"This way," Elga murmured, her long skirts swishing as she strode past me.
I followed her out the door and down the corridor. The room she entered was small and dark, and reminded me somewhat of Adeline's room, without the thick padding underfoot. But the air was ripe with the scents of lavender and chamomile, and there was a comfortable-looking bed stuck in one corner.
It was also a room protected by magic. It caressed my skin, a touch that was warm and yet filled with power. It wasn't as strong or as ancient as the force that protected the Brindle, but it wasn't something anyone sane would want to mess around with.
Although I'd hazard a guess that our no-face killer didn't exactly fall into the sane category.
"Okay," Rhoan said, as he came into the room after me. "Strip off that dress."
I did as I was bid, suddenly glad that I'd had the foresight to tuck clean underclothing into my purse before I'd met Lucian. Rhoan carefully stuck seven sensors on me—one at the base of my spine, then the others at the top of my head, middle of my forehead, my throat, near my heart, solar plexus, then the final one below my belly button. The chakra points, I realized. They were monitoring my energy flow, not my vital signs. I glanced around to Elga.
"We need to detect incoming energies." She waved a hand to the bed.
I walked over and lay down. "And if you do detect them?"
"Then we will recall your astral body instantly." She hesitated. "It shouldn't be a problem, as this room is well protected. But it's better to be safe than sorry when we have no idea what—or who—we are dealing with."
With that, I could only agree.
"Now," she continued, "do you remember the process?"
"Yes, but I prefer it to be dark."
The lights went off instantly. Though it was pitch-black, Azriel's eyes seemed to glow, blue stars in a world that was otherwise black. He didn't say anything, didn't do anything, and yet, strength surged. He was here, and I was safe.
But on the astral plane it was a different matter entirely.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing, waiting until the sense of peace enveloped me. Then I imagined that cord hanging above me, and reached for it. This time, pulling free seemed faster and easier.