed, and she threw herself backward, past her life force that floated in an endless darkness like a gas planet. She opened her eyes to Augrys kneeling in front of her. The exhilaration of her experience loosened her lips, and before she knew it, the words had escaped her.

“Not a bad position to find myself in.”

She regretted them instantly. She had sworn she wasn’t going to poke at a wasp’s nest, but here she was, less than forty-eight hours later, failing to keep her promise. His face of disbelief drew laughter from her, and he pulled away, sitting across from her on the floor.

He coughed. “I wasn’t prepared for those to be your first words.”

After her laughter subsided, she said, “So, what now? How do I break that wall?”

“You must figure that out on your own.” He held a hand to stop her protest, continuing his explanation. “There are two popular methods. The first is to use your strong desire to open it. The second is to focus on a strong emotion that will fuel your resolve to break it.”

“Mental fortitude? That’s it? While there, my body manifested. Can’t I imagine a giant flamethrower and try to melt it?”

“You can, but the flamethrower may not work. That’s the challenge—finding whatwillwork. For now, practice visiting your life force, but don’t go near your core alone. You could lose your life if you’re trapped.”

He took hold of her hands, and she realized she was still shivering. She ignored the flutters in her stomach at his touch.It didn’t affect her, she told herself. He warmed her up with a spell, then, to her relief, let go of her.

“Let’s call it for now. You can try breaking the wall next time. We have an early morning tomorrow.”

Yareli readily agreed. While she was slightly disappointed that she didn’t unlock her magic, identifying her thrumming life force was enough for now. She couldn’t wait to behold the purple orb again.

Before he left, he reminded her, “Don’t go to your core alone. Not even our younglings are allowed to do so.”

She kept her promise, only visiting her life force a few more times before she fell asleep. Seeing it vibrating with energy gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced before. To be nothing but a ball of energy in the universe, floating in the space before her. None of the life events that had shaped her had affected it. She was still this bundle of light, ready to shine if she was ready. But then she saw it, a darkened, twisted red chain hidden in her life force. She turned away, closing herself off fromit. She didn’t have to investigate to know what that chain was or who it belonged to.

Thefollowingmorning,Leowas still nowhere to be seen. Yareli swallowed her disappointment and silenced her guilt because she did not ask for him. Instead, she bade Bri farewell and pulled her traveling cloak closer to her body as she stepped outside once again. Dawn had not yet arrived; the night’s stars sparkled like millions of diamonds bidding her good-bye. Erick held a traveling mug toward her.

“Drink this before the third shadowstep. It should help with the pain from the transformation later.”

Yareli thanked him. Later that day, Augrys and Erick planned to cast the transformation spell that would disguise her human features. With her magic core filled with power, it wouldalmostmake her seem like a true Fae.

“Ready?” Augrys asked. He was waiting for her, his arm outstretched, welcoming her into his embrace.

She took a deep breath. She was on that ledge again, but this time, she took the step herself, throwing herself into the unknown.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter 27

Izmari’scapital,Nuiwen,wasa sprawl of mismatched buildings lining the streets. Tall buildings, short buildings, their colors ranged from the brightest colors to the darkest black. Uniformity didn’t seem to exist in Nuiwen, which was a perfect fit for the city’s residents whose appearances were just as diverse as their architecture. They streamed in and out of the city in a mosaic of colorful garments, like tributaries joining the main street’s rainbow river.

Their group had passed through the gate without a hitch, blending in seamlessly with the crowd while the guards’ gazesslid over them. Yareli walked alongside Erick, hiding her face with her hood while scanning the area. Shops lined the street, advertising various products from their windows.

“We’ve entered through the merchant district,” Augrys whispered, materializing next to her.

Caught by surprise, she stumbled. He stopped her fall, holding her arm to keep her upright. His touch seared her skin, leaving behind a bruise only she could see and butterflies only she could feel.Traitorous heart, she chided herself.He isn't August.