Free Destiny: A Hunter's Novel, Book 3 by Felicite Lilly Page A

out of my eyes.
    “What if I had lost you. I don’t know what I’d do without you Laney. I had never felt that kind of fear. The thought of never seeing you again – ”
    I frowned, and studied Az’s face, but more than that, I felt his emotion. It was pain and love. All encompassing suffocating, wonderful love. He remembered who I’d been to him.
    “You remember.”
    “I never really forgot. It felt like I was in a fog. I was always reaching for you, but just didn’t know why I was.”
    Az pulled me gently into his arms and held me. I put the arm that wasn’t pinned under me around Az. I never thought I’d see the day when he’d come back to me. Az held me to his chest and I just breathed. During the painful purge of the dark magic, I truly believed I would die in that circle, never to breathe again. I also believed that Az and I would never make it back to one another. So breathing in the scent of my Azrael was a quiet but profound gift.
    “How?” I asked him.
    “I put the ultimate sacrifice out there to get to you. I told Fergus I would do anything .”
    “What did he have you do?”
    “I gave him my blood. He put it in a vial – not really sure what for – right in the middle of the ceremony.” Az shrugged. I was curious as to why Az’s blood would be so wanted by my Granddad.
    “I’m glad you made the sacrifice, I’m just nervous as to what that means for the protection spell.”
    “I’m sure Kai will be back again. You can ask him.”
    “Kai was here?”
    “He felt the shift in the spell when I made the sacrifice.”
    I pulled my sleeve up and looked at the compass, it looked the same.
    “Is the spell moot now? Has it been broken?” I was as close to a panic as I could get being as drained as I felt.
    “You tell me.”
    I could see the concern written in his posture. Az feared I had lost my mojo since I’d been through such a rough power separation. I was a little concerned myself.
    I reached out to find Anie. She was downstairs, royally pissed off and immensely concerned. I frowned. I looked down to make sure I was fully clothed. I hadn’t used my power but to pull people to me. I was weak, but I knew I could use some power. I had the distinct feeling that it actually might help me. I probably should’ve second guessed that little voice after the book, but I would give it a shot.
    I stared at the ceiling, distantly hearing Az’s protests.
    “Laney, don’t do this right now. Seriously.”
    I didn’t respond.
    “I will tie you down! Wait till you have the strength.”
    I felt the invisible path from me to Anie open and I pulled the string, thinking of me needing to get to wherever she was. On a gentle breeze I landed on the couch right next to her.
    “Jesus Christ!”
    She pushed me and jumped over the back of the couch, arms up and ready to fight. She dropped her arms like sacks of potatoes when she saw it was me.
    “What is wrong with you!?”
    My hair was still matted by sweat, grass and dirt. The only clean part of me was where my Grandfather had stitched my lip together. I could only imagine how bad I looked. I felt arms come around my neck and warmth wrap around me.
    “If you ever touch that book again, I’ll kill you myself.”
    I could feel her tears on my shoulder. Had I not, I still would’ve known her relief through our connection. I patted her arm, too tired to deal with too many feelings at once. She came around the couch, and sat next to me again.
    “What’ve I missed?”
    “You mean other than Az remembering who you are again?”
    I felt a wave of relief, only coming from me this time.
    “I got that when I woke up in bed with him.”
    Someone’s feet pounded down the stairs. Az came into view and plopped down in the arm chair next to the couch where Anie and I sat. He clasped his hands together over his eyes.
    “I can’t take much more of this.”
    “It’s your own fault, you challenged me.”
    Az blew out a breath in response. I knew he was stressed. I