Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 689(@200wpm)___ 551(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“There’s too much interference.”
“What do you mean?”
She tried to explain it. “The walls. I can feel the energy vibrating off every structure. Even your presence creates a ripple.”
“Would it be better to practice outside?”
“Probably.” But she liked the privacy of her room. “I don’t want to do too much too soon. I’m trying to build up my stamina. It’s complicated.”
“So, explain it to me.”
She hesitated. These secrets were protected for a reason. “Can I trust you?”
“June, seriously?”
She still hesitated. “What? This is ancient wisdom. It’s not meant for just anybody.”
“Well, at least all this power isn’t going to your head.”
“Fine.” She sighed. “It’s not like you’ll be able to use it.”
“Gee, thanks. It’s great to feel useless.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She turned to face him. “You know how tomatoes are nightshade fruits, and they mostly bloom at night?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, they’re full of energy from the moon. Trees are a mixture of sun, air, and earth. Every living thing holds a sort of magical DNA. Trained witches can tap into the genetics to pull whatever power they need.”
“You learned all of this from those books?”
“I’ve always known it was out there, but now I’m trying to master the skill. Think of it as knowing what Italian sounds like compared to being able to understand and speak it. I’m learning how to apply what I know.”
“So, once you learn how to channel nature, you’ll have more powers?”
“Sort of. The bigger the natural source, the greater the power when channeled. The ocean would be the strongest force, but we’re hours from the Atlantic. However—”
“The gorges,” he guessed before she could explain.
“Yes.” Adriel had been right when she sensed the ancient energy of this place. “Once I know how to tap into all that power, I can pull it within.”
“Is that dangerous?”
“We’re already in danger. Me learning how to better control my magick only makes us safer.”
“Are you saying we need a field trip?”
She grinned, anxious to stretch her powers outside of the house. “I think that’s exactly what’s needed.”
CHAPTER 21
They were lost.
Hiking in the dark woods sounded like a great idea until Juniper realized she was not quite as one with nature as her ancestors might have been.
A mosquito bit her neck, and she angrily slapped herself where it stung. “Damn it with these bugs! Are we sure this is the fastest path to the falls?”
Adriel seemed the only one with any sort of tracking skills, so they sent her ahead. In a flash, she doubled back, once again startling the crap out of Juniper.
“Damn it, Ade! I told you not to sneak up on me like that.”
“I wasn’t sneaking. You asked a question, and I was miles ahead. I didn’t want to shout.”
There wasn’t enough blood in the world to gift her or Dane with equal speed or super-human hearing to that of a purebred immortal.
Ade’s eyes dropped to the mosquito bite on her neck. “You’re bleeding.”
“It’s nothing.”
Her stare met hers. That look was so much more than nothing. It screamed silent envy for the tiny creature that stole one drop of what they both knew she wanted. Juniper didn’t understand why she hadn’t taken her blood the other day. Her resistance made her want it all the more.
Adriel’s stare cut away. “To answer your question, yes, this is the fastest route to the falls. If you open your senses, you can smell the minerals in the air coming off the mist.”
The only thing Juniper could smell was the delicious scent of Adriel’s skin. Her nearness was so distracting that it overpowered the energy of the gorges, which any witch worth her salt would be able to feel thrumming through the earth.
“I need some room to concentrate. I’m not grounded.”
“I’ll leave you to it then.” Adriel rushed off, giving her more than enough space to focus.
“I can hear it,” Dane said, pushing past her to take the lead.
Her hair lifted as Adriel abruptly returned, once again startling her. Juniper flinched, but then Adriel’s knuckle casually grazed her hand as it hung by her side, and a wave of desire surged through her.
“Did something upset you?”
“No, I’m just having a hard time focusing.” They had yet to actually discuss what happened the other night, and Juniper was starting to worry that Adriel had regrets.
“Me too.” She tipped her face down and shyly watched her through her lashes. “I find myself unable to think through a single thought without also thinking of you.”
Her words stirred some much-needed assurance. “Really?”
Adriel nodded, her green eyes especially bright in the moonlight. She leaned close and whispered, “I keep replaying the other night in my head, and all I want to do is…”
Juniper’s breath held. “Say it.”
The corner of her mouth twitched into a half smile, and she blushed. “This.” The kiss was so fast it was over before Juniper realized it was happening.