Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,11

unable to access since he killed Lyr.”

Rowan knew how to deal with a blood drunk Vampire. The familiarity of shouldering Clive’s weight and maneuvering him to the couch helped her to keep her calm. He needed it. There wasn’t anything to panic over at that point and if he came to and she was freaked, he’d sense it and things could go left.

So she swallowed her fear and all the bad what-ifs and once she got him to the couch, she sat nearby to watch him, keeping her hand on his chest.

Star settled herself between Rowan and Clive, her face pointed in his direction. She’d already proven her worth. Had already settled into Rowan’s heart, into her circle of beings she loved and protected.

“So,” Genevieve said as she settled nearby, drinking the tea Elisabeth had pressed into her hands.

“What?” Rowan demanded, worried and irritated.

“How long have you been able to wield healing magic?”

Chapter Four

Rowan stared for long moments before shrugging. “Is that what happened out there when I touched his throat?”

Sharing a body with a Goddess presented challenges but as Rowan had been doing it for her whole life she’d come to a place where when Brigid needed to take over, it happened. She trusted that Brigid was doing whatever was necessary.

“Yes. And when I took your hand, a wave of power rushed to join mine. Yours was all about healing. Getting rid of the sickness. Purging.”

“I’ve been able to calm or soothe the acolytes and followers of Brigid for a decade now. Possibly longer but the last ten years I’ve noticed it and have been able to use it when I needed to comfort. There’ve been instances where I’ve done the same to those who aren’t considered acolytes. Humans most often, usually in distress. Every year I go to Ireland during Imbolc to visit Brigid’s shrine and to be part of the celebration. And every year I seem to attain more power. Some new aspect of Her that I’m able to draw upon.” It was the most she’d said about being Vessel to anyone other than a very few close confidantes.

Genevieve hummed, a sound to indicate she was thinking over everything Rowan had said.

To stave off nervousness, or maybe to give it voice, Rowan asked, “If he’s not awake in five minutes what do we do?”

Star stretched up to lick the hand resting on Clive’s chest, reassuring, before she lay down once more.

“Okay,” Rowan murmured to the dog. “Thank you.”

Having a dog that was a magic dog was pretty nice.

Genevieve said, “Do you think I could come along with you the next time you go to Imbolc celebrations in Kildare? I admit how fascinated I am about the magic you and Brigid share. I’ve only known one other Vessel over my life and her not very well at all. I want to see and learn.”

“I haven’t been to Imbolc with her yet. Me first,” Clive said, his voice a little rusty.

Rowan leaned forward and laid a kiss on her Scion before he could say another world. “You cannot do that again.”

He sat up as he gave her a look. “Darling Hunter, how many times have I watched you on the verge of death? On the other hand I was out”—he stopped and looked over to Betchamp who held up four fingers—“four minutes and death wasn’t even in question.”

But it had been. Because Rowan kept losing people she loved and for those four minutes, she had no idea how to help him.

Still. He had a point so she rolled her eyes at him and stood. “I’m so hungry. Let’s eat while you tell us what you found in Lyr’s memories.”

“Rowan.” Clive took her hand, pulling her to a stop as everyone else headed toward the table. He turned her to face him and then wrapped her in his arms. “Every moment I knew you were here at my side.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not leaving you.”

Rowan buried her face in his chest a moment to push the tears back. They made her feel like a fool but now that he was all right, all the terror rushed through her body and all the worst-case scenarios raced through her mind.

He spoke against her ear. “There now. It’s all right. I promise. Let it all go and soon you’ll be vexed with me for some reason or another. I love you beyond measure.”

Like that wasn’t going to make her cry? Rowan sucked in a breath and stepped