Page 82 of Echoes of the Banshee

I pull it out.

“Do you need me to?”

“I got it,” I say, my hands struggle for a moment as I hook the blade inside the chain of the cursed necklace. I don’t let it take root, cutting the thin but unyielding chain. As soon as the last link gives way, my magic explodes out of me in an uncontrollable surge.

The air around me warps, pulsating with energy, as a gust of wind rips through the room, tearing papers from desks. The force of it pushes me back a step, and I watch in horror as Tennant’s plants start growing uncontrollably. The temperature rises sharply, and the wooden furniture creaks under the pressure of the expanding magic.

“Dial it back, Thea. I like my office in one piece,” Tennant says.

I take a shaky breath, closing my eyes and focusing on calming techniques. Slowly, the swirling gusts and the wild growth of the plants begin to settle. Leaving the room in a disheveled state.

My stomach lurches. I gasp, fighting against the nausea that hits.

Tennant reacts immediately. “Here,” she says, handing me a trash can as my body betrays me. I lean over, my stomach heaving as the magic continues to pulse, sending waves of dizziness through me.

Tennant watches me. “It’s just the aftereffects.”

“Still got it,” I mutter to myself, feeling both relieved and unnerved.

“Clearly,” Tennant replies dryly, brushing a loose strand of hair out of her face. She looks around, assessing the damage. “I can’t believe how easily you broke that.”

Easy, yes.

Did it take going through literal hell to gain the strength?

Also yes.

My phone dings, breaking the charged silence.

Zair:

Everything okay?

Everything’s good. I need to eat before heading to the library.

Meet you in the dining hall?

Alright, give me 15.

Thea

My Subconscious Has Questions

Strong hands work my shoulders as I let out a sigh.

“Feel good?” a deep voice asks before he presses a kiss in the middle of my back.

“Lower,” I tell him.

He moves his hands down a little and I shake my head. A soft chuckle.

“Like this?” he asks as he leaves scalding kisses down my spine. I make a sound of soft confirmation. He reaches my waistband and pauses, then kisses as he pulls them down.

“Here?” he chuckles, softly biting my butt cheek.

I’m already about to explode as his tongue traces the curve.

My alarm shatters the moment, followed by tears.