Chapter 680: Potential
I was just funneling my power back out through the others when I felt the whispered touch of maji magic in my mind.
Sydlynn. Iepa, my maji guide/pain in the rear embraced me gently.
Don't tell me this isn't allowed, I snapped at her in auto-defense mode. Because that would be just like her, popping in at the time when happiness was a thread of power away.
She released me, sighed softly. To the contrary, she sent. What you're about to do, the freedom you offer them, is how the werewolves were meant to be.
Huh? What do you mean?
The sorcerers didn't create them, per se, she sent. Yes, they finished the job, sealed the shifting race to them. But the initial creation was mine.
You again. I wished I could throttle her. Why didn't you rescue them?
I couldn't, she sent. But you can.
Why am I so special? Bitter? Naw.
Because you share a bond with one of them, she sent. Had me focus on Charlotte again. Your black hound friend had the right of it. She showed me what he did, the quaking of the edges of the bond. But you need to take it even further. Instead of earth magic severing a hold, she pushed me deeper, into the very cells of my werefriend. Each one was surrounded by black. You need to break it at the molecular level. But you can't just leave them unsupported. She showed me another image, of the cells breaking free and shattering. They will die.
Gulp. Okay, so what, then?
You replace it. Iridescent light flared around the cells once filmed in darkness.
Whoa, I sent. I'm not going to be their new Czar.
You won't be, she sent. You are simply freeing them from the hold of sorcery. It devours for strength. Instead of it, you're giving them creation magic to sustain them and help them grow to full potential.
No strings? I didn't think Charlotte would forgive me if she traded one master for another.
None, Iepa sent. They will be as they were always meant. And will finally develop their own magic.
Coolio. Let's do it.
But she pulled away. I can only guide you, as always, she sent. I have absolute faith you will succeed. She paused before her power hugged me quickly again. Be well, Sydlynn Hayle. I will speak to you again soon.
I wasn't sure if that was a warning things were coming to a head shortly or if there was hope in her voice. Either way, she was gone and I knew better than to chase after her.
Syd. Mom's mind touched mine. Are you going to do something or are we just going to stand here?
I shot her a grin. Iepa moment, I sent back. I'm getting to it.
When I turned back and met Charlotte's eyes, she smiled.
Yeah. I had this handled.
It was easier even than Iepa said, though much more moving than I expected. The moment I released Charlotte's body of the sorcery, my maji power rushed in to repair the damage, seal her cells with power and creative magic. I watched her change on the outside even as my mind saw her shift on the inside, her skin seeming to glow a moment, the rainbow light of my maji power pouring from her for a couple of heartbeats, pulsing in time with her blood, before she returned to normal.
No, not normal. She still glowed, with an inner beauty that came from being free.
Charlotte sobbed and reached for me, hugging me tight, lips pressing first to my left, then my right cheek. When she let me go, she twirled like a little girl and laughed, wrapping her own arms around her.
"Thank you," she said. Sobered a little. "Can you save them all?"
Only one way to find out.
I reached through her again, using her bloodline to find them one last time, to do for every werewolf as I'd done for Charlotte. It seemed to take forever, my maji power whispering its way across miles, healing, cleansing, freeing. I was so focused on what I was doing, it wasn't until the last werewolf, a continent away, roared in triumph I returned my attention to my physical body.
And found myself held in Piers's arms. My knees quivered as I clutched at him, grateful he held me up.
"Thought you could use a hand this time," he said.
"Thanks." I tested my strength as the werewolves gathered around each other, whispering, hugging, their happiness so vivid my chest tightened. Maybe I was just emotional from what I'd done, or maybe I'd been through so much in the last twelve or so hours, I earned it, but as they quietly celebrated their freedom, I turned my face into Piers's shoulder and wept.
He hugged me, magic and all, not a breath of judgment. Only support and kindness until I snuffled and wiped at my nose, just in time to see Charlotte approaching with a shy smile.
All of her gathered people assembled behind her.
Some of them fell to their knees, their awe and wonder so clear I pulled free of Piers and shook my head.
"You're on your own," I said. "Don't even think about it."
Charlotte laughed as Oleksander stepped forward to mimic her, his beard scratching my face as he kissed my cheeks. "How can we ever repay you?"
Silly werewolf. "You are your own people now," I said. "I have it on very good authority you were always meant to be this way." More awe, some weeping of their own. "Now that you are free, I will make it a priority to have the reproduction ban lifted in North America."
Mom came to my side with a smile. "I can promise that will no longer be an issue."
I loved my mother. "And the offer is open-come visit me sometime and tell me about your own adventures." Be nice to hear about someone else's for a change.
Their magic flowed around them, a hot, churning feeling reminding me of a mix of demon and earth magic. Made sense, considering Charlotte's ability to cross to Demonicon, though in altered form. I suddenly wondered if she went over the veil now, would she be in demon shape?
I also couldn't help but ask myself what I'd helped to bring into the world. As long as they stayed the good guys, things couldn't have turned out better.
Syd, Mom sent, arm going around my shoulders as Piers backed off. We watched Charlotte return to her people, Oleksander pausing to kiss my cheeks one last time before hugging his granddaughter in a bear-like grip and laughing. You did good, sweetheart.
I grinned at Mom and shrugged.
All in a night's work for a Hayle, I sent.
I knew trouble was coming but didn't care. It floated down to our level in the form of Gwendolyn and Finlay, who managed to sneak past Pender and confront me.
The young witch was still biting her lip. If she wasn't careful, she wouldn't have one left by the time the sun rose.
"We've been instructed to escort you to our border." At least she wasn't going to call me on the blatant use of maji power I just performed. Still, her words rankled.
Charlotte didn't give me a chance to defend myself. She pulled free of her celebrating people and crossed the distance in three long strides, pushing her way into Gwendolyn's face. Charlotte's echoing growl made my teeth ache, her power flaring around her as her wolf leaped into her eyes.
"Tell your Council Leader," she snarled, "her witches are no longer welcome in our territory." The werewolves roared their approval. "And that Sydlynn Hayle is always welcome." More roaring. They'd wake up half the countryside. "She is my guest. And I will escort her home."
Not much they could say to that. With an apologetic shrug, Gwendolyn returned to the small contingent of Enforcers and, in a flare of blue, they were gone.
And that was how the extended Hayle family kicked ass.
Boo-ya.
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