I focused on the little boy in front of me. His little sister clung to my side as voices rang out around me. “Is that everyone?”
“I don’t know.” Another voice called out.
“How many were missing?”
“How many did we pull out?”
“Baby.” Rowan’s voice called my attention back. “Amy?”
“Yeah?” I shook my head to clear it of the mist that seemed to still coat it.
“Did you hear me?” Rowan leaned over my shoulder and stared into my eyes.
“What?”
“Did you hear me?”
My mind processed what he was saying. “What? No…Yes, I mean. Yes, I can hear you.”
Rowan smiled. “I’ll take that as I no. You didn’t hear what I said.” I must have frowned because he smiled bigger. “I need you to stop pulling rocks out and instead look for anyone else still buried.” I must have paled because he reached out and cupped my face. “We just need to be sure there is no one else still buried. We don’t want to leave anyone trapped still.” His face fell for a second. “Everyone deserves to come home.”
I nodded once and licked my lips before I realized my mouth was completely dry. “Sure.” A swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Everyone needs to come home.” I dropped the rocks I had my magic had in it’s clucthes safely before I sent my magic trailing through the rest of the collapsed cave. It ran through gaps, and wiggled through the tiny crevices that we left open to it. But there was nothing left alive in the cave. “Everyhting is dead.” Rowan nodded once when I met his eyes.
“That’s fine, baby. Look for bodies. We need to bring everyone home.” Bodies…right. I sent my magic back out, trailing through blood puddles and dust motes, searching for anything that wasn’t supposed to be there. “Look for pack mates. We don’t need to look for rogues.‘
My magic faltered. “I can’t tell the difference between pack or a rogue when they are already dead.”
“We are accounted for.” Someone called out.
Ronnie’s voice wavered from beside me. “We brought everyone home. Get free. Amy, when I tell you, let it all go.”
I shook my head. “My dad-”
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“Is already free. You can let it all go.” His voice wavered again, like he was holding something back, and I finally nodded.
“Okay. If you’re sure.” I felt my eyes glaze over as Rowan nodded once. “Tell me once everyone is free.”
It took a second before his words reached me again. “You can let go.” I took a deep breath and pulled back my magic. I felt the cave collapse section by section as I pulled back all the magic. My vision flickered once as I heard a cry and staggered back into Rowan’s arms as the magic snapped back to me. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and legs, and then I was in his arms. My head lolled against his shoulder. “I have you, baby.” His words pulled me under, the exhaustion taking me away on the winds.
Nix, Megan! I called out into my mind as the world faded from focus. Are you still here? Erubus? Loki? Panic gripped me. My father was gone, but I hoped I could keep his wolf in my mind. That tiny fracture staying alive within me, but there was no answer. NIX! MEGAN! I started to worry I had lost everything.
Still loud as ever, Aim. Nix’s tired voice called out to me from a corner of my mind.
I sobbed out. You’re alive?
You can’t get rid of us that easily. Megan called back, but even she sounded wiped.
My clearing flickered into existence as the darkness finally cleared from my mind. Two dark shapes faded into the trees just as the light came back. Loki! Don’t leave me alone. I ran towards the trees
where I saw his back fade from view.
He can’t stay here with us, Amy. You know that. Nix’s voice called back to me, and I turned back to the flowerpot that my two wolves were wrapped around.
I dropped to my knees beside them. I can’t lose him. I reached for my two wolves and then struggled to my side.
You can’t lose him, Amy. He’s our father. Even when he goes to the goddess. He will always be a part of who we are. Nix nuzzled my cheek as I started to cry.
Megan curled into my lap. You still have us.
—
That thought made me cry harder. My wolves – I nearly lost them. I wrapped them both in my
arms. You can’t leave me.
Never. Nix leaned against my side.
We will always be with you, Amy. Megan sighed as she snuggled deeper into my lap.
You are stuck with us. Nix collapsed against me. Love you Amy.
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Megan nodded once. I love you too, Amy. I’m happy we didn’t die.
I snuggled into both of their furs. I love you both so fucking much. I felt the darkness eat away at my
conscience.
Sleep pup. A soft voice called from the trees. I cracked an eye only to see my grandmother walking over. I will watch over you three. Sleep. Recoup. This isn’t over yet. Her last words were a whispered threat that hung in the air, but I was too exhausted to ask her what she meant. The darkness pulled me under completely. 4
