Page 168 of A Courage of the Chosen

We need to get Freya out of Rach’s rooms for an extended period of time so she doesn’t know what we’re up to. Cal came up with a suggestion of her taking some time with Lord Sellar to walk through the city, instead of being cooped up, and have dinner at a place she used to frequent with Granny. Freya has spent some time away from Rach’s bedside, so she readily agreed when Callahan took the idea to her that afternoon.

Eòghann escorts her to Lord Sellar’s home, and will stand guard when he returns, after we dismiss those on duty by Rach’s door.

Reyne, Brodie, Callahan, and I gather in the living room, with the sun almost gone and the fire crackling in the hearth.

It’s my birthday tomorrow. I’ll be twenty-six, and I reflect on how much the last twelve months have changed me.

Wrapped in grief, and unsure what direction my life would take, I was so lost and afraid of the black hole I was in. And now, I observe the night blooming over a magical kingdom that’s mine with a different fear in my heart. The loss is still there, it’ll always be something that I carry, but I’m stronger and more adaptable than I ever thought I could be.

“Everything is set,” Reyne says, halting my thoughts.

I crack my neck one way, and then the other. “Let’s do it.”

Callahan catches me by the arm. “Are you sure, Elsie? You don’t have to do this.”

“He’s right,” Brodie adds.

I cup Callahan’s face in my palm, running a thumb over his cheek, and he leans into the touch. “I do.”

My husband reluctantly lets me go, and we file into the bedroom where Rach lies peacefully in the bed.

Her milk-chocolate hair is fanned over the pillow, manacle-bound wrists lying across a chest that rises and falls in a steady rhythm.

Callahan and Brodie remove the black metal carefully, with the gloves that have been left in here to handle them when needed, and I take my best friend’s icy hand into mine as I perch on the edge of the bed.

We agreed to keep her sedated. After what happened last time, I don’t think Brodie could stand to be so close to getting her back, and have Rach beg him to kill her a second time.

I shut my eyes and turn my focus inward, to the songs that sing their own tune in my core. Following the one that leads into my shadow powers, everything around me fades to black besides the Seelie whose fingers are lifeless in my grip.

“Thank you.” Brodie’s quiet murmur pulls me back.

I open my eyes to find his teary ones watching us. “Even if it doesn’t work, I appreciate it.”

I smile weakly at him. “You’d do the same for any one of us. That’s what family does, right?”

“Aye.” His voice breaks. “Just . . . thank you.”

Reyne moves to his side and threads her arm through his. “You’ve got this, Elsie.”

At her words of encouragement, I close my eyes again, and fall into the dark well I’ve fought so hard to keep under control.

Callahan follows me through our soul-bond and our light, not too far, but enough to assure himself that I’m okay and in control.

The beast waits for me, and as I near it, I see that it isn’t really a beast at all, but rather a version of myself that isn’t a true reflection of who I want to be.

It’s rage and vengeance and betrayal, dressed in my own skin. Everything that’s happened to me and my family has shaped parts of me into something cruel, and capable of tearing through enemies with little regard for the rest of me that still cares.

That’s why I’ve fought it for so long. Left loose, it would’ve consumed me, and turned me into someone worse than Tavish.

My eyes snap open, my light magic clouding them over. The power sitting in Rachel swirls ominously, her veins now as dark as the night pressing against the window.

Please let this work. I send the silent prayer up to Dhia.

I’m far from religious, but we need every bit of help we can get.

My fingers are steady as I reach out my free hand and place it on Rachel’s chest, right above where Raghnall’s power taints and corrupts her.

Reyne gasps somewhere behind me as my Dorche magic begins curling around my wrist in a clockwise motion, sinking into our friend. Instinctively, I know the magic will do as I command it, to merge with Rachel’s and return to me.