Free Shadow Blood: Kallen's Tale (Witch Fairy #4.5) by Bonnie Lamer

lost that much blood. 
     
    Xandra rushes to his side, ignoring the large book lying next to him and begins to heal him.  From the looks of things, his injuries are fresh.  Very fresh.  How did she know he was hurt?  When I look closer at Zac, I can see the gentle rise and fall of his breathing.  We are not too late. 
     
    Kneeling down next to her, I ask, “Xandra, what can I do?  I have sent a message to Grandmother.  Can I do more?”
     
    She shakes her head as silent tears make paths down her pale cheeks.  Zac is in her lap and the healing process has begun.  Thank god she is able to do this.  I do not believe Tabitha’s impressive healing powers would have stood a chance in this situation. 
     
    It is amazing to watch Xandra’s power at work as Zac’s head begins to heal.  It is just a moment before the gaping point of impact is knitting itself back together.  After that, it does not take long before he stirs in her arms.  Xandra is so focused on what she is doing she is completely oblivious to the fact that a large audience has formed in the room, watching in awe as she works her magic.
     
    When Zac opens his eyes, he and Xandra are rushed by two worried spirits.  A group family hug takes place when Zac is able to open his eyes again.  His face turns even paler as the cold of his parents seeps into his little body.
     
    For the very first time, Xandra pays attention to the woman on the floor a short distance from her brother.  Turning to Tabitha, she says, “Will you please look him over to be sure I’ve healed everything?”  Her voice has an eerie calmness to it that I have to admit scares me a little.  Not for myself, but for Alita.  She is the other unconscious body in the room.
     
    Blocking her path, I say, “Xandra, there has to be an explanation other than what the scene implies.  Alita never would have done such a thing.”
     
    “Kallen is correct,” Grandmother says from my side where she can help block Alita from Xandra. 
     
    There is no belief in Xandra’s eyes, only anger.  With a gust of magic, she tosses Grandmother and me out of the way as if we are no more than a stray cat hair she is flicking from her shirt.  We are surrounded by magical walls holding us in place.  Situations like this are the only time that I resent the fact that Xandra is more powerful than me.  I am now rendered useless in defending Alita and possibly saving her life.
     
    Tabitha attempts to reason with her.  “Xandra, you must listen to them!”  Xandra’s response is to take Tabitha’s voice away. 
     
    An eerie half smile touches Xandra’s lips as she stands over Alita.  I feel the magic as it first floods Xandra’s body and her face turns to stone.  With no emotion other than anger, she sends her magic out.
     
    In the bravest act I have ever seen from Kegan, he shouts, “Xandra, NO!”  He knocks her to the floor and then covers Alita’s body with his.  With Xandra’s current state of mind, I do not believe this is anything more than a minor annoyance.  She could fling him across the room with barely a thought. 
     
    In a voice made of pure titanium, she says, “Kegan, I don’t want to hurt you, but I am not going to let her get away with hurting my brother.” 
     
    Every second adds another brick around Xandra’s mind, making it blind to the obvious.  I have to find a way to stop her before she does something she will regret forever.  “Xandra, she could not have done this.  Alita does not have a mean bone in her body.  Please, before you do anything rash, wait until we hear her side of the story.  If she truly did this, I will hold her still so you can torture her to your heart’s content.”  She knows this last part is a lie, but she pulls back her magic nonetheless.  Thank god.  This tells me that she knows in her heart that Alita is as innocent as she appears in her unconscious state.
     
    “Xandra,” Zac says quietly.  “It wasn’t