Carefully, I counted the stones in the stone circle, memorizing their shapes and patterns. I memorized the flowers around me, the number of hills, the scent on the air, and the sound of the birds calling in the distance.
When I’d collected as much data as I could, I closed my eyes and envisioned being in my body. It took a few tries—enough that fear began to drive my heartbeat—but eventually, I felt myself flying upward, the wind tearing at my hair once more.
I returned to consciousness in my body with a sensation like I was being weighed down by a ton of bricks. To my relief, the heavy feeling disappeared, and I felt…normal.
I opened my eyes.
“Well?” Eve said. “Did you see anything?”
“Did you see me fall into the well?” I asked.
“Nope. You stood there like a statue.”
I nodded. “Good. Can we go inside? Do you have pen and paper?”
“Yes.” Michael hopped up, eagerness on his face.
I followed him into the kitchen, where he furnished me with writing implements. Quickly, I sketched everything I’d seen, describing it all as I went.
“Did you see a woman there?” he asked, leaning forward, his gaze intense.
“I didn’t.” I frowned. “Should I have?”
“Um…” He shook his head, leaning back. “I heard her, but it could have been my imagination.”
Oh, that was interesting. This was a mystery I’d like to know more about. And it had been good practice. I’d sent my consciousness somewhere else. It hadn’t been a vision. This time, I’d gone there. A bit like when I’d used my power in the hotel room in Romania and zoomed around through the vision of Mariketta’s tomb, but more intense.
I was getting stronger, and this might be the perfect place to practice. “I need to go help my friends, but I could come back and look again, if you like. See if I can find her without you having to go into the well.”
He nodded. “That would be lovely, thank you. I’m quite keen to go in, but everyone knows that enchanted wells are dangerous.”
“Of course.” I nodded as if I’d known that all along.
He rose. “Thank you for the help. Give me a moment, and I’ll have that Powderwort for you.”
He left the room, and Eve leaned toward me. “Your magic did something different, didn’t it?”
“I’m getting more powerful. I think I might have projected my consciousness somewhere else.”
Her brow rose. “Astral projection? That’s rare, even for supernaturals.”
“That’s what it felt like.”
“Nicely done.”
Michael returned with a small bag and handed it to Eve. “Best of luck with your friends.”
She thanked him, and we said our goodbyes. As we left, I glanced back at Michael. The big man stood outside of his cottage, looking out of place and perfectly at ease at the same time.
“Ready?” Xavier’s voice drew my attention.
I turned to the poet. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
13
The Devil
The Devonian had been a pain in the arse to acquire, but the task had given me time to think.