Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,189

as though it was made of pure light. His steps quickened as he saw his favorite enemy in the distance.

Laina watched him go but made no move to follow. Darla moved closer, giving her a brief hug, but then she stepped away. The Arkeshi needed to keep her hands free given the possible threats around them. “We should go, Laina. It isn’t safe here,” advised her bodyguard.

“He’s dead, Darla, dead. And I never said a single kind word to him,” muttered Laina listlessly.

The Arkeshi glanced at Will once more, then shook her head. “No, Laina, he isn’t dead. He’s still alive. He’s here with us now.”

Laina’s face grew angry. “Save the platitudes, Darla. I’m in no mood for fairytales.”

“Right there,” said Darla, pointing. “He isn’t dead, he’s projecting himself.”

His half-sister wiped her face absently, causing some of her hair to stick to her cheeks and generally making herself look even worse. “You aren’t making sense.”

Her bodyguard sighed. “Some people, usually warlocks and sorcerers, but occasionally normal people too, learn to project their spirits outside of their bodies. I was trained to spot such things. William is here now, listening to us.”

“Why haven’t I heard about this before?” asked Laina.

“Because your people are stupid,” snapped Darla. “And also, those who learn the secret usually keep it to themselves.”

Laina didn’t seem convinced. “You’re just making things up now.”

The former assassin didn’t take that well. “Have I ever lied to you before?” she demanded.

“No…”

“Then do not accuse me of it now. He’s here! If you wish, you can try and talk to him.”

That got Laina’s full attention. “How?”

“Touch him. If your hearts are in sync then your spirits can touch,” said the Arkeshi.

Laina’s nose wrinkled again. “You do it.”

Exasperated, Darla moved closer to Will, then moved her hand back and forth through the area he occupied. He felt nothing. “I cannot,” said Darla. “His bond is not with me.”

“That’s just revolting. There’s no bond between us.”

“You just admitted he is your brother,” Darla pointed out. Will found himself nodding in agreement, Yeah. The Arkeshi continued, “He could not be here otherwise. He has anchored himself to you.”

“Now you’re giving me the creeps,” said Laina.

Darla sighed. “Fine. Let’s return to the school. William’s friend is there. We should at least wake him and tell him what has happened.”

“Wait, what about—all that?” Laina waved her hand mysteriously at the air near where Will was located.

The Arkeshi shrugged. “If you do not care then we can ignore him. Eventually his spirit will wither and die or return to its body. He’s no longer our concern.”

Laina didn’t move. Rubbing her face with her hands, she stared in Will’s general direction. “Where is he?” she asked.

“A little to your left and three feet forward,” said Darla.

His half-sister moved according to her bodyguard’s instructions. “I just reach out? Oh!” She jumped back as her hand touched the space where Will was. He wasn’t sure what she had felt, but he had experienced an electric tingle that ran through his phantom body. “That was him, wasn’t it?” asked Laina.

“Yes. Try not to flinch away next time,” advised her friend.

Laina nodded, then moved closer, holding her arms out. Will focused his attention on her, moving himself forward, and then they collided, sending shivers through his astral form and causing his sister to shudder, but she didn’t retreat. It was then that he realized how cold he was.

The astral space he inhabited was home to a deathly chill, and now that he had touched Laina, he could feel the living warmth that radiated from her skin. It was vitality, sustenance. It maintained her soul, nurtured her spirit. Without it, any spirit being would eventually starve and wither.

“Can you hear me?” she asked.

Yes, he replied, trying to project his thoughts through their superficial contact.

Laina frowned, then glanced back at Darla. “I felt something. I think he’s trying to talk, but it’s just a buzz.”

The