we were already friends. You didn't want a step up, or a favor, you were just my friend,” she tells me with a sad smile.
“So regardless of whether you're Mara, or Remy, you are still my friend. Which is why I told you about the immortality possibility. I can still see those immortal tethers, streaming from you, dancing around each other just asking to be brought back together. So I wanted to give you a space, where you could think about it. I know you have so much already to think on, I know that you are frustrated we still haven't found your friend, that so many Demons delayed your travels. Worried for her wellbeing. Worried for your guys. Worried about everyone you left at home. But sometimes Mara, you need to be selfish and think about yourself. “
“Honestly, immortality does have its appeal, though with Archer having access to Angel glass, I'm not sure it gives me that much of an upper hand,” I tell her honestly. “Would I like to not have to cycle each life, with god knows how long lost between death and finding my guys again? Of course... but then there's Creek. I don't know that I could make him the only mortal among us.”
“I understand. Now the other reason I wanted to bring you up here, away from everyone else, is that little kernel of power I feel stirring that you don't seem to have mentioned to anyone.” She raises an eyebrow at me as I start to deny her words and then I shrug.
“I don't know what it is, or where it came from. It appeared once we were down here, so I don't even know if it will stay once I go home.”
“Oh, it will stay. And we're going to work with it today. I think it’s part of your old powers, coming here triggered the magic in your blood that's been dormant, and so the other magic inside of you is stirring too.” I sit down at her words. A mortal with powers is unheard of.
I must say the words aloud because she looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Mara, an Angel reborn into a Hunter is unheard of too, but here you are.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. But surely we can better spend our time helping the guys find Fallon, than messing around with a tiny bit of power.” I sigh, sitting on one of the many chairs in the room.
“No, if I leave this circle, it’s because I'm going to raze a level daring to fucking defy my orders,” she says fiercely, and I startle a little. This is the queen everyone is so afraid of, so very different to the friend I've been becoming to know. “If I leave, everyone will shut the fuck up, real quick, until I tear their words from them. The boys have it handled. My presence isn't going to help you find your friend.”
My shoulders slump at her words, because I desperately want to find Fallon, and sitting out on the search is killing me, but at the same time, what she says makes complete sense. And if she can help me nurture this tiny bit of power in me, and it becomes enough to put Archer down along with whatever minions he has on his side, then it will be worth it.
“Okay fine. So how do we do this?” I ask, turning to face her head on.
“Well first, we need to work out what the power is. I can do that, if you’ll let me past your shields,” she says with a smile.
“Okay, first, that’s kind of an awesome power to have, and second, I didn’t even know I had shields.”
“Yeah, I get to play with all the new Demons, revealing their powers so I can assign them to the right level. It comes in handy.” She winks at me. “As for your shields, I’m not surprised. Back when you were, well Mara, your shields were practically impenetrable. No-one was getting in if you didn’t want them. Strongest shield I ever met. You used to be able to extend your shield to those around you too. Might be something to work on.”
I just kind of blink at her, because I’m not really sure what to say to that.
“Okay, so let’s work on lowering your shields, and then I can sneak in to that pretty little mind of yours.” She sits on one of the huge cushions on the floor and motions for