in, his powerful energy frightening me. My heart began to pound hard as he stopped next to Dallas's body, then turned to face me as though he could sense my astral body.
"Thank you," he whispered, his stunning green eyes glinted. I didn't need to ask who he was. The resemblance to Cass was uncanny. I stared at him, mesmerized, until I remembered I had a job to do.
I nodded and fell back into the beat of the drum, rising through the air to return to the huge Scottish mansion. The way back seemed longer, filled with quiet and yet also with a sadness I didn't understand. Tiredness washed over me. The whooshing sound in my head became painful, and the light hurt my eyes. I was tempted to descend and rest in the woods below, if only for a brief moment, but I kept going. I could feel my body pulling me back. Aidan's mansion appeared in the distance when I broke down and everything went black. In the cold enveloping me I could feel someone touch my shoulder with freezing fingers.
"You must go back."
I shook my head lightly, signaling I didn't want to. Not yet. The icy fingers clamped around my shoulders and shook hard, forcing me to sit up.
"Go, now!"
Groaning, I began to ascend again and headed for the mansion. I was so tired, it took me a while to reach it. Only when I opened my eyes did I realize I must have closed them at some point. My hands rested on the drum and my head had rolled back as though in sleep. I pulled myself up, and the dizziness faded a little. My heart was still pounding hard in my chest.
I cleared my throat and straightened my back, then rang the bell to signal the end of the session.
"You've done it. Thank you so much," Cass whispered, two tears rolling down her plump cheeks. I nodded and let her hug me because it was easier than to protest. The sudden weariness pressing down on my chest made me want to hide under my blanket and sleep off the fatigue that seemed to come from the core of my being. And yet I couldn't because my work wasn't done yet.
"Thrain, can I have some water?" My throat felt hoarse as I spoke, my voice sounded alien in my ears. He hurried over with a glass of water and I drank it hastily as I signaled the others that they could leave the circle. For a few seconds, they just stared at me before the questioning began. I sank into Thrain's arms as I answered dutifully, my attention focused on Cass. The long nails were gone now; the menacing flair around her had vanished. Her skin seemed to glow, her whole being radiated light and—darkness, but not in a scary way. Just different.
"Gotta go," she said.
I nodded, understanding. She had to see Dallas. If I were her, I'd want to see my mate too instead of engaging in meaningless small talk. With a last smile, she took off.
"That's enough," Thrain said and scooped me up on his arms, ignoring my protest that I wasn't finished. In few long strides, he carried me up the stairs to my room.
"Cass isn't just any angel, is she?" I whispered as he sat me down. He nodded and sat down on the bed next to me. His big hands cupped my face; his green eyes met my gaze with an expression I couldn't interpret. "Thank you for helping her and for trusting us." And then he kissed me softly. I opened my mouth to say that I would do it again. Any time. I would do anything for him. But he pressed a finger against my lips, forcing me to listen. "Thank you for being here with me." I shrugged to show it wasn't a big deal. His lips grazed my earlobe, sending shivers down my spin. I let out a soft moan.
"There's something I haven't told you," Thrain whispered. "I've been waiting to meet my mate for a long time. I thought it'd never happen and that maybe I might not have one. And then I met you." He moistened his lips and ran a finger down my cheek. "You're beautiful and more amazing than I ever hoped for."
My heart skipped a beat as he whispered in my ear, "Promise you'll always stay with me. No matter what." He looked at me expectantly. A tear slipped down my cheek. In