“I am not sure,” Eldeorin replied, his gaze never leaving me. “Sara has told me that her magic hurts her demon. Perhaps she and her demon have adapted. Or perhaps her Mori is safe from her power when they are joined.”

“Whatever the reason, I was correct in my assumption.” Desmund looked at me. “You think too much about merging with your Mori, instead of just letting it happen naturally. I thought that giving you something else to focus on would make you forget about the joining.”

My anger rose again. “You couldn’t have explained it to me instead?”

“We thought this would be more effective.”

I pulled away from Nikolas, and he released me. “I can’t believe you went along with this.” I fought to keep my voice steady, but hurt crept into it.

Nikolas shook his head. “I didn’t agree at first, but Desmund made me see that you needed incentive.”

I rubbed my arms. “Hurting you is not incentive. It’s cruel.”

“You know Eldeorin would not really harm me.” Nikolas took a step toward me, and I backed up.

Desmund sighed. “I’m sorry you are upset, little one, but I think you will see this was all for the best. We’ve made significant progress in your training today.”

“It is no wonder she cannot join properly with her demon, the way you coddle her.” Eldeorin’s blue gaze locked with mine as he walked toward me. “Everything we do is to help keep you alive, Cousin. I won’t apologize for that, just as I did not apologize for our training.”

Nikolas looked from Eldeorin to me. “Apologize for what?”

“Nothing.” I shot the faerie a warning look.

Eldeorin looked at Nikolas. “Sara did not care for my training techniques either at first.”

I almost snorted. Eldeorin had very different ideas about training, and it wasn’t like I’d had a choice in the matter. It was bad enough training with him and Nikolas separately. I didn’t think I could handle the two of them and Desmund working together.

I breathed deeply, battling the emotions welling inside me. I felt manipulated and angry, and my Mori was still upset about seeing Nikolas in pain. And since we were still joined, I felt every one of its emotions as if they were my own. Looking at my three trainers only intensified my negative feelings.

“I think that’s enough for today.” Nikolas’s tone left no room for argument. “We’ll continue this tomorrow.”

I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Once I was away from them, I gently nudged my Mori and it separated from my mind. I heaved a giant sigh as all the noise faded from my head.

I left the house and walked around the small lake twice before I stopped being hurt and angry. I understood their reasons for what they’d done, but it was hard not to be upset they had tricked me, even if their intentions had been honorable.

After the anger passed, I was left with the shock of what I had done. I’d used my power while joined with my Mori, something that before today had been inconceivable to me. But then, I’d never tried to use my power while joined because I didn’t think I could.

I sat in the new gazebo that had been built near the lake. Closing my eyes, I lowered the wall around my Mori.

Are you okay? Did I hurt you?

Solmi hurt, it replied, still a little upset.

I almost rolled my eyes. One-track mind. Solmi is okay, I assured it. Did the glow burn you?

No burn. The demon moved forward a little. Again? It asked eagerly.

Not yet. Soon.

I opened my eyes and stared at the pretty little lake as I tried to make sense of it all. For the first time, I left the wall down, and my Mori and I sat quietly together, not joined, but as companions. I sighed in contentment. This is nice, demon. I could get used to this.

It curled up like a happy cat. Me too.

Chapter 18

“You’re going to Europe?”

“Tristan suggested it, and with everything that’s going on, I think it’s a good idea.”

I leaned against my balcony railing. “But you don’t like to travel.”

Nate laughed on the other end of the line. “I used to love travelling when I was younger. I guess I lost interest in it for a while, but I’m looking forward to this trip.”

“Are you going alone? Is it safe?”

“Safer than here.” He sobered. “I wish I could convince you to come with me.”

“I wish I could go too, but I can’t right now.” It was hard to think of him being so far away, but at the same time I was relieved he was leaving. It wasn’t safe here anymore, if it ever had been. In the three weeks since the Vancouver mission, Mohiri across the country had come under increasing attacks by vampires. It was as if the entire US vampire population had rallied together to declare war against us. Strongholds were strengthening their security, and some compounds were sending their children overseas.

Whenever I got word that one of our teams was in trouble, Eldeorin and I went to help them. Sadly, we didn’t learn about some of the attacks until they were over. So far, three warriors had been killed and two had been taken. Every day I was terrified that someone I cared about would be next.

Some days, Nikolas and Chris had to leave on Mohiri business, and I haunted the command center until they returned. I tried to be cool about it, but someone must have said something to Nikolas because he started calling me if he was gone more than a few hours. It helped to hear his voice, but I couldn’t stop worrying.