Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,22

itself.

Once my arms started to ache from holding that position, I eased my butt to my feet. Lifted my face to the cracked ceiling. It was dark, stars twinkled in the sky beyond the slatted wood.

Using the rough wood of the walls, I got to my feet. My legs shook and threatened to give out, but I pushed through the weakness. Pushed through the fear.

I’d heard Tove calling to me once the glass prison had vanished. But I couldn’t find him. Couldn’t find any of them. I’d felt that deep pulling sensation in my belly as they lit the mate bond.

But something had gone wrong. I hadn’t been able to follow it. Not all the way. I’d been jerked off course. Slammed into some kind of barrier. After that it was all a blank. And now I had to figure out how to get back to my men.

I stumbled down the broken steps that fronted my cabin. Landed on all fours once again. Which ended up being a good thing since my stomach revolted once again.

Once I got my breath back, I spat to clear my mouth. I would have given almost anything for a glass of water right at that moment.

“That could probably be arranged,” a man said from behind me.

I didn’t even have the strength for indignation. “Then get me some and stop staring at my ass. Perv.” My head hung low between my hands. My hair fluttered down, slid through the vomit. I shuddered.

A metal cup appeared just in front of my hand. I scooped it up. Sat back on my heels and tipped the cup back. The fresh clean taste of river water washed over my tongue.

I took a mouthful and swished it around before spitting it out. Then I drank it down until not even a drop remained. I sighed. “Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome, child.”

I turned.

The man was as tall as a mountain. Taller even than the mighty Finn. This guy looked like he could bat the stars with the palm of his hand and never leave the earth.

I gulped. “Hi. I’m Hollyn.”

His beard quirked up at one corner. “I’m aware. It seems my children have been playing with your life as if you were a toy.” His silver eyes reminded me of a moon’s reflection on a still lake.

My nose wrinkled. “You’re one of the Originals?”

His laugh was thunderous. “Indeed, I am, child. Why do you not cower before me?”

I shrugged. “Pretty sure I’m all out of shock and awe at this point. Merlin just tried to suck me dry, power wise. I don’t really have a lot left in reserve.”

He nodded as if I’d just revealed the secrets of his own universe to him. “That just won’t do, now will it?”

I looked up at him, narrowed my eyes. “It depends on which part you’re talking about. Merlin trying to kill me, or me not having a lot in reserve.”

His bald head tipped back as his belly shook with his laughter. His giant hands grabbed his stomach while his booming laughter scared away the birds.

“Both, but I can help with one. Which should help with the other,” he said after a long couple minutes.

My brow furrowed. “Why are you bothering to help me at all?” I wasn’t willing to just take up a god’s cause willy nilly anymore. I’d more than learned my lesson the first time.

He crouched down—which made him about as tall as my guys at full height. “Because you have been abused and mistreated by my children. They have harmed one of their own. And in so doing, made it possible for Merlin to rise once again. A problem they promised they had dealt with many, many years ago.”

“How can you help me?” I raised one eyebrow.

He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth under his golden beard. “I can give you a portion of my power.”

I shook my head. I didn’t even have to think about that one. “No.” I gulped. “Thank you.”

His head tipped to the side. “Why not?”

I snorted. “Ask your children. No. Really. I’m good. If you could help me defeat Merlin, that’s great. If not, that’s fine. I’ll figure it out on my own.” I bit my lip. I had no idea how to do that. Especially practically powerless as I currently was.

Inside my body, my heart, my soul, I felt light and free. Even more so than before my magic was unleashed when I fled the Village the first time. No. This was different. Better. Normal.

He leaned