VISION ✔️ || The Keepers of Astraela #1

27.2 || Of Barriers and Hair Clippings

EMRYS

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS."

Emrys ignored Mystia's words, though the speedy patter of her footsteps was hard to miss. It was no surprise when she yanked him backward before he could push through the kitchen door.

"Do you recall the kind of power it takes to break through the Barrier?" Mystia held an iron grip on his weakened wrist. "You're in no shape to even attempt—"

"Bobbi is in danger because of me. I never should have left her behind."

"Emrys." Mystia placed her other hand on his arm when he tried to turn away. "I know you care for this woman. But is it worth your life to save someone whose intestines are likely smattered across the walls by now?"

Emrys squared his jaw, but found himself at a loss for words. She was right. Still, he couldn't bring himself to face her—to face the truth.

Instead, his gaze wandered over her shoulder. Eva lingered by the kitchen island, tears snaking down her cheeks and fingers tugging at her sweatshirt's strings until the hood had completely bunched around her neck.

"We can't leave her." Eva's voice was no more than a whisper.

Mystia ignored her. "This is suicide."

"I'm going." Emrys brushed her hands away and shoved through the kitchen doors. The humming inside his ears increased with the pressure in his head.

Leaving Bobbi behind wasn't an option. No matter how small the chance of her survival was, if he didn't try to save her, the guilt would kill him faster than his curse ever could—a thought he ensured was projected loud and clear to any eavesdropping half-goblins. Hopefully, it would keep her from following him.

It did not.

The light yet angry footsteps scuttled closer, following in cold, bitter strides. At least she wasn't trying to stop him.

Silence followed the pair as they made their way out of the Sanctum. Not a glance passed between them until they were securely through the back door and made their way through the treeline behind the tavern.

When Emrys looked down at Mystia, her eyes focused on the path ahead, never missing a step even without the morning sun to guide her. His own vision, however, had clouded, succumbing to the Darkness above. A world once washed in vivid black and white had faded to an abyss of tricks and shadow. He stumbled over small objects in their way that he should have seen from yards off.

While he wanted to blame it on sleep deprivation and a stress-wound mind, he knew better. One by one, his powers were being stripped away, taunting him with their former luxury.

The pitch-blackness would make for excellent cover, but Emrys had never wished for the Guild's radiant magic more. He rubbed his arms against the bitter air, longing for the jacket he hadn't grabbed while storming out of the Sanctum.

"A bit chilly, love?"

Emrys didn't have to look at Mystia to know she was grinning. "Why did you come? Unless you want to see Bobbi's guts on the wall."

"If there's even a chance this woman is alive, you won't let this rest."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"You're no good to her if you die trying to shatter the Barrier, are you?"

Emrys shut his mouth. She was right... again. While he'd had days to rest since the incident at Faeran's, his body had taken a toll. The weakness, while subdued, rested beneath the surface, waiting for the moment he expelled a sliver of magic. Even if he did find the strength to shatter the Barrier, he had no idea what would become of him.